Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 001-14206

El Paso Electric Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas   74-0607870

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Stanton Tower, 100 North Stanton, El Paso, Texas   79901
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(915) 543-5711

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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  x    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   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨      Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

As of July 29, 2011, there were 41,822,857 shares of the Company’s no par value common stock outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

          Page No.  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets – June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010

     1   

Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three Months, Six Months and Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

     3   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Operations – Three Months, Six Months and Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

     5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

     6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     7   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     32   

Item 2.

  

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

     33   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     50   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     50   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     51   

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     51   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     51   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     51   

 

(i)


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

(In thousands)

    

Utility plant:

    

Electric plant in service

   $ 2,718,910      $ 2,522,862   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (1,085,881     (1,047,498
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net plant in service

     1,633,029        1,475,364   

Construction work in progress

     161,080        285,086   

Nuclear fuel; includes fuel in process of $33,209 and $47,746, respectively

     164,815        150,774   

Less accumulated amortization

     (51,617     (45,471
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net nuclear fuel

     113,198        105,303   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net utility plant

     1,907,307        1,865,753   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     5,106        79,184   

Accounts receivable, principally trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,267 and $2,885, respectively

     107,457        71,685   

Accumulated deferred income taxes

     11,185        25,818   

Inventories, at cost

     38,415        36,132   

Income taxes receivable

     2,508        12,656   

Undercollection of fuel revenues

     6,851        0   

Prepayments and other

     9,804        4,543   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     181,326        230,018   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred charges and other assets:

    

Decommissioning trust funds

     162,702        153,878   

Regulatory assets

     88,107        88,557   

Other

     28,030        26,560   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred charges and other assets

     278,839        268,995   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,367,472      $ 2,364,766   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

 

     June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 
     (Unaudited)        

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

(In thousands except for share data)

    

Capitalization:

    

Common stock, stated value $1 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 65,241,772 and 65,121,689 shares issued, and 199,619 and 143,371 restricted shares, respectively

   $ 65,441      $ 65,265   

Capital in excess of stated value

     306,926        305,068   

Retained earnings

     841,375        810,858   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (30,981     (33,177
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,182,761        1,148,014   

Treasury stock, 23,621,213 and 22,693,995 shares, respectively, at cost

     (364,459     (337,639
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common stock equity

     818,302        810,375   

Long-term debt

     849,771        849,745   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

     1,668,073        1,660,120   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

    

Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility

     39,642        4,704   

Accounts payable, principally trade

     52,700        41,795   

Taxes accrued

     25,350        29,172   

Interest accrued

     12,108        12,099   

Overcollection of fuel revenues

     0        18,976   

Other

     22,795        24,207   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     152,595        130,953   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

    

Accumulated deferred income taxes

     287,765        286,730   

Accrued pension liability

     83,918        93,471   

Asset retirement obligation

     69,295        92,911   

Accrued postretirement benefit liability

     62,683        61,594   

Regulatory liabilities

     15,007        14,489   

Other

     28,136        24,498   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     546,804        573,693   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Total capitalization and liabilities

   $ 2,367,472      $ 2,364,766   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands except for share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Operating revenues

   $ 242,605      $ 211,397      $ 418,717      $ 415,565   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Energy expenses:

        

Fuel

     61,318        50,752        104,077        99,845   

Purchased and interchanged power

     16,297        19,552        34,771        48,399   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     77,615        70,304        138,848        148,244   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating revenues net of energy expenses

     164,990        141,093        279,869        267,321   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses:

        

Other operations

     57,209        51,544        111,316        101,642   

Maintenance

     16,760        15,735        28,996        30,235   

Depreciation and amortization

     19,524        20,167        40,460        39,451   

Taxes other than income taxes

     13,376        13,170        26,503        24,913   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     106,869        100,616        207,275        196,241   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     58,121        40,477        72,594        71,080   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (deductions):

        

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

     2,011        2,707        5,062        5,247   

Investment and interest income, net

     1,590        840        3,975        1,938   

Miscellaneous non-operating income

     1        151        271        153   

Miscellaneous non-operating deductions

     (698     (529     (1,413     (888
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,904        3,169        7,895        6,450   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest charges (credits):

        

Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility

     13,526        12,241        27,024        24,442   

Other interest

     237        25        534        65   

Capitalized interest

     (1,290     (258     (2,546     (486

Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction

     (1,180     (1,534     (3,029     (3,101
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     11,293        10,474        21,983        20,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     49,732        33,172        58,506        56,610   

Income tax expense

     16,742        11,665        18,741        23,654   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 32,990      $ 21,507      $ 39,765      $ 32,956   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.78      $ 0.49      $ 0.94      $ 0.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.78      $ 0.49      $ 0.94      $ 0.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share of common stock

   $ 0.22      $ 0.00      $ 0.22      $ 0.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

     41,853,552        43,460,458        42,079,568        43,598,933   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding

     42,076,659        43,557,788        42,298,716        43,710,026   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands except for share data)

 

          Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
               2011     2010  

Operating revenues

         $ 880,403      $ 849,476   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Energy expenses:

          

Fuel

           204,061        199,506   

Purchased and interchanged power

           78,288        99,309   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
           282,349        298,815   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating revenues net of energy expenses

           598,054        550,661   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses:

          

Other operations

           233,895        217,545   

Maintenance

           55,584        60,066   

Depreciation and amortization

           82,020        78,012   

Taxes other than income taxes

           56,079        49,883   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
           427,578        405,506   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

           170,476        145,155   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (deductions):

          

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

           10,631        9,346   

Investment and interest income, net

           7,352        7,387   

Miscellaneous non-operating income

           1,486        499   

Miscellaneous non-operating deductions

           (3,731     (2,330
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
           15,738        14,902   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest charges (credits):

          

Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility

           53,408        48,834   

Other interest

           723        209   

Capitalized interest

           (4,547     (933

Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction

           (6,599     (5,757
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
           42,985        42,353   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and extraordinary item

           143,229        117,704   

Income tax expense

           46,103        42,855   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before extraordinary item

           97,126        74,849   

Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of tax

           10,286        0   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

         $ 107,412      $ 74,849   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

          

Income before extraordinary item

         $ 2.28      $ 1.70   

Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of tax

           0.24        0.00   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

         $ 2.52      $ 1.70   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

          

Income before extraordinary item

         $ 2.27      $ 1.69   

Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of tax

           0.24        0.00   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

         $ 2.51      $ 1.69   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share of common stock

         $ 0.22      $ 0.00   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

           42,376,298        43,943,503   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding

           42,595,011        44,059,201   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Net income

   $ 32,990      $ 21,507      $ 39,765      $ 32,956      $ 107,412      $ 74,849   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

            

Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs:

            

Net loss arising during period

     0        0        0        0        (9,874     (48,580

Prior service benefit

     0        0        0        0        26,605        0   

Reclassification adjustments included in net income for amortization of:

            

Prior service benefit

     (1,450     (677     (2,905     (1,377     (4,282     (2,754

Net loss

     1,778        787        3,253        1,687        4,940        2,500   

Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities:

            

Net holding gains (losses) arising during period

     416        (6,401     2,589        (3,978     13,232        6,480   

Reclassification adjustments for net (gains) losses included in net income

     2        378        (203     409        (490     (2,644

Net losses on cash flow hedges:

            

Reclassification adjustment for interest expense included in net income

     88        83        176        166        348        327   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes

     834        (5,830     2,910        (3,093     30,479        (44,671
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss):

            

Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs

     (124     (39     (131     (112     (6,306     16,640   

Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

     (157     1,205        (517     714        (2,588     (767

Losses on cash flow hedges

     (33     (30     (66     (60     (128     (118
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income tax benefit (expense)

     (314     1,136        (714     542        (9,022     15,755   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     520        (4,694     2,196        (2,551     21,457        (28,916
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 33,510      $ 16,813      $ 41,961      $ 30,405      $ 128,869      $ 45,933   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 39,765      $ 32,956   

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

    

Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service

     40,460        39,451   

Amortization of nuclear fuel

     17,958        13,758   

Deferred income taxes, net

     12,647        14,206   

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

     (5,062     (5,247

Other amortization and accretion

     11,772        7,260   

Other operating activities

     (216     44   

Change in:

    

Accounts receivable

     (35,772     (26,175

Inventories

     (2,741     1,148   

Net overcollection (undercollection) of fuel revenues

     (25,827     420   

Prepayments and other

     (5,713     (2,266

Accounts payable

     4,934        (15,880

Taxes accrued

     6,326        3,220   

Interest accrued

     9        (7

Other current liabilities

     (1,412     (655

Deferred charges and credits

     (7,547     (2,708
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     49,581        59,525   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment

     (86,950     (90,603

Cash additions to nuclear fuel

     (24,140     (26,981

Capitalized interest and AFUDC:

    

Utility property, plant and equipment

     (8,091     (8,348

Nuclear fuel

     (2,546     (486

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

     5,062        5,247   

Decommissioning trust funds:

    

Purchases, including funding of $4.3 and $4.1 million, respectively

     (42,641     (39,809

Sales and maturities

     36,406        34,205   

Other investing activities

     188        (867
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

     (122,712     (127,642
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repurchases of common stock

     (26,320     (9,988

Dividends paid

     (9,248     0   

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility:

    

Proceeds

     65,770        25,092   

Payments

     (30,832     (9,264

Other financing activities

     (317     (103
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     (947     5,737   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (74,078     (62,380

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     79,184        91,790   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 5,106      $ 29,410   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

A. Principles of Preparation

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Annual Report of El Paso Electric Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (the “2010 Form 10-K”). Capitalized terms used in this report and not defined herein have the meaning ascribed for such terms in the 2010 Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; the results of its operations and comprehensive operations for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010; and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. The results of operations and comprehensive operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and the cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full calendar year.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), certain financial information has been condensed and certain footnote disclosures have been omitted. Such information and disclosures are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenues. Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recorded when service is rendered or electricity is delivered to customers. The billing of electricity sales to retail customers is based on the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue/kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its consolidated statements of operations.

Accrued unbilled revenues included in accounts receivable are presented below (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2011      December 31, 2010  

Accrued unbilled revenues

   $  30,573       $  16,644   

Extraordinary Item. As a regulated electric utility, the Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with the FASB guidance for regulated operations. FASB guidance for regulated operations requires the Company to show certain items as assets or liabilities on its balance sheet when the regulator provides assurance that these items will be charged to and collected from its customers or refunded to its customers. In the final order for PUCT Docket No. 37690, the Company was allowed to

 

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include the previously expensed loss on reacquired debt associated with the refinancing of first mortgage bonds in 2005 in its calculation of the weighted cost of debt to be recovered from its customers. The Company recorded the impacts of the re-application of FASB guidance for regulated operations to its Texas jurisdiction in 2006 as an extraordinary item. In order to establish this regulatory asset, the Company recorded an extraordinary gain, in its statements of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 as noted below (in thousands):

 

Extraordinary gain, net of income tax expense

   $  10,286   

Income tax expense related to extraordinary gain

     5,769   

This item was recorded as a regulatory asset at September 30, 2010 pursuant to the final order received from the PUCT and will be amortized over the remaining life of the Company’s 6% Senior Notes due in 2035.

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (in thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010  

Cash paid for:

    

Interest on long-term debt and borrowing under the revolving credit facility

   $ 24,199      $ 23,825   

Income taxes paid (refund)

     (3,101     5,291   

Non-cash financing activities:

    

Grants of restricted shares of common stock

     3,193        1,823   

Issuance of performance shares

     565        662   

Acquisition of treasury stock for options

    

exercised

     500        0   

B. New Accounting Standards

In June 2011, the FASB issued new guidance to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The new guidance requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both presentations, an entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. Historically, the Company has used the consecutive two-statement approach; however, this new guidance will require additional disclosure on the Company’s statement of operations and related notes. The new guidance is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.

 

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In January 2010, the FASB issued new guidance to improve disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements and disclosures. The new requirements include (i) disclosure of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and the reasons for the transfers; and (ii) disclosure in the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value measurements of information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis. The new guidance also clarifies existing disclosures and requires (i) an entity to provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities and (ii) disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. The provisions of this new guidance were adopted in the first quarter of 2010 except for the reconciliation for the Level 3 fair value measurements on a gross basis which was adopted during the first quarter of 2011. During the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011, the Company had no purchases, sales, issuances or settlements in the Level 3 category. This guidance requires additional disclosure on fair value measurements but did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

C. Regulation

General

The rates and services of the Company are regulated by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the PUCT, the NMPRC, and the FERC. The PUCT and the NMPRC have jurisdiction to review municipal orders, ordinances, and utility agreements regarding rates and services within their respective states and over certain other activities of the Company. The FERC has jurisdiction over the Company’s wholesale transactions and compliance with federally-mandated reliability standards. The decisions of the PUCT, NMPRC and the FERC are subject to judicial review.

