UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2005 |
OR
o
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
Registrant, Address of | ||||||
Commission File | Principal Executive Offices and Telephone | I.R.S. employer | State of | |||
Number | Number | Identification Number | Incorporation | |||
1-08788
|
SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES | 88-0198358 | Nevada | |||
P.O. Box 10100 | ||||||
(6100 Neil Road) | ||||||
Reno, Nevada 89520-0400 (89511) | ||||||
(775) 834-4011 | ||||||
2-28348
|
NEVADA POWER COMPANY | 88-0420104 | Nevada | |||
6226 West Sahara Avenue | ||||||
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146 | ||||||
(702) 367-5000 | ||||||
0-00508
|
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY | 88-0044418 | Nevada | |||
P.O. Box 10100 | ||||||
(6100 Neil Road) | ||||||
Reno, Nevada 89520-0400 (89511) | ||||||
(775) 834-4011 |
Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether any registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Act).
Sierra Pacific Resources; Yes
þ No
o;
Nevada Power
Company Yes
o No þ;
Sierra Pacific Power Company; Yes
o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
|
Outstanding at May 3, 2004 | |
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
of Sierra Pacific Resources
|
117,569,828 Shares |
Sierra Pacific Resources is the sole holder of the 1,000 shares of outstanding Common Stock, $1.00 stated value, of Nevada Power Company. Sierra Pacific Resources is the sole holder of the 1,000 shares of outstanding Common Stock, $3.75 stated value, of Sierra Pacific Power Company.
This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is separately filed by Sierra Pacific Resources, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company. Information contained in this document relating to Nevada Power Company is filed by Sierra Pacific Resources and separately by Nevada Power Company on its own behalf. Nevada Power Company makes no representation as to information relating to Sierra Pacific Resources or its subsidiaries, except as it may relate to Nevada Power Company. Information contained in this document relating to Sierra Pacific Power Company is filed by Sierra Pacific Resources and separately by Sierra Pacific Power Company on its own behalf. Sierra Pacific Power Company makes no representation as to information relating to Sierra Pacific Resources or its subsidiaries, except as it may relate to Sierra Pacific Power Company.
SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2005
CONTENTS
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements |
||||||||
Sierra Pacific Resources - |
||||||||
3 | ||||||||
5 | ||||||||
6 | ||||||||
Nevada Power Company - |
||||||||
7 | ||||||||
8 | ||||||||
9 | ||||||||
Sierra Pacific Power Company - |
||||||||
10 | ||||||||
11 | ||||||||
12 | ||||||||
13 | ||||||||
28 | ||||||||
32 | ||||||||
35 | ||||||||
40 | ||||||||
48 | ||||||||
49 | ||||||||
49 | ||||||||
55 | ||||||||
55 | ||||||||
55 | ||||||||
56 | ||||||||
EX-10.1 Collective Bargaining Agreement dated as of February 1, 2005 | ||||||||
Ex-31.1 Section 302 Certification of CEO | ||||||||
Ex-31.2 Section 302 Certification of CFO | ||||||||
Ex-32.1 Section 906 Certification of CEO | ||||||||
Ex-32.2 Section 906 Certification of CFO |
2
SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Utility Plant at Original Cost: |
||||||||
Plant in service |
$ | 6,664,413 | $ | 6,604,449 | ||||
Less accumulated provision for depreciation |
2,123,904 | 2,083,434 | ||||||
4,540,509 | 4,521,015 | |||||||
Construction work-in-progress |
502,417 | 405,911 | ||||||
5,042,926 | 4,926,926 | |||||||
Investments and other property, net |
62,739 | 64,596 | ||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
282,739 | 266,328 | ||||||
Restricted cash and investments (Note 1) |
75,667 | 88,452 | ||||||
Accounts receivable less allowance for uncollectible accounts: |
||||||||
2005-$36,689; 2004-$36,197 |
292,319 | 320,676 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1) |
128,288 | 148,008 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas (Note 1) |
4,346 | 3,106 | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel, at average cost |
77,245 | 76,193 | ||||||
Risk management assets (Note 5) |
60,947 | 14,585 | ||||||
Deposits and prepayments for energy |
36,582 | 54,767 | ||||||
Other |
32,915 | 37,494 | ||||||
991,048 | 1,009,609 | |||||||
Deferred Charges and Other Assets: |
||||||||
Goodwill (Note 8) |
22,877 | 22,877 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1) |
506,656 | 526,159 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas (Note 1) |
1,699 | 2,491 | ||||||
Regulatory tax asset |
280,032 | 279,766 | ||||||
Other regulatory assets |
480,909 | 487,762 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory assets net (Note 5) |
| 6,673 | ||||||
Unamortized debt issuance expense |
65,187 | 67,204 | ||||||
Other |
119,693 | 114,297 | ||||||
1,477,053 | 1,507,229 | |||||||
Assets of Discontinued Operations |
20,115 | 20,107 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 7,593,881 | $ | 7,528,467 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
(Continued)
3
SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Capitalization: |
||||||||
Common shareholders equity |
$ | 1,488,158 | $ | 1,498,616 | ||||
Preferred stock |
50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
4,060,012 | 4,081,281 | ||||||
5,598,170 | 5,629,897 | |||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
28,593 | 8,491 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
196,160 | 179,559 | ||||||
Accrued interest |
88,227 | 69,246 | ||||||
Dividends declared |
1,044 | 1,046 | ||||||
Accrued salaries and benefits |
23,825 | 28,547 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
34,081 | 54,501 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities (Note 5) |
2,085 | 9,902 | ||||||
Accrued taxes |
4,919 | 5,470 | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities (Note 6) |
304,334 | 303,460 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
40,643 | 38,702 | ||||||
723,911 | 698,924 | |||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) |
||||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities: |
||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
532,191 | 512,760 | ||||||
Deferred investment tax credit |
41,249 | 42,064 | ||||||
Regulatory tax liability |
39,762 | 40,575 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction |
148,060 | 142,703 | ||||||
Accrued retirement benefits |
78,970 | 67,907 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory liability net (Note 5) |
35,128 | | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities (Note 6) |
36,984 | 36,753 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities |
262,314 | 257,495 | ||||||
Other |
86,942 | 89,189 | ||||||
1,261,600 | 1,189,446 | |||||||
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations |
10,200 | 10,200 | ||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
$ | 7,593,881 | $ | 7,528,467 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
(Concluded)
4
SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
OPERATING REVENUES: |
As Revised (Note 1) | |||||||
Electric |
$ | 581,144 | $ | 528,374 | ||||
Gas |
67,538 | 59,476 | ||||||
Other |
292 | 267 | ||||||
648,974 | 588,117 | |||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
||||||||
Operation: |
||||||||
Purchased power |
220,152 | 193,491 | ||||||
Fuel for power generation |
110,002 | 103,157 | ||||||
Gas purchased for resale |
53,480 | 47,917 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs disallowed |
| 1,586 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs electric net |
40,116 | 47,889 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs gas net |
(328 | ) | (1,407 | ) | ||||
Impairment of goodwill |
| 11,695 | ||||||
Other |
87,590 | 73,089 | ||||||
Maintenance |
22,946 | 24,888 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
52,789 | 49,937 | ||||||
Taxes: |
||||||||
Income tax benefit |
(7,830 | ) | (22,062 | ) | ||||
Other than income |
11,109 | 11,851 | ||||||
590,026 | 542,031 | |||||||
OPERATING INCOME |
58,948 | 46,086 | ||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): |
||||||||
Allowance for other funds used during construction |
3,809 | 1,373 | ||||||
Interest accrued on deferred energy |
6,108 | 6,549 | ||||||
Disallowed merger costs |
| (5,890 | ) | |||||
Other income |
10,139 | 8,639 | ||||||
Other expense |
(4,266 | ) | (3,125 | ) | ||||
Income taxes |
(3,264 | ) | (1,558 | ) | ||||
12,526 | 5,988 | |||||||
Total Income Before Interest Charges |
71,474 | 52,074 | ||||||
INTEREST CHARGES: |
||||||||
Long-term debt |
78,427 | 75,460 | ||||||
Other |
6,166 | 21,587 | ||||||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
(4,603 | ) | (2,173 | ) | ||||
79,990 | 94,874 | |||||||
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
(8,516 | ) | (42,800 | ) | ||||
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS: |
||||||||
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes (benefits) of $3 and
$(353) respectively) |
5 | (675 | ) | |||||
NET LOSS |
(8,511 | ) | (43,475 | ) | ||||
Preferred stock dividend requirements of subsidiary |
975 | 975 | ||||||
DEFICIT APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK |
$ | (9,486 | ) | $ | (44,450 | ) | ||
Amount per share basic and diluted (Note 7) |
||||||||
Loss from continuing operations |
$ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.37 | ) | ||
Deficit applicable to common stock |
$ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | ||
Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding basic and diluted |
117,549,912 | 117,239,947 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
5
SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
For the three months ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
As Revised (Note 1) | |||||||
Net Loss |
$ | (8,511 | ) | $ | (43,475 | ) | ||
Non-cash items included in net loss: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
52,789 | 49,941 | ||||||
Deferred taxes and deferred investment tax credit |
(4,442 | ) | (20,991 | ) | ||||
AFUDC and capitalized interest |
(8,412 | ) | (3,546 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs electric |
54,647 | 56,743 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs gas |
(466 | ) | 2,015 | |||||
Deferred energy costs disallowed |
| 1,586 | ||||||
Goodwill impairment |
| 11,695 | ||||||
Other non-cash |
511 | (37,997 | ) | |||||
Changes in certain assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
28,357 | 28,787 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs electric |
(15,423 | ) | (15,338 | ) | ||||
Deferral of energy costs gas |
18 | (3,487 | ) | |||||
Materials, supplies and fuel |
(1,052 | ) | 4,893 | |||||
Other current assets |
22,764 | (1,536 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable |
16,601 | (5,559 | ) | |||||
Escrow payment for terminating suppliers |
| (35,161 | ) | |||||
Other current liabilities |
17,214 | 21,675 | ||||||
Change in net assets of discontinued operations |
(8 | ) | 70 | |||||
Other assets |
(39,527 | ) | 14,468 | |||||
Other liabilities |
32,792 | 1,486 | ||||||
Net Cash from Operating Activities |
147,852 | 26,269 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Additions to utility plant |
(165,101 | ) | (70,656 | ) | ||||
AFUDC and other charges to utility plant |
8,412 | 3,546 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction |
5,357 | 4,903 | ||||||
Contributions in aid of construction |
4,032 | 6,769 | ||||||
Net cash used for utility plant |
(147,300 | ) | (55,438 | ) | ||||
Investments in subsidiaries and other property net |
4,043 | 1,692 | ||||||
Net Cash used by Investing Activities |
(143,257 | ) | (53,746 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Decrease in short-term borrowings |
| (25,000 | ) | |||||
Change in restricted cash and investments |
12,786 | (129,863 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt |
| 335,000 | ||||||
Retirement of long-term debt |
(1,167 | ) | (174,863 | ) | ||||
Sale of common stock, net of issuance cost |
1,174 | 81 | ||||||
Dividends paid |
(977 | ) | (968 | ) | ||||
Net Cash from Financing Activities |
11,816 | 4,387 | ||||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
16,411 | (23,090 | ) | |||||
Beginning Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
266,328 | 181,757 | ||||||
Ending Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ | 282,739 | $ | 158,667 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||
Cash paid during period for: |
||||||||
Interest |
$ | 64,509 | $ | 70,044 | ||||
Noncash Activities: |
||||||||
Transfer of Regulatory Asset |
$ | | $ | 197,998 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements
6
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Utility Plant at Original Cost: |
||||||||
Plant in service |
$ | 4,056,242 | $ | 4,015,125 | ||||
Less accumulated provision for depreciation |
1,133,579 | 1,112,335 | ||||||
2,922,663 | 2,902,790 | |||||||
Construction work-in-progress |
449,693 | 355,431 | ||||||
3,372,356 | 3,258,221 | |||||||
Investments and other property, net |
28,954 | 30,809 | ||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
187,716 | 243,323 | ||||||
Restricted cash (Note 1) |
50,311 | 50,311 | ||||||
Accounts receivable less allowance for uncollectible accounts: |
||||||||
2005-$30,984; 2004-$30,900 |
164,201 | 178,077 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1) |
101,020 | 126,074 | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel, at average cost |
41,953 | 44,858 | ||||||
Risk management assets (Note 5) |
26,996 | 5,092 | ||||||
Deposits and prepayments for energy |
15,849 | 23,091 | ||||||
Other |
23,302 | 23,721 | ||||||
611,348 | 694,547 | |||||||
Deferred Charges and Other Assets: |
||||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1) |
363,782 | 375,120 | ||||||
Regulatory tax asset |
168,390 | 167,221 | ||||||
Other regulatory assets |
273,670 | 277,450 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory assets net (Note 5) |
| 3,555 | ||||||
Unamortized debt issuance expense |
42,591 | 43,802 | ||||||
Other |
30,871 | 32,815 | ||||||
879,304 | 899,963 | |||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 4,891,962 | $ | 4,883,540 | ||||
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Capitalization: |
||||||||
Common shareholders equity |
$ | 1,407,563 | $ | 1,436,788 | ||||
Long-term debt |
2,272,669 | 2,275,690 | ||||||
3,680,232 | 3,712,478 | |||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
6,195 | 6,091 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
132,406 | 114,242 | ||||||
Accounts payable, affiliated companies |
1,303 | 3,920 | ||||||
Accrued interest |
57,051 | 40,677 | ||||||
Dividends declared |
399 | 399 | ||||||
Accrued salaries and benefits |
10,468 | 12,780 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
23,083 | 36,981 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities (Note 5) |
549 | 3,555 | ||||||
Accrued taxes |
3,194 | 2,441 | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities (Note 6) |
212,231 | 211,620 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
29,811 | 27,651 | ||||||
476,690 | 460,357 | |||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
|
||||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities: |
||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
320,397 | 308,302 | ||||||
Deferred investment tax credit |
18,234 | 18,642 | ||||||
Regulatory tax liability |
16,193 | 16,506 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction |
82,213 | 79,243 | ||||||
Accrued retirement benefits |
22,949 | 21,025 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory liability net (Note 5) |
8,112 | | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities (Note 6) |
35,064 | 34,847 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities |
172,139 | 171,330 | ||||||
Other |
59,739 | 60,810 | ||||||
735,040 | 710,705 | |||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
$ | 4,891,962 | $ | 4,883,540 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
OPERATING REVENUES: |
||||||||
Electric |
$ | 354,134 | $ | 326,533 | ||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
||||||||
Operation: |
||||||||
Purchased power |
141,428 | 127,531 | ||||||
Fuel for power generation |
55,640 | 49,355 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs disallowed |
| 1,586 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs-net |
35,823 | 43,318 | ||||||
Other |
51,099 | 39,722 | ||||||
Maintenance |
16,955 | 19,956 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
30,402 | 28,739 | ||||||
Taxes: |
||||||||
Income tax benefit |
(6,794 | ) | (11,453 | ) | ||||
Other than income |
6,316 | 6,779 | ||||||
330,869 | 305,533 | |||||||
OPERATING INCOME |
23,265 | 21,000 | ||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): |
||||||||
Allowance for other funds used during construction |
3,490 | 657 | ||||||
Interest accrued on deferred energy |
4,525 | 5,395 | ||||||
Disallowed merger costs |
| (3,961 | ) | |||||
Other income |
6,913 | 5,740 | ||||||
Other expense |
(1,576 | ) | (1,441 | ) | ||||
Income taxes |
(3,102 | ) | (1,988 | ) | ||||
10,250 | 4,402 | |||||||
Total Income Before Interest Charges |
33,515 | 25,402 | ||||||
INTEREST CHARGES: |
||||||||
Long-term debt |
41,529 | 37,151 | ||||||
Other |
4,332 | 4,587 | ||||||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
(4,313 | ) | (930 | ) | ||||
41,548 | 40,808 | |||||||
NET LOSS |
$ | (8,033 | ) | $ | (15,406 | ) | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
For the three months ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Net Loss |
$ | (8,033 | ) | $ | (15,406 | ) | ||
Non-cash items included in net (loss): |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
30,402 | 28,739 | ||||||
Deferred taxes and deferred investment tax credit |
(3,692 | ) | (9,465 | ) | ||||
AFUDC |
(7,803 | ) | (1,587 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs |
46,673 | 46,499 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs disallowed |
| 1,586 | ||||||
Other non-cash |
6,020 | (25,737 | ) | |||||
Changes in certain assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
13,876 | 18,332 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs |
(10,280 | ) | (8,576 | ) | ||||
Materials, supplies and fuel |
2,905 | (1,805 | ) | |||||
Other current assets |
7,661 | (5,664 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable |
15,547 | 13,316 | ||||||
Escrow payment for terminating suppliers |
| (24,446 | ) | |||||
Other current liabilities |
16,976 | 11,963 | ||||||
Other assets |
(18,187 | ) | 5,031 | |||||
Other liabilities |
3,054 | (876 | ) | |||||
Net Cash from Operating Activities |
95,119 | 31,904 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Additions to utility plant |
(140,095 | ) | (50,739 | ) | ||||
AFUDC and other charges to utility plant |
7,803 | 1,587 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction |
2,970 | 2,777 | ||||||
Contributions in aid of construction |
(559 | ) | 3,180 | |||||
Net cash used for utility plant |
(129,881 | ) | (43,195 | ) | ||||
Investments in subsidiaries and other property net |
1,924 | (67 | ) | |||||
Net Cash used by Investing Activities |
(127,957 | ) | (43,262 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Retirement of long-term debt |
(2,917 | ) | (2,174 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid |
(19,852 | ) | (5,669 | ) | ||||
Net Cash used in Financing Activities |
(22,769 | ) | (7,843 | ) | ||||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
(55,607 | ) | (19,201 | ) | ||||
Beginning Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
243,323 | 144,897 | ||||||
Ending Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ | 187,716 | $ | 125,696 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||
Cash paid during period for: |
||||||||
Interest |
$ | 28,650 | $ | 28,416 | ||||
Noncash Activities: |
||||||||
Transfer of Regulatory Asset |
$ | | $ | 197,998 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements
9
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Utility Plant at Original Cost: |
||||||||
Plant in service |
$ | 2,608,171 | $ | 2,589,324 | ||||
Less accumulated provision for depreciation |
990,325 | 971,099 | ||||||
1,617,846 | 1,618,225 | |||||||
Construction work-in-progress |
52,724 | 50,480 | ||||||
1,670,570 | 1,668,705 | |||||||
Investments and other property, net |
987 | 999 | ||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
90,154 | 19,319 | ||||||
Restricted cash (Note 1) |
14,464 | 16,464 | ||||||
Accounts receivable less allowance for uncollectible accounts: 2005-$5,705; 2004-$5,296 |
127,765 | 142,359 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, affiliated companies |
55,260 | 67,261 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1) |
27,268 | 21,934 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas (Note 1) |
4,346 | 3,106 | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel, at average cost |
35,292 | 31,335 | ||||||
Risk management assets (Note 5) |
33,951 | 9,493 | ||||||
Deposits and prepayments for energy |
20,733 | 31,676 | ||||||
Other |
9,199 | 9,728 | ||||||
418,432 | 352,675 | |||||||
Deferred Charges and Other Assets: |
||||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1) |
142,874 | 151,039 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas (Note 1) |
1,699 | 2,491 | ||||||
Regulatory tax asset |
111,642 | 112,545 | ||||||
Other regulatory assets |
207,239 | 210,312 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory assets net (Note 5) |
| 3,118 | ||||||
Unamortized debt issuance expense |
13,153 | 13,564 | ||||||
Other |
14,187 | 8,872 | ||||||
490,794 | 501,941 | |||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 2,580,783 | $ | 2,524,320 | ||||
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Capitalization: |
||||||||
Common shareholders equity |
$ | 715,871 | $ | 705,395 | ||||
Preferred stock |
50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
973,623 | 994,309 | ||||||
1,739,494 | 1,749,704 | |||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
22,398 | 2,400 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
43,910 | 42,884 | ||||||
Accrued interest |
24,872 | 9,604 | ||||||
Dividends declared |
968 | 968 | ||||||
Accrued salaries and benefits |
12,284 | 13,846 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
16,995 | 17,138 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities (Note 5) |
1,536 | 6,347 | ||||||
Accrued taxes |
3,134 | 2,878 | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities (Note 6) |
92,103 | 91,840 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
8,924 | 8,516 | ||||||
227,124 | 196,421 | |||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
|
||||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities: |
||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
311,747 | 314,448 | ||||||
Deferred investment tax credit |
23,015 | 23,422 | ||||||
Regulatory tax liability |
23,569 | 24,069 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction |
65,847 | 63,460 | ||||||
Accrued retirement benefits |
46,759 | 41,558 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory liability net (Note 5) |
27,016 | | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities (Note 6) |
1,920 | 1,906 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities |
90,175 | 86,165 | ||||||
Other |
24,117 | 23,167 | ||||||
614,165 | 578,195 | |||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
$ | 2,580,783 | $ | 2,524,320 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
OPERATING REVENUES: |
||||||||
Electric |
$ | 227,010 | $ | 201,841 | ||||
Gas |
67,538 | 59,476 | ||||||
294,548 | 261,317 | |||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
||||||||
Operation: |
||||||||
Purchased power |
78,724 | 65,960 | ||||||
Fuel for power generation |
54,362 | 53,802 | ||||||
Gas purchased for resale |
53,480 | 47,917 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs electric net |
4,293 | 4,571 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs gas net |
(328 | ) | (1,407 | ) | ||||
Other |
34,769 | 30,811 | ||||||
Maintenance |
5,991 | 4,932 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
22,387 | 21,198 | ||||||
Taxes: |
||||||||
Income taxes |
6,603 | 876 | ||||||
Other than income |
4,748 | 5,015 | ||||||
265,029 | 233,675 | |||||||
OPERATING INCOME |
29,519 | 27,642 | ||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): |
||||||||
Allowance for other funds used during construction |
319 | 716 | ||||||
Interest accrued on deferred energy |
1,583 | 1,154 | ||||||
Disallowed merger costs |
| (1,929 | ) | |||||
Other income |
971 | 860 | ||||||
Other expense |
(1,640 | ) | (1,313 | ) | ||||
Income (taxes) benefits |
(452 | ) | 323 | |||||
781 | (189 | ) | ||||||
Total Income Before Interest Charges |
30,300 | 27,453 | ||||||
INTEREST CHARGES: |
||||||||
Long-term debt |
17,307 | 18,868 | ||||||
Other |
1,146 | 2,157 | ||||||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction and
capitalized interest |
(290 | ) | (1,243 | ) | ||||
18,163 | 19,782 | |||||||
NET INCOME |
12,137 | 7,671 | ||||||
Preferred Dividend Requirements |
975 | 975 | ||||||
Earnings applicable to common stock |
$ | 11,162 | $ | 6,696 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
For the three months ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 12,137 | $ | 7,671 | ||||
Non-cash items included in net income: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
22,387 | 21,198 | ||||||
Deferred taxes and deferred investment tax credit |
(2,848 | ) | 444 | |||||
AFUDC |
(609 | ) | (1,959 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs electric |
7,974 | 10,244 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs gas |
(466 | ) | 2,015 | |||||
Other non-cash |
(1,641 | ) | (3,954 | ) | ||||
Changes in certain assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
26,595 | 3,063 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs electric |
(5,143 | ) | (6,762 | ) | ||||
Deferral of energy costs gas |
18 | (3,487 | ) | |||||
Materials, supplies and fuel |
(3,957 | ) | 6,696 | |||||
Other current assets |
11,472 | 3,677 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
1,026 | (7,481 | ) | |||||
Escrow payment for terminating supplier |
| (10,715 | ) | |||||
Other current liabilities |
14,370 | 13,930 | ||||||
Other assets |
(21,340 | ) | 9,440 | |||||
Other liabilities |
27,930 | 1,785 | ||||||
Net Cash from Operating Activities |
87,905 | 45,805 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Additions to utility plant |
(25,006 | ) | (19,917 | ) | ||||
AFUDC and other charges to utility plant |
609 | 1,959 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction |
2,387 | 2,127 | ||||||
Contributions in aid of construction |
4,591 | 3,590 | ||||||
Net cash used for utility plant |
(17,419 | ) | (12,241 | ) | ||||
Disposal of subsidiaries and other property net |
12 | 12 | ||||||
Net Cash used by Investing Activities |
(17,407 | ) | (12,229 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Decrease in short-term borrowings |
| (25,000 | ) | |||||
Change in restricted cash and investments |
2,000 | | ||||||
Retirement of long-term debt |
(688 | ) | (694 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid |
(975 | ) | (968 | ) | ||||
Net Cash from (used by) Financing Activities |
337 | (26,662 | ) | |||||
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
70,835 | 6,914 | ||||||
Beginning Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
19,319 | 20,859 | ||||||
Ending Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ | 90,154 | $ | 27,773 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||
Cash paid during period for: |
||||||||
Interest |
$ | 2,908 | $ | 6,564 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements
12
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements of Sierra Pacific Resources (SPR) include the accounts of SPR and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company (NPC) and Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC) (collectively, the Utilities), Tuscarora Gas Pipeline Company (TGPC), Sierra Gas Holding Company (SGHC), Sierra Pacific Energy Company (SPE), Lands of Sierra (LOS), Sierra Pacific Communications (SPC) and Sierra Water Development Company (SWDC). SPC is a discontinued operation, and as such, is reported separately in the financial statements. The consolidated financial statements of NPC include the accounts of NPC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nevada Electric Investment Company (NEICO). The consolidated financial statements of SPPC include the accounts of SPPC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, GPSF-B, Piñon Pine Corporation (PPC), Piñon Pine Investment Company, Piñon Pine Company, L.L.C. and Sierra Pacific Funding L.L.C. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities. These estimates and assumptions also affect the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
In the opinion of the management of SPR, NPC, and SPPC, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown. These consolidated financial statements do not contain the complete detail or footnote disclosure concerning accounting policies and other matters, which are included in full year financial statements; therefore, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in SPRs, NPCs, and SPPCs Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (the 2004 10-K).
