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8-K - FORM 8-K - EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/form8-ker09x30x2012.htm
EX-99.02 - PRESENTATION AT THE 3RD QUARTER 2012 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL - EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/exh9902q32012earningspre.htm



Exhibit 99.01

NEWS RELEASE

    
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Investor
Date: November 1, 2012
Media
Relations:
 
Teresa Souza
Steve Busser
 
915/543-5823
915/543-5983
 
 
Greg Shearman
 
 
915/543-4022

El Paso Electric Announces Third Quarter Financial Results


Overview

For the third quarter of 2012, EE reported net income of $51.8 million, or $1.29 basic and diluted earnings per share. In the third quarter of 2011, EE reported net income of $58.3 million, or $1.41 and $1.40 basic and diluted earnings per share.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, EE reported net income of $86.0 million, or $2.15 and $2.14 basic and diluted earnings per share. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $98.1 million, or $2.33 and $2.32 basic and diluted earnings per share.

“Our earnings per share for the third quarter of 2012 met our expectations for lower earnings based on a return to more normal weather in our service territory and the Texas rate decrease, ” said Tom Shockley, Chief Executive Officer. “Additionally, during the third quarter of last year, we recorded a one-time revenue increase of $4.5 million to reflect the settlement of a dispute over transmission services.”







 
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 2012 net income relative to 2011 net income.

 
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
Pre-Tax
Effect
 
After-Tax
Net Income
 
Basic
EPS
 
Pre-Tax
Effect
 
After-Tax
Net Income
 
Basic
EPS
September 30, 2011
 
 
$
58,321

 
$
1.41

 
 
 
$
98,086

 
$
2.33

Changes in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
$
1,663

 
1,432

 
0.04

 
$
205

 
184

 
0.01

 
Investment and interest income
1,215

 
1,038

 
0.03

 
(882
)
 
(528
)
 
(0.01
)
 
Retail non-fuel base revenues
(8,058
)
 
(5,077
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(5,930
)
 
(3,736
)
 
(0.09
)
 
Transmission revenues
(3,692
)
 
(2,326
)
 
(0.06
)
 
(2,788
)
 
(1,756
)
 
(0.04
)
 
Employee pensions and benefits
(1,847
)
 
(1,164
)
 
(0.03
)
 
(4,312
)
 
(2,716
)
 
(0.07
)
 
Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues
(1,204
)
 
(759
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(4,551
)
 
(2,867
)
 
(0.07
)
 
Fossil-fuel plant O&M
(1,171
)
 
(738
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(4,516
)
 
(2,845
)
 
(0.07
)
 
Other
 
 
1,062

 
0.03

 
 
 
2,205

 
0.06

September 30, 2012
 
 
$
51,789

 
$
1.25

 
 
 
$
86,027

 
$
2.05

 
Change in weighted average number of shares
 
 
 
 
0.04

 
 
 
 
 
0.10

September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
$
1.29

 
 
 
 
 
$
2.15


Third Quarter 2012

Income for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the same period last year, was positively affected by:

Increased allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) due to higher balances of construction work in progress subject to AFUDC.
A decrease in the weighted average number of shares outstanding as a result of our 2011 repurchases of common stock.
Increased investment and interest income primarily due to impairments in decommissioning trust investments recorded in the third quarter of 2011 with no comparable activity in the third quarter of 2012.
 
Income for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the same period last year, was negatively affected by:

Decreased retail non-fuel base revenues due to a decrease in kWh sales in all customer classes reflecting hotter summer weather in 2011 and a reduction in non-fuel base rates for our Texas customers.
Decreased transmission revenues due to a 2011 settlement agreement with Tucson Electric Power Company involving a transmission dispute that resulted in one-time income of $4.5 million, pre-tax, recorded in the third quarter of 2011.
Increased employee pension and benefits expense reflecting lower discount rates used to determine pension and other postretirement benefits costs.
Decreased revenues from retail sales of deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 power due to lower proxy market prices associated with the decline in natural gas prices.
Increased fossil-fuel plant O&M expense primarily due to maintenance on our gas-fired generating units.

