UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period ended June 30, 2003
Commission file number 1-7310
The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is, therefore, filing this Form with the reduced disclosure format.
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Michigan | 38-0478040 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
2000 2nd Avenue, Detroit, Michigan | 48226-1279 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
313-235-4000
Registrants telephone number, including area code
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 (Exchange Act) 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 o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Yes o No x
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE | |||||
NUMBER | |||||
DEFINITIONS |
3 | ||||
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
5 | ||||
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
|||||
Item 1. Financial Statements |
|||||
Consolidated Statement of Operations |
10 | ||||
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position |
11 | ||||
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows |
12 | ||||
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings |
13 | ||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
14 | ||||
Independent Accountants Report |
17 | ||||
Item 2. Managements Narrative Analysis of the Results
of Operations |
6 | ||||
Item 4. Controls and Procedures |
9 | ||||
PART II OTHER INFORMATION |
|||||
Item 1. Legal Proceedings |
18 | ||||
Item 5. Other Information |
18 | ||||
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
18 | ||||
SIGNATURE |
19 |
2
DEFINITIONS
Customer Choice | The choice program is a statewide initiative giving customers in Michigan the option to choose alternative suppliers for gas. | |
DTE Energy | DTE Energy Company and subsidiary companies. | |
End User Transportation | A gas delivery service historically provided to large-volume commercial and industrial customers who purchase natural gas directly from producers or brokerage companies. Under MichCons Customer Choice program that began in 1999, this service is also provided to residential customers and small-volume commercial and industrial customers. | |
Enterprises | DTE Enterprises Inc. (formerly MCN Energy). | |
FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a federal agency that determines the rates and regulations of interstate pipelines. | |
Gas Sales Program | A three-year program that ended in December 2001 under which MichCons gas sales rate included a gas commodity component that was fixed at $2.95 per Mcf. | |
Gas Storage | For MichCon, the process of injecting, storing and withdrawing natural gas from a depleted underground natural gas field. | |
GCR | A gas cost recovery mechanism authorized by the MPSC that was reinstated by MichCon in January 2002 permitting MichCon to pass on the cost of natural gas to its customers. | |
Intermediate Transportation | A gas delivery service provided to producers, brokers and other gas companies that own the natural gas, but are not the ultimate consumers. | |
MCN Energy | MCN Energy Group Inc. and subsidiary companies. | |
MichCon | Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, an indirect, wholly-owned natural gas distribution and intrastate transmission subsidiary of Enterprises. |
3
MPSC | Michigan Public Service Commission. | |
Normal Weather | The average daily temperature within MichCons service area during a recent 30-year period. | |
SFAS | Statement of Financial Accounting Standards. | |
Units of Measurement: | ||
Bcf | Billion cubic feet of gas. | |
Mcf | Thousand cubic feet of gas. | |
MMcf | Million cubic feet of gas. |
4
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information presented herein includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future results to differ materially from those contemplated, projected, estimated or budgeted in such forward-looking statements. There are many factors that may impact forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the following:
| the effects of weather and other natural phenomena on operations and sales to customers; | |
| economic climate and growth in the geographic areas where we do business; | |
| environmental issues, including changes in the climate, and regulations; | |
| implementation of gas Customer Choice programs; | |
| implementation of gas utility restructuring in Michigan; | |
| employee relations; | |
| capital market conditions and access to capital markets and other financing efforts which can be affected by credit agency ratings; | |
| the timing and extent of changes in interest rates; | |
| the level of borrowings; | |
| changes in the cost of natural gas; | |
| effects of competition; | |
| impact of FERC and MPSC proceedings and regulations; | |
| changes in federal or state tax laws and their interpretations, including the code, regulations, rulings, court proceedings and audits; | |
| ability to recover costs through rate increases; | |
| property insurance; | |
| the cost of protecting assets against or damage due to terrorism; and | |
| changes in accounting standards and financial reporting regulations. |
New factors emerge from time to time. We cannot predict what factors may arise or how such factors may cause our results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
5
MANAGEMENTS NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Results of Operations discussion for MichCon is presented in accordance with General Instruction H(2)(a) of Form 10-Q.