Texas Regulatory Matters

2009 Texas Retail Rate Case. On December 9, 2009, the Company filed an application with the PUCT for authority to change rates, to reconcile fuel costs, to establish formula-based fuel factors, and to establish an energy efficiency cost-recovery factor. This case was assigned PUCT Docket No. 37690. The filing included a base rate increase which was based upon an adjusted test year ended June 30, 2009.

On July 30, 2010, the PUCT approved a settlement in the 2009 Texas retail rate case in PUCT Docket No. 37690. The settlement called for an annual non-fuel base rate increase of $17.15 million effective for usage beginning July 1, 2010. The new rate structure resulted in net increases in base rates during the peak summer season of May through October and net decreases in base rates during November through April. This increase was partially offset by the provision that, consistent with a prior rate agreement, effective July 1, 2010, the Company shares 90% of off-system sales margins with customers and retains 10% of such margins. Previously, the Company retained 75% of off-system sales margins. All additions to electric plant in service since June 30, 1993 through June 30, 2009 were deemed to be reasonable and necessary with the exception of one small addition. The Company’s new customer information system completed in April 2010 was also included in base rates with a ten-year amortization. The settlement provided for the reconciliation of fuel costs incurred through June 30, 2009 except for the recovery of final Four Corners’ coal mine reclamation costs. The fuel reconciliation (Docket No. 38361, discussed below) was bifurcated from the rate case to allow for litigation of the

 

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final coal mine reclamation costs. The PUCT also approved the use of a formula-based fuel factor which provides for more timely recovery of fuel costs. The PUCT approved a $19.7 million or 11% reduction in the Company’s fixed fuel factor as the initial rate under the approved fuel factor formula. The PUCT also approved an energy efficiency cost-recovery factor that includes the recovery of deferred energy efficiency costs over a three-year period.

Fuel Reconciliation Case (Severed from 2009 Rate Case). Pursuant to the stipulation in Docket No. 37690, a fuel reconciliation component of the rate case was severed and a separate docket, PUCT Docket No. 38361, was established to address one fuel reconciliation issue not settled by the parties. That single issue was a determination of the proper amount of the Four Corners’ coal mine final reclamation costs to be recovered from the Company’s Texas retail customers. The hearing on the merits of the case was held on August 11, 2010. On November 23, 2010 the Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) issued the Proposal for Decision which approved the Company’s request. The PUCT issued a final order approving the Proposal for Decision on January 27, 2011.

Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. The Company’s actual fuel costs, including purchased power energy costs, are recoverable from its customers. The PUCT has adopted a fuel cost recovery rule (“Texas Fuel Rule”) that allows the Company to seek periodic adjustments to its fixed fuel factor. The Company received approval on July 30, 2010 in PUCT Docket No. 37690 (discussed above), to implement a formula to determine its fuel factor. The Company can seek to revise its fixed fuel factor based upon the approved formula at least four months after its last revision except in the month of December. The Texas Fuel Rule requires the Company to request to refund fuel costs in any month when the over-recovery balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel costs to continue to be materially over-recovered. The Texas Fuel Rule also permits the Company to seek to surcharge fuel under-recoveries in any month the balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel cost recovery to continue to be materially under-recovered. Fuel over and under-recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of the previous twelve months’ fuel costs. All such fuel revenue and expense activities are subject to periodic final review by the PUCT in fuel reconciliation proceedings.

The Company has filed the following petitions with the PUCT to refund recent fuel cost over-recoveries, due primarily to fluctuations in natural gas markets and consumption levels. The table summarizes the docket number assigned by the PUCT, the dates the Company filed the petitions and the dates a final order was issued by the PUCT approving the refunds to customers. The fuel cost over-recovery periods represent the months in which the over-recoveries took place and the refund periods represent the billing month(s) in which customers received the refund amounts shown, including interest (in thousands):

 

Docket

No.

  

Date Filed

  

Date Approved

  

Recovery Period

  

Refund Period

   Refund
Amount
 
37788    December 17, 2009    February 11, 2010    September – November 2009    February 2010    $  11,800   
38253    May 12, 2010    July 15, 2010    December 2009 – March 2010    July – August 2010      11,100   
38802    October 20, 2010    December 16, 2010    April – September 2010    December 2010      12,800   
39159    February 18, 2011    May 3, 2011    October – December 2010    April 2011      11,800   

 

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The Company has filed the following petitions with the PUCT to revise its fixed fuel factor pursuant to the fuel factor formula authorized in PUCT Docket No. 37690:

 

Docket
No.

  

Date Filed

  

Date Approved

  

Increase/(Decrease) in

Fuel Factor

  

Effective Billing

Month

38895    November 23, 2010    January 6, 2011    (14.7%)    January 2011
39599    July 15, 2011    July 26, 2011 (1)    9.4%    August 2011

 

(1) ALJ approved on an interim basis.

Application for Approval to Revise Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor for 2012. On May 2, 2011, the Company filed with the PUCT an application for approval to revise its energy efficiency cost recovery factor (“EECRF”), which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 39376. A unanimous settlement resolving all issues was filed with the PUCT on July 15, 2011. The settlement allows the Company to recover $8.3 million and supports the Company’s request to revise its demand and energy goals and EECRF cost caps as well as the Company’s request to increase its 2012 EECRF, effective beginning with the first billing cycle of its January 2012 billing month. The Company expects the PUCT to issue an order approving the settlement at its August 19, 2011 open meeting.

Petition for Approval to Revise Military Base Discount Recovery Factor. On July 14, 2011, the Company filed with the PUCT a petition requesting approval to revise its Military Base Discount Recovery Factor (“MBDRF”) tariff to account for under-recovery of discount charges during 2010 and for 2011 discounts. The total requested in the filing is $4.3 million and the case was assigned Tariff Control No. 39590.

Application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (“CCN”) for Rio Grande Unit 9. On September 30, 2010, the Company filed a petition seeking a CCN to construct an 87 MW natural gas-fired combustion turbine unit at the Company’s existing Rio Grande Generating Station in the City of Sunland Park in southeast New Mexico. This case was assigned PUCT Docket No. 38717. A unanimous settlement to approve the CCN was filed on March 2, 2011, and a final order granting the CCN was approved on April 8, 2011.

Project to Investigate Early February 2011 Outages and Curtailments. On February 8, 2011, the PUCT opened Project No. 39134, Investigation into Power Outages in El Paso Electric’s Service Territory. In this project, the PUCT is investigating the Company’s power plant outages and customer curtailments that occurred February 2-4, 2011, as a result of the extreme cold weather in the El Paso area. There was no accompanying PUCT order for the opening of this project. The PUCT Staff conducted discovery in the investigation. On February 14, 2011, the Company also filed a report on this weather event. On May 13, 2011, the PUCT Staff issued a report stating that, as of then, it had not identified violations of the Texas electric utility regulatory statute or PUCT rules by the Company. The report also stated that the PUCT Staff would continue to monitor the extreme cold weather event results

 

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and subsequent forthcoming information as the Company and other regulatory agencies complete their ongoing investigations.

On February 15, 2011, the City Council of El Paso adopted a motion that, upon completion of hearings and investigations concerning the extreme cold weather event, requires the Mayor to call for Special City Council meetings or public hearings, on utility issues related to the weather event.

New Mexico Regulatory Matters

2009 New Mexico Stipulation. On May 29, 2009, the Company filed a general rate case using a test year ended December 31, 2008. The 2009 rate case was docketed as NMPRC Case No. 09-00171-UT. A comprehensive unopposed stipulation (the “2009 New Mexico Stipulation”) was reached in this general rate case and filed on October 8, 2009. The 2009 New Mexico Stipulation provided for an increase in New Mexico jurisdictional non-fuel and purchased power base rate revenues of $5.5 million. The new rate structure resulted in net increases in base rates during the peak summer season of May through October and net decreases in base rates during November through April. The 2009 New Mexico Stipulation provided for the revision of depreciation rates for the Palo Verde nuclear generating plant to reflect a 20-year life extension and a revision of depreciation rates for other plant in service. The 2009 New Mexico Stipulation also provided for the continuation of the Company’s Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Adjustment Clause (“FPPCAC”) without conditions or variance. In addition, it modified the market pricing of capacity and energy provided by Palo Verde Unit 3 using a methodology based upon a previous purchased power contract with Credit Suisse Energy, LLC. On December 10, 2009, the NMPRC issued a final order conditionally approving and clarifying the unopposed stipulation, and the stipulated rates went into effect with January 2010 bills.

Application for Approval to Recover Regulatory Disincentives and Incentives. On August 31, 2010, the Company filed an application for approval of its proposed rate design methodology to recover regulatory disincentives and incentives associated with the Company’s energy efficiency and load management programs in New Mexico. On March 18, 2011, the Company entered into an uncontested stipulation which would provide for a rate per kWh of energy efficiency savings that would be recovered through the efficient use of energy rider. A hearing on the uncontested stipulation was held on April 26, 2011 and a final order is expected in the third quarter of 2011.

Application for a CCN for Rio Grande Unit 9. On September 30, 2010, the Company filed a petition seeking a CCN to construct an 87 MW natural gas-fired combustion turbine unit at the Company’s existing Rio Grande Generating Station in the City of Sunland Park in southeast New Mexico. This case was assigned NMPRC Case No. 10-00301-UT. On March 4, 2011, NMPRC Staff filed testimony in support of the Company’s application and no party filed testimony or a position statement opposing the application. On April 13, 2011 an unopposed stipulation was filed in this case seeking approval of a CCN for the Company to construct, own and operate the 87 MW generating unit. A final order on this case approving the CCN was issued on June 23, 2011.

Application for Approval of 2011 Energy Efficiency Plan. On February 15, 2011, the Company filed its Application for Approval of New and Modified Energy Efficiency Programs for 2011 with the NMPRC. On June 22, 2011, parties to this case entered into a partial stipulation, agreeing on all issues, except for a military base free-ridership issue. On June 24, 2011, the New Mexico Attorney General filed a statement in opposition to the proposed partial stipulation. On July 8, 2011, the Company filed its

 

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testimony in support of the partial stipulation. A hearing in this case was held on July 27-28, 2011 and a recommended decision from the hearing examiner is expected in the fourth quarter of 2011.

2011 Renewable Procurement Plan Pursuant to the Renewable Energy Act. On July 1, 2011, the Company filed its Application for Approval of its 2011 Renewable Procurement Plan with the NMPRC, which was assigned NMPRC Case No. 11-00263-UT. The filing identified renewable resources intended to meet the Company’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) requirements in 2012 and 2013. The renewable resources in the 2011 Renewable Procurement Plan which were previously approved by the NMPRC will allow the Company to meet the full RPS requirement of 10 percent of the Company’s jurisdictional retail energy sales for 2012 and 2013. The Company’s 2011 Plan also addresses the diversity targets in 2012 and 2013 required by NMPRC Rule 572 and demonstrates that the Company will meet those targets. The plan also demonstrates that the Company will meet its solar diversity target in 2012 and comply with the terms of a previously-approved variance for 2011.

Investigation into Rates for Church Customers. On July 12, 2011, the NMPRC initiated an investigation into the rates the Company charges its church customers which were approved in Case No. 09-00171-UT. The investigation, Case No. 11-00276, was ordered to determine whether the Company’s rates to its church customers are unjust and unreasonable and should be revised. The Company filed a response on August 1, 2011. The case is pending.

Federal Regulatory Matters

Transmission Dispute with Tucson Electric Power Company (“TEP”). In January 2006, the Company filed a complaint with the FERC to interpret the terms of a Power Exchange and Transmission Agreement (the “Transmission Agreement”) entered into with TEP in 1982. TEP filed a complaint with the FERC one day later raising virtually identical issues. TEP claimed that, under the Transmission Agreement, it was entitled to up to 400 MW of firm transmission rights on the Company’s transmission system that would enable it to transmit power from the Luna Energy Facility (“LEF”) located near Deming, New Mexico to Springerville or Greenlee in Arizona. The Company asserted that TEP’s rights under the Transmission Agreement do not include transmission rights necessary to transmit such power as contemplated by TEP and that TEP must acquire any such rights in the open market from the Company at applicable tariff rates or from other transmission providers. On April 24, 2006, the FERC ruled in the Company’s favor, finding that TEP does not have transmission rights under the Transmission Agreement to transmit power from the LEF to Arizona. The ruling was based on written evidence presented and without an evidentiary hearing. TEP’s request for a rehearing of the FERC’s decision was granted in part and denied in part in an order issued October 4, 2006, and hearings on the disputed issues were held before an administrative law judge. In the initial decision dated September 6, 2007, the administrative law judge found that the Transmission Agreement allows TEP to transmit power from the LEF to Arizona but limits that transmission to 200 MW on any segment of the circuit and to non-firm service on the segment from Luna to Greenlee. The Company and TEP filed exceptions to the initial decision.

