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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
FORM 10-Q
[X]
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the quarterly period
ended September 30, 2003
OR
[ ]
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from
__________ to __________
Commission
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Registrant, State of Incorporation
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I.R.S. Employer
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File Number
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Address and Telephone Number
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Identification No.
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2-26651
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New England Power Company
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04-1663070
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(a Massachusetts corporation)
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25 Research Drive
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Westborough, Massachusetts 01582
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508.389.2000
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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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an
accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act).
The number of shares outstanding of each of the
issuer's classes of common stock, as of November 3, 2003, were as
follows:
Registrant
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Title
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Shares Outstanding
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New England Power Company
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Common Stock, $20.00 par value
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3,619,896
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(all held by National Grid
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USA)
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NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY
FORM 10-Q - For the Quarter Ended September 30,
2003
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PAGE
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Item 1.
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Unaudited Financial Statements
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Condensed Statements of Income and Retained Earnings and Comprehensive
Income
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3
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Condensed Balance Sheets
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4
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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
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6
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Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements
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7
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Item 2.
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
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14
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Item 3.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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19
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Item 4.
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Controls and Procedures
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19
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 1.
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Legal Proceedings
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20
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Item 6.
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Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
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20
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Signature
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21
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Exhibit Index
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22
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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial
Statements
NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY
Condensed Statements
of Income
Periods Ended September 30
(In
thousands)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Six Months
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2003
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2002
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2003
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2002
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Operating revenue, principally from affiliates
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$118,051
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$127,267
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$232,496
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$270,755
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Operating expenses:
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Fuel for generation
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728
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980
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1,218
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1,361
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Purchased electric energy:
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Contract termination and nuclear unit shutdown charges
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37,424
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43,487
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73,013
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87,166
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Other
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4,332
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6,842
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6,556
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23,316
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Other operation
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11,914
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12,356
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24,340
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27,179
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Maintenance
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4,314
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4,763
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6,558
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12,135
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Depreciation and amortization
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Purchased power and nuclear fuel amortization
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16,633
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13,901
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33,266
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27,755
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Other
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9,959
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7,632
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19,257
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15,272
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Taxes, other than income taxes
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4,341
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5,263
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8,780
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10,084
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Income taxes
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10,420
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11,490
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22,588
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24,042
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Total operating expenses
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100,065
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106,714
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195,576
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228,310
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Operating income
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17,986
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20,553
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36,920
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42,445
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Other income:
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Equity in income of nuclear power companies
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529
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2,461
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1,027
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3,149
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Other income, net
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1,328
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379
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2,409
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386
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Operating and other income
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19,843
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23,393
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40,356
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45,980
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Interest:
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Interest on long-term debt
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1,474
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1,951
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3,090
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3,893
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Other interest
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310
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605
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498
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852
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Total interest
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1,784
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2,556
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3,588
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4,745
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Net income
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$ 18,059
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$ 20,837
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$ 36,768
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$ 41,235
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Condensed Statements of Retained Earnings
(In
thousands)
(Unaudited)
Retained earnings at beginning of period
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$232,843
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$157,174
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$214,154
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$136,798
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Net income
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18,059
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20,837
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36,768
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41,235
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Dividends declared on cumulative preferred stock
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(18)
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(21)
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(38)
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(43)
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Retained earnings at end of period
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$ 250,884
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$ 177,990
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$ 250,884
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$ 177,990
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Condensed Statements of Comprehensive
Income
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Net income
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$ 18,059
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$ 20,837
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$ 36,768
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$ 41,235
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Unrealized gain(loss) on securities, net of tax
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15
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(16)
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180
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(133)
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Comprehensive income
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$ 18,074
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$ 20,821
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$ 36,948
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$ 41,102
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The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these financial statements.
Per share data
is not relevant because the Company's common stock is wholly owned by
National Grid USA.
NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY
Condensed
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
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September 30, 2003
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March 31, 2003
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Assets
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Utility plant, at original cost
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$ 857,293
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$ 842,823
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Less accumulated provisions for depreciation and amortization
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252,464
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245,908
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604,829
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596,915
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Construction work in progress
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14,212
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12,639
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619,041
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609,554
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Goodwill
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338,188
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338,188
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Investments:
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Nuclear power companies, at equity (Note C)
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34,949
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36,749
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Nonutility property and other investments
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11,166
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10,922
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46,115
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47,671
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Current assets:
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Cash and cash equivalents (including $306,725 and $244,150 with
affiliates)
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308,106
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247,678
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Accounts receivable:
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Affiliated companies
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51,086
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53,112
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Others
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99,291
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83,657
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Fuel, materials, and supplies, at average cost
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2,892
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1,796
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Prepaid and other current assets
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1,285
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141
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Regulatory assets - purchased power obligations
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102,276
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107,707
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564,936
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494,091
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Regulatory assets (Note B)
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1,299,582
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1,416,616
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Deferred charges and other assets
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12,650
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14,697
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Total assets
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$2,880,512
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$2,920,817
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
financial statements.
NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY
Condensed
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
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September 30, 2003
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March 31, 2003
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Capitalization and liabilities
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Capitalization:
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Common stock, par value $20 per share,
Authorized - 6,449,896 shares Outstanding - 3,619,896
shares
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$ 72,398
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$ 72,398
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Other paid-in capital
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731,974
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731,974
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Retained earnings
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250,884
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214,154
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss
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(50)
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(230)
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Total common equity
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1,055,206
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1,018,296
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Cumulative preferred stock, par value $100 per share
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1,274
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1,295
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Long-term debt
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410,294
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410,291
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Total capitalization
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1,466,774
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1,429,882
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Current liabilities:
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Accounts payable (including $33,087 and $22,798 to affiliates)
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63,769
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71,402
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Accrued liabilities:
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Taxes
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90,930
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65,311
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Interest
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512
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357
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Purchased power obligations
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102,276
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107,707
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Other accrued expenses
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4,608
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4,506
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Dividends payable
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19
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19
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Total current liabilities
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262,114
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249,302
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Deferred federal and state income taxes
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251,036
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258,492
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Unamortized investment tax credits
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8,106
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8,326
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Accrued Yankee nuclear plant costs
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234,865
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252,392
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Purchased power obligations
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317,123
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399,699
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Other reserves and deferred credits
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340,494
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322,724
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Commitments and contingencies (Note C)
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Total capitalization and liabilities
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$2,880,512
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$2,920,817
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
financial statements.
NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY
Condensed
Statements of Cash Flows
Periods Ended September 30
(Unaudited)
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Six Months
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(In thousands)
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2003
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2002
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Operating activities:
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Net income
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$ 36,768
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$ 41,235
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
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Purchased power contract buyout and nuclear fuel
amortization
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33,266
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27,755
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Other depreciation and amortization
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19,257
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15,272
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Deferred income tax(tax benefit) and investment tax credits, net
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(6,593)
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1,678
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Allowance for funds used during construction
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(420)
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(203)
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Changes in assets and liabilities:
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Increase in accounts receivable, net
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(13,608)
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(25,933)
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Decrease in regulatory assets
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77,475
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16,045
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(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other current assets
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(2,254)
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1,603
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Decrease in accounts payable
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(7,633)
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(8,347)
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Decrease in purchased power contract obligations
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(88,007)
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(16,835)
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Increase in other current liabilities
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25,876
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19,567
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Increase (decrease) in other non-current liabilities
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243
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(10,901)
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Other, net
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4,703
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(3,424)
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Net cash provided by operating activities
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$ 79,073
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$ 57,512
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Investing activities:
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Plant expenditures
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$ (18,933)
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$ (13,497)
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Other investing activities
|
347
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(1,368)
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Net cash used in investing activities
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$ (18,586)
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$ (14,865)
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Financing activities:
|
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Dividends paid on preferred stock
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$ (38)
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$ (43)
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Stock buyback
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(21)
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-
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Net cash used in financing activities
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$ (59)
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$ (43)
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Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
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$ 60,428
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$ 42,604
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
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247,678
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103,467
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
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$308,106
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$146,071
|
|
|
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Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
|
|
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Interest paid
|
$ 2,878
|
$ 4,222
|
Federal and state income taxes paid
|
$ 4,045
|
$ 3,391
|
Dividends received from investments at equity
|
$ 2,829
|
$ 2,525
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
financial statements.
NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY
Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements
NOTE A - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of
Presentation: New England Power Company (the "Company"), in the
opinion of management, has included all adjustments (which include normal
recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the results of its
operations for the interim periods presented. The March 31, 2003 condensed
balance sheet data included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q was derived
from audited financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003. As such, the March 31, 2003
balance sheet included in this Form 10-Q is considered unaudited as it does not
include all the footnote disclosures contained in the Company's Form 10-K.
These financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction
with the audited financial statements included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003.
Reclassifications: Certain amounts from prior years have been
reclassified in the accompanying financial statements to conform to the current
year presentation.
NOTE B - RATE AND REGULATORY ISSUES AND
ACCOUNTING IMPLICATIONS
Because electric utility rates have
historically been based on a utility's costs, electric utilities are
subject to certain accounting standards that are not applicable to other
business enterprises in general. The Company applies the provisions of SFAS No.
71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation"
("FAS 71"), which requires regulated entities, in appropriate
circumstances, to establish regulatory assets or liabilities, and thereby defer
the income statement impact of certain charges or revenues because they are
expected to be collected or refunded through future customer
billings.
The Company has received authorization from the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission ("FERC") to recover through contract
termination charges ("CTC") substantially all of the costs
associated with its former generating business not recovered through the
divestiture. Additionally, FERC enables transmission companies to recover their
specific costs of providing transmission service. Therefore, substantially all
of the Company's business, including the recovery of its stranded costs,
remains under cost-based rate regulation.
