2013 June 10Q
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, 2013
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission file number 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  o
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  o
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
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  o    NO  x
As of July 31, 2013, there were 40,253,783 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.
 
Item 1.
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 


 
( i)
 

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
June 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Utility plant:
 
 
 
Electric plant in service
$
3,014,517

 
$
2,857,913

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(1,186,206
)
 
(1,162,483
)
Net plant in service
1,828,311

 
1,695,430

Construction work in progress
224,519

 
287,358

Nuclear fuel; includes fuel in process of $54,004 and $56,129, respectively
191,892

 
189,921

Less accumulated amortization
(75,058
)
 
(70,366
)
Net nuclear fuel
116,834

 
119,555

Net utility plant
2,169,664

 
2,102,343

Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
11,646

 
111,057

Accounts receivable, principally trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,303 and $2,906, respectively
106,526

 
62,900

Accumulated deferred income taxes
27,993

 
20,292

Inventories, at cost
43,898

 
42,358

Undercollection of fuel revenues
4,297

 

Prepayments and other
13,216

 
9,627

Total current assets
207,576

 
246,234

Deferred charges and other assets:
 
 
 
Decommissioning trust funds
196,166

 
187,053

Regulatory assets
102,375

 
101,590

Other
32,519

 
31,830

Total deferred charges and other assets
331,060

 
320,473

Total assets
$
2,708,300

 
$
2,669,050


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,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
(Unaudited)
 
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(In thousands except for share data)
 
 
 
Capitalization:
 
 
 
Common stock, stated value $1 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 65,624,223 and 65,520,551 shares issued, and 118,953 and 84,446 restricted shares, respectively
$
65,743

 
$
65,605

Capital in excess of stated value
312,684

 
310,994

Retained earnings
955,244

 
939,131

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(60,597
)
 
(66,084
)
 
1,273,074

 
1,249,646

Treasury stock, 25,492,919 shares at cost
(424,647
)
 
(424,647
)
Common stock equity
848,427

 
824,999

Long-term debt
999,576

 
999,535

Total capitalization
1,848,003

 
1,824,534

Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility
26,319

 
22,155

Accounts payable, principally trade
53,643

 
61,581

Taxes accrued
25,521

 
29,248

Interest accrued
12,200

 
12,127

Overcollection of fuel revenues

 
4,643

Other
23,072

 
21,995

Total current liabilities
140,755

 
151,749

Deferred credits and other liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income taxes
388,454

 
358,674

Accrued pension liability
112,821

 
125,690

Accrued postretirement benefit liability
101,170

 
99,170

Asset retirement obligation
65,717

 
62,784

Regulatory liabilities
23,985

 
22,179

Other
27,395

 
24,270

Total deferred credits and other liabilities
719,542

 
692,767

Commitments and contingencies

 

Total capitalization and liabilities
$
2,708,300

 
$
2,669,050

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)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Operating revenues
$
240,114

 
$
228,252

 
$
417,404

 
$
396,830

Energy expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
61,430

 
49,366

 
105,829

 
88,800

Purchased and interchanged power
15,913

 
14,522

 
28,790

 
27,081

 
77,343

 
63,888

 
134,619

 
115,881

Operating revenues net of energy expenses
162,771

 
164,364

 
282,785

 
280,949

Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operations
59,033

 
58,805

 
115,000

 
113,222

Maintenance
15,985

 
14,806

 
28,537

 
30,774

Depreciation and amortization
19,562

 
19,603

 
38,930

 
40,121

Taxes other than income taxes
13,847

 
14,638

 
26,629

 
28,278

 
108,427

 
107,852

 
209,096

 
212,395

Operating income
54,344

 
56,512

 
73,689

 
68,554

Other income (deductions):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
2,515

 
2,214

 
5,178

 
4,170

Investment and interest income, net
1,834

 
102

 
3,065

 
1,878

Miscellaneous non-operating income
1

 
131

 
2

 
201

Miscellaneous non-operating deductions
(1,633
)
 
(421
)
 
(2,104
)
 
(903
)
 
2,717

 
2,026

 
6,141

 
5,346

Interest charges (credits):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
14,610

 
13,605

 
29,206

 
27,168

Other interest
154

 
278

 
303

 
478

Capitalized interest
(1,307
)
 
(1,299
)
 
(2,609
)
 
(2,668
)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
(1,518
)
 
(1,310
)
 
(3,141
)
 
(2,463
)
 
11,939

 
11,274

 
23,759

 
22,515

Income before income taxes
45,122

 
47,264

 
56,071

 
51,385

Income tax expense
15,929

 
16,370

 
19,244

 
17,147

Net income
$
29,193

 
$
30,894

 
$
36,827

 
$
34,238

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.73

 
$
0.77

 
$
0.92

 
$
0.85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
0.72

 
$
0.77

 
$
0.92

 
$
0.85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.265

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.515

 
$
0.47

Weighted average number of shares outstanding
40,111,757

 
39,958,149

 
40,095,002

 
39,934,590

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding
40,159,970

 
40,040,776

 
40,119,109

 
40,020,143


 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,
 
2013
 
2012
Operating revenues
$
873,455

 
$
896,126

Energy expenses:
 
 
 
Fuel
208,105

 
208,230

Purchased and interchanged power
61,960

 
67,459

 
270,065

 
275,689

Operating revenues net of energy expenses
603,390

 
620,437

Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
Other operations
238,336

 
231,476

Maintenance
58,102

 
63,870

Depreciation and amortization
77,365

 
80,992

Taxes other than income taxes
55,794

 
57,336

 
429,597

 
433,674

Operating income
173,793

 
186,763

Other income (deductions):
 
 
 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
10,435

 
7,269

Investment and interest income, net
6,462

 
3,567

Miscellaneous non-operating income
1,216

 
815

Miscellaneous non-operating deductions
(3,214
)
 
(2,677
)
 
14,899

 
8,974

Interest charges (credits):
 
 
 
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
56,670

 
54,259

Other interest
1,015

 
933

Capitalized interest
(5,253
)
 
(5,299
)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
(6,251
)
 
(4,282
)
 
46,181

 
45,611

Income before income taxes
142,511

 
150,126

Income tax expense
49,076

 
52,114

Net income
$
93,435

 
$
98,012

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
2.33

 
$
2.42

 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
2.32

 
$
2.41

 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
1.015

 
$
0.91

Weighted average number of shares outstanding
40,053,677

 
40,285,248

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding
40,104,513

 
40,455,626


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
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
29,193

 
$
30,894

 
$
36,827

 
$
34,238

 
$
93,435

 
$
98,012

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss arising during period

 

 

 

 
(2,109
)
 
(77,678
)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income for amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service benefit
(1,400
)
 
(1,437
)
 
(2,800
)
 
(2,880
)
 
(5,682
)
 