The results of operations and cash flows of SPR, NPC and SPPC for the three months ended March 31, 2005, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Reclassifications
Certain items previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current years presentation. Previously reported net income (loss) and shareholders equity were not affected by these reclassifications.
Revised Quarterly Information
The amounts previously reported in SPRs Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 differ from the amounts currently reported due to revisions to reflect the discontinued operations of SPC, as discussed in the 2004 10-K. Amounts were revised as shown in the table below (in thousands, except for earnings per share information):
Originally | Adjustment for | |||||||||||
Reported | Discontinued | Revised | ||||||||||
March 31, 2004 | Operations | March 31, 2004 | ||||||||||
Operating revenues |
$ | 588,480 | ($ | 363 | ) | $ | 588,117 | |||||
Operating income |
$ | 45,560 | $ | 526 | $ | 46,086 | ||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
($ | 43,475 | ) | $ | 675 | ($ | 42,800 | ) | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations |
| ($ | 675 | ) | ($ | 675 | ) | |||||
Deficit applicable to common stock |
($ | 44,450 | ) | | ($ | 44,450 | ) | |||||
Amount per share basic and diluted: |
||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations |
($ | 0.37 | ) | | ($ | 0.37 | ) | |||||
Loss from discontinued operations |
| ($ | 0.01 | ) | ($ | 0.01 | ) | |||||
Deficit applicable to common stock |
($ | 0.38 | ) | | ($ | 0.38 | ) |
Deferral of Energy Costs
NPC and SPPC implemented deferred energy accounting on March 1, 2001. Beginning January 2004, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) issued its decision which re-instituted the Energy Cost Adjustment (ECAC) mechanism for
13
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
SPPCs California electric business. The ECAC allows SPPC to file for periodic rate adjustments to reflect its actual costs for wholesale energy supplies. See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of Notes to Financial Statements in NPCs and SPPCs 2004 10-K, for additional information regarding the implementation of deferred energy accounting by the Utilities.
The following deferred energy costs were included in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2005 (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2005 | ||||||||||||||||
NPC | SPPC | SPPC | SPR | |||||||||||||
Description | Electric | Electric | Gas | Total | ||||||||||||
Unamortized balances approved for collection in current rates |
||||||||||||||||
Electric NPC Period 1 |
$ | (47,610 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (47,610 | ) | ||||||
Electric SPPC Period 1 |
| 1,692 | | 1,692 | ||||||||||||
Electric NPC Period 2 |
46,789 | | | 46,789 | ||||||||||||
Electric SPPC Period 2 |
| (1,260 | ) | | (1,260 | ) | ||||||||||
Natural Gas Period 3 |
| | (1,082 | ) | (1,082 | ) | ||||||||||
Natural Gas Period 4 |
| | 785 | 785 | ||||||||||||
LPG Gas Period 2 |
| | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||
LPG Gas Period 3 |
| | 49 | 49 | ||||||||||||
Unamortized balances approved for collection by PUCN
|
||||||||||||||||
in Docket No. 03-11019 effective April 1, 2005 |
88,722 | | | 88,722 | ||||||||||||
in Docket No. 04-11028 effective April 1, 2005 |
115,752 | | | 115,752 | ||||||||||||
in Docket No. 04-1006 effective June 1, 2005 |
| 42,378 | | 42,378 | ||||||||||||
Balances pending PUCN approval |
| 27,100 | | 27,100 | ||||||||||||
Cumulative CPUC balance |
| 4,561 | | 4,561 | ||||||||||||
Balances accrued since end of periods
submitted for PUCN approval |
21,110 | 11,639 | 6,288 | 39,037 | ||||||||||||
Claims for terminated supply contracts (1) |
240,039 | 84,032 | | 324,071 | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 464,802 | $ | 170,142 | $ | 6,045 | $ | 640,989 | ||||||||
Current Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Deferred energy costs electric |
$ | 101,020 | $ | 27,268 | $ | | $ | 128,288 | ||||||||
Deferred energy costs gas |
| | 4,346 | 4,346 | ||||||||||||
Deferred Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Deferred energy costs electric |
363,782 | 142,874 | | 506,656 | ||||||||||||
Deferred energy costs gas |
| | 1,699 | 1,699 | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 464,802 | $ | 170,142 | $ | 6,045 | $ | 640,989 | ||||||||
(1) | Amounts related to claims for terminated supply contracts are discussed in Note 6 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Commitments and Contingencies. |
Restricted Cash and Investments
At March 31, 2005, restricted cash primarily represents cash restricted for 1) debt service payments for SPRs $300 million convertible notes, discussed in Note 7, Long-Term Debt, of Notes to Financial Statements in SPRs 2004 10-K, and 2) the aggregate $60 million collateral payments made by NPC and SPPC into escrow in connection with the stay of the Enron Judgment, as described in Note 6, Commitments and Contingencies of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The remaining amount consists of cash balances that SPR, NPC and SPPC are required to maintain to support their cash management activities due to their financial condition.
Stock Compensation Plans
At March 31, 2005, SPR had several stock-based compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 15, Stock Compensation Plans, of Notes to Financial Statements in SPRs 2004 10-K. SPR applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, in accounting for its stock option plans and in accordance with
14
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
the disclosure only provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Boards Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and the updated disclosure requirements set forth in SFAS No. 148 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for nonqualified stock options and the employee stock purchase plan. Had compensation cost for SPRs nonqualified stock options and the employee stock purchase plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans, consistent with the accounting provisions of SFAS No. 123, SPRs deficit applicable to common stock would have changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||
Deficit applicable to common stock
|
As reported | $ | (9,486 | ) | $ | (44,450 | ) | |||||
Add: Stock-based employee compensation
expense included in reported net income,
net of related tax effects |
As reported | 55 | 325 | |||||||||
Less: Total stock employee compensation
expense determined under fair value
based methods, net of related tax
effects
|
Pro forma | 78 | 335 | |||||||||
Pro forma deficit applicable to common stock |
Pro forma | $ | (9,509 | ) | $ | (44,460 | ) | |||||
Basic and diluted deficit applicable to
common stock per share |
As reported | ($ | 0.08 | ) | ($ | 0.38 | ) | |||||
Pro forma | ($ | 0.08 | ) | ($ | 0.38 | ) |
Recent Pronouncements
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on April 14, 2005 that it was delaying implementation of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R). Under SFAS 123R, registrants would have been required to implement the standard as of the beginning of the first interim or annual period that begins after June 15, 2005. SPR would have been permitted to follow the pre-existing accounting literature for the first and second quarters of 2005, but required to follow SFAS 123R for third quarter reports and thereafter. The SECs new rule allows SPR to implement SFAS 123R at the beginning of the next fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2005, or periods beginning December 31, 2005. The SECs new rule does not change the accounting required by SFAS 123R. Amounts that were previously shown in footnote disclosure by SPR will now be recognized in the income statement. SPR intends to utilize the services of its actuaries to value share-based compensation.
NOTE 2. SEGMENT INFORMATION
SPRs Utilities operate three regulated business segments (as defined by SFAS 131, Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information); which are NPC electric, SPPC electric and SPPC natural gas service. Electric service is provided to Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County by NPC, and northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area of California by SPPC. Natural gas services are provided by SPPC in the Reno-Sparks area of Nevada. Other segment information includes segments below the quantitative threshold for separate disclosure.
The net assets and operating results of SPC is reported as discontinued operations in the financial statements for 2005 and 2004. Accordingly, the segment information excludes financial information of SPC.
15
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Operational information of the different business segments is set forth below based on the nature of products and services offered. SPR evaluates performance based on several factors, of which, the primary financial measure is business segment operating income. The accounting policies of the business segments are the same as those described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2004 10-K. Inter-segment revenues are not material (dollars in thousands).
Three Months Ended | NPC | SPPC | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2005 | Electric | Electric | Electric | Gas | Other | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
$ | 354,134 | $ | 227,010 | $ | 581,144 | $ | 67,538 | $ | 292 | $ | 648,974 | ||||||||||||
Operating Income |
$ | 23,265 | $ | 23,864 | $ | 47,129 | $ | 5,655 | $ | 6,164 | $ | 58,948 | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | NPC | SPPC | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2004 | Electric | Electric | Electric | Gas | Other | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
$ | 326,533 | $ | 201,841 | $ | 528,374 | $ | 59,476 | $ | 267 | $ | 588,117 | ||||||||||||
Operating Income |
$ | 21,000 | $ | 23,075 | $ | 44,075 | $ | 4,567 | $ | (2,556 | ) | $ | 46,086 | |||||||||||
NOTE 3. REGULATORY ACTIONS
Nevada Matters
Nevada Power Company 2004 Deferred Energy Case
On November 15, 2004, NPC filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Nevada (PUCN) seeking repayment for purchased fuel and power costs accumulated between October 1, 2003 and September 30, 2004, as required by law. The application sought to establish a rate to collect accumulated purchased fuel and power costs of $116 million, with a carrying charge. The application requested that the 2004 Deferred Energy Accounting Adjustment (DEAA) recovery begin with the expiration of the 2002 DEAA recovery, which is expected to occur in May 2006 and for the 2004 DEAA recovery period to be 22 months.
The application also requested an increase to the going-forward base tariff energy rate (BTER).
In concert with this 2004 DEAA filing, NPC filed a petition with the PUCN requesting that other pending DEAA rate changes be synchronized to change on April 1, 2005 in order to stabilize rates and reduce the number of rate changes. On December 28, 2004, the PUCN issued an order approving a stipulation reached by all parties that allows NPC to defer previously approved DEAA rate changes until April 1, 2005 coincident with the DEAA rate change that will result from the 2004 DEAA case.
The combined effect of the requested synchronization of multiple rate changes (going forward BTER increase, 2001 DEAA expiration, 2003 DEAA initiation) resulted in a request for an overall rate decrease of 2.4%.
On February 22, 2005, a stipulation of the parties was filed with the PUCN resolving all issues in the case. The stipulation provides for an overall decrease of 0.6% in total rates with no disallowances. The PUCN approved the stipulation in total on March 16, 2005.
Sierra Pacific Power Company 2005 Deferred Energy Case
On January 14, 2005, SPPC filed an application with the PUCN seeking repayment for purchased fuel and power costs accumulated between December 1, 2003 and November 30, 2004, as required by law. The application sought to establish a rate to collect accumulated purchased fuel and power costs of $28 million, with a carrying charge. The application requested that the 2005 DEAA recovery begin on June 1, 2005 together with the commencement of recovery of the 2004 DEAA balance both of which are coincident with the expiration of the 2002 and 2003 DEAA recovery. SPPC has requested a 24-month recovery period for the 2005 DEAA balance.
The application also requested an increase to the going-forward BTER.
16
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The combined effect of the proposed synchronization of multiple rate changes (going forward BTER increase, 2002 and 2003 DEAA expiration, 2004 and 2005 DEAA initiation) resulted in a request for an overall rate increase of approximately 1.85%.
On March 30, 2005 SPPC filed an updated forecast of its going-forward BTER. If implemented, the new BTER, including the 2002 and 2003 DEAA expiration, and the 2004 and 2005 DEAA initiation, would result in an 8.73% overall rate increase.
On April 6, 2005, the PUCN Staff and the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) filed written direct testimony in this case. The testimony recommended full recovery of the deferred balance after a $575 thousand reduction to reflect an accounting adjustment mutually agreed to by the parties. The PUCN Staff recommended adoption of the higher BTER rate that SPPC filed on March 30, 2005 while the BCP opposed the implementation of the higher BTER.
The PUCN held a hearing on April 18, 2005 and has indicated it will issue a ruling on May 17, 2005.
For further details of deferred energy cases see Note 3, Regulatory Actions of the Notes to Financial Statements, in the 2004 10-K.
NOTE 4. LONG -TERM DEBT
As of March 31, 2005, NPCs, SPPCs and SPRs aggregate annual amount of maturities for long-term debt (including obligations related to capital leases) for the balance of 2005, for the next four years and thereafter are shown below (dollars in thousands):
SPR Holding | ||||||||||||||||
Co. and | SPR | |||||||||||||||
NPC | SPPC | Other Subs. | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
2005 |
$ | 2,656 | $ | 1,693 | $ | | $ | 4,349 | ||||||||
2006 |
6,509 | 52,400 | | 58,909 | ||||||||||||
2007 |
5,949 | 2,400 | 240,218 | 248,567 | ||||||||||||
2008 |
7,066 | 322,400 | | 329,466 | ||||||||||||
2009 |
272,510 | 600 | | 273,110 | ||||||||||||
294,690 | 379,493 | 240,218 | 914,401 | |||||||||||||
Thereafter |
1,993,505 | 617,250 | 635,000 | (1) | 3,245,755 | |||||||||||
2,288,195 | 996,743 | 875,218 | 4,160,156 | |||||||||||||
Unamortized
(Discount Amount) |
(9,331 | ) | (722 | ) | (5,725 | ) | (15,778 | ) | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 2,278,864 | $ | 996,021 | $ | 869,493 | $ | 4,144,378 | ||||||||
(1) | SPRs Thereafter amount of $635 million includes the total amount of the 7.25% Convertible Notes due at maturity ($300 million). This differs from the carrying value of approximately $244 million included in the balance sheet amount of Long-term debt, which is being accreted to face value using the effective interest method. |
The preceding table includes obligations related to capital lease obligations.
Substantially all utility plant is subject to the liens of NPCs and SPPCs indentures under which their respective First Mortgage bonds and General and Refunding Mortgage bonds are issued.
Financing Transactions (SPR Holding Company)
On April 15, 2005, SPR commenced an offer to exchange new Premium Income Equity Securities (PIES) plus an exchange fee of $0.125 in cash for each old PIES tendered for exchange. The exchange offer will expire on or about May 18, 2005, unless extended or terminated by SPR pursuant to the conditions for the exchange offer. SPRs new PIES will be similar to its old PIES except the new PIES will (i) allow the remarketing of the senior notes that are associated with the new PIES prior to the earliest remarketing date for the old PIES, (ii) provide for more flexible remarketing terms, and (iii) allow certain terms of the senior notes to be modified upon their remarketing, including the maturity date of the senior notes, the redemption provisions, the interest payment dates and the addition of covenants applicable to the senior notes. There can be no assurance that a significant amount of SPRs old PIES will be tendered in the exchange or that, even if a significant amount of old PIES are tendered in the exchange, SPR will be able to remarket the senior notes associated with the new PIES on favorable terms.
17
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 5. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
SPR, SPPC, and NPC apply SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. SFAS No. 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position, measure those instruments at fair value, and recognize changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments in earnings in the period of change unless the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge. SFAS No. 133 also provides a scope exception for contracts that meet the normal purchase and sales criteria specified in the standard.
SPRs and the Utilities objective in using derivatives is to reduce exposure to energy price risk and interest rate risk. Energy price risks result from activities that include the generation, procurement and marketing of power and the procurement and marketing of natural gas. Derivative instruments used to manage energy price risk from time to time may include forwards, options, and swaps. These contracts allow the Utilities to reduce the risks associated with volatile electricity and natural gas markets.