Under settlement agreements,
the Company is permitted to recover costs associated with its former generating
investments and related contractual commitments that were not recovered through
the sale of those investments (stranded costs). These costs are recovered from
the Company's wholesale customers with whom it has settlement agreements
through CTC which the affiliated former wholesale customers recover through
delivery charges to distribution customers. The recovery of the Company's
stranded costs is divided into several categories. The Company's
unrecovered costs associated with generating plants (nuclear and nonnuclear) and
most regulatory assets will be fully recovered through the CTC by the end of
2009 and earn a return on equity ("ROE") averaging 9.7 percent. The
Company's obligation related to the above-market cost of purchased power
contracts and nuclear decommissioning costs are recovered through the CTC as
such costs are actually incurred. As the CTC rate declines, the Company, under
certain of the settlement agreements, earns incentives based on successful
mitigation of its stranded costs. These incentives supplement the
Company's ROE.
As a result of applying FAS 71, the Company has
recorded a regulatory asset for the costs that are recoverable from customers
through the CTC. At September 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003 this amounted to
approximately $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, including $0.7
billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, related to the above-market costs of
purchased power contracts, $0.2 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, related
to accrued nuclear plant costs, and $0.2 billion and $0.2 billion, respectively,
related to other net CTC regulatory assets.
In conjunction with the
divestiture of its generating business, the Company transferred its entitlement
to power procured under several long-term contracts (the
"Contracts") to US Gen New England Inc. ("USGen"),
Constellation Power Source, Inc. and Transcanada Power Marketing Ltd. (the
"Buyers"). The Buyers agreed to fulfill the Company's
performance and payment obligations under the Contracts. At the same time the
Company agreed to pay the Buyers a fixed amount monthly for the above-market
cost of the Contracts. Annually these fixed payments by the Company average
approximately $108 million through December 2007 decreasing to approximately $9
million and $2 million, respectively, in 2008 and 2009. The net present value of
these fixed monthly payments is recorded as a liability with an equal balance
recorded in regulatory assets representing the future collection of the
liability from ratepayers. At September 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003 the net
present value of the liability for the fixed monthly payment is approximately
$419 million and $507 million, respectively.
On July 8, 2003, PG&E
National Energy Group (USGen's parent company) and USGen separately filed
for bankruptcy protection. In the event that the bankruptcy court relieved USGen
from meeting its obligations under the purchased power transfer agreement (the
"Transfer Agreement"), the Company would resume the performance and
payment obligations under the Contracts. At that point the Company would remove
a $371 million liability and a corresponding regulatory asset from its balance
sheet. To date USGen continues to perform under the Transfer Agreement.
Resumption of the performance payment obligations in the case of a default by
USGen would not materially affect the results of operations, as the Company
would continue to pass the above-market cost of the Contracts to customers
through CTC.
Separate from the Transfer Agreement, USGen has asked the
bankruptcy court to relieve it of obligations under Hydro Quebec transmission
line agreements ("HQ Contracts") to reimburse the Company for
monthly costs of approximately $1 million. If the bankruptcy court grants
USGen's motion and regulatory approval of the termination is received, the
Company will resume performance and payment under the HQ Contracts, and it will
have a claim against USGen in bankruptcy for its damages. To date USGen
continues to perform under the HQ Contracts. If the Company resumes
performance and payment obligations, it will not affect the results of
operations, as the Company, after the collection of damages, will be able to
recover any remaining costs from customers.
NOTE C - COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
Yankee Nuclear Power Companies: The Company
has minority interests in three nuclear generating companies: Yankee Atomic,
Connecticut Yankee and Maine Yankee (together, the "Yankees"). These
ownership interests are accounted for on the equity method. The Yankees own
nuclear generating units that have been permanently retired and are conducting
decommissioning operations. The Company has power contracts with each of the
Yankees that require the Company to pay an amount equal to its share of total
fixed and operating costs of the plant plus a return on equity. The
Company's share of the expenses of the Yankees is accounted for in
"Purchased electric energy" on the income
statement.
The Company has recorded a
liability and a regulatory asset reflecting the estimated future decommissioning
costs from the Yankees. These estimates include the projected costs of
decontaminating and dismantling the units, spent fuel storage, security, and
liability and property insurance, as well as other costs. Estimated total
decommissioning costs are recovered in rates regulated by the FERC. The
decommissioning costs that are actually incurred by the Yankees may exceed the
estimated amounts, perhaps substantially. (For a more detailed discussion of
Yankee decommissioning costs, see Note D "Commitments and
Contingencies", in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,
2003.) Under settlement agreements, the Company is permitted to recover all
prudently incurred decommissioning costs through the
CTC.