On November 13, 2008, the FERC issued an order on the initial decision finding that the transmission rights given to TEP in the Transmission Agreement are firm and are not restricted for

 

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transmission of power from Springerville as the receipt point to Greenlee as the delivery point. Therefore, pursuant to the order, TEP can use its transmission rights granted under the Transmission Agreement to transmit power from the LEF to either Springerville or Greenlee so long as it transmits no more than 200 MW over all segments at any one time.

The FERC also ordered that the Company refund to TEP all sums with interest that TEP had paid it for transmission under the applicable transmission service agreements since February 2006 for service relating to the LEF. On December 3, 2008, the Company refunded $9.7 million to TEP. The Company had established a reserve for the rate refund of approximately $7.2 million as of September 30, 2008, resulting in a pre-tax charge to earnings of approximately $2.5 million in 2008. The Company also paid TEP interest on the refunded balance of approximately $0.9 million, which was also charged to earnings in 2008. The Company filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s decision on December 15, 2008, seeking reversal of the order on the merits and a return of any refunds made in the interim, as well as compensation for all service that the Company may provide to TEP from the LEF over the Company’s transmission system on a going forward basis. On July 7, 2010, the FERC denied the Company’s request for rehearing. On July 23, 2010, the Company filed a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the “Court of Appeals”) and on August 18, 2010, TEP filed a motion to intervene in the proceeding. On January 14, 2011, the Company and TEP filed a joint consent motion, asking the Court to hold the proceedings in abeyance while the parties engaged in settlement discussions. The Court granted the motion on January 19, 2011.

On April 26, 2011, TEP and the Company entered into a proposed settlement (subject to FERC approval) to resolve this dispute. The proposed settlement would reduce TEP’s transmission rights under the Transmission Agreement from 200 MW to 170 MW and would require TEP to pay the Company a lump sum of $5 million, equivalent to the amount TEP would have paid the Company for 30 MW of transmission from February 1, 2006 through the settlement date, plus interest. Additionally, TEP and the Company will enter into two new firm transmission capacity agreements at applicable tariff rates for a total of 40 MW. The settlement agreement was filed with the FERC on June 24, 2011 and will become effective after (i) the FERC issues a final non-appealable order approving the settlement, and (ii) the FERC issues a final non-appealable order approving a settlement between the Company and Macho Springs Power I, LLC regarding the reimbursement of certain network upgrade costs associated with the interconnection of a wind generating facility to the Company’s transmission system. The Company will withdraw its appeal before the Court of Appeals when the settlement agreement becomes effective.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, the Company would record approximately $5.2 million in transmission revenues for the period February 1, 2006 through June 30, 2011, including interest income. The Company would share with its customers 25% of the transmission revenues earned before July 1, 2010, or approximately $0.7 million, through a credit to Texas fuel recoveries. The Company estimates that the proposed settlement will also add approximately $0.4 million to its transmission revenues for the remainder of 2011. If the settlement agreement does not become effective and if the Company is unsuccessful in its petition for review at the Court of Appeals, the Company will lose the opportunity to receive compensation from TEP for the disputed transmission service.

In an ancillary proceeding, TEP filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona in December 2008, seeking reimbursement for amounts TEP paid a third party transmission

 

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provider for purchases of transmission capacity between April 2006 and May 2007, allegedly totaling approximately $1.5 million, plus accrued interest. TEP alleges that the Company was obligated to provide TEP with that transmission capacity without charge under the Transmission Agreement. In September 2009, the Court granted a stay in this suit pending a resolution of the underlying FERC proceeding and any appeal thereof. If the settlement agreement described in the preceding paragraph becomes effective, TEP has agreed to withdraw this complaint.

Inquiry into Early February 2011 Outages and Curtailments. On February 14, 2011, FERC directed its staff to initiate an inquiry into power plant outages and customer curtailments by power generators and gas suppliers in the Southwestern United States, including the Company, in early February 2011, as a result of the extreme cold weather. The inquiry has been assigned Docket No. AD11-9-000. FERC specifically stated that its inquiry is not an enforcement investigation. The agency encouraged its staff to identify the causes of the outages and to determine appropriate responses to prevent such outages in the future. There has been no staff report posted in the docket, and the FERC has not taken any additional action on the matter.

D. Palo Verde

License Extension. On April 21, 2011, the Company, along with the other Palo Verde Participants, was notified that the NRC had renewed the operating licenses for all three units at Palo Verde. The renewed licenses for Units 1, 2 and 3 will now expire in 2045, 2046 and 2047, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2011, the extension of the operating licenses had the effect of reducing depreciation and amortization expense by approximately $2.6 million and reducing the accretion expense on the Palo Verde asset retirement obligation by approximately $0.7 million.

Decommissioning. Decommissioning costs are estimated every three years based upon engineering cost studies performed by outside engineers retained by APS. On March 30, 2011, the Palo Verde Participants approved the 2010 Palo Verde decommissioning study (the “2010 Study”). The 2010 Study reflects the increase in the license life from 40 years to 60 years. The 2010 Study estimated that the Company must fund approximately $357.4 million (stated in 2010 dollars) to cover its share of decommissioning costs which was an increase in decommissioning costs from the 2007 Palo Verde decommissioning study (the “2007 Study”). The net effect of these changes will result in lower asset retirement obligations and lower expenses in the future. See Note E for additional discussion. Although the 2010 Study was based on the latest available information, there can be no assurance that decommissioning cost estimates will not increase in the future or that regulatory requirements will not change. In addition, until a new low-level radioactive waste repository opens and operates for a number of years, estimates of the cost to dispose of low-level radioactive waste are subject to significant uncertainty.

Oversight of the Nuclear Energy Industry in the Wake of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurred off the northeastern coast of Japan. The earthquake produced a tsunami that caused significant damage to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan. Preliminary data available from the Fukushima Daiichi plant operator and Japanese government have each indicated that the earthquake and tsunami were beyond the plant’s required

 

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licensing and design parameters. Validation of that data will continue as more information becomes available.

The Nuclear Energy Institute (“NEI”) and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (“INPO”) are working closely to analyze the situation in Japan and develop action plans for U.S. nuclear power plants. APS, which operates Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, is actively engaged with NEI and INPO in these efforts. Additionally, the NRC is performing it own independent review of the events at Fukishima Daiichi. On March 23, 2011, the NRC Commissioners voted to launch a review of U.S. nuclear power plant safety. The NRC established an agency Task Force to conduct both near and long-term analyses of the lessons learned from the Fukishima Daiichi nuclear accident in Japan. The report of the Near-Term Task Force was released on July 12, 2011. The Task Force conducted a systematic and methodical review of NRC processes and regulations to make policy recommendations in light of the accident at Fukishima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The Task Force made certain recommendations and concluded that a sequence of events like the Fukishima accident is unlikely to occur in the United States and some appropriate mitigation measures have been implemented reducing the likelihood of core damage and radiological releases. The Task Force further concluded that continued licensing activities do not pose an imminent risk to public health and safety.

E. Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company complies with FASB guidance for asset retirement obligations (“ARO”). FASB guidance requires the Company to revise its previously recorded ARO for any changes in estimated cash flows including changes in estimated probabilities related to timing of settlements. In the second quarter, the Company implemented the recently approved 2010 Palo Verde decommissioning study, and as a result, revised its ARO related to Palo Verde to (i) increase estimated cash flows from the 2007 Study to the 2010 Study, and (ii) change estimated probabilities due to Palo Verde license extension (see Note D). The assumptions used to calculate the original ARO liability and the revised ARO liability are as follows:

 

     Escalation
Rate
    Credit-Risk
Adjusted
Discount Rate
 

Original ARO liability

     3.6     9.5

Incremental ARO liability

     3.6     6.2

 

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A roll forward of the Company’s ARO liability is presented below and revisions to estimates include both the increase to estimated cash flows and the change in estimated probabilities due to Palo Verde license extension.

 

     2011     2010  
     (in thousands)  

ARO liability at beginning of year

   $ 92,911      $ 85,358   

Revisions to estimates

     (27,076     0   

Accretion expense

     3,532        3,917   

Liabilities settled

     (72     (303
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

ARO liability at June 30

   $ 69,295      $ 88,972   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

F. Common Stock

Repurchase Program. Details regarding the Company’s stock repurchase program are presented below:

 

     Since 1999
(a)
     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
     Six Months
Ended
June  30, 2011
     Authorized
Shares
 

Shares repurchased

     23,534,478         323,838         910,749      

Cost, including commission (in thousands)

   $ 363,459       $ 9,645       $ 26,320      

2010 Plan balance at December 31, 2010

              676,271   

2011 Plan repurchase shares authorized (b)

              2,500,000   

Total remaining shares available for repurchase at June 30, 2011

              2,265,522   

 

(a) Represents repurchased shares and cost since inception of the stock repurchase program in 1999.
(b) On March 21, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized an additional repurchase of the Company’s common stock (the “2011 Plan”).

The Company may in the future make purchases of its common stock pursuant to its authorized programs in open market transactions at prevailing prices and may engage in private transactions, where appropriate. The repurchased shares will be available for issuance under employee benefit and stock incentive plans, or may be retired.

Dividend Policy. On July 28, 2011 the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share payable on September 30, 2011 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2011. On June 30, 2011 the Company paid $9.3 million in dividends to shareholders.

 

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Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share. The basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below:

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     2011     2010  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic number of common shares outstanding

     41,853,552        43,460,458   

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards

     195,078        40,740   

Dilutive effect of stock options

     28,029        56,590   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted number of common shares outstanding

     42,076,659        43,557,788   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share:

    

Net income

   $ 32,990      $ 21,507   

Income allocated to participating restricted stock

     (157     (91
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 32,833      $ 21,416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share:

    

Net income

   $ 32,990      $ 21,507   

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock

     (157     (90
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 32,833      $ 21,417   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share:

    

Distributed earnings

   $ 0.22      $ 0.00   

Undistributed earnings

     0.56        0.49   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share

   $ 0.78      $ 0.49   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share:

    

Distributed earnings

   $ 0.22      $ 0.00   

Undistributed earnings

     0.56        0.49   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 0.78      $ 0.49   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2011     2010  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic number of common shares outstanding

     42,079,568        43,598,933   

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards

     182,252        56,542   

Dilutive effect of stock options

     36,896        54,551   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted number of common shares outstanding

     42,298,716        43,710,026   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share:

    

Net income

   $ 39,765      $ 32,956   

Income allocated to participating restricted stock

     (179     (132
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 39,586      $ 32,824   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share:

    

Net income

   $ 39,765      $ 32,956   

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock

     (178     (132
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 39,587      $ 32,824   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share:

    

Distributed earnings

   $ 0.22      $ 0.00   

Undistributed earnings

     0.72        0.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share

   $ 0.94      $ 0.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share:

    

Distributed earnings

   $ 0.22      $ 0.00   

Undistributed earnings

     0.72        0.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 0.94      $ 0.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

     Twelve Months Ended June 30,  
     2011     2010  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic number of common shares outstanding

     42,376,298        43,943,503   

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards

     164,636        56,146   

Dilutive effect of stock options

     54,077        59,552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted number of common shares outstanding

     42,595,011        44,059,201   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share:

    

Net income

   $ 107,412      $ 74,849   

Income allocated to participating restricted stock

     (458     (287
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 106,954      $ 74,562   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share:

    

Net income

   $ 107,412      $ 74,849   

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock

     (456     (286
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 106,956      $ 74,563   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share:

    

Distributed earnings

   $ 0.22      $ 0.00   

Undistributed earnings

     2.30        1.70   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share

   $ 2.52      $ 1.70   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share:

    

Distributed earnings

   $ 0.22      $ 0.00   

Undistributed earnings

     2.29        1.69   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 2.51      $ 1.69   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amount of restricted stock awards, performance shares and stock options excluded from the calculation of the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010      2011      2010  

Restricted stock awards

     69,639         64,840         81,858         72,415         79,991         71,653   

Performance shares (a)

     0         96,900         0         48,450         0         65,763   

Stock options

     0         0         0         0         0         0   

 

(a) Performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would be required based upon performance at the end of each corresponding period. These amounts assume a 100% performance level payout.