The following table shows the fair value of the derivatives recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of SPR, NPC, and SPPC, and the related regulatory assets/liabilities. Due to deferred energy accounting under which the Utilities operate, regulatory assets and liabilities are established to the extent that electricity and natural gas derivative gains and losses are recoverable or payable through future rates, once realized (dollars in millions):
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
SPR | NPC | SPPC | SPR | NPC | SPPC | |||||||||||||||||||
Risk management assets |
$ | 61.0 | $ | 27.0 | $ | 34.0 | $ | 14.6 | $ | 5.1 | $ | 9.5 | ||||||||||||
Risk management liabilities |
$ | 2.1 | $ | 0 .6 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 9.9 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 6.3 | ||||||||||||
Risk management regulatory
assets (liabilities) |
$ | (35.1 | ) | $ | (8.1 | ) | $ | (27.0 | ) | $ | 6.7 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 3.1 |
Also included in risk management assets were $23.7 million, $18.3 million, and $5.4 million in payments for electric and gas options by SPR, NPC, and SPPC, respectively, at March 31, 2005.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental
Nevada Power Company
The Grand Canyon Trust and Sierra Club filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada in February 1998 against the owners (including NPC) of the Mohave Generation Station (Mohave), alleging violations of the Clean Air Act regarding emissions of sulfur dioxide and particulates. An additional plaintiff, National Parks and Conservation Association, later joined the suit. The plant owners and plaintiffs have had numerous settlement discussions and filed a proposed settlement with the court in October 1999. The consent decree, approved by the court in November 1999, established emission limits for sulfur dioxide and opacity and required installation of air pollution controls for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. The new emission limits must be met by January 1, 2006 and April 1, 2006 for the first and second units, respectively. The estimated cost of new pollution controls and other capital investments is $1.2 billion. As a 14% owner in Mohave, NPCs cost could be $168 million. However, due to the coal and water issues discussed below it is not the intention of Southern California Edison (SCE) and other owners to proceed with the pollution control equipment.
NPCs ownership interest in Mohave comprises approximately 10% of NPCs peak generation capacity. SCE is the operating partner of Mohave. On May 17, 2002, SCE filed with the CPUC an application to address the future disposition of SCEs share of Mohave. Mohave obtains all of its coal supply from a mine in northeast Arizona on lands of the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe (the Tribes). This coal is delivered from the mine to Mohave by means of a coal slurry pipeline, which requires water that is obtained from groundwater wells located on lands of the Tribes in the mine vicinity.
On October 20, 2004, the CPUC issued a proposed decision which, among other things, directed SCE to continue negotiations with the Tribes regarding post-2005 coal and water supply, and directed SCE to conduct a study of potential alternatives to Mohave. Because coal and water supplies necessary for long-term operation of Mohave have yet to be secured, SCE and the other Mohave co-owners have been prevented from commencing the installation of extensive pollution control equipment that must be put in place if Mohaves operations are extended past 2005.
In May 1997, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) ordered NPC to submit a plan to eliminate the discharge of Reid Gardner Station wastewater to groundwater. The NDEP order also required a hydrological assessment of groundwater impacts in the area. In June 1999, NDEP determined that wastewater ponds had degraded groundwater quality.
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In August 1999, NDEP issued a discharge permit to Reid Gardner Station and an order that requires all wastewater ponds to be closed or lined with impermeable liners over the next 10 years. This order also required NPC to submit a Site Characterization Plan to NDEP to ascertain impacts. This plan has been reviewed and approved by NDEP. In collaboration with NDEP, NPC has evaluated remediation requirements. In May 2004, NPC submitted a schedule of remediation actions to NDEP which included proposed dates for corrective action plans and/or suggested additional assessment plans for each specified area. Total new pond construction and lining costs are estimated at approximately $33 million, of which, approximately $20 million has been spent through 2004. Estimated total capital expenditures in 2005 and 2006 are approximately $6 million and $3 million, respectively.
At the Reid Gardner Station, NDEP has determined that there is additional groundwater contamination that resulted from diesel oil spills at the facility. NDEP required NPC to submit a corrective action plan. A hydro-geologic evaluation of the current remediation has been completed, and a dual phase extraction remediation system, which was approved by NDEP, commenced operation in October 2003. The remediation system remains in operation and this effort has shown positive response to cleaning up the diesel oil.
In August 2004, NDEP conducted a Facility Air Quality Operating Permit (Title V permit) inspection at the Reid Gardner Station. Monitoring, recordkeeping and other reporting items including maintenance records, operating logs, recorded oil/coal data, and other information pertaining to the sources identified in the Title V permit were requested by NDEP. NPC has provided information in connection with this and subsequent requests. In September and October 2004, NPC met with NDEP to review the results of NDEPs inspection. NDEP informed NPC that it may not be in compliance with some elements of its Title V permit, and on December 2, 2004 issued Notices of Alleged Violation (NOAVs). NPC is continuing to provide information to NDEP as requested, and is engaged in discussions with NDEP in an effort to resolve the compliance issues identified in the NOAVs. Because no penalty has been specified by NDEP, and discussions are continuing, management cannot at this time reasonably estimate the amount of any potential penalties that may ultimately be assessed in connection with the alleged violations.
In July 2000, NPC received a request from the EPA for information to determine the compliance of certain generation facilities at NPCs Clark Station with the applicable State Implementation Plan. In November 2000, NPC and the Clark County Health District entered into a Corrective Action Order requiring, among other steps, capital expenditures at the Clark Station totaling approximately $3 million. In March 2001, the EPA issued an additional request for information that could result in remediation beyond that specified in the November 2000 Corrective Action Order. On October 31, 2003, the EPA issued a violation regarding turbine blade upgrades, which occurred in July 1993. A conference between the EPA and NPC occurred in December 2003. NPC presented evidence on the nature and finding of the alleged violations. In March 2004, the EPA issued another request for information regarding the turbine blade upgrades, and NPC provided information responsive to this request in April and May 2004. NPCs position is that a violation did not occur and management is presently involved in the discovery process to support this position. Monetary penalties and retrofit control cost, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
NEICO, a wholly owned subsidiary of NPC, owns property in Wellington, Utah, which was the site of a coal washing and load-out facility. The site has a reclamation estimate supported by a bond of approximately $5 million with the Utah Division of Oil and Gas Mining, which management believes is sufficient to cover reclamation costs. Currently, management is continuing to evaluate various options including reclamation and sale.
Sierra Pacific Power Company
In September 1994, Region VII of the EPA notified SPPC that it was being named as a potentially responsible party (PRP) regarding the past improper handling of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) by PCB Treatment, Inc., in two buildings, one located in Kansas City, Kansas and the other in Kansas City, Missouri (the Sites). Prior to 1994, SPPC sent PCB contaminated material to PCB Treatment, Inc. for disposal. Certificates of disposal were issued to SPPC by PCB Treatment, Inc.; however, the contaminated material was not disposed of, but remained on-site. A number of the largest PRPs formed a steering committee, which has completed site investigations and with the EPA has determined that the Sites should be remediated by removing the buildings to the appropriate landfills. The EPA issued an administrative order on consent requiring the steering committee to oversee the performance of the work. The work to dismantle the buildings and dispose of the debris and impacted soil is currently underway, and is expected to be complete in mid-2006. While the final cost to complete the work is not yet definite, SPPCs share of the cost is not expected to be material.
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Litigation
Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company
Enron Litigation |
Brief Overview
Currently the Utilities are involved in a number of court cases and hearings involving Enron Power Marketing, Inc (Enron). The cases are as follows: U.S Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District Court of New York (Bankruptcy Court), U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (U.S. District Court); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hearings consisting of the FERC Early Termination, FERC Revocation Show Cause Proceeding and the FERC Gaming and Show Cause Proceeding. See details of the court cases and hearings below.
In 2003, based on the Judgment entered by the Bankruptcy Court (Judgment), NPC and SPPC recorded contract termination liabilities of $235 million and $103 million, including prejudgment interest of $27.8 million and $12.4 million, respectively. Additionally, in order to stay execution of the Judgment, NPC and SPPC have posted into escrow $186 million and $92 million, respectively, of General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds and $49 million and $11 million, respectively, in cash as of December 31, 2004. On October 10, 2004, in response to our appeal of the Judgment, the U.S. District Court rendered a decision vacating an earlier judgment by the Bankruptcy Court against the Utilities in favor of Enron, and remanded the case back to the Bankruptcy Court for fact-finding. Furthermore, the U.S. District Court held that the pre-judgment interest should have been calculated at the present value rate, rather than at the rate of 1% per month used by the Bankruptcy Court.
Based on the U.S. District Courts decision, the Utilities reversed the accrued interest included in contract termination liabilities by approximately $40 million for the year ended 2004. Although the Judgment entered by the Bankruptcy Court has been reversed, the terms of NPCs and SPPCs June 30, 2004 stipulation and agreement with Enron, discussed below, will remain in place through the pendency of all remands and appeals of the Judgment. If the Utilities are ultimately required to pay part or all of the amounts accrued, the Utilities will pursue recovery of the payments through future deferred energy filings. To the extent that the Utilities are not permitted to recover any portion of these costs through a deferred energy filing, the amount not permitted would be charged as a current operating expense.
A description of the legal proceedings leading up to U.S. District Courts order to vacate follows, along with a discussion of all pending matters related to the Enron litigation.
Bankruptcy Court Judgment
On June 5, 2002, Enron filed suit against the Utilities in its bankruptcy case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York asserting claims for termination payments Enron claimed it was owed under purchased power contracts with the Utilities. Enron sought liquidated damages in the amount of approximately $216 million from NPC and $93 million from SPPC based on assertions by Enron that it had contractual rights under the Western Systems Power Pool Agreement (WSPPA) to terminate deliveries to the Utilities. Enron based its assertion on a claim that the Utilities did not provide adequate assurance of the Utilities performance under the WSPPA. The Utilities dispute that they owe the monies sought by Enron and have denied liability on numerous grounds, including termination, deceit and fraud in the inducement, fraud, breach of contract, and unfair trade practices.
On September 26, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court entered a summary judgment (the Judgment) in favor of Enron for damages related to the termination of Enrons power supply agreements with the Utilities. The Judgment required NPC and SPPC to pay approximately $235 million and $103 million, respectively, to Enron for liquidated damages and pre-judgment interest for power not delivered by Enron under the power supply contracts terminated by Enron in May 2002 and approximately $17.7 million and $6.7 million, respectively, for power previously delivered to the Utilities. Based on the pre-judgment rate of 12%, NPC and SPPC recognized additional interest expense of $27.8 million and $12.4 million, respectively, in contract termination liabilities in the third quarter 2003. Also, NPC and SPPC recorded additional contract termination liabilities for liquidated damages of $6.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2003. The Bankruptcy Courts order provided that until paid, the amounts owed by the Utilities will accrue interest post-Judgment at a rate of 1.21% per annum.
In response to the Judgment, the Utilities filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking a stay pending appeal of the Judgment and proposing to issue General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds as collateral to secure payment of the Judgment. On November 6, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court ruled to stay execution of the Judgment conditioned upon NPC and SPPC posting into escrow $235 million and $103 million, respectively, of General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds plus approximately $282
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
thousand in cash by NPC for pre-judgment interest. On December 4, 2003, NPC and SPPC complied with the order of the Bankruptcy Court by issuing NPCs $235 million General and Refunding Mortgage Bond, Series H plus SPPCs $103 million General and Refunding Mortgage Bond, Series E into escrow along with the required cash deposit for NPC. Additionally, the Utilities were ordered to place into escrow $35 million, approximately $24 million and $11 million for NPC and SPPC, respectively, within 90 days from the date of the order, which would lower the principal amount of General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds held in escrow by a like amount. The Utilities made the payments as ordered on February 10, 2004. The Bankruptcy Court also ordered that during the duration of the stay, the Utilities (i) cannot transfer any funds or assets other than to unaffiliated third parties for ordinary course of business operating and capital expenses, (ii) cannot pay dividends to SPR other than for SPRs current operating expenses and debt payment obligations, and (iii) shall seek a ruling from the PUCN to determine whether the cash payments into escrow trigger the Utilities rights to seek recovery of such amounts through the Utilities deferred energy rate cases.
On November 21, 2003, the Utilities filed a Petition for Declaratory Order with the PUCN, as required by the Bankruptcy Courts stay order seeking a determination as to whether payment of all or part of the Judgment into escrow would be subject to recovery through a deferred energy accounting adjustment. On February 6, 2004, the PUCN issued its final order indicating that posting or depositing money in escrow would not constitute payment of fuel or purchased power costs eligible for recovery in a deferred account.
On April 5, 2004, Enron and the Utilities entered into a settlement whereby NPC agreed to post an additional cash sum of $25 million to be held in escrow pending the issuance of the U.S. District Courts opinion and Enron agreed not to request any additional collateral from NPC or SPPC during the pendency of the Utilities appeal of the Judgment to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. NPC made the agreed-upon payment on April 16, 2004, which lowered the principal amount of NPCs General and Refunding Mortgage Bond, Series H, currently held in escrow, by a like amount.
The Utilities entered into a stipulation and agreement with Enron which was signed by the Bankruptcy Court on June 30, 2004 which provides that (1) the Utilities shall withdraw their objections to the confirmation of Enrons bankruptcy plan, (2) the collateral contained in the Utilities escrow accounts securing their stay of execution of the Judgment shall not be deemed property of Enrons bankruptcy estate or the Utilities estates in the event of a bankruptcy filing, and (3) the stay of execution of the Judgment, as previously ordered by the Bankruptcy Court, shall remain in place without any additional principal contributions by the Utilities to their existing escrow accounts during the pendency of any and all of their appeals of the Judgment, including to the United States Supreme Court, until a final non-appealable judgment is obtained. There can be no assurances that the U.S. District Court or any higher court to which the Utilities appeal the Judgment will accept the existing collateral arrangement to secure further stays of execution of the Judgment.
On October 1, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court ruled that Enron was entitled to take the $17.7 million and $6.7 million deposited by NPC and SPPC, respectively, for power previously delivered to them, out of escrow for the benefit of Enrons bankruptcy estate. The Utilities have challenged the Bankruptcy Courts order with respect to these payments, and no final ruling has been made by the Bankruptcy Court.
Appeal of Bankruptcy Court Judgment to U.S. District Court
On October 1, 2003, the Utilities filed a Notice of Appeal from the Judgment with the U.S. District Court. In the Utilities appeal, the Utilities sought reversal of the Judgment and contended that Enron is not entitled to recover termination charges under the contracts on various grounds including breach of contract, breach of solvency representation, fraud, misrepresentation, and manipulation of the energy markets and that the Bankruptcy Court erred in holding that the filed rate doctrine barred various claims which were purported to challenge the reasonableness of the rate. Enron filed a cross-appeal on the grounds that the amount of post-judgment interest should have been 12% per year instead of 1.21% as ordered by the Bankruptcy Court.
On October 10, 2004, the U.S. District Court rendered a decision in the Utilities appeal. The U.S. District Courts decision vacated the judgment entered by the Bankruptcy Court against the Utilities in favor of Enron and remanded the case to the Bankruptcy Court for fact-finding on several issues including:
| whether Enrons demand for assurances at the time of termination of its power supply contracts with NPC and SPPC was reasonable; | |||
| whether the assurances offered by NPC and SPPC to Enron were reasonably satisfactory assurances; and | |||
| whether Enron would have been able to perform all of its obligations under each of the power supply contracts at the time the contracts were terminated and following termination. |
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
The U.S. District Court further held that the demand for assurances by Enron should have been limited to the amount of its actual loss. The U.S. District Court rejected Enrons cross-appeal seeking a 12% per year post-judgment interest rate instead of the 1.21% interest rate ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. The U.S. District Court decision also provided that Enron could, if proper, renew its motion to enjoin the proceedings currently before the FERC addressing Enrons termination of its power supply contracts with NPC and SPPC. Although the Judgment has been reversed, the terms of NPCs and SPPCs June 30, 2004 stipulation and agreement with Enron, discussed above, will remain in place through the pendency of all remands and appeals of the Judgment.
The Utilities filed a motion seeking clarification of the U.S. District Court rulings with respect to the Utilities affirmative defenses and counterclaims regarding: fraud by Enron, violation of the Racketeer Influence Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), anti-trust activities carried out by Enron, the constitutional power of a bankruptcy court to enter a final judgment in a non-core matter, and whether the Bankruptcy Court had properly determined the interest rate applicable to pre-judgment interest. This motion did not relate to Enrons claims against the Utilities, which the U.S. District Court addressed in its October 10, 2004 decision described above. On December 23, 2004, the U.S. District Court ruled on this motion, affirming the dismissal of the Utilities affirmative defenses and counterclaims on the grounds that they were barred under the filed rate doctrine. However, the U.S. District Court ruled in favor of the Utilities on the calculation of pre-judgment interest.
FERC Early Termination Case
On October 6, 2003, the Utilities filed a Complaint with FERC requesting the opportunity to develop a record regarding three issues: (a) whether Enron exercised reasonable discretion in terminating its various purchased power contracts with the Utilities; (b) whether FERC should exercise its authority to find that Enron is not entitled to collect termination payment profits; and (c) whether Enron should be otherwise denied the authority to collect such payments because to do so would be contrary to the public interest.
On July 22, 2004, the FERC issued an order granting the Utilities request to the FERC for an expedited hearing to review Enrons termination of the energy contracts entered into between the Utilities and Enron under the WSPPA. Hearings were scheduled to begin on October 25, 2004 and an initial decision was expected from the FERC by December 31, 2004. However, on October 27, 2004, Enron filed a motion in the Bankruptcy Court to enjoin the Utilities from participating in the FERC Early Termination Case. The disposition of this motion is described below.
Bankruptcy Court Injunction and Order Setting Trial
After the U.S. District Court issued its October 10, 2004 ruling, Enron renewed its motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking to enjoin the Utilities from proceeding in the FERC Early Termination Case. On December 3, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court enjoined the Utilities from further prosecution of the scheduled hearing in the FERC proceeding. The Utilities have appealed this decision and are seeking a stay of the trial in Bankruptcy Court pending the outcome of the FERC Early Termination Case. The trial is currently set for July 11, 2005. The Utilities are unable to predict the outcome of these proceedings at this time.
FERC Revocation Show Cause Proceeding
In March 2003, FERC instituted a Show Cause proceeding involving whether Enrons market-based rate authority should be revoked in light of Enrons engagement in illicit trading activities. The Utilities intervened in the FERCs proceeding against Enron. On June 25, 2003, FERC removed Enrons market-based rate authority, but only on a prospective basis. The Utilities filed a request for rehearing, along with certain other parties. On October 16, 2003, FERC changed the nature of the proceeding, thereby prohibiting further active participation by the interveners (including the Utilities). On December 15, 2003, the Utilities filed an appeal in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (D.C. Circuit) concerning these two actions. The appeals have been consolidated with a number of other appeals of FERCs decisions, and the matter is pending. The D.C. Circuit has yet to establish a briefing schedule and there is no current time line for argument or a decision in the case.
FERC Gaming and Partnership Show Cause Proceeding
On June 25, 2003, FERC issued orders in two separate cases involving Enron and potential gaming of power markets. The first was referred to as the Gaming Show Cause Proceeding and the second as the Partnership Show Cause Proceeding. The proceedings focused on Enrons illicit trading activity in California with a variety of counterparties. On July 21, 2004, FERC consolidated the two proceedings and expanded the scope of its inquiry. FERC announced that it was revisiting its decision not to revoke Enrons market-based rate authority and that Enron potentially could be required to disgorge profits for all of its wholesale power sales in the Western Interconnect for the period January 16, 1997 to June 15, 2003. Enron has sought rehearing of this order, challenging the expanded scope of the
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
proceeding. The Utilities have joined a coalition of other Western Parties and on August 4, 2004, sought clarification that remedies other than disgorgement might be available. On March 11, 2005, the FERC issued an order clarifying issues to be covered in the administrative trial scheduled to begin June 13, 2005. In that order, the FERC stated that Enrons profits under the terminated power contracts fell within the scope of that proceeding. The trial is currently set for September 7, 2005. The Utilities are unable to predict the outcome of the trial at this time.
FERC 206 Complaints
In December 2001, the Utilities filed ten complaints with the FERC under Section 206 of the Federal Power Act seeking to reduce prices of certain forward wholesale power purchase contracts that the Utilities entered into prior to the price caps imposed by the FERC in June 2001 relating to the western United States energy crisis. The Utilities believe the prices under these purchased power contracts are unjust and unreasonable. The Utilities negotiated a settlement with Duke Energy Trading and Marketing, but were unable to reach agreement in bilateral settlement discussions with other respondents.
The Utilities are contesting the amounts paid for power actually delivered by these suppliers as well as claims made by terminating power suppliers that did not deliver power, including Enron.
On June 26, 2003, the FERC dismissed the Utilities Section 206 complaints finding that the strict public interest standard applied to the case and that the company had failed to satisfy the burden of proof required by that standard. On July 28, 2003, the Utilities filed a petition for rehearing at the FERC requesting that the FERC either reconsider or rehear the case. On November 10, 2003, the FERC reaffirmed the June 26, 2003, decision. That decision has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Oral argument was held on December 8, 2004 and a decision is pending. The Utilities are unable to predict the outcome of this appeal at this time.
Reliant Antitrust Litigation
On April 22, 2002, Reliant Energy Services, Inc. (Reliant) filed a cross-complaint against NPC and SPPC in the wholesale electricity antitrust cases, which cases were consolidated in the Superior Court of the State of California. Plaintiffs (original plaintiffs consist of The People of the State of California, City and County of San Francisco, City of Oakland, and County of Santa Clara) seek damages and restitution from the named defendants for alleged fraud, misrepresentation, and anticompetitive conduct in manipulating the energy markets in California resulting in prices far in excess of what would otherwise have been a fair price to the plaintiff class in a competitive market. Reliant filed cross-complaints against all energy suppliers selling energy in California who were not named as original defendants in the complaint, denying liability but alleging that if there was liability, it should be spread among all energy suppliers. The court granted motions to dismiss, and the case is currently on appeal. Both NPC and SPPC believe they should have no liability regarding this matter, but at this time management is not able to predict either the outcome or timing of a decision.
