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8-K - FORM 8-K - EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/form8-ker.htm
EX-99.02 - EANRINGS PRESENTATION - EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/exh9902erpresentation.htm



Exhibit 99.01
    
NEWS RELEASE

    
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Investor
Date: February 22, 2012
Media
Relations:
 
Teresa Souza
Steve Busser
 
915/543-5823
915/543-5983
 
 
Lisa Budtke
 
 
915/543-5947



El Paso Electric Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual Financial Results


Overview

For the fourth quarter of 2011, EE reported net income of $5.5 million, or $0.14 basic and $0.13 diluted earnings per share, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2010, EE reported net income of $7.5 million, or $0.18 and $0.17 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, EE reported net income of $103.5 million, or $2.49 and $2.48 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 was $100.6 million, or $2.32 and $2.31 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively and income before extraordinary item for the same period was $90.3 million, or $2.08 and $2.07 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively.


“We were pleased with our earnings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. Revenues from retail customers increased 6.3% primarily resulting from the hotter than normal summer weather our service territory experienced this year and the continued growth in the number of customers served,” said David W. Stevens, Chief Executive Officer. “Fourth quarter 2011 earnings declined relative to fourth quarter 2010 earnings largely as the result of increased maintenance at our local generating plants and a reduction of capitalized carrying charges due to placing Newman 5, Phase II in service earlier in the year.”


 
Page 1 of 14
 
 
El Paso Electric ŸP.O.Box 982 Ÿ El Paso, Texas 79960
 



Earnings Summary

The table and explanations below present the major factors affecting 2011 net income relative to 2010 income before the extraordinary item in 2010.

 
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
 
Pre-Tax
Effect
 
After-Tax
Income
 
Basic
EPS
 
Pre-Tax
Effect
 
After-Tax
Income
 
Basic
EPS
December 31, 2010
 
 
$
7,466

 
$
0.18

 
 
 
$
90,317

 
$
2.08

Changes in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail non-fuel base revenue
$
2,120

 
1,336

 
0.03

 
$
33,647

 
21,198

 
0.51

 
Transmission revenues
354

 
223

 

 
5,075

 
3,197

 
0.08

 
Operations and maintenance at fossil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     fuel generating plants
(3,652
)
 
(2,301
)
 
(0.06
)
 
(5,913
)
 
(3,725
)
 
(0.09
)
 
AFUDC
(2,460
)
 
(2,087
)
 
(0.05
)
 
(4,478
)
 
(3,804
)
 
(0.09
)
 
Customer care expense
(1,545
)
 
(973
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(3,284
)
 
(2,069
)
 
(0.05
)
 
Transmission and distribution operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     and maintenance expense
(416
)
 
(262
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(3,117
)
 
(1,964
)
 
(0.05
)
 
Retained off-system sales margins
(158
)
 
(100
)
 

 
(6,247
)
 
(3,935
)
 
(0.10
)
 
Elimination of Medicare Part D tax benefit

 

 

 

 
4,787

 
0.11

 
Other
 
 
2,151

 
0.06

 
 
 
(463
)
 
(0.01
)
 
Total changes
 
 
(2,013
)
 
(0.05
)
 
 
 
13,222

 
0.31

December 31, 2011
 
 
$
5,453

 
0.13

 
 
 
$
103,539

 
2.39

 
Change in weighted average number of
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     shares
 
 
 
 
0.01

 
 
 
 
 
0.10

December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
$
0.14

 
 
 
 
 
$
2.49


Fourth Quarter 2011

Earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 when compared to the same period last year were positively affected by:

Increased retail non-fuel base revenues due to a 2.5% increase in kWh sales to retail customers reflecting increased sales primarily to our large commercial and industrial customers as compared to the same period in 2010 and 1.3% growth in the average number of retail customers served.

Earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 when compared to the same period last year was negatively affected by:

Increased planned maintenance outages at our local fossil fuel generating plants and freeze protection upgrades.
Decreased allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) primarily due to lower balances of construction work in progress subject to AFUDC.
Increased customer care expense primarily due to an increase in uncollectible customer accounts and increased costs for customer-related activities.



 
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El Paso Electric ŸP.O.Box 982 Ÿ El Paso, Texas 79960
 



Year to Date

Earnings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, when compared to the same period last year, were positively affected by:

Increased retail non-fuel base revenues due to a 3.1% increase in kWh sales to retail customers reflecting hotter summer weather when we have higher non-fuel base summer rates and 1.4% growth in the average number of retail customers served in 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, cooling degree days were 14% above the same period in 2010 and 30% above the 30-year average.
Lower income taxes in 2011 due to a one-time charge to income tax expense in 2010 to recognize a change in tax law enacted in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to eliminate the tax benefit related to the Medicare Part D subsidies.
A decrease in the weighted average number of shares outstanding as a result of our common stock repurchase program resulting in an increase in basic earnings per share of $0.10.
Increased transmission revenues primarily due to a settlement agreement with Tucson Electric Power Company resolving a transmission dispute that resulted in one-time income of $3.9 million, pre-tax and annual revenue of $1.1 million per year.

Earnings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, when compared to the same period last year were negatively affected by:

Decreased off-system sales margins primarily due to lower average market prices for power and an increase in sharing of off-system sales margins with customers from 25% to 90% effective in July 2010.
Decreased AFUDC primarily due to lower balances of construction work in progress subject to AFUDC.
Increased maintenance at our local gas-fired generating plants largely as a result of weather-related damage during severe winter weather in February 2011 and freeze protection upgrades.
Increased customer care expense primarily due to increased costs for customer-related activities, an increase in uncollectible customer accounts, and an increase in payroll costs.
Increased transmission and distribution operations and maintenance expense primarily due to increased wheeling expense, a reliability study for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and an increase in payroll costs.

Retail Non-fuel Base Revenues

Retail non-fuel base revenues increased by $2.1 million, pre-tax, or 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to: (i) a $0.8 million increase in revenues from large commercial and industrial customers reflecting a 6.8% increase in kWh sales; (ii) a $0.8 million increase in revenues from small commercial and industrial customers reflecting a 4.0% increase in the average number of customers served; (iii) a $0.5 million increase in revenues from residential customers reflecting a 1.1% growth in the average number of customers served. Revenues from other public authorities remained relatively unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year. Non-fuel base revenues and kilowatt-hour sales are provided by customer class on page 10 of the Release.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, retail non-fuel base revenues increased by $33.6 million, pre-tax, or 6.3% compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to a 3.1% increase in kWh sales to retail customers, reflecting hotter summer weather when we have higher non-fuel base summer rates, and 1.4% growth in the average number of retail customers served. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, cooling degree days were 14% above the same period in 2010 and 30% above the 30-year average. KWh sales

 
Page 3 of 14
 
 
El Paso Electric ŸP.O.Box 982 Ÿ El Paso, Texas 79960
 



to residential customers and small commercial and industrial customers increased 5.0% and 2.5%, respectively, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period last year. Sales to other public authorities increased due to increased sales to Fort Bliss at higher non-fuel base rates. Non-fuel base revenues and kilowatt-hour sales are provided by customer class on page 12 of the Release.

Off-system Sales

We make off-system sales in the wholesale power markets when competitively priced excess power is available from our generating plants and purchased power contracts. Off-system sales margins were negatively affected by lower costs of natural gas that impact the average market prices in the wholesale power markets. Off-system sales margins were also negatively impacted by power purchases required for system reliability during extremely cold weather in February 2011. The Company shared 25% of off-system sales margins with customers and retained 75% of off-system sales margins through June 30, 2010 pursuant to rate agreements in prior years. Effective July 1, 2010, we share 90% of off-system sales margins with customers and retain 10% of off-system sales margins. Retained margins from off-system sales decreased approximately $0.2 million and $6.2 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2011, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2010.