MichCon reported losses of $11 million and earnings of $64 million for the second quarter and six-month period of 2003, respectively, compared with losses of $34 million and earnings of $21 million for the comparable 2002 periods. The reduced loss in the second quarter and the higher earnings for the six-month period were primarily due to charges recorded in the second quarter of 2002 from the planned sale of our former headquarters and the termination of a contract for computer services and higher gross margins in 2003.
Quarter | Six Months | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Income Compared to Prior Year |
||||||||
(in Millions) |
||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 49 | $ | 111 | ||||
Cost of gas |
(44 | ) | (81 | ) | ||||
Gross margin |
5 | 30 | ||||||
Operation and maintenance |
(10 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
(1 | ) | | |||||
Taxes other than income |
(2 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||
Property write-down and contract losses |
43 | 43 | ||||||
Other (income) and deductions |
2 | 3 | ||||||
Income tax provision |
(14 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
Net income |
$ | 23 | $ | 43 | ||||
Operating revenues increased $49 million and $111 million in the second quarter and six-month period of 2003, respectively, reflecting increased gas sales and end user transportation revenues.
Quarter | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||
Gas Markets (in Millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Gas sales |
$ | 227 | $ | 185 | $ | 788 | $ | 711 | ||||||||
End user transportation |
28 | 26 | 85 | 58 | ||||||||||||
255 | 211 | 873 | 769 | |||||||||||||
Intermediate transportation |
12 | 12 | 26 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Other |
17 | 12 | 37 | 32 | ||||||||||||
$ | 284 | $ | 235 | $ | 936 | $ | 825 | |||||||||
Gas Markets (in Bcf) |
||||||||||||||||
Gas sales |
32 | 29 | 112 | 106 | ||||||||||||
End user transportation |
25 | 38 | 86 | 86 | ||||||||||||
57 | 67 | 198 | 192 | |||||||||||||
Intermediate transportation |
130 | 117 | 304 | 258 | ||||||||||||
187 | 184 | 502 | 450 | |||||||||||||
6
Gas sales and end user transportation revenues in total increased $44 million and $104 million in the second quarter and six-month period of 2003, respectively. The increase is due primarily to an increase in Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) revenues of $47 million and $79 million for the second quarter and six-month period of 2003, respectively. Also, the increase for the six-month period of 2003 is due to $28 million in weather related demand. Since returning to the GCR mechanism in January 2002, MichCon has no commodity price risk associated with its prudently incurred gas costs. End user transportation revenues reflect higher rates and lower volumes for deliveries associated with a varying number of customers participating in the Customer Choice program. Customers participating in this program purchase gas from suppliers other than MichCon, while MichCon continues to deliver the gas to their premises. Accordingly, margins earned from selling gas and margins generated from providing end user transportation services to Customer Choice participants are the same.
Intermediate transportation revenues remained unchanged in the 2003 second quarter and intermediate transportation deliveries increased 13 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the same period. Intermediate transportation revenues increased $2 million for the six-month period of 2003 and intermediate transportation deliveries increased 46 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the same period. A significant portion of the volume increase was due to storage requirements combined with a volume increase attributable to customers who pay a fixed fee for intermediate transportation capacity regardless of actual usage. Although volumes associated with these fixed-fee customers may vary, the related revenues are not affected.
Cost of gas is affected by variations in sales volumes, cost of purchased gas and related transportation costs. Cost of gas sold increased by $44 million and $81 million in the second quarter and six-month period of 2003, respectively. The average cost of gas sold increased $1.26 per Mcf (33.4%) and $.47 per Mcf (10.1%) for the second quarter and six-month period, respectively, from the comparable 2002 periods.
