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EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY CO LLCFinancial_Report.xls

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

____________________

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

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

 

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH  31, 2015

 

― OR ―

 

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

 

____________________

 

 

Commission File Number 333-100240

 

 

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

75-2967830

(State of Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

1616 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas, TX  75202

(214) 486-2000

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

 

____________________

 

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          No  √    

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes    √     No ____

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ____    Accelerated filer ____    Non-Accelerated filer  √      (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company___

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes___ No  √   

 

As of May 1, 2015,  80.03% of the outstanding membership interests in Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) were directly held by Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC and indirectly by Energy Future Holdings Corp., 19.75% of the outstanding membership interests were held by Texas Transmission Investment LLC and 0.22% of the outstanding membership interests were indirectly held by certain members of Oncor’s management and board of directors.  None of the membership interests are publicly traded.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

GLOSSARY 

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income —
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income —
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows —
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets —
March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

25 

Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

36 

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures 

38 

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION 

39 

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings 

39 

Item 1A   Risk Factors 

39 

Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 

39 

Item 3.     Defaults Upon Senior Securities 

39 

Item 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 

39 

Item 5.     Other Information 

39 

Item 6.     Exhibits 

40 

SIGNATURE 

42 

 

 

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC’s (Oncor) annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are made available to the public, free of charge, on the Oncor website at http://www.oncor.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The information on Oncor’s website or available by hyperlink from the website shall not be deemed a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this quarterly report on Form 10-QThe representations and warranties contained in any agreement that we have filed as an exhibit to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q or that we have or may publicly file in the future may contain representations and warranties made by and to the parties thereto as of specific dates.  Such representations and warranties may be subject to exceptions and qualifications contained in separate disclosure schedules, may represent the parties’ risk allocation in the particular transaction, or may be qualified by materiality standards that differ from what may be viewed as material for securities law purposes.

 

This Form 10-Q and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings of Oncor and its subsidiary occasionally make references to Oncor (or “we,” “our,” “us” or “the company”) when describing actions, rights or obligations of its subsidiary.  These references reflect the fact that the subsidiary is consolidated with Oncor for financial reporting purposes.  However, these references should not be interpreted to imply that Oncor is actually undertaking the action or has the rights or obligations of its subsidiary or that the subsidiary company is undertaking an action or has the rights or obligations of its parent company or of any other affiliate.

1

 


 

GLOSSARY

 

 

 

 

 

When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.

 

2014 Form 10-K

Oncor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014

AMS

advanced metering system

Bondco

Refers to Oncor Electric Delivery Transition Bond Company LLC, a wholly-owned consolidated bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary of Oncor that has issued securitization (transition) bonds to recover certain regulatory assets and other costs.

Deed of Trust

Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of May 15, 2008, made by Oncor to and for the benefit of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Mellon, formerly The Bank of New York), as collateral agent, as amended

EECRF

energy efficiency cost recovery factor

EFCH

Refers to Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. and the direct parent of TCEH, and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context.

EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings

Refers to voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code filed in US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on April 29, 2014 (EFH Petition Date) by EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH.  The Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are not parties to the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.

EFH Corp.

Refers to Energy Future Holdings Corp., a holding company, and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context.  Its major subsidiaries include Oncor and TCEH.

EFH OPEB Plan

Refers to an EFH Corp. sponsored plan (in which Oncor participated prior to July 1, 2014) that offers certain health care and life insurance benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents upon the retirement of such employees from the company.

EFH Petition Date

April 29, 2014.  See EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings above.

EFH Retirement Plan

Refers to a defined benefit pension plan sponsored by EFH Corp., in which Oncor participates.  See Oncor Retirement Plan below.

EFIH

Refers to Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. and the direct parent of Oncor Holdings.

ERCOT

Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., the independent system operator and the regional coordinator of various electricity systems within Texas

ERISA

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended

Fitch

Fitch Ratings, Ltd. (a credit rating agency)

GAAP

generally accepted accounting principles

Investment LLC

Refers to Oncor Management Investment LLC, a limited liability company and minority membership interest owner (approximately 0.22%) of Oncor, whose managing member is Oncor and whose Class B Interests are owned by certain members of the management team and independent directors of Oncor.

IRS

US Internal Revenue Service

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate, an interest rate at which banks can borrow funds, in marketable size, from other banks in the London interbank market

Luminant

Refers to subsidiaries of TCEH engaged in competitive market activities consisting of electricity generation and wholesale energy sales and purchases as well as commodity risk management and trading activities, all largely in Texas.

Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (a credit rating agency)

2

 


 

Oncor

Refers to Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a direct, majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings, and/or its wholly-owned consolidated bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary, Bondco, depending on context.

Oncor Holdings

Refers to Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFIH and the direct majority owner (approximately 80.03%) of Oncor, and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context.

Oncor OPEB Plan

Refers to a plan sponsored by Oncor (effective July 1, 2014) that offers certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to eligible Oncor retirees, certain eligible EFH Corp. retirees, and their eligible dependents.

Oncor Retirement Plan

Refers to the defined benefit pension plan sponsored by Oncor (effective January 1, 2013).

Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities

Refers to Oncor Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Oncor.

OPEB

other postretirement employee benefits

PUCT

Public Utility Commission of Texas

PURA

Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act

purchase accounting

The purchase method of accounting for a business combination as prescribed by US GAAP, whereby the cost or “purchase price” of a business combination, including the amount paid for the equity and direct transaction costs, are allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities (including intangible assets) based upon their fair values.  The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

REP

retail electric provider

S&P

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (a credit rating agency)

SEC

US Securities and Exchange Commission

Sponsor Group

Refers collectively to certain investment funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR), TPG Global, LLC (together with its affiliates, TPG) and GS Capital Partners, an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., that have an ownership interest in Texas Holdings.

TCEH

Refers to Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFCH and an indirect subsidiary of EFH Corp., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context.  Its major subsidiaries include Luminant and TXU Energy.

TCOS

transmission cost of service

TCRF

transmission cost recovery factor

Texas Holdings

Refers to Texas Energy Future Holdings Limited Partnership, a limited partnership controlled by the Sponsor Group that owns substantially all of the common stock of EFH Corp.

Texas Holdings Group

Refers to Texas Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries other than the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities.

Texas margin tax

A privilege tax imposed on taxable entities chartered/organized or doing business in the State of Texas that, for accounting purposes, is reported as an income tax.  Also referred to as “Texas franchise tax” and/or “Texas gross margin tax.”

 

 

3

 


 

Texas Transmission

Refers to Texas Transmission Investment LLC, a limited liability company that owns a 19.75% equity interest in Oncor.  Texas Transmission is an entity indirectly owned by a private investment group led by OMERS Administration Corporation, acting through its infrastructure investment entity, Borealis Infrastructure Management Inc., and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, acting through its private equity and infrastructure arm, GIC Special Investments Pte Ltd.  Texas Transmission is not affiliated with EFH Corp., any of EFH Corp.’s subsidiaries or any member of the Sponsor Group.

TXU Energy

Refers to TXU Energy Retail Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of TCEH engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers.  TXU Energy is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT.

US

United States of America

 

 

 

4

 


 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

(millions of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonaffiliates

 

$

710 

 

$

676 

Affiliates

 

 

236 

 

 

241 

Total operating revenues

 

 

946 

 

 

917 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale transmission service

 

 

194 

 

 

179 

Operation and maintenance

 

 

186 

 

 

166 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

217 

 

 

210 

Provision in lieu of income taxes (Note 10)

 

 

58 

 

 

63 

Taxes other than amounts related to income taxes

 

 

111 

 

 

108 

Total operating expenses

 

 

766 

 

 

726 

Operating income

 

 

180 

 

 

191 

Other income and deductions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

Other deductions (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

Nonoperating provision in lieu of income taxes

 

 

 -

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

Interest expense and related charges (Note 11)

 

 

81 

 

 

88 

Net income

 

$

98 

 

$

104 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

(millions of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

98 

 

$

104 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges – derivative value net loss recognized in net income (net of tax expense of $– and $) (Note 1)

 

 

 

 

 -

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 -

Comprehensive income

 

$

99 

 

$

104 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

5


 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

(millions of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows — operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

98 

 

$

104 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

228 

 

 

220 

Provision in lieu of deferred income taxes – net

 

 

(29)

 

 

(2)

Other – net 

 

 

(1)

 

 

(1)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred revenues (Note 4)

 

 

 

 

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities

 

 

(139)

 

 

(124)

Cash provided by operating activities

 

 

163 

 

 

198 

Cash flows — financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuances of long-term debt (Note 6)

 

 

725 

 

 

 -

Repayments of long-term debt (Note 6)

 

 

(530)

 

 

(28)

Net increase in short-term borrowings (Note 5)

 

 

89 

 

 

234 

Distributions to members (Note 8)

 

 

(100)

 

 

(53)

Debt discount, premium, financing and reacquisition expenses – net

 

 

(10)

 

 

(1)

Cash provided by financing activities

 

 

174 

 

 

152 

Cash flows — investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(325)

 

 

(347)

Other – net 

 

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

 

(323)

 

 

(346)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

14 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents — beginning balance

 

 

 

 

27 

Cash and cash equivalents — ending balance

 

$

18 

 

$

31 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

6


 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

(millions of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

18 

 

$

Restricted cash — Bondco (Note 11)

 

 

58 

 

 

56 

Trade accounts receivable from nonaffiliates – net (Note 11)

 

 

417 

 

 

407 

Trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates – net (Note 10)

 

 

128 

 

 

118 

Amounts receivable from members related to income taxes (Note 10)

 

 

99 

 

 

180 

Materials and supplies inventories — at average cost

 

 

79 

 

 

73 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

 

90 

 

 

88 

Total current assets

 

 

889 

 

 

926 

Restricted cash — Bondco (Note 11)

 

 

16 

 

 

16 

Investments and other property (Note 11)

 

 

97 

 

 

97 

Property, plant and equipment – net (Note 11)

 

 

12,626 

 

 

12,463 

Goodwill (Note 11) 

 

 

4,064 

 

 

4,064 

Regulatory assets – net ― Oncor (Note 4)

 

 

1,271 

 

 

1,321 

Regulatory assets – net ― Bondco (Note 4)

 

 

78 

 

 

108 

Other noncurrent assets 

 

 

71 

 

 

67 

Total assets

 

$

19,112 

 

$

19,062 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings (Note 5)

 

$

800 

 

$

711 

Long-term debt due currently ― Oncor (Note 6)

 

 

 -

 

 

500 

Long-term debt due currently ― Bondco (Note 6)

 

 

109 

 

 

139 

Trade accounts payable to nonaffiliates

 

 

158 

 

 

202 

Amounts payable to members related to income taxes (Note 10)

 

 

31 

 

 

24 

Accrued taxes other than amounts related to income

 

 

66 

 

 

174 

Accrued interest

 

 

56 

 

 

93 

Other current liabilities

 

 

117 

 

 

156 

Total current liabilities

 

 

1,337 

 

 

1,999 

Long-term debt, less amounts due currently ― Oncor (Note 6)

 

 

5,679 

 

 

4,956 

Long-term debt, less amounts due currently ― Bondco (Note 6)

 

 

41 

 

 

41 

Liability in lieu of deferred income taxes (Note 10)

 

 

2,531 

 

 

2,559 

Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits (Note 11)

 

 

2,007 

 

 

1,989 

Total liabilities

 

 

11,595 

 

 

11,544 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Membership interests (Note 8):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital account ― number of interests outstanding 2015 and 2014635,000,000 

 

 

7,623 

 

 

7,625 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(106)

 

 

(107)

Total membership interests

 

 

7,517 

 

 

7,518 

Total liabilities and membership interests

 

$

19,112 

 

$

19,062 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

7


 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.    BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Description of Business

 

References in this report to “we,” “our,” “us” and “the company” are to Oncor and/or its subsidiary as apparent in the context.  See “Glossary” for definition of terms and abbreviations.