Palo Verde License Extension

On April 21, 2011, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted extensions in the operating licenses for all three units at Palo Verde. The operating licenses for Units 1, 2 and 3 will now expire in 2045, 2046, and 2047, respectively. For the second, third and fourth quarters of 2011 combined, the extension of the operating licenses reduced depreciation and amortization expense by approximately $8.2 million and reduced the accretion expense on the Palo Verde asset retirement obligation by approximately $3.1 million.

Rate Matters

We filed a request with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the “PUCT”) (Docket No. 40094), the City of El Paso, and other Texas cities on February 1, 2012 for a $26.3 million increase in rates charged to customers in Texas. The rate filing was made in response to a resolution adopted by the El Paso City Council requiring us to show cause why our base rates for customers in El Paso city limits should not be reduced. The City of El Paso has until August 4, 2012 to make a determination regarding our base rates in the city. The rate filing used a historical test year ended September 30, 2011, adjusted for known and measurable items, and a return on equity of 10.6%. The filing at the PUCT also includes a request to reconcile $356.5 million of fuel expense for the period July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2011.

On November 15, 2011, the El Paso City Council adopted a resolution that established current rates as temporary rates for our customers residing within the city limits of El Paso. Temporary rates will be effective from November 15, 2011 until a final determination in the rate case is rendered by the PUCT.

While cities in Texas have jurisdiction over rates within their city limits, the PUCT has appellate authority over city rate decisions on a “de novo” basis. Therefore, the ultimate authority to set our Texas electric rates is vested in the PUCT. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding. If the rate case results in the implementation of lower rates, then the resulting lower rates would have a negative impact on our revenues, net income, and cash from operations.

Capital and Liquidity

We continue to maintain a strong capital structure to ensure access to capital markets at reasonable rates. At December 31, 2011, common stock equity represented 46.3% of our capitalization (common stock equity, long-

 
Page 4 of 14
 
 
El Paso Electric ŸP.O.Box 982 Ÿ El Paso, Texas 79960
 



term debt and the current maturities of long-term debt, and short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility). At December 31, 2011, we had a balance of $8.2 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Cash flows from operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 were $251.5 million compared to $239.4 million in the corresponding period in 2010. The increase in cash flows from operations reflects the increase in net income before a non-cash extraordinary gain in 2010. Cash flows were also impacted by an increase in deferred income taxes and an increase in accounts payable, offset by the timing of collection of fuel revenues to recover actual fuel expenses in 2011 compared to 2010. The difference between fuel revenues collected and fuel expense incurred is deferred to be either refunded (over-recoveries) or surcharged (under-recoveries) to customers in the future. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, the Company had an under-recovery of fuel costs, net of refunds, of $26.0 million as compared to an over-recovery, net of refunds, of $1.0 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2011, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $7.0 million, including an under-recovery balance of $9.1 million in Texas partially offset by an over-recovery balance of $2.1 million in New Mexico.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, our primary capital requirements were for the construction and purchase of electric utility plant, the repurchase of common stock, purchases of nuclear fuel, and payment of common stock dividends. Capital requirements for new electric plant were $178.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and $170.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

On March 21, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized repurchases of up to 2.5 million additional shares of the Company's outstanding common stock (the “2011 Plan”). During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, we repurchased 2,782,455 shares of common stock in the open market at an aggregate cost of $86.5 million, including 280,389 shares repurchased in the fourth quarter at an aggregate cost of $9.2 million as authorized under both our previously authorized plan and under the 2011 Plan. As of December 31, 2011, 393,816 shares remain available for repurchase under the 2011 Plan. The Company may repurchase shares in the open market from time to time.