Operation and maintenance expenses increased $10 million and $21 million for the second quarter and six-month period, respectively, from the comparable 2002 periods due to higher employee pension and health care benefit costs, higher uncollectible accounts expense and increased costs associated with customer service process improvements. As a result of the continued increase in operating costs, MichCon expects to file a rate case in the latter half of 2003.
Property write-down was $5 million in 2003 due to an additional charge from the planned sale of our former headquarters. The 2002 second quarter property write-down and contract loss included a $33 million charge from the planned sale of our former headquarters and a $15 million charge related to the termination of a contract for computer services (Note 6).
Other income and deductions decreased $2 million and $3 million for the 2003 second quarter and six-month period, respectively, primarily due to lower interest expense associated with long term debt.
Income taxes increased $14 million and $9 million for the 2003 second quarter and six-month period, respectively, due to an increase in pre-tax earnings. The income tax provision for the six-month period of 2003 was favorably affected by an increase in the amortization of tax benefits previously deferred in accordance with MPSC regulations.
7
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Six Months Ended | |||||||||
June 30 | |||||||||
2003 | 2002 | ||||||||
(in Millions) |
|||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|||||||||
Cash Flow From (Used For) |
|||||||||
Operating activities |
$ | 254 | $ | 153 | |||||
Investing activities |
(121 | ) | (35 | ) | |||||
Financing activities |
(139 | ) | (120 | ) | |||||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ | (6 | ) | $ | (2 | ) | |||
Operating Activities
Net cash from operating activities increased $101 million during the 2003 six-month period as compared to the same 2002 period primarily due to improved working capital, specifically accounts payable and gas in inventory, partially offset by a decline in net income, after adjusting for non-cash items (depreciation, depletion, amortization, deferred taxes, property write-down and contract losses).
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities increased $86 million reflecting an intercompany loan to DTE Energy, resulting from temporary excess cash.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities increased $19 million reflecting the redemption of long-term debt, reduction of short-term borrowings and the payment of a dividend, partially offset by the issuance of $200 million of long-term debt (Note 5).
8
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
The Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - - 15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and have concluded that, such controls and procedures were effective at ensuring that required information will be disclosed on a timely basis in reports filed under the Exchange Act. |
(b) Changes in internal controls
There have been no significant changes (including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses) in the Companys internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls. |
9
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
June 30 | June 30 | ||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||||||||
(in Millions) |
|||||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
$ | 284 | $ | 235 | $ | 936 | $ | 825 | |||||||||
Operating Expenses |
|||||||||||||||||
Cost of gas |
160 | 116 | 581 | 500 | |||||||||||||
Operation and maintenance |
83 | 73 | 161 | 140 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
28 | 27 | 53 | 53 | |||||||||||||
Taxes other than income |
13 | 11 | 30 | 27 | |||||||||||||
Property write-down and contract losses (Note 6) |
5 | 48 | 5 | 48 | |||||||||||||
289 | 275 | 830 | 768 | ||||||||||||||
Operating Income (Loss) |
(5 | ) | (40 | ) | 106 | 57 | |||||||||||
Other (Income) and Deductions |
|||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
14 | 16 | 29 | 32 | |||||||||||||
Interest income |
(3 | ) | (2 | ) | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | |||||||||
Other |
(1 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | |||||||||
10 | 12 | 21 | 24 | ||||||||||||||
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes |
(15 | ) | (52 | ) | 85 | 33 | |||||||||||
Income Tax Provision (Benefit) |
(4 | ) | (18 | ) | 21 | 12 | |||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) |
$ | (11 | ) | $ | (34 | ) | $ | 64 | $ | 21 | |||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
10
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
June 30 | |||||||||||
2003 | December 31 | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | 2002 | ||||||||||
(in Millions) |
|||||||||||
ASSETS |
|||||||||||
Current Assets |
|||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1 | $ | 7 | |||||||
Accounts receivable |
|||||||||||
Customer (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $34 and
$27, respectively) |
173 | 157 | |||||||||
Accrued unbilled revenues |
20 | 116 | |||||||||
Other |
55 | 73 | |||||||||