Decommissioning Collections: Each of the Yankees has
established a trust fund, or escrow fund, into which its owners make payments to
meet the projected costs of decommissioning. In order to collect the costs of
decommissioning the Yankees are required to file rate cases periodically with
FERC. The rate filings present the Yankees' estimates of future
decommissioning costs for FERC approval. Yankee Atomic ceased decommissioning
collections in June 2000. Subsequently, it filed for a rate increase, which the
FERC allowed to become effective June 5, 2003, subject to refund, and it has
resumed making decommissioning collections. A settlement of the Yankee Atomic
rate case was approved by the FERC on October 2, 2003. Maine Yankee filed a rate
case on October 20, 2003, and Connecticut Yankee is required to file a case
within the next 12 months. (For a more detailed discussion of decommissioning
collections, see Note D "Commitments and Contingencies", in Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003.)
DOE
Dispute: The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ("the Act")
establishes that the federal government, through the Department of Energy
("DOE"), is responsible for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. The
DOE has failed to meet its obligations under the Act to commence disposal of
spent nuclear fuel by January 1998. Several lawsuits have been brought in the
federal Court of Claims against the DOE by the decommissioning Yankees and
numerous other utilities and state regulatory commissions due to the compliance
failure. Recently, three federal Court of Claims judges issued rulings rejecting
the principle portions of the DOE's motions for summary judgment and, in
effect, ordering that the case proceed to trial. (For a more detailed discussion
of the DOE dispute, see Note D "Commitments and Contingencies", in
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003.) As an interim
measure until the DOE meets its contractual obligations to dispose of the spent
fuel, the Yankees have constructed independent spent fuel storage installations
located at the plant sites.
Bechtel Dispute: On June 13, 2003,
Connecticut Yankee terminated its firm fixed price contract with Bechtel Power
Corporation, its decommissioning operations contractor, alleging various
defaults of Bechtel's obligations. Bechtel then filed a lawsuit in
Connecticut Superior Court against Connecticut Yankee alleging breach of
contract and other claims seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
Connecticut Yankee has filed a counterclaim against Bechtel and intends to
defend itself against Bechtel's claims vigorously. Connecticut
Yankee intends to also pursue its rights under the $36 million performance bond
supplied by Bechtel's surety, if necessary. Following the contract
termination, Connecticut Yankee commenced self-performance of the
decommissioning work. As part of its transition into self-performance,
Connecticut Yankee is updating its 2003 cost estimate. This update will include
the impacts of Bechtel's termination and is expected to reflect a
substantial increase in cost. These developments may delay the progress of
decommissioning the Connecticut Yankee power plant and may increase the
Company's costs associated with it. The Company does not believe that
Connecticut Yankee's dispute with Bechtel will have a material impact on
the Company's results of operations or financial
position.
Divested Nuclear Unit: Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power
Corporation: The Company had a 23.9 percent equity investment in the
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation ("Vermont Yankee") as of
September 30, 2003, which it redeemed on November 7, 2003. Vermont Yankee
formerly owned Vermont Yankee Nuclear Generating station (the
"Station"). It sold the Station to Entergy Vermont Yankee LLC in
July 2002. Following regulatory approvals, on October 27, 2003, Vermont Yankee
distributed to its owners including the Company a majority of the proceeds from
the sale after payment of outstanding debt and other obligations. On November
7, 2003, Vermont Yankee repurchased from the Company all of the Company's
equity in Vermont Yankee. (For a more detailed discussion of the sale of the
Station, see Note D "Commitments and Contingencies", in Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003.)
Hazardous
Waste: The Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act, more commonly known as the "Superfund" law, imposes
strict, joint and several liability, regardless of fault, for remediation of
property contaminated with hazardous substances. A number of states, including
Massachusetts, have enacted similar laws.
The electric utility industry
typically utilizes and/or generates in its operations a range of potentially
hazardous products and by-products. The Company currently has in place an
internal environmental audit program and an external waste disposal vendor audit
and qualification program intended to enhance compliance with existing federal,
state, and local requirements regarding the handling of potentially hazardous
products and by-products.
The Company has been named as a potentially
responsible party ("PRP") by either the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency or the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
for several sites at which hazardous waste is alleged to have been disposed.
Private parties have also contacted or initiated legal proceedings against the
Company regarding hazardous waste cleanup. The Company is currently aware of
other possible hazardous waste sites, and may in the future become aware of
additional sites, that it may be held responsible for remediating. Some of these
sites relate to the disposal of ash from fossil fuel generating plants formerly
owned by the Company.
Predicting the potential costs to investigate and
remediate hazardous waste sites continues to be difficult. There are also
significant uncertainties as to the portion, if any, of the investigation and
remediation costs of any particular hazardous waste site that may ultimately be
borne by the Company. The Company has recovered amounts from certain insurers,
and, where appropriate, intends to seek recovery from other insurers and from
other PRPs, but it is uncertain whether, and to what extent, such efforts will
be successful. The Company is currently recovering certain environmental cleanup
costs in rates. The Company believes that hazardous waste liabilities for all
sites of which it is aware are not material to its financial
position.