We maintain a $200 million revolving credit facility for working capital and general corporate purposes and the financing of nuclear fuel through the Rio Grande Resources Trust (“RGRT”). RGRT is the trust through which we finance our portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde and is consolidated in the Company's financial statements. In November 2011, we refinanced and extended our $200 million revolving credit facility, which includes an option, subject to lenders' approval, to expand the size to $300 million. The amended facility reduces our borrowing costs and extends the maturity from September 2014 to September 2016. The total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT was $123.4 million at December 31, 2011, of which $13.4 million had been borrowed under the revolving credit facility and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. At December 31, 2010, the total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT was $114.7 million of which $4.7 million was borrowed under the revolving credit facility and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. Interest costs on borrowings to finance nuclear fuel are accumulated by RGRT and charged to us as fuel is consumed and recovered from customers through fuel recovery charges. At December 31, 2011, $20.0 million was outstanding under the revolving credit facility for working capital and general corporate purposes.

On December 30, 2011, we paid $8.8 million of quarterly dividends to shareholders. We have paid a total of $27.2 million in cash dividends during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. On January 26, 2012, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share payable on March 30, 2012 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2012. At the current payout rate, we would expect to pay total cash dividends of approximately $35.2 million during 2012. The Board of Directors plans to review the Company's dividend policy annually, in conjunction with the annual shareholders meeting held in the second quarter of each year. Our current expectation is that our payout ratio will trend upward from its current level, with a payout ratio of approximately 45% being the anticipated target for 2012.


 
Page 5 of 14
 
 
El Paso Electric ŸP.O.Box 982 Ÿ El Paso, Texas 79960
 



We believe we have adequate liquidity through our current cash balances, cash from operations, and our revolving credit facility to meet all of our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months. In addition, we anticipate issuing long-term debt in the capital markets to finance capital requirements in 2012. In October 2011, we received approval from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to incrementally issue up to $300 million of long-term debt as and when needed. Obtaining the ability to issue up to $300 million of new long-term debt, from time to time, provides us with the flexibility to access the debt capital markets when needed and when conditions are favorable.
  
2012 Earnings Guidance

We are providing earnings guidance for 2012 within a range of $2.15 to $2.55 per basic share excluding any impacts of the Texas rate case filed on February 1, 2012.
 
Conference Call

A conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2011 earnings is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, February 22, 2012. The dial-in number is 800-598-5161 with a conference ID of 6676054. The conference leader will be Steven P. Busser, Vice President - Treasurer of EE. A replay will run through March 7, 2012 with a dial-in number of 888-203-1112 and a conference ID of 6676054. The conference call and presentation slides will be webcast live on EE's website found at http://www.epelectric.com. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call.

Safe Harbor

This news release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (i)  our rates in Texas following the rate case filed on February 1, 2012 pursuant to the El Paso City Council's resolution ordering EE to show cause why our base rates for El Paso customers should not be lower; (ii) increased prices for fuel and purchased power and the possibility that regulators may not permit EE to pass through all such increased costs to customers or to recover previously incurred fuel costs in rates; (iii) recovery of capital investments and operating costs through rates in Texas and New Mexico; (iv) uncertainties and instability in the general economy and the resulting impact on EE's sales and profitability; (v) unanticipated increased costs associated with scheduled and unscheduled outages; (vi) the size of our construction program and our ability to complete construction on budget and on time; (vii) costs at Palo Verde; (viii) deregulation and competition in the electric utility industry; (ix) possible increased costs of compliance with environmental or other laws, regulations and policies; (x) possible income tax and interest payments as a result of audit adjustments proposed by the IRS; (xi) uncertainties and instability in the financial markets and the resulting impact on EE's ability to access the capital and credit markets; and (xii) other factors detailed by EE in its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EE's filings are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission or may be obtained through EE's website, http://www.epelectric.com. Any such forward-looking statement is qualified by reference to these risks and factors. EE cautions that these risks and factors are not exclusive. EE does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of EE except as required by law.