Accrued gas cost recovery revenue |
81 | 22 | |||||||||
Notes receivable from affiliate |
81 | | |||||||||
Inventories |
|||||||||||
Gas |
32 | 55 | |||||||||
Material and supplies |
15 | 14 | |||||||||
Other |
34 | 53 | |||||||||
492 | 497 | ||||||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment |
3,129 | 3,108 | |||||||||
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization |
1,763 | 1,723 | |||||||||
1,366 | 1,385 | ||||||||||
Other Assets |
|||||||||||
Other investments |
82 | 79 | |||||||||
Notes receivable |
84 | 84 | |||||||||
Regulatory assets |
61 | 43 | |||||||||
Prepaid benefit costs and due from affiliate |
312 | 292 | |||||||||
Other |
26 | 31 | |||||||||
565 | 529 | ||||||||||
$ | 2,423 | $ | 2,411 | ||||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|||||||||||
Current Liabilities |
|||||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 134 | $ | 104 | |||||||
Short-term borrowings |
3 | 123 | |||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt, including capital leases |
3 | 99 | |||||||||
Federal income, property and other taxes payable |
23 | 32 | |||||||||
Regulatory liabilities |
26 | 30 | |||||||||
Gas inventory equalization (Note 4) |
75 | | |||||||||
Other |
56 | 83 | |||||||||
320 | 471 | ||||||||||
Other Liabilities |
|||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
150 | 130 | |||||||||
Regulatory liabilities |
142 | 142 | |||||||||
Unamortized investment tax credit |
21 | 22 | |||||||||
Accrued postretirement benefit costs |
78 | 77 | |||||||||
Accrued environmental costs |
17 | 18 | |||||||||
Other |
38 | 34 | |||||||||
446 | 423 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt, including capital lease obligations |
777 | 678 | |||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7) |
|||||||||||
Shareholders Equity |
|||||||||||
Common stock, $1 par value, 15,100,000 shares authorized,
10,300,000 shares issued and outstanding |
10 | 10 | |||||||||
Additional paid in capital |
433 | 431 | |||||||||
Retained earnings |
437 | 398 | |||||||||
880 | 839 | ||||||||||
$ | 2,423 | $ | 2,411 | ||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
11
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||
June 30 | ||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||
(in Millions) |
||||||||||||
Operating Activities |
||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 64 | $ | 21 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
53 | 53 | ||||||||||
Property write-down and contract losses |
5 | 45 | ||||||||||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credit, net |
| 22 | ||||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
2 | 27 | ||||||||||
Accrued unbilled revenues |
96 | 78 | ||||||||||
Inventories |
22 | 1 | ||||||||||
Property taxes assessed applicable to future periods |
2 | 17 | ||||||||||
Prepaid benefit costs and due from affiliate |
(18 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||||||
Accrued gas cost recovery |
(59 | ) | (38 | ) | ||||||||
Accounts payable |
30 | (24 | ) | |||||||||
Gas inventory equalization |
75 | 22 | ||||||||||
Federal income, property and other taxes payable |
(9 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||||||
Other |
(9 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash from operating activities |
254 | 153 | ||||||||||
Investing Activities |
||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(37 | ) | (35 | ) | ||||||||
Notes receivable from affiliate |
(81 | ) | | |||||||||
Other |
(3 | ) | | |||||||||
Net cash used for investing activities |
(121 | ) | (35 | ) | ||||||||
Financing Activities |
||||||||||||
Issuance of long-term debt (Note 5) |
199 | | ||||||||||
Redemption of long-term debt |
(193 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||||
Short-term borrowings, net |
(120 | ) | (100 | ) | ||||||||
Dividends paid |
(25 | ) | | |||||||||
Net cash used for financing activities |
(139 | ) | (120 | ) | ||||||||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
(6 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
7 | 4 | ||||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
$ | 1 | $ | 2 | ||||||||
Supplementary Cash Flow Information |
||||||||||||
Interest paid (excluding interest capitalized) |
$ | 28 | $ | 26 | ||||||||
Income taxes paid |
14 | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
12
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended | ||||||||
June 30 | ||||||||
2003 | 2002 | |||||||
(in Millions) |
||||||||
Balance beginning of period |
$ | 398 | $ | 378 | ||||
Net income |
64 | 21 | ||||||
Common stock dividends declared |
(25 | ) | | |||||
Balance end of period |
$ | 437 | $ | 399 | ||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
13
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1 GENERAL
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2002 Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These accounting principles require us to use estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but in our opinion, include all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. Financial results for this interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the fiscal year.