Town of Norwood Dispute: From 1983 until 1998, the
Company was the wholesale power supplier for the Town of Norwood
("Norwood"). In April 1998, Norwood began taking power from another
supplier. Pursuant to a tariff amendment approved by the FERC in May 1998, the
Company has been assessing Norwood a CTC. Through September 30, 2003, the
charges assessed Norwood amount to approximately $69 million, all of which
remain unpaid. The Company filed a collection action in Massachusetts Superior
Court ("Superior Court"). In March 2001, the Superior Court ordered
Norwood to pay the Company approximately $27 million including interest, and
affirmed Norwood's obligation to make monthly CTC payments to the Company
of approximately $600,000, plus interest. Norwood appealed the order in April
2001, and the Court of Appeals affirmed the Superior Court's order in
October 2003. Norwood filed an appeal with the Supreme Judicial Court in
November 2003. Pending the first appeal, Norwood entered into a consent order to
establish a segregated account for the benefit of the Company in the amount of
approximately $14 million and to make regular additions to the account. As
reported by Norwood, the amount in the escrow account was approximately $25
million as of April 30, 2003.
In December 2002, Norwood filed a
complaint with the FERC, challenging the CTC on multiple grounds. In an order
dated July 2, 2003, the FERC granted the Company's motion to dismiss those
portions of Norwood's complaint that were previously litigated before FERC
and the federal district court. The FERC set down for hearing Norwood's
challenge to the factors used to calculate the CTC rate, noting that Norwood
bears the burden of proof on that challenge. The FERC set a refund effective
date of February 21, 2003, which empowers the FERC to direct the Company to
refund CTC payments that were billed to and paid by Norwood after that date, or
to adjust Norwood's liability for unpaid charges billed after that date,
in the event that Norwood's challenge is successful. The FERC's
administrative law judge set a hearing date of March 29, 2004 to consider
Norwood's challenge to the CTC rate, and the judge is expected to issue an
initial decision in May 2004. This decision will be subject to review by the
FERC. To date, Norwood has not paid any CTC bills rendered by the Company since
their commencement in May 1998.
Millstone Unit 3: In November
1999, the Company entered into an agreement with Northeast Utilities
("NU") to settle certain claims. Among other things, the agreement
provided for NU to include the Company's 16.2 percent ownership interest
in Millstone Unit 3 in an auction of NU's share of the unit. Upon the
closing of the sale, the Company was to receive a fixed amount, regardless of
the actual sale price. In March 2001, the Millstone units were sold, including
the Company's interest in Millstone 3, for $1.3 billion. In accordance
with the settlement agreement, the Company was paid approximately $27.9 million,
from which the Company paid approximately $5.8 million to increase the
decommissioning trust fund.
Regulatory authorities from Rhode Island, New
Hampshire, and Massachusetts have expressed intent to challenge the
reasonableness of the settlement agreement, taking the position that the Company
would have received approximately $140 million of sale proceeds if there had
been no agreement with NU. In the event that one or more of the states proceed
with such a challenge, the dispute will be resolved by the FERC. The Company
believes it has a strong argument that it acted prudently, as the amount it
received under the settlement agreement was the highest sale price for a nuclear
unit at the time the agreement was reached.
NOTE D -
SEGMENTS
The Company's reportable segments are electric transmission
and electric other (primarily stranded cost recovery, see Note B -
"Rate and Regulatory Issues and Accounting Implications"). The
Company is engaged principally in the business of electric power transmission.
Certain information regarding the Company's segments is set forth in the
following table. General corporate expenses, property common to both segments
and depreciation on such common property have been allocated to the segments
based on labor or plant using a percentage derived from total labor or plant
dollars charged directly to certain operating expense accounts or certain plant
accounts. Corporate assets consist primarily of other property and investments,
cash and unamortized debt expense.
|
Quarter ended September 30,
|
(In millions)
|
2003
|
2002
|
|
Electric Transmission
|
Electric Other
|
Total
|
Electric Transmission
|
Electric Other
|
Total
|
Operating Revenues
|
$43
|
$75
|
$118
|
$40
|
$87
|
$127
|
Operating Income before Income taxes
|
19
|
9
|
28
|
18
|
14
|
32
|
Depreciation and Amortization
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
Amortization of Stranded Costs
|
-
|
22
|
22
|
-
|
17
|
17
|
|
Six months ended September 30,
|
(In millions)
|
2003
|
2002
|
|
Electric Transmission
|
Electric Other
|
Total
|
Electric Transmission
|
Electric Other
|
Total
|
Operating Revenues
|
$85
|
$147
|
$232
|
$82
|
$189
|
$271
|
Operating Income before Income taxes
|
38
|
22
|
60
|
38
|
28
|
66
|
Depreciation and Amortization
|
9
|
-
|
9
|
9
|
1
|
10
|
Amortization of Stranded Costs
|
-
|
44
|
44
|
-
|
33
|
33
|
|
Total Assets at:
|
(In millions)
|
September 30, 2003
|
March 31, 2003
|
Electric Transmission
|
$1,231
|
$1,076
|
Electric Other
|
1,297
|
1,551
|
Corporate Assets
|
353
|
294
|
Total
|
$2,881
|
$2,921
|
NOTE E - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In July 2003, National
Grid USA announced an upcoming voluntary early retirement offer
("VERO") to non-union employees in New York and New England who work
in areas where workforce reductions are targeted, including transmission, retail
operations (in New England), and corporate administrative functions such as
finance, human resources, legal, and information technology. Eligible employees
include non-union employees in the targeted functions who will be age 55 with at
least ten years of service by December 31, 2004. National Grid USA sets the
actual retirement dates for individuals based on business operational needs.