 
Page 6 of 14
 
 
El Paso Electric ŸP.O.Box 982 Ÿ El Paso, Texas 79960
 



El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
 Consolidated Statements of Operations
 Quarter Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
 (In thousands except for per share data)
 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues, net of energy expenses:
 
 
 
 

 
 
Base revenues
$
119,486

 
$
117,389

 
$
2,097

(a)
 
Off-system sales margins, net of sharing
137

 
295

 
(158
)
 
 
Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues
3,176

 
2,863

 
313

 
 
Other
7,935

 
5,819

 
2,116

 
Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses
130,734

 
126,366

 
4,368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operations and maintenance
52,094

 
47,458

 
4,636

 
 
Palo Verde operations and maintenance
29,660

 
30,798

 
(1,138
)
 
Taxes other than income taxes
12,430

 
13,451

 
(1,021
)
 
Other income (deductions)
446

 
1,065

 
(619
)
 
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
36,996

 
35,724

 
1,272

(b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
20,556

 
20,875

 
(319
)
 
Interest on long-term debt
13,520

 
13,448

 
72

 
AFUDC and capitalized interest
4,044

 
6,396

 
(2,352
)
 
Other interest expense
212

 
141

 
71

 
Income Before Income Taxes
6,752

 
7,656

 
(904
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
1,299

 
190

 
1,109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
5,453

 
$
7,466

 
$
(2,013
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share
$
0.14

 
$
0.18

 
$
(0.04
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
$
0.13

 
$
0.17

 
$
(0.04
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.22

 
$

 
$
0.22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
39,957

 
42,415

 
(2,458
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive
 
 
 
 

 
 
potential shares outstanding
40,210

 
42,669

 
(2,459
)
 

(a) Base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates of $16.3 million and $16.0 million, respectively.
(b) EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a substitute for net income or other measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP.


Page 7 of 14



El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
 Consolidated Statements of Operations
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
 (In thousands except for per share data)
 (Unaudited)
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
Operating revenues, net of energy expenses:
 
 
 
 

 
 
Base revenues
$
572,078

 
$
538,252

 
$
33,826

(a)
 
Off-system sales margins, net of sharing
(560
)
 
5,687

 
(6,247
)
 
 
Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues
14,820

 
16,103

 
(1,283
)
 
 
Other
33,019

 
25,464

 
7,555

(b)
Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses
619,357

 
585,506

 
33,851

 
Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operations and maintenance
192,155

 
180,522

 
11,633

 
 
Palo Verde operations and maintenance
99,507

 
100,522

 
(1,015
)
 
Taxes other than income taxes
55,561

 
54,489

 
1,072

 
Other income (deductions)
3,362

 
3,477

 
(115
)
 
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
275,496

 
253,450

 
22,046

(c)
Depreciation and amortization
81,331

 
81,011

 
320

 
Interest on long-term debt
54,115

 
50,826

 
3,289

 
AFUDC and capitalized interest
18,186

 
19,974

 
(1,788
)
 
Other interest expense
989

 
254

 
735

 
Income Before Income Taxes and Extraordinary Item
157,247

 
141,333

 
15,914

 
Income tax expense
53,708

 
51,016

 
2,692

(d)
Income Before Extraordinary Item
103,539

 
90,317

 
13,222

 
Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of income tax expense of $5,769

 
10,286

 
(10,286
)
 
Net Income
$
103,539

 
$
100,603

 
$
2,936

 
Basic Earnings per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before extraordinary item
$
2.49

 
$
2.08

 
$
0.41

 
 
Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of tax

 
0.24

 
(0.24
)
 
 
    Net Income
$
2.49

 
$
2.32

 
$
0.17

 
Diluted Earnings per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before extraordinary item
$
2.48

 
$
2.07

 
$
0.41

 
 
Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of tax

 
0.24

 
(0.24
)
 
 
    Net Income
$
2.48

 
$
2.31

 
$
0.17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.66

 
$

 
$
0.66

 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
41,350

 
43,130

 
(1,780
)
 
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive
 
 
 
 

 
 
potential shares outstanding
41,587

 
43,294

 
(1,707
)
 

(a) Base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates of $73.5 million and $71.9 million, respectively.
(b) 2011 includes a one-time $3.9 million settlement of a transmission dispute with Tucson Electric Power Company.
(c) EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a substitute for net income or other measures of financial performance
in accordance with GAAP.
(d) Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 includes a charge of $4.8 million related to the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act which eliminated the tax benefit associated with the Medicare Part D subsidies beginning
in 2013.