We reclassified some prior year balances to match the current years presentation.
NOTE 2 NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Asset Retirement Obligations
On January 1, 2003, we adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, which requires the fair value of an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred. It applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets resulting from the acquisition, construction, development and (or) the normal operation of a long-lived asset. When a new liability is recorded, an entity capitalizes the costs of the liability by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 had an immaterial impact on the consolidated financial statements.
SFAS No. 143 also requires the quantification of the estimated cost of removal obligations, arising from other than legal obligations, which have been accrued through depreciation charges. At January 1, 2003, we estimated that we had approximately $400 million of previously accrued asset removal costs related to our regulated operations, for other than legal obligations, included in accumulated depreciation.
NOTE 3 REGULATORY MATTERS
Gas Industry Restructuring
Through December 2001, MichCon was operating under an MPSC-approved Regulatory Reform Plan, which included a comprehensive experimental three-year gas Customer Choice program, a Gas Sales Program and an income sharing mechanism. MichCon returned to a GCR mechanism in January 2002 when the Gas Sales Program expired. Under the GCR mechanism, the gas commodity component of MichCons gas sales rates is designed to recover the actual costs of gas purchases. In December 2001, the MPSC issued an order that permitted MichCon to implement GCR factors up to $3.62 per Mcf for January 2002 billings and up to $4.38 per
14
Mcf for the remainder of 2002. The order also allowed MichCon to recognize a regulatory asset of approximately $14 million representing the difference between the $4.38 factor and the $3.62 factor for volumes that were unbilled at December 31, 2001. The regulatory asset will be subject to the 2002 GCR reconciliation process. In July 2002, in response to a petition for rehearing filed by the Michigan Attorney General, the MPSC directed the parties to address MichCons implementation of the December 2001 order and the impact of that implementation on rates charged to MichCons customers. On March 12, 2003, the MPSC issued an order in MichCons 2002 GCR plan case. The MPSC ordered MichCon to reduce its gas cost recovery expenses by $26.5 million for purposes of calculating the 2002 GCR factor due to MichCons decision to utilize storage gas during 2001 that resulted in a gas inventory decrement for the 2001 calendar year. Although MichCon recorded a $26.5 million reserve in 2002 to reflect the impact of this order, a final determination of actual 2002 revenue and expenses including any disallowances or adjustment will be decided in MichCons 2002 GCR reconciliation case. In addition, we filed an appeal of the March 12, 2003 MPSC order with the Michigan Court of Appeals. The 2002 GCR reconciliation case was filed with the MPSC in February 2003. A final order in this proceeding is not expected until early 2004.
On July 23, 2003, the MPSC approved an increase in MichCons 2003 GCR rate to a maximum of $5.75 per Mcf for the billing months of August 2003 through December 2003. As of June 30, 2003, MichCon has accrued a $81 million regulatory asset representing the under-recovery of actual gas costs incurred. It is expected that the billing of the $5.75 GCR rate will eliminate the under-recovery by year-end 2003.