 

We are a regulated electricity transmission and distribution company principally engaged in providing delivery services to REPs, including subsidiaries of TCEH, that sell power in the north-central, eastern and western parts of Texas.  Revenues from TCEH represented 25% and 26% of our total operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  We are a direct, majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings, which is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFIH, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFH Corp.  EFH Corp. is a subsidiary of Texas Holdings, which is controlled by the Sponsor Group.  Oncor Holdings owns 80.03% of our membership interests, Texas Transmission owns 19.75% of our membership interests and certain members of our management team and board of directors indirectly own the remaining membership interests through Investment LLC.  We are managed as an integrated business; consequently, there are no separate reportable business segments.

 

Our consolidated financial statements include our wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary, Bondco, a variable interest entity.  This financing subsidiary was organized for the limited purpose of issuing certain transition bonds in 2003 and 2004.  Bondco issued $1.3 billion principal amount of transition bonds to recover generation-related regulatory asset stranded costs and other qualified costs under an order issued by the PUCT in 2002.

 

Various “ring-fencing” measures have been taken to enhance the separateness between the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities and the Texas Holdings Group and our credit quality.  These measures serve to mitigate our and Oncor Holdings’ credit exposure to the Texas Holdings Group and to reduce the risk that our assets and liabilities or those of Oncor Holdings would be substantively consolidated with the assets and liabilities of the Texas Holdings Group in connection with a bankruptcy of one or more of those entities, including the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings discussed below.  Such measures include, among other things: our sale of a 19.75% equity interest to Texas Transmission in November 2008; maintenance of separate books and records for the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities; our board of directors being comprised of a majority of independent directors; and prohibitions on the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities providing credit support to, or receiving credit support from, any member of the Texas Holdings Group.  The assets and liabilities of the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are separate and distinct from those of the Texas Holdings Group, including TXU Energy and Luminant, and none of the assets of the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are available to satisfy the debt or contractual obligations of any member of the Texas Holdings Group.  We do not bear any liability for debt or contractual obligations of the Texas Holdings Group, and vice versa.  Accordingly, our operations are conducted, and our cash flows are managed, independently from the Texas Holdings Group.

 

EFH Corp. Bankruptcy Proceedings

 

On the EFH Petition Date, EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries that are members of the Texas Holdings Group, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH, commenced proceedings under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code.  The Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are not parties to the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.  We believe the “ring-fencing” measures discussed above mitigate our potential exposure to the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.  See Note 2 for a discussion of the potential impacts of the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings on our financial statements.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and on the same basis as the audited financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K.  Adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial position have been included

8


 

therein.  All intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.  Because the condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes in our 2014 Form 10-K.  The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for a full year due to seasonality.  All dollar amounts in the financial statements and tables in the notes are stated in millions of US dollars unless otherwise indicated.

 

Use of Estimates

 

Preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reporting of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expense, including fair value measurements.  In the event estimates and/or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.

 

Derivative Instruments and Mark-to-Market Accounting

 

We have from time-to-time entered into derivative instruments to hedge interest rate risk.  If the instrument meets the definition of a derivative under accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities, the fair value of each derivative is recognized on the balance sheet as a derivative asset or liability and changes in the fair value are recognized in net income, unless criteria for certain exceptions are met.  This recognition is referred to as “mark-to-market” accounting.

 

Reconcilable Tariffs

 

The PUCT has designated certain tariffs (TCRF, EECRF surcharges, AMS surcharges and charges related to transition bonds) as reconcilable, which means the differences between amounts billed under these tariffs and the related incurred costs are deferred as either regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities.  Accordingly, at prescribed intervals, future tariffs are adjusted to either repay regulatory liabilities or collect regulatory assets.

 

Contingencies

 

We evaluate and account for contingencies using the best information available.  A loss contingency is accrued and disclosed when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  If a range of probable loss is established, the minimum amount in the range is accrued, unless some other amount within the range appears to be a better estimate.  If the probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no accrual is recorded, but the loss contingency is disclosed to the effect that the probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated.  A loss contingency will be disclosed when it is reasonably possible that an asset has been impaired or a liability incurred.  If the likelihood that an impairment or incurrence is remote, the contingency is neither accrued nor disclosed.  Gain contingencies are recognized upon realization.

 

Changes in Accounting Standards

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a new accounting standard update, which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet. The update requires that such costs be presented as a direct reduction to the face value of the related debt rather than as an asset.  This will make the presentation of debt issuance costs consistent with debt discounts.  The update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.  Early application is permitted.  When adopted, we anticipate that both other noncurrent assets and long-term debt amounts to decrease by approximately $40 million.

 

 

 

9


 

2.    EFH BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

 

On the EFH Petition Date, EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries that are members of the Texas Holdings Group, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH, commenced proceedings under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code.  The Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are not parties to the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.  We believe the “ring-fencing” measures discussed above mitigate our potential exposure to the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.

 

The US Bankruptcy Code automatically enjoined, or stayed, us from judicial or administrative proceedings or filing of other actions against our affiliates or their property to recover, collect or secure our claims arising prior to the EFH Petition Date.  Following the EFH Petition Date, EFH Corp. received approval from the bankruptcy court to pay or otherwise honor certain prepetition obligations generally designed to stabilize its operations.  Included in the approval were the obligations owed to us representing our prepetition electricity delivery feesAs of the EFH Petition Date, we estimated that our receivables from the Texas Holdings Group totaled approximately $129 million.  Since that time, we have collected $127 million of the prepetition amount.    We estimate any potential pre-tax loss resulting from the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings to be immaterial.  As such,  a provision for uncollectible accounts from affiliates had not been established  as of March 31, 2015.

 

 

Proposed Change in Control of Majority Owner

 

In September 2014, with input and support from several key EFH Corp. stakeholders, the debtors in the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings filed a motion with the bankruptcy court seeking the entry of an order approving bidding procedures that would result in a change in control of Oncor’s indirect majority owner.  During October 2014, the bankruptcy court held hearings regarding the motion. In November 2014, the bankruptcy court conditionally approved the motion.  In January 2015, the bankruptcy court approved the debtors' bidding procedures motion that sets forth the process by which the debtors are authorized to solicit proposals (i.e., bids) from third parties to acquire (in any form and employing any structure, whether taxable (in whole or in part) or tax-free) an indirect equity ownership interest in Oncor in accordance with the US Bankruptcy Code.  These bidding procedures contemplate that the debtors select a stalking horse bid after a two-stage closed bidding process, and, after approval by the bankruptcy court of such stalking horse bid, the debtors conduct a round of open bidding culminating in an auction intended to obtain a higher or otherwise best bid for a transaction.  Initial bids were received in early March 2015 and second round bids were received in April 2015, and the debtors have indicated that they are currently assessing those submissions.  We cannot predict the outcome of this process, including whether the debtors will receive any acceptable bid or whether the bankruptcy court will approve any such bid or whether any such transaction will (or when it will) ultimately close because any such transaction would be the subject of customary closing conditions, including receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals.

 

 

The EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings are a complex litigation matter and the full extent of potential exposure at this time is unknown.  As part of the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings, on April 14, 2015, EFH Corp. and the other debtors filed with the bankruptcy court a joint plan of reorganization (the “Plan of Reorganization”).  The Plan of Reorganization will determine the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders of EFH Corp. and the other debtors.  The Plan of Reorganization is subject to revision in response to creditor claims and objections, the ultimate outcome of stakeholder negotiations and the requirements of the US Bankruptcy Code or the bankruptcy court.  Bankruptcy courts have broad equitable powers, and as a result, outcomes in bankruptcy proceedings are inherently difficult to predict.  We will continue to evaluate our affiliate transactions and contingencies throughout the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings to determine any risks and resulting impacts on our financial statements.  In addition, as indicated above, EFH Corp. has been exploring various options regarding potential transactions that potentially could implicate a regulatory review.  We have made some preliminary preparations for potential change in control filings, including discussions with EFH Corp. and others, in light of the proposals in the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings and the filing of the Plan of Reorganization, but cannot predict the result of any transaction or review.

 

See Note 10 for details of our related-party transactions with members of the Texas Holdings Group.

 

10


 

3.    REGULATORY MATTERS

 

2008 Rate Review

 

In August 2009, the PUCT issued a final order with respect to our June 2008 rate review filing with the PUCT and 204 cities based on a test year ended December 31, 2007 (Docket 35717), and new rates were implemented in September 2009.  We and four other parties appealed various portions of the rate review final order to a state district court.  In January 2011, the district court signed its judgment reversing the PUCT with respect to two issues: the PUCT’s disallowance of certain franchise fees and the PUCT’s decision that PURA no longer requires imposition of a rate discount for state colleges and universities.  We filed an appeal with the Texas Third Court of Appeals (Austin Court of Appeals) in February 2011 with respect to the issues we appealed to the district court and did not prevail upon, as well as the district court’s decision to reverse the PUCT with respect to discounts for state colleges and universities.  In early August 2014, the Austin Court of Appeals reversed the district court and affirmed the PUCT with respect to the PUCT’s disallowance of certain franchise fees and the PUCT’s decision that PURA no longer requires imposition of a rate discount for state colleges and universities.  The Austin Court of Appeals also reversed the PUCT and district court’s rejection of a proposed consolidated tax savings adjustment arising out of EFH Corp.’s ability to offset our taxable income against losses from other investments and remanded the issue to the PUCT to determine the amount of the consolidated tax savings adjustment.  In late August 2014, we filed a motion on rehearing with the Austin Court of Appeals with respect to certain appeal issues on which we were not successful, including the consolidated tax savings adjustment.  In December 2014, the Austin Court of Appeals issued its opinion, clarifying that it was rendering judgment on the rate discount for state colleges and universities issue (affirming that PURA no longer requires imposition of the rate discount) rather than remanding it to the PUCT, and dismissing the motions for rehearing regarding the franchise fee issue and the consolidated tax savings adjustment.  We filed a petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court on February 19, 2015, and on April 24, 2015 the court requested that the parties file responses to the petitions for review.  These responses are due by May 26, 2015 unless the parties request, and the court grants, an extension. There is no deadline for the court to act after receipt of these responses.  If our appeals efforts are unsuccessful and the proposed consolidated tax savings adjustment is implemented, we estimate that on remand, the impact on earnings of the consolidated tax savings adjustment’s value could range from zero, as originally determined by the PUCT in Docket 35717, to a $130 million loss (after tax).  We do not believe that any of the other issues ruled upon by the Austin Court of Appeals would result in a material impact to our results of operations or financial condition. 