Page 8 of 14




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Cash Flow Summary
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
 (In thousands and Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
103,539

 
$
100,603

 
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service
81,331

 
81,011

 
 
 
Extraordinary gain on Texas regulatory assets, net of tax

 
(10,286
)
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes, net
45,688

 
27,456

 
 
 
Other
49,768

 
36,359

 
 
Change in working capital items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net recovery (deferral) of fuel revenues
(26,001
)
 
958

 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(4,663
)
 
(1,303
)
 
 
 
Accounts payable
4,401

 
(9,634
)
 
 
 
Other
(2,546
)
 
14,186

 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
251,517

 
239,350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment
(178,041
)
 
(169,966
)
 
 
Cash additions to nuclear fuel
(39,551
)
 
(34,277
)
 
 
Decommissioning trust funds
(12,515
)
 
(11,536
)
 
 
Other
(7,298
)
 
(8,872
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash used for investing activities
(237,405
)
 
(224,651
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock
(86,508
)
 
(33,726
)
 
 
Dividends paid
(27,223
)
 

 
 
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility
28,675

 
(102,294
)
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term private placement notes

 
110,000

 
 
Other
(32
)
 
(1,285
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash used for financing activities
(85,088
)
 
(27,305
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(70,976
)
 
(12,606
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
79,184

 
91,790

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
8,208

 
$
79,184

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Page 9 of 14



El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Quarter Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
Sales and Revenues Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
MWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
555,143

 
550,164

 
4,979

 
0.9
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
536,137

 
533,313

 
2,824

 
0.5
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
278,491

 
260,860

 
17,631

 
6.8
 %
 
Sales to public authorities
378,968

 
362,167

 
16,801

 
4.6
 %
 
Total retail sales
1,748,739

 
1,706,504

 
42,235

 
2.5
 %
 
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Sales for resale
10,611

 
10,103

 
508

 
5.0
 %
 
Off-system sales
524,838

 
658,966

 
(134,128
)
 
(20.4
)%
 
Total wholesale sales
535,449

 
669,069

 
(133,620
)
 
(20.0
)%
 
Total MWh sales
2,284,188

 
2,375,573

 
(91,385
)
 
(3.8
)%
 
Operating revenues (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
47,710

 
$
47,216

 
$
494

 
1.0
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
40,890

 
40,096

 
794

 
2.0
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
10,704

 
9,897

 
807

 
8.2
 %
 
Sales to public authorities
19,782

 
19,757

 
25

 
0.1
 %
 
Total retail non-fuel base revenues
119,086

 
116,966

 
2,120

 
1.8
 %
 
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
400

 
423

 
(23
)
 
(5.4
)%
 
Total non-fuel base revenues
119,486

 
117,389

 
2,097

 
1.8
 %
 
Fuel revenues (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period (b)
35,959

 
34,707

 
1,252

 
3.6
 %
 
Under (over) collection of fuel
(3,607
)
 
(13,613
)
 
10,006

 
(73.5
)%
 
New Mexico fuel in base rates
16,303

 
15,982

 
321

 
2.0
 %
 
Total fuel revenues
48,655

 
37,076

 
11,579

 
31.2
 %
 
Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Fuel cost
13,959

 
17,874

 
(3,915
)
 
(21.9
)%
 
Shared margins
1,161

 
2,514

 
(1,353
)
 
(53.8
)%
 
Retained margins
137

 
295

 
(158
)
 
(53.6
)%
 
Total off-system sales
15,257

 
20,683

 
(5,426
)
 
