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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

 

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

 

For the transition period from                  to                 

 

Commission file number 333-91391

 

AES IRONWOOD, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

54-1457573

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

305 PRESCOTT ROAD, LEBANON, PA

 

17042

 

(Registrant’s address of principal executive offices,)

 

(zip code)

 

 

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (717) 228-1328

 

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  o    No  ý

 

Registrant is a wholly owned subsidiary of The AES Corporation.  Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is filing this Quarterly Report on form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format authorized by General Instruction H.

 

 



 

AES IRONWOOD, L.L.C.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Operations, Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Changes in Member’s Capital from December 31, 2003 through March 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8 – K

 

 

(a) Exhibits

 

 

(b) Reports on Form 8 – K

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

2



 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.            CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

AES IRONWOOD, L.L.C.
AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE AES CORPORATION

Condensed Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2004

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

(as restated see Note 11)

 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

Energy

 

$

13,964

 

$

12,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

2,707

 

2,596

 

Operating Fee

 

1,304

 

1,277

 

Operating Costs

 

822

 

1,710

 

General and Administrative Costs

 

2,024

 

2,199

 

 

 

6,857

 

7,782

 

Operating Income

 

7,107

 

4,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME/EXPENSE:

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income

 

6

 

233

 

Interest income

 

16

 

21

 

Interest expense

 

(6,670

)

(6,778

)

NET INCOME/(LOSS)

 

$

459

 

$

(2,229

)

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

3



 

AES IRONWOOD, L.L.C.
AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE AES CORPORATION

Condensed Balance Sheets

as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

3,772

 

$

2,366

 

Interest receivable

 

4

 

4

 

Accounts receivable — net

 

4,412

 

4,445

 

Prepaid expenses

 

1,270

 

1,046

 

Inventory — fuel

 

6

 

7

 

Asset held for sale (Note 9)

 

450

 

450

 

Total current assets

 

9,914

 

8,318

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

1,143

 

1,143

 

Property, plant, and equipment-net of accumulated depreciation of $23,451and $20,744, respectively

 

311,072

 

313,335

 

Deferred financing costs-net of accumulated amortization of $679 and $645, respectively

 

2,956

 

2,990

 

Restricted cash including debt service reserve

 

4,549

 

4,556

 

Total assets

 

$

329,634

 

$

330,342

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S CAPITAL:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

510

 

$

61

 

Accrued interest

 

2,216

 

2,227

 

Payable to AES and affiliates

 

1,904

 

2,146

 

Note payable

 

 

292

 

Bonds payable - current

 

6,525

 

6,356

 

Total current liabilities

 

11,155

 

11,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

1,910

 

1,392

 

Bonds payable – non current

 

293,658

 

295,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

306,723

 

307,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 6 and 7)

 

 

 

 

 

Member’s capital:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $1 par value-10 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Contributed capital

 

38,800

 

38,800

 

Member’s accumulated deficit

 

(15,889

)

(16,348

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total member’s capital

 

22,911

 

22,452

 

Total liabilities and member’s capital

 

$

329,634

 

$

330,342

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

4



 

AES IRONWOOD, L.L.C.

AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE AES CORPORATION

Condensed Statement of Changes in Member’s Capital

From December 31, 2003

Through March 31, 2004

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 


Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid - in
Capital

 

Member’s
Accumulated
Deficit

 

Total

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2003

 

 

$

 

$

38,800

 

$

(16,348

)

$

22,452

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

459

 

459

 

BALANCE MARCH 31, 2004

 

 

$

 

$

38,800

 

$

(15,889

)

$

22,911

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

5



 

AES IRONWOOD, L.L.C.
AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE AES CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS,

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 AND 2003

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2004

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

(as restated see Note 11)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

459

 

$

(2,229

)

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

34

 

34

 

Depreciation

 

2,707

 

2,596

 

Change in:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest receivable

 

 

3

 

Accounts receivable

 

33

 

5,407

 

Prepaid expense

 

(224

)

225

 

Inventory

 

1

 

8

 

Accounts payable

 

449

 

(2,327

)

Accrued interest

 

(11

)

(8

)

Account payable-parent and affiliates

 

(242

)

(576

)

Deferred revenue

 

518

 

348

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

3,724

 

3,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for property, plant and equipment

 

(444

)

(30

)

Withdrawals from restricted cash accounts

 

7

 

2,407

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(437

)

2,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for bonds payable

 

(1,589

)

(1,188

)

Payments on note payable

 

(292

)

(865

)

Net cash (used in) financing activities

 

(1,881

)

(2,053

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

1,406

 

3,805

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

2,366

 

1,088

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

 

$

3,772

 

$

4,893

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

6,681

 

$

6,778

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

6



 

AES IRONWOOD, L.L.C.
AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE AES CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

 

1.            ORGANIZATION

 

AES Ironwood, L.L.C. (the “Company”) was formed on October 30, 1998 in the State of Delaware, to develop, construct, own, operate and maintain a 705-megawatt (MW) gas-fired, combined cycle electric generating facility (the “Facility”) in South Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania. The Company was considered dormant until June 25, 1999, at which time it consummated a project financing and certain related agreements. The Facility, which was declared commercially available on December 28, 2001, consists of two Westinghouse 501 G combustion turbines; two heat recovery steam generators and one steam turbine. The Facility produces and sells electricity, and provides fuel conversion and ancillary services, solely to Williams Power Company, Inc., formerly known as Williams Energy Marketing & Trading Company (“Williams”) under a power purchase agreement with a term of 20 years that commenced on December 28, 2001.

 

The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AES Ironwood, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The AES Corporation. AES Ironwood, Inc. has no assets other than its ownership interests in the Company and AES Prescott, L.L.C. AES Ironwood, Inc. has no operations and is not expected to have any operations. Its only income will be from distributions it receives from the Company and AES Prescott, L.L.C. The equity that AES Ironwood, Inc. has provided to the Company has been provided to AES Ironwood, Inc. by The AES Corporation. The AES Corporation files quarterly and annual reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are publicly available, but do not constitute a part of, and are not incorporated into, this Form 10-Q.

 

2.            BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

In the Company’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the unaudited results of operations for the interim periods presented herein are included. All such adjustments are accruals of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for the three-month period presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year or future periods.

 

The Company generates energy revenues under its power purchase agreement with Williams. During the 20-year term of the agreement, the Company expects to sell electric energy and capacity produced by the Facility, as well as ancillary and fuel conversion services. Under the power purchase agreement, the Company also generates revenues from meeting (1) base electrical output guarantees and (2) heat rate bonuses through efficient electrical output.   Revenues from the sales of electric energy are recorded based on output delivered at rates as specified under contract terms. Revenues from capacity are recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract. Amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.  Revenues for ancillary and other services are recorded when the services are rendered.