 
Page 2 of 14
 
 
El Paso Electric ŸP.O.Box 982 Ÿ El Paso, Texas 79960
 




Year to Date

Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the same period last year, were positively affected by:

A decrease in the weighted average number of shares outstanding as a result of our 2011 repurchases of common stock.

Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the same period last year, were negatively affected by:

Decreased retail non-fuel base revenues due to a 3.8% and 6.8% decrease in non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial customers and large commercial and industrial customers, respectively. Revenues from these customer classes decreased primarily due to a reduction in non-fuel base rates in Texas effective May 1, 2012. KWh sales to large commercial and industrial customers also decreased 2.8%.
Decreased revenues from retail sales of deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 power due to lower proxy market prices associated with the decline in natural gas prices and an 11% decrease in generation at Palo Verde Unit 3 due to the March 17 through April 17, 2012 refueling outage with no comparable outage in the prior year.
Increased fossil-fuel plant O&M expense primarily due to the timing of planned maintenance of our gas-fired generating units. In 2012, we performed scheduled major maintenance at Rio Grande Unit 8 and at Newman Unit 1.
Increased employee pension and benefits expense reflecting lower discount rates used to determine pension and other postretirement benefits costs.
Decreased transmission revenues due to a 2011 settlement agreement with Tucson Electric Power Company involving a transmission dispute that resulted in one-time income of $4.1 million, pre-tax, recorded in the third quarter of 2011.

Retail Non-fuel Base Revenues

Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased $8.1 million, pre-tax, or 4.2% in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 due to a decrease in kWh sales in all customer classes reflecting a return to more normal weather. In 2011, our service territory experienced hotter than normal summer weather. Cooling degree days decreased 16.2% in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, and were comparable to the 10-year average. Non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial customers and large commercial and industrial customers decreased 6.4% and 7.4%, respectively, in the third quarter primarily due to a reduction in non-fuel base rates in Texas which became effective May 1, 2012, increased use of lower interruptible rates, and decreased consumption by several large commercial and industrial customers. KWh sales to large commercial and industrial customers decreased 6.7%. KWh sales to residential customers decreased 1.7% and non-fuel base revenues from residential customers decreased 2.6%. KWH sales to public authorities decreased 2.0% and non-fuel base revenues from public authorities decreased 2.4%. Non-fuel base revenues and kilowatt-hour sales are provided by customer class on page 10 of the release.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, retail non-fuel base revenues decreased by $5.9 million, pre-tax, or 1.3% compared to the same period in 2011. The decrease in revenues was due to a reduction in non-fuel base rates to Texas customers which primarily impacted commercial and industrial customers. Non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial customers and large commercial and industrial customers decreased 3.8% and 6.8%, respectively. In addition, increased use of lower interruptible rates, and decreased consumption by several large commercial and industrial customers contributed to the decrease in non-fuel base

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



revenues. KWh sales to large commercial and industrial customers decreased 2.8%. KWh sales to residential and small commercial and industrial customers increased primarily due to the 1.4% increase in the average number of customers served. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, cooling degree days decreased 9.5% when compared to the same period in 2011 but were 7.9% above the 10-year average. KWh sales to residential customers increased 1.7% and non-fuel base revenues from residential customers increased 0.7%. KWh sales to public authorities increased 2.2% and non-fuel base revenues from public authorities increased 1.3%. Non-fuel base revenues and kilowatt-hour sales are provided by customer class on page 12 of the release.