(5,787
)
Net loss
2,745

 
2,860

 
5,420

 
5,985

 
11,406

 
9,237

Net unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net holding gains (losses) arising during period
(2,232
)
 
(2,341
)
 
4,561

 
5,817

 
8,671

 
4,798

Reclassification adjustments for net (gains) losses included in net income
(246
)
 
1,447

 
(88
)
 
1,234

 
(280
)
 
2,795

Net losses on cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for interest expense included in net income
101

 
95

 
202

 
189

 
398

 
374

Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes
(1,032
)
 
624

 
7,295

 
10,345

 
12,404

 
(66,261
)
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs
(511
)
 
(541
)
 
(1,081
)
 
(1,096
)
 
(1,449
)
 
29,169

Net unrealized (gains) losses on marketable securities
650

 
189

 
(637
)
 
(1,370
)
 
(1,705
)
 
(1,416
)
Losses on cash flow hedges
(38
)
 
(36
)
 
(90
)
 
(81
)
 
(140
)
 
(218
)
Total income tax benefit (expense)
101

 
(388
)
 
(1,808
)
 
(2,547
)
 
(3,294
)
 
27,535

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(931
)
 
236

 
5,487

 
7,798

 
9,110

 
(38,726
)
Comprehensive income
$
28,262

 
$
31,130

 
$
42,314

 
$
42,036

 
$
102,545

 
$
59,286

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
5
 

Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
36,827

 
$
34,238

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service
38,930

 
40,121

Amortization of nuclear fuel
21,897

 
21,807

Deferred income taxes, net
16,888

 
18,630

Allowance for equity funds used during construction
(5,178
)
 
(4,170
)
Other amortization and accretion
8,258

 
6,804

Other operating activities
(87
)
 
937

Change in:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(43,626
)
 
(19,197
)
Inventories
(2,047
)
 
(1,087
)
Net overcollection (undercollection) of fuel revenues
(8,940
)
 
15,594

Prepayments and other
(8,022
)
 
(5,456
)
Accounts payable
2,733

 
(4,748
)
Taxes accrued
(250
)
 
(6,661
)
Other current liabilities
1,150

 
779

Deferred charges and credits
(7,146
)
 
(5,695
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
51,387

 
91,896

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment
(110,279
)
 
(99,929
)
Cash additions to nuclear fuel
(16,879
)
 
(38,155
)
Capitalized interest and AFUDC:
 
 
 
Utility property, plant and equipment
(8,319
)
 
(6,633
)
Nuclear fuel
(2,609
)
 
(2,668
)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
5,178

 
4,170

Decommissioning trust funds:
 
 
 
Purchases, including funding of $2.3 million, respectively
(26,914
)
 
(64,011
)
Sales and maturities
22,362

 
59,513

Other investing activities
3,419

 
978

Net cash used for investing activities
(134,041
)
 
(146,735
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Dividends paid
(20,714
)
 
(18,834
)
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility:
 
 
 
Proceeds
28,486

 
121,964

Payments
(24,322
)
 
(44,583
)
Other financing activities
(207
)
 
(1,832
)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
(16,757
)
 
56,715

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(99,411
)
 
1,876

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
111,057

 
8,208

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
11,646

 
$
10,084

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, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”). Capitalized terms used in this report and not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the 2012 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, 2013 and December 31, 2012; the results of its operations and comprehensive operations for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012; and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. The results of operations and comprehensive operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and the cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 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.
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. Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues of $33.0 million at June 30, 2013 and $17.9 million at December 31, 2012. The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its consolidated statements of operations.

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Cash paid (received) for:
 
 
 
 
Interest on long-term debt and borrowing under the revolving credit facility
$
26,840

 
$
25,106

 
Income tax paid (refund), net
(169
)
 
3,159

Non-cash financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Grants of restricted shares of common stock
2,483

 
2,331

 
Issuance of performance shares
849

 
1,193















 
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Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



New Accounting Standards. In February 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)) to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in its entirety to net income in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under FASB guidance that provide additional detail about those amounts.

Substantially all of the information that ASU 2013-02 requires is already required to be disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements under FASB guidance. However, the new requirement to present information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and their corresponding effect on net income now requires the presentation in one place, information about significant amounts reclassified and, in some cases, cross-references to related footnote disclosures.
ASU 2013-02 became effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company implemented ASU 2013-02 in the first quarter of 2013 and has presented the corresponding effects of components reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) with cross-references to other disclosures or the respective line items in net income in Note B.
In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)) to eliminate the diversity in the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. ASU 2013-11 is effective prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. Retrospective application is also permitted. The Company anticipates implementing ASU 2013-11 in the first quarter of 2014. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this ASU, however it is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated statement of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows.



 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


B. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
       In February 2013, the FASB issued new guidance, ASU 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) as discussed in Note A. This guidance requires disclosures regarding changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (net of tax) by component which are presented below (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
 
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at March 31, 2013
27,858

 
(75,032
)
 
(12,492
)
 
(59,666
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(1,623
)
 

 

 
(1,623
)
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(205
)
 
834

 
63

 
692

Balance at June 30, 2013
$
26,030

 
$
(74,198
)
 
$
(12,429
)
 
$
(60,597
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
 
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 3012
$
22,194

 
$
(75,737
)
 
$
(12,541
)
 
$
(66,084
)
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
3,920

 

 

 
3,920

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(84
)
 
1,539

 
112

 
1,567

Balance at June 30, 2013
$
26,030

 
$
(74,198
)
 
$
(12,429
)
 
$
(60,597
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
 
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2012
$
19,344

 
$
(76,364
)
 
$
(12,687
)
 
$
(69,707
)
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
6,944

 
(1,264
)
 

 
5,680

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(258
)
 
3,430

 
258

 
3,430

Balance at June 30, 2013
$
26,030

 
$
(74,198
)
 
$
(12,429
)
 
$
(60,597
)

 
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Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013 are as follows ( in thousands):

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
Affected Line Item in the Statement of Operations
 
June 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marketable securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain on sale of securities
 
$
246

 
$
88

 
$
593

 
Investment and interest income, net
 
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities included in pre-tax income
 

 

 
(313
)
 
Investment and interest income, net
 
 
 
 
246

 
88

 
280

 
Total before tax
 
 
 
 
(41
)
 
(4
)
 
(22
)
 
Income tax expense
 
 
 
 
205

 
84

 
258

 
Net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service benefit
 
1,400

 
2,800

 
5,682

 
(a)
 
Net loss
 
(2,745
)
 
(5,420
)
 
(11,406
)
 
(a)
 
 
 
 
(1,345
)
 
(2,620
)
 
(5,724
)
 
Total before tax
 
 
 
 
511

 
1,081

 
2,294

 
Income tax expense
 
 
 
 
(834
)
 
(1,539
)
 
(3,430
)
 
Net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on cash flow hedge:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of loss
 
(101
)
 
(202
)
 
(398
)
 
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
 
 
 
 
(101
)
 
(202
)
 
(398
)
 
Total before tax
 
 
 
 
38

 
90

 
140

 
Income tax expense
 
 
 
 
(63
)
 
(112
)
 
(258
)
 
Net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications
 
$
(692
)
 
$
(1,567
)
 
$
(3,430
)
 
Net of tax
 
 
(a) These items are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note H, Employee Benefits, for additional information.
 