 

7



 

As of March 31, 2004, accounts receivable of approximately $4.4 million consists of unpaid invoices from Williams for operations of approximately $5.5 million, from Siemens Westinghouse for warranty reimbursables of approximately $151 thousand and from the sale of excess fuel of approximately $3 thousand, less allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $1.3 million. As of December 31, 2003, accounts receivable of approximately $4.4 million consisted of unpaid invoices from Williams of approximately $5.5 million, from Siemens Westinghouse of approximately $193 thousand, less allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $1.3 million.

 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Because the accompanying condensed financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2003 and notes thereto included in AES Ironwood, L.L.C.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

3.            OPERATIONS

 

Since achieving commercial operations in December 2001, the Company is eligible to receive variable operations and maintenance payments, total fixed payments and other payments for the delivery of fuel conversion, capacity and ancillary services.  Since December 28, 2001, Williams has not requested that the Company dispatch the facility to a significant degree. The minimum capacity payments provided for under the power purchase agreement have been the Company’s primary source of operating revenues, representing $11.8 million of the Company’s total operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003.  At March 31, 2004, approximately $1.9 million has been deferred consistent with the Company’s revenue recognition policy discussed in Note 11.

 

The Company has used these operating revenues, together with interest income from the investment of operating funds to pay its generation expenses and other operations and maintenance expenses.

 

The Company has been dispatched by Williams in February and March 2004 but can provide no assurance that the Company will continue to be dispatched.  In the event that the facility is not dispatched, the Company’s operating revenues will consist of minimum capacity payments under the power purchase agreement.

 

The Company currently believes that its sources of liquidity will be adequate to meet its needs through the end of 2004.  This belief is based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to the continued performance and satisfactory financial condition of the third parties on which the Company depends, particularly Williams as fuel supplier and purchaser of all electric energy and capacity produced by the Facility as well as ancillary and fuel conversion services of the Company (as provided by the power purchase agreement) and The Williams Companies, Inc. as guarantor of Williams’  performance under the power purchase

 

8



 

agreement.  Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors outside the Company’s control may cause actual results to differ materially from its current expectations.  These risks, uncertainties and factors include but are not limited to risks and uncertainties related to the financial condition and continued performance of the third parties on which the Company depends, including Williams and The Williams Companies and its affiliates, the possibility of unexpected problems related to the performance of the Facility, the possibility of unexpected expenses or lower than expected revenues and additional factors that are unknown to the Company or beyond its control.

 

The Company depends on Williams for both revenues and fuel supply under the power purchase agreement.  If Williams were to terminate or default under the power purchase agreement, there would be a severe negative impact on the Company’s cash flow and financial condition which could result in a default on its senior secured bonds.  Due to recent declines in pool prices, the Company would expect that if it were required to seek alternative purchasers of its power as a result of a default by Williams that any such alternate revenues would be substantially below the amounts that would have been otherwise payable pursuant to the power purchase agreement.  There can be no assurance as to the Company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flow to cover operating expenses or its debt service obligations in the absence of a long-term power purchase agreement with Williams.

 

4.            BONDS

 

On June 25, 1999, the Company issued $308.5 million in senior secured bonds for the purpose of providing financing for the construction of the Facility and to fund, through the construction period, interest payments to the bondholders. On May 12, 2000, the Company consummated an exchange offer whereby the holders of the senior secured bonds exchanged their privately placed senior secured bonds for registered senior secured bonds. Repayment of the bonds commenced with the quarterly payment on February 28, 2002. The remaining amount payable in 2004 is approximately $4.77 million. Annual principal repayments over the life of the bonds range from $1.97 million to $21.3 million. Repayment dates are February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 of each year, with the final payment due November 30, 2025.

 

Repayments subsequent to March 31, 2004 are as follows:

(000’s)

 

Year

 

Principal

 

Interest

 

Total

 

2004

 

$

4,767

 

$

19,835

 

$

24,602

 

2005

 

7,032

 

25,931

 

32,963

 

2006

 

7,156

 

25,304

 

32,460

 

2007

 

9,132

 

24,605

 

33,737

 

2008

 

11,352

 

23,723

 

35,075

 

2009-2025

 

260,744

 

222,316

 

483,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total payments

 

$

300,183

 

$

341,714

 

$

641,897

 

 

In an action related to the ratings downgrade of The Williams Companies, Inc., S&P lowered its ratings on the Company’s senior secured bonds to “BB-” from “BBB-” on July 26, 2002, and placed the rating on credit watch. On December 10, 2003 S&P lowered its ratings on the

 

9



 

Company’s senior secured bonds to “B+” from “BB-” with a negative outlook. On November 27, 2002, Moody’s lowered its ratings on the Company’s senior secured bonds to “B2” from “Ba2”.   The Company does not believe that such ratings downgrades will have any other direct or immediate effect on it, as none of the other financing documents or project contracts has provisions that are triggered by a reduction of the ratings of the bonds.

 

5.          EQUITY SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

Under an Equity Subscription Agreement, AES Ironwood, Inc. was obligated to contribute up to approximately $50.1 million in the form of either subordinated debt or equity to the Company to fund project costs. As of December 31, 2002 AES Ironwood, Inc. had made net contributions of $38.8 million of equity capital.  Approximately $9.1 million of the remaining contribution was supported by a surety bond until June 25, 2002, when the surety bond expired. At that time the surety bond was replaced by an acceptable letter of credit in the amount of $9.1 million. The need for the letter of credit ceased with the granting of final acceptance on March 12, 2003. The collateral agent was notified and they have released the Company of this requirement.

 

6.            POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

The Company has entered into a power purchase agreement with Williams for the sale of all electric energy and capacity produced by the Plant, as well as ancillary and fuel conversion services. The term of the power purchase agreement is 20 years, commencing on December 28, 2001, the commercial operation date. Payment obligations to the Company are guaranteed by The Williams Companies, Inc.

 

Fuel Conversion and Other Services – Williams has the obligation to deliver, on an exclusive basis, all quantities of natural gas required by the Facility to generate electricity or ancillary services, to start up or shut down the plant and to operate the Facility during any period other than a start-up, shut-down or required dispatch by Williams for any reason.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk – Williams currently is the Company’s sole customer for purchases of capacity, ancillary services, and energy, and the Company’ sole source for fuel. Williams’ payments under the power purchase agreement are expected to provide all of the Company’s revenues during the term of the power purchase agreement. It is uncertain whether the Company would be able to find another purchaser or fuel source on similar terms for its facility if Williams were not performing under the power purchase agreement. Any material failure by Williams to make capacity and fuel conversion payments or to supply fuel under the power purchase agreement would have a severe impact on the Company’s operations. The payment obligations of Williams under the power purchase agreement are guaranteed by The Williams Companies, Inc. The Guaranty by The Williams Companies, Inc., dated June 25, 1999 indicated the total aggregate liability to be approximately $408 million; as reduced from time to time as provided by a reduction schedule described in the guaranty (“Guaranty Cap”). At March 31, 2004, this amount was approximately $402 million.