Retirement dates will conclude no later than November 1, 2004 for the majority
of enrollees, but in some cases retirements may not occur until as late as
November 1, 2007. The enrollment period for the VERO ended on October 31, 2003.
The cost of the VERO to the Company is approximately $3 million. The VERO will
not affect the results of operations, as the Company will recover the expense
through cost recovery mechanisms.
In October 2003, National Grid USA
announced an upcoming VERO to approximately 520 eligible union employees in New
England. Eligible employees will include employees who will be age 55 with at
least ten years of service by December 31, 2004. National Grid USA will set the
actual retirement dates for individuals based on business operational needs.
Retirement dates will occur in two groups. The first group will conclude no
later than February 1, 2004. The second group will be released over a four year
period beginning on February 1, 2004 and concluding no later than January 1,
2008. The expense associated with this early retirement program will be
recovered through cost recovery mechanisms.
Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This report and other presentations made by New England Power Company
(the "Company") contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Throughout this report, forward looking statements can be identified by the
words or phrases "will likely result", "are expected
to", "will continue", "is anticipated",
"estimated", "projected", "believe",
"hopes" or similar expressions. Although the Company believes that,
in making any such statements, its expectations are based on reasonable
assumptions, any such statements may be influenced by factors that could cause
actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those projected.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited
to:
(a) the impact of further electric industry restructuring;
(b) federal and state regulatory developments and changes in law, which
may have a substantial adverse impact on revenues or on the value of the
Company's assets;
(c) federal regulatory developments concerning
regional transmission organizations;
(d) changes in accounting rules and
interpretations, which may have an adverse impact on the Company's
statements of financial position and reported earnings;
(e) failure to
recover costs currently deferred under the provisions Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types
of Regulations", as amended.
FERC Proceedings: The
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") is contemplating major
changes to the regulatory structure that governs the Company's business.
Several proposals are under consideration, any of which may affect how the
Company does business. The Company cannot predict which or how many of the
proposals the FERC will adopt or in what form, or whether they will have a
material impact on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
Generator Interconnections: On July 24, 2003,
FERC issued final rules seeking to standardize the procedures and contractual
arrangements for new generators with capacities over 20MW to interconnect to the
transmission grid. The final rules became effective October 20, 2003, but due to
the complexity of coordinating roles and responsibilities in regions with RTOs
and ISOs, FERC has extended the deadline for compliance filings by RTOs, ISOs
and individual transmission owners in those regions until January 20, 2004. The
Company has sought rehearing of various aspects of these rules which could have
materially adverse impacts on the Company, and it is actively working in the
regional stakeholder process to implement the rules in a manner that will
mitigate such adverse impacts. In particular, the rules appear to require
the implementation of pro forma agreements for generator interconnections
without recognizing the Company's rights under the Federal Power Act to
set the rates, terms and conditions of access to its transmission facilities and
without clearly delineating the rights and obligations of the Company relative
to an independent system operator ("ISO") or a regional transmission
organization ("RTO") and relative to neighboring control areas that
might be affected by the interconnection. In addition, FERC issued a
formal notice of proposed rulemaking ("NOPR") for special rules
governing the interconnection of generators with capacities under
20MW.
Regional Transmission Organizations: Transmission owners,
including the Company, and ISO-NE have filed with FERC for approval of a New
England RTO that complies with FERC's Order 2000 minimum characteristics,
including independence from the market, and functions. The filing includes an
RTO transmission tariff which would govern the recovery of the Company's
transmission revenues. The proposed tariff continues to provide for a formula
rate for the recovery of the Company's transmission expenses. The filing
parties have requested that the RTO tariff and related agreements be made
effective on or after March 1, 2004 on a date to be designated by transmission
owners and the RTO.
Standard Market Design: In July 2002, the
FERC issued a NOPR on standard market design ("SMD"). The proposed
rules address transmission pricing and planning, the role of merchant
transmission, and other issues that would directly affect the Company. The FERC
issued a White Paper on April 28, 2003 outlining a proposed wholesale power
market platform that it would require in any final rules in this proceeding.