Nevada Power Company
Morgan Stanley Proceedings
On September 5, 2002, Morgan Stanley Capital Group (MSCG) initiated arbitration pursuant to the arbitration provisions in various power supply contracts terminated by MSCG in April 2002. In the arbitration, MSCG requested that the arbitrator compel NPC to pay MSCG $25 million pending the outcome of any dispute regarding the amount owed under the contracts. NPC claimed that nothing is owed under the contracts on various grounds, including breach by MSCG in terminating the contracts, and further, that the arbitrator does not have jurisdiction over NPCs contract claims and defenses. In March 2003, the arbitrator dismissed MSCGs demand for arbitration and agreed that the issues raised by MSCG were not calculation issues subject to arbitration and that NPCs contract defenses were likewise not arbitrable.
NPC filed a complaint for declaratory relief in the U.S. District Court (District Court) for the District of Nevada asking the Court to declare that NPC is not liable for any damages as a result of MSCGs termination of its power supply contracts. On April 17, 2003, MSCG answered the complaint and filed a counterclaim against NPC alleging non-payment of the termination payment in the amount of $25 million. In April 2003, MSCG also filed a complaint against NPC at the FERC alleging that NPC should be required to pay MSCG the amount of the claimed termination payment pending resolution of the case. MSCG filed a motion to intervene in the Section 206 action commenced by NPC against Enron at the FERC, and the FERC denied MSCGs motion. On October 23, 2003, NPC filed a motion to stay the District Court proceedings, pending guidance on applicable legal principles from the FERC, which guidance may be provided in connection with a complaint NPC filed against Enron with regard to exercise of default and early termination rights. On February 2, 2004, the District Court granted NPCs motion, and NPCs complaint for declaratory relief before that court is now stayed pending FERC guidance. On July 22, 2004, the FERC issued an order stating that it would convene a hearing regarding the NPC complaint against Enron (discussed above). On August 11, 2004, NPC filed a motion to continue the stay, and on October 4, 2004, the District
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Court granted the stay for another 90 days. At the February 28, 2005 status conference, the Judge lifted the stay and ordered the case to go forward. The parties will meet to set the discovery and trial schedule. On February 28, 2005, NPC filed a motion for summary judgment. MSCG filed its own summary judgment motion on March 17, 2005. A hearing on the motions has been set for June 6, 2005. At this time, NPC is unable to predict the outcome or timing of the District Court complaint.
El Paso Merchant Energy
In September 2002, El Paso Merchant Energy (EPME) terminated all forward contracts for energy with NPC for alleged defaults under the WSPPA consisting of alleged failure to pay full contract price for power under NPCs delayed payment program which extended from May 1 to September 15, 2002. In October 2002, EPME asserted a claim against NPC for $29 million in damages representing $19 million unpaid under contracts for delivered power during the period May 15 to September 15, 2002, together with approximately $10 million in alleged mark to market damages for future undelivered power. The amount presently claimed by EPME is $42 million, including interest. NPC alleges that EPMEs termination resulted in net payments due to NPC under the WSPPA for liquidated damages measured by the difference between the contract price and market price of energy EPME was to deliver from 2004 to 2012. The precise amount due would depend on the manner in which the termination payments are calculated.
In June 2003, EPME demanded mediation of its claim for a termination payment arising out of EPMEs September 25, 2002, termination of all executory purchase power contracts between NPC and EPME. The mediation was unsuccessful, and on July 25, 2003, NPC commenced an action against EPME and several of its affiliates in the Federal District Court for the District of Nevada for damages resulting from breach of these purchase power contracts. Discovery is ongoing and the case is set for trial to commence in September 2005. At this time, NPC is unable to predict either the outcome or timing of a decision in this matter.
Peabody Western Coal Company
NPC owns an 11%, 255 MW interest in the Navajo Generating Station (Navajo) located in Northern Arizona. Besides NPC, the Salt River Project (Salt River), Arizona Public Service Company, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Tucson Electric Power Company (together the Joint Owners), are partners in Navajo, which includes three coal-fired electrical generating units operated by Salt River.
In January 2005, the Joint Owners were served with a complaint from Peabody Western Coal Co. (Peabody), filed in Missouri State Court in St. Louis (Cause No. 042-08561). Peabody asserts claims against the Joint Owners seeking reimbursement of royalties and other costs and breach of the coal supply agreement.
As operating agent for the project, Salt River has engaged counsel and is defending the suit on behalf of the Joint Owners. On February 20, 2005, the Joint Owners filed Notice of Removal of the compliant to the U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. On March 17, 2005, Peabody filed a Motion to remand the case to state court in St. Louis, Missouri. The Joint Owners are presently conducting discovery in connection with the Motion. NPC believes Peabodys claims are without merit and intends to contest them.
Sierra Pacific Power Company
Farad Dam
SPPC owns 4 hydro generating plants (10.3 MW capacity) located in California that were to be included in the sale of SPPCs water business for $8 million to the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) in June 2001.
The contract with TMWA requires that SPPC transfer the hydro assets in working condition. However, one of the four hydro generating plants, Farad 2.8 MW, has been out of service since the summer of 1996 due to a collapsed flume. While planning the reconstruction, a flood on the Truckee River in January 1997 destroyed the diversion dam. SPPC filed a claim with the insurers for the flume and dam and in December 2003, SPPC sued the insurers in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada on a coverage dispute relating to potential rebuild costs. The current estimate to rebuild the diversion dam, if management decides to proceed, is approximately $20 million. Management believes that it has a valid insurance claim and is likely to recover the costs to rebuild the dam through the courts. Management has not recorded a loss contingency for the cost to rebuild the dam as it believes its overall exposure is insignificant.
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Other Legal Matters
SPR and its subsidiaries, through the course of their normal business operations, are currently involved in a number of other legal actions, none of which has had or, in the opinion of management, is expected to have a significant impact on their financial positions, results of operations, or cash flows.
Contract Termination Liabilities
At March 31, 2005, included in NPCs and SPPCs Consolidated Balance Sheets as Contract termination liabilities, were approximately $247 million and $94 million, respectively, of charges for terminated power supply contracts and associated interest. Correspondingly, pursuant to the deferred energy accounting provisions of AB 369, included in NPC and SPPC deferred energy balances as of March 31, 2005, were approximately $240 million and $84 million, respectively, of charges for recovery in rates in future periods associated with the terminated power supply contracts. If NPC and SPPC are required to pay part or all of the amounts accrued, the Utilities will pursue recovery of the payments through future deferred energy filings. To the extent that the Utilities are not permitted to recover any portion of these costs through a deferred energy filing, the amounts not permitted would be charged as a current operating expense. A significant disallowance of these costs by the PUCN could have a material effect on the future financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of SPR, NPC, and SPPC.
Regulatory Contingency
Nevada Power Company
NPCs ownership interest in Mohave comprises approximately 10% of NPCs peak generation capacity. SCE is the operating partner of Mohave. On May 17, 2002, SCE filed with the CPUC an application to address the future disposition of SCEs share of Mohave. Mohave obtains all of its coal supply from a mine in northeast Arizona on lands of the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe (the Tribes). This coal is delivered from the mine to Mohave by means of a coal slurry pipeline which requires water that is obtained from groundwater wells located on lands of the Tribes in the mine vicinity.
Due to the lack of progress in negotiations with the Tribes and other parties to resolve several coal and water supply issues, SCEs application states that it appears that it probably will not be possible for SCE to extend Mohaves operations beyond 2005. Due to the uncertainty over a post-2005 coal supply, SCE and the other Mohave co-owners have been prevented from commencing the installation of extensive pollution control equipment that must be put in place if Mohaves operations are extended past 2005.
Because of the coal and water supply issues at Mohave, NPC is preparing for the shutdown of the facility by the end of 2005. NPCs Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) accepted by the PUCN in November 2003, assumes the Plant will be unavailable after December 31, 2005. In addition, in its General Rate Case filed on October 1, 2003, NPC requested that the PUCN authorize a higher depreciation rate be applied to Mohave in order to recover the remaining book value to a regulatory asset account to be amortized over a period as determined by the PUCN. While the PUCN did not approve higher depreciation rates, they did authorize the use of a regulatory asset to accumulate the costs and savings associated with Mohave in the event of its shutdown with recovery of any accumulated costs in a future rate case proceeding. NPC continues to recover the cost of Mohave through rates.
If
the coal and water supply issues at Mohave are ultimately resolved the owners,
including NPC, would still be required to
install the pollution control equipment, as discussed in the Environmental section, to operate the
generating facility. The installation of this equipment would still require the temporary shutdown
of the facility. Furthermore the owners, including NPC, are evaluating the use of alternative fuels to operate the Mohave
generating facility in the event the coal and water supply issues are not resolved. The use of
alternative fuels would also cause the facility to be shutdown
temporarily. NPC would seek recovery
of any future costs to bring the facility into operation through a future rate case.
Due to these factors there is uncertainty as to whether Mohave will
operate post December 2005.
In the event Mohave is permanently shutdown, NPC will have to
evaluate the plant in accordance with SFAS No. 90, Accounting
for Abandonments and Disallowances of Plant Costs (SFAS 90).
If NPC is prohibited from continued recovery of Mohave in the future,
the asset may be deemed impaired under SFAS 90. If the asset is
deemed impaired there could be a material effects on NPCs and
SPRs financial position, results of operations, and future cash
inflows. As of March 31, 2005, the net book value of Mohave is
approximately $38 million.
NOTE 7. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (SPR)
The difference, if any, between basic EPS and diluted EPS is due to potentially dilutive common shares resulting from stock options, the employee stock purchase plan, performance and restricted stock plans, the non-employee director stock plan and dividend participation rights associated with the convertible debt. However, due to net losses for the periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 these items are anti-dilutive. Accordingly, diluted EPS for these periods are computed using the weighted average shares outstanding before dilution.
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
SPR currently has outstanding $300 million in 7.25% convertible notes due 2010, or Convertible Notes, that are entitled to receive (non-cumulative) dividend payments on a 1:1 basis for dividends paid to common shareholders without exercising the conversion option. These Convertible Notes meet the criteria of a participating security in the calculation of basic EPS, and are convertible at the option of the holders into 65,749,110 common shares. See the 2004 10-K, Note 7, Long-Term Debt, for Discussion of the Convertible Notes.
EITF 03-6 requires using the two-class method to record the effect of participating securities in the computation of basic EPS, and the if-converted method in the computation of diluted EPS, if the effect is dilutive. SPR adopted EITF 03-6 for financial statements issued after March 31, 2004. However, due to net losses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 the effect of the participating securities are anti-dilutive, as such they have not been included in basic or diluted earnings per share.
The following table outlines the calculation for earnings per share (EPS):
Three Months | ||||||||
Ended March 31, | ||||||||
Basic and Diluted EPS1 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||
Numerator ($000) |
||||||||
Loss from continuing operations |
$ | (8,516 | ) | $ | (42,800 | ) | ||
Income / (Loss) from discontinued operations |
$ | 5 | $ | (675 | ) | |||
Deficit applicable to common stock |
$ | (9,486 | ) | $ | (44,450 | ) | ||
Denominator |
||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
117,549,912 | 117,239,947 | ||||||
Per-Share amount |
||||||||
Loss from continuing operations |
$ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.37 | ) | ||
Loss from discontinued operations |
| $ | (0.01 | ) | ||||
Deficit applicable to common stock |
$ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) |
1) The denominator used for diluted EPS calculation does not include stock equivalents for stock options, restricted and performance shares issued under executive long-term incentive plan options under the non-employee Director stock plan and employee stock purchase plan, for periods ending March 31, 2005 and 2004, due to their anti-dilutive effect. The amounts for periods ending March 31, 2005 and 2004 that would be included in the calculation would be 412,041 and 185,882 shares, respectively. | ||
The denominator also does not include stock equivalents resulting from the conversion of SPRs PIES and options issued under the Nonqualified stock option plan for periods ending March 31, 2005 and 2004, due to conversion prices being higher than market prices for all periods. The amounts that would be included in the calculation, if the conversion and exercise prices were met, would be 17.3 million shares for SPRs PIES for both periods, and 1.1 million and 1.3 million shares for options under the Nonqualified stock option plan for periods ending March 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively. |
NOTE 8. GOODWILL AND OTHER MERGER COSTS
SPRs Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2005 included approximately $4 million of goodwill assigned to SPRs unregulated operations and approximately $19 million of goodwill assigned to SPPCs regulated gas business. The goodwill assigned to the regulated gas business is subject to the provisions of SFAS 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulations, which permits SPPC to capitalize certain costs that may be recovered through rates. SPPC expects to demonstrate in its next general rate case for the gas distribution business that savings from the merger allocable to the gas business exceed goodwill and other merger costs and, as a result, to recover goodwill and merger costs through future gas rates. Accordingly, management has not reviewed goodwill assigned to the gas business for impairment. However, the approximately $4 million of goodwill assigned to SPRs unregulated operations were subject to impairment review under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, Accounting for Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets.
SFAS No.142 provides that an impairment loss shall be recognized if the carrying value of each reporting units goodwill exceeds its fair value. For purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, a discounted cash flow model was developed for SPRs unregulated businesses (TGPC and LOS) to determine the fair value of each reporting unit as of March 31, 2005. As a result, goodwill assigned to TGPC and LOS was determined not to be impaired.
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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
NOTE 9. PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
A summary of the components of net periodic pension and other post-retirement costs for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, follows. This summary is based on a September 30 measurement date (dollars in thousands):
Other Post-retirement | ||||||||||||||||
Pension Benefits | Benefits | |||||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 4,620 | $ | 4,497 | $ | 820 | $ | 779 | ||||||||
Interest cost |
8,062 | 7,568 | 2,465 | 2,382 | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(9,042 | ) | (7,658 | ) | (903 | ) | (1,034 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
428 | 428 | 16 | 16 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of Transition Obligation |
| | 242 | 242 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of net (gain)/loss |
1,614 | 2,243 | 1,059 | 1,157 | ||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost |
$ | 5,682 | $ | 7,078 | $ | 3,699 | $ | 3,542 | ||||||||
As disclosed in Note 12, Retirement Plan and Post-retirement Benefits, of the 2004 10-K, SPR, NPC and SPPC does not expect to make a pension contribution and expect to contribute approximately $200 thousand for post-retirement benefits for the year 2005. As of March 31, 2005, there had been no changes to the 2005 estimated employer contribution amounts disclosed.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors
The information in this Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, managements plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome of regulatory proceedings, market conditions and other matters. Words such as anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, plan and objective and other similar expressions identify those statements that are forward-looking. These statements are based on managements beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such statements, factors that could cause the actual results of Sierra Pacific Resources (SPR), Nevada Power Company (NPC), or Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC) to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statement include, among others, the following:
(1) | a requirement to pay Enron Power Marketing, Inc. (Enron) for amounts allegedly due under terminated purchase power contracts; | |||
(2) | unfavorable rulings in rate cases filed and to be filed by NPC and SPPC (collectively, the Utilities) with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (the PUCN), including the periodic applications to recover costs for fuel and purchased power that have been recorded by the Utilities in their deferred energy accounts, and deferred natural gas recorded by SPPC for its gas distribution business; | |||
(3) | the ability of SPR, NPC and SPPC to maintain access to the capital markets to support their requirements for working capital, including amounts necessary to finance deferred energy costs, construction costs, and acquisition costs, particularly in the event of additional unfavorable rulings by the PUCN, a downgrade of the current debt ratings of SPR, NPC, or SPPC and/or adverse developments with respect to the Utilities pending litigation with power and fuel suppliers; | |||
(4) | whether the Utilities will be able to continue to pay SPR dividends under the terms of their respective financing and credit agreements, the Enron Bankruptcy Courts order, their regulatory order from the PUCN, limitations imposed by the Federal Power Act and, in the case of SPPC, under the terms of SPPCs restated articles of incorporation; | |||
(5) | whether the Utilities will be able to continue to obtain fuel, power and natural gas from their suppliers on favorable payment terms, particularly in the event of unanticipated power demands (for example, due to unseasonably hot weather), sharp increases in the prices for fuel, power and/or natural gas, or a ratings downgrade; | |||
(6) | wholesale market conditions, including availability of power on the spot market, which affect the prices the Utilities have to pay for power as well as the prices at which the Utilities can sell any excess power; | |||
(7) | the final outcome of SPPCs pending lawsuit in Nevada state court seeking to reverse the PUCNs 2004 decision on SPPCs 2003 General Rate case disallowing the recovery of a portion of SPPCs costs, expenses and investment in the Piñon Pine Project; | |||
(8) | the final outcome of NPCs pending lawsuit in Nevada state court seeking to reverse portions of the PUCNs 2002 order denying the recovery of NPCs deferred energy costs; | |||
(9) | whether the Utilities will be successful in obtaining PUCN approval to recover the outstanding balance of their other regulatory assets and other merger costs recorded in connection with the 1999 merger between SPR and NPC in a future general rate case; | |||
(10) | the effect that any future terrorist attacks, wars, threats of war, or epidemics may have on the tourism and gaming industries in Nevada, particularly in Las Vegas, as well as on the economy in general; | |||
(11) | unseasonable weather and other natural phenomena, which, in addition to impacting the Utilities customers demand for power, can have potentially serious impacts on the Utilities ability to procure |
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adequate supplies of fuel or purchased power to serve their respective customers and on
the cost of procuring such supplies; |
||||
(12) | industrial, commercial, and residential growth in the service territories of the Utilities; | |||
(13) | the financial decline of any significant customers; | |||
(14) | the effect of existing or future Nevada, California or federal legislation or regulations affecting electric industry restructuring, including laws or regulations which could allow additional customers to choose new electricity suppliers or change the conditions under which they may do so; | |||
(15) | changes in the business or power demands of the Utilities major customers, including those engaged in gold mining or gaming, which may result in changes in the demand for services of the Utilities, including the effect on the Nevada gaming industry of the opening of additional Indian gaming establishments in California and other states; | |||
(16) | changes in environmental regulations laws or regulation, including the imposition of significant new limits on mercury and other emissions from coal-fired power plants; | |||
(17) | changes in tax or accounting matters or other laws and regulations to which the Utilities are subject; | |||
(18) | future economic conditions, including inflation rates and monetary policy; | |||
(19) | financial market conditions, including changes in availability of capital or interest rate fluctuations; | |||
(20) | unusual or unanticipated changes in normal business operations, including unusual maintenance or repairs; and | |||
(21) | employee workforce factors, including changes in collective bargaining unit agreements, strikes or work stoppages. |
Other factors and assumptions not identified above may also have been involved in deriving these forward-looking statements, and the failure of those other assumptions to be realized, as well as other factors, may also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. SPR, NPC, and SPPC assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements.
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EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations explains the general financial condition and the results of operations for Sierra Pacific Resources (SPR) and its two primary subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company (NPC) and Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC), collectively referred to as the Utilities (references to we, us and our refer to SPR and the Utilities collectively), and includes the following for each of SPR, NPC and SPPC:
o | Results of Operations | |||
o | Analysis of Cash Flows | |||
o | Liquidity and Capital Resources | |||
o | Regulatory Proceedings (Utilities) | |||
o | Recent Pronouncements |
SPRs Utilities operate three regulated business segments: NPC electric, SPPC electric and SPPC natural gas service. Both Utilities provide electric service, and SPPC provides natural gas service. Other segment operations consist mainly of unregulated operations and the holding company operations. The Utilities are the principal operating subsidiaries of SPR and account for substantially all of SPRs assets and revenues. SPR, NPC and SPPC are separate filers for SEC reporting purposes and accordingly this discussion has been divided to reflect the individual filers (SPR, NPC and SPPC), except for discussions that relate to all three entities or the Utilities. SPR intends to continue to focus on improving earnings and operating cash flows, controlling costs and reducing debt while working to restore an investment grade credit rating.
The population growth within the Utilities service territory has been and is projected to continue to grow at a rapid rate. The population growth has been driven by economic expansion throughout the state, with the gaming industry in Las Vegas being the most significant component.
The Utilities are exposed to a variety of risks inherent in their commercial operations, including risks from energy supply, credit, facilities, information and control systems, environmental, and accidental loss. The Utilities address these risks in a variety of ways. Energy risk is addressed through commitments to generation and transmission and to longer-term energy supply contracts. These commitments are subject to an approval process by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN), and in the case of SPPC, the Californmia Public Utility Commission (CPUC) through resource planning regulations. Other multi-year risks are addressed, in part, through insurance policies as well as the Utilities strategic planning processes. Shorter-term risks are also addressed through insurance and through annual budgets, key performance indicators and prioritized objectives.