Rate Matters

On April 17, 2012, the City Council of El Paso, Texas approved the settlement of our 2012 Texas retail rate case in PUCT Docket No. 40094. For Texas service areas outside of the city limits of El Paso, the settlement was filed with the PUCT, and the PUCT approved the settlement, on May 18, 2012. In the settlement, we agreed to a reduction in our non-fuel base rates of $15 million annually, with the decrease being allocated primarily to Texas commercial and industrial customer classes. The rate decrease was effective May 1, 2012, and we anticipate a $3.3 million reduction in non-fuel base revenues for the remaining three months of 2012 as a result of these lower rates. The settlement also allowed us to revise the depreciation rates for our gas-fired generating units and for transmission and distribution plant that will lower depreciation expense by $4.1 million annually. As a result of the settlement, depreciation expense will include a $1.0 million reduction during the remaining three months of 2012.

Capital and Liquidity

We continue to maintain a strong capital structure to ensure access to capital markets at reasonable rates. At September 30, 2012, common stock equity represented 47.7% of our capitalization (common stock equity, long-term debt, and short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility (the “RCF”)). At September 30, 2012, we had a balance of $8.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. We anticipate issuing long-term debt in the form of senior notes in the next twelve months to repay short-term borrowings and for future construction of electric plant. Based on current projections and the expected issuance of long-term debt, we believe that we will have adequate liquidity through our current cash balances, cash from operations, and available borrowings under the RCF to meet all of our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months.

Cash flows from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $201.8 million compared to $178.9 million in the corresponding period in 2011. The primary factor affecting the increased cash flow was an increase in the collection of deferred fuel revenues in 2012. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company had a fuel over-recovery, net of refunds, of $14.0 million, as compared to an under-recovery of fuel costs, net of refunds, of $29.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. At September 30, 2012, we had a net fuel over-recovery balance of $7.0 million, including $2.8 million in Texas, $4.1 million in New Mexico, and $0.1 million in FERC. On April 25, 2012, we received approval to reduce our fixed fuel factor charged to Texas retail customers effective May 1, 2012.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our primary capital requirements were for the construction and purchase of electric utility plant, purchases of nuclear fuel, and payment of common stock dividends. Capital requirements for new electric plant were $144.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and $129.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Capital requirements for purchases of nuclear fuel were $41.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and $33.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

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



On October 23, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on December 28, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2012. On September 28, 2012, we paid $10.0 million of dividends to shareholders. We have paid a total of $28.9 million in cash dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. At the current dividend, we expect to pay total cash dividends of approximately $38.9 million during 2012.

No shares of common stock were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. As of September 30, 2012, a total of 393,816 shares remain available for repurchase under the currently authorized stock repurchase program. The Company may repurchase shares in the open market from time to time.
On August 28, 2012, we completed a refunding transaction related to our 2005 Series A refunding pollution control bonds totaling $59.2 million in which new pollution control bonds totaling $59.2 million were issued at a fixed rate of 4.5%. The bonds are unsecured and will mature in 2042. On August 28, 2012, we also completed a remarketing transaction related to our 2002 Series A refunding pollution control bonds totaling $33.3 million in which new pollution control bonds totaling $33.3 million were issued at a fixed rate of 1.875%. The bonds were unsecured and mature in 2032 although they are due to be remarketed in 2017.
  
We maintain the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes and financing of nuclear fuel through the Rio Grande Resources Trust (the “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. The RCF has a term ending September 2016. On March 29, 2012, we increased the aggregate unsecured borrowing available under the RCF from $200 million to $300 million. The terms of the agreement provide that amounts we borrow under the RCF may also be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT was $139.5 million at September 30, 2012 of which $29.5 million had been borrowed under the RCF and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. Borrowings by RGRT for nuclear fuel were $127.8 million as of September 30, 2011, of which $17.8 million had been borrowed under the RCF 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 through fuel recovery charges. At September 30, 2012, $32.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. No borrowings were outstanding at September 30, 2011 under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes.