The White Paper embodies FERC's response to the comments that it received
in this proceeding. FERC states that it intends to issue a rule requiring that
every public utility join an independent entity (either an RTO or an ISO) that
would be responsible for transmission service, tariff design, system operations,
and markets within a region. States would have a significant role in regional
transmission planning, tariff design, and ensuring resource adequacy.
Transmission owners that are market participants would have limited authority to
manage transmission. Independent transmission companies may manage a broader
set of functions. To the extent the Company wishes to pursue opportunities
related to transmission projects, the FERC rulings in the SMD proceeding and
other proceedings may limit the Company's ability to do so.
Standards of Conduct: In September 2001, the FERC initiated a NOPR
regarding affiliate standards of conduct in both the electric and gas
industries. In its proposed rules, the FERC proposed a broad definition of
"energy affiliate," which would include the Company's
affiliate National Grid USA Service Company, Inc., as well as the
Company's electric distribution company affiliates. If the FERC were to
adopt these rules as proposed, the Company would have to change the way it
interacts with its so-called energy affiliates in a manner that could increase
costs.
Rate Filing: Transmission owners in New England, including the
Company, have filed with FERC to increase their allowed return on equity in
transmission rates. The filing has three components. First, transmission owners
seek an increased return on equity of 12.8%. Second, transmission owners seek an
additional 0.5% return on equity for joining the RTO which they have separately
proposed to FERC. Third, transmission owners seek an additional 1% equity return
on new transmission investment that is constructed pursuant to an approved RTO
plan. The increased returns are requested to take effect on the same date that
the RTO becomes effective, on or after March 1, 2004 on a date to be designated
by transmission owners and the RTO.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
EARNINGS
Net income for the quarter and six months ended
September 30, 2003, decreased by approximately $3 million and $4 million,
respectively, compared with the same periods in 2002. The reduction was due
primarily to decreased mitigation incentives and reduced return on contract
termination charges ("CTC") cost recovery compared with the same
periods in 2002. Also contributing to the decrease was reduced equity income
from nuclear generation due to the sale of Vermont Yankee in July 2002. These
decreases were partially offset by increased transmission earnings during the
quarter and six months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the same periods
in 2002.
REVENUES
The Company has two primary sources of revenue:
transmission and stranded investment recovery. Transmission revenues are based
on a formula rate that recovers the Company's actual costs plus a return
on investment. Stranded investment recovery revenues are in the form of a CTC to
former all-requirements customers of the Company in connection with the
Company's divestiture of its electric generation investments. During the
prior fiscal year, the Company also had revenues associated with its ownership
interests in the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Generating Station ("Vermont
Yankee") and the Seabrook Nuclear Generating Station
("Seabrook"). Vermont Yankee and Seabrook were sold in July and
November 2002, respectively.
Operating revenue for the quarter and six months ended September 30,
2003, decreased approximately $9 million and $38 million, respectively, compared
to the same periods in 2002. The primary reason for the decrease was reduced
sales of power received from Vermont Yankee and Seabrook during the quarter and
six months ended September 30, 2003. The decrease is also related to reduced
CTC revenue due to fully reconciling true-up mechanisms that allow the Company
to adjust revenues proportionately with correlating expenses. In addition,
reduced mitigation incentives under the CTC contributed to the reduction in
operating revenue.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating
expenses for the quarter and six months ended September 30, 2003, decreased
approximately $7 million and $33 million, respectively, compared with the same
periods in 2002. The following paragraphs describe the respective
decreases.
Purchased power expense for the quarter and six months
ended September 30, 2003, decreased approximately $9 million and $31 million,
respectively, compared with the same periods in 2002. The decrease was primarily
caused by the inclusion of purchased power expense from Vermont Yankee during
the four months ended July 31, 2002 as compared with the same period in 2003.
The Vermont Yankee generating station was sold in July 2002. Also contributing
to the decreases were reduced ongoing payments for purchased power during the
quarter and six months ended September 30, 2003 as compared with the same
periods in 2002, due to the November 2002 buyout of a purchased power contract.
Partially offsetting the decreases was an increase in purchased power expenses
due to the resumption of decommissioning billings by Yankee Atomic in June
2003.
Operation and maintenance expense for the quarter and six
months ended September 30, 2003, decreased approximately $1 million and $8
million, respectively compared with the same periods in 2002. The decreases were
primarily caused by the inclusion of expenses from Seabrook during the quarter
and six months ended September 30, 2002 as compared with the same periods in
2003. Seabrook was sold in November 2002. (For a more detailed discussion of the
Seabrook sale, see Note D "Commitments and Contingencies", in Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003.)
Purchased
power contract buyout and nuclear fuel amortization expense for the quarter
and six months ended September 30, 2003, increased approximately $3 million and
$6 million, respectively, compared with the same periods in 2002. The increases
were due primarily to scheduled purchased power contract buyout cost increases
based upon rate agreements. The increases were partially offset by the
elimination of nuclear fuel amortization cost during the quarter and six months
ended September 30, 2003, as compared with the same periods in 2002, due to the
sale of Seabrook in November 2002.