 
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(Unaudited)



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 (sales for resale) transactions, transmission service and compliance with federally-mandated reliability standards. The decisions of the PUCT, NMPRC and the FERC are subject to judicial review.

Texas Regulatory Matters

2012 Texas Retail Rate Case. The Company filed a rate increase request with the PUCT, Docket No. 40094, the City of El Paso, and other Texas cities on February 1, 2012. The rate filing was made in response to a resolution adopted by the El Paso City Council (the "Council") requiring the Company to show cause why its base rates for customers in the El Paso city limits should not be reduced. The filing at the PUCT also included a request to reconcile $356.5 million of fuel expense for the period July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2011.

On April 17, 2012, the Council approved the settlement of the Company's 2012 Texas retail rate case and fuel reconciliation in PUCT Docket No. 40094. The PUCT issued a final order approving the settlement on May 23, 2012.
Under the terms of the settlement, among other things, the Company agreed to:
A reduction in its non-fuel base rates of $15 million annually, with the decrease being allocated primarily to Texas retail commercial and industrial customer classes. The rate decrease was effective as of May 1, 2012;
Revised depreciation rates for the Company's gas-fired generating units and for transmission and distribution plant that lower depreciation expense by $4.1 million annually;
Continuation of the 10.125% return on equity for the purpose of calculating the allowance for funds used during construction; and
A two-year amortization of rate case expenses, none of which will be included in future regulatory proceedings.
As part of the settlement, the Company agreed to withdraw its request to reconcile fuel costs for the period from July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2011. The Company will file a fuel reconciliation request covering the period beginning July 1, 2009 and ending no later than June 30, 2013 by December 31, 2013 or as part of its next rate case, if earlier. The settlement also provides for the continuation of the energy efficiency cost recovery factor and the military base discount recovery factor. Both of these surcharges require annual filings to reconcile and revise the recovery factors.     
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. In 2010, the Company received approval to implement a formula to determine its fuel factor which adjusts natural gas and purchased power to reflect natural gas futures prices. 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. On April 12, 2012, the Company filed a request, which was designated Docket No. 40302, to decrease its fuel factor pursuant to its approved formula. The Company's revised application which decreased the fuel factor by 18.5% was approved on April 25, 2012, effective with May 2012 billings.
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. The Company filed on August 3, 2012 a request to refund $6.6 million of over-collected fuel costs, which filing was designated Docket No. 40622. The refund request was approved, and the refund was made during the month of September 2012. All such fuel revenue and expense activities are subject to periodic final review by the PUCT in fuel reconciliation proceedings.

 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Montana Power Station Air Permits. The Company has also filed two air permit applications for the Montana Power Station. The first application was filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") and a contested hearing on the merits of the application commenced June 4, 2013, before the State Office of Administrative Hearings in Austin, Texas. Several parties, representing affected individuals as defined by TCEQ, were previously granted status as Aligned Protestants. The post-hearing process is underway, and after the Administrative Law Judge's recommendation, which should occur in September 2013, a final decision by the TCEQ is expected by the end of the year. The second air permit application is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") greenhouse permit application which remains under review. A final permit is expected from the EPA by December 2013 if there is no appeal. While the Company believes that the Montana Power Station applications demonstrate compliance with all air regulations, it cannot predict the final outcome or timing of decisions on these applications with certainty. The Company has received Certificates of Convenience and Necessity ("CCN") to construct the first two units of this facility from both the PUCT and the NMPRC.
Transmission CCN Filings. On April 15, 2013, the Company filed two transmission line CCNs with the PUCT. Both of these transmission lines are needed to connect the Montana Power Station to the Company's 115kV transmission system so that the Montana Power Station can deliver its output to the Company's native service territory. Final orders in both of these filings are expected no later than May 2014.
Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for recovery of fuel costs through fixed fuel factors, other tariffs and approvals as required by the Public Utility Regulatory Act ("PURA") and the PUCT.
New Mexico Regulatory Matters
2009 New Mexico Stipulation. On December 10, 2009, the NMPRC issued a final order conditionally approving the stipulated rates in NMPRC Case No. 09-00171-UT. The stipulated rates went into effect with January 2010 bills. The stipulated rates provide for an Efficient Use of Energy Factor Rate Rider to recover energy efficiency expenditures which requires an annual filing and approval of the related incentives and adjustments to the recovery factors.
Long-Term Purchased Power Agreement with Macho Springs. On November 21, 2012, the Company filed an application with the NMPRC requesting approval of a Long-Term Purchase Power Agreement ("LTPPA") with Macho Springs Solar, LLC ("Macho Springs") to purchase energy from a 50 MW solar facility to be constructed by Macho Springs on the Company's New Mexico transmission system. The Company also sought approval of the recovery of costs associated with the LTPPA through the Company's Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Adjustment Clause. A final order approving the LTPPA was received May 1, 2013.
Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for other tariffs, securities transactions, long-term resource plans, recovery of energy efficiency costs through a base rate rider and other approvals as required by the NMPRC.
Federal Regulatory Matters
Public Service Company of New Mexico's (“PNM”) 2010 Transmission Rate Case. On October 27, 2010, PNM filed a Notice of Transmission Rate Change for transmission delivery services provided by PNM. These rates went into effect on June 1, 2011. The Company takes transmission service from PNM. On January 2, 2013, the FERC issued a letter order approving a unanimous stipulation and agreement. Pursuant to the stipulation, on January 31, 2013, PNM refunded $1.9 million, for amounts that PNM collected since June 1, 2011, in excess of settlement rates. This amount was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a reduction of transmission expense.
Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained required approvals for rates and tariffs, securities transactions and other approvals as required by the FERC.