 

Under the power purchase agreement, in the event that S&P or Moody’s rate the long term senior unsecured debt of The Williams Companies, Inc. lower than investment grade, The

 

10



 

Williams Companies, Inc., or an affiliate thereof, is required to replace The Williams Companies, Inc. guarantee with an alternative security that is acceptable to the Company. According to published sources, on July 23, 2002, S&P lowered the long term senior unsecured debt rating of The Williams Companies, Inc. to “BB-” from “BBB-”, and further lowered such rating to “B” on July 25, 2002. On May 23, 2003 S&P upgraded the rating to “B+” with a negative outlook.   According to published sources, on July 24, 2002, Moody’s lowered the long-term senior unsecured debt rating of The Williams Companies, Inc. to “B1” from “Baa3.  According to published sources, this rating was further lowered on November 22, 2002 to “Caa1” by Moody’s, and then upgraded to “B3” on June 4, 2003.  Accordingly, The Williams Companies, Inc.’s long-term senior unsecured debt is currently rated below investment grade by both S&P and Moody’s.

 

To satisfy the requirements of the power purchase agreement, on September 20, 2002, Citibank, N.A. issued a $35 million Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit (the “Letter of Credit”) on behalf of Williams. The Letter of Credit does not alter, modify, amend or nullify the guaranty issued by The Williams Companies, Inc. in favor of the Company and is considered to be additional security to the security amounts provided by such guaranty. The Letter of Credit became effective on September 20, 2002 and expired upon the close of business on July 10, 2003; except that the Letter of Credit will be automatically extended without amendment for successive one year periods from the present or any future expiration date hereof, unless Citibank, N.A. provides written notice of its election not to renew the Letter of Credit at least thirty days prior to any such expiration date. On June 13, 2003, Citibank, N.A. sent notification that the letter of credit will be extended to July 12, 2004. Additionally, in a Letter Agreement dated September 20, 2002, Williams agreed to (a) provide eligible credit support prior to the stated expiration date of the Letter of Credit and (b) replenish any portion of the Letter of Credit or eligible credit support that is drawn, reduced, cashed or redeemed, at any time, with an equal amount of eligible credit support. Within twenty days prior to the expiration of the Letter of Credit and/or any expiration date of eligible credit support posted by Williams, Williams shall post eligible credit support to the Company in place of the Letter of Credit and/or any expiring eligible credit support unless The Williams Companies, Inc. regains and maintains its investment grade status, in which case the Letter of Credit or eligible credit support shall automatically terminate and no additional eligible credit support shall be required.  The Company and Williams acknowledge that the posting of such Letter of Credit and Williams’ agreement and performance of the requirements of (a) and (b) as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be in full satisfaction of Williams’ obligations contained in Section 19.3 of the power purchase agreement to provide replacement security due to the downgrade of The Williams Companies, Inc. falling below investment grade status.

 

Since the Company depends on The Williams Companies, Inc. and its affiliates for both revenues and fuel supply under the power purchase agreement, if The Williams Companies, Inc. and its affiliates were to terminate or default under the power purchase agreement, there would be a severe negative impact to the Company’s cash flow and financial condition which could result in a default on the Company’s senior secured bonds.  Due to recent declines in pool prices, the Company would expect that if required to seek alternative purchasers of its power as a result of a default by The Williams Companies, Inc. and its affiliates that any such alternate revenues would be substantially below the amounts that would have been otherwise payable pursuant to the power purchase agreement.  There can be no assurance as to the Company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flow to cover operating expenses or debt

 

11



 

service obligations in the absence of a long-term power purchase agreement with Williams or its affiliates.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company has invoiced Williams approximately $13.3 million in respect of fixed payments, fuel conversion services, and ancillary services. Of this amount approximately $518 thousand has been deferred in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policy as described in Note 2.

 

7.          COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Construction – The Company entered into a fixed-price turnkey construction agreement with Siemens Westinghouse for the design, engineering, procurement and construction of the Facility. By meeting the provisions in Section 6.3 of the construction agreement, provisional acceptance was granted by the Company on December 27, 2001. The Company previously had a dispute with Siemens Westinghouse over which party was responsible for the payment of the cost of electricity and natural gas used by the project during certain periods prior to the December 28, 2001 commercial acceptance.  As a result of a settlement agreement with Siemens Westinghouse entitled Agreement Change Order No. 71, the Company granted final acceptance as of March 12, 2003.

 

Power Purchase Agreement - The Company had ongoing disputes, including arbitration with Williams, relating to the parties power purchase agreement.  The arbitration was bifurcated into two phases, and an award was issued on Phase I on February 3, 2004.  The primary issue in Phase I related to various aspects of the availability of the facility for the year ended December 31, 2002, including disputes over the amount of any availability bonus or penalty.  Phase II of the arbitration involves a dispute concerning the proper duration of facility start-ups and shutdowns, including fuel used during start-ups and shutdowns.  While Phase I of the arbitration was limited to billing disputes in 2002, many of the same issues are disputed between the parties for 2003 billings.

 

The arbitral panel’s award on Phase I of the arbitration was in support of the Company’s position regarding how to treat facility availability and the applicable rules of PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. in the billing dispute with the Company over the availability of the facility.  The panel declined, however, to decide the facility’s availability during 43 disputed maintenance events.  Instead, it encouraged the parties to reach a mutual resolution of the disputed events by applying the correct Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (“PJM”) rule and, failing mutual agreement, to submit the dispute to a third party engineer for resolution.  The parties are currently discussing possible resolution of the disputed events, and anticipate submitting any events that cannot be resolved by mutual agreement to a third party.  Until the matter is fully resolved, the availability of the Facility, and certain payments that are calculated based on availability, cannot be determined.  However, based on the panel’s award and its negotiations with Williams, the Company anticipates it will be paid some portion of its claimed availability bonus for 2002 and 2003 and does not owe an amount for annual availability capacity adjustment or fuel conversion volume rebate. In February 2004, Williams paid the Company approximately $1.1 million in respect of the Company’s claimed availability bonus for 2003. This amount is included in operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Also as a result of the panel’s Phase I Award, the Company will begin pre-funding a cash

 

12



 

account on a quarterly basis to reflect the maximum amount of a fuel conversion volume rebate that might be payable to Williams if the facility operates the requisite number of hours to earn the maximum rebate available under the power purchase agreement.  The maximum theoretical annual amount of the fuel conversion volume rebate is $1.7 million, but the account will not be fully funded during the course of the year if the facility is not operated a sufficient number of hours to achieve the maximum fuel conversion volume rebate.  Depending on the amount of facility operation, the Company may be entitled to withdraw some of the funds deposited into the account during the second half of its fiscal year.  Based on the arbitral award, no payments for fuel conversion volume rebate were due for 2002 or 2003.  If funding is required, amounts will be classified as restricted cash. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company has determined that approximately $71 thousand should be deposited into this account and did so on April 1, 2004. The Company will reassess this funding requirement for each subsequent quarter to determine the liability.