Other depreciation and amortization
expense for the quarter and six months ended September 30, 2003, increased
by approximately $2 million and $4 million, respectively, compared with the same
periods in 2002. The increases are primarily due to the scheduled recovery of
generation-related stranded costs based upon annual filings. The increases were
partially offset by reduced decommissioning expenses during the quarter and six
months ended September 30, 2003, as compared with the same periods in 2002, due
to the sale of Seabrook in November 2002.
Other income and
expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, decreased approximately $1
million compared with the same period in 2002. The decrease is due primarily to
reduced equity income earnings of nuclear power companies due to the sale of
Vermont Yankee in July 2002. Partially offsetting the decrease was increased
interest income from loans to affiliated companies during the six months ended
September 30, 2003 as compared with the same period in 2002.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
There are certain critical accounting policies that are based on
assumption and conditions that if changed could have a material effect on the
financial condition, results of operations and liquidity of the Company. (For a
more detailed discussion of "Critical Accounting Policies" see
"Liquidity and Capital Resources", in Item 7. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,
2003.)
At September 30, 2003 the Company's principal sources of
liquidity included cash and cash equivalents of approximately $308 million and
accounts receivable of $150 million. The Company has a working capital balance
of approximately $302 million.
Net cash flows provided by operating
activities for the six months ended September 30, 2003, was approximately
$79 million.
Net cash flows used in investing activities for the
six months ended September 30, 2003, increased approximately $4 million compared
with same period in 2002, primarily due to increased plant expenditures.
At September 30, 2003, the Company had no short-term debt outstanding.
The Company has regulatory approval to issue up to $375 million of short-term
debt. National Grid USA and certain subsidiaries, including the Company, with
regulatory approval, operate a money pool to more effectively utilize cash
resources and to reduce outside short-term borrowings. Short-term borrowing
needs are met first by available funds of the money pool participants. Borrowing
companies pay interest at a rate designed to approximate the cost of outside
short-term borrowings. Companies that invest in the pool share the interest
earned on a basis proportionate to their average monthly investment in the money
pool. Funds may be withdrawn from or repaid to the pool at any time without
prior notice.
At September 30, 2003, the Company had lines of credit and
standby bond purchase facilities with banks totaling $439 million which is
available to provide liquidity support for $410 million of the Company's
long-term bonds in tax-exempt commercial paper mode, and for other corporate
purposes. The Company's line of credit expires and is renewed each December. The
Company's standby bond purchase facility expires and is renewed each September.
There were no borrowings under these lines of credit at September 30, 2003. Fees
are paid on the lines and facilities in lieu of compensating
balances.
Utility Plant Expenditures: Cash expenditures for the
Company for utility plant totaled approximately $19 million for the six months
ended September 30, 2003, and were primarily transmission-related. The funds
necessary for utility plant expenditures during the period were primarily
provided by internal funds.
The Company's total capital
requirements consist of amounts for its maturing debt issues, purchased power
commitments and operating leases. (For a more detailed discussion of
"Capital requirements" see "Liquidity and Capital
Resources", in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003.)
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk: The Company's major financial market
risk exposure is changing interest rates. Changing interest rates will affect
interest paid on variable rate debt. At September, 2003, the Company's tax
exempt variable rate long-term debt had a carrying value of approximately $410
million. While the ultimate maturity dates of the underlying loan agreements
range from 2015 through 2022, this debt is issued in tax exempt commercial paper
mode. The various components that comprise this debt are issued for periods
ranging from one day to 270 days, and are remarketed through remarketing agents
at the conclusion of each period. The weighted average variable interest rate
for the six months ended September 30, 2003, was approximately 1.08
percent.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company has
established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures which are designed
to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the
Company is made known to management by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared. The
Company maintains a Disclosure Committee, which is made up of several key
management employees and which reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer
and President. The Disclosure Committee monitors and evaluates these disclosure
controls and procedures. The Chief Financial Officer and President have
evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and
procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this
evaluation, it was determined that these disclosure controls and procedures were
effective in providing reasonable assurance during the period covered in this
report. There were no significant changes in internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date
of the most recent evaluation.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
For a discussion of pending legal proceedings, see Note
C, Commitments and Contingencies, in Part I, Item 1. Unaudited Financial
Statements.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)
|
Exhibits
|
|
|
|
The exhibit index is incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
|
(b)
|
Reports on Form 8-K
|
|
|
|
The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the fiscal quarter
ended September 30, 2003.
|
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2003 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
|
NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: November 12, 2003
|
By
|
/s/ Edward
A.Capomacchio
|
|
|
Edward A. Capomacchio
|
|
|
Authorized Officer and Controller and Principal Accounting
Officer
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
|
|
31.1
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule
13a-14(a)
|
|
|
31.2
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule
13a-14(a)
|
|
|
32
|
Section 1350 Certifications
|