G. Income Taxes

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The Company is no longer subject to tax examination by the taxing authorities in the federal jurisdiction for years prior to 2007 and in the state jurisdictions for years prior to 1998. The Company is currently under audit in the federal jurisdiction for 2009 and in Texas for 2007. A deficiency notice relating to the Company’s 1998 through 2003 income tax returns in

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Arizona contests a pollution control credit, a research and development credit, and the sales and property apportionment factors. The Company is contesting these adjustments.

On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) was signed into law. A major provision of the law is that, beginning in 2013, the income tax deductions for the cost of providing certain prescription drug coverage will be reduced by the amount of the Medicare Part D subsidies received. The Company was required to recognize the impacts of the tax law change at the time of enactment and recorded a non-cash charge to income tax expense of approximately $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2010.

The Company’s consolidated effective tax rates are represented in the tables below.

 

     Effective Tax Rates  
     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Federal statutory tax rate

     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0

Consolidated effective tax rate

     33.7     35.2     32.0     41.8     32.6     36.4

Without PPACA

     33.7     35.2     32.0     32.6     32.6     32.0

The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 and the three months ended June 30, 2010, differs from the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to the allowance for equity funds used during construction and state income taxes. The Company’s effective tax rates for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2010, without the effect of the enactment of the PPACA differ from the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to state income taxes, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, the tax rate on earnings on qualified decommissioning trust investments, and various permanent tax differences.

H. Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties

For a full discussion of commitments and contingencies, see Note J of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2010 Form l0-K. In addition, see Note C above and Notes B and D of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2010 Form 10-K regarding matters related to wholesale power sales contracts and transmission contracts subject to regulation and Palo Verde, including decommissioning, spent fuel storage, disposal of low-level radioactive waste, and liability and insurance matters.

Power Purchase and Sale Contracts

To supplement its own generation and operating reserves, the Company engages in firm power purchase arrangements which may vary in duration and amount based on evaluation of the Company’s resource needs and the economics of the transactions. For a full discussion of power purchase and sale contracts that the Company has entered into with various counterparties, see Note J of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2010 Form 10-K. In addition to the contracts disclosed in the

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

2010 10-K, in April 2011, the amount of energy purchased from Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold Energy Services LLC was increased to 125 MW through December 2013, in accordance with the power purchase and sale agreement.

Environmental Matters

General. The Company is subject to laws and regulations with respect to air, soil and water quality, waste disposal and other environmental matters by federal, state, regional, tribal and local authorities. Those authorities govern facility operations and have continuing jurisdiction over facility modifications. Failure to comply with these environmental regulatory requirements can result in actions by regulatory agencies or other authorities that might seek to impose on the Company administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties or other sanctions. In addition, releases of pollutants or contaminants into the environment can result in costly cleanup obligations. These laws and regulations are subject to change and, as a result of those changes, the Company may face additional capital and operating costs to comply. Certain key environmental issues, laws and regulations facing the Company are described further below.

Air Emissions. The U.S. Clean Air Act (“CAA”) and comparable state laws and regulations relating to air emissions impose, among other obligations, limitations on pollutants generated during the Company’s operations, including sulfur dioxide (“SO2”), particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (“NOx”) and mercury.

Clean Air Interstate Rule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) Clean Air Interstate Rule (“CAIR”), as applied to the Company, involves requirements to limit emissions of NOx from the Company’s power plants in Texas and/or purchase allowances representing other parties’ emissions reductions starting in 2009. Although the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia voided CAIR in 2008, the Company must comply with CAIR until the EPA rewrites the rule as required by the Court’s final opinion. The 2010 reconciliation to comply with CAIR was filed before the March 2011 deadline and the Company purchased and expensed $0.3 million of allowances during 2010 to meet its estimated requirement.

Clean Air Transport Rule/Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. On July 6, 2011, the EPA finalized the Clean Air Transport Rule (“CATR”), renaming it the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (“CSAPR”). The rule replaces CAIR and intends to address air quality issues in downwind states, specifically eastern, central and southern parts of the United States. CSAPR will require 27 states, including Texas, to issue regulations and develop a scheme by which power plants in their respective jurisdictions will further reduce SO2 and NOx. The CSAPR does not apply to the Company’s facilities in New Mexico. The rule becomes effective on January 1, 2012, but it is unclear when and how the states would issue implementing regulations. The Company is evaluating the rule to determine potential impacts; however, due to uncertainties with the state implementation, the ultimate impact of this rule on the Company’s operations cannot currently be determined, but it could be material.

Ozone. NOx emissions can lead to the formation of ozone. Ozone levels are limited by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards established by the EPA. The EPA is in the process of revising these standards. If these revisions result in more stringent standards, the Company could be required to place additional NOx pollution control measures on certain of its generating facilities. Without knowing

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

the new ozone standards, the ultimate impact on the Company’s facilities cannot be determined. The impact of these regulations and associated costs, however, could be material.

Climate Change. A significant portion of the Company’s generation assets are nuclear or gas-fired, and as a result, the Company believes that its greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions are low relative to electric power companies who rely on more coal-fired generation. However, regulations governing the emission of GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, could impose significant costs or limitations on the Company. In recent years, the U.S. Congress has considered new legislation to restrict or regulate GHG emissions, although federal efforts directed at enacting comprehensive climate change legislation stalled in 2010 and appear highly unlikely to recommence in 2011. Nonetheless, it is possible that federal legislation related to GHG emissions will be considered by Congress in the future. The EPA has also proposed using the CAA to limit carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions.

In September 2009, the EPA adopted a rule requiring approximately 10,000 facilities comprising a substantial percentage of annual U.S. GHG emissions to inventory their emissions starting in 2010 and to report those emissions to the EPA beginning in 2011. The Company’s fossil fuel-fired power generating assets are subject to this rule. The Company also has inventoried and implemented procedures for electrical equipment containing sodium hexafluoride (SF6), another GHG. The Company is tracking these GHG emissions pursuant to EPA’s new SF6 reporting rule that was finalized in late 2010 and became effective January 1, 2011. The first report to EPA under this rule is due March 31, 2012.

EPA has also proposed and finalized other rulemakings on GHG emissions that affect electric utilities. Under EPA regulations finalized in May 2010 (referred to as the “Tailoring Rule”), the EPA began regulating GHG emissions from certain stationary sources in January 2011. The regulations are being implemented pursuant to two CAA programs: the Title V Operating Permit program and the program requiring a permit if undergoing construction or major modifications (referred to as the “PSD” program). Obligations relating to Title V permits will include recordkeeping and monitoring requirements. With respect to PSD permits, projects that cause a significant increase in GHG emissions (currently defined to be more than 75,000 tons or more per year or 100,000 tons or more per year, depending on various factors), will be required to implement “best available control technology”, or “BACT”. The EPA has issued guidance on what BACT entails for the control of GHGs and individual states are now required to determine what controls are required for facilities within their jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis. The ultimate impact of these new regulations on the Company’s operations cannot be determined at this time, but the cost of compliance with new regulations could be material. Also, on December 23, 2010, EPA announced a settlement agreement with states and environmental groups regarding setting new source performance standards for GHG emissions from new and existing coal-, gas- and oil-based power plants. Pursuant to this agreement, EPA will propose standards for both new and modified boilers and for existing facilities in September 2011, and finalize those standards by May 26, 2012. The impact of these rules on the Company is unknown at this time, but they could result in material costs.

 

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In addition, almost half of the states, either individually or through multi state regional initiatives, have begun to consider how to address GHG emissions and are actively considering the development of emission inventories or regional GHG cap and trade programs. The State of New Mexico, where the Company operates one facility and has an interest in another facility, has joined with California and several other states in the Western Climate Initiative and is pursuing initiatives to reduce GHG emissions in the state. The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board approved two separate rulemakings in November and December 2010 to limit GHG emissions from certain stationary sources. Under the November 2010 regulation, stationary sources that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide a year would be required to reduce their GHG emissions by 2% per year from 2012 through 2020. The December 2010 regulation establishes a cap-and-trade system which would require certain industrial and electric generating facilities with carbon dioxide emissions in excess of 25,000 metric tons per year to reduce their emissions by 3% per year below 2010 levels. There are various uncertainties relating to these regulations, including whether current legal challenges to them will be successful, but as drafted, the Company does not expect these regulations to result in significant costs to the Company.

It is not currently possible to predict with confidence how any pending, proposed or future GHG legislation by Congress, the states, or multi-state regions or regulations adopted by EPA or the state environmental agencies will impact the Company’s business. However, any such legislation or regulation of GHG emissions or any future related litigation could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions or reduced demand for the power the Company generates, could require the Company to purchase rights to emit GHG, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, reputation or results of operations.

Climate change also has potential physical effects that could be relevant to the Company’s business. In particular, some studies suggest that climate change could affect our service area by causing higher temperatures, less winter precipitation and less spring runoff, as well as by causing more extreme weather events. Such developments could change the demand for power in the region and could also impact the price or ready availability of water supplies or affect maintenance needs and the reliability of Company equipment.

The Company believes that material effects on the Company’s business or operations may result from the physical consequences of climate change, the regulatory approach to climate change ultimately selected and implemented by governmental authorities, or both. Substantial expenditures may be required for the Company to comply with such regulations in the future and, in some instances, those expenditures may be material. Given the very significant remaining uncertainties regarding whether and how these issues will be regulated, as well as the timing and severity of any physical effects of climate change, the Company believes it is impossible at present to meaningfully quantify the costs of these potential impacts.

Contamination Matters. The Company has a provision for environmental remediation obligations of approximately $0.4 million at June 30, 2011, related to compliance with federal and state environmental standards. However, unforeseen expenses associated with environmental compliance or remediation may occur and could have a material adverse effect on the future operations and financial condition of the Company.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company incurred the following expenditures during the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 to comply with federal environmental statutes (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010      2011      2010  

Clean Air Act

   $ 253       $ 71       $ 293       $ 288       $ 620       $ 505   

Clean Water Act

     53         69         109         103         184         569   

The EPA has investigated releases or potential releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants at the Gila River Boundary Site, on the Gila River Indian Community reservation in Arizona and designated it as a Superfund site. The Company currently owns 16.29% of the site and will share in the cost of cleanup of this site. The Company has an agreement with the EPA and a former property owner to resolve this matter and on June 30, 2011 the Company entered into a consent decree with the EPA at a cost to the Company of less than $0.1 million (which amount is included in the $0.4 million accrued at June 30, 2011).

Environmental Litigation and Investigations. On April 6, 2009, APS received a request from the EPA under Section 114 of the CAA seeking detailed information regarding projects and operations at Four Corners. APS has responded to this request. The Company is unable to predict the timing or content of EPA’s response or any resulting actions.

On February 16, 2010, a group of environmental organizations filed a petition with the United States Departments of Interior and Agriculture requesting that the agencies certify to the EPA that emissions from Four Corners are causing “reasonably attributable visibility impairment” under the CAA. If the agencies certify impairment, the EPA is required to evaluate and, if necessary, determine “best available retrofit technology (“BART”) for Four Corners. On January 19, 2011, a similar group of environmental organizations filed a lawsuit against the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, alleging, among other things, that the agencies failed to act on the February 2010 petition “without unreasonable delay” and requesting the court to order the agencies to act on the petition within 30 days. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the petition or whether any resulting actions could have an adverse effect on its capital or operating costs.

I. Litigation

The Company is a party to various legal actions. In many of these matters, the Company has excess casualty liability insurance that covers the various claims, actions and complaints. Based upon a review of these claims and applicable insurance coverage, to the extent that the Company has been able to reach a conclusion as to its ultimate liability, it believes that none of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

See Note C for discussion of the effects of government legislation and regulation on the Company.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

J. Employee Benefits

Retirement Plans

The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 is made up of the components listed below as determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

            

Service cost

   $ 1,682      $ 1,532      $ 3,425      $ 3,032      $ 6,457      $ 5,799   

Interest cost

     3,499        3,390        6,994        6,815        13,808        13,406   

Amendments

     0        0        0        0        838        0   

Expected return on plan assets

     (3,515     (3,433     (7,048     (6,933     (13,982     (14,652

Amortization of:

            

Net loss

     1,689        874        3,272        1,774        5,047        2,587   

Prior service cost

     31        33        58        58        115        115   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 3,386      $ 2,396      $ 6,701      $ 4,746      $ 12,283      $ 7,255   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company contributed $12.9 million of its projected $13.9 million 2011 annual contribution to its retirement plans.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 is made up of the components listed below (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

            

Service cost

   $ 756      $ 854      $ 1,494      $ 1,779      $ 3,273      $ 3,476   

Interest cost

     1,399        1,607        2,689        3,332        6,021        6,578   

Expected return on plan assets

     (454     (390     (912     (765     (1,676     (1,514

Amortization of:

            

Prior service benefit

     (1,481     (710     (2,963     (1,435     (4,397     (2,869

Net (gain) loss

     89        (87     (19     (87     (107     (87
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 309      $ 1,274      $ 289      $ 2,824      $ 3,114      $ 5,584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company contributed $2.2 million to fund its entire annual contribution to its postretirement plan for 2011.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

K. Financial Instruments and Investments

FASB guidance requires the Company to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. The Company has determined that cash and temporary investments, investment in debt securities, accounts receivable, decommissioning trust funds, long-term debt, short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility (the “RCF”), accounts payable and customer deposits meet the definition of financial instruments. The carrying amounts of cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and customer deposits approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items. Investments in debt securities and decommissioning trust funds are carried at fair value.

Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt and short-term borrowings under the RCF are based on estimated market prices for similar issues and are presented below (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2011      December 31, 2010  
     Carrying
Amount
     Estimated
Fair

Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Estimated
Fair

Value
 

Pollution Control Bonds

   $ 193,135       $ 197,570       $ 193,135       $ 192,924   

Senior Notes

     546,636         591,490         546,610         574,700   

RGRT Senior Notes (1)

     110,000         113,239         110,000         110,371   

RCF (1)

     39,642         39,642         4,704         4,704   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 889,413       $ 941,941       $ 854,449       $ 882,699   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Nuclear fuel financing as of June 30, 2011 is funded through the $110 million RGRT Senior Notes and $13.6 million under the RCF. The Company also had $26.0 million outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general and corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company’s borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting current market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value.

Marketable Securities. The Company’s marketable securities, included in decommissioning trust funds in the balance sheets, are reported at fair value which was $162.7 million and $153.9 million at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. These securities are classified as available for sale under FASB guidance for certain investments in debt and equity securities and are valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The reported fair values include gross unrealized losses on marketable securities whose impairment the Company has deemed to be temporary. The tables below present the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

     June 30, 2011  
     Less than 12 Months     12 Months or Longer     Total  
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
 

Description of Securities (1):

               

Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities

   $ 3,283       $ (48   $ 0       $ 0      $ 3,283       $ (48

U.S. Government Bonds

     8,675         (107     402         (1     9,077         (108

Municipal Obligations

     6,532         (92     4,228         (190     10,760         (282

Corporate Obligations

     2,915         (68     93         (3     3,008         (71
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt securities

     21,405         (315     4,723         (194     26,128         (509

Common stock

     5,380         (1,033     3,471         (665     8,851         (1,698
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 26,785       $ (1,348   $ 8,194       $ (859   $ 34,979       $ (2,207
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes approximately 82 securities.

 

     December 31, 2010  
     Less than 12 Months     12 Months or Longer     Total  
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
 

Description of Securities (2):

               

Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities

   $ 2,290       $ (51   $ 441       $ (27   $ 2,731       $ (78

U.S. Government Bonds

     9,583         (124     0         0        9,583         (124

Municipal Obligations

     13,145         (278     3,763         (145     16,908         (423

Corporate Obligations

     1,855         (18     0         0        1,855         (18
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt securities

     26,873         (471     4,204         (172     31,077         (643

Common stock

     6,943         (774     4,303         (420     11,246         (1,194
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 33,816       $ (1,245   $ 8,507       $ (592   $ 42,323       $ (1,837
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2) Includes approximately 96 securities.

The Company monitors the length of time the security trades below its cost basis along with the amount and percentage of the unrealized loss in determining if a decline in fair value of marketable securities below recorded cost is considered to be other than temporary. In addition, the Company will research the future prospects of individual securities as necessary. As a result of these factors, as well as the Company’s intent and ability to hold these securities until their market price recovers, these securities are considered temporarily impaired. The Company will not have a requirement to expend monies held in trust before 2044 or a later period when the Company begins to decommission Palo Verde.

 

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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The reported fair values also include gross unrealized gains on marketable securities which have not been recognized in the Company’s net income. The table below presents the unrecognized gross unrealized gains and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2011      December 31, 2010  
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Gains
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Gains
 

Description of Securities:

           

Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities

   $ 17,625       $ 915       $ 18,472       $ 793   

U.S. Government Bonds

     14,010         266         10,450         183   

Municipal Obligations

     20,182         898         15,633         592   

Corporate Obligations

     7,546         363         7,223         362   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt securities

     59,363         2,442         51,778         1,930   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common stock

     63,448         16,386         56,770         14,142   

Cash and Cash Equivalents

     4,912         0         3,007         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 127,723       $ 18,828       $ 111,555       $ 16,072   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s marketable securities include investments in municipal, corporate and federal debt obligations. Substantially all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities, based on contractual maturity, are due in 10 years or more. The mortgage-backed securities have an estimated weighted average maturity which generally range from 3 to 7 years and reflects anticipated future prepayments. The contractual year for maturity of these available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Total      2011      2012
through
2015
     2016
through
2020
     2021
and
Beyond
 

Municipal Debt Obligations

   $ 30,942       $ 1,507       $ 10,107       $ 12,632       $ 6,696   

Corporate Debt Obligations

     10,554         0         4,064         3,674         2,816   

U.S. Government Bonds

     23,088         0         9,695         9,648         3,745   

The Company recognizes impairment losses on certain of its securities deemed to be other than temporary. In accordance with FASB guidance, these impairment losses are recognized in net income, and a lower cost basis is established for these securities. For the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized other than temporary impairment losses on its available-for-sale securities as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Gross unrealized holding losses included in pre-tax income

   $ (199   $ (263   $ (199   $ (263   $ (199   $ (705

 

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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company’s marketable securities in its decommissioning trust funds are sold from time to time and the Company uses the specific identification basis to determine the amount to reclassify out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income. The proceeds from the sale of these securities and the related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities

   $ 22,175      $ 14,701      $ 36,406      $ 34,205      $ 63,857      $ 93,328   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income

   $ 432      $ 129      $ 696      $ 526      $ 1,200      $ 3,851   

Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income

     (235     (244     (294     (672     (511     (502

Gross unrealized losses included in pre-tax income

     (199     (263     (199     (263     (199     (705
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net gains (losses) in pre-tax income

   $ (2   $ (378   $ 203      $ (409   $ 490      $ 2,644   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized holding gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income

   $ 416      $ (6,401   $ 2,589      $ (3,978   $ 13,232      $ 6,480   

Net gains (losses) reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income

     2        378        (203     409        (490     (2,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net gains (losses) in other comprehensive income

   $ 418      $ (6,023   $ 2,386      $ (3,569   $ 12,742      $ 3,836   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements. FASB guidance requires the Company to provide expanded quantitative disclosures for financial assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Financial assets carried at fair value include the Company’s decommissioning trust investments and investments in debt securities which is included in deferred charges and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has no liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in active exchange-traded equity securities and U.S. treasury securities that are in a highly liquid and active market.

 

   

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in fixed income securities. The fair value of these financial instruments is based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information of similar securities, adjusted for observable differences.

 

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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs using data that is not corroborated by market data and primarily based on internal Company analysis using models and various other analyses. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs include the Company’s investments in debt securities.

The securities in the Company’s decommissioning trust funds are valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. FASB guidance identifies this valuation technique as the “market approach” with observable inputs. The Company analyzes available-for-sale securities to determine if losses are other than temporary.

The fair value of the Company’s decommissioning trust funds and investments in debt securities, at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and the level within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by FASB guidance are presented in the table below (in thousands):

 

Description of Securities

   Fair Value as of
June 30,

2011
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
 

Trading Securities:

           

Investments in Debt Securities

   $ 2,923       $ 0       $ 0       $ 2,923   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Available for sale:

           

U.S. Government Bonds

   $ 23,087       $ 23,087       $ 0       $ 0   

Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities

     20,908         0         20,908         0   

Municipal Bonds

     30,942         0         30,942         0   

Corporate Asset Backed Obligations

     10,554         0         10,554         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Debt Securities

     85,491         23,087         62,404         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common Stock

     72,299         72,299         0         0   

Cash and Cash Equivalents

     4,912         4,912         0         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available for sale

   $ 162,702       $ 100,298       $ 62,404       $ 0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Description of Securities

   Fair Value as of
December 31,
2010
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
 

Trading Securities:

           

Investments in Debt Securities

   $ 2,909       $ 0       $ 0       $ 2,909   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Available for sale:

           

U.S. Government Bonds

   $ 20,033       $ 20,033       $ 0       $ 0   

Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities

     21,204         0         21,204         0   

Municipal Bonds

     32,541         0         32,541         0   

Corporate Asset Backed Obligations

     9,077         0         9,077         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Debt Securities

     82,855         20,033         62,822         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common Stock

     68,016         68,016         0         0   

Cash and Cash Equivalents

     3,007         3,007         0         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available for sale

   $ 153,878       $ 91,056       $ 62,822       $ 0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were no transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories during the three, six and twelve month periods ending June 30, 2011 and 2010. There were no purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurement category during the three, six and twelve month periods ending June 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

El Paso Electric Company:

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of El Paso Electric Company and subsidiary as of June 30, 2011, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive operations for the three-month, six-month and twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of El Paso Electric Company and subsidiary as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive operations, changes in common stock equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 25, 2011, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

August 5, 2011

 

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

The information contained in this Item 2 updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the information set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our 2010 Form 10-K.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q other than statements of historical information are “forward-looking statements.” The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like we “believe”, “anticipate”, “target”, “expect”, “pro forma”, “estimate”, “intend” and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe our future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Such statements address future events and conditions concerning and including, but are not limited to, such things as:

 

   

capital expenditures,

 

   

earnings,

 

   

liquidity and capital resources,

 

   

ratemaking/regulatory matters,

 

   

litigation,

 

   

accounting matters,

 

   

possible corporate restructurings, acquisitions and dispositions,

 

   

compliance with debt and other restrictive covenants,

 

   

interest rates and dividends,

 

   

environmental matters,

 

   

nuclear operations, and

 

   

the overall economy of our service area.

These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, such things as:

 

   

our ability to recover our costs and earn a reasonable rate of return on our invested capital through rates,

 

   

ability of our operating partners to maintain plant operations and manage operation and maintenance costs at the Palo Verde and Four Corners plants, including costs to comply with any potential new or expanded regulatory requirements,

 

   

reductions in output at generation plants operated by the Company,

 

   

unscheduled outages including outages at Palo Verde,

 

   

the size of our construction program and our ability to complete construction on budget and on a timely basis,

 

   

electric utility deregulation or re-regulation,

 

   

regulated and competitive markets,

 

   

ongoing municipal, state and federal activities,

 

   

economic and capital market conditions,

 

   

changes in accounting requirements and other accounting matters,

 

   

changing weather trends and the impact of severe weather conditions,

 

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Table of Contents
   

rates, cost recoveries and other regulatory matters including the ability to recover fuel costs on a timely basis,

 

   

changes in environmental regulations, including those related to air, water or greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental matters,

 

   

political, legislative, judicial and regulatory developments,

 

   

the impact of lawsuits filed against us,

 

   

the impact of changes in interest rates,

 

   

changes in, and the assumptions used for, pension and other post-retirement and post-employment benefit liability calculations, as well as actual and assumed investment returns on pension plan and other postretirement plan assets,

 

   

the impact of recent U.S. health care reform legislation,

 

   

the impact of changing cost escalation and other assumptions on our nuclear decommissioning liability for Palo Verde,

 

   

Texas, New Mexico and electric industry utility service reliability standards,

 

   

homeland security considerations including those associated with the U.S./Mexico border region,

 

   

coal, uranium, natural gas, oil and wholesale electricity prices and availability, and

 

   

other circumstances affecting anticipated operations, sales and costs.