 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


D. Common Stock
Repurchase Program. No shares of common stock were repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.
Dividend Policy. The Company paid $10.7 million and $10.0 million in quarterly cash dividends during the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company paid a total of $20.7 million and $40.8 million in quarterly cash dividends during the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. The Company paid a total of $18.8 million and $36.8 million in quarterly cash dividends during the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. On July 26, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.265 per share payable on September 30, 2013 to shareholders of record on September 13, 2013.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share. The basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below (in thousands except for share data):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic number of common shares outstanding
40,111,757

 
39,958,149

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards
48,213

 
64,698

Dilutive effect of stock options

 
17,929

Diluted number of common shares outstanding
40,159,970

 
40,040,776

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
29,193

 
$
30,894

Income allocated to participating restricted stock
(85
)
 
(83
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
29,108

 
$
30,811

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
29,193

 
$
30,894

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock
(84
)
 
(83
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
29,109

 
$
30,811

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
0.265

 
$
0.25

Undistributed earnings
0.465

 
0.52

Basic net income per common share
$
0.730

 
$
0.77

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
0.265

 
$
0.25

Undistributed earnings
0.455

 
0.52

Diluted net income per common share
$
0.720

 
$
0.77



 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
Basic number of common shares outstanding
40,095,002

 
39,934,590

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards
24,107

 
65,450

Dilutive effect of stock options

 
20,103

Diluted number of common shares outstanding
40,119,109

 
40,020,143

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
36,827

 
$
34,238

Income allocated to participating restricted stock
(102
)
 
(104
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
36,725

 
$
34,134

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
36,827

 
$
34,238

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock
(102
)
 
(104
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
36,725

 
$
34,134

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
0.515

 
$
0.47

Undistributed earnings
0.405

 
0.38

Basic net income per common share
$
0.920

 
$
0.85

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
0.515

 
$
0.47

Undistributed earnings
0.405

 
0.38

Diluted net income per common share
$
0.920

 
$
0.85





 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


 
Twelve Months Ended June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic number of common shares outstanding
40,053,677

 
40,285,248

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards
46,084

 
148,256

Dilutive effect of stock options
4,752

 
22,122

Diluted number of common shares outstanding
40,104,513

 
40,455,626

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
93,435

 
$
98,012

Income allocated to participating restricted stock
(248
)
 
(379
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
93,187

 
$
97,633

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
93,435

 
$
98,012

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock
(248
)
 
(378
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
93,187

 
$
97,634

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
1.015

 
$
0.91

Undistributed earnings
1.315

 
1.51

Basic net income per common share
$
2.330

 
$
2.42

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
1.015

 
$
0.91

Undistributed earnings
1.305

 
1.50

Diluted net income per common share
$
2.320

 
$
2.41

The amount of restricted stock awards and performance shares at 100% performance level excluded from the calculation of the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Restricted stock awards
38,040

 
32,101

 
47,071

 
45,951

 
45,738

 
63,699

Performance shares (a)
85,183

 
51,133

 
105,090

 
47,092

 
86,624

 
23,546

____________________
(a)
Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of the corresponding periods.

E. Income Taxes
The Company files income tax returns in the United States ("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 2008 and in the state jurisdictions for years prior to 1998. The Company is currently under audit in the federal jurisdiction for tax years 2009 through 2012 and in Texas for 2007. A deficiency notice relating to the Company’s 1998 through 2003 and 2006 and 2007 income tax returns in Arizona challenges a pollution control credit, a research and development credit and the payroll, sales and property apportionment factors. The Company is contesting these adjustments.
For the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate was 35.3% and 34.6%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's consolidated effective tax rate was 34.3% and 33.4%, respectively. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's consolidated effective tax rate was 34.4% and 34.7%, respectively. The Company's consolidated effective tax rate for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30,

 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


2013 and 2012 differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35.0% primarily due to the allowance for equity funds used during construction and state income taxes.

F. Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties
For a full discussion of commitments and contingencies, see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K. In addition, see Note C above and Notes C and E of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K regarding matters related to wholesale power sales contracts and transmission contracts subject to regulation and Palo Verde, including decommissioning, spent nuclear fuel and waste disposal, and liability and insurance matters.
Power Purchase and Sale Contracts
To supplement its own generation and operating reserves, and to meet required renewable portfolio standards, the Company engages in firm power purchase arrangements which may vary in duration and amount based on evaluation of the Company’s resource needs, the economics of the transactions, and specific renewable portfolio requirements. For a full discussion of power purchase and sale contracts that the Company has entered into with various counterparties, see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K. In addition to the contracts disclosed in the 2012 Form 10-K, in May 2013, the NMPRC approved the Company's agreement with Macho Springs Solar, LLC to purchase the entire generation output delivered from the 50 MW Macho Springs solar photovoltaic project located in Luna County, New Mexico. The term of the purchase is 20 years from the commercial operation date of the Macho Springs project which is projected to be May 1, 2014.
Environmental Matters
General. The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations and permit requirements with respect to air, soil and water quality, waste management and disposal, natural resources and other environmental matters by federal, state, regional, tribal and local authorities. Failure to comply with such laws, regulations and requirements can result in actions by authorities or other third parties 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 liabilities. These laws, regulations and requirements are subject to change through modification or reinterpretation, or the introduction of new laws and regulations and, as a result, the Company may face additional capital and operating costs to comply. For a full discussion of certain key environmental issues, laws and regulations facing the Company see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K.
Clean Air Interstate Rule/Cross State Air Pollution Rule. The EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule ("CAIR"), as applied to the Company, involves requirements to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides ("NOx") and sulfur dioxide ("SO2") from certain of the Company's power plants in Texas and/or purchase allowances representing other parties' emissions reductions since 2009. While the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit voided CAIR in 2008, on appeal the rule was reinstated until such time as the EPA promulgates a replacement rule. Because the appellate court in August of 2012 also vacated the EPA's proposed replacement, which is called the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (“CSAPR”), CAIR remains in effect. On March 29, 2013, the U.S. Solicitor General petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the D.C. Circuit's decision to vacate CSAPR, and on June 24, 2013, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. The timing and outcome of the Supreme Court decision is unknown, and in the meantime, the Company remains subject to CAIR. The annual reconciliation to comply with CAIR is due by March 31 of the following year. The Company has purchased allowances and expensed the following costs to meet its annual requirements (in thousands):    
Compliance Year
 
 
Amount
 
2010
 
 
$
370

 
2011
 
 
90

 
2012
 
 
36

 
 
Climate Change. On June 25, 2013, President Obama set forth his plan to address climate change. He reiterated a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions "in the range of 17 percent" below 2005 levels by 2020. The plan included a variety of executive actions including future regulatory measures to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. In a White House memorandum of the same date, the President directed the EPA to issue a new proposal for greenhouse gas rulemaking addressing new power plants by September 20, 2013, and a rule for existing power plants by June 1, 2014. Given the very significant remaining uncertainties

 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


regarding when and how these rules will become effective, the Company believes it is impossible to meaningfully quantify the costs of these potential requirements at present.