 

On March 12, 2004, the parties settled Phase II of the arbitration between the Company and Williams, which involved Williams’ claims that the duration of start-ups and shutdowns should be shortened, with a corresponding reduction in the volume of fuel consumed during such operations.  The settlement resolves and releases, without any payment by the Company, Williams’ claim that it should be reimbursed retroactively to the date of commercial operation for excess fuel allegedly consumed during start-ups and shutdowns.  An agreed order of dismissal has been submitted requesting the arbitral panel to dismiss Phase II of the arbitration with prejudice.  The settlement of Phase II has no impact on Phase I of the arbitration.  The parties continue to negotiate in an effort to settle issues left unresolved by the award in Phase I.

 

Maintenance – The Company, as assignee of AES Ironwood, Inc., has entered into the Maintenance Program Parts, Shop Repairs and Scheduled Outage TFA Services Contract, dated as of September 23, 1998, with Siemens Westinghouse by which Siemens Westinghouse will provide the Company with, among other things, combustion turbine parts, shop repairs and scheduled outage technical field assistance services. Siemens Westinghouse will provide the Company with specific combustion turbine maintenance services and spare parts for an initial term of between eight and ten years under a maintenance service agreement. The fees assessed by Siemens Westinghouse will be based on the number of equivalent base load hours accumulated by the applicable combustion turbine as adjusted for inflation.

 

The Company has determined the maintenance services agreement provides for the purchase of parts that will be capitalized, as well as maintenance items that will be expensed when incurred.

 

The maintenance services agreement became effective on the date of execution and unless terminated early, must terminate upon completion of shop repairs performed by Siemens Westinghouse following the eighth scheduled outage of the applicable combustion turbine or 10 years from initial synchronization of the applicable combustion turbine, whichever occurs first.

 

Water Supply - The Company has entered into a contract with the City of Lebanon Authority for the purchase of 50 percent of the water use of the Company. The contract has a term of 25

 

13



 

years and commenced on March 9, 1998. Costs associated with the use of water by the Company under this contract are based on gallons used per day at prices specified under the contract terms. The Company has also entered into an agreement with Pennsy Supply, Inc., which will provide the remaining 50 percent of the water use of the Company.

 

The Company has entered into a contract with the Metropolitan Edison Company for the use of additional capacity of up to four hundred acre feet of water from the Merrill Creek. The fee for this is approximately $350 thousand per year paid in advance on the payment dates of February 2 and July 2 of each year. Capacity became available on the commencement of commercial operations, December 28, 2001. The agreement will terminate on January 1, 2033. Additionally the Company will pay its allocable share of operations and maintenance costs of Merrill Creek.

 

Interconnection Agreement - The Company has entered into an interconnection agreement with GPU Energy to transmit the electricity generated by the Company to the transmission grid so that it may be sold as prescribed under the Company’s power purchase agreement. The agreement is in effect for the life of the Facility; however, it may be terminated by mutual consent of both GPU Energy and the Company under certain circumstances as detailed in the agreement. Costs associated with the agreement are based on electricity transmitted via GPU Energy at a variable price, and the tariff imposed by the Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Maryland power pool market, as charged by GPU Energy to the Company, which is comprised of both service cost and asset recovery cost, as determined by GPU Energy and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Company is obligated to pay approximately $204 thousand per year as a maintenance fee for the interconnection equipment. The term of the maintenance agreement is twenty-five years.

 

8.            RECENT AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51.  In October 2003, FASB Staff Position No. 46-6, “Effective Date of FIN 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” deferred the effective date of FIN 46 for variable interests held by a public entity in a variable interest entity (“VIE”) that was created or acquired before February 1, 2003 to the end of the first interim or annual period ending after December 15, 2003.  In December 2003, FASB issued FIN 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (“FIN 46(r)”), which clarified some requirements and incorporated several staff positions that the Company was already required to apply.  In addition, FIN 46(r) deferred the effective date for VIEs that were created or acquired before February 1, 2003 and were not considered special purpose entities (“SPEs”) prior to the issuance of the interpretation until the end of the first quarter ending March 31, 2004.  FIN 46(r) defines a VIE as (i) any entity in which the equity investors at risk in such entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (ii) any entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties.  It requires the consolidation of the VIE by the primary beneficiary.  The adoption of FIN 46(r) requires the Company to include disclosures for non SPE VIEs created or acquired on or after February 1, 2003 in its financial statements related to the total assets and the maximum exposure to loss resulting from the Company’s interests in VIEs.  The adoption of FIN 46(r) for VIEs created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003 that were considered SPEs prior to the issuance of the interpretation did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.  The

 

14



 

Company has assessed the impact of the provisions of FIN 46(r) on its financial statements for VIEs created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003 that were not considered SPEs prior to the issuance of the interpretation, and does not believe that the impact will be material.

 

9.            ASSET HELD FOR SALE

 

During 2002, the Company commenced installation of an auxiliary boiler to increase the efficiency of the Facility. The arbitration settlement of March 2003 determined that the Company has no obligation to install the auxiliary boiler as there would be no economic benefit produced by its installation. On July 24, 2003, the Company entered into a contract with a sales assistance company to facilitate the sale of the boiler. The fair value less selling costs of the auxiliary boiler is estimated to be approximately $450 thousand and is included in asset held for sale.  For the three months ended March 31, 2004 there were no adjustments to this asset.

 

10.          RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Effective June 1999, the Company entered into a 27-year development and construction management agreement with Prescott to provide certain support services required by the Company for the development and construction of the Plant. Under this agreement Prescott also provides operations management services for the Plant. Payments for operations management services are approximately $400,000 per month, adjusted annually for inflation.

 

During the construction period, the construction management fees were paid to Prescott from the investment balances or from parent funding. For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, approximately $1.3 million and $1.3 million respectively, in management fees were incurred and charged to operating expenses and $435 thousand and $425 thousand respectively, were payable to Prescott for the three months then ended.

 

Accounts receivable from parent and affiliates generally represents charges for certain AES projects that the Company has paid for and invoiced to the Company’s parent and affiliates. Accounts payable are generally amounts owed for shared services to the Company’s parent and affiliates. Accounts receivable from parent and affiliates were in the amount of $0 as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003.  Accounts payable to AES and affiliates as of March 31, 2004 and 2003 amounted to $1.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

 

The Company is the primary source of contributions for the AES Ironwood Foundation (the “Foundation”), a non-profit organization founded to provide social responsibility to the local communities. The Company does not consolidate the financial statements of the Foundation into its financial statements as the Company does not control the operations of the Foundation, nor does the Company hold an ownership interest in the Foundation. The Company’s discretionary funding for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was approximately $25 thousand and $5 thousand, respectively.