In addition to customer growth, loads and resulting revenues are affected by weather, rate changes, and customer usage patterns. Changes in energy usage by the Utilities fluctuate primarily as a result of seasonal weather conditions. NPC is a summer peaking utility experiencing its highest retail energy sales in response to the demand for air conditioning, while SPPCs electric system peak typically occurs in the summer, with a winter peak nearly as high as the summer peak. Therefore, the Utilities operating revenues and associated expenses are not generated or incurred evenly throughout the year.
During the first quarter of 2005, NPCs revenues increased from the same period in 2004 as a result of higher rates that went into effect in the second quarter of 2004, and additional customers compared to the first quarter of 2004. This increase was partially offset by milder weather in the first quarter in 2005 as compared to 2004, resulting in a decrease in customer usage. NPCs 2005 first quarter net loss was smaller than the loss in 2004 primarily due to increased operating revenue partially offset by higher operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, and interest charges.
SPPCs electric and gas revenues also increased in the first quarter of 2005 from the same period in 2004 as a result of higher rates that went into effect in the second and fourth quarters of 2004, respectively, additional customers and increased customer usage compared to the first quarter of 2004. SPPCs net income increased for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the first quarter of 2004 primarily due to increased operating revenue partially offset by higher operating and maintenance expenses, and higher depreciation and amortization.
SPRs loss from continuing operations decreased in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to 2004 as a result of a first quarter 2004 write-off of goodwill associated with the 1999 merger of SPR and NPC and tender fees paid in 2004 in connection with extinguishment of certain debt, neither of which recurred in 2005.
As is the case with most regulated entities, the Utilities are frequently involved in various regulatory proceedings. In February 2005, the PUCN approved a settlement agreed to by all parties in NPCs deferred energy case initially filed in November 2004. The settlement resolved all issues in the case and resulted in no disallowances. SPPC filed for recovery of its deferred energy costs in January 2005. The staffs of the PUCN and the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) filed testimony recommending full recovery of the deferred balance. Hearings were held in April 2005 and a decision by the PUCN is expected in the latter part of May 2005. The Utilities are required to file for annual rate adjustments to provide recovery of
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their fuel and purchased power costs. They are also required to file rate cases every two years to adjust general rates that include its cost of service and return on investment in order to more closely align earned returns with those allowed by regulators. The Utilities remain committed to maintaining a positive relationship with our regulators for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Significant Business Issues
SPR and the Utilities face a number of key business issues in 2005, including, among other things: the ongoing litigation involving Enron, improving our debt profile, management of our energy risk, pursuing strategic initiatives to reduce our reliance on external power supplies, and legislative initiatives. Details relating to the discussion below can be found in the 2004 10-K Notes to the Financial Statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Enron Litigation
Currently, the Utilities are involved in five court cases and hearings involving Enron Power Marketing, Inc (Enron) enumerated as follows: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District Court of New York (Bankruptcy Court), U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (U.S. District Court); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hearings consisting of the FERC Early Termination, FERC Revocation Show Cause Proceeding and the FERC Gaming and Show Cause Proceeding. See details of the court cases and hearings in Note 6, Commitments and Contingencies of the Condensed Notes to Financial Statements.
In 2003, based on the Judgment entered by the Bankruptcy Court (Judgment), NPC and SPPC recorded contract termination liabilities of $235 million and $103 million, including prejudgment interest of $27.8 million and $12.4 million, respectively. Additionally, in order to stay execution of the Judgment, NPC and SPPC have posted into escrow $186 million and $92 million, respectively, of General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds and $49 million and $11 million, respectively, in cash as of December 31, 2004. On October 10, 2004, in response to our appeal of the Judgment, the U.S. District Court rendered a decision vacating an earlier judgment by the Bankruptcy Court against the Utilities in favor of Enron, and remanded the case back to the Bankruptcy Court for fact-finding. Furthermore, the U.S. District Court held that the pre-judgment interest should have been calculated at the present value rate, rather than at the rate of 1% per month used by the Bankruptcy Court.
Based on the U.S. District Courts decision, the Utilities reversed the accrued interest included in contract termination liabilities by approximately $40 million for the year ended 2004. Although the Judgment entered by the Bankruptcy Court has been reversed, the terms of NPCs and SPPCs June 30, 2004 stipulation and agreement with Enron will remain in place through the pendency of all remands and appeals of the Judgment. If the Utilities are ultimately required to pay part or all of the amounts accrued, the Utilities will pursue recovery of the payments through future deferred energy filing. To the extent that the Utilities are not permitted to recover any portion of these costs through a deferred energy filing, the amount not permitted would be charged as a current operating expense.
A trial date has been set for July 11, 2005 before the Bankruptcy Court. A description of the legal proceedings leading up to the U.S. District Courts order to vacate along with a discussion of all pending matters related to the Enron litigation are detailed in Note 6, Commitments and Contingencies of the Condensed Notes to Financial Statements.
Improved Debt Profile
In 2005, management intends to seek opportunities to refinance existing debt at lower interest rates and to extend the maturity dates of certain indebtedness in order to obtain interest cost savings and to better manage SPRs and the Utilities indebtedness profiles. On April 15, 2005, SPR commenced an offer to exchange new Premium Income Equity Securities (PIES) for its previously issued PIES. Although the new PIES are similar to the old PIES, the new PIES will allow for more flexible remarketing terms that will increase the likelihood that SPR will be able to achieve a successful remarketing of the senior notes that are a component of the new PIES on economically attractive terms. In addition, the terms of the new PIES will allow SPR to extend the November 15, 2007 maturity date of the senior notes that are a component of the new PIES to a maximum term ending November 15, 2016. Details of the PIES transaction is discussed later under SPR Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Management is focused on returning to investment grade ratings.
Management of Energy Risk
The Utilities buy coal, natural gas, and oil to operate generating plants as well as buy wholesale power to meet the energy requirements of their customers. The Utilities also maintain extensive transmission systems that allow the Utilities to
31
move energy to meet customers needs. The Utilities exposure to energy markets has exacerbated the capacity and energy needs of our customers compared with its ownership and contractual call on power generating assets. This situation exposes the Utilities to energy risk and uncertainty as to the Utilities cash flow requirements for fuel and wholesale power, the expense the Utilities will incur as a result of their energy procurement efforts, and the rates the Utilities need to recover those costs. Energy risk also encompasses reliability risk the prospect that energy supplies will not be sufficient to fulfill customer requirements.
The Utilities systematically manage and control each of the energy-related risks through three primary vehicles organization and governance, energy risk management programs, and energy risk control practices.
The Utilities, through the purchases and sale of specified financial instruments and physical products, maintain an energy risk management program that limits energy risk to levels consistent with an approved energy supply plan. The energy risk management program provides for the systematic identification, quantification, evaluation, and management of the energy risk inherent in the Utilities operations.
The Utilities follow an approved energy supply plan that governs the purchase and sale of fuel and wholesale power and the associated transmission or transportation services in order to mitigate these risks. The process includes assessments of projected loads and resources, assessments of expected market prices, evaluations of relevant supply portfolio options available to the Utilities, and evaluations of the risk attributable to those supply portfolio options. Financial instruments for hedging in conjunction with energy purchases and sales are also used to mitigate these risks.
Strategic Initiatives to Reduce Reliance on External Power Supplies
In 2004, the Utilities announced a strategy to continue reducing their exposure to volatile swings in power prices by investing in additional generating facilities.
In October 2004, after PUCN approval, NPC purchased a partially constructed nominally rated 1,200 MW (megawatts) natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant from Duke Energy. NPC was able to finance the Chuck Lenzie Generating Station (Lenzie) project at lower rates than projected. In addition, the PUCN approved an incentive return on equity (ROE) equal to 2% above the authorized ROE on construction costs of the facility, plus an additional 1% incentive for early completion and production. NPC entered into a contract with Fluor Enterprises to complete construction of the Lenzie project. The revised completion of Unit 1 of the facility is targeted for December 2005 and March 2006 is the targeted completion date for Unit 2. Total costs to acquire and complete construction of the facility are estimated at approximately $545 million, which includes $182 million paid to Duke for the facility.
SPPC received PUCN approval of the Integrated Resource Plan to move forward with permitting and conceptual engineering to build a 500-megawatt, natural gas-fired, combined cycle electric generating plant at the Tracy plant site, east of Reno. There will be an assessment of coal-fired generation alternatives for the Valmy Generating Station, including expansion and possible construction of a future generating unit.
Legislative Initiatives
The Nevada State Legislature (the Legislature) is currently in session. The Legislature is considering several bills that could have an impact on the Utilities business, two of which are Senate Bills 188 (SB 188) and 256 (SB 256).
SB 188 would revise the provisions governing the portfolio standard for renewable energy and energy from a qualified energy recovery process. If enacted, this legislation will allow a provider of electric service to receive credits toward meeting the portfolio standard if the provider pays part of the costs of certain energy efficiency measures that save electricity. For calendar years 2005 through 2009, not more than 25 percent of the renewable portfolio standard may be based on energy efficiency programs.
The Legislature is also considering legislation that would revise certain provisions relating to the timing of rate cases. If enacted, SB 256 would establish schedules for the filings of general rate and deferred energy clearance applications that are different from current schedules, and would allow rate design in deferred energy cases if rates were decreasing.
Because of the uncertainty relating to the proposed legislation, management is not able to evaluate the potential impact of these initiatives on SPR or the Utilities.
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SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Sierra Pacific Resources (Consolidated)
The operating results of SPR primarily reflect those of NPC and SPPC, discussed later. The Holding Companys (stand alone) operating results included approximately $19.6 million and $34.3 million of interest costs for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, SPR incurred a loss applicable to common stock of approximately $9.5 million compared to an approximate $44.5 million loss applicable to common stock for the same period in 2004. The decrease in SPRs consolidated loss during the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 was primarily due to the following charges recorded at the Holding Company during the three months ended March 31, 2004 (before income taxes):
| a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of approximately $11.7 million; | |||
| a non-cash charge to write-off disallowed merger costs of approximately $5.9 million; and | |||
| a charge of approximately $12.6 million of tender fees associated with the early extinguishment of SPRs 83/4% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2005. |
See the 2004 10-K for additional discussion of the above items.
Neither SPR nor SPPC paid or declared a common dividend in the quarter ended March 31, 2005. NPC paid a common stock dividend of $19.9 million to SPR. SPPC declared $975 thousand in dividends to holders of its preferred stock in the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
On May 3, 2005 NPC declared a dividend to SPR of approximately $5.4 million and SPPC declared for the second quarter $975,000 in dividends to holders of its preferred stock.
ANALYSIS OF CASH FLOWS
SPRs consolidated net cash flows increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, primarily as a result of an increase in cash from operating and financing activities offset by an increase in cash used in investing activities. Cash flows for operating activities were higher in the 2005 period due to energy related rate increases that became effective in the second quarter of 2004, which was the result of the Utilities General and Deferred Energy Rate Cases (refer to Regulatory Proceedings in the 2004 10-K). Also causing an increase in cash from operating activities for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 was a result of the $35 million escrow payment made by the Utilities to Enron in 2004, a reduction in prepayments and deposits for energy in 2005 due to the establishment of revolving credit facilities and improved positions in hedging activity due to increasing energy prices. The increase in cash used by investing activities was a result of construction at NPC for the Lenzie project. The increase in cash from financing activities in the first quarter of 2005, when compared to the same period in 2004, was primarily due to the repayment of $25 million in short-term borrowings in March 2004.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
SPR, on a stand-alone basis, had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.5 million at March 31, 2005, which does not include restricted cash and investments of approximately $10.9 million representing collateral for payment of interest up to and including the August 14, 2005 payment in connection with SPRs 7.25% Convertible Notes due 2010.
SPR paid approximately $30.8 million of debt service obligations on its existing debt securities during the first quarter of 2005. Included in these payments was approximately $10.9 million previously provided for at the time the Convertible Notes were issued as discussed above. Excluding interest on SPRs 7.25% Convertible Notes, SPR has approximately $30.7 million payable of debt service obligations remaining during 2005, which SPR expects to meet through the payment of dividends by the Utilities to SPR.
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, there were no material changes to contractual obligations as set forth in SPRs 2004 10-K.
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Dividends from Subsidiaries
Since SPR is a holding company, substantially all of its cash flow is provided by dividends paid to SPR by NPC and SPPC on their common stock, all of which is owned by SPR. Since NPC and SPPC are public utilities, they are subject to regulation by state utility commissions, which impose limits on investment returns or otherwise impact the amount of dividends that the Utilities may declare and pay. In addition, certain agreements entered into by the Utilities set restrictions on the amount of dividends they may declare and pay and restrict the circumstances under which such dividends may be declared and paid. The specific agreements entered into by the Utilities, restrictions on dividends contained in agreements to which NPC and SPPC are party, as well as specific regulatory limitations on dividends, are discussed in detail in the 2004 10-K, Note 9, Dividend Restrictions of the Notes to Financial Statements, and remain unchanged from their description in the 2004 10-K.
As of March 31, 2005, each Utility was able to pay dividends, subject to a cap, under the most restrictive test in its financing agreements; however, the total amount of dividends that the Utilities can pay to SPR under their financing agreements does not currently significantly restrict their ability to pay dividends because the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid under their financing agreements is greater than the amount that the Utilities can pay under their other dividend restrictions. The Utilities have agreed, under the terms of a stipulation with Enron, that they will not pay dividends to SPR other than for SPRs debt service obligations and current operating expenses, which amount (discussed above) is substantially less than the maximum amounts the Utilities can pay as dividends under their financing agreement dividend restrictions. As of May 3, 2005, NPC had paid $19.9 million in dividends to SPR and had declared additional dividends of approximately $5.4 million in 2005 and SPPC had not declared or paid any dividends to SPR in 2005.
Financing Transactions (SPR Holding Company)
On April 15, 2005, SPR commenced an offer to exchange new Premium Income Equity Securities (PIES) plus an exchange fee of $0.125 in cash for each old PIES tendered for exchange. The exchange offer will expire on or about May 18, 2005, unless extended or terminated by SPR pursuant to the conditions for the exchange offer. SPRs new PIES will be similar to its old PIES except the new PIES will (i) allow the remarketing of the senior notes that are associated with the new PIES prior to the earliest remarketing date for the old PIES, (ii) provide for more flexible remarketing terms, and (iii) allow certain terms of the senior notes to be modified upon remarketing, including the maturity date of the senior notes, the redemption provisions, the interest payment dates and the addition of covenants applicable to the senior notes. There can be no assurance that a significant amount of SPRs old PIES will be tendered in the exchange or that, even if a significant amount of old PIES are tendered in the exchange, SPR will be able to remarket the senior notes associated with the new PIES on favorable terms.
Limitations on Indebtedness
The terms of SPRs $335 million 8 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due March 15, 2014 restrict SPR and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (NPC and SPPC) from incurring any additional indebtedness unless:
1. at the time the debt is incurred, the ratio of consolidated cash flow to fixed charges for SPRs most recently ended four quarter period on a pro forma basis is at least 2 to 1, or
2. the debt incurred is specifically permitted under the terms of the Senior Notes, which permits the incurrence of certain credit facility or letter of credit indebtedness, obligations incurred to finance property construction or improvement, indebtedness incurred to refinance existing indebtedness, certain intercompany indebtedness, hedging obligations, indebtedness incurred to support bid, performance or surety bonds, and certain letters of credit supporting SPRs or any Restricted Subsidiarys obligations to energy suppliers, or
3. the indebtedness is incurred to finance capital expenditures pursuant to NPCs 2003 Integrated Resource Plan and SPPCs 2004 Integrated Resource Plan.
If the Senior Notes are upgraded to investment grade by both Moodys and S&P, these restrictions will be suspended and will no longer be in effect so long as the Senior Notes remain investment grade. As of March 31, 2005, SPR, NPC and SPPC would have been able to issue approximately $550 million of additional indebtedness on a consolidated basis, assuming an interest rate of 8 5/8%, per the requirement stated in number 1 above.
Cross Default Provisions
None of the Utilities financing agreements contain a cross-default provision that would result in an event of default by that Utility upon an event of default by SPR or the other Utility under any of their respective financing agreements. Certain of SPRs financing agreements, however, do contain cross-default provisions that would result in event of default by SPR upon an event of default by the Utilities under their respective financing agreements. In addition, certain financing agreements of each of SPR and the Utilities provide for an event of default if there is a failure under other financing agreements of that entity to meet payment terms or to observe other covenants that would result in an acceleration of payments due. Most of these
34
default provisions (other than ones relating to a failure to pay other indebtedness) provide for a cure period of 30-60 days from the occurrence of a specified event, during which time SPR or the Utilities may rectify or correct the situation before it becomes an event of default. The primary cross-default provisions in SPRs and the Utilities various financing agreements are summarized in the 2004 10-K in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Sierra Pacific Resources Liquidity and Capital Resources (SPR Consolidated), and remain unchanged from their description in the 2004 10-K.
Judgment Related Defaults
Certain of the Utilities financing agreements contain judgment default provisions that provide for an event of default if a final, unstayed judgment is rendered against the Utility and remains undischarged after 60 days. The judgment default provisions in the Utilities various financing agreements and the consequences of a judgment default for either of the Utilities are summarized in the 2004 10-K in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Sierra Pacific Resources Liquidity and Capital Resources (SPR Consolidated). There have been no changes to the judgment default provisions as described in the 2004 10-K.
Effect of Holding Company Structure
As of March 31, 2005, SPR (on a stand-alone basis) has a substantial amount of outstanding debt and other obligations including, but not limited to: $240 million of its unsecured 7.93% Senior Notes due 2007; $300 million of its 71/4% Convertible Notes due 2010; and $335 million of its unsecured 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2014.
Due to the holding company structure, SPRs right as a common shareholder to receive assets of any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries upon a subsidiarys liquidation or reorganization is junior to the claims against the assets of such subsidiary by its creditors and preferred stockholders. Therefore, SPRs debt obligations are effectively subordinated to all existing and future claims of the creditors of NPC and SPPC and its other subsidiaries, including trade creditors, debt holders, secured creditors, taxing authorities, guarantee holders, NPCs preferred trust security holders, and SPPCs preferred stockholders.
As of March 31, 2005, SPR, NPC, SPPC, and their subsidiaries had approximately $4.1 billion of debt and other obligations outstanding, consisting of approximately $2.3 billion of debt at NPC, approximately $1 billion of debt at SPPC and approximately $0.8 billion of debt at the holding company and other subsidiaries. Additionally, SPPC had $50 million of outstanding preferred stock. Although the Utilities are parties to agreements that limit the amount of additional indebtedness they may incur, the Utilities retain the ability to incur substantial additional indebtedness and other liabilities.
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, NPC incurred a net loss of approximately $8 million compared to a net loss of approximately $15.4 million for the same period in 2004. NPC paid a common stock dividend of $19.9 million to SPR in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and declared a dividend of approximately $5.4 million on May 3, 2005.
Gross margin is presented by NPC in order to provide information by segment that management believes aids the reader in determining how profitable the electric business is at the most fundamental level. Gross margin provides a measure of income available to support the other operating expenses of the business and is utilized by management in its analysis of its business.
35
The components of gross margin were (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Operating Revenues: |
||||||||||||
Electric |
$ | 354,134 | $ | 326,533 | 8.5 | % | ||||||
Energy Costs: |
||||||||||||
Purchased power |
141,428 | 127,531 | 10.9 | % | ||||||||
Fuel for power generation |
55,640 | 49,355 | 12.7 | % | ||||||||
Deferred energy costs-disallowed |
| 1,586 | N/A | |||||||||
Deferral of energy costs-electric-net |
35,823 | 43,318 | -17.3 | % | ||||||||
232,891 | 221,790 | 5.0 | % | |||||||||
Gross Margin |
$ | 121,243 | $ | 104,743 | 15.8 | % | ||||||
The causes of significant changes in specific lines comprising the results of operations for NPC are discussed below (dollars in thousands except for amounts per unit):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Electric Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||
Residential |
$ | 143,005 | $ | 128,488 | 11.3 | % | ||||||
Commercial |
82,755 | 75,254 | 10.0 | % | ||||||||
Industrial |
103,332 | 94,398 | 9.5 | % | ||||||||
Retail revenues |
329,092 | 298,140 | 10.4 | % | ||||||||
Other1 |
25,042 | 28,393 | -11.8 | % | ||||||||
Total Revenues |
$ | 354,134 | $ | 326,533 | 8.5 | % | ||||||
Retail sales in thousands
of megawatt-hours (MWh) |
3,788 | 3,762 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||
Average retail revenue per MWh |
$ | 86.88 | $ | 79.25 | 9.6 | % |
1 | Primarily wholesale, as discussed below. |
NPCs retail revenues were higher for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in the prior year, due to increases in the number of residential, commercial and industrial customers (5.6%, 5.7%, and 4.8%, respectively) and higher energy related rates that became effective April 1, 2004, which were the result of NPCs General and Deferred Energy Rate Cases (refer to Regulatory Proceedings in the 2004 10-K). Based on NPCs projected customer forecast, the number of customers in all sectors is expected to increase in the upcoming months.