 

See Note 3 to Financial Statements in our 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding regulatory matters.

11


 

4.    REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

Recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities and the amortization periods over which they are expected to be recovered or refunded through rate regulation reflect the decisions of the PUCT.  Components of the regulatory assets and liabilities are provided in the table below.  Amounts not earning a return through rate regulation are noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining Rate Recovery/Amortization Period at

 

Carrying Amount At

 

 

March 31, 2015

 

March 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generation-related regulatory assets securitized
  by transition bonds (a)(e)

 

1 year

 

$

115 

 

$

148 

Employee retirement costs 

 

5 years

 

 

51 

 

 

55 

Employee retirement costs to be reviewed (b)(c)

 

To be determined

 

 

257 

 

 

246 

Employee retirement liability (a)(c)(d)

 

To be determined

 

 

846 

 

 

865 

Self-insurance reserve (primarily storm recovery

  costs) ― net

 

5 years

 

 

119 

 

 

127 

Self-insurance reserve to be reviewed ― net (b)(c)

 

To be determined

 

 

264 

 

 

242 

Securities reacquisition costs

  (pre-industry restructure)

 

2 years

 

 

21 

 

 

23 

Securities reacquisition costs

  (post-industry restructure) ― net

 

Terms of related debt

 

 

 

 

Recoverable amounts in lieu of deferred

  income taxes ― net

 

Life of related asset or liability

 

 

13 

 

 

14 

Deferred conventional meter and metering

  facilities depreciation

 

Largely 6 years

 

 

117 

 

 

123 

Deferred AMS costs

 

To be determined

 

 

127 

 

 

113 

Energy efficiency performance bonus (a)

 

1 year

 

 

17 

 

 

22 

Under-recovered wholesale transmission
  service expense ― net (a)

 

1 year

 

 

19 

 

 

26 

Other regulatory assets

 

Various

 

 

11 

 

 

12 

Total regulatory assets

 

 

 

 

1,985 

 

 

2,023 

Regulatory liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated net removal costs

 

Life of utility plant

 

 

568 

 

 

531 

Investment tax credit and protected excess

  deferred taxes

 

Various

 

 

16 

 

 

18 

Over-collection of transition bond revenues (a)(e)

 

1 year

 

 

31 

 

 

32 

Energy efficiency programs (a)

 

Not applicable

 

 

21 

 

 

13 

Total regulatory liabilities

 

 

 

 

636 

 

 

594 

Net regulatory asset

 

 

 

$

1,349 

 

$

1,429 

____________

(a)

Not earning a return in the regulatory rate-setting process.

(b)

Costs incurred since the period covered under the last rate review.

(c)

Recovery is specifically authorized by statute or by the PUCT, subject to reasonableness review.

(d)

Represents unfunded liabilities recorded in accordance with pension and OPEB accounting standards.

(e)

Bondco net regulatory assets of $78 million at March  31, 2015 consisted of $109 million included in generation-related regulatory assets net of the regulatory liability for over-collection of transition bond revenues of $31 million.  Bondco net regulatory assets of $108 million at December 31, 2014 consisted of $140 million included in generation-related regulatory assets net of the regulatory liability for over-collection of transition bond revenues of $32 million.

12


 

 

5.    BORROWINGS UNDER CREDIT FACILITIES

 

At March  31, 2015, we had a $2.4 billion secured revolving credit facility to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, issuances of letters of credit and support for any commercial paper issuances.  The revolving credit facility expires in October 2016, and we have the option of requesting up to two one-year extensions, with such extensions subject to certain conditions and lender approval.  The terms of the revolving credit facility allow us to request an additional increase in our borrowing capacity of $100 million, provided certain conditions are met, including lender approval.

 

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are classified as short-term on the balance sheet and are secured equally and ratably with all of our other secured indebtedness by a first priority lien on property we acquired or constructed for the transmission and distribution of electricity.  The property is mortgaged under the Deed of Trust.

 

At March 31, 2015, we had outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility totaling $800 million with an interest rate of 1.30% and outstanding letters of credit totaling $7 million.  At December 31, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility totaling $711 million with an interest rate of 1.29% and outstanding letters of credit totaling $7 million.

 

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at per annum rates equal to, at our option, (i) LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% depending on credit ratings assigned to our senior secured non-credit enhanced long-term debt or (ii) an alternate base rate (the highest of (1) the prime rate of JPMorgan Chase, (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and (3) daily one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%) plus a spread ranging from 0.00% to 0.75% depending on credit ratings assigned to our senior secured non-credit enhanced long-term debt.  At March 31, 2015, all outstanding borrowings bore interest at LIBOR plus 1.125%.  Amounts borrowed under the revolving credit facility, once repaid, can be borrowed again from time to time.

 

An unused commitment fee is payable quarterly in arrears and upon termination or commitment reduction at a rate equal to 0.100% to 0.275% (such spread depending on certain credit ratings assigned to our senior secured debt) of the daily unused commitments under the revolving credit facility.  Letter of credit fees on the stated amount of letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility are payable to the lenders quarterly in arrears and upon termination at a rate per annum equal to the spread over adjusted LIBOR.  Customary fronting and administrative fees are also payable to letter of credit fronting banks.  At March 31, 2015, letters of credit bore interest at 1.325%, and a commitment fee (at a rate of 0.125% per annum) was payable on the unfunded commitments under the revolving credit facility, each based on our current credit ratings.

 

Subject to the limitations described below, borrowing capacity available under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $1.593 billion and $1.682 billion, respectively.  Generally, our indentures and revolving credit facility limit the incurrence of other secured indebtedness except for indebtedness secured equally and ratably with the indentures and revolving credit facility and certain permitted exceptions.  As described further in Note 6, the Deed of Trust permits us to secure indebtedness (including borrowings under our revolving credit facility) with the lien of the Deed of Trust.  At March 31, 2015, the available borrowing capacity of the revolving credit facility could be fully drawn.

 

The revolving credit facility contains customary covenants for facilities of this type, restricting, subject to certain exceptions, us and our subsidiaries from, among other things: incurring additional liens; entering into mergers and consolidations; and sales of substantial assets.  In addition, the revolving credit facility requires that we maintain a consolidated senior debt-to-capitalization ratio of no greater than 0.65 to 1.00 and observe certain customary reporting requirements and other affirmative covenants.  For purposes of the ratio, debt is calculated as indebtedness defined in the revolving credit facility (principally, the sum of long-term debt, any capital leases, short-term debt and debt due currently in accordance with US GAAP).  The debt calculation excludes transition bonds issued by Bondco, but includes the unamortized fair value discount related to Bondco.  Capitalization is calculated as membership interests determined in accordance with US GAAP plus indebtedness described above.  At March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with this covenant and with all other covenants.

 

 

13


 

6.    LONG-TERM DEBT

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oncor (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.375% Fixed Senior Notes due January 15, 2015

 

$

 -

 

$

500 

5.000% Fixed Senior Notes due September 30, 2017

 

 

324 

 

 

324 

6.800% Fixed Senior Notes due September 1, 2018

 

 

550 

 

 

550 

2.150% Fixed Senior Notes due June 1, 2019

 

 

250 

 

 

250 

5.750% Fixed Senior Notes due September 30, 2020

 

 

126 

 

 

126 

4.100% Fixed Senior Notes due June 1, 2022

 

 

400 

 

 

400 

7.000% Fixed Debentures due September 1, 2022

 

 

800 

 

 

800 

2.950% Fixed Senior Notes due April 1, 2025

 

 

350 

 

 

 -

7.000% Fixed Senior Notes due May 1, 2032

 

 

500 

 

 

500 

7.250% Fixed Senior Notes due January 15, 2033

 

 

350 

 

 

350 

7.500% Fixed Senior Notes due September 1, 2038

 

 

300 

 

 

300 

5.250% Fixed Senior Notes due September 30, 2040

 

 

475 

 

 

475 

4.550% Fixed Senior Notes due December 1, 2041

 

 

400 

 

 

400 

5.300% Fixed Senior Notes due June 1, 2042

 

 

500 

 

 

500 

3.750% Fixed Senior Notes due April 1, 2045

 

 

375 

 

 

 -

Unamortized discount

 

 

(21)

 

 

(19)

Less amount due currently

 

 

 -

 

 

(500)

       Long-term debt, less amounts due currently — Oncor

 

 

5,679 

 

 

4,956 

Bondco (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.420% Fixed Series 2003 Bonds due in semiannual installments through August 15, 2015 

 

 

24 

 

 

54 

5.290% Fixed Series 2004 Bonds due in semiannual installments through May 15, 2016 

 

 

126 

 

 

126 

Less amount due currently

 

 

(109)

 

 

(139)

Long-term debt, less amounts due currently — Bondco

 

 

41 

 

 

41 

Total long-term debt, less amounts due currently

 

$

5,720 

 

$

4,997 

__________

(a)   Secured by first priority lien on certain transmission and distribution assets equally and ratably with all of Oncor’s other secured indebtedness.  See “Deed of Trust” below for additional information.

(b)   The transition bonds are nonrecourse to Oncor and were issued to securitize a regulatory asset.

 

 

Debt-Related Activity in 2015

 

Debt Repayments

 

Repayments of long-term debt in the three months ended March 31, 2015 totaled $530 million representing $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior secured notes paid at the scheduled maturity date of January 15, 2015 and $30 million representing transition bond principal payments at scheduled maturity dates.

14


 

Issuance of New Senior Secured Notes

 

In March 2015, we issued $350 million aggregate principal amount of 2.950% senior secured notes maturing in April 2025  (2025 Notes) and $375 million aggregate principal amount of 3.750% senior secured notes maturing in April 2045  (2045 Notes, and together with the 2025 Notes, the Notes).  We used the proceeds (net of the initial purchasers’ discount, fees and expenses) of approximately $714 million from the sale of the Notes to repay borrowings under our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.  The Notes are secured by a first priority lien, and are secured equally and ratably with all of our other secured indebtedness.

 

Interest on the Notes is payable in cash semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2015Prior to January 1, 2025, in the case of the 2025 Notes, and October 1, 2044, in the case of the 2045 Notes, we may at our option at any time redeem all or part of the Notes at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium.  On and after January 1, 2025, in the case of the 2025 Notes, and October 1, 2044, in the case of the 2045 Notes, Oncor may redeem the Notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Notes also contain customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest on the Notes when due.