 

11.          RESTATEMENT

 

Certain 2003 amounts have been reclassified in the condensed financial statements to conform to the 2004 presentation. Subsequent to the issuance of results for the first quarter of

 

15



 

2003, the Company determined that revenues from fixed capacity payments had not been properly recognized in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 91-6 “Revenue Recognition of Long-Term Power Sales Contracts”  (EITF 91-6).   Under EITF 91-6, as it applies to the Company’s power purchase agreement, fixed capacity revenues should be reflected on the straight-line basis over the life of the power purchase agreement. Differences between the actual capacity payments and the straight-line method are recorded as deferred revenue. As a result, the operating results for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003 have been restated from the amounts previously reported. A summary of the significant effects of the restatement is as follows:

 

 

 

March 2003
As
previously
reported

 

March 2003
As restated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

12,425

 

$

12,077

 

Operating Income

 

4,643

 

4,295

 

Net Loss

 

$

(1,881

)

$

(2,229

)

 

16



 

Item 2.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Some of the statements in this Form 10-Q, as well as statements we make in periodic press releases and other public communications, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain, but not necessarily all, of such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “approximately,” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategies, each of which involves risks and uncertainties. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events based upon our knowledge of facts as of the date of this Form 10-Q and our assumptions about future events.

 

All statements other than of historical facts included herein, including those regarding market trends, our financial position, business strategy, projected plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors outside of our control that may cause our actual results or performance to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following:

 

      unexpected problems relating to the performance of the Facility;

      the financial condition of third parties on which we depend, including in particular Williams Power Company, Inc., formerly known as Williams Energy Marketing & Trading Company  (“Williams”), as the power purchaser and fuel supplier under the power purchase agreement, and The Williams Companies, Inc., as the guarantor of performance under the power purchase agreement;

      unanticipated effects of the arbitration decision relating to our power purchase agreement dispute with Williams and the possibility of future disputes or proceedings regarding the power purchase agreement;

      the continued performance of Williams under the power purchase agreement;

      the ability of The Williams Companies, Inc. or its affiliates to avoid a default under our power purchase agreement by continuing to provide adequate security to supplement or replace their guarantee of Williams’ performance under the power purchase agreement;

      our ability to find a replacement power purchaser on favorable or reasonable terms, if necessary;

      an adequate merchant market after the expiration or in the event of a termination of the power purchase agreement;

      capital shortfalls and access to additional capital on reasonable terms, or in the event that the power purchase agreement is terminated;

      inadequate insurance coverage;

      unexpected expenses or lower than expected revenues;

      environmental and regulatory compliance;

      terrorist acts and adverse reactions to United States anti-terrorism activities; and

      the additional factors that are unknown to us or beyond our control.

 

17



 

We have no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

As discussed in Note 11 to the unaudited condensed financial statements, the Company’s March 31, 2003 financial statements have been restated. The accompanying management discussion and analysis give effect to that restatement.

 

General

 

AES Ironwood, L.L.C. was formed on October 30, 1998 to develop, construct, own, operate and maintain its Facility. We were dormant until June 25, 1999, the date of the sale of our senior secured bonds. We obtained $308.5 million of project financing from the sale of our senior secured bonds. The total cost of the construction of our Facility was approximately $330 million, which was financed by the proceeds from the sale of the senior secured bonds and the equity contributions described below.  The Facility granted provisional acceptance on December 27, 2001 and was declared commercially available on December 28, 2001. On March 12, 2003 the Facility granted final acceptance.

 

Energy Revenues

 

We generate energy revenues under our power purchase agreement with Williams. During the 20-year term of the agreement, we also expect to sell electric energy and capacity produced by the Facility, as well as ancillary and fuel conversion services. Under the power purchase agreement, we also generate revenues from meeting (1) base electrical output guarantees and (2) heat rate bonuses through efficient electrical output.

 

Upon its expiration, or in the event that the power purchase agreement is terminated prior to its 20- year term, we would seek to generate energy revenues from the sale of electric energy and capacity into the merchant market or under new short- or long-term power purchase or similar agreements.  There can be no assurances as to whether such efforts would be successful.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Under an agreement with AES Prescott, L.L.C., we are required to reimburse all operator costs on a monthly basis.  Operator costs generally consist of all direct costs and overhead. Additionally, a monthly operator fee of approximately $400 thousand, subject to annual adjustment, is payable on each bond payment date.

 

Recent and New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (“FIN No. 46”).  In October 2003, FASB Staff Position No. 46-6, “Effective Date of FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” deferred the effective date of FIN No. 46 for variable interests held by a public entity in a variable interest entity (“VIE”) that was created or acquired before February 1, 2003 to the end of the first interim or annual period ending after December 15, 2003.  In December 2003, FASB issued FIN 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (“FIN 46(r)”), which clarified some requirements and incorporated several staff positions that we were already required to apply.  In addition, FIN 46(r) deferred the

 

18



 

effective date for VIEs that were created or acquired before February 1, 2003 and were not considered special purpose entities (“SPEs”) prior to the issuance of the interpretation until the end of the first quarter ending March 31, 2004.  FIN 46(r) defines a VIE as (i) any entity in which the equity investors at risk in such entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (ii) any entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties.  It requires the consolidation of the VIE by the primary beneficiary.  The adoption of FIN 46(r) requires us to include disclosures for non SPE VIEs created or acquired on or after February 1, 2003 in our financial statements related to the total assets and the maximum exposure to loss resulting from our interests in VIEs.  The adoption of FIN 46(r) for VIEs created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003 that were considered SPEs prior to the issuance of the interpretation did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.  We have assessed the impact of the provisions of FIN 46(r) on our financial statements for VIEs created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003 that were not considered SPEs prior to the issuance of the interpretation, and do not believe that the impact will be material.

 

Equity Contributions

 

We, along with AES Ironwood, Inc., entered into an equity subscription agreement, pursuant to which AES Ironwood, Inc. was required to contribute up to $50.1 million to us to fund project costs after the bond proceeds have been fully utilized.  As of December 31, 2003, AES Ironwood, Inc. had made net contributions of $38.8 million of equity capital.  Upon final acceptance of the plant, no further contribution is required.  On March 12, 2003, final acceptance of the plant was granted to Siemens Westinghouse so AES Ironwood, Inc. is no longer required to contribute funds to us.

 

Results of Operations

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

 

Operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were approximately $14.0 million compared to $12.1 million for the comparable period of the prior calendar year. This amount consists of capacity payments of approximately $4.0 million per month in 2004 and $4.0 million per month in 2003. During February 2004, Williams paid approximately $1.1 million in respect of 2002 availability bonus. This amount was included with operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The remainder of the operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 consists of fuel conversion payments, start-up payments and heat rate bonus payments in the amount of $430 thousand, $277 thousand and $51 thousand, respectively. There was an increase in fuel conversion services in 2004 primarily because we were dispatched for approximately 241 hours during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and approximately 109 hours for the comparable period of the prior calendar year; and greater payments were received for fuel conversion and heat rate bonus in 2004 than 2003. Under EITF 91-6, as it applies to our power purchase agreement, fixed capacity revenues are reflected on the straight-line basis over the life of the power purchase agreement. Differences between the actual capacity payments and the straight-line method are recorded as deferred revenue.