The decrease in Electric Operating Revenues Other for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004, was primarily due to a decrease in the sales volumes for wholesale electric power to other utilities. See the 2004 10-K, Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation Energy Supply for a discussion of NPCs purchase power procurement strategies.
36
Purchased Power
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Purchased Power |
$ | 141,428 | $ | 127,531 | 10.9 | % | ||||||
Purchased Power in thousands
of MWhs |
2,240 | 2,361 | -5.1 | % | ||||||||
Average cost per MWh of
Purchased Power |
$ | 63.14 | $ | 54.02 | 16.9 | % |
NPCs purchased power costs were higher for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to higher prices of purchased power. NPC has two contracts with cost per MWh, which are calculated using gas indexes. Additionally, NPC has two gas tolling agreements, entered into in the second quarter 2004, with the gas provided by NPC. Therefore, the increase in natural gas prices in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 increased the cost of purchased power. The decrease in volume was due to NPC satisfying more of its native load requirements through generation rather than purchased power.
Fuel For Power Generation
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||
from Prior | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Year % | ||||||||||
Fuel for Power Generation |
$ | 55,640 | $ | 49,355 | 12.7 | % | ||||||
Thousands of MWhs generated |
1,886 | 1,788 | 5.5 | % | ||||||||
Average cost per MWh of
Generated Power |
$ | 29.50 | $ | 27.60 | 6.9 | % |
Fuel for power generation costs increased in the three months ended March 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 due to higher volumes and higher costs to generate electricity. The increase in the volume of generation was primarily due to NPC satisfying more of its native load requirements through generation rather than purchased power. The increase in the average unit fuel cost per megawatt-hour was due to higher natural gas prices.
Deferred Energy Costs Net
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||
from Prior | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Year % | ||||||||||
Deferred energy costs disallowed |
$ | | $ | 1,586 | N/A | |||||||
Deferred energy costs net |
35,823 | 43,318 | -5.5 | % | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 35,823 | $ | 44,904 | ||||||||
Deferred energy costs disallowed for the three months ended March 31, 2004, consisted of the write-off of $1.6 million of deferred energy costs incurred during the twelve months ended September 30, 2003, that were disallowed by the PUCN in NPCs 2003 deferred energy rate case in March 2004. See, Regulatory, NPCs 2003 Deferred Energy Rate Case in the 2004 10-K.
Deferral of energy costs net decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 as a result of actual fuel and purchased power costs exceeding fuel and purchased power costs recovered through rates during the three months ended March 31, 2005. During periods when actual fuel and purchase power costs exceed amounts recovered through rates, the excess is shown as a reduction in costs.
See Critical Accounting Policies and Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of Notes to Financial Statements in the 2004 10-K for more information regarding deferred energy accounting.
37
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||
from Prior | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Year % | ||||||||||
Allowance for other funds
used during construction |
$ | 3,490 | $ | 657 | N/A | |||||||
Allowance for borrowed
funds used during
construction |
$ | 4,313 | $ | 930 | N/A | |||||||
$ | 7,803 | $ | 1,587 | N/A | ||||||||
AFUDC is higher for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 due to an increase in Construction Work in Progress (CWIP). The increase is primarily due to the purchase of the partially completed Chuck Lenzie Generation Plant in October 2004 and associated construction costs.
Other (Income) and Expenses
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||
from Prior | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Year % | ||||||||||
Other operating expense |
$ | 51,099 | $ | 39,722 | 28.6 | % | ||||||
Maintenance expense |
$ | 16,955 | $ | 19,956 | -15.0 | % | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
$ | 30,402 | $ | 28,739 | 5.8 | % | ||||||
Income tax benefits |
$ | (6,794 | ) | $ | (11,453 | ) | -40.7 | % | ||||
Interest charges on long-term debt |
$ | 41,529 | $ | 37,151 | 11.8 | % | ||||||
Interest charges-other |
$ | 4,332 | $ | 4,587 | -5.6 | % | ||||||
Interest accrued on deferred energy |
$ | (4,525 | ) | $ | (5,395 | ) | -16.1 | % | ||||
Disallowed merger costs |
| $ | 3,961 | N/A | ||||||||
Other income |
$ | (6,913 | ) | $ | (5,740 | ) | 20.4 | % | ||||
Other expense |
$ | 1,576 | $ | 1,441 | 9.4 | % | ||||||
Income taxes other income and expense |
$ | 3,102 | $ | 1,988 | 56.0 | % |
Other operating expense increased for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to increased advisory fees, amortization of regulatory assets and severance costs associated with the reorganization of NPC, SPPC and SPR.
Maintenance expense decreased for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 due to outages scheduled at Clark Station in the first quarter of 2004.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were higher in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 primarily as a result of increases to plant-in-service.
NPCs Income tax benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2005, decreased compared to the same period in 2004, as a result of a decrease in the pretax net loss.
Interest charges on Long-Term Debt increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 due to higher debt balances during the three months ended March 31, 2005. See Note 7, Long-Term Debt of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2004 10-K for additional information regarding long-term debt.
Interest charges-other for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was comparable to the same period 2004.
Interest accrued on deferred energy costs decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period 2004 primarily due to lower deferred fuel and purchased power balances during 2005.
38
NPC did not incur any disallowed merger costs for the three months ended March 31, 2005, nor does NPC expect to incur any disallowed merger costs in the remainder of 2005. Disallowed merger costs for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were a result of the PUCN decision in NPCs 2003 General Rate Case. Disallowed merger costs expense includes the write-off of costs that resulted from the July 28, 1999 merger between SPR and NPC which were determined to be not recoverable through rates in the March 26, 2004, PUCN decision on NPCs 2003 general rate case. The PUCN decision permitted substantially all of the merger costs that NPC requested recovery of except for a 20% reduction in merger costs that were to be amortized over the next two years. Also included in the write-off, are merger costs allocable to non-Nevada jurisdictional sales that NPC has determined will not be recovered in rates. See Regulatory Proceedings in the 2004 10-K.
NPCs Other income increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004 due to increased interest income from temporary investments and continued gains from the disposition of non-utility property.
NPCs Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was comparable to the same period in 2004.
Income Taxes-Other Income and Expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same quarter in 2004 due to an increase in other non-operating income.
ANALYSIS OF CASH FLOWS
NPCs cash flows were higher during the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004 resulting primarily from an increase in cash flows from operating and financing offset by an increase in cash used for investing activities. The increase in cash from operating activities were higher in the 2005 period due to energy related rate increases that became effective in the second quarter of 2004, which were the result of NPCs General and Deferred Energy Rate Cases (refer to Regulatory Proceedings in the 2004 10-K). Also causing an increase in cash from operating activities for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 was a result of the $24 million escrow payment made by the Utilities to Enron in 2004, a reduction in prepayments and deposits for energy in 2005 due to the establishment of revolving credit facilities and improved positions in hedging activity due to increasing energy prices. In addition, cash used in investing activities increased mainly due to an increase in utility construction of the Lenzie project under construction in 2005, which is primarily being funded through internally generated funds. Cash used in financing activities primarily increased due to dividend payments to SPR of $19.9 million.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
NPC had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $188 million at March 31, 2005.
NPC anticipates it will be able to meet fuel and purchased power costs through internally generated funds, including the recovery of deferred energy and if necessary the use of its $350 million revolving credit facility. As discussed in Construction Expenditures and Financing and Contractual Obligations in the 2004 10-K, NPC anticipates capital requirements for construction costs in 2005 will be approximately $629.8 million, which NPC expects to finance with internally generated funds and if necessary the use of its $350 million revolving credit facility. As of May 9, 2005, NPC has no outstanding borrowings under this facility.
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, there were no material changes to contractual obligations as set forth in NPCs 2004 10-K.
Mortgage Indentures
NPCs Indenture of Mortgage, dated as of October 1, 1953, between NPC and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (the First Mortgage Indenture), creates a first priority lien on substantially all of NPCs properties. As of March 31, 2005, $372.5 million of NPCs first mortgage bonds were outstanding. In connection with the issuance of its Series E, Series G and Series I Notes, NPC agreed that it would not issue any more first mortgage bonds.
NPCs First Mortgage Indenture limits the cumulative amount of dividends and other distributions that NPC may pay on its capital stock. In February 2004, NPC amended this restriction in its First Mortgage Indenture to:
1. | change the starting point for the measurement of cumulative net earnings available for the payment of dividends on NPCs capital stock from March 31, 1953 to July 28, 1999 (the date of NPCs merger with SPR), and | |||
2. | permit NPC to include in its calculation of proceeds available for dividends and other distributions the capital contributions made to NPC by SPR. |
NPC does not anticipate that the First Mortgage Indenture dividend restriction as amended, will materially limit the amount of dividends that it may pay to SPR in the foreseeable future.
39
NPCs General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture creates a lien on substantially all of NPCs properties in Nevada that is junior to the lien of the first mortgage indenture. As of March 31, 2005, $1.3 billion of NPCs General and Refunding Mortgage securities were outstanding. Additional securities may be issued under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture on the basis of:
1. | 70% of net utility property additions, | |||
2. | the principal amount of retired General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, and/or | |||
3. | the principal amount of first mortgage bonds retired after October 19, 2001. |
On the basis of (1), (2) and (3) above and on plant accounting records as of March 31, 2005 (which do not include additions to plant associated with the acquisition of the Lenzie Generating Station), NPC had the capacity to issue approximately $299 million of additional General and Refunding Mortgage securities.
Although NPC has substantial capacity to issue additional General and Refunding Mortgage securities on the basis of property additions and retired securities, the financial covenants contained in the Series E, Series G, Series I, and Series L Notes, the Series H Bond and the Revolving Credit Facility limit the amount of additional indebtedness that NPC may issue and the reasons for which such indebtedness may be issued.
NPC also has the ability to release property from the liens of the two mortgage indentures on the basis of net property additions, cash and/or retired bonds. To the extent NPC releases property from the lien of its General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, it will reduce the amount of securities issuable under that indenture.
Limitations on Indebtedness
Certain of NPCs financing agreements contain restrictions on NPCs ability to issue additional indebtedness. The restrictions on issuing additional indebtedness in NPCs various financing agreements are summarized in the 2004 10-K in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Nevada Power Company Liquidity and Capital Resources. Under the terms of the limitations on issuing additional indebtedness, which remain unchanged from their description in the 2004 10-K, NPC would have been able to issue additional indebtedness. In addition, the terms of SPRs $335 million 8 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due March 15, 2014, contain restrictions on SPRs, NPCs and SPPCs ability to issue additional indebtedness. As of March 31, 2005, NPC and SPPC are restricted to issuing no more than approximately $550 million of additional indebtedness on a consolidated basis, assuming an interest rate of 8 5/8% based upon SPRs most recent debt issuance, unless the indebtedness being issued is specifically permitted under the terms of SPRs 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2014. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Sierra Pacific Resources Liquidity and Capital Resources (SPR Consolidated) Limitations on Indebtedness for a description of the applicable restrictions.
Financial Covenants
NPCs Credit Agreement contains two financial maintenance covenants. The first requires that NPC maintain a ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated capital, determined as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, not to exceed 0.68 to 1. The second requires that NPC maintain a ratio of consolidated cash flow to consolidated interest expense, determined as of the last day of each fiscal quarter for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, not to be less than 2.0 to 1. As of March 31, 2005, NPC was in compliance with both of the financial maintenance covenants.
Cross Default Provisions
NPCs financing agreements do not contain any cross-default provisions that would result in an event of default by NPC upon an event of default by SPR or SPPC under any of their respective financing agreements. Certain financing agreements of NPC provide for an event of default if there is a failure under other financing agreements of NPC to meet payment terms or to observe other covenants that would result in an acceleration of payments due. Most of these default provisions (other than ones relating to a failure to pay other indebtedness) provide for a cure period of 30-60 days from the occurrence of a specified event during which time NPC may rectify or correct the situation before it becomes an event of default. The primary cross-default provisions in NPCs various financing agreements are summarized in the 2004 10-K in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Nevada Power Company Liquidity and Capital Resources, and remain unchanged from their description in the 2004 10-K.
Judgment Related Defaults
Certain of NPCs financing agreements contain judgment default provisions that provide for an event of default if a final, unstayed judgment is rendered against NPC and remains undischarged after 60 days. The judgment default provisions in NPCs various financing agreements and the consequences of a judgment default for NPC are summarized in the 2004 10-K in
40
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Nevada Power Company Liquidity and Capital Resources. There have been no changes to NPCs judgment default provisions as described in the 2004 10-K.
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, SPPC recognized net income of approximately $12.1 million compared to $7.7 million for the same period in 2004. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, SPPC declared and paid $975 thousand in dividends. On May 3, 2005, SPPC declared an additional $975 thousand in dividends to holders of its preferred stock and neither declared nor paid dividends on its common stock, all of which is held by its parent, SPR.
Gross margin is presented by SPPC in order to provide information by segment that management believes aids the reader in determining how profitable the electric and gas businesses are at the most fundamental level. Gross margin provides a measure of income available to support the other operating expenses of the business and is utilized by management in its analysis of its business.
The components of gross margin were (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Operating Revenues: |
||||||||||||
Electric |
$ | 227,010 | $ | 201,841 | 12.5 | % | ||||||
Gas |
67,538 | 59,476 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||
$ | 294,548 | $ | 261,317 | 12.7 | % | |||||||
Energy Costs: |
||||||||||||
Purchased Power |
$ | 78,724 | $ | 65,960 | 19.4 | % | ||||||
Fuel for power generation |
54,362 | 53,802 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||
Deferral of energy costs-electric-net |
4,293 | 4,571 | -6.1 | % | ||||||||
Gas purchased for resale |
53,480 | 47,917 | 11.6 | % | ||||||||
Deferral of energy costs-gas-net |
(328 | ) | (1,407 | ) | -76.7 | % | ||||||
190,531 | 170,843 | 11.5 | % | |||||||||
Energy Costs by Segment: |
||||||||||||
Electric |
$ | 137,379 | $ | 124,333 | 10.5 | % | ||||||
Gas |
53,152 | 46,510 | 14.3 | % | ||||||||
$ | 190,531 | $ | 170,843 | 11.5 | % | |||||||
Gross Margin by Segment: |
||||||||||||
Electric |
$ | 89,631 | $ | 77,508 | 15.6 | % | ||||||
Gas |
14,386 | 12,966 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||
$ | 104,017 | $ | 90,474 | 15.0 | % | |||||||
The causes of significant changes in specific lines comprising the results of operations are provided below (dollars in thousands except for amounts per unit):
41
Electric Operating Revenues
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior year % | ||||||||||
Electric Operating Revenues: |
||||||||||||
Residential |
$ | 73,572 | $ | 62,960 | 16.9 | % | ||||||
Commercial |
72,543 | 64,873 | 11.8 | % | ||||||||
Industrial |
73,335 | 66,556 | 10.2 | % | ||||||||
Retail |
219,450 | 194,389 | 12.9 | % | ||||||||
Other 1 |
7,560 | 7,452 | 1.4 | % | ||||||||
Total Revenues |
$ | 227,010 | $ | 201,841 | 12.5 | % | ||||||
Retail sales in thousands of
MWh |
2,296 | 2,233 | 2.8 | % | ||||||||
Average retail revenue per MWh |
$ | 95.58 | $ | 87.05 | 9.8 | % |
1 | Primarily wholesale, as discussed below. |
SPPCs retail revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as compared to the same periods in the prior year due to an increase in Nevada customer rates as a result of SPPCs General Rate Case, effective June 1, 2004, an increase in Nevada customer energy rates effective July 15, 2004 as a result of SPPCs Deferred Energy Case, and an increase in California customer energy rates, effective December 1, 2004 (refer to Regulatory Proceedings in the 2004 10-K). Also contributing to the increase was the growth in residential and commercial customers (3.6% and 3.2%, respectively).
The increase in Electric Operating Revenues-Other for the three month period ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 was primarily due to an increase in purchased power sales.
Gas Operating Revenues
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior year % | ||||||||||
Gas Operating Revenues: |
||||||||||||
Residential |
$ | 37,519 | $ | 31,386 | 19.5 | % | ||||||
Commercial |
18,619 | 15,632 | 19.1 | % | ||||||||
Industrial |
5,723 | 4,046 | 41.4 | % | ||||||||
Retail revenue |
61,861 | 51,064 | 21.1 | % | ||||||||
Wholesale revenue |
5,020 | 7,612 | -34.1 | % | ||||||||
Miscellaneous |
657 | 800 | -17.9 | % | ||||||||
Total Revenues |
$ | 67,538 | $ | 59,476 | 13.6 | % | ||||||
Retail sales in thousands
of decatherms |
6,399 | 5,561 | 15.1 | % | ||||||||
Average retail revenues per
decatherm |
$ | 9.67 | $ | 9.18 | 5.3 | % |
Retail gas revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 primarily due to colder temperatures in the first quarter 2005 as compared to the same period of 2004. Also contributing to this increase was an increase in energy related rates that became effective November 1, 2004. This increase in the retail rates was the result of SPPCs Purchased Gas Adjustment filing (see Regulatory Proceedings in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2004 10-K). Also influencing this increase is the growth of retail customers of 4.4%.
Wholesale gas revenues for the three months ending March 31, 2005 decreased from the same period in 2004 due to the increase in retail usage discussed above which decreased the availability of gas for wholesale sales.
42
Purchased Power
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Purchased Power: |
$ | 78,724 | $ | 65,960 | 19.4 | % | ||||||
Purchased Power in thousands
of MWhs |
1,400 | 1,204 | 16.3 | % | ||||||||
Average cost per MWh of
Purchased Power |
$ | 56.23 | $ | 54.78 | 2.7 | % |
Purchased power costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to higher volumes and higher prices of purchased power. The increase in volume was the result of SPPC relying more on purchased power to satisfy its native load requirements. The average unit cost per megawatt-hour was higher in 2005 compared to 2004 due to a lower availability of hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest.
Fuel For Power Generation
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Fuel for Power Generation |
$ | 54,362 | $ | 53,802 | 1.0 | % | ||||||
Thousands of MWh generated |
1,071 | 1,187 | -9.8 | % | ||||||||
Average fuel cost per MWh
of Generated Power |
$ | 50.76 | $ | 45.33 | 12.0 | % |
Fuel for power generation costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to higher natural gas and coal prices. The decrease in the volume of generation was due to SPPC relying more on purchased power to satisfy its native load requirements.
Gas Purchased for Resale
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Gas Purchased for Resale |
$ | 53,480 | $ | 47,917 | 11.6 | % | ||||||
Gas Purchased for Resale
(in thousands of decatherms) |
7,359 | 7,229 | 1.8 | % | ||||||||
Average cost per decatherm |
$ | 7.27 | $ | 6.63 | 9.6 | % |
The cost of gas purchased for resale increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to increases in natural gas prices and the increase in customer usage which was the result of colder winter weather.
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Deferred Energy Costs
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Deferred energy costs electric
net |
$ | 4,293 | $ | 4,571 | -6.1 | % | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas net |
(328 | ) | (1,407 | ) | -76.7 | % | ||||||
Total |
$ | 3,965 | $ | 3,164 | ||||||||
The decrease in deferred energy costs electric net for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004, was due to actual fuel and purchased power costs exceeding recovery of fuel and purchased power costs through current rates, as well as a decrease in the amortization of prior deferred energy costs. During periods when actual fuel and purchase power costs exceed amounts recovered through rates, the excess is shown as a reduction in costs.
SPPCs Deferred energy costs gas net decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2005, primarily as a result of lower amortization of prior deferred energy costs in 2005 as compared with 2004 due to lower rates. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in the recovery of actual natural gas costs through rates in 2005 compared to the recovery of costs through rates in 2004.
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change from | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Prior Year % | ||||||||||
Allowance for other funds
used during construction |
$ | 319 | $ | 716 | -55.4 | % | ||||||
Allowance for borrowed
funds
used during construction |
$ | 290 | $ | 1,243 | -76.7 | % | ||||||
$ | 609 | $ | 1,959 | -68.9 | % | |||||||
AFUDC is lower for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 due to a decrease in Construction Work-In-Progress (CWIP) as a result of the completion of the Falcon to Gonder transmission line, which was placed in service in May 2004.
Other (Income) and Expense
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||
from Prior | ||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | Year % | ||||||||||
Other operating expense |
$ | 34,769 | $ | 30,811 | 12.8 | % | ||||||
Maintenance expense |
$ | 5,991 | $ | 4,932 | 21.5 | % | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
$ | 22,387 | $ | 21,198 | 5.6 | % | ||||||
Income tax expense |
$ | 6,603 | $ | 876 | N/A | |||||||
Interest charges on long-term debt |
$ | 17,307 | $ | 18,868 | -8.3 | % | ||||||
Interest charges-other |
$ | 1,146 | $ | 2,157 | -46.9 | % | ||||||
Interest accrued on deferred energy |
$ | (1,583 | ) | $ | (1,154 | ) | 37.2 | % | ||||
Disallowed merger costs |
| $ | 1,929 | N/A | ||||||||
Other income |
$ | (971 | ) | $ | (860 | ) | 12.9 | % | ||||
Other expense |
$ | 1,640 | $ | 1,313 | 24.9 | % | ||||||
Income taxes (benefit) other income and expense |
$ | 452 | $ | (323 | ) | N/A |
44
Other operating expense increased for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to increased legal fees, amortization of regulatory assets and severance costs associated with the reorganization of SPPC, NPC and SPR.