2012 Earnings Guidance

We are revising our 2012 earnings guidance to a range of $2.20 to $2.40 per basic share from a range of $2.10 to $2.45 per basic share.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss third quarter 2012 earnings is scheduled for 10:30 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, on November 1, 2012. The dial-in number is 888-417-8465 with a conference ID number of 7564457. The conference leader will be Steven P. Busser, Vice President - Treasurer. A replay will run through November 15, 2012 with a dial-in number of 888-203-1112 and a conference ID number of 7564457. The conference call and presentation slides will be webcast live on the Company'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

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



that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) 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; (ii) recovery of capital investments and operating costs through rates in Texas and New Mexico; (iii) uncertainties and instability in the general economy and the resulting impact on EE's sales and profitability; (iv) unanticipated increased costs associated with scheduled and unscheduled outages; (v) the size of our construction program and our ability to complete construction on budget and on time; (vi) costs at Palo Verde; (vii) deregulation and competition in the electric utility industry; (viii) possible increased costs of compliance with environmental or other laws, regulations and policies; (ix) possible income tax and interest payments as a result of audit adjustments proposed by the IRS or state taxing authorities; (x) uncertainties and instability in the financial markets and the resulting impact on EE's ability to access the capital and credit markets; and (xi) 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 September 30, 2012 and 2011
 (In thousands except for per share data)
 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues, net of energy expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Base revenues
$
185,221

 
$
192,948

 
$
(7,727
)
(a)
 
Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 proxy market pricing
2,586

 
3,790

 
(1,204
)

 
Other
6,887

 
12,016

 
(5,129
)
(b)
Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses
194,694

 
208,754

 
(14,060
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operations and maintenance
52,548

 
48,715

 
3,833


 
Palo Verde operations and maintenance
21,189

 
20,881

 
308


Taxes other than income taxes
15,353

 
16,628

 
(1,275
)

Other income (deductions)
2,424

 
83

 
2,341


Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
108,028

 
122,613

 
(14,585
)
(c)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
19,208

 
20,315

 
(1,107
)

Interest on long-term debt
13,659

 
13,571

 
88


AFUDC and capitalized interest
5,174

 
3,505

 
1,669


Other interest expense
387

 
243

 
144


Income Before Income Taxes
79,948

 
91,989

 
(12,041
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
28,159

 
33,668

 
(5,509
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
51,789

 
$
58,321

 
$
(6,532
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share
$
1.29

 
$
1.41

 
$
(0.12
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
$
1.29

 
$
1.40

 
$
(0.11
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.25

 
$
0.22

 
$
0.03


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
40,010

 
41,308

 
(1,298
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive

 


 


 
potential shares outstanding
40,092

 
41,565

 
(1,473
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates of $23.2 million and $23.6 million, respectively.
(b)
2011 includes $4.5 million related to the 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Page 7 of 14



El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
 Consolidated Statements of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
 (In thousands except for per share data)
 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Variance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues, net of energy expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Base revenues
$
446,832

 
$
452,592

 
$
(5,760
)
(a)
 
Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 proxy market pricing
7,093

 
11,644

 
(4,551
)

 
Other
21,718

 
24,387

 
(2,669
)
(b)
Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses
475,643

 
488,623

 
(12,980
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operations and maintenance
148,735

 
140,061

 
8,674


 
Palo Verde operations and maintenance
68,998

 
69,847

 
(849
)

Taxes other than income taxes
43,631

 
43,131

 
500


Other income (deductions)
3,600

 
2,916

 
684


Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
217,879

 
238,500

 
(20,621
)
(c)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
59,329

 
60,775

 
(1,446
)

Interest on long-term debt
40,827

 
40,595

 
232


AFUDC and capitalized interest
14,475

 
14,142

 
333


Other interest expense
865

 
777

 
88


Income Before Income Taxes
131,333

 
150,495

 
(19,162
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
45,306

 
52,409

 
(7,103
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
86,027

 
$
98,086

 
$
(12,059
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share
$
2.15

 
$
2.33

 
$
(0.18
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
$
2.14

 
$
2.32

 
$
(0.18
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.72

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.28


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
39,960

 
41,819

 
(1,859
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
potential shares outstanding
40,044