 

Depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was approximately $2.7 million compared to $2.6 million for the comparable period of the prior calendar year.

 

Operating fees for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were flat compared to the comparable period of the prior calendar year. Operating fees are slightly higher during the current quarter as

 

19



 

these fees are adjusted annually for inflation. We entered into a Development and Operations Services Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1999, with AES Prescott, L.L.C. by which AES Prescott, L.L.C. provided development and construction management services and is providing operating and maintenance services for our Facility for a period of 27 years.

 

Operating costs for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were $822 thousand, compared with $1.71 million for the comparable period of the prior calendar year. Other operating costs include, but are not limited to, fuel paid for facility testing, non-dispatch payments, heat rate penalty and emissions allowances. The decrease in 2004 is primarily due to higher costs paid for fuel, heat rate and non- dispatch penalties during 2003. We are required to perform an annual winter capability test during the months of December through February. If the Facility is dispatched during those months, we can perform the test during a two hour period at base load. By performing the test during such a period, we are not required to pay for fuel used during the test, as fuel is supplied by Williams in such circumstances. During 2004 the plant was dispatched and we performed the test accordingly. During the same period in 2003, the Facility was not dispatched, and we were obligated to perform the test at our cost. The cost of fuel used for the test was $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to approximately $828 thousand for the comparable period of the prior calendar year. Non-dispatch payments for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were $17 thousand compared to approximately $205 thousand for the comparable period of the prior calendar year.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004, other income was $6 thousand compared to $233 thousand for the comparable period of the prior calendar year. The decrease in 2004 is due to higher heat rate and interim rebates invoiced to Siemens Westinghouse in the first quarter of 2003. The rebates ended in March 2003 with the granting of final acceptance

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004, interest expense on the bond proceeds was $6.67 million, compared to $6.78 million for the comparable period of the prior calendar year. The decrease in 2004 is due to payments of bond principal resulting in a lower interest calculation.

 

As a result of the foregoing, we had a net income of $459 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to a net loss of $2,229 thousand for the comparable period of the prior calendar year.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The minimum cash flow from Williams under the power purchase agreement is approximately $4.1 million per month or approximately $49 million annually. Net operating cash outflows are approximately $1.3 million per month. The balance left will provide for senior debt interest and principal payments. We expect that current dispatch scenarios from Williams will yield cash flows in 2004 similar to 2003. Consistent with our revenue recognition policy discussed in Note 2 to the condensed financial statements, a portion of the amount collected has been deferred. Additionally, a significant monthly expenditure is for payment of our long term service agreement with Siemens Westinghouse. This agreement provides that we pay approximately $400 per gas turbine per equivalent operating hour. In the event we are not required to dispatch the facility, there is no charge. While operating at base load, the estimated monthly payment for the long term service agreement could be as much as $450 thousand. We believe that our cash flows are sufficient to fund our future operations and to satisfy our outstanding obligations.

 

20



 

We believe that cash flows from the sale of electricity under the power purchase agreement will be sufficient to pay ongoing project costs, including principal and interest on the senior secured bonds. After the power purchase agreement expires, we will depend on market sales of electricity.

 

In order to provide liquidity in the event of cash flow shortfalls, the debt service reserve account contains an amount equal to the debt service reserve account required balance through cash funding, issuance of the debt service reserve letter of credit or a combination of the two. For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 cash provided from operating activities was approximately $3.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively.  Additions to net income to arrive at cash provided from operating activities include such non-cash expenses as depreciation and amortization of deferred financing costs.  For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 depreciation expense was $2.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $34 thousand and $34 thousand, respectively.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004 net cash used in investing activities was $437 thousand compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The amount in 2003 was due the terms of Agreement Change Order 71, of final acceptance. As part of the agreement, approximately $2.2 million of restricted funds for a milestone payment to Siemens Westinghouse was returned to us during the first quarter of 2003.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 net cash used in financing activities was approximately $1.9 million compared to $2.1 million for the three months year ended March 31, 2003.

 

We believe that cash flows from the sale of electricity and/or minimum capacity payments under the power purchase agreement and funds available to be drawn under the debt service reserve letter of credit and the power purchase letter of credit will be sufficient to pay project costs, including ongoing expenses and principal and interest on our senior secured bonds as described above and fund costs of our commercial operations.  These beliefs are subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including those set forth above under the caption “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and there can be no assurances.

 

Cash balances at March 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:

 

Unrestricted Cash (balance in 000’s)

 

March 31, 2004

 

December 31, 2003

 

Checking account – general

 

$

25

 

$

21

 

Cash Management Account

 

395

 

389

 

Revenue Account

 

3,349

 

1,953

 

Distribution Account

 

3

 

3

 

Total Unrestricted Cash

 

$

3,772

 

$

2,366

 

 

Restricted Cash (balances in 000’s)

 

March 31, 2004

 

December 31, 2003

 

Bond Interest Account

 

$

2,231

 

$

2,241

 

Bond Principal Payment Account

 

536

 

535

 

Operating and Maintenance Account

 

1,048

 

1,047

 

Major Maintenance Reserve Account

 

707

 

707

 

Debt Reserve LOC Account

 

27

 

26

 

Total Restricted Cash

 

$

4,549

 

$

4,556

 

 

21



 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Williams currently is our sole customer for purchases of capacity, ancillary services and energy, and the sole source for fuel. Williams’ payments under the power purchase agreement are expected to provide all of our revenues during the term of the power purchase agreement. It is uncertain whether we would be able to find another purchaser or fuel supplier on similar terms for the Facility if Williams were not performing under the power purchase agreement. Any material failure by Williams to make capacity and fuel conversion payments or to supply fuel under the power purchase agreement would have a severe impact on our operations. The payment obligations of Williams under the power purchase agreement are guaranteed by The Williams Companies, Inc. The Guaranty by The Williams Companies, Inc., dated June 25, 1999 indicated the total aggregate liability to be approximately $408 million; as reduced from time to time as provided by a reduction schedule described in the guaranty (“Guaranty Cap”). At March 31, 2004, this amount was approximately $402 million.

 

Under the power purchase agreement, in the event that S&P or Moody’s rate the long-term senior unsecured debt of The Williams Companies, Inc. lower than investment grade, The Williams Companies, Inc., or an affiliate thereof, is required to replace The Williams Companies, Inc. guaranty with an alternative security that is acceptable to us. According to published sources, on July 23, 2002, S&P lowered the long term senior unsecured debt rating of The Williams Companies, Inc. to “BB-” from “BBB-”, and further lowered such rating to “B+” with a credit watch on July 25, 2002.  As of May 23, 2003 the long term senior unsecured debt rating of The Williams Companies, Inc. remained at “B+” with a negative outlook. According to published sources, on July 24, 2002, Moody’s lowered the long-term senior unsecured debt rating of The Williams Companies, Inc. to “B1” from “Baa3.”  According to published sources, this rating was further lowered on November 22, 2002 to “B3” by Moody’s. According to published sources, this rating was increased with a developing outlook on June 4, 2003 to “B2” by Moody’s. Accordingly, the Williams Companies, Inc.’s long-term senior unsecured debt is currently rated below investment grade by both S&P and Moody’s.