Maintenance cost increased by several items, none of which were individually significant.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were higher in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 primarily as a result of increases to plant-in-service. The major contributor to this increase was the addition of the Falcon to Gonder transmission line, which was placed in service May 2004.
SPPCs Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005, increased compared to the same period in 2004, as a result of an increase in pretax net income.
SPPCs interest charges-Long-term debt for the three months ended March 31, 2005 decreased from the same period in 2004 due to lower rates of interest on new and existing debt. See Note 7, Long-Term Debt of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2004 10-K for additional information regarding long-term debt.
SPPCs interest charges-other for the three months ended March 31, 2005 decreased compared to the same period in 2004 due primarily to the absence of charges related to the accounts receivable facility and short-term debt. See Note 6, Short-Term Borrowings, of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2004 10-K for additional information.
Interest accrued on deferred energy costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 due to higher deferred fuel and purchased power balances and rates during 2005.
SPPC did not incur any disallowed merger costs for the three months ended March 31, 2005, nor does SPPC expect to incur any disallowed merger costs in 2005. Disallowed merger costs for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was a result of the PUCN decision in SPPCs 2004 General Rate Case. Disallowed merger costs expense includes the 2004 write-off of costs that resulted from the July 28, 1999 merger between SPR and NPC, allocable to non-Nevada jurisdictional electricity sales, which were determined not to be recoverable in future rates. See Regulatory Proceedings in the 2004 10-K.
SPPCs Other expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, due to various charges, all of which were not individually significant.
Income taxes other income and expense recorded income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to an income tax benefit recognized during the same period in 2004. The change resulted primarily from pretax net income other income recognized for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to a pretax net loss other income recognized for the same period in 2004.
ANALYSIS OF CASH FLOWS
SPPCs cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 increased primarily as a result of an increase in cash flows from operating and financing activities partially offset by an increase in cash used in investing activities. Cash flows from operating activities were higher in the 2005 period due to energy related rate increases that became effective the second quarter of 2004, which was the result of SPPCs General and Deferred Energy Rate Cases (refer to Regulatory Proceedings in the 2004 10-K). Also causing an increase in cash from operating activities for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 was a result of the $11 million escrow payment made by the Utilities to Enron in 2004, a reduction in prepayments and deposits for energy in 2005 due to the establishment of revolving credit facilities and changes in receivables for tax sharing agreements. Cash flows from financing activities increased in 2005, when compared to 2004, due to the repayment of $25 million in short-term borrowings in March 2004. Cash flows used in investing activities increased primarily as a result of an increase in construction activity related to growth.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
SPPC had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $90 million at March 31, 2005.
SPPC anticipates it will be able to meet fuel and purchased power costs through internally generated funds, including the recovery of deferred energy. As discussed in Construction Expenditures and Financing and Contractual Obligations in the 2004 10-K, SPPC anticipates capital requirements for construction costs during 2005 totaling approximately $176.6 million, which SPPC expects to finance with internally generated funds and, if necessary, the use of its revolving credit facility. As of May 9, 2005, SPPC has not drawn on its revolving credit facility.
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During the three months ended March 31, 2005, there were no material changes to contractual obligations as set forth in SPPCs 2004 10-K.
Mortgage Indentures
SPPCs First Mortgage Indenture creates a first priority lien on substantially all of SPPCs properties in Nevada and California. As of March 31, 2005, $487.3 million of SPPCs first mortgage bonds were outstanding. SPPC agreed in its General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture that it would not issue any additional first mortgage bonds.
SPPCs General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture creates a lien on substantially all of SPPCs properties in Nevada that is junior to the lien of the first mortgage indenture. As of March 31, 2005, there were $420 million of SPPCs General and Refunding Mortgage securities outstanding. Additional securities may be issued under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture on the basis of:
1. | 70% of net utility property additions, | |||
2. | the principal amount of retired General and Refunding Mortgage bonds, and/or | |||
3. | the principal amount of first mortgage bonds retired after April 8, 2002. |
On the basis of (1), (2) and (3) above, as of March 31, 2005, SPPC had the capacity to issue approximately $350 million of additional General and Refunding Mortgage securities.
Although SPPC has substantial capacity to issue additional General and Refunding Mortgage securities on the basis of property additions and retired securities, the financial covenants contained in the Revolving Credit Agreement limit the amount of additional indebtedness that SPPC may issue and the reasons for which such indebtedness may be issued.
SPPC also has the ability to release property from the liens of the two mortgage indentures on the basis of net property additions, cash and/or retired bonds. To the extent SPPC releases property from the lien of its General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, it will reduce the amount of bonds issuable under that indenture.
Limitations on Indebtedness
Certain of SPPCs financing agreements contain restrictions on SPPCs ability to issue
additional indebtedness. The restrictions on issuing additional indebtedness in SPPCs various
financing agreements are summarized in the 2004 10-K in Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations Sierra Pacific Power Company Liquidity and
Capital Resources. Under the terms of the limitations on issuing additional indebtedness, which
remain unchanged from their description in the 2004 10-K, SPPC would have been able to issue
additional indebtedness. In addition, the terms of SPRs $335 million 8 5/8% Senior Unsecured
Notes due March 15, 2014, contain restrictions on SPRs, NPCs and SPPCs ability to issue
additional indebtedness. As of March 31, 2005, NPC and SPPC are restricted to issuing no more
than approximately $550 million of additional indebtedness on a
consolidated basis, assuming an interest rate of
8 5/8% based upon
SPRs most recent debt issuance, unless the indebtedness being
issued is specifically permitted under the terms of SPRs
8 5/8%
Senior Notes due 2014. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations Sierra Pacific Resources Liquidity and Capital Resources (SPR
Consolidated) Limitations on Indebtedness for a description of the applicable restrictions.
Financial Covenants
SPPCs Credit Agreement contains two financial maintenance covenants. The first requires that SPPC maintain a ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated capital, determined as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, not to exceed 0.68 to 1. The second requires that SPPC maintain a ratio of consolidated cash flow to consolidated interest expense, determined as of the last day of each fiscal quarter for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, not to be less than 2.0 to 1. As of March 31, 2005, SPPC was in compliance with both of the financial maintenance covenants.
Cross Default Provisions
SPPCs financing agreements do not contain any cross-default provisions that would result in an event of default by SPPC upon an event of default by SPR or NPC under any of their respective financing agreements. Certain financing agreements of SPPC provide for an event of default if there is a failure under other financing agreements of SPPC to meet payment terms or to observe other covenants that would result in an acceleration of payments due. Most of these default provisions (other than ones relating to a failure to pay other indebtedness) provide for a cure period of 30-60 days from the occurrence of a specified event during which time SPPC may rectify or correct the situation before it becomes an event of default. The primary cross-default provisions in SPPCs various financing agreements are briefly summarized in the 2004 10-K in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Sierra Pacific Power Company Liquidity and Capital Resources, and remain unchanged from their description in the 2004 10-K.
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Judgment Related Defaults
Certain of SPPCs financing agreements contain judgment default provisions that provide for an event of default if a final, unstayed judgment is rendered against SPPC and remains undischarged after 60 days. The judgment default provisions in SPPCs various financing agreements and the consequences of a judgment default for SPPC are summarized in the 2004 10-K in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Sierra Pacific Power Company Liquidity and Capital Resources. There have been no changes to SPPCs judgment default provisions as described in the 2004 10-K.
REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS (UTILITIES)
The Utilities are subject to the jurisdiction of the PUCN and, in the case of SPPC, the CPUC with respect to rates, standards of service, siting of and necessity for, generation and certain transmission facilities, accounting, issuance of securities and other matters with respect to electric distribution and transmission operations. NPC and SPPC submit Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) to the PUCN for approval.
Under federal law, the Utilities and TGPC are subject to certain jurisdictional regulation, primarily by the FERC. The FERC has jurisdiction under the Federal Power Act with respect to rates, service, interconnection, accounting and other matters in connection with the Utilities sale of electricity for resale and interstate transmission. The FERC also has jurisdiction over the natural gas pipeline companies from which the Utilities take service.
As a result of regulation, many of the fundamental business decisions of the Utilities, as well as the rate of return they are permitted to earn on their utility assets, are subject to the approval of governmental agencies. The following regulatory proceedings have affected, or are expected to affect the utilities financial positions, results of operations and cash flows.
Nevada Matters
Nevada Power Company 2004 Deferred Energy Case
On November 15, 2004, NPC filed an application with the PUCN seeking repayment for purchased fuel and power costs accumulated between October 1, 2003 and September 30, 2004, as required by law. The application sought to establish a rate to collect accumulated purchased fuel and power costs of $116 million, with a carrying charge. The application requested that the 2004 Deferred Energy Accounting Adjustment (DEAA) recovery begin with the expiration of the 2002 DEAA recovery, which is expected to occur in May 2006 and for the 2004 DEAA recovery period to be 22 months.
The application also requested an increase to the going-forward base tariff energy rate (BTER).
In concert with this 2004 DEAA filing, NPC filed a petition with the PUCN requesting that other pending DEAA rate changes be synchronized to change on April 1, 2005 in order to stabilize rates and reduce the number of rate changes. On December 28, 2004, the PUCN issued an order approving a stipulation reached by all parties that allows NPC to defer previously approved DEAA rate changes until April 1, 2005 coincident with the DEAA rate change that will result from the 2004 DEAA case.
The combined effect of the requested synchronization of multiple rate changes (going forward BTER increase, 2001 DEAA expiration, 2003 DEAA initiation) resulted in a request for an overall rate decrease of 2.4%.
On February 22, 2005, a stipulation of the parties was filed with the PUCN resolving all issues in the case. The stipulation provides for an overall decrease of 0.6% in total rates with no disallowances. The PUCN approved the stipulation in total on March 16, 2005.
Sierra Pacific Power Company 2005 Deferred Energy Case
On January 14, 2005, SPPC filed an application with the PUCN seeking repayment for purchased fuel and power costs accumulated between December 1, 2003 and November 30, 2004, as required by law. The application sought to establish a rate to collect accumulated purchased fuel and power costs of $28 million, with a carrying charge. The application requested that the 2005 Deferred Energy Accounting Adjustment (DEAA) recovery begin on June 1, 2005 together with the commencement of recovery of the 2004 DEAA balance both of which are coincident with the expiration of the 2002 and 2003 DEAA recovery. SPPC has requested a 24-month recovery period for the 2005 DEAA balance.
The application also requested an increase to the going-forward base tariff energy rate (BTER).
47
The combined effect of the proposed synchronization of multiple rate changes (going forward BTER increase, 2002 and 2003 DEAA expiration, 2004 and 2005 DEAA initiation) resulted in a request for an overall rate increase of approximately 1.85%.
On March 30, 2005 SPPC filed an updated forecast of its going-forward BTER. If implemented, the new BTER, including the 2002 and 2003 DEAA expiration, and the 2004 and 2005 DEAA initiation, would result in an 8.73% overall rate increase.
On April 6, 2005, the PUCN Staff and the BCP filed written direct testimony in this case. The testimony recommended full recovery of the deferred balance after a $575 thousand reduction to reflect an accounting adjustment mutually agreed to by the parties. The PUCN Staff recommended adoption of the higher BTER rate that SPPC filed on March 30, 2005 while the BCP opposed the implementation of the higher BTER.
The PUCN held a hearing on April 18, 2005 and has indicated it will issue a ruling on May 17, 2005.
For further detail of deferred energy cases see Note 3, Regulatory Actions of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2004 10-K.
Nevada Power Company/Sierra Pacific Power Company Quality of Service Investigation
In compliance with the order issued in NPCs 2003 General Rate case, NPC and SPPC jointly filed with the PUCN, on July 1, 2004, their recommended quality of service and customer service measurements. In the filing, the Utilities outlined their proposed methodologies for measuring the quality of service and customer service measurements, pre and post merger. More specifically the companies identified the quality of service and customer service measurements to be used in a future rate case, proposed methodology for comparing pre-merger and post-merger performance, and proposed consequences and rewards for under- or over- performance in a future test year. The PUCN has noticed the filing and has set a procedural schedule. On March 2, 2005, the Interveners in the case, the staff of the PUCN and the BCP, filed testimony regarding their proposed methodologies for measuring quality of service and customer service measurements. The Utilities filed rebuttal testimony on April 18, 2005. A hearing has been scheduled to commence on May 16, 2005.
FERC Matters
Sierra Pacific Power Company 2004 Transmission Rate Case
On October 1, 2004, the Utilities filed with the FERC revised rates for transmission service offered by SPPC under Docket No. ER05-14. The purpose of the filing was to update rates to reflect recent transmission additions and to improve rate design. The participants in the proceeding have filed a Settlement Agreement with the FERC which has been certified by the Settlement judge. FERC is expected to issue an order approving settlement in the second quarter of 2005.
RECENT PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on April 14, 2005 that it was delaying implementation of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R). Under SFAS 123R, registrants would have been required to implement the standard as of the beginning of the first interim or annual period that begins after June 15, 2005. SPR would have been permitted to follow the pre-existing accounting literature for the first and second quarters of 2005, but required to follow SFAS 123R for third quarter reports and thereafter. The SECs new rule allows SPR to implement SFAS 123R at the beginning of the next fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2005, or periods beginning December 31, 2005. The SECs new rule does not change the accounting required by SFAS 123R. Amounts that were previously shown in footnote disclosure by SPR will now be recognized in the income statement. SPR intends to utilize the services of its actuaries to value share-based compensation.
48
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
As of March 31, 2005, SPR, NPC and SPPC have evaluated their risk related to financial instruments whose values are subject to market sensitivity. Such instruments are fixed and variable rate debt and preferred trust securities. Fair market value is determined using quoted market price for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for debt of the same remaining maturities (dollars in thousands).
Expected Maturity Date | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Thereafter | Total | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term Debt
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SPR |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate |
$ | | $ | | $ | 240,218 | $ | | $ | | $ | 635,000 | $ | 875,218 | $ | 1,310,901 | ||||||||||||||||
Average Interest
Rate |
| | 7.93 | % | | | 7.98 | % | 7.96 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
NPC |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate |
$ | 11 | $ | 15 | $ | 17 | $ | 13 | $ | 250,000 | $ | 1,863,548 | $ | 2,113,604 | $ | 2,212,822 | ||||||||||||||||
Average Interest
Rate |
8.17 | % | 8.17 | % | 8.17 | % | 8.17 | % | 10.88 | % | 7.32 | % | 7.74 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Variable Rate |
$ | 15,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 115,000 | $ | 115,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Interest
Rate |
1.74 | % | 1.74 | % | 1.74 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SPPC |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate |
$ | 1,693 | $ | 52,400 | $ | 2,400 | $ | 322,400 | $ | 600 | $ | 617,250 | $ | 996,743 | $ | 1,023,987 | ||||||||||||||||
Average Interest
Rate |
6.10 | % | 6.71 | % | 6.10 | % | 6.10 | % | 6.10 | % | 6.52 | % | 7.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Debt |
$ | 1,704 | $ | 52,415 | $ | 242,635 | $ | 322,413 | $ | 265,600 | $ | 3,215,798 | $ | 4,100,565 | $ | 4,662,710 | ||||||||||||||||
Commodity Price Risk
See the 2004 10-K, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, Commodity Price Risk, for a discussion of Commodity Price Risk. No material changes in commodity risk have occurred since December 31, 2004.
Credit Risk
The Utilities monitor and manage credit risk with their trading counterparties. Credit risk is defined as the possibility that a counterparty to one or more contracts will be unable or unwilling to fulfill its financial or physical obligations to the Utilities because of the counterpartys financial condition. The Utilities credit risk associated with trading counterparties was approximately $53 million as of March 31, 2005, which increased significantly from December 31, 2004 due to an increase in trading transactions to meet the demand of the summer months and a general increase in power market prices of approximately $5 $7 per MWh. In the event that the trading counterparties are unable to deliver under their contracts, it may be necessary for the Utilities to purchase alternative energy at a higher market price.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) | Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. |
SPR, NPC and SPPCs principal executive officers and principal financial officers, based on their evaluation of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) have concluded that, as of March 31, 2005, the registrants disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective.
(b) | Change in internal controls over financial reporting. |
There were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting in the first quarter of 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.
49
PART II
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company
Enron Litigation
On October 10, 2004, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York rendered a decision vacating an earlier judgment by the Bankruptcy Court (also for the Southern District of New York) against the Utilities in favor of Enron Power Marketing, Inc. (Enron), and remanded the case back to the Bankruptcy Court for fact-finding. A description of the legal proceedings leading up to the District Courts order to vacate follows, along with a discussion of all pending matters related to the Enron litigation.
Bankruptcy Court Judgment
On June 5, 2002, Enron filed suit against the Utilities in its bankruptcy case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York asserting claims for termination payments Enron claimed it was owed under purchased power contracts with the Utilities. Enron sought liquidated damages in the amount of approximately $216 million from NPC and $93 million from SPPC based on assertions by Enron that it had contractual rights under the Western Systems Power Pool Agreement (WSPPA) to terminate deliveries to the Utilities. Enron based its assertion on a claim that the Utilities did not provide adequate assurance of the Utilities performance under the WSPPA. The Utilities dispute that they owe the monies sought by Enron and have denied liability on numerous grounds, including termination, deceit and fraud in the inducement, fraud, breach of contract, and unfair trade practices.
On September 26, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court entered a summary judgment (the Judgment) in favor of Enron for damages related to the termination of Enrons power supply agreements with the Utilities. The Judgment required NPC and SPPC to pay approximately $235 million and $103 million, respectively, to Enron for liquidated damages and pre-judgment interest for power not delivered by Enron under the power supply contracts terminated by Enron in May 2002 and approximately $17.7 million and $6.7 million, respectively, for power previously delivered to the Utilities. Based on the pre-judgment rate of 12%, NPC and SPPC recognized additional interest expense of $27.8 million and $12.4 million, respectively, in contract termination liabilities in the third quarter 2003. Also, NPC and SPPC recorded additional contract termination liabilities for liquidated damages of $6.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2003. The Bankruptcy Courts order provided that until paid, the amounts owed by the Utilities will accrue interest post-Judgment at a rate of 1.21% per annum.
In response to the Judgment, the Utilities filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking a stay pending appeal of the Judgment and proposing to issue General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds as collateral to secure payment of the Judgment. On November 6, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court ruled to stay execution of the Judgment conditioned upon NPC and SPPC posting into escrow $235 million and $103 million, respectively, of General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds plus approximately $282 thousand in cash by NPC for pre-judgment interest. On December 4, 2003, NPC and SPPC complied with the order of the Bankruptcy Court by issuing NPCs $235 million General and Refunding Mortgage Bond, Series H and SPPCs $103 million General and Refunding Mortgage Bond, Series E into escrow along with the required cash deposit for NPC. Additionally, the Utilities were ordered to place into escrow $35 million, approximately $24 million and $11 million for NPC and SPPC, respectively, within 90 days from the date of the order, which lowered the principal amount of General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds held in escrow by a like amount. The Utilities made the payments as ordered on February 10, 2004. The Bankruptcy Court also ordered that during the duration of the stay, the Utilities (i) cannot transfer any funds or assets other than to unaffiliated third parties for ordinary course of business operating and capital expenses, (ii) cannot pay dividends to SPR other than for SPRs current operating expenses and debt payment obligations, and (iii) shall seek a ruling from the PUCN to determine whether the cash payments into escrow triggered the Utilities rights to seek recovery of such amounts through the Utilities deferred energy rate cases.
On November 21, 2003, the Utilities filed a Petition for Declaratory Order with the PUCN, as required by the Bankruptcy Courts stay order seeking a determination as to whether payment of all or part of the Judgment into escrow would be subject to recovery through a deferred energy accounting adjustment. On February 6, 2004, the PUCN issued its final order indicating that posting or depositing money in escrow would not constitute payment of fuel or purchased power costs eligible for recovery in a deferred account.
On April 5, 2004, Enron and the Utilities entered into a settlement whereby NPC agreed to post an additional cash sum of $25 million to be held in escrow pending the issuance of the U.S. District Courts opinion and Enron agreed not to request any additional collateral from NPC or SPPC during the pendency of the Utilities appeal of the Judgment to the U.S.
50
District Court for the Southern District of New York. NPC made the agreed-upon payment on April 16, 2004, which lowered the principal amount of NPCs General and Refunding Mortgage Bond, Series H, currently held in escrow, by a like amount.