These lists are not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. A discussion of some of these factors is included in this document under the headings “Risk Factors” and in the 2010 Form 10-K under the headings “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” “-Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and “-Liquidity and Capital Resources.” This report should be read in its entirety. No one section of this report deals with all aspects of the subject matter. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and we are not obligated to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented and actual results could differ in future periods from those estimates. Critical accounting policies and estimates are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require complex, subjective judgments and are more fully described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Summary

The following is an overview of our results of operations for the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. Income for the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 is shown below:

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended  
     June 30,      June 30,      June 30,  
     2011      2010      2011      2010      2011      2010  

Net income before extraordinary item (in thousands)

   $ 32,990       $ 21,507       $ 39,765       $ 32,956       $ 97,126       $ 74,849   

Basic earnings per share before extraordinary item

     0.78         0.49         0.94         0.75         2.28         1.70   

 

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Table of Contents

The following table and accompanying explanations show the primary factors affecting the after-tax change in income before extraordinary item between the 2011 and 2010 periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Three Months     Six Months     Twelve Months  
     Ended     Ended     Ended  

June 30, 2010 income before extraordinary item

   $ 21,507      $ 32,956      $ 74,849   

Change in (net of tax):

      

Increased retail non-fuel base revenues (a)

     15,190        11,315        35,357   

Decreased (increased) depreciation and amortization (b)

     405        (636     (2,525

Increased operating and maintenance expense at coal and gas-fired generating plants (c)

     (1,684     (744     (1,684

Decreased off-system sales margins retained (d)

     (995     (3,795     (6,558

Increased outside services expense (e)

     (746     (1,675     (2,507

Decreased deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues (f)

     (223     (942     (1,191

Increased taxes other than income taxes (g)

     (130     (1,002     (3,904

Increased customer account and service expense (h)

     (16     (712     (2,062

Elimination of Medicare Part D tax benefit (i)

     0        4,787        4,787   

Other

     (318     213        2,564   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

June 30, 2011 income before extraordinary item

   $ 32,990      $ 39,765      $ 97,126   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-fuel retail base revenues increased for the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to the same periods in 2010 as the result of increased kWh sales reflecting increased customer growth, favorable weather conditions, increased non-fuel base rates, and the seasonality of our rate structure. For a complete discussion of non-fuel rate base revenues see page 37.
(b) Depreciation and amortization expense decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due to the NRC granting extensions in the operating licenses for all three units at Palo Verde on April 21, 2011. Depreciation and amortization expense increased for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due to increased depreciable plant balances partially offset by the effects of the Palo Verde license extensions.
(c) Operating and maintenance expense at coal and gas-fired generating plants increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods last year due to increased maintenance. Operating and maintenance expense at coal and gas-fired generating plants increased for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due to increased operations expense.
(d) Off-system sales margins retained decreased in all periods due to lower average market prices for power and increased sharing of off-system sales margins with customers. The decreases were partially offset by increased MWh sales in all three periods.
(e) Outside services expense increased in all three periods due to regulatory inquiries into the disruption in service during severe winter weather in February 2011 and additional outside services related to new software systems to improve productivity.
(f) Revenues from retail sales of deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 decreased for the three periods due to the increased costs of nuclear fuel. The decrease for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to the same periods last year was also due to decreased generation at Palo Verde Unit 3.
(g) Taxes other than income taxes increased for all three periods due to increased estimated property taxes. Taxes other than income taxes increased for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods last year due to increased revenue-related taxes in Texas.
(h) Customer accounts and service expense increased for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to increased uncollectible customer accounts and the transition to a new customer billing system.
(i) Income tax expense was incurred in March 2010 to recognize a change in the tax law enacted in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to eliminate the tax benefit related to the Medicare Part D subsidies with no comparable tax expense in the 2011 periods.

 

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Table of Contents

Historical Results of Operations

The following discussion includes detailed descriptions of factors affecting individual line items in the results of operations. The amounts presented below are presented on a pre-tax basis.

Operating revenues

We realize revenue from the sale of electricity to retail customers at regulated rates and the sale of energy in the wholesale power market generally at market based prices. Sales for resale (which are wholesale sales within our service territory) accounted for less than 1% of revenues. Off-system sales are wholesale sales into markets outside our service territory. Off-system sales are primarily made in off-peak periods when we have competitive generation capacity available after meeting our regulated service obligations. We shared 25% of our off-system sales margins with our Texas and New Mexico customers and retained 75% of off-system sales margins through June 30, 2010. Pursuant to rate agreements in prior years, effective July 1, 2010, we share 90% of off-system sales margins with our Texas and New Mexico customers, and we retain 10% of off-system sales margins. We are sharing 25% of our off-system sales margins with our sales for resale customer under the terms of a contract which was effective April 1, 2008.

Revenues from the sale of electricity include fuel costs that are recovered from our customers through fuel adjustment mechanisms. A significant portion of fuel costs are also recovered through base rates in New Mexico. We record deferred fuel revenues for the difference between actual fuel costs and recoverable fuel revenues until such amounts are collected from or refunded to customers. “Non-fuel base revenues” refers to our revenues from the sale of electricity excluding such fuel costs.

Retail non-fuel base revenue percentages by customer class are presented below:

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
     2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Residential

     38     39     40     39     41     40

Commercial and industrial, small

     37        36        35        36        35        36   

Commercial and industrial, large

     8        9        8        9        8        8   

Sales to public authorities

     17        16        17        16        16        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total retail non-fuel base revenues

     100     100     100     100     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

No retail customer accounted for more than 3% of our base revenues during such periods. As shown in the table above, residential and small commercial customers comprise 75% or more of our revenues. While this customer base is more stable, it is also more sensitive to changes in weather conditions. The new rate structure in New Mexico and Texas increases base rates during the peak summer season of May through October while decreasing base rates during November through April for our residential and small commercial and industrial customers. As a result, our business is seasonal, with higher kWh sales and revenues during the summer cooling season.

Weather significantly impacts our residential, small commercial and industrial customers, and to a lesser extent, our sales to public authorities. For the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2011, retail non-fuel base revenues were positively impacted by hotter summer weather when compared

 

36


Table of Contents

to the same periods in 2010. Heating and cooling degree days can be used to evaluate the effect of weather on energy use. For each degree the average outdoor temperature varies from a standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, a degree day is recorded. The table below shows heating and cooling degree days compared to a 10-year average.

 

     Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended             Twelve Months Ended         
     June 30,      10-Year
Average
     June 30,      10-Year
Average
     June 30,      10-Year
Average*
 
     2011      2010         2011      2010         2011      2010     

Heating degree days

     40         82         66         1,305         1,478         1,290         2,100         2,510         2,280   

Cooling degree days

     1,169         995         1,005         1,210         1,004         1,026         2,944         2,722         2,562   

 

* Calendar year basis.

Customer growth is a key driver of the growth of retail sales. The average number of retail customers grew 1.4% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, and 1.5% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to the same periods last year. See the tables presented on pages 40, 41 and 42 which provide detail on the average number of retail customers and the related revenues and kWh sales.

Retail non-fuel base revenues. The new rate structure in New Mexico, effective January 1, 2010, and in Texas, effective July 1, 2010, resulted in net increases in base rates during the peak summer season of May through October and net decreases in base rates during November through April. This will cause our revenues to be more seasonal than in the past.

Retail non-fuel base revenues increased by $24.1 million or 18.5% for the three months ended June 31, 2011 when compared to the same period last year primarily due to (i) new seasonal non-fuel base rates in Texas, and (ii) a 6.2% increase in kWh sales to retail customers reflecting hotter summer weather and 1.4% growth in the average number of customers served. During the three months ended June 30, 2011, cooling degree days were over 16% above the same period in 2010 and the 10-year average. KWh sales to residential customers and small commercial and industrial customers increased 9.3% and 5.5% in the second quarter. Sales to other public authorities increased due to increased sales to military bases at higher non-fuel base rates.

For the six months ended June 30, 2011, retail non-fuel base revenues increased by $18.0 million or 7.5% compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to (i) new seasonal non-fuel base rates in Texas, and (ii) a 2.8% increase in kWh sales to retail customers reflecting hotter summer weather and 1.4% growth in the average number of customers served. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, cooling degree days were 21% above the same period in 2010 and 18% above the 10-year average. KWh sales to residential customers and small commercial and industrial customers increased 3.4% and 2.5% during the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year. The increases in kWh sales in the second quarter were offset by the decreased kWh sales we experienced in the first quarter and were generally at the higher summer rates contributing to the revenue increase. Sales to other public authorities increased due to increased sales to military bases at higher non-fuel base rates.

Retail non-fuel base revenues for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 increased by $56.1 million or 11.3% compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to (i) higher rates in Texas effective July 1, 2010 and in New Mexico effective January 1, 2010, and (ii) a 3.2% increase in kWh sales to retail customers reflecting hotter summer weather and 1.5% growth in the average number of customers served. During the twelve months ended June 30, 2011, cooling degree days were 8% above

 

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the same period in 2010 and 15% above the 10-year average. KWh sales to residential customers and small commercial and industrial customers increased 4.3% and 2.0% during the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year. Sales to other public authorities increased due to increased sales to military bases at higher non-fuel base rates. KWh sales to large commercial and industrial customers increased 2.6% reflecting the improving local economic conditions.

Fuel revenues. Fuel revenues consist of: (i) revenues collected from customers under fuel recovery mechanisms approved by the state commissions and the FERC, (ii) deferred fuel revenues which are comprised of the difference between fuel costs and fuel revenues collected from customers, and (iii) fuel costs recovered in base rates in New Mexico. In New Mexico and with our sales for resale customer, the fuel adjustment clause allows us to recover under-recoveries or refund over-recoveries of current fuel costs above the amount recovered in base rates with a two-month lag. In Texas, fuel costs are recovered through a fixed fuel factor. We can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor based upon an approved formula at least four months after our last revision except in the month of December. In addition, if we materially over-recover fuel costs, we must seek to refund the over-recovery, and if we materially under-recover fuel costs, we may seek a surcharge to recover those costs. Fuel over and under recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of the previous twelve months’ fuel costs.

In the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, we under-recovered our fuel costs for all three jurisdictions by $12.7 million and $13.7 million, respectively, compared to a fuel over-recovery of $6.4 million and $12.1 million in the same periods in 2010. In January 2011, we implemented a reduced fixed fuel factor in Texas, and in April 2011, we refunded $12.0 million of fuel over-recoveries for the period October 2010 through December 2010 to our Texas customers. In February 2010, we refunded $11.8 million of fuel over-recoveries to our Texas customers. Over-recoveries or under-recoveries in New Mexico and from our FERC customer are refunded through fuel adjustment clauses with a two-month lag.

In the twelve months ended June 30, 2011, we over-recovered our fuel costs by $9.6 million compared to fuel over-recoveries of $42.1 million in the same period last year. Refunds of $35.0 million and $28.5 million were returned to our Texas customers in the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At June 30, 2011, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $6.9 million, including $6.8 million in Texas and $0.1 million from our FERC customer. At June 30, 2010, we had a net fuel over-recovery balance of $18.4 million, including a $17.9 million over-recovery in Texas, a $0.6 million over-recovery in New Mexico, and $0.1 million under-recovery from our FERC customer.

Off-system sales. Off-system sales are primarily made in off-peak periods when we have competitive generation capacity available after meeting our regulated service obligations. Typically, we realize a significant portion of our off-system sales margins in the first quarter of each calendar year when our native load is lower than at other times of the year, allowing for the sale in the wholesale market of relatively larger amounts of off-system energy generated from lower cost generating resources. Palo Verde’s availability is an important factor in realizing these off-system sales margins. The Company shared 25% of off-system sales margins with customers and retained 75% of off-system sales margins through June 30, 2010 pursuant to rate agreements in prior years. Effective July 1, 2010, we share 90% of off-system sales margins with customers and retain 10% of off-system sales margins.

Off-system sales margins were negatively impacted by power purchases required for system reliability during extremely cold weather in February 2011 and when wildfires in June 2011 threatened key transmission lines in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico. The cost of this power was

 

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reserved pending a request for recovery. Retained margins from off-system sales, including the reliability purchases, decreased approximately $1.6 million, $6.0 million, and $10.4 million for the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the corresponding periods in 2010. Off-system sales margins also decreased due to the increased sharing of off-system sales margins with customers and lower average market prices for power.