 
42,051

 
(2,007
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates of $57.9 million and $57.2 million, respectively.
(b)
2011 includes $4.1 million related to the 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Page 8 of 14




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Cash Flow Summary
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
 (In thousands and Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
86,027

 
$
98,086

 
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service
59,329

 
60,775

 
 
 
Deferred income taxes, net
43,818

 
46,338

 
 
 
Other
37,029

 
38,438

 
 
Change in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net overcollection (undercollection) of fuel revenues
13,994

 
(29,608
)
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(22,107
)
 
(43,710
)
 
 
 
Other
(16,291
)
 
8,556

 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
201,799

 
178,875

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment
(144,576
)
 
(129,651
)
 
 
Cash additions to nuclear fuel
(41,747
)
 
(33,925
)
 
 
Decommissioning trust funds
(6,775
)
 
(9,473
)
 
 
Other
(4,605
)
 
(7,065
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash used for investing activities
(197,703
)
 
(180,114
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock

 
(64,783
)
 
 
Dividends paid
(28,861
)
 
(18,415
)
 
 
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility
28,163

 
13,089

 
 
Other
(2,942
)
 
(92
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash used for financing activities
(3,640
)
 
(70,201
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
456

 
(71,440
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
8,208

 
79,184

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
8,664

 
$
7,744

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Page 9 of 14




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
 Quarter Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
Sales and Revenues Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
MWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
884,809

 
899,708

 
(14,899
)
 
(1.7
)%
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial, small
693,774

 
703,479

 
(9,705
)
 
(1.4
)%
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial, large
260,567

 
279,339

 
(18,772
)
 
(6.7
)%
 
 
 
Public authorities
443,418

 
452,370

 
(8,952
)
 
(2.0
)%
 
 
 
 
Total retail sales
2,282,568

 
2,334,896

 
(52,328
)
 
(2.2
)%
 
 
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
20,565

 
21,046

 
(481
)
 
(2.3
)%
 
 
 
Off-system sales
537,071

 
726,753

 
(189,682
)
 
(26.1
)%
 
 
 
 
Total wholesale sales
557,636

 
747,799

 
(190,163
)
 
(25.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
Total MWh sales
2,840,204

 
3,082,695

 
(242,491
)
 
(7.9
)%
 
Operating revenues (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
80,325

 
$
82,465

 
$
(2,140
)
 
(2.6
)%
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial, small
60,776

 
64,929

 
(4,153
)
 
(6.4
)%
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial, large
12,587

 
13,597

 
(1,010
)
 
(7.4
)%
 
 
 
 
Public authorities
30,815

 
31,570

 
(755
)
 
(2.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
Total retail non-fuel base revenues
184,503

 
192,561

 
(8,058
)
 
(4.2
)%
 
 
 
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
718

 
387

 
331

 
85.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Total non-fuel base revenues
185,221

 
192,948

 
(7,727
)
 
(4.0
)%
 
 
Fuel revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period (a)
39,222

 
49,636

 
(10,414
)
 
(21.0
)%
 
 
 
Under (over) collection of fuel
(5,238
)
 
3,786

 
(9,024
)
 

 
 
 
New Mexico fuel in base rates (b)
23,174

 
23,626

 
(452
)
 
(1.9
)%
 
 
 
 
Total fuel revenues
57,158

 
77,048

 
(19,890
)
 
(25.8
)%
 
 
Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel cost
13,640

 
23,258

 
(9,618
)
 
(41.4
)%
 
 
 
Shared margins
2,222

 
1,310

 
912

 
69.6
 %
 
 
 
Retained margins
265

 
157

 
108

 
68.8
 %
 
 
 
 
Total off-system sales
16,127

 
24,725

 
(8,598
)
 
(34.8
)%
 
 
Other (c)
8,743

 
12,912

 
(4,169
)
 
(32.3
)%
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$
267,249

 
$
307,633

 
$
(40,384
)
 
(13.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Excludes $6.8 million of refunds in 2012 related to prior periods Texas deferred fuel revenues.
(b)
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $2.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively.
(c)
2011 includes $4.5 million related to the settlement of a transmission dispute with Tucson Electric Power Company.