In December 2001, the MPSC also approved MichCons application for a voluntary, expanded permanent gas Customer Choice program, which replaced the experimental program that expired in March 2002. Effective April 2002, up to 40% of MichCons customers could elect to purchase gas from suppliers other than MichCon. Effective April 2003, up to 60% of customers are eligible and by April 2004, all of MichCons 1.2 million customers can participate in the program. The MPSC also approved the use of deferred accounting for the recovery of implementation costs of the Customer Choice program. As of June 2003, approximately 132,000 customers are participating in the Customer Choice program.
NOTE 4 GAS IN INVENTORY
Inventory gas is priced on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis. In anticipation that interim inventory reductions will be replaced prior to year end, the cost of gas of net withdrawals from inventory is recorded at the estimated average purchase rate for the calendar year. The excess of these charges over the LIFO cost is credited to the gas inventory equalization account. During interim periods when there are net injections to inventory, the equalization account is reversed.
NOTE 5 LONG TERM DEBT
In February 2003, MichCon issued $200 million of 5.7% senior notes due in March 2033. The proceeds were used for debt redemption.
NOTE 6 UNUSUAL CHARGES
Property Write-down
In June 2002, we recorded a $33 million pre-tax ($22 million net of taxes) charge from the planned sale of our former headquarters. An additional $5 million pre-tax ($4 million net of taxes) charge was recorded in June 2003 to further reduce the carrying value of the property to fair value based on the estimated selling price less cost to sell.
15
Contract Loss
In June 2002, we recorded a $15 million pre-tax ($10 million net of taxes) charge related to the termination of a contract for computer services with an unrelated third party.
NOTE 7 CONTINGENCIES
We are involved in certain legal (including commercial matters), administrative and environmental proceedings before various courts, arbitration panels and governmental agencies concerning claims arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings include certain contract disputes, environmental reviews and investigations, and pending judicial matters. We cannot predict the final disposition of such proceedings. We regularly review legal matters and record provisions for claims that are considered probable of loss. The resolution of pending proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements in the period they are resolved.
See Note 3 for a discussion of contingencies related to Regulatory Matters.
16
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of
Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2003, the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and retained earnings for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of Michigan Consolidated Gas Companys management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the consolidated statement of financial position of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and retained earnings for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 11, 2003 (March 12, 2003 as to Note 17), we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2002 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial position from which it has been derived.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Detroit, Michigan
August 14, 2003
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are involved in certain legal (including commercial matters), administrative and
environmental proceedings before various courts, arbitration panels and governmental
agencies concerning claims arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings
include contract disputes, environmental reviews and investigations, and pending judicial
matters. We cannot predict the final disposition of such proceedings. We regularly
review legal matters and record provisions for claims that are considered probable of
loss. The resolution of pending proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on
our financial statements in the period they are resolved. For additional discussion on
legal matters, see the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.
EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit | ||
Number | Description | |
Filed: | ||
15-7 | Awareness Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP | |
31-1 | Chief Executive Officer Section 302 Form 10-Q Certification | |
31-2 | Chief Financial Officer Section 302 Form 10-Q Certification | |
Furnished: | ||
32-1 | Chief Executive Officer Section 906 Certification of Periodic Report | |
32-2 | Chief Financial Officer Section 906 Certification of Periodic Report |
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
During the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K covering matters pursuant to Item 7. Exhibits and Item 9. Information Provided Under Item 12 (Results of Operations and Financial Condition) filed and dated May 2, 2003.
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SIGNATURE
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.
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED | ||||||
GAS COMPANY | ||||||
Date: August 13, 2003 | /s/ DANIEL G. BRUDZYNSKI | |||||
Daniel G. Brudzynski | ||||||
Chief Accounting Officer, | ||||||
Vice President and Controller |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit | ||
Number | Description | |
Filed: | ||
15-7 | Awareness Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP | |
31-1 | Chief Executive Officer Section 302 Form 10-Q Certification | |
31-2 | Chief Financial Officer Section 302 Form 10-Q Certification | |
Furnished: | ||
32-1 | Chief Executive Officer Section 906 Certification of Periodic Report | |
32-2 | Chief Financial Officer Section 906 Certification of Periodic Report |
20