 

In an action related to the ratings downgrade of The Williams Companies, Inc., S&P lowered its ratings on our senior secured bonds to “BB-” from “BBB-” on July 26, 2002, and placed the rating on credit watch.  Currently the ratings remain at “BB-”with a negative outlook. On November 27, 2002, Moody’s lowered its ratings on our senior secured bonds to “B2” from “Ba2”.  We do not believe that such ratings downgrades will have any other direct or immediate effect as none of the other financing documents or project contracts have provisions that are triggered by a reduction of the ratings of the bonds.

 

To satisfy the requirements of the power purchase agreement, on September 20, 2002, Citibank, N.A. issued a $35 million Irrevocable Letter of Credit (the “Letter of Credit”) on behalf of Williams. The Letter of Credit does not alter, modify, amend or nullify the guaranty issued by The Williams Companies, Inc. in favor of us and is considered to be additional security to the security amounts provided by such guaranty. The Letter of Credit became effective on September 20, 2002 and expired upon the close of business on July 10, 2003; except that the Letter of Credit will be

 

22



 

automatically extended without amendment for successive one year periods from the present or any future expiration date hereof, unless Citibank, N.A. provides written notice of its election not to renew the Letter of Credit at least thirty days prior to any such expiration date. On June 13, 2003, Citibank, N.A. sent notification that the letter of credit will be extended to July 12, 2004. Additionally, in a Letter Agreement dated September 20, 2002, Williams agreed to (a) provide Eligible Credit Support prior to the stated expiration date of the Letter of Credit and (b) replenish any portion of the Letter of Credit or Eligible Credit Support that is drawn, reduced, cashed or redeemed, at any time, with an equal amount of Eligible Credit Support. Within twenty days prior to the expiration of the Letter of Credit and/or any expiration date of eligible credit support posted by Williams, Williams shall post eligible credit support to us in place of the Letter of Credit and/or any expiring eligible credit support unless The Williams Companies, Inc. regains and maintains its investment grade status, in which case the Letter of Credit or eligible credit support shall automatically terminate and no additional eligible credit support shall be required. We and Williams acknowledge that the posting of such Letter of Credit and Williams’ agreement and performance of the requirements of (a) and (b) as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be in full satisfaction of Williams’ obligations contained in Section 19.3 of the power purchase agreement to provide replacement security due to the downgrade of The Williams Companies, Inc. falling below investment grade status.

 

Our dependence on The Williams Companies, Inc. and its affiliates under the power purchase agreement exposes us to possible loss of revenues and fuel supply, which in turn could negatively impact cash flow and financial condition and could result in a default under the senior secured bonds. There can be no assurance as to our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to cover operating expenses or debt service obligations in the absence of a long term power purchase agreement with Williams or its affiliates

 

Business Strategy and Outlook

 

Our overall business strategy is to market and sell all of our net capacity, fuel conversion and ancillary services to Williams during the 20-year term of the power purchase agreement. After expiration or in the event of an early termination of the power purchase agreement, we anticipate selling our Facility’s capacity; ancillary services and energy in the spot market or under a short or long term power purchase agreement or into the Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Maryland power pool market. We intend to cause our Facility to be managed, operated, and maintained in compliance with the project contracts and all applicable legal requirements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

General

 

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. The significant accounting policies which we believe are most critical to understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:  Revenue Recognition; Property Plant and Equipment and Contingencies.

 

23



 

Revenue Recognition

 

We generate energy revenues under our power purchase agreement with Williams. During the 20-year term of the agreement, we expect to sell electric energy and capacity produced by the facility, as well as ancillary and fuel conversion services. Under the power purchase agreement, we also generate revenues from meeting (1) base electrical output guarantees and (2) heat rate rebates through efficient electrical output. Revenues from the sales of electric energy are recorded based on output delivered at rates as specified under contract terms. Revenues from capacity are recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract. Amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.  Revenues for ancillary and other services are recorded when the services are rendered.

 

Upon its expiration, or in the event that the power purchase agreement is terminated prior to its 20 year term, we would seek to generate energy revenues from the sale of electric energy and capacity into the merchant market or under new short- or long-term power purchase or similar agreements. There can be no assurances as to whether such efforts would be successful.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost and is depreciated over its useful life. The plant is depreciated using a ten percent salvage value based on estimates from a third party engineer. We believe 10% salvage value to be reasonable and appropriate, and we intend to periodically re-evaluate this percentage. The estimated lives of our generation facilities range from 5 to 40 years. A significant decrease in the estimated useful life of a material amount of our property, plant or equipment could have a material adverse impact on our operating results in the period in which the estimate is revised and subsequent periods.

 

Description of
Asset

 

Depreciable
Life

 

Net Book Value at
March 31, 2004

 

Net Book Value at
December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

 

Plant

 

40

 

$

223,299

 

$

224,627

 

Buildings

 

40

 

828

 

833

 

Land Improvements

 

40

 

10,573

 

10,643

 

Equipment

 

40

 

2,012

 

2,023

 

Rotable Turbine Parts

 

7-28

 

46,020

 

46,992

 

Development Costs

 

25

 

22,243

 

22,513

 

Furniture & Fixtures

 

15

 

687

 

696

 

Data Processing Equipment

 

7

 

418

 

440

 

Vehicles

 

5

 

217

 

228

 

Projects

 

na

 

2,266

 

1,934

 

Spare Parts

 

na

 

2,509

 

2,406

 

 

 

 

 

$

311,072

 

$

313,335

 

 

Contingencies

 

We had ongoing disputes, including arbitrations with Williams, relating to the parties power purchase agreement.  The most recent arbitration was bifurcated into two phases, and an award was issued on Phase I on February 3, 2004.  The primary issue in Phase I related to various aspects of the availability of the facility for the year ended December 31, 2002, including disputes over the amount of any availability bonus or penalty.  Phase II of the arbitration involves a dispute concerning the

 

24



 

proper duration of facility start-ups and shutdowns, including fuel used during start-ups and shutdowns.  While Phase I of the arbitration was limited to billing disputes in 2002, many of the same issues are disputed between the parties for 2003 billings.