 

The Notes were issued in a private placement and were not registered under the Securities Act.  We have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to register with the SEC notes having substantially identical terms as the Notes (except for provisions relating to the transfer restriction and payment of additional interest) as part of an offer to exchange freely tradable exchange notes for the Notes.  We have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange offer to be completed within 315 days after the issue date of the Notes.  If a registration statement for the exchange offer is not declared effective by the SEC within 270 days after the issue date of the Notes or the exchange offer is not completed within 315 days after the issue date of the Notes (an exchange default), then the annual interest rate on the Notes will increase 50 basis points per annum until the earlier of the expiration of the exchange default or the second anniversary of the issue date of the Notes.

 

Deed of Trust

 

Our secured indebtedness, including the revolving credit facility described in Note 5, is secured equally and ratably by a first priority lien on property we acquired or constructed for the transmission and distribution of electricity.  The property is mortgaged under the Deed of Trust.  The Deed of Trust permits us to secure indebtedness (including borrowings under our revolving credit facility) with the lien of the Deed of Trust up to the aggregate of (i) the amount of available bond credits, and (ii) 85% of the lower of the fair value or cost of certain property additions that could be certified to the Deed of Trust collateral agent.  At March 31, 2015, the amount of available bond credits was approximately $2.618 billion and the amount of future debt we could secure with property additions, subject to those property additions being certified to the Deed of Trust collateral agent, was $900 million.

 

Fair Value of Long-Term Debt

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of our long-term debt (including current maturities) totaled $7.084 billion and $6.844 billion, respectively, and the carrying amount totaled $5.829 billion and $5.636 billion, respectively.  The fair value is estimated based upon the market value as determined by quoted market prices, representing Level 1 valuations under accounting standards related to the determination of fair value.

 

7.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings

 

On the EFH Petition Date,  EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries that are members of the Texas Holdings Group, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH, commenced proceedings under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code.    The Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are not parties to the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.  See Notes  2 and 10 for  a  discussion of the potential impacts on us as a result of the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings and our related-party transactions involving members of the Texas Holdings Group, respectively.

15


 

Legal/Regulatory Proceedings

 

We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings in the normal course of business, the ultimate resolution of which, in the opinion of management, should not have a material effect upon our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  See Note 3 in this report and Note 8 to Financial Statements in our 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding our legal and regulatory proceedings.

 

8.    MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Cash Distributions

 

 

Distributions are limited by our required regulatory capital structure to be at or below the assumed debt-to-equity ratio established periodically by the PUCT for ratemaking purposes, which is currently set at 60% debt to 40% equity.  At March 31, 2015, $37 million was available for distribution to our members as our regulatory capitalization ratio was 59.8% debt and 40.2% equity.  The PUCT has the authority to determine what types of debt and equity are included in a utility’s debt-to-equity ratio.  For purposes of this ratio, debt is calculated as long-term debt plus unamortized gains on reacquired debt less unamortized issuance expenses, premiums and losses on reacquired debt.  The debt calculation excludes transition bonds issued by Bondco.  Equity is calculated as membership interests determined in accordance with US GAAP, excluding the effects of purchase accounting (which included recording the initial goodwill and fair value adjustments and the subsequent related impairments and amortization).

 

On April 29, 2015, our board of directors declared a cash distribution of $65 million, to be paid to our members in  May 2015.  In February 2015, our board of directors declared, and we paid a cash distribution of $100 million to our members.

 

Membership Interests

 

The following tables present the changes to membership interests during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Accounts

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Total Membership Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

$

7,625 

 

$

(107)

 

$

7,518 

Net income

 

98 

 

 

 -

 

 

98 

Distributions

 

(100)

 

 

 -

 

 

(100)

Net effects of cash flow hedges (net of tax)

 

 -

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

$

7,623 

 

$

(106)

 

$

7,517 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Accounts

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Total Membership Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

$

7,457 

 

$

(48)

 

$

7,409 

Net income

 

104 

 

 

 -

 

 

104 

Distributions

 

(53)

 

 

 -

 

 

(53)

Balance at March 31, 2014

$

7,508 

 

$

(48)

 

$

7,460 

 

16


 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The following table presents the changes to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow Hedges – Interest Rate Swap

 

Defined Benefit Pension and OPEB Plans

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

$

(24)

 

$

(83)

 

$

(107)

Defined benefit pension plans (net of tax)

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reported in interest expense and related charges

 

 

 

 -

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

$

(23)

 

$

(83)

 

$

(106)

 

 

There were no changes to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2014. 

 

 

 

9.    PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS

 

We participate in and have liabilities under the Oncor Retirement Plan and the EFH Retirement Plan, both of which are qualified pension plans under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), and are subject to the provisions of ERISA.  Employees do not contribute to either plan.  These pension plans provide benefits to participants under one of two formulas: (i) a Cash Balance Formula under which participants earn monthly contribution credits based on their compensation and a combination of their age and years of service, plus monthly interest credits or (ii) a Traditional Retirement Plan Formula based on years of service and the average earnings of the three years of highest earnings.  The interest component of the Cash Balance Formula is variable and is determined using the yield on 30-year Treasury bonds.  Under the Cash Balance Formula, future increases in earnings will not apply to prior service costs. See Note 10 to Financial Statements in our 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding our pension plans and the EFH OPEB Plan.

 

In April 2014, we entered into an agreement with EFH Corp. in which we agreed to transfer to the Oncor OPEB Plan effective July 1, 2014, the assets and liabilities related to our eligible current and future retirees as well as certain eligible retirees of EFH Corp. whose employment included service with both Oncor (or a predecessor regulated electric business) and a non-regulated business of EFH Corp.  Pursuant to the agreement, EFH Corp. will retain its portion of the liability for retiree benefits related to those retirees.  Since the Oncor OPEB Plan offers identical coverages as the EFH OPEB Plan and we and EFH Corp. retain the same responsibility for participants as before, there was no financial impact as a result of the transfer other than from a remeasurement of the Oncor OPEB Plan’s asset values and obligations.  As we are not responsible for EFH Corp.’s portion of the Oncor OPEB Plan’s unfunded liability, that amount is not reported on our balance sheet.

17


 

Our net costs related to pension and OPEB plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were comprised of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of net allocated pension costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

Interest cost

 

 

33 

 

 

33 

Expected return on assets

 

 

(29)

 

 

(34)

Amortization of net loss

 

 

16 

 

 

10 

Net pension costs

 

 

26 

 

 

15 

Components of net OPEB costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

 

 

 

Interest cost

 

 

11 

 

 

11 

Expected return on assets

 

 

(3)

 

 

(3)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

(5)

 

 

(5)

Amortization of net loss

 

 

 

 

Net OPEB costs

 

 

13 

 

 

11 

Total net pension and OPEB costs

 

 

39 

 

 

26 

Less amounts deferred principally as property or a regulatory asset

 

 

(28)

 

 

(17)

Net amounts recognized as expense

 

$

11 

 

$

 

The discount rates reflected in net pension and OPEB costs in 2015 are 3.95%, 4.19% and 4.23% for the Oncor Retirement Plan, the EFH Retirement Plan and the OPEB plans, respectively.  The expected return on pension and OPEB plan assets reflected in the 2015 cost amounts are 5.25%, 5.38% and 6.65% for the Oncor Retirement Plan, the EFH Retirement Plan and the OPEB plans, respectively.

 

We made cash contributions to the pension plans and OPEB plans of $1 million and $8 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, and we expect to make additional cash contributions to the pension plans and OPEB plans of $44 million and $17 million, respectively, during the remainder of 2015.

 

10.   RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The following represent our significant related-party transactions.  See Note 2 for additional information regarding related-party contingencies resulting from the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.

 

·

We record revenue from TCEH, principally for electricity delivery fees, which totaled $236 million and $241 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectivelyThe fees are based on rates regulated by the PUCT that apply to all REPs.  These revenues included less than $1 million for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 pursuant to a transformer maintenance agreement with TCEH.  The balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 reflect trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates – net totaling $128 million ($42 million of which was unbilled) and $118 million ($52 million of which was unbilled), respectively, primarily consisting of trade receivables from TCEH related to these electricity delivery fees. 

 

Trade accounts and other receivables from EFH Corp. affiliates – net reported on our balance sheet consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates

 

$

131 

 

$

123 

Trade accounts and other payables to affiliates

 

 

(3)

 

 

(5)

Trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates – net

 

$

128 

 

$

118 

 

18


 

·

EFH Corp. subsidiaries charge us for certain administrative services at cost.  Our payments to EFH Corp. subsidiaries for administrative services, which are primarily reported in operation and maintenance expenses, totaled $5 million and $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  We also charge each other for shared facilities at cost.  Our payments to EFH Corp. for shared facilities totaled $1 million for the each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  Payments we received from EFH Corp. subsidiaries related to shared facilities totaled less than $1 million for the each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

·

Through June 30, 2014, we participated in the Energy Future Holdings Health and Welfare Benefit Program, which provided employee benefits to our workforce.  In October 2013, we notified EFH Corp. of our intention to withdraw from the benefit program effective June 30, 2014 and entered into an agreement with EFH Corp. pursuant to which, we agreed to pay EFH Corp. $1 million to reimburse EFH Corp. for its increased costs under the program as a result of our withdrawal from the program and the additional administrative work required to effectuate our withdrawal from the benefit program and transition to the new benefit program. This one-time payment was paid to EFH Corp. in June 2014.  In April 2014, we entered into a welfare benefit administration agreement with EFH Corp., pursuant to which EFH Corp. would continue to provide us with welfare benefit administration services under our new benefit plans from July 1, 2014 until December 31, 2014. 

 

·

We are not a member of EFH Corp.’s consolidated tax group, but EFH Corp.’s consolidated federal income tax return includes EFH Corp.’s portion of our results due to EFH Corp.’s equity ownership in us.  Under the terms of a tax sharing agreement among us, Oncor Holdings, Texas Transmission, Investment LLC and EFH Corp., we are generally obligated to make payments to Texas Transmission, Investment LLC and EFH Corp., pro rata in accordance with their respective membership interests, in an aggregate amount that is substantially equal to the amount of federal income taxes that we would have been required to pay if we were filing our own corporate income tax return.  For periods prior to the tax sharing agreement (entered into in October 2007 and amended and restated in November 2008), we are responsible for our share, if any, of redetermined tax liability for the EFH Corp. consolidated tax group.  EFH Corp. also includes our results in its consolidated Texas margin tax payments, which are accounted for as income taxes and calculated as if we were filing our own return.  See discussion in Note 1 to Financial Statements in our 2014 Form 10-K under “Income Taxes.”  Under the “in lieu of” tax concept, all in lieu of tax assets and tax liabilities represent amounts that will eventually be settled with our members.  No income tax payments were made to or received from members in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

Amounts payable to (receivable from) members related to income taxes under the tax sharing agreement and reported on our balance sheet consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31, 2015

 

At December 31, 2014

 

EFH Corp.