The Utilities entered into a stipulation and agreement with Enron which was signed by the Bankruptcy Court on June 30, 2004 which provides that (1) the Utilities shall withdraw their objections to the confirmation of Enrons bankruptcy plan, (2) the collateral contained in the Utilities escrow accounts securing their stay of execution of the Judgment shall not be deemed property of Enrons bankruptcy estate or the Utilities estates in the event of a bankruptcy filing, and (3) the stay of execution of the Judgment, as previously ordered by the Bankruptcy Court, shall remain in place without any additional principal contributions by the Utilities to their existing escrow accounts during the pendency of any and all of their appeals of the Judgment, including to the United States Supreme Court, until a final non-appealable judgment is obtained. There can be no assurances that the U.S. District Court or any higher court to which the Utilities appeal the Judgment will accept the existing collateral arrangement to secure further stays of execution of the Judgment.
On October 1, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court ruled that Enron was entitled to take the $17.7 million and $6.7 million deposited by NPC and SPPC, respectively, for power previously delivered to them, out of escrow for the benefit of Enrons bankruptcy estate. The Utilities have challenged the Bankruptcy Courts order with respect to these payments, and no final ruling has been made by the Bankruptcy Court.
Appeal of Bankruptcy Court Judgment to U.S. District Court
On October 1, 2003, the Utilities filed a Notice of Appeal from the Judgment with the U.S. District Court. In the Utilities appeal, the Utilities sought reversal of the Judgment and contended that Enron is not entitled to recover termination charges under the contracts on various grounds including breach of contract, breach of solvency representation, fraud, misrepresentation, and manipulation of the energy markets and that the Bankruptcy Court erred in holding that the filed rate doctrine barred various claims which were purported to challenge the reasonableness of the rate. Enron filed a cross-appeal on the grounds that the amount of post-judgment interest should have been 12% per year instead of 1.21% as ordered by the Bankruptcy Court.
On October 10, 2004, the U.S. District Court rendered a decision in the Utilities appeal. The U.S. District Courts decision vacated the judgment entered by the Bankruptcy Court against the Utilities in favor of Enron and remanded the case to the Bankruptcy Court for fact-finding on several issues including:
| whether Enrons demand for assurances at the time of termination of its power supply contracts with NPC and SPPC was reasonable; | |||
| whether the assurances offered by NPC and SPPC to Enron were reasonably satisfactory assurances; and | |||
| whether Enron would have been able to perform all of its obligations under each of the power supply contracts at the time the contracts were terminated and following termination. |
The U.S. District Court further held that the demand for assurances by Enron should have been limited to the amount of its actual loss. The U.S. District Court rejected Enrons cross-appeal seeking a 12% per year post-judgment interest rate instead of the 1.21% interest rate ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. The U.S. District Court decision also provided that Enron could, if proper, renew its motion to enjoin the proceedings currently before the FERC addressing Enrons termination of its power supply contracts with NPC and SPPC. Although the Judgment has been reversed, the terms of NPCs and SPPCs June 30, 2004 stipulation and agreement with Enron, discussed above, will remain in place through the pendency of all remands and appeals of the Judgment.
The Utilities filed a motion seeking clarification of the U.S. District Court rulings with respect to the Utilities affirmative defenses and counterclaim regarding: fraud by Enron, violation of the Racketeer Influence Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), anti-trust activities carried out by Enron, the constitutional power of a bankruptcy court to enter a final judgment in a non-core matter, and whether the Bankruptcy Court had properly determined the interest rate applicable to pre-judgment interest. This motion did not relate to Enrons claims against the Utilities, which the U.S. District Court addressed in its October 10, 2004 decision described above. On December 23, 2004, the U.S. District Court ruled on this motion, affirming the dismissal of the Utilities affirmative defenses and counterclaims on the grounds that they were barred under the filed rate doctrine. However, the U.S. District Court ruled in favor of the Utilities on the calculation of pre-judgment interest.
FERC Early Termination Case
On October 6, 2003, the Utilities filed a Complaint with FERC requesting the opportunity to develop a record regarding three issues: (a) whether Enron exercised reasonable discretion in terminating its various purchased power contracts with the Utilities; (b) whether FERC should exercise its authority to find that Enron is not entitled to collect termination
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payment profits; and (c) whether Enron should be otherwise denied the authority to collect such payments because to do so would be contrary to the public interest.
On July 22, 2004, the FERC issued an order granting the Utilities request to the FERC for an expedited hearing to review Enrons termination of the energy contracts entered into between the Utilities and Enron under the WSPPA. Hearings were scheduled to begin on October 25, 2004 and an initial decision was expected from the FERC by December 31, 2004. However, on October 27, 2004, Enron filed a motion in the Bankruptcy Court to enjoin the Utilities from participating in the FERC Early Termination Case. The disposition of this motion is described below.
Bankruptcy Court Injunction and Order Setting Trial
After the U.S. District Court issued its October 10, 2004 ruling, Enron renewed its motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking to enjoin the Utilities from proceeding in the FERC Early Termination Case. On December 3, 2004 the Bankruptcy Court enjoined the Utilities from further prosecution of the scheduled hearing in the FERC proceeding. The Utilities have appealed this decision and are seeking a stay of the trial in Bankruptcy Court pending the outcome of the FERC Early Termination Case. The trial is currently set for July 11, 2005. The Utilities are unable to predict the outcome of these proceedings at this time.
FERC Revocation Show Cause Proceeding
In March 2003, FERC instituted a Show Cause proceeding involving whether Enrons market-based rate authority should be revoked in light of Enrons engagement in illicit trading activities. The Utilities intervened in the FERCs proceeding against Enron. On June 25, 2003, FERC removed Enrons market-based rate authority, but only on a prospective basis. The Utilities filed a request for rehearing, along with certain other parties. On October 16, 2003, FERC changed the nature of the proceeding, thereby prohibiting further active participation by the interveners (including the Utilities). On December 15, 2003, the Utilities filed an appeal in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (D.C. Circuit) concerning these two actions. The appeals have been consolidated with a number of other appeals of FERCs decisions, and the matter is pending. The D.C. Circuit has yet to establish a briefing schedule and there is no current time line for argument or a decision in the case.
FERC Gaming and Partnership Show Cause Proceeding
On June 25, 2003, FERC issued orders in two separate cases involving Enron and potential gaming of power markets. The first was referred to as the Gaming Show Cause Proceeding and the second as the Partnership Show Cause Proceeding. The proceedings focused on Enrons illicit trading activity in California with a variety of counterparties. On July 21, 2004, FERC consolidated the two proceedings and expanded the scope of its inquiry. FERC announced that it was revisiting its decision not to revoke Enrons market-based rate authority and that Enron potentially could be required to disgorge profits for all of its wholesale power sales in the Western Interconnect for the period January 16, 1997 to June 15, 2003. Enron has sought rehearing of this order, challenging the expanded scope of the proceeding. The Utilities have joined a coalition of other Western Parties and on August 4, 2004, sought clarification that remedies other than disgorgement might be available. On March 11, 2005, the FERC issued an order clarifying issues to be covered in the administrative trial scheduled to begin June 13, 2005. In that order, the FERC stated that Enrons profits under the terminated power contracts fell within the scope of that proceeding. The trial is currently set for September 7, 2005. The Utilities are unable to predict the outcome of the trial at this time.
FERC 206 complaints
In December 2001, the Utilities filed ten complaints with the FERC under Section 206 of the Federal Power Act seeking to reduce prices of certain forward wholesale power purchase contracts that the Utilities entered into prior to the price caps imposed by the FERC in June 2001 relating to the western United States energy crisis. The Utilities believe the prices under these purchased power contracts are unjust and unreasonable. The Utilities negotiated a settlement with Duke Energy Trading and Marketing, but were unable to reach agreement in bilateral settlement discussions with other respondents.
The Utilities are contesting the amounts paid for power actually delivered by these suppliers as well as claims made by terminating power suppliers that did not deliver power, including Enron.
On June 26, 2003, the FERC dismissed the Utilities Section 206 complaints finding that the strict public interest standard applied to the case and that the Utilities had failed to satisfy the burden of proof required by that standard. On July 28, 2003, the Utilities filed a petition for rehearing at the FERC requesting that the FERC either reconsider or rehear the case. On November 10, 2003, the FERC reaffirmed the June 26, 2003, decision. That decision has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Oral argument was held on December 8, 2004 and a decision is pending. The Utilities are unable to predict the outcome of this appeal at this time.
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Reliant Antitrust Litigation
On April 22, 2002, Reliant Energy Services, Inc. (Reliant) filed a cross-complaint against NPC and SPPC in the wholesale electricity antitrust cases, which cases were consolidated in the Superior Court of the State of California. Plaintiffs (original plaintiffs consist of The People of the State of California, City and County of San Francisco, City of Oakland, and County of Santa Clara) seek damages and restitution from the named defendants for alleged fraud, misrepresentation, and anticompetitive conduct in manipulating the energy markets in California resulting in prices far in excess of what would otherwise have been a fair price to the plaintiff class in a competitive market. Reliant filed cross-complaints against all energy suppliers selling energy in California who were not named as original defendants in the complaint, denying liability but alleging that if there was liability, it should be spread among all energy suppliers. The court granted motions to dismiss, and the case is currently on appeal. Both NPC and SPPC believe they should have no liability regarding this matter, but at this time management is not able to predict either the outcome or timing of a decision.
Nevada Power Company
Morgan Stanley Proceedings
On September 5, 2002, Morgan Stanley Capital Group (MSCG) initiated arbitration pursuant to the arbitration provisions in various power supply contracts terminated by MSCG in April 2002. In the arbitration, MSCG requested that the arbitrator compel NPC to pay MSCG $25 million pending the outcome of any dispute regarding the amount owed under the contracts. NPC claimed that nothing is owed under the contracts on various grounds, including breach by MSCG in terminating the contracts, and further, that the arbitrator does not have jurisdiction over NPCs contract claims and defenses. In March 2003, the arbitrator dismissed MSCGs demand for arbitration and agreed that the issues raised by MSCG were not calculation issues subject to arbitration and that NPCs contract defenses were likewise not arbitrable.
NPC filed a complaint for declaratory relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada (District Court) asking the Court to declare that NPC is not liable for any damages as a result of MSCGs termination of its power supply contracts. On April 17, 2003, MSCG answered the complaint and filed a counterclaim against NPC alleging non-payment of the termination payment in the amount of $25 million. In April 2003, MSCG also filed a complaint against NPC at the FERC alleging that NPC should be required to pay MSCG the amount of the claimed termination payment pending resolution of the case. MSCG filed a motion to intervene in the Section 206 action commenced by NPC against Enron at the FERC, and the FERC denied MSCGs motion. On October 23, 2003, NPC filed a motion to stay the District Court proceedings, pending guidance on applicable legal principles from the FERC, which guidance may be provided in connection with a complaint NPC filed against Enron with regard to exercise of default and early termination rights. On February 2, 2004, the District Court granted NPCs motion, and NPCs complaint for declaratory relief before that court is now stayed pending FERC guidance. On July 22, 2004, the FERC issued an order stating that it would convene a hearing regarding the NPC complaint against Enron (discussed above). On August 11, 2004, NPC filed a motion to continue the stay, and on October 4, 2004, the District Court granted the stay for another 90 days. At the February 28, 2005 status conference, the Judge lifted the stay and ordered the case to go forward. The parties will meet to set the discovery and trial schedule. On February 28, 2005, NPC filed a motion for summary judgment. MSCG filed its own summary judgment motion on March 17, 2005. A hearing on the motions has been set for June 6, 2005. At this time, NPC is unable to predict the outcome or timing of the District Court complaint.
El Paso Merchant Energy
In September 2002, El Paso Merchant Energy (EPME) terminated all forward contracts for energy with NPC for alleged defaults under the WSPPA consisting of alleged failure to pay full contract price for power under NPCs delayed payment program which extended from May 1 to September 15, 2002. In October 2002, EPME asserted a claim against NPC for $29 million in damages representing $19 million unpaid under contracts for delivered power during the period May 15 to September 15, 2002, together with approximately $10 million in alleged mark to market damages for future undelivered power. The amount presently claimed by EPME is $42 million, including interest. NPC alleges that EPMEs termination resulted in net payments due to NPC under the WSPPA for liquidated damages measured by the difference between the contract price and market price of energy EPME was to deliver from 2004 to 2012. The precise amount due would depend on the manner in which the termination payments are calculated.
In June 2003, EPME demanded mediation of its claim for a termination payment arising out of EPMEs September 25, 2002, termination of all executory purchase power contracts between NPC and EPME. The mediation was unsuccessful, and on July 25, 2003, NPC commenced an action against EPME and several of its affiliates in the Federal District Court for the District of Nevada for damages resulting from breach of these purchase power contracts. Discovery is ongoing and the case is set for trial to commence in September 2005. At this time, NPC is unable to predict either the outcome or timing of a decision
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in this matter.
Nevada Power Company 2001 Deferred Energy Case
On November 30, 2001, NPC filed an application with the PUCN seeking repayment for purchased fuel and power costs accumulated between March 1, 2001, and September 30, 2001, as required by law. The application sought to establish a rate to repay accumulated purchased fuel and power costs of $922 million and spread the recovery of the deferred costs, together with a carrying charge, over a period of not more than three years.
On March 29, 2002, the PUCN issued its decision on the deferred energy application, allowing NPC to recover $478 million over a three-year period, but disallowing $434 million of deferred purchased fuel and power costs and $30.9 million in carrying charges consisting of $10.1 million in carrying charges accrued through September 2001 and $20.8 million in carrying charges accrued from October 2001 through February 2002. The order stated that the disallowance was based on alleged imprudence in incurring the disallowed costs. NPC and the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) both sought individual review of the PUCN Order in the First District Court of Nevada. The District Court affirmed the PUCNs decision. Both NPC and the BCP filed Notices of Appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.
Supreme Court rules mandate settlement talks before a matter is set for briefing and argument. As a result of that mandatory process, NPC filed a motion with the Nevada Supreme Court seeking remand of the matter back to the PUCN to consider evidence uncovered after the PUCNs final decision. On November 2, 2004, the Nevada Supreme Court issued an order denying the motion for remand.
A briefing schedule on the underlying appeal has since been established. A decision is not expected for six to twelve months. At this time NPC is unable to predict either the outcome or timing of a decision in this matter.
Environmental Matters
In July 2000, NPC received a request from the EPA for information to determine the compliance of certain generation facilities at NPCs Clark Station with the applicable State Implementation Plan. In November 2000, NPC and the Clark County Health District entered into a Corrective Action Order requiring, among other steps, capital expenditures at the Clark Station totaling approximately $3 million. In March 2001, the EPA issued an additional request for information that could result in remediation beyond that specified in the November 2000 Corrective Action Order. On October 31, 2003, the EPA issued a violation regarding turbine blade upgrades, which occurred in July 1993. A conference between the EPA and NPC occurred in December 2003. NPC presented evidence on the nature and finding of the alleged violations. In March 2004, the EPA issued another request for information regarding the turbine blade upgrades, and NPC provided information responsive to this request in April and May 2004. It is NPCs position that a violation did not occur and management is presently involved in the discovery process to support this position. Monetary penalties and retrofit control cost, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
In August 2004, NDEP conducted a Facility Air Quality Operating Permit (Title V) inspection at the Reid Gardner Station. Monitoring, recordkeeping and other reporting items including maintenance records, operating logs, recorded oil/coal data and other information pertaining to the sources identified in the Title V permit were requested. NPC has provided information in connection with this and subsequent requests. In September and October 2004, NPC met with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) to review the outcome of NDEPs inspection. NDEP informed NPC that it may not be in compliance with certain aspects of its Title V permit and on December 2, 2004 issued Notices of Alleged Violation (NOAVs). NPC is continuing to provide information to NDEP as requested. Because no penalty has been specified by NDEP and discussions are continuing, management cannot reasonably estimate the amount of any potential monetary penalties that may ultimately be assessed in connection with the alleged violations.
Sierra Pacific Power Company
Piñon Pine
In its 2003 General Rate Case, SPPC sought recovery of all of its unreimbursed costs associated with the Piñon Pine Coal Gasification Demonstration Project. The coal gasifier represented an experimental technology that was being tested pursuant to a Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Coal Technology initiative. Under the terms of a cooperative agreement with the DOE, SPPC agreed to fund 50% of the costs of constructing the Piñon Pine unit, with the DOE funding the remaining 50% of the costs of the project. SPPCs participation in the Coal Gasification Demonstration Project was permitted and constructed with PUCN approval as part of SPPCs 1993 integrated electric resource plan. While the conventional portion of the plant, a gas-fired combined cycle unit, was installed and performed as planned, the coal gasification unit was never fully operational. After numerous attempts to re-engineer various components of the coal gasifier, the technology has been determined to be unworkable. In its order of May 25, 2004, the PUCN disallowed $43 million of unreimbursed costs
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associated with the Piñon Pine Coal Gasification Demonstration Project. SPPC filed a Petition for Judicial Review with the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada in June 2004 (CV04-01434). SPPC filed its opening brief in early October 2004. Answering and Reply briefs were filed in November and December and oral argument was presented on April 29, 2005. SPPC expects the Court to rule within the second or third quarter of 2005, but cannot predict the outcome of the case.
Sierra Pacific Resources and Nevada Power Company
Lawsuit Against Natural Gas Providers
On April 21, 2003, SPR and NPC filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada against several natural gas providers and traders. On July 3, 2003, SPR and NPC filed a First Amended Complaint. Motions to dismiss were filed by all of the defendants and were heard by the court on January 27, 2004. The motions to dismiss were granted based on a filed rate defense asserted by the defendants. SPR and NPC filed a Motion to Reconsider, which was heard by the court on April 20, 2004. The court granted the Motion to Reconsider and allowed SPR and NPC to amend the complaint. A Second Amended Complaint was filed on June 4, 2004.
The Second Amended Complaint names three different groups of defendants: (1) El Paso Corporation, El Paso Natural Gas Company, El Paso Merchant Energy, L.P., El Paso Merchant Energy Company, El Paso Tennessee Pipeline Company, El Paso Merchant Energy-Gas Company (El Paso); (2) Dynegy Marketing and Trade; and (3) Sempra Energy, Sempra Energy Trading Corporation, Southern California Gas Company (SoCal), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) (collectively Sempra). New motions to dismiss were filed by all of the defendants and a hearing was held on November 29, 2004. The District Court granted the defendants motions to dismiss. The case has been appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. At this time, management cannot predict the timing or outcome of a decision on this matter.
Investment Banker Complaint
On November 19, 2004, SPR and NPC filed suit in United States District Court, District of Nevada, against Citigroup, Inc., Solomon Smith Barney, Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase Bank and numerous other investment banks and financial institutions asserting claims for damages arising out of the defendants conduct in acting in concert with Enron to falsely portray Enrons financial condition and induce the reliance of business counterparties, including NPC, upon the statements and representations of Enron regarding its financial health in the 1990s and early 2000 time period. The suit alleges, among other things, that the defendants aided and abetted Enrons fraud through financial transactions with so-called Special Purpose Entities, which were designed to conceal Enron liabilities or artificially inflate revenues and reported financial condition. The complaint seeks damages in excess of $500 million.
Effective January 10, 2005, the suit was transferred to MDL-1446, In re Enron Corp. Securities, Derivative and Erisa Litigation, pending in the U.S.D.C. in Houston Texas before Judge Melinda Harmon. At this time the Utilities are unable to predict the outcome or the timing of future proceedings related to the complaint.
SPR and it subsidiaries through the course of their normal business operations, are currently involved in a number of other legal actions, none of which has had or, in the opinion of management, is expected to have a significant impact on their financial positions or results of operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits filed with this Form 10-Q:
Nevada Power Company
Exhibit 10.1
|
Collective Bargaining Agreement dated as of February 1, 2005, effective through February 1, 2008, between Nevada Power Company and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 396. |
Sierra Pacific Resources, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company
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Exhibit 31.1
|
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
Exhibit 31.2
|
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
Exhibit 32.1
|
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
Exhibit 32.2
|
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Sierra Pacific Resources | |||||
(Registrant) | |||||
Date: May 9, 2005
|
By: | /s/ Michael W. Yackira | |||
Michael W. Yackira | |||||
Executive Vice President | |||||
Chief Financial Officer | |||||
(Principal Financial Officer) | |||||
Date: May 9, 2005
|
By: | /s/ John E. Brown | |||
John E. Brown | |||||
Controller | |||||
(Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||
Nevada Power Company | |||||
(Registrant) | |||||
Date: May 9, 2005
|
By: | /s/ Michael W. Yackira | |||
Michael W. Yackira | |||||
Executive Vice President | |||||
Chief Financial Officer | |||||
(Principal Financial Officer) | |||||
Date: May 9, 2005
|
By: | s/ John E. Brown | |||
John E. Brown | |||||
Controller | |||||
(Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||
Sierra Pacific Power Company | |||||
(Registrant) | |||||
Date: May 9, 2005
|
By: | /s/ Michael W. Yackira | |||
Michael W. Yackira | |||||
Executive Vice President | |||||
Chief Financial Officer | |||||
(Principal Financial Officer) | |||||
Date: May 9, 2005
|
By: | s/ John E. Brown | |||
John E. Brown | |||||
Controller | |||||
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
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