 

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Comparisons of kWh sales and operating revenues are shown below (in thousands):

 

                 Increase (Decrease)  

Quarter Ended June 30:

   2011     2010     Amount     Percent  

kWh sales:

        

Retail:

        

Residential

     637,257        583,096        54,161        9.3

Commercial and industrial, small

     634,081        601,048        33,033        5.5   

Commercial and industrial, large

     308,978        289,095        19,883        6.9   

Sales to public authorities

     413,258        403,770        9,488        2.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total retail sales

     1,993,574        1,877,009        116,565        6.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Wholesale:

        

Sales for resale

     19,346        17,335        2,011        11.6   

Off-system sales

     668,420        511,470        156,950        30.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total wholesale sales

     687,766        528,805        158,961        30.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total kWh sales

     2,681,340        2,405,814        275,526        11.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating revenues:

        

Non-fuel base revenues:

        

Retail:

        

Residential

   $ 58,934      $ 50,153      $ 8,781        17.5

Commercial and industrial, small

     57,060        47,238        9,822        20.8   

Commercial and industrial, large

     12,305        11,608        697        6.0   

Sales to public authorities

     25,998        21,186        4,812        22.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total retail non-fuel base revenues

     154,297        130,185        24,112        18.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Wholesale:

        

Sales for resale

     785        567        218        38.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total non-fuel base revenues

     155,082        130,752        24,330        18.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Fuel revenues:

        

Recovered from customers during the period

     33,672        45,248        (11,576     (25.6 )(1) 

Under (over) collection of fuel

     12,700        (6,402     19,102        N/A   

New Mexico fuel in base rates (2)

     17,156        17,753        (597     (3.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total fuel revenues

     63,528        56,599        6,929        12.2   

Off-system sales:

        

Fuel cost

     17,256        16,661        595        3.6   

Shared margins

     248        262        (14     (5.3

Retained margins

     (793     787        (1,580     N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total off-system sales

     16,711        17,710        (999     (5.6

Other

     7,284        6,336        948        15.0 (3) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

   $ 242,605      $ 211,397      $ 31,208        14.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Average number of retail customers:

        

Residential

     335,808        330,976        4,832        1.5

Commercial and industrial, small

     37,096        36,740        356        1.0   

Commercial and industrial, large

     50        49        1        2.0   

Sales to public authorities

     4,849        4,701        148        3.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     377,803        372,466        5,337        1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) Excludes $12.0 million of refunds in 2011 related to Texas deferred fuel revenues in prior periods.
(2) Includes $3.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively, charged to New Mexico customers for power supplied to New Mexico customers from Palo Verde Unit 3 using a proxy price.
(3) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.

 

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                 Increase (Decrease)  

Six Months Ended June 30:

   2011     2010     Amount     Percent  

kWh sales:

        

Retail:

        

Residential

     1,178,539        1,139,376        39,163        3.4

Commercial and industrial, small

     1,112,602        1,085,330        27,272        2.5   

Commercial and industrial, large

     538,210        525,708        12,502        2.4   

Sales to public authorities

     748,227        729,327        18,900        2.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total retail sales

     3,577,578        3,479,741        97,837        2.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Wholesale:

        

Sales for resale

     30,999        26,515        4,484        16.9   

Off-system sales

     1,436,040        1,359,208        76,832        5.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total wholesale sales

     1,467,039        1,385,723        81,316        5.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total kWh sales

     5,044,617        4,865,464        179,153        3.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating revenues:

        

Non-fuel base revenues:

        

Retail:

        

Residential

   $ 103,911      $ 94,988      $ 8,923        9.4

Commercial and industrial, small

     90,274        86,437        3,837        4.4   

Commercial and industrial, large

     21,106        20,821        285        1.4   

Sales to public authorities

     43,018        38,102        4,916        12.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total retail non-fuel base revenues

     258,309        240,348        17,961        7.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Wholesale:

        

Sales for resale

     1,335        874        461        52.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total non-fuel base revenues

     259,644        241,222        18,422        7.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Fuel revenues:

        

Recovered from customers during the period

     59,535        83,281        (23,746     (28.5 )(1) 

Under (over) collection of fuel

     13,738        (12,092     25,830        N/A   

New Mexico fuel in base rates (2)

     33,525        33,582        (57     (0.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total fuel revenues

     106,798        104,771        2,027        1.9   

Off-system sales:

        

Fuel cost

     37,519        49,523        (12,004     (24.2

Shared margins

     1,412        1,721        (309     (18.0

Retained margins

     (854     5,169        (6,023     N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total off-system sales

     38,077        56,413        (18,336     (32.5

Other

     14,198        13,159        1,039        7.9 (3) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

   $ 418,717      $ 415,565      $ 3,152        0.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Average number of retail customers:

        

Residential

     335,320        330,356        4,964        1.5

Commercial and industrial, small

     37,081        36,644        437        1.2   

Commercial and industrial, large

     50        48        2        4.2   

Sales to public authorities

     4,693        4,833        (140     (2.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     377,144        371,881        5,263        1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) Excludes $12.0 million and $11.8 million of refunds in 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to Texas deferred fuel revenues in prior periods.
(2) Includes $7.9 million and $9.3 million, respectively, charged to New Mexico customers for power supplied to New Mexico customers from Palo Verde Unit 3 using a proxy price.
(3) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.

 

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                 Increase (Decrease)  

Twelve Months Ended June 30:

   2011     2010     Amount     Percent  

kWh sales:

        

Retail:

        

Residential

     2,547,997        2,442,393        105,604        4.3

Commercial and industrial, small

     2,322,809        2,277,764        45,045        2.0   

Commercial and industrial, large

     1,099,915        1,071,719        28,196        2.6   

Sales to public authorities

     1,561,289        1,504,398        56,891        3.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total retail sales

     7,532,010        7,296,274        235,736        3.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Wholesale:

        

Sales for resale

     58,121        54,488        3,633        6.7   

Off-system sales

     2,899,564        2,662,711        236,853        8.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total wholesale sales

     2,957,685        2,717,199        240,486        8.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total kWh sales

     10,489,695        10,013,473        476,222        4.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating revenues:

        

Non-fuel base revenues:

        

Retail:

        

Residential

   $ 226,538      $ 202,522      $ 24,016        11.9

Commercial and industrial, small

     192,227        178,213        14,014        7.9   

Commercial and industrial, large

     44,129        39,057        5,072        13.0   

Sales to public authorities

     91,376        78,354        13,022        16.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total retail non-fuel base revenues

     554,270        498,146        56,124        11.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Wholesale:

        

Sales for resale

     2,404        2,029        375        18.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total non-fuel base revenues

     556,674        500,175        56,499        11.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Fuel revenues:

        

Recovered from customers during the period

     146,842        181,454        (34,612     (19.1 )(1) 

Under (over) collection of fuel

     (9,578     (42,059     32,481        N/A   

New Mexico fuel in base rates (2)

     71,819        70,804        1,015        1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total fuel revenues

     209,083        210,199        (1,116     (0.5

Off-system sales:

        

Fuel cost

     81,512        97,971        (16,459     (16.8

Shared margins

     5,805        3,352        2,453        73.2   

Retained margins

     (336     10,073        (10,409     N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total off-system sales

     86,981        111,396        (24,415     (21.9

Other

     27,665        27,706        (41     (0.1 )(3) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

   $ 880,403      $ 849,476      $ 30,927        3.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Average number of retail customers:

        

Residential

     334,350        328,908        5,442        1.7

Commercial and industrial, small

     36,754        36,442        312        0.9   

Commercial and industrial, large

     49        48        1        2.1   

Sales to public authorities

     4,631        4,890        (259     (5.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     375,784        370,288        5,496        1.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) Excludes $35.0 million and $28.5 million of refunds in 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to Texas deferred fuel revenues in prior periods.
(2) Includes $14.6 million and $16.5 million, respectively, charged to New Mexico customers for power supplied to New Mexico customers from Palo Verde Unit 3 using a proxy price.
(3) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.

 

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Energy expenses

Our sources of energy include electricity generated from our nuclear, natural gas and coal generating plants and purchased power. Palo Verde represents approximately 39% of our available net generating capacity and approximately 54%, 58% and 58% of our Company-generated energy for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Fluctuations in the price of natural gas which also is the primary factor influencing the price of purchased power have had a significant impact on our cost of energy.

Energy expenses increased $7.3 million or 10.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to 2010 primarily due to (i) increased natural gas costs of $9.1 million as a result of an 8.5% increase in the average cost of natural gas, a 5.4% increase in MWhs generated with natural gas, and a $3.5 million adjustment related to Newman Unit 5 pre-commercial testing, and (ii) increased nuclear fuel costs of $1.8 million as result of a 12% increase in the price of nuclear fuel and an 8% increase in MWhs generated with nuclear fuel. This increase was partially offset by decreased purchased power of $3.3 million due to a 9% decrease in both the market prices for power and the MWhs purchased. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     2011      2010  

Fuel Type

   Cost      MWh      Cost per
MWh
     Cost      MWh      Cost per
MWh
 
     (in thousands)                    (in thousands)                

Natural gas

   $ 47,839         856,448       $ 54.88       $ 38,781         766,575       $ 50.59   

Coal

     3,053         145,008         21.05         3,335         167,625         19.90   

Nuclear

     10,426         1,182,054         8.82         8,636         1,091,969         7.91   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

     61,318         2,183,510         28.08         50,752         2,026,169         25.05   

Purchased power

     16,297         499,040         32.66         19,552         545,720         35.83   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total energy

   $ 77,615         2,682,550         28.93       $ 70,304         2,571,889         27.34   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Our energy expenses decreased $9.4 million or 6.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to 2010 primarily due to (i) decreased purchased power costs of $13.6 million as a result of a 22% decrease in the market prices for power and an 8% decrease in the MWhs purchased, and (ii) decreased natural gas costs of $2.5 million as a result of capitalizing $3.2 million of natural gas costs related to 193,460 MWhs for Newman Unit 5 pre-commercial testing. These decreases were partially offset by (i) increased nuclear fuel costs of $4.1 million due to a 17% increase in the average cost of nuclear fuel and a 6% increase in the MWhs generated with nuclear fuel, and (ii) increased coal costs of $2.6 million due to a $2.3 million adjustment for the amortization of final coal reclamation costs in accordance with the final order in PUCT Docket No. 38361. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2011      2010  

Fuel Type

   Cost      MWh      Cost per
MWh
     Cost      MWh      Cost per
MWh
 
     (in thousands)                    (in thousands)                

Natural gas

   $ 74,182         1,473,782       $ 55.22       $ 76,698         1,319,377       $ 58.13   

Coal

     8,416         311,979         26.98         5,769         288,034         20.03   

Nuclear

     21,479         2,511,861         8.55         17,378         2,372,281         7.33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

     104,077         4,297,622         24.22         99,845         3,979,692         25.09   

Purchased power

     34,771         1,060,968         32.77         48,399         1,155,743         41.88   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total energy

   $ 138,848         5,358,590         25.91       $ 148,244         5,135,435         28.87   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

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Our energy expenses decreased $16.5 million or 5.5% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to 2010 primarily due to (i) decreased purchased power costs of $21.0 million as a result of a 5% decrease in the MWhs purchased and a 17% decrease in the market prices for power, and (ii) decreased natural gas costs of $4.6 million as a result of capitalizing $3.2 million of natural gas costs related to 197,606 MWhs for Newman Unit 5 pre-commercial testing. These decreases were partially offset by (i) increased nuclear fuel costs of $7.2 million due to a 15% increase in the average cost of nuclear fuel and a 6% increase in the MWhs generated with nuclear fuel, and (ii) increased coal costs of $1.9 million due to a $2.0 million adjustment for the amortization of final coal reclamation costs in accordance with the final order in PUCT Docket No. 38361. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

     Twelve Months Ended June 30,  
     2011      2010  

Fuel Type

   Cost      MWh      Cost per
MWh
     Cost      MWh      Cost per
MWh
 
     (in thousands)                    (in thousands)                

Natural gas

   $ 151,052         3,044,515       $ 51.83       $ 155,650         2,691,538       $ 57.83   

Coal

     13,658         674,181         20.26         11,728         646,936         18.13   

Nuclear

     39,351         5,064,893         7.77         32,128         4,774,928         6.73   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

     204,061         8,783,589         23.23         199,506         8,113,402         24.59   

Purchased power

     78,288         2,326,094         33.66         99,309         2,459,230         40.38   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total energy

   $ 282,349         11,109,683         25.41       $ 298,815         10,572,632         28.26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Other operations expense

Other operations expense increased $5.7 million, or 11.0%, for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year primarily due to (i) increased administrative and general expense of $2.3 million relating to increased outside services and increased regulatory expense for amortization of rate case expenses, (ii) an increase of $1.4 million in transmission and distribution expense relating to increased costs associated with NERC compliance and increased wheeling expense, and (iii) an increase in Palo Verde operations expense of $0.9 million.

Other operations expense increased $9.7 million, or 9.5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year primarily due to (i) increased administrative and general expense of $3.9 million relating to increased outside services and increased regulatory expense for amortization of rate case expenses, (ii) an increase in Palo Verde operations expense of $2.1 million, and (iii) an increase of $1.6 million in transmission and distribution expense relating to increased costs associated with NERC compliance and increased wheeling expense.

Other operations expense increased $16.4 million, or 7.5%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year primarily due to (i) increased administrative and general expense of $10.0 million resulting from increased outside services, increased regulatory expense for amortization of rate case expenses, and increased pension and benefits expense reflecting changes in actuarial assumptions used to calculate expense for our pension plans, (ii) increased customer accounts and service expense of $3.3 million primarily related to increased uncollectible customer accounts and costs incurred during the transition to a new customer billing system, (iii) increased Palo Verde operations expense of $1.2 million, and (iv) an increase of $2.0 million in operations expense at our coal and gas-fired plants.