Page 10 of 14



El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
 Quarter Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
Other Statistical Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average number of retail customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
341,477

 
336,738

 
4,739

 
1.4
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
37,893

 
38,292

 
(399
)
 
(1.0
)%
 
Commercial and industrial, large
51

 
51

 

 

 
Public authorities
4,578

 
4,637

 
(59
)
 
(1.3
)%
 
 
Total
383,999

 
379,718

 
4,281

 
1.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of retail customers (end of period):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
341,473

 
337,088

 
4,385

 
1.3
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
37,757

 
38,441

 
(684
)
 
(1.8
)%
 
Commercial and industrial, large
51

 
51

 

 
 %
 
Public authorities
4,600

 
4,601

 
(1
)
 
 %
 
 
Total
383,881

 
380,181

 
3,700

 
1.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather statistics:
 
 
 
 
10 Yr Average
 
 
 
Heating degree days
6

 

 
1

 
 
 
Cooling degree days
1,497

 
1,787

 
1,477

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation and purchased power (MWh):
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Palo Verde
1,348,586

 
1,322,790

 
25,796

 
2.0
 %
 
Four Corners
158,858

 
174,628

 
(15,770
)
 
(9.0
)%
 
Gas plants
1,159,840

 
1,190,045

 
(30,205
)
 
(2.5
)%
 
 
Total generation
2,667,284

 
2,687,463

 
(20,179
)
 
(0.8
)%
 
Purchased power
375,606

 
626,562

 
(250,956
)
 
(40.1
)%
 
 
Total available energy
3,042,890

 
3,314,025

 
(271,135
)
 
(8.2
)%
 
Line losses and Company use
202,686

 
231,330

 
(28,644
)
 
(12.4
)%
 
 
Total MWh sold
2,840,204

 
3,082,695

 
(242,491
)
 
(7.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Palo Verde capacity factor
98.1
%
 
96.3
%
 
1.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Page 11 of 14




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
Sales and Revenues Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
MWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
2,113,071

 
2,078,247

 
34,824

 
1.7
 %
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial, small
1,826,463

 
1,816,081

 
10,382

 
0.6
 %
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial, large
794,727

 
817,549

 
(22,822
)
 
(2.8
)%
 
 
 
Public authorities
1,226,886

 
1,200,597

 
26,289

 
2.2
 %
 
 
 
 
Total retail sales
5,961,147

 
5,912,474

 
48,673

 
0.8
 %
 
 
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
53,062

 
52,045

 
1,017

 
2.0
 %
 
 
 
Off-system sales
1,966,560

 
2,162,793

 
(196,233
)
 
(9.1
)%
 
 
 
 
Total wholesale sales
2,019,622

 
2,214,838

 
(195,216
)
 
(8.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
Total MWh sales
7,980,769

 
8,127,312

 
(146,543
)
 
(1.8
)%
 
Operating revenues (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
187,738

 
$
186,376

 
$
1,362

 
0.7
 %
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial, small
149,296

 
155,203

 
(5,907
)
 
(3.8
)%
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial, large
32,340

 
34,703

 
(2,363
)
 
(6.8
)%
 
 
 
 
Public authorities
75,566

 
74,588

 
978

 
1.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Total retail non-fuel base revenues
444,940

 
450,870

 
(5,930
)
 
(1.3
)%
 
 
 
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
1,892

 
1,722

 
170

 
9.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Total non-fuel base revenues
446,832

 
452,592

 
(5,760
)
 
(1.3
)%
 
 
Fuel revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period (a)
102,725

 
109,171

 
(6,446
)
 
(5.9
)%
 
 
 
Under (over) collection of fuel
(20,828
)
 
17,524

 
(38,352
)
 

 
 
 
New Mexico fuel in base rates (b)
57,881

 
57,151

 
730

 
1.3
 %
 
 
 