Environmental Litigation and Investigations. Since 2009, the EPA and certain environmental organizations have been scrutinizing, and in some cases, have filed lawsuits, relating to certain air emissions and air permitting matters related to Four Corners. Since July 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ"), on behalf of the EPA, and APS have been engaged in substantive settlement negotiations in an effort to resolve the pending matters. The allegations being addressed through settlement negotiations are that APS failed to obtain the necessary permits and install the controls necessary under the U.S. Clean Air Act ("CAA") to reduce SO2, NOx, and particular matter ("PM"), and that defendants failed to obtain an operating permit under Title V of the CAA that reflects applicable requirements imposed by law. In March 2012, the DOJ provided APS with a draft consent decree to settle the EPA matter, which decree contains specific provisions for the reduction and control of NOx, SO2, and PM, as well as provisions for a civil penalty, and expenditures on environmental mitigation projects with an emphasis on projects that address alleged harm to the Navajo Nation. Settlement discussions are on-going and the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these settlement negotiations. The Company has accrued a total of $0.5 million as a loss contingency related to this matter.
Similar to other utilities in the western half of the U.S., the Company received notice that Earthjustice filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for New Mexico on October 4, 2011 for alleged violations of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration ("PSD") provisions of the CAA related to Four Corners. On January 6, 2012, Earthjustice filed a First Amended Complaint adding claims for violations of the CAA's New Source Performance Standards ("NSPS") program. Among other things, the plaintiffs seek to have the court enjoin operations at Four Corners until APS applies for and obtains any required PSD permits and complies with the referenced NSPS program. The plaintiffs further request the court to order the payment of civil penalties, including a beneficial mitigation project. On April 2, 2012, APS and the other Four Corners' participants filed motions to dismiss with the court. Earthjustice filed their response briefs on May 16, 2012.  APS filed reply briefs on June 22, 2012.  Utility Air Regulatory Group filed an amicus brief, and plaintiffs were allowed until July 23, 2012 to respond to that amicus brief. In July 2013, a motion was filed to stay the case until November 1, 2013 while the parties engage in settlement discussions. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this litigation.

Union Matters

The collective bargaining agreement with existing union employees expires in September 2013 and the Company has entered into negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.


G. 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 on a review of these claims and applicable insurance coverage, the Company 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 above and Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K for discussion of the effects of government legislation and regulation on the Company.

 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



H. Employee Benefits
Retirement Plans
The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 is made up of the components listed below as determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
2,430

 
$
2,189

 
$
4,830

 
$
4,414

 
$
9,245

 
$
7,839

Interest cost
3,400

 
3,400

 
6,800

 
6,778

 
13,579

 
13,771

Expected return on plan assets
(4,275
)
 
(3,611
)
 
(8,550
)
 
(7,221
)
 
(15,772
)
 
(14,268
)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
2,745

 
2,713

 
5,420

 
5,678

 
11,098

 
8,950

Prior service cost
25

 
31

 
50

 
58

 
107

 
115

Net periodic benefit cost
$
4,325

 
$
4,722

 
$
8,550

 
$
9,707

 
$
18,257

 
$
16,407

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company contributed $15.9 million of its projected $16.8 million 2013 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, 2013 and 2012 is made up of the components listed below (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
1,100

 
$
1,119

 
$
2,200

 
$
2,189

 
$
4,389

 
$
3,683

Interest cost
1,375

 
1,410

 
2,750

 
2,825

 
5,576

 
5,515

Expected return on plan assets
(475
)
 
(453
)
 
(950
)
 
(888
)
 
(1,776
)
 
(1,799
)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service benefit
(1,425
)
 
(1,468
)
 
(2,850
)
 
(2,938
)
 
(5,789
)
 
(5,902
)
Net loss

 
147

 

 
307

 
308

 
287

Net periodic benefit cost
$
575

 
$
755

 
$
1,150

 
$
1,495

 
$
2,708

 
$
1,784


During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company contributed $2.0 million of its projected $3.1 million 2013 annual contribution to its other postretirement benefits plan.


 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


I. 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 ("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, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
Pollution Control Bonds
$
193,135

 
$
199,157

 
$
193,135

 
$
215,228

Senior Notes
696,441

 
773,645

 
696,400

 
823,497

RGRT Senior Notes (1)
110,000

 
116,510

 
110,000

 
120,985

RCF (1)
26,319

 
26,319

 
22,155

 
22,155

Total
$
1,025,895

 
$
1,115,631

 
$
1,021,690

 
$
1,181,865

_______________ 
(1)
Nuclear fuel financing as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is funded through the $110 million RGRT Senior Notes and $20.3 million and $22.2 million, respectively under the RCF. As of June 30, 2013, $6.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2012, no amount was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general 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 $196.2 million and $187.1 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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): 
 
June 30, 2013
 
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
$
3,291

 
$
(151
)
 
$
171

 
$
(4
)
 
$
3,462

 
$
(155
)
U.S. Government Bonds
12,374

 
(454
)
 
6,229

 
(309
)
 
18,603

 
(763
)
Municipal Obligations
16,051

 
(513
)
 
3,487

 
(198
)
 
19,538

 
(711
)
Corporate Obligations
2,848

 
(81
)
 
330

 
(17
)
 
3,178

 
(98
)
Total Debt Securities
34,564

 
(1,199
)
 
10,217

 
(528
)
 
44,781

 
(1,727
)
Common Stock
1,725

 
(190
)
 

 

 
1,725

 
(190
)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities
$
36,289

 
$
(1,389
)
 
$
10,217

 
$
(528
)
 
$
46,506

 
$
(1,917
)
 
_________________
(1)
Includes approximately 113 securities.

 
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Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


 
December 31, 2012
 
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
$
1,792

 
$
(5
)
 
$
416

 
$
(9
)
 
$
2,208

 
$
(14
)
U.S. Government Bonds
6,633

 
(79
)
 
4,457

 
(114
)
 
11,090

 
(193
)
Municipal Obligations
5,306

 
(39
)
 
5,760

 
(241
)
 
11,066

 
(280
)
Corporate Obligations
452

 
(11
)
 

 

 
452

 
(11
)
Total Debt Securities
14,183

 
(134
)
 
10,633

 
(364
)
 
24,816

 
(498
)
Common Stock
3,603

 
(409
)
 

 

 
3,603

 
(409
)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities
$
17,786

 
$
(543
)
 
$
10,633

 
$
(364
)
 
$
28,419

 
$
(907
)
 
_________________
(2)
Includes approximately 65 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 does not anticipate expending monies held in trust before 2044 or a later period when the Company begins to decommission Palo Verde.
 