(26.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Other
8,265

 
6,196

 
2,069

 
33.4
 %
 
Total operating revenues
$
191,663

 
$
181,344

 
$
10,319

 
5.7
 %
 
Average number of retail customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Residential
337,498

 
333,844

 
3,654

 
1.1
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
38,154

 
36,704

 
1,450

 
4.0
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
50

 
49

 
1

 
2.0
 %
 
Sales to public authorities
4,477

 
4,720

 
(243
)
 
(5.1
)%
 
Total
380,179

 
375,317

 
4,862

 
1.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Quarter Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
Sales and Revenues Statistics (continued)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
Number of retail customers (end of period):
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Residential
337,659

 
334,729

 
2,930

 
0.9
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
37,942

 
37,202

 
740

 
2.0
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
49

 
50

 
(1
)
 
(2.0
)%
 
Sales to public authorities
4,596

 
4,841

 
(245
)
 
(5.1
)%
 
Total
380,246

 
376,822

 
3,424

 
0.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather statistics
 
 
 
 
30 Yr Average
 
 
 
Heating degree days
1,097

 
795

 
1,049

 
 
 
Cooling degree days
138

 
131

 
93

 
 
 

(a) Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $3.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
(b) Excludes $11.5 million refund in 2010 related to prior periods Texas deferred fuel revenues.


Page 10 of 14



El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Quarter Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
Generation and Purchased Power Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2011
 
2010
 
Amount
 
Percentage
Generation and purchased power (MWh):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Palo Verde
1,107,404

 
1,177,149

 
(69,745
)
 
(5.9
)%
Four Corners
161,325

 
188,904

 
(27,579
)
 
(14.6
)%
Gas plants
682,962

 
613,654

 
69,308

 
11.3
 %
Total generation
1,951,691

 
1,979,707

 
(28,016
)
 
(1.4
)%
Purchased power
435,515

 
496,248

 
(60,733
)
 
(12.2
)%
Total available energy
2,387,206

 
2,475,955

 
(88,749
)
 
(3.6
)%
Line losses and Company use
103,018

 
100,382

 
2,636

 
2.6
 %
Total MWh sold
2,284,188

 
2,375,573

 
(91,385
)
 
(3.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Palo Verde capacity factor
80.6
%
 
85.8
%
 
(5.2
)%
 
 
Four Corners capacity factor
71.7
%
 
83.3
%
 
(11.6
)%
 
 



Page 11 of 14



El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
Sales and Revenues Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
MWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
2,633,390

 
2,508,834

 
124,556

 
5.0
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
2,352,218

 
2,295,537

 
56,681

 
2.5
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
1,096,040

 
1,087,413

 
8,627

 
0.8
 %
 
Sales to public authorities
1,579,565

 
1,542,389

 
37,176

 
2.4
 %
 
Total retail sales
7,661,213

 
7,434,173

 
227,040

 
3.1
 %
 
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Sales for resale
62,656

 
53,637

 
9,019

 
16.8
 %
 
Off-system sales
2,687,631

 
2,822,732

 
(135,101
)
 
(4.8
)%
 
Total wholesale sales
2,750,287

 
2,876,369

 
(126,082
)
 
(4.4
)%
 
Total MWh sales
10,411,500

 
10,310,542

 
100,958

 
1.0
 %
 
Operating revenues (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Residential
$
234,086

 
$
217,615

 
$
16,471

 
7.6
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
196,093

 
188,390

 
7,703

 
4.1
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
45,407

 
43,844

 
1,563

 
3.6
 %
 
Sales to public authorities
94,370

 
86,460

 
7,910

 
9.1
 %
 
Total retail non-fuel base revenues
569,956

 
536,309

 
33,647

 
6.3
 %
 
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Sales for resale
2,122

 
1,943

 
179

 
9.2
 %
 
Total non-fuel base revenues
572,078

 
538,252

 
33,826

 
6.3
 %
 
Fuel revenues: (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Recovered from customers during the period (b)
145,130

 
170,588

 
(25,458
)
 
(14.9
)%
 
Under (over) collection of fuel
13,917

 
(35,408
)
 