 
Total fuel revenues
139,778

 
183,846

 
(44,068
)
 
(24.0
)%
 
 
Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel cost
45,612

 
60,777

 
(15,165
)
 
(25.0
)%
 
 
 
Shared margins
6,865

 
2,722

 
4,143

 

 
 
 
Retained margins
824

 
(697
)
 
1,521

 

 
 
 
 
Total off-system sales
53,301

 
62,802

 
(9,501
)
 
(15.1
)%
 
 
Other (c)
24,168

 
27,110

 
(2,942
)
 
(10.9
)%
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$
664,079

 
$
726,350

 
$
(62,271
)
 
(8.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Excludes $6.8 million and $12.0 million of refunds in 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to prior periods Texas deferred fuel revenues.
(b)
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $7.1 million and $11.6 million, respectively.
(c)
2011 includes $4.1 million related to the settlement of a transmission dispute with Tucson Electric Power Company.

Page 12 of 14




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
Other Statistical Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average number of retail customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
340,591

 
335,792

 
4,799

 
1.4
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
37,994

 
37,484

 
510

 
1.4
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, large
50

 
50

 

 

 
Public authorities
4,584

 
4,675

 
(91
)
 
(1.9
)%
 
 
Total
383,219

 
378,001

 
5,218

 
1.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of retail customers (end of period):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
341,473

 
337,088

 
4,385

 
1.3
 %
 
Commercial and industrial, small
37,757

 
38,441

 
(684
)
 
(1.8
)%
 
Commercial and industrial, large
51

 
51

 

 
 %
 
Public authorities
4,600

 
4,601

 
(1
)
 
 %
 
 
Total
383,881

 
380,181

 
3,700

 
1.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather statistics:
 
 
 
 
10 Yr Average
 
 
 
Heating degree days
1,215

 
1,305

 
1,277

 
 
 
Cooling degree days
2,712

 
2,997

 
2,514

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation and purchased power (MWh):
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Palo Verde
3,898,862

 
3,834,651

 
64,211

 
1.7
 %
 
Four Corners
480,555

 
486,607

 
(6,052
)
 
(1.2
)%
 
Gas plants (a)
2,853,949

 
2,663,827

 
190,122

 
7.1
 %
 
 
Total generation
7,233,366

 
6,985,085

 
248,281

 
3.6
 %
 
Purchased power
1,272,110

 
1,687,144

 
(415,034
)
 
(24.6
)%
 
 
Total available energy
8,505,476

 
8,672,229

 
(166,753
)
 
(1.9
)%
 
Line losses and Company use
524,707

 
544,917

 
(20,210
)
 
(3.7
)%
 
 
Total MWh sold
7,980,769

 
8,127,312

 
(146,543
)
 
(1.8
)%
 
Palo Verde capacity factor
95.3
%
 
94.1
%
 
1.2
%
 
 
 
 
(a)
2011 gas plant generation includes 193,460 MWhs related to pre-commercial testing of Newman Unit 5 Phase II. Newman Unit 5 Phase II began commercial operation on April 30, 2011.



Page 13 of 14




El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary
Financial Statistics
 At September 30, 2012 and 2011
(In thousands, except number of shares, book value per share, and ratios)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
8,664

 
$
7,744

 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock equity
 
$
830,274

 
$
812,852

Long-term debt
 
849,838

 
816,484

 
Total capitalization
 
$
1,680,112

 
$
1,629,336

 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$

 
$
33,000

 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility
 
$
61,542

 
$
17,793

 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares - end of period
 
40,116,373

 
40,249,088

 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value per common share
 
$
20.70

 
$
20.20

 
 
 
 
 
 
Common equity ratio (a)
 
47.7
%
 
48.4
%
Debt ratio
 
52.3
%
 
51.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
The capitalization component includes common stock equity, long-term debt and the current maturities of long-term debt, and short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
 


Page 14 of 14