 

Texas Transmission

 

Total

 

EFH Corp.

 

Texas Transmission

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income taxes receivable

$

(79)

 

$

(20)

 

$

(99)

 

$

(144)

 

$

(36)

 

$

(180)

Texas margin taxes payable

 

31 

 

 

 -

 

 

31 

 

 

24 

 

 

 -

 

 

24 

Net payable (receivable)

$

(48)

 

$

(20)

 

$

(68)

 

$

(120)

 

$

(36)

 

$

(156)

 

 

·

Our PUCT-approved tariffs include requirements to assure adequate credit worthiness of any REP to support the REP’s obligation to collect transition bond-related charges on behalf of Bondco.  Under these tariffs, as a result of TCEH’s credit rating being below investment grade, TCEH is required to post collateral support in an amount equal to estimated transition charges over specified time periods.  Accordingly, at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, TCEH had posted security in the amount of $9 million for our benefit.

 

19


 

·

Under Texas regulatory provisions, the trust fund for decommissioning TCEH’s Comanche Peak nuclear generation facility is funded by a delivery fee surcharge we collect from REPs and remit monthly to TCEH.  Delivery fee surcharges totaled $4 million for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  Our sole obligation with regard to nuclear decommissioning is as the collection agent of funds charged to ratepayers for nuclear decommissioning activities.  If, at the time of decommissioning, actual decommissioning costs exceed available trust funds, we would not be obligated to pay any shortfalls but would be required to collect any rates approved by the PUCT to recover any additional decommissioning costs.  Further, if there were to be a surplus when decommissioning is complete, such surplus would be returned to ratepayers under terms prescribed by the PUCT.

 

·

Affiliates of the Sponsor Group have (1) sold, acquired or participated in the offerings of our debt or debt securities in open market transactions or through loan syndications, and (2) performed various financial advisory, dealer, commercial banking and investment banking services for us and certain of our affiliates for which they have received or will receive customary fees and expenses, and may from time to time in the future participate in any of the items in (1) and (2) above.

 

See Note 8 for information regarding distributions to members and Note 9 for information regarding our participation in EFH Corp. pension and OPEB plans and transactions with EFH Corp. involving employee benefit matters.

20


 

11.   SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Major Customers

 

Revenues from TCEH represented 25% and 26% of our total operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Revenues from REP subsidiaries of NRG Energy, Inc., a nonaffiliated entity, collectively represented 17% and 15% of our total operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. No other customer represented 10% or more of our total operating revenues.

 

Other Income and Deductions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

Accretion of fair value adjustment (discount) to regulatory assets due to purchase accounting

 

$

 

$

Other

 

 

 -

 

 

Total other income

 

$

 

$

Other deductions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional fees

 

$

 

$

Other

 

 

 

 

 -

Total other deductions

 

$

 

$

 

Interest Expense and Related Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

81 

 

$

89 

Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts

 

 

 

 

Allowance for funds used during construction – capitalized interest portion

 

 

(1)

 

 

(2)

Total interest expense and related charges

 

$

81 

 

$

88 

 

Restricted Cash

 

All restricted cash amounts reported on our balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 relate to the transition bonds.

21


 

Trade Accounts and Other Receivables

 

Trade accounts and other receivables reported on our balance sheet consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross trade accounts and other receivables

 

$

548 

 

$

528 

Trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates

 

 

(128)

 

 

(118)

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

 

 

(3)

 

 

(3)

Trade accounts receivable from nonaffiliates – net

 

$

417 

 

$

407 

 

Gross trade accounts receivable at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included unbilled revenues of $152 million and $182 million, respectively.  At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, REP subsidiaries of NRG Energy, Inc., a nonaffiliated entity, collectively represented approximately 14% and 12% of the nonaffiliated trade accounts receivable amount, respectively.

 

Under a PUCT rule relating to the Certification of Retail Electric Providers, write-offs of uncollectible amounts owed by REPs are deferred as a regulatory asset.  Due to commitments made to the PUCT in 2007, we are not allowed to recover bad debt expense, or certain other costs and expenses, from ratepayers in the event of a default or bankruptcy by an affiliate REP.

 

Investments and Other Property

 

Investments and other property reported on our balance sheet consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets related to employee benefit plans, including employee savings

  programs

 

$

94 

 

$

94 

Land

 

 

 

 

Total investments and other property

 

$

97 

 

$

97 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment reported on our balance sheet consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets in service

 

$

18,412 

 

$

18,238 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

6,231 

 

 

6,125 

Net of accumulated depreciation

 

 

12,181 

 

 

12,113 

Construction work in progress

 

 

430 

 

 

335 

Held for future use

 

 

15 

 

 

15 

Property, plant and equipment – net

 

$

12,626 

 

$

12,463 

 

22


 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets (other than goodwill) reported on our balance sheet consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31, 2015

 

At December 31, 2014

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Net

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization included in property, plant and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land easements

$

464 

 

$

87 

 

$

377 

 

$

463 

 

$

86 

 

$

377 

Capitalized software

 

445 

 

 

256 

 

 

189 

 

 

433 

 

 

242 

 

 

191 

Total

$

909 

 

$

343 

 

$

566 

 

$

896 

 

$

328 

 

$

568 

 

Aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets totaled $16 million and $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

 

Amortization Expense

2015

 

$

64 

2016

 

 

61 

2017

 

 

52 

2018

 

 

47 

2019

 

 

44 

 

At both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, goodwill totaling $4.1 billion was reported on our balance sheet.  None of this goodwill is being deducted for tax purposes.

 

Other Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits

 

Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits reported on our balance sheet consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement plans and other employee benefits

 

$

1,906 

 

$

1,894 

Uncertain tax positions (including accrued interest)

 

 

 

 

Amount payable related to income taxes

 

 

17 

 

 

17 

Investment tax credits

 

 

17 

 

 

17 

Other 

 

 

65 

 

 

59 

Total other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits

 

$

2,007 

 

$

1,989 

 

 

 

23


 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash payments (receipts) related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

118 

 

$

119 

Capitalized interest

 

 

(1)

 

 

(2)

Interest (net of amounts capitalized)

 

$

117 

 

$

117 

Noncash construction expenditures (a)  

 

$

60 

 

$

35 

_____________

(a)

Represents end-of-period accruals.

24


 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements as well as the Risk Factors contained in our 2014 Form 10-K.

 

All dollar amounts in the tables in the following discussion and analysis are stated in millions of US dollars unless otherwise indicated.

 

BUSINESS

 

We are a regulated electricity transmission and distribution company principally engaged in providing delivery services to REPs, including subsidiaries of TCEH, that sell power in the north-central, eastern and western parts of Texas.  Revenues from TCEH represented 25%  and 26% of our reported total operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectivelyWe are a majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings, which is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFIH, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFH Corp.  Oncor Holdings owns 80.03% of our outstanding membership interests, Texas Transmission owns 19.75% of our outstanding membership interests and certain members of our management team and board of directors indirectly own the remaining 0.22% of the outstanding membership interests through Investment LLC.  We are managed as an integrated business; consequently, there are no separate reportable business segments.

 

Various “ring-fencing” measures have been taken to enhance the separateness between the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities and the Texas Holdings Group and our credit quality.  These measures serve to mitigate our and Oncor Holdings’ credit exposure to the Texas Holdings Group and to reduce the risk that our assets and liabilities or those of Oncor Holdings would be substantively consolidated with the assets and liabilities of the Texas Holdings Group in connection with a bankruptcy of one or more of those entities, including the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings discussed below.  Such measures include, among other things: our sale of a 19.75% equity interest to Texas Transmission in November 2008; maintenance of separate books and records for the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities; our board of directors being comprised of a majority of independent directors; and prohibitions on the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities providing credit support to, or receiving credit support from, any member of the Texas Holdings Group.  The assets and liabilities of the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are separate and distinct from those of the Texas Holdings Group, including TXU Energy and Luminant, and none of the assets of the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are available to satisfy the debt or contractual obligations of any member of the Texas Holdings Group.  We do not bear any liability for debt or contractual obligations of the Texas Holdings Group, and vice versa.  Accordingly, our operations are conducted, and our cash flows are managed, independently from the Texas Holdings Group.

 

Significant Activities and Events

 

EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings — On the EFH Petition Date, EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries that are members of the Texas Holdings Group, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH, commenced proceedings under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code.  The Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are not parties to the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.  We believe the “ring-fencing” measures discussed above mitigate our potential exposure to the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings.  See Note 2 to Financial Statements for a discussion of the potential impacts of the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings on our financial statements and a discussion of the proposed change in control of Oncor’s indirect majority owner in connection with such proceedings.

 

The US Bankruptcy Code automatically enjoined, or stayed, us from judicial or administrative proceedings or filing of other actions against our affiliates or their property to recover, collect or secure our claims arising prior to the EFH Petition Date.  Following the EFH Petition Date, EFH Corp. received approval from the bankruptcy court to pay or otherwise honor certain prepetition obligations generally designed to stabilize its operations.  Included in the approval were the obligations owed to us representing our prepetition electricity delivery fees.  As of the EFH Petition Date, we estimated that our receivables from the Texas Holdings Group totaled approximately $129 million.  Since that time, we have collected $127 million of the prepetition amount.  We estimate any potential pre-tax loss resulting from the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings to be immaterial.  As such, a provision for uncollectible accounts from affiliates had not been established as of March 31, 2015.

25


 

 

The EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings are a complex litigation matter and the full extent of potential exposure at this time is unknown.  As part of the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings, on April 14, 2015, EFH Corp. and the other debtors filed with the bankruptcy court a joint plan of reorganization (the “Plan of Reorganization”).    The Plan of Reorganization will determine the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders of EFH Corp. and the other debtors.    The Plan of Reorganization is subject to revision in response to creditor claims and objections, the ultimate outcome of stakeholder negotiations and the requirements of the US Bankruptcy Code or the bankruptcy court.  Bankruptcy courts have broad equitable powers, and as a result, outcomes in bankruptcy proceedings are inherently difficult to predict.  We will continue to evaluate our affiliate transactions and contingencies throughout the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings to determine any risks and resulting impacts on our financial statements in accordance with our accounting policies.  EFH Corp. has been exploring various options regarding potential transactions that potentially could implicate a regulatory review.  We have made some preliminary preparations for potential change in control filings, including discussions with EFH Corp. and others, in light of the proposals in the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings and the filing of the Plan of Reorganization, but cannot predict the result of any transaction or review.  See Notes 2, 7 and 10 to Financial Statements and “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for additional information.

 

For information regarding matters with the PUCT, see discussion below under “Regulation and Rates.”