49,325

 

 
New Mexico fuel in base rates
73,454

 
71,876

 
1,578

 
2.2
 %
 
Total fuel revenues
232,501

 
207,056

 
25,445

 
12.3
 %
 
Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Fuel cost
74,736

 
93,516

 
(18,780
)
 
(20.1
)%
 
Shared margins
3,883

 
6,114

 
(2,231
)
 
(36.5
)%
 
Retained margins
(560
)
 
5,687

 
(6,247
)
 

 
Total off-system sales
78,059

 
105,317

 
(27,258
)
 
(25.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Other (c)
35,375

 
26,626

 
8,749

 
32.9
 %
 
Total operating revenues
$
918,013

 
$
877,251

 
$
40,762

 
4.6
 %
 
Average number of retail customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Residential
336,219

 
331,869

 
4,350

 
1.3
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
37,652

 
36,536

 
1,116

 
3.1
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
50

 
49

 
1

 
2.0
 %
 
Sales to public authorities
4,626

 
4,701

 
(75
)
 
(1.6
)%
 
Total
378,547

 
373,155

 
5,392

 
1.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
Sales and Revenues Statistics (continued)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
Number of retail customers (end of period):
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Residential
337,659

 
334,729

 
2,930

 
0.9
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
37,942

 
37,202

 
740

 
2.0
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
49

 
50

 
(1
)
 
(2.0
)%
 
Sales to public authorities
4,596

 
4,841

 
(245
)
 
(5.1
)%
 
Total
380,246

 
376,822

 
3,424

 
0.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather statistics
 
 
 
 
30 Yr Average
 
 
 
Heating degree days
2,402

 
2,273

 
2,426

 
 
 
Cooling degree days
3,135

 
2,738

 
2,410

 
 
 
 
(a) Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $14.8 million and $16.1 million, respectively.
(b) Excludes $12.0 million and $34.8 million of refunds in 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to prior periods Texas deferred fuel revenues.
(c) 2011 includes a one-time $3.9 million settlement of a transmission dispute with Tucson Electric Power Company.



Page 12 of 14



El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
Generation and Purchased Power Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2011
 
2010
 
Amount
 
Percentage
Generation and purchased power (MWh):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Palo Verde
4,942,055

 
4,925,313

 
16,742

 
0.3
 %
Four Corners
647,932

 
650,236

 
(2,304
)
 
(0.4
)%
Gas plants (a)
3,346,789

 
2,890,110

 
456,679

 
15.8
 %
Total generation
8,936,776

 
8,465,659

 
471,117

 
5.6
 %
Purchased power
2,112,596

 
2,420,869

 
(308,273
)
 
(12.7
)%
Total available energy
11,049,372

 
10,886,528

 
162,844

 
1.5
 %
Line losses and Company use
637,872

 
575,986

 
61,886

 
10.7
 %
Total MWh sold
10,411,500

 
10,310,542

 
100,958

 
1.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Palo Verde capacity factor
90.7
%
 
90.4
%
 
0.3
%
 
 
Four Corners capacity factor
75.6
%
 
72.1
%
 
3.5
%
 
 

(a) 2011 includes 193,460 MWhs for pre-commercial testing of Newman Unit 5 Phase II.



Page 13 of 14




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
 
Financial Statistics
 
At December 31, 2011 and 2010
 
(In thousands, except number of shares, book value per share, and ratios)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
8,208

 
$
79,184

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock equity
 
$
760,251

 
$
810,375

 
Long-term debt
 
816,497

 
849,745

 
 
Total capitalization
 
$
1,576,748

 
$
1,660,120

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
33,300

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility
 
$
33,379

 
$
4,704

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares - end of period
 
39,959,154

 
42,571,065

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value per common share
 
$
19.03

 
$
19.04

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common equity ratio
 
46.3
%
 
48.7
%
 
Debt ratio
 
53.7
%
 
51.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Page 14 of 14