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, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gains
Description of Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
$
12,419

 
$
552

 
$
17,289

 
$
1,036

U.S. Government Bonds
6,808

 
297

 
13,295

 
678

Municipal Obligations
15,474

 
796

 
22,797

 
1,531

Corporate Obligations
8,933

 
481

 
12,378

 
1,134

Total Debt Securities
43,634

 
2,126

 
65,759

 
4,379

Common Stock
85,228

 
30,993

 
73,210

 
22,839

Equity Mutual Funds
14,926

 
1,404

 
15,194

 
1,821

Cash and Cash Equivalents
5,872

 

 
4,471

 

Total
$
149,660

 
$
34,523

 
$
158,634

 
$
29,039

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 ten years or more. The mortgage-backed securities have an estimated weighted average maturity which generally range from three years to seven years and reflects anticipated future prepayments. The contractual year for maturity of these available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands): 
 
Total
 
2013
 
2014
through
2017
 
2018 through 2022
 
2023 and Beyond
Municipal Debt Obligations
$
35,012

 
$
772

 
$
12,237

 
$
17,259

 
$
4,744

Corporate Debt Obligations
12,111

 

 
4,067

 
4,328

 
3,716

U.S. Government Bonds
25,411

 
1,281

 
9,660

 
11,202

 
3,268


 
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Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


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, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized other than temporary impairment losses on its available-for-sale securities as follows (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income
$

 
$
(166
)
 
$

 
$
(166
)
 
$
(313
)
 
$
(2,083
)
 
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
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
$
11,455

 
$
39,934

 
$
22,362

 
$
59,513

 
$
61,391

 
$
106,033

Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income
$
342

 
$
690

 
$
381

 
$
1,079

 
$
780

 
$
1,862

Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income
(96
)
 
(1,971
)
 
(293
)
 
(2,147
)
 
(187
)
 
(2,574
)
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income

 
(166
)
 

 
(166
)
 
(313
)
 
(2,083
)
Net gains (losses) in pre-tax income
$
246

 
$
(1,447
)
 
$
88

 
$
(1,234
)
 
$
280

 
$
(2,795
)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income
$
(2,232
)
 
$
(2,341
)
 
$
4,561

 
$
5,817

 
$
8,671

 
$
4,798

Net (gains) losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income
(246
)
 
1,447

 
(88
)
 
1,234

 
(280
)
 
2,795

Net gains in other comprehensive income
$
(2,478
)
 
$
(894
)
 
$
4,473

 
$
7,051

 
$
8,391

 
$
7,593

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 investment in debt securities which are 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.
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 investment 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

 
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Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


“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 investment in debt securities, at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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, 2013
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Trading Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in Debt Securities
$
1,294

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,294

Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government Bonds
$
25,411

 
$
25,411

 
$

 
$

Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
15,881

 

 
15,881

 

Municipal Bonds
35,012

 

 
35,012

 

Corporate Asset Backed Obligations
12,111

 

 
12,111

 

Subtotal Debt Securities
88,415

 
25,411

 
63,004

 

Common Stock
86,953

 
86,953

 

 

Equity Mutual Funds
14,926

 
14,926

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
5,872

 
5,872

 

 

Total available for sale
$
196,166

 
$
133,162

 
$
63,004

 
$

Description of Securities
Fair Value as of December 31, 2012
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Trading Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in Debt Securities
$
1,295

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,295

Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government Bonds
$
24,385

 
$
24,385

 
$

 
$

Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
19,497

 

 
19,497

 

Municipal Bonds
33,863

 

 
33,863

 

Corporate Asset Backed Obligations
12,830

 

 
12,830

 

Subtotal Debt Securities
90,575

 
24,385

 
66,190

 

Common Stock
76,813

 
76,813

 

 

Equity Mutual Funds
15,194

 
15,194

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
4,471

 
4,471

 

 

Total available for sale
$
187,053

 
$
120,863

 
$
66,190

 
$

There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories during the three, six and twelve month periods ending June 30, 2013 and 2012. There were no purchases, sales, issuances, or settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurement category during the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013.
The Company realized in the consolidated statement of operations as investment and interest income a gain on the sale of a debt security of $0.4 million during the twelve month period ending June 30, 2012. There were no other purchases, issuances, or settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurements category during the three, six and twelve month periods ending June 30, 2012.

 
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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, 2013, the related consolidated statements of operations, and comprehensive operations, for the three-month, six-month and twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. 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, 2012, 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, 2013, 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, 2012, 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 6, 2013

 
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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 2012 Annual Report on 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”, “will”, “is designed to”, “plan” 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 include, 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 the rates that we charge,
the 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 or environmental requirements,
reductions in output at generation plants operated by us,
unscheduled outages of generating units including outages at Palo Verde,
the size of our construction program and our ability to complete construction on budget,
potential delays in our construction schedule due to legal challenges or other reasons,
disruptions in our transmission system, and in particular the lines that deliver power from our remote generating facilities,
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,
rates, cost recovery mechanisms and other regulatory matters including the ability to recover fuel costs on a timely basis,
changes in environmental laws and regulations and the enforcement or interpretation thereof, including those related to air, water or greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental matters,
cuts in military spending that reduce demand for our services from military customers,
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 post-retirement plan assets,
the impact of U.S. health care reform legislation,

 
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Table of Contents

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,
possible income tax and interest payments as a result of audit adjustments proposed by the IRS or state taxing authorities, 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 the 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the headings “Risk Factors” and “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 2012 Annual Report on 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, 2013 and 2012. Net income and basic earnings per share for the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 are shown below: 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net income (in thousands)
$
29,193

 
$
30,894

 
$
36,827

 
$
34,238

 
$
93,435

 
$
98,012

Basic earnings per share
0.73

 
0.77

 
0.92

 
0.85

 
2.33

 
2.42


The following table and accompanying explanations show the primary factors affecting the after-tax change in net income between the 2013 and 2012 periods presented (in thousands): 

 
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Table of Contents

 
Three Months
Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
June 30, 2012 net income
$
30,894

 
$
34,238

 
$
98,012

Change in (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
Increased deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues (a)
834

 
1,126

 
54

Decreased taxes other than income taxes (b)
522

 
1,088

 
1,017

Increased allowance for funds used during construction (c)
440

 
1,456

 
4,466

Decreased customer care expense (d)
358

 
597

 
2,440

Increased (decreased) transmission wheeling revenue (e)
217

 
318

 
(2,064
)
Decreased depreciation and amortization (f)
28

 
787

 
2,394

Decreased retail non-fuel base revenues (g)
(2,003
)
 
(449
)
 
(8,239
)
Increased interest on long-term debt (h)
(663
)
 
(1,345
)
 
(1,590
)
Increased administrative and general expense (i)
(92
)
 
(1,411
)
 
(5,615
)
Increased (decreased) operations and maintenance at fossil-fuel generating plants (j)
(49
)
 
1,388

 
2,064

Other
(1,293
)
 
(966
)
 