26


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Operating Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

%

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating statistics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric energy calendar volumes (gigawatt-hours):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

10,409 

 

10,307 

 

1.0 

Other (a)

 

16,908 

 

16,684 

 

1.3 

Total electric energy calendar volumes

 

27,317 

 

26,991 

 

1.2 

Reliability statistics (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) (nonstorm)

 

 

94.5 

 

 

104.8 

 

 

(9.8)

System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) (nonstorm)

 

 

1.3 

 

 

1.4 

 

 

(7.1)

Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI) (nonstorm)

 

 

71.4 

 

 

75.8 

 

 

(5.8)

Electricity points of delivery (end of period and in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity distribution points of delivery (based on number of active meters)

 

 

3,345 

 

 

3,296 

 

 

1.5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

$

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution base revenues

 

$

449 

 

$

448 

 

$

Transmission base revenues (c)

 

 

205 

 

 

187 

 

 

18 

Reconcilable rates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TCRF (c)

 

 

267 

 

 

246 

 

 

21 

Transition charges

 

 

34 

 

 

36 

 

 

(2)

AMS surcharges

 

 

37 

 

 

36 

 

 

EECRF and rate case expense surcharges

 

 

13 

 

 

15 

 

 

(2)

Other miscellaneous revenues

 

 

14 

 

 

16 

 

 

(2)

Intercompany eliminations (c)

 

 

(73)

 

 

(67)

 

 

(6)

Total operating revenues

 

$

946 

 

$

917 

 

$

29 

________________

(a)Includes small business, large commercial and industrial and all other non-residential distribution points of delivery.

(b)SAIDI is the average number of minutes electric service is interrupted per consumer in a year.  SAIFI is the average number of electric service interruptions per consumer in a year.  CAIDI is the average duration in minutes per electric service interruption in a year.  The statistics presented are based on twelve months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 data.

(c)A portion of transmission base revenues (TCOS) is recovered from Oncor’s distribution customers through the TCRF rate.

27


 

Financial Results — Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014   

 

Total operating revenues increased $29 million, or 3%, to $946 million in 2015.  All revenue is billed under tariffs approved by the PUCT.  The change reflected:

 

·

An Increase in Distribution Base RevenuesDistribution base rates are set periodically in a rate review docket initiated by either us or the PUCT.  The present distribution base rates became effective on January 1, 2012.  The $1 million increase in distribution base rate revenues included favorable impacts of customer growth partially offset by lower average consumption.

 

·

An Increase in Transmission Base RevenuesTransmission base revenues (or TCOS revenues) are collected from load serving entities benefitting from our transmission system.  REPs serving customers in our service territory are billed through the TCRF mechanism discussed below while other load serving entities are billed directly.  In order to reflect changes in our invested transmission capital, PUCT rules allow us to update our TCOS rates by filing up to two interim TCOS rate adjustments in a calendar year.  The $18 million increase in transmission base revenues primarily reflects interim rate increases to recover ongoing investment, including a return component, in the transmission system.  See TCOS Filings Table below for a listing of Transmission Interim Rate Update Applications impacting revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, as well as filings that will impact revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

TCOS Filings Table

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Docket No.

 

Filed

 

Effective

 

Annual Revenue Impact

 

Third-Party Wholesale Transmission

 

Included in TCRF

44363

 

January 2015

 

March 2015

 

$

35 

 

$

23 

 

$

12 

42706

 

July 2014

 

September 2014

 

$

12 

 

$

 

$

 

·

An Increase in Reconcilable Rates — The PUCT has designated certain tariffs (TCRF, EECRF surcharge, AMS surcharge and charges related to transition bonds) as reconcilable, which means the differences between amounts billed under these tariffs and the related incurred costs, including a return component where allowed, are deferred as either regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities.  Accordingly, at prescribed intervals, future applicable tariffs are adjusted to either repay regulatory liabilities or collect regulatory assets.  While changes in these tariffs affect revenues and the timing of cash flows, they do not impact operating income, except for the AMS return component.  See Note 1 to Financial Statements for accounting treatment of reconcilable tariffs.

 

-

An Increase in TCRF — TCRF is a distribution rate charged to REPs to recover fees we pay to other transmission service providers under their TCOS rates and the retail portion of our own TCOS rate.  PUCT rules allow us to update the TCRF component of our retail delivery rates on March 1 and September 1 each year.  The $21 million increase in TCRF revenue reflects the pass through of a $15 million increase in third-party wholesale transmission expense described below and a $6 million increase in our own TCOS rate to recover ongoing investment in our transmission system including a return component.  At March 31, 2015, $19 million was deferred as under-recovered wholesale transmission service expense (see Note 4 to Financial Statements).  See TCRF Filings Table below for a listing of TCRF filings impacting cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, as well as filings that will impact cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

28


 

TCRF Filings Table

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billing Impact

Docket No.

 

Filed

 

Effective

 

Increase (Decrease)

43858

 

December 2014

 

March 2015 – August 2015

 

$

(27)

42558

 

May 2014

 

September 2014 – February 2015

 

$

71 

42059

 

December 2013

 

March 2014 – August 2014

 

$

44 

41543

 

June 2013

 

September 2013 – February 2014

 

$

88 

 

-

A Decrease in Transition Charges — Transition charge revenue is dedicated to paying the principal and interest of transition bonds.  We account for the difference between transition charge revenue recognized and cost related to the transition bonds as a regulatory liability.  Annual true-up adjustments are filed to increase or decrease the transition charges such that sufficient funds will be collected during the following period to meet scheduled debt service payments.  The final transition bonds mature in 2016.  The $2 million decrease in charges related to transition bonds corresponds with an offsetting decrease in amortization expense and primarily reflects lower transition charge tariff rates as a result of annual true ups.

 

-

An Increase in AMS Surcharges — The PUCT has authorized monthly per customer advanced meter cost recovery factors designed to recover the cost of our initial AMS deployment over an eleven-year period ending in 2019.  We recognize revenues equal to reconcilable expenses incurred including depreciation net of calculated savings plus a return component on our investment.  The $1 million increase in recognized AMS revenues is due to higher costs associated with initial deployment.  See “Regulation and Rates” below.

 

-

A Decrease in EECRF Surcharges — The EECRF is a reconcilable rate designed to recover current energy efficiency program costs and performance bonuses earned by exceeding PUCT targets in prior years and recover or refund any over/under recovery of our costs in prior years.  We recognize the performance bonuses in other miscellaneous revenues upon approval by the PUCT.  PUCT rules require us to file an annual EECRF tariff update by the first business day in June of each year for implementation on March 1 of the next calendar year.  The $2 million decrease in EECRF surcharges is offset in operation and maintenance expense.  See EECRF Filings Table below for a listing of EECRF filings impacting revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, as well as filings that will impact revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

EECRF Filings Table

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Docket No.

 

Filed

 

Effective

 

Average Monthly Charge per Residential Customer (a)

 

Program Costs

 

Performance Bonus

 

Under-/  (Over)- Recovery

42559

 

May 2014

 

March 2015

 

$

1.23 

 

$

50 

 

$

23 

 

$

(5)

41544

 

May 2013

 

March 2014

 

$

1.22 

 

$

62 

 

$

12 

 

$

(1)

40361

 

May 2012

 

January 2013

 

$

1.23 

 

$

62 

 

$

 

$

______________

(a)  As of March 2014, average monthly charges are for a residential customer using 1,200 kWh, as the energy efficiency substantive rules require rates to be on a volumetric basis rather than a fixed monthly charge.

 

29


 

 

·

A Decrease in Other Miscellaneous Revenues — Miscellaneous revenues include disconnect/reconnect fees and other discretionary revenues for services requested by REPs, services provided on a time and materials basis, rents, energy efficiency performance bonuses approved by the PUCT and other miscellaneous revenues. The $2 million decrease in other miscellaneous revenues primarily reflects lower discretionary rates.

 

Wholesale transmission service expense increased $15 million, or 8%, to $194 million in 2015 due to higher fees paid to other transmission entities.

 

Operation and maintenance expense increased $20 million, or 12%, to $186 million in 2015.  The change included $12 million in higher vegetation management costs, $4 million higher contractor and maintenance services costs and the impact of recognizing a PUCT order in the prior period allowing recovery of $3 million of rate case expenses previously written off.  Operation and maintenance expense also reflects fluctuations in expenses that are offset by corresponding reconcilable rate revenues, including a $2 million decrease related to the energy efficiency program and a $1 million increase related to advanced meters.  Amortization of regulatory assets reported in operation and maintenance expense totaled $13 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Depreciation and amortization increased $7 million, or 3%, to $217 million in 2015.  The increase reflected $9 million attributed to ongoing investments in property, plant and equipment, partially offset by $2 million in lower amortization of regulatory assets associated with transition bonds (with an offsetting decrease in revenues).

 

Taxes other than amounts related to income taxes increased $3 million, or 3%, to $111 million in 2015.  The change includes a $1 million increase in property taxes and a $1 million increase in local franchise fees.

 

Other income totaled $2 million in 2015 and $4 million in 2014, and for both periods, consisted primarily of the accretion of an adjustment (discount) to regulatory assets resulting from purchase accounting.  See Note 11 to Financial Statements.

 

Other deductions totaled $4 million in 2015 and $3 million in 2014.  See Note 11 to Financial Statements.

 

Provision in lieu of income taxes totaled $58 million in 2015 compared to $64 million (including $1 million related to nonoperating income) in 2014.  The effective income tax rate on pretax income was 37.2% in 2015 and 38.1% in 2014.  The 2015 effective income tax rate on pretax income differs from the US federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the effect of the 2015 Texas margin tax.

 

Interest expense and related charges decreased $7 million, or 8%, to $81 million in 2015.  The change was driven by a $9 million decrease attributable to lower average interest rates partially offset by a $2 million increase due to higher average borrowings reflecting ongoing capital investments.

 

Net income decreased $6 million, or 6%, to $98 million in 2015.  The change primarily reflects higher operation and maintenance expense and higher depreciation, partially offset by increased revenue from higher transmission rates.

 

 

30


 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash Flows — Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March  31, 2014

 

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $163 million and $198 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The $35 million decrease is the result of a  $40 million decrease in receipts for distribution revenues and rents as well as $56 million unfavorable changes in accounts payables and deposits held primarily due to the timing of payments, partially offset by a $60 million decrease in pension and OPEB contributions.    

 

Cash provided by financing activities totaled $174 million and $152 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The $22 million increase reflected a  $725 million issuance of long-term debt in March 2015 partially offset by a  $502 million increase in long-term debt repayments, a $145 million decrease in short-term borrowings,  a $47 million increase in distributions to our members, and an additional $9 million in debt discount, financing and reacquisition costs.  See Notes 6 and 8 to Financial Statements for additional information regarding long-term debt activity and distributions to our members, respectively.