 

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Maintenance expense

Maintenance expense increased $1.0 million, or 6.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year primarily due to increased maintenance expense at our coal and gas-fired generating plants largely as a result of weather-related damage during severe winter weather in February 2011. Maintenance expense decreased $1.2 million and $4.5 million, or 4.1% and 7.5%, for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to decreased Palo Verde maintenance expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expense

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.6 million or 3.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to a reduction in depreciation rates related to the Palo Verde plant resulting from the approval of a license extension for Palo Verde by the NRC in April 2011, partially offset by increases in depreciable plant balances and higher non-nuclear depreciation rates. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.0 million and $4.0 million, or 2.6% and 5.1%, for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to increases in depreciable plant balances and higher non-nuclear depreciation rates, partially offset by the reduction in depreciation rates stemming from the NRC license extension for Palo Verde.

Taxes other than income taxes

Taxes other than income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2011, were comparable to the same period last year. Taxes other than income taxes increased $1.6 million, or 6.4%, for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same period last year due to increased property taxes resulting from an increase in taxable property and estimated property tax rates and higher revenue-related taxes in Texas resulting from the increase in billed revenues, and an increase in the franchise tax rate for the City of El Paso in August 2010, which were partially offset by a decrease in payroll taxes. Taxes other than income taxes increased $6.2 million, or 12.4%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due to (i) higher revenue-related taxes in Texas resulting from the increase in billed revenues and an increase in the franchise tax rate for the City of El Paso in August 2010, and (ii) increased property taxes resulting from an increase in taxable property and estimated property tax rates.

Other income (deductions)

Other income (deductions) decreased $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due to decreased allowance for equity funds used during construction (“AEFUDC”) as a result of lower balances of construction work in progress partially offset by increased investment and interest income. Other income (deductions) increased $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due to reduced realized losses in our Palo Verde decommissioning trust fund and increased investment and interest income. Other income (deductions) increased $0.8 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due to increased AEFUDC as a result of higher balances of construction work in progress.

 

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Interest charges (credits)

Interest charges (credits) increased $0.8 million, or 7.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year primarily due to decreased allowance for borrowed funds used during construction as a result of lower balances of construction work in progress and increased commitment fees on our new revolving credit facility entered into in September 2010. Interest charges (credits) increased $1.1 million and $0.6 million for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to increased commitment fees on our new revolving credit facility entered into in September 2010 and an increase in amortization of loss on reacquired debt as allowed in the PUCT Docket No. 37690 which became effective July 1, 2010. See extraordinary item discussion below.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense increased $5.1 million, or 43.5% in the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year, primarily due to increased pre-tax income. Income tax expense decreased by $4.9 million, or 20.8% in the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year. In March 2010, we recognized the impact of the tax deduction for the Medicare Part D subsidies from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) with no comparable amount in 2011. Excluding this one-time adjustment, increased tax expense reflects increased pre-tax income offset by non-taxable AEFUDC. Income tax expense, before extraordinary item, increased by $3.2 million, or 7.6% in the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to increased pre-tax income, partially offset by the PPACA adjustment discussed above.

Extraordinary Item

As a regulated electric utility, we prepare our financial statements in accordance with the FASB guidance for regulated operations. FASB guidance for regulated operations requires us to show certain items as assets or liabilities on our balance sheet when the regulator provides assurance that these items will be charged to and collected from our customers or refunded to our customers. In the final order for PUCT Docket No. 37690, we were allowed to include the previously expensed loss on reacquired debt associated with the refinancing of first mortgage bonds in 2005 in our calculation of the weighted cost of debt to be recovered from our customers. We recorded the impacts of the re-application of FASB guidance for regulated operations to our Texas jurisdiction in 2006 as an extraordinary item. In order to establish this regulatory asset, we recorded an extraordinary gain of $10.3 million, net of income tax expense of $5.8 million, in our statements of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. This item was recorded as a regulatory asset at September 30, 2010 pursuant to the final order received from the PUCT and will be amortized over the remaining life of our 6% Senior Notes due in 2035.

New Accounting Standards

In June 2011, the FASB issued new guidance to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The new guidance requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both presentations, an entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. Historically, we have used the consecutive two-statement

 

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approach; however, this new guidance will require additional disclosure on our statement of operations and related notes. The new guidance is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.

In January 2010, the FASB issued new guidance to improve disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements and disclosures. The new requirements include (i) disclosure of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and the reasons for the transfers; and (ii) disclosure in the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value measurements of information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis. The new guidance also clarifies existing disclosures and requires (i) an entity to provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities and (ii) disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. The provisions of this new guidance were adopted in the first quarter of 2010 except for the reconciliation for the Level 3 fair value measurements on a gross basis which was adopted during the first quarter of 2011. During the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2011, we had no purchases, sales, issuances or settlements in the Level 3 category. This guidance requires additional disclosure on fair value measurements but does not impact our consolidated financial statements.

Inflation

For the last several years, inflation has been relatively low and, therefore, has had minimal impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

We continue to maintain a strong capital structure which allows us to obtain financing from the capital markets at a reasonable cost. At June 30, 2011, our capital structure, including common stock, long-term debt, and short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility, consisted of 47.9% common stock equity and 52.1% debt. At June 30, 2011, we had on hand $5.1 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Our principal liquidity requirements in the near-term are expected to consist of capital expenditures to expand and support electric service obligations, expenditures for nuclear fuel inventory, interest payments on our indebtedness, operating expenses including fuel costs, maintenance costs, dividends and taxes.

Capital Requirements. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, our capital requirements primarily consisted of expenditures for the construction and purchase of electric utility plant, purchases of nuclear fuel, the repurchase of common stock, and common stock dividends. Projected utility construction expenditures are to expand and update our transmission and distribution systems, add new generation, and make capital improvements and replacements at Palo Verde and other generating facilities. Newman Unit 5, a 288 MW gas-fired combined cycle combustion turbine generating unit, was completed in two phases. The first phase of Newman Unit 5 was completed in May 2009, and the second phase was completed in April 2011. As of June 30, 2011, we had expended $234.3 million, including AFUDC, on Newman Unit 5, including $24.5 million during 2011. Estimated construction expenditures for all capital projects for 2011 are estimated at approximately $195 million, and we expect cash from operations will continue to be a primary source of funds for these capital expenditures. See Part I, Item 1, “Business – Construction Program” in our 2010 Form 10-K. Cash capital expenditures for new electric plant were $87.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $90.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2010.

On July 28, 2011, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share, payable on September 30, 2011 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2011. On June 30, 2011, we paid $9.3 million of dividends to shareholders. We expect to pay cash dividends totaling approximately $27 million during 2011. In addition, we may repurchase common stock in the future. Since 1999, we have returned cash to stockholders through a stock repurchase program pursuant to which we have bought approximately 23.5 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $363.5 million, including commissions. Under our program, purchases can be made at open market prices or in private transactions, and repurchased shares are available for issuance under employee benefit and stock incentive plans, or may be retired. On March 21, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized additional repurchases of up to 2.5 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock (the “2011 Plan”). During the first six months of 2011, we repurchased 910,749 shares of common stock in the open market at an aggregate cost of $26.3 million including 323,838 shares repurchased in the second quarter at an aggregate cost of $9.6 million. As of June 30, 2011, 2,265,522 shares remain available for repurchase under our 2011 Plan. We expect to continue to repurchase shares in the open market from time to time.

Our cash requirements for federal and state income taxes vary from year to year based on taxable income, which is influenced by the timing of revenues and expenses recognized for income tax purposes. Due to accelerated tax deductions, tax payments are expected to be minimal in 2011.

 

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We continually evaluate our funding requirements related to our retirement plans, other postretirement benefit plans, and decommissioning trust funds. We contributed $12.9 million of the projected $13.9 million 2011 annual contribution to our retirement plans during the six months ended June 30, 2011. In the six months ended June 30, 2011, we contributed $2.2 million to fund our OPEB plan for the entire year of 2011, and $4.3 million of the projected $8.5 million 2011 annual contribution to our decommissioning trust funds. We are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal government for our benefit plans and decommissioning trust.

Capital Resources. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we had decreased cash from operations when compared to the same period in 2010 due primarily to the timing of collection of fuel revenues to recover actual fuel expense. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we had an under-recovery of fuel costs, net of refunds, of $25.8 million as compared to an over-recovery, net of refunds, of $0.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010. At June 30, 2011, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $6.9 million, including $6.8 million in Texas and $0.1 million for our FERC customer.

Cash from operations has been impacted by the timing of the recovery of fuel costs through fuel recovery mechanisms in Texas and New Mexico and our sales for resale customer. We recover actual fuel costs from customers through fuel adjustment mechanisms in Texas, New Mexico, and from our sales for resale customer. We record deferred fuel revenues for the under-recovery or over-recovery of fuel costs until they can be recovered from or refunded to customers. In Texas, fuel costs are recovered through a fixed fuel factor. Effective July 1, 2010, we can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor based upon our approved formula at least four months after our last revision except in the month of December which allows us to adjust fuel rates to reflect changes in costs of natural gas.

We maintain a $200 million revolving credit facility for the interim financing of construction and operations and the financing of nuclear fuel through the Rio Grande Resources Trust (“RGRT”). RGRT is the trust through which we finance our portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde and is consolidated in our financial statements. The revolving credit facility has a term ending in September 2014, and we may request that the facility be increased up to $300 million during the term of the facility subject to the lenders’ agreement. The terms of the agreement provide that amounts we borrow under the facility may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT at June 30, 2011 was $123.6 million of which $13.6 million was borrowed under the revolving credit facility and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. Amounts borrowed under the revolving credit facility for nuclear fuel was $122.8 million as of June 30, 2010, including accrued interest and fees. Interest costs on borrowings to finance nuclear fuel are accumulated by RGRT and charged to us as fuel is consumed and recovered from customers through fuel recovery charges. We had $26.0 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility at June 30, 2011 for working capital and general corporate purposes.

We expect to have sufficient liquidity to finance construction expenditures and other capital requirements for the next twelve months through cash balances, cash from operations and our revolving credit facility. In addition, we may seek to issue long-term debt in the capital markets to refinance short-term borrowings and fund capital requirements.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk due to changes in interest rates, equity prices and commodity prices. See our 2010 Form 10-K, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” for a complete discussion of the market risks we face and our market risk sensitive assets and liabilities. As of June 30, 2011, there have been no material changes in the market risks we faced or the fair values of assets and liabilities disclosed in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in our 2010 Form 10-K.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2011, that materially affected, or that were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We hereby incorporate by reference the information set forth in Part I of this report under Notes C and H of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our 2010 Form 10-K includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors.

 

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

 

  (c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Period

   Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
     Average Price
Paid per Share
(Including
Commissions)
     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of a
Publicly
Announced
Program
     Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
 

April 1 to April 30, 2011

     0       $ 0.00         0         2,589,360   

May 1 to May 31, 2011

     31,248         29.98         31,248         2,558,112   

June 1 to June 30, 2011

     292,590         29.76         292,590         2,265,522   

 

Item 6. Exhibits

See Index to Exhibits incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

  EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:   /s/ DAVID G. CARPENTER
  David G. Carpenter
  Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
  (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: August 5, 2011

 

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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number
    

Exhibit

  †10.03       Form of Directors’ Restricted Stock Award Agreement between the Company and certain directors of the Company. (Identical in all material respects to Exhibit 10.07 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999)
  10.04       Letter Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2011, to the Power Purchase and Sale Agreement referred to in Exhibit 10.42 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
  15       Letter re Unaudited Interim Financial Information
  31.01       Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.01       Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  101.INS       XBRL Instance Document
  101.SCH       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase Document
  101.CAL       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  101.DEF       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  101.LAB       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  101.PRE       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

In lieu of non-employee director cash compensation, three agreements, dated as of July 1, 2011, substantially identical in all material respects to this Exhibit, have been entered into with Catherine A. Allen; Kenneth R. Heitz; and Patricia Z. Holland-Branch; directors of the Company.

In lieu of non-employee director cash compensation, eleven agreements, dated as of May 26, 2011, substantially identical in all material respects to this Exhibit, were entered into with Catherine A. Allen; J. Robert Brown; James W. Cicconi; James W. Harris; Kenneth R. Heitz; Patricia Z. Holland-Branch; Michael K. Parks; Thomas V. Shockley, III; Eric B. Siegel; Stephen N. Wertheimer; and Charles A. Yamarone; directors of the Company.

 

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