496

June 30, 2013 net income
$
29,193

 
$
36,827

 
$
93,435

 
______________
(a)
Revenues from retail sales of deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 power increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year due to an increase in generation at Palo Verde Unit 3 due to the 2012 spring refueling outage with no comparable outage in 2013 and higher power prices in 2013.
(b)
Taxes other than income taxes decreased for the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012, primarily due to decreased Texas revenues and decreased property tax accruals.
(c)
Allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") increased in the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to higher balances of construction work in progress subject to AFUDC.
(d)
Customer care expense decreased for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year due to a decrease in the provision for uncollectible accounts reflecting improved collection efforts.
(e)
Transmission revenues decreased for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same period last year due to a settlement agreement with Tucson Electric Power Company involving a transmission dispute that resulted in a one-time adjustment to income of $3.9 million, pre-tax which was recorded in the third quarter of 2011.
(f)
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased due to reduced depreciation rates on gas-fired generating units and on transmission and distribution plant as a result of the 2012 Texas rate case settlement which became effective May 1, 2012, partially offset by depreciation on higher plant balances.
(g)
Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to a 1.0% decrease in kWh sales to retail customers. The decrease reflects a modest return to more normal weather in 2013 compared to 2012. Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to a decrease in non-fuel base revenues from sales to our commercial and industrial customers due to a reduction in non-fuel base rates in Texas effective May 1, 2012, increased use of lower interruptible and off-peak rates, and decreased consumption by several large commercial and industrial customers. Retail non-fuel base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates. For a complete discussion of non-fuel rate base revenues, see page 28.
(h)
Interest on long-term debt increased for the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year due to interest on $150 million of 3.3% senior notes issued in December 2012 partially offset by the refunding and remarketing of two series of pollution control bonds at lower interest rates in August 2012.
(i)
Administrative and general expense increased for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year due to increased outside services. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same period last year, administrative and general expense also increased due to increased pensions and benefits expense primarily due to changes in actuarial assumptions used to calculate expenses for our retiree benefit plans and increased medical expense.

 
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Table of Contents

(j)
Operations and maintenance expense at our fossil-fuel generating plants decreased in both the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to the timing of planned maintenance at our fossil-fuel generating units.


 
27
 

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 cost-based wholesale sales within our service territory) accounted for less than 1% of revenues.
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.    
No retail customer accounted for more than 4% of our non-fuel base revenues. Residential and small commercial customers comprise 75% or more of our non-fuel base revenues. While this customer base is more stable, it is also more sensitive to changes in weather conditions. The current rate structure in New Mexico and Texas reflects higher base rates during the peak summer season of May through October and lower 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. Heating and cooling degree days can be used to evaluate the effect of weather on energy use. For each degree that the average outdoor temperature varies from a standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit a degree day is recorded. For the three months ended June 30, 2013, retail non-fuel base revenues were negatively impacted by a modest return to more normal weather when compared to the same period in 2012. Cooling degree days decreased 3.4% when compared to the same period in 2012 but remained higher than the 10-year average by 10.0%. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, retail non-fuel base revenues were positively impacted by colder winter weather when compared to the same period in 2012. Heating degree days increased 17.4% when compared to the same period in 2012 and were 9.8% over the 10-year average. The positive impact of the colder winter weather was partially offset by a 3.6% decrease in cooling degree days for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same period last year. Cooling degree days for the current six month period are 10.3% over the 10-year average. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, retail non-fuel base revenues were negatively impacted by cooler summer weather and milder winter weather when compared to the prior period. Cooling degree days decreased 9.8% and heating degree days decreased by 3.8% when compared to the same period last year. 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,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
 
10-Year
 
 
 
10-Year
 
 
 
10-Year
 
2013
 
2012
 
Average
 
2013
 
2012
 
Average
 
2013
 
2012
 
Average*
Heating degree days
81

 
50

 
71

 
1,419

 
1,209

 
1,292

 
2,219

 
2,306

 
2,228

Cooling degree days
1,138

 
1,178

 
1,035

 
1,171

 
1,215

 
1,062

 
2,832

 
3,140

 
2,633

______________
* Calendar year basis.
 
Customer growth is a key driver of the growth of retail sales. The average number of retail customers grew 1.2%, 1.3%, and 1.4% for the three, six, and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2013 when compared to the same periods last year. See the tables presented on pages 31, 32 and 33 which provide detail on the average number of retail customers and the related revenues and kWh sales.
Retail non-fuel base revenues. The rate structure effective July 1, 2010 through April 30, 2012 in Texas was based on the final order in PUCT Docket No. 37690. On April 17, 2012, the El Paso City Council (the “Council”) approved the settlement of our 2012 Texas retail rate case and fuel reconciliation in PUCT Docket No. 40094 and on April 26, 2012, the administrative law judge issued an order implementing the settlement rates as temporary rates effective May 1, 2012. The PUCT approved the settlement on May 18, 2012. Under the terms of the settlement, among other things, we agreed to a reduction in our non-fuel base rates of $15 million annually, with the decrease being allocated primarily to Texas retail commercial and industrial customer classes.

 
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Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased $3.0 million, or 2.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year primarily due to a 1.0% decrease in kWh sales to retail customers and reflects a modest return to more normal weather in 2013 compared to 2012. Non-fuel base revenues from residential customers decreased 1.2% and kWh sales to residential customers decreased 1.9%. The decrease in kWh sales to residential customers was partially offset by a 1.3% increase in the average number of residential customers served. Non-fuel base revenues from sales to public authorities decreased 3.3% and kWh sales to public authority customers decreased by 0.6% reflecting decreased sales to several large governmental customers. Retail non-fuel base revenues from our commercial and industrial customers also decreased due to the impact of the reduction in non-fuel base rates for our Texas customers which became effective May 1, 2012 and primarily impacted commercial and industrial customers. Non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial customers and large commercial and industrial customers decreased 1.8% and 3.5%, respectively. KWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers decreased 1.6%. The decrease in non-fuel base revenues from large commercial and industrial customers was partially offset by a 1.6% increase in kWh sales.
Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased $0.7 million, or 0.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year primarily due to decreased revenues from our commercial and industrial customers which reflects the impact of the reduction in non-fuel base rates for our Texas customers which became effective May 1, 2012 and primarily impacted commercial and industrial customers. Non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial customers and large commercial and industrial customers decreased 2.3% and 6.0%, respectively. The decreased was partially offset by an increase of 2.6% in non-fuel base revenues from sales to residential customers reflecting a 2.4% increase in kWh sales to our residential customer class. The increase in kWh sales to our residential customers reflects cooler winter weather in 2013 compared to the same period last year and a 1.4% increase in the average number of residential customers served.
Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased by $12.5 million, or 2.2%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a reduction in non-fuel base rates to Texas customers which primarily impacted small and large commercial and industrial customers. In addition, increased use of lower interruptible and off-peak rates rather than higher rates, and decreased consumption by several large commercial and industrial customers contributed to the decrease in non-fuel base revenues. KWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers and large commercial and industrial customers decreased 0.2% and 0.6%, respectively, for the twelve month period. KWh sales to residential customers decreased 0.2% primarily due to cooler summer weather and milder winter weather when compared to the prior period partially offset by a 1.6% increase in the average number of residential customers served.
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, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2013, we under-recovered our fuel costs by $12.8 million, $8.9 million, and $6.0 million, respectively. In the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2012, we over-recovered our fuel costs by $3.7 million, $15.6 million, and $15.4 million, respectively. Refunds of $6.9 million were made to our Texas customers in twelve months ended June 30, 2013. At June 30, 2013, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $4.3 million, including $3.5 million in Texas and $0.7 million in New Mexico, and $0.1 million from our FERC regulated customer.
Off-system sales. 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 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 their contract.
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.
Off-system sales revenues decreased $2.9 million, or 14.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year, as a result of a 26.1% decline in kWh sales partially offset by higher average market prices for power which were impacted by higher costs of natural gas. Off-system sales revenues increased $1.0 million, or 2.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year, as a result of higher average market prices for power which were impacted by higher costs of natural gas partially offset by a 15.5% decline in kWh sales. Off-system sales revenues decreased

 
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$3.4 million, or 4.4% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year, as a result of a 10.7% decline in kWh sales partially offset by higher average market prices for power. Retained margins from off-system sales increased $0.4 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year.