 

Cash used in investing activities, which consists primarily of capital expenditures, totaled $323 million and $346 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The 2015 activity reflected decreases in capital expenditures for Competitive Renewable Energy Zone transmission, partially offset by increases in capital expenditures for transmission and distribution facilities to serve new customers and infrastructure capital maintenance spending.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense reported in the statements of consolidated cash flows was $11 million and $10 million more than the amounts reported in the statements of consolidated income in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The differences result from amortization reported in the following different lines items in the statements of consolidated income: regulatory asset amortization (reported in operation and maintenance expense), the accretion of the adjustment (discount) to regulatory assets (reported in other income) and the amortization of debt fair value discount (reported in interest expense and related charges).

 

Long-Term Debt ActivityRepayments of long-term debt in the three months ended March 31, 2015 totaled $530 million representing $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior secured notes paid at the scheduled maturity date of January 15, 2015 and $30 million representing transition bond principal payments  at scheduled maturity dates.    

 

In March 2015, we issued $350 million aggregate principal amount of 2.950% senior secured notes maturing in April 2025  (2025 Notes) and $375 million aggregate principal amount of 3.750% senior secured notes maturing in April 2045  (2045 Notes, together with the 2025 Notes, the Notes).  We used the proceeds (net of the initial purchasers’ discount, fees and expenses) of approximately $714 million from the sale of the Notes to repay borrowings under our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.  The Notes are secured by a first priority lien, and are secured equally and ratably with all of our other secured indebtedness.

 

See Note 6 to Financial Statements for additional information regarding long-term debt activity.

 

Available Liquidity/Credit Facility — Our primary source of liquidity, aside from operating cash flows, is our ability to borrow under our revolving credit facility.  At March 31, 2015, we had a $2.4 billion secured revolving credit facility.  The revolving credit facility expires in October 2016.  Subject to the limitations described below, available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility totaled $1.593 billion and $1.682 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  We may request an increase in our borrowing capacity of $100 million in the aggregate and up to two one-year extensions, provided certain conditions are met, including lender approval.

 

The revolving credit facility contains a senior debt-to-capitalization ratio covenant that effectively limits our ability to incur indebtedness in the future.  At March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the covenant.  See “Financial Covenants, Credit Rating Provisions and Cross Default Provisions” below for additional information on this covenant and the calculation of this ratio.  The revolving credit facility and the senior notes and debentures

31


 

issued by us are secured by the Deed of Trust, which permits us to secure other indebtedness with the lien of the Deed of Trust up to the aggregate of (i) the amount of available bond credits, and (ii) 85% of the lower of the fair value or cost of certain property additions that have been certified to the Deed of Trust collateral agent.  Accordingly, the availability under our revolving credit facility is limited by the amount of available bond credits and any property additions certified to the Deed of Trust collateral agent in connection with the revolving credit facility borrowings.    To the extent we continue to issue debt securities secured by the Deed of Trust, those debt securities would also be limited by the amount of available bond credits and any property additions that have been certified to the Deed of Trust collateral agent.  At March 31, 2015, the available bond credits totaled $2.618 billion, and the amount of additional potential indebtedness that could be secured by property additions, subject to the completion of a certification process, totaled $900 million.  At March 31, 2015, the available borrowing capacity of the revolving credit facility could be fully drawn.

 

Under the terms of our revolving credit facility, the commitments of the lenders to make loans to us are several and not joint.  Accordingly, if any lender fails to make loans to us, our available liquidity could be reduced by an amount up to the aggregate amount of such lender’s commitments under the facility.  See Note 5 to Financial Statements for additional information regarding the revolving credit facility.

 

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $18 million and $4 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  Available liquidity (cash and available revolving credit facility capacity) at March 31, 2015 totaled $1.611 billion reflecting a decrease of $75 million from December 31, 2014.  The decrease reflects our ongoing capital investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure. 

 

We also committed to the PUCT that we would maintain a regulatory capital structure at or below the assumed debt-to-equity ratio established periodically by the PUCT for ratemaking purposes, which is currently set at 60% debt to 40% equity.  At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our regulatory capitalization ratios were 59.8% debt and 40.2% equity and 58.8% debt and 41.2% equity, respectively.  See Note 8 to Financial Statements for discussion of the regulatory capitalization ratio.

 

Liquidity Needs, Including Capital Expenditures  Our board of directors, which annually approves capital expenditure estimates for the following year, has approved capital expenditures totaling $1.1 billion in 2015.  Management currently expects to recommend to our board of directors capital expenditures of approximately $1.4 billion in 2016 and approximately $1.5 billion in each of the years 2017 through 2020.  These capital expenditures are expected to be used for investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure.

 

We expect cash flows from operations, combined with availability under the revolving credit facility, to provide sufficient liquidity to fund current obligations, projected working capital requirements, maturities of long-term debt and capital spending for at least the next twelve months.  We do not anticipate the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings to have a material impact on our liquidity.  Should additional liquidity or capital requirements arise, we may need to access capital markets, generate equity capital or preserve equity through reductions or suspension of distributions to members.  In addition, we may also consider new debt issuances, repurchases, exchange offers and other transactions in order to refinance or manage our long-term debt.  The inability to raise capital on favorable terms or failure of counterparties to perform under credit or other financial agreements, particularly during any uncertainty in the financial markets, could impact our ability to sustain and grow the business and would likely increase capital costs that may not be recoverable through rates.

 

Distributions — On April 29, 2015, our board of directors declared a cash distribution of $65 million, to be paid to our members in May 2015.  In February 2015, our board of directors declared, and we paid a cash distribution of $100 million to our members.    

 

 

 

See Note 8 to Financial Statements for discussion of the distribution restriction.

32


 

Pension and OPEB Plan Funding — Our funding for the pension plans and the OPEB plans for the calendar year 2015 is expected to total $45 million and $25 million, respectively.  In the three months ended March 31, 2015, we made cash contributions to the pension plans and the OPEB plans of $1 million and $8 million, respectively.

 

Financial Covenants, Credit Rating Provisions and Cross Default Provisions — Our revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant that requires maintenance of a consolidated senior debt-to-capitalization ratio of no greater than 0.65 to 1.00.  For purposes of this ratio, debt is calculated as indebtedness defined in the revolving credit facility (principally, the sum of long-term debt, any capital leases, short-term debt and debt due currently in accordance with US GAAP).  The debt calculation excludes transition bonds issued by Bondco, but includes the unamortized fair value discount related to Bondco.  Capitalization is calculated as membership interests determined in accordance with US GAAP plus indebtedness described above.  At March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with this covenant.

 

Impact on Liquidity of Credit Ratings — The rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain of our debt securities.  Our access to capital markets and cost of debt could be directly affected by our credit ratings.  Any adverse action with respect to our credit ratings could generally cause borrowing costs to increase and the potential pool of investors and funding sources to decrease.  In particular, a decline in credit ratings would increase the cost of our revolving credit facility (as discussed below).  In the event any adverse action with respect to our credit ratings takes place and causes borrowing costs to increase, we may not be able to recover such increased costs if they exceed our PUCT-approved cost of debt determined in our most recent rate review or subsequent rate reviews.

 

Most of our large suppliers and counterparties require an expected level of creditworthiness in order for them to enter into transactions with us.  If our credit ratings decline, the costs to operate our business could increase because counterparties could require the posting of collateral in the form of cash-related instruments, or counterparties could decline to do business with us.

 

Presented below are the credit ratings assigned for our debt securities at May 1, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Secured

S&P

 

A

Moody’s

 

Baa1

Fitch

 

BBB+

 

 

 

As described in Note 7 to Financial Statements in our 2014 10-K, our long-term debt, excluding Bondco’s non-recourse debt, is currently secured pursuant to the Deed of Trust by a first priority lien on certain of our transmission and distribution assets and is considered senior secured debt.

 

A rating reflects only the view of a rating agency, and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities.  Ratings can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change.

 

Material Credit Rating CovenantsOur revolving credit facility contains terms pursuant to which the interest rates charged under the agreement may be adjusted depending on credit ratings.  Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at per annum rates equal to, at our option, (i) LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% depending on credit ratings assigned to our senior secured non-credit enhanced long-term debt or (ii) an alternate base rate (the highest of (1) the prime rate of JPMorgan Chase, (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and (3) daily one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%) plus a spread ranging from 0.00% to 0.75% depending on credit ratings assigned to our senior secured non-credit enhanced long-term debt.  Based on the current ratings assigned to our debt securities at May 1, 2015, our borrowings are generally LIBOR-based and will bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.125%.  A decline in credit ratings would increase the cost of our revolving credit facility and likely increase the cost of any debt issuances and additional credit facilities.

 

Material Cross Default ProvisionsCertain financing arrangements contain provisions that may result in an event of default if there was a failure under other financing arrangements to meet payment terms or to observe other

33


 

covenants that could result in an acceleration of payments due.  Such provisions are referred to as “cross default” provisions.

 

Under our revolving credit facility, a default by us or our subsidiary in respect of indebtedness in a principal amount in excess of $100 million or any judgments for the payment of money in excess of $50 million that are not discharged within 60 days may cause the maturity of outstanding balances ($800 million in short-term borrowings and $7 million in letters of credit at March 31, 2015) under that facility to be accelerated.  Additionally, under the Deed of Trust, an event of default under either our revolving credit facility or our indentures would permit our lenders and the holders of our senior secured notes to exercise their remedies under the Deed of Trust.

 

GuaranteesAt March 31, 2015, we did not have any material guarantees.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

At March 31, 2015, we did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements with special purpose entities or variable interest entities.

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

See Note 7 to Financial Statements for discussion of commitments and contingencies.

 

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

See Note 1 to Financial Statements for discussion of changes in accounting standards.