 

The arbitral panel’s award on Phase I of the arbitration was in support of the our position regarding how to treat facility availability and the applicable rules of PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. in the billing dispute with us over the availability of the facility.  The panel declined, however, to decide the facility’s availability during 43 disputed maintenance events.  Instead, it encouraged the parties to reach a mutual resolution of the disputed events by applying the correct PJM rule and, failing mutual agreement, to submit the dispute to a third party engineer for resolution.  The parties are currently discussing possible resolution of the disputed events, and anticipate submitting any events that cannot be resolved by mutual agreement to a third party.  Until the matter is fully resolved, the availability of the facility, and certain payments that are calculated based on availability, cannot be determined.  However, based on the panel’s award and our negotiations with Williams, we anticipate we will be paid some portion of our claimed availability bonus for 2002 and 2003 and that we do not owe an amount for annual availability capacity adjustment or fuel conversion volume rebate. In February 2004, Williams paid the Company approximately $1.1 million in respect of the Company’s claimed availability bonus for 2003. This amount is included in operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Also as a result of the panel’s Phase I Award, we will begin pre-funding a cash account on a quarterly basis to reflect the maximum amount of a fuel conversion volume rebate that might be payable to Williams if the facility operates the requisite number of hours to earn the maximum rebate available under the power purchase agreement.  The maximum theoretical amount of the fuel conversion volume rebate is $1.7 million, but the account will not be fully funded during the course of the year if the facility is not operated a sufficient number of hours to achieve the maximum fuel conversion volume rebate.  Depending on the amount of facility operation, we may be entitled to withdraw some of the funds deposited into the account during the second half of our fiscal year.  Based on the arbitral award, no payment for a fuel conversion volume rebates were due for 2002 or 2003. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company has determined that approximately $71 thousand should be deposited into this account and did so on April 1, 2004.

 

On March 12, 2004 the parties settled Phase II of the arbitration between Williams and us, which involved Williams’ claims that the duration of start-ups and shutdowns should be shortened, with a corresponding reduction in the volume of fuel consumed during such operations.  The settlement resolves and releases, without any payment by us, Williams’ claim that it should be reimbursed retroactively to the date of commercial operation for excess fuel allegedly consumed during start-ups and shutdowns.  An agreed order of dismissal was submitted requesting the arbitral panel to dismiss Phase II of the arbitration with prejudice.  The settlement of Phase II has no impact on Phase I of the arbitration.  The parties continue to negotiate in an effort to settle issues left unresolved by the Award in Phase I.

 

We will continue to discuss with Williams the calculation of these amounts but are unable to predict the outcome of these discussions and their potential impact on our ability to collect these revenue items either for 2004 or in the future.

 

25



 

Commitments

 

Bonds

 

Interest on the bonds is payable quarterly in arrears.  Quarterly principal payments on the bonds commenced on February 28, 2002.  The final maturity date for the bonds is November 30, 2025.

 

Repayments subsequent to March 31, 2004 are as follows:

 

Year

 

Principal

 

Interest

 

Total

 

2004

 

$

4,767

 

$

19,835

 

$

24,602

 

2005

 

7,032

 

25,931

 

32,963

 

2006

 

7,156

 

25,304

 

32,460

 

2007

 

9,132

 

24,605

 

33,737

 

2008

 

11,352

 

23,723

 

35,075

 

2009-2025

 

260,744

 

222,316

 

483,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total payments (000’s)

 

$

300,183

 

$

341,714

 

$

641,897

 

 

Operations Agreement

 

We entered into a Development and Operations Services Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1999, with AES Prescott by which AES Prescott is providing development and construction management services and, after the commercial operation date, operating and maintenance services for our facility for a period of 27 years. Under the operations agreement, AES Prescott is responsible for, among other things, preparing plans and budgets related to start-up and commercial operation of our facility, providing qualified operating personnel, making repairs, purchasing consumables and spare parts (not otherwise provided under the maintenance services agreement) and providing other services as needed according to industry standards. During fiscal year 2002, AES Prescott was compensated for the services on a cost plus fixed-fee basis of $425 thousand per month.  The fee is adjusted annually by the change in Gross Domestic Product, Implicit Price Deflator.  Total fees paid by us were $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004.  Under the services agreement between AES Prescott and The AES Corporation, The AES Corporation provides to AES Prescott all of the personnel and services necessary for AES Prescott to comply with its obligations under the operations agreement.

 

The following table is an estimate of management fees paid through the end of the contract, using an annual inflation rate of 2.7% (in thousands):

 

Payments subsequent to March 31, 2004 are as follows:

(000’s)

 

Year

 

Management Fee

 

2004

 

$

3,911

 

2005

 

5,356

 

2006

 

5,501

 

2007

 

5,649

 

2008

 

5,802

 

2009-2025

 

126,424

 

Total payments

 

$

152,643

 

 

26



 

Maintenance Agreement

 

The Company, as assignee of AES Ironwood, Inc., has entered into the Maintenance Program Parts, Shop Repairs and Scheduled Outage TFA Services Contract, dated as of September 23, 1998, with Siemens Westinghouse by which Siemens Westinghouse will provide the Company with, among other things, combustion turbine parts, shop repairs and scheduled outage technical field assistance services.

 

The maintenance services agreement became effective on the date of execution and unless terminated early, must terminate upon completion of shop repairs performed by Siemens Westinghouse following the eighth scheduled outage of the applicable combustion turbine or 10 years from initial synchronization of the applicable combustion turbine, whichever occurs first.

 

The maintenance services agreement provides that we will pay a fixed amount, adjusted by inflation over the term, of the agreement. The payments are also based on the equivalent operating hours of the combustion turbines. The plant has typically been dispatched during the months of June, July, August, and September. The remaining months have typically seen little or no activity. The amounts shown in the table under maximum indicate dispatching the plant at base load for approximately 85% of the year. We do not believe this will be a likely occurrence:

 

Payments subsequent to March 31, 2004 are as follows:

(000’s)

 

Year

 

Minimum

 

Maximum

 

2004

 

$

-0-

 

$

5,340

 

2005

 

-0-

 

5,978

 

2006

 

-0-

 

6,139

 

2007

 

-0-

 

6,305

 

2008

 

-0-

 

6,475

 

2009

 

-0-

 

6,650

 

2010

 

-0-

 

6,829

 

Total payments

 

$

-0-

 

$

43,716

 

 

Item 4.              CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our President and our Principal Financial Officer, based on the evaluation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)) as required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, have concluded that as of March 31, 2004, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

27



 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.               LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company had ongoing disputes, including arbitration with Williams, relating to the parties power purchase agreement.  The arbitration was bifurcated into two phases, and an award was issued on Phase I on February 3, 2004.  The primary issue in Phase I related to various aspects of the availability of the facility for the year ended December 31, 2002, including disputes over the amount of any availability bonus or penalty.  Phase II of the arbitration involves a dispute concerning the proper duration of facility start-ups and shutdowns, including fuel used during start-ups and shutdowns.  While Phase I of the arbitration was limited to billing disputes in 2002, many of the same issues are disputed between the parties for 2003 billings. Refer to Note 7 of the condensed financial statements.

 

Item 6.               EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)   Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer required by Rules 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer required by Rules 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

 

32

 

Certification required by Rules 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

 

The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended March 31, 2004.

 

28



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

AES IRONWOOD, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 13, 2004

By:

/s/ A.W. Bergeron

 

 

 

A.W. Bergeron

 

 

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 13, 2004

By:

/s/ Michael Carlson

 

 

 

Michael Carlson

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

29