 

REGULATION AND RATES

 

State Legislation

 

 The Texas Legislature meets every two years.  The current Legislature is in regular session from January 2015 to June 2015.  However, at any time the governor of Texas may convene a special session of the Legislature.  During any regular or special session bills may be introduced that, if adopted, could materially and adversely affect our business and our business prospects.  Various bills related to our business have been proposed in the current legislative session, however, none introduced to date are expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Matters with the PUCT

2008 Rate Review (PUCT Docket No. 35717) — In August 2009, the PUCT issued a final order with respect to our June 2008 rate review filing with the PUCT and 204 cities based on a test year ended December 31, 2007 (PUCT Docket No. 35717), and new rates were implemented in September 2009.  We and four other parties appealed various portions of the rate review final order to a state district court.  In January 2011, the district court signed its judgment reversing the PUCT with respect to two issues: the PUCT’s disallowance of certain franchise fees and the PUCT’s decision that PURA no longer requires imposition of a rate discount for state colleges and universities.  We filed an appeal with the Texas Third Court of Appeals (Austin Court of Appeals) in February 2011 with respect to the issues we appealed to the district court and did not prevail upon, as well as the district court’s decision to reverse the PUCT with respect to discounts for state colleges and universities.  In early August 2014, the Austin Court of Appeals reversed the district court and affirmed the PUCT with respect to the PUCT’s disallowance of certain franchise fees and the PUCT’s decision that PURA no longer requires imposition of a rate discount for state colleges and universities.  The Austin Court of Appeals also reversed the PUCT and district court’s rejection of a proposed consolidated tax savings adjustment arising out of EFH Corp.’s ability to offset our taxable income against losses from other investments and remanded the issue to the PUCT to determine the amount of the consolidated tax savings adjustment.  In late August 2014, we filed a motion on rehearing with the Austin Court of Appeals with respect to certain appeal issues on which we were not successful, including the consolidated tax savings adjustment.  In December 2014, the Austin Court of Appeals issued its opinion, clarifying that it was

34


 

rendering judgment on the rate discount for state colleges and universities issue (affirming that PURA no longer requires imposition of the rate discount) rather than remanding it to the PUCT, and dismissing the motions for rehearing regarding the franchise fee issue and the consolidated tax savings adjustment.  We filed a petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court on February 19, 2015,  and on April 24, 2015 the court requested that the parties file responses to the petitions for review.  These responses are due by May 26, 2015 unless the parties request, and the court grants, an extensionThere is no deadline for the court to act after receipt of these responses.  If our appeals efforts are unsuccessful and the proposed consolidated tax savings adjustment is implemented, we estimate that on remand, the impact on earnings of the consolidated tax savings adjustment’s value could range from zero, as originally determined by the PUCT in Docket 35717, to a $130 million loss (after tax).  We do not believe that any of the other issues ruled upon by the Austin Court of Appeals would result in a material impact to our results of operations or financial condition.

 

Summary

 

We cannot predict future regulatory or legislative actions or any changes in economic and securities market conditions.  Such actions or changes could significantly alter our basic financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

35


 

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk is the risk that we may experience a loss in value as a result of changes in market conditions such as interest rates that may be experienced in the ordinary course of business.  We may transact in financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk related to our debt, but there are currently no such hedges in place.  All of our long-term debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 carried fixed interest rates.

 

Except as discussed below, the information required hereunder is not significantly different from the information set forth in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2014 Form 10-K and is therefore not presented herein.

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk relates to the risk of loss associated with nonperformance by counterparties.  Our customers consist primarily of REPs.  As a prerequisite for obtaining and maintaining certification, a REP must meet the financial resource standards established by the PUCT.  Meeting these standards does not guarantee that a REP will be able to perform its obligations.  REP certificates granted by the PUCT are subject to suspension and revocation for significant violation of PURA and PUCT rules.  Significant violations include failure to timely remit payments for invoiced charges to a transmission and distribution utility pursuant to the terms of tariffs approved by the PUCT.  We believe PUCT rules that allow for the recovery of uncollectible amounts due from nonaffiliated REPs through rates significantly reduce our credit risk.

 

Our net exposure to credit risk associated with trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates totaled $125 million at March 31, 2015, consisting of $89 million of billed receivables and $42 million of unbilled receivables, of which $6 million is secured by letters of credit posted by TCEH for our benefit. Under PUCT rules, unbilled amounts are billed within the following month and amounts are due in 35 days of billing.  Due to commitments made to the PUCT, this concentration of accounts receivable from affiliates increases the risk that a default could have a material effect on earnings and cash flows.  See Notes 2, 7 and 10 to Financial Statements for additional information regarding the potential impacts of the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings on our transactions with affiliates and for additional information regarding our transactions involving members of the Texas Holdings Group.

 

Our exposure to credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable from nonaffiliates totaled $420 million at March 31, 2015.  The nonaffiliated receivable amount is before the allowance for uncollectible accounts, which totaled $3 million at March 31, 2015.  The nonaffiliated exposure includes trade accounts receivable from REPs totaling $305 million, which are almost entirely noninvestment grade.  At March 31, 2015, REP subsidiaries of a nonaffiliated entity collectively represented approximately 14% of the nonaffiliated trade receivable amount.  No other nonaffiliated parties represented 10% or more of the total trade accounts receivable amount.  We view our exposure to this customer to be within an acceptable level of risk tolerance considering PUCT rules and regulations; however, this concentration increases the risk that a default could have a material effect on cash flows.

36


 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report and other presentations made by us contain “forward-looking statements.”  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that are included in this report, or made in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise, that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate to occur in the future, including such matters as projections, capital allocation, future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, future acquisitions or dispositions, development or operation of facilities, market and industry developments and the growth of our business and operations (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “intends,” “plans,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “should,” “projection,” “target,” “goal,” “objective” and “outlook”), are forward-looking statements.  Although we believe that in making any such forward-looking statement our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the discussion of risk factors under “Item 1A.  Risk Factors” and “Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our 2014 Form 10-K, “Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this report and the following important factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements:

 

·

prevailing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the US Congress, the Texas Legislature, the Governor of Texas, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the PUCT, the North American Energy Regulatory Corporation, the Texas Reliability Entity, Inc., the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, with respect to:

-

allowed rate of return;

-

permitted capital structure;

-

industry, market and rate structure;

-

recovery of investments;

-

acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities;

-

operation and construction of facilities;

-

changes in tax laws and policies, and

-

changes in and compliance with environmental, reliability and safety laws and policies;

·

legal and administrative proceedings and settlements, including the exercise of equitable powers by courts;

·

any impacts on us as a result of the EFH Bankruptcy Proceedings;

·

weather conditions and other natural phenomena;

·

acts of sabotage, wars or terrorist or cyber security threats or activities;

·

economic conditions, including the impact of a recessionary environment;

·

unanticipated population growth or decline, or changes in market demand and demographic patterns, particularly in ERCOT;

·

changes in business strategy, development plans or vendor relationships;

·

unanticipated changes in interest rates or rates of inflation;

·

unanticipated changes in operating expenses, liquidity needs and capital expenditures;

·

inability of various counterparties to meet their financial obligations to us, including failure of counterparties to perform under agreements;

·

general industry trends;

·

hazards customary to the industry and the possibility that we may not have adequate insurance to cover losses resulting from such hazards;

·

changes in technology used by and services offered by us;

·

significant changes in our relationship with our employees, including the availability of qualified personnel, and the potential adverse effects if labor disputes or grievances were to occur;

·

changes in assumptions used to estimate costs of providing employee benefits, including pension and OPEB, and future funding requirements related thereto;

·

significant changes in critical accounting policies material to us;

·

commercial bank and financial market conditions, access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the capital markets and the potential impact of disruptions in US credit markets;

37


 

·

circumstances which may contribute to future impairment of goodwill, intangible or other long-lived assets;

·

financial restrictions under our revolving credit facility and indentures governing our debt instruments;

·

our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to make interest payments on our debt instruments;

·

actions by credit rating agencies, and

·

our ability to effectively execute our operational strategy.

 

Any forward-looking statement speaks only at the date on which it is made, and, except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them; nor can we assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.  As such, you should not unduly rely on such forward-looking statements.

 

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures in effect at the end of the current period included in this quarterly report.  Based on the evaluation performed, our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  During the most recent fiscal quarter covered by this report, no changes in internal controls over financial reporting have occurred that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

38


 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Reference is made to the discussion in Notes 3 and 7 to Financial Statements regarding legal and regulatory proceedings.

 

 

ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS

 

There are numerous factors that affect our business and results of operations, many of which are beyond our control.  In addition to the other information set forth in this report, including “Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” you should carefully consider the factors discussed in “Part I, Item 1A.  Risk Factors” in our 2014 Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial  condition or future results.  The risks described in such reports are not the only risks we face.

 

 

ITEM 2.   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

 

ITEM 3.   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

 

ITEM 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

 

ITEM 5.   OTHER INFORMATION

 

None. 

39


 

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Exhibits provided as part of Part II are:

Exhibits

Previously Filed*

With File Number

As
Exhibit

 

 

(4)

Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures.

4(a)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed March  30, 2015)

4.1

Officer's Certificate, dated March 24, 2015, establishing the terms of Oncor's 2.950% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 and 3.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2045.

4(b)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed March  30, 2015)

4.2

Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 24, 2015, among Oncor and the representatives of the initial purchasers of the Notes.

(10)

Material Contracts.

10(a)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed February 23, 2015)

10.1

Retention Agreement, effective as of February 17, 2015,

between Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC and E.

Allen Nye, Jr.

10(b)

333-100240          Form 10-K (filed February 27, 2015)

10(y)

Amendment No. 1 to the Salary Deferral Program, effective

as of February 25, 2015.

10(c)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed March  30, 2015)

10.1

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Fourth Amended and Restated Executive Annual Incentive Plan.

10(d)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed  March 30, 2015)

10.2

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Form of Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for performance periods beginning on or after January 1, 2015.

(31)

Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certifications.

31(a)

 

 

Certification of Robert S. Shapard, chairman of the board and chief executive of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31(b)

 

 

Certification of David M. Davis, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(32)

Section 1350 Certifications.

32(a)

 

 

Certification of Robert S. Shapard, chairman of the board and chief executive of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32(b)

 

 

Certification of David M. Davis, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(99)

Additional Exhibits.

99

 

 

Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income  Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2015.

 

XBRL Data Files.

101.INS

 

 

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

40


 

101.CAL

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

__________________

*   Incorporated herein by reference.

41


 

 

SIGNATURE

 

 

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

 

 

 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC

 

!!

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David M. Davis

 

David M. Davis

 

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and

Duly Authorized Officer)

 

Date:  May 1, 2015

 

42


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Exhibits provided as part of Part II are:

Exhibits

Previously Filed*

With File Number

As
Exhibit

 

 

(4)

Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures.

4(a)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed March 30, 2015)

4.1

Officer's Certificate, dated March 24, 2015, establishing the terms of Oncor's 2.950% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 and 3.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2045.

4(b)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed March 30, 2015)

4.2

Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 24, 2015, among Oncor and the representatives of the initial purchasers of the Notes.

(10)

Material Contracts.

10(a)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed February 23, 2015)

10.1

Retention Agreement, effective as of February 17, 2015,

between Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC and E.

Allen Nye, Jr.

10(b)

333-100240          Form 10-K (filed February 27, 2015)

10(y)

Amendment No. 1 to the Salary Deferral Program, effective

as of February 25, 2015.

10(c)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed March 30, 2015)

10.1

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Fourth Amended and Restated Executive Annual Incentive Plan.

10(d)

333-100240          Form 8-K (filed March 30, 2015)

10.2

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Form of Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for performance periods beginning on or after January 1, 2015.

(31)

Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certifications.

31(a)

 

 

Certification of Robert S. Shapard, chairman of the board and chief executive of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31(b)

 

 

Certification of David M. Davis, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(32)

Section 1350 Certifications.

32(a)

 

 

Certification of Robert S. Shapard, chairman of the board and chief executive of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32(b)

 

 

Certification of David M. Davis, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(99)

Additional Exhibits.

99

 

 

Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income  Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2015.

 

XBRL Data Files.

101.INS

 

 

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

43


 

101.LAB

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

__________________

*   Incorporated herein by reference.

44