 
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Comparisons of kWh sales and operating revenues are shown below (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Quarter Ended June 30:
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Percent
kWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
659,825

 
672,693

 
(12,868
)
 
(1.9
)%
Commercial and industrial, small
631,246

 
641,452

 
(10,206
)
 
(1.6
)
Commercial and industrial, large
292,282

 
287,802

 
4,480

 
1.6

Sales to public authorities
437,248

 
439,957

 
(2,709
)
 
(0.6
)
Total retail sales
2,020,601

 
2,041,904

 
(21,303
)
 
(1.0
)
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
20,141

 
20,690

 
(549
)
 
(2.7
)
Off-system sales
532,334

 
720,810

 
(188,476
)
 
(26.1
)
Total wholesale sales
552,475

 
741,500

 
(189,025
)
 
(25.5
)
Total kWh sales
2,573,076

 
2,783,404

 
(210,328
)
 
(7.6
)
Operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
60,631

 
$
61,388

 
$
(757
)
 
(1.2
)%
Commercial and industrial, small
53,729

 
54,719

 
(990
)
 
(1.8
)
Commercial and industrial, large
10,021

 
10,382

 
(361
)
 
(3.5
)
Sales to public authorities
26,883

 
27,811

 
(928
)
 
(3.3
)
Total retail non-fuel base revenues
151,264

 
154,300

 
(3,036
)
 
(2.0
)
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
702

 
776

 
(74
)
 
(9.5
)
Total non-fuel base revenues
151,966

 
155,076

 
(3,110
)
 
(2.0
)
Fuel revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period
32,368

 
30,969

 
1,399

 
4.5

Under (over) collection of fuel
12,788

 
(3,659
)
 
16,447

 

New Mexico fuel in base rates
17,642

 
17,743

 
(101
)
 
(0.6
)
Total fuel revenues (1)
62,798

 
45,053

 
17,745

 
39.4

Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel cost
14,993

 
16,506

 
(1,513
)
 
(9.2
)
Shared margins
2,246

 
3,455

 
(1,209
)
 
(35.0
)
Retained margins
273

 
419

 
(146
)
 
(34.8
)
Total off-system sales
17,512

 
20,380

 
(2,868
)
 
(14.1
)
Other (2)
7,838

 
7,743

 
95

 
1.2

Total operating revenues
$
240,114

 
$
228,252

 
$
11,862

 
5.2

Average number of retail customers (3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
347,360

 
342,842

 
4,518

 
1.3
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
38,739

 
38,656

 
83

 
0.2

Commercial and industrial, large
49

 
50

 
(1
)
 
(2.0
)
Sales to public authorities
4,978

 
4,823

 
155

 
3.2

Total
391,126

 
386,371

 
4,755

 
1.2

 
(1)
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $3.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
(2) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.
(3) The number of retail customers presented for both the current and prior periods are based on the number of service locations. Previous presentations of the number of retail customers were based on the number of bills rendered including consolidated bills for customers operating multiple facilities. Management believes that the number of service locations provides a more accurate indicator of customers served than the number of bills rendered.

 
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Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Six Months Ended June 30:
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Percent
kWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
1,258,331

 
1,228,262

 
30,069

 
2.4
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
1,132,950

 
1,132,689

 
261

 

Commercial and industrial, large
536,867

 
534,160

 
2,707

 
0.5

Sales to public authorities
796,332

 
783,468

 
12,864

 
1.6

Total retail sales
3,724,480

 
3,678,579

 
45,901

 
1.2

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
32,140

 
32,497

 
(357
)
 
(1.1
)
Off-system sales
1,208,261

 
1,429,489

 
(221,228
)
 
(15.5
)
Total wholesale sales
1,240,401

 
1,461,986

 
(221,585
)
 
(15.2
)
Total kWh sales
4,964,881

 
5,140,565

 
(175,684
)
 
(3.4
)
Operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
110,239

 
$
107,413

 
$
2,826

 
2.6
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
86,504

 
88,520

 
(2,016
)
 
(2.3
)
Commercial and industrial, large
18,569

 
19,753

 
(1,184
)
 
(6.0
)
Sales to public authorities
44,444

 
44,751

 
(307
)
 
(0.7
)
Total retail non-fuel base revenues
259,756

 
260,437

 
(681
)
 
(0.3
)
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
1,090

 
1,174

 
(84
)
 
(7.2
)
Total non-fuel base revenues
260,846

 
261,611

 
(765
)
 
(0.3
)
Fuel revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period
59,095

 
63,503

 
(4,408
)
 
(6.9
)
Under (over) collection of fuel
8,946

 
(15,590
)
 
24,536

 

New Mexico fuel in base rates
34,551

 
34,707

 
(156
)
 
(0.4
)
Total fuel revenues (1)
102,592

 
82,620

 
19,972

 
24.2

Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel cost
31,156

 
31,972

 
(816
)
 
(2.6
)
Shared margins
6,247

 
4,643

 
1,604

 
34.5

Retained margins
749

 
559

 
190

 
34.0

Total off-system sales
38,152

 
37,174

 
978

 
2.6

Other (2)
15,814

 
15,425

 
389

 
2.5

Total operating revenues
$
417,404

 
$
396,830

 
$
20,574

 
5.2

Average number of retail customers (3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
346,757

 
342,061

 
4,696

 
1.4
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
38,571

 
38,597

 
(26
)
 
(0.1
)
Commercial and industrial, large
49

 
50

 
(1
)
 
(2.0
)
Sales to public authorities
4,966

 
4,790

 
176

 
3.7

Total
390,343

 
385,498

 
4,845

 
1.3


(1)
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $6.2 million and $4.5 million, respectively.
(2)
Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.
(3)
The number of retail customers presented for both the current and prior periods are based on the number of service locations. Previous presentations of the number of retail customers were based on the number of bills rendered including consolidated bills for customers operating multiple facilities. Management believes that the number of service locations provides a more accurate indicator of customers served than the number of bills rendered.

 
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Table of Contents


 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Twelve Months Ended June 30:
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Percent
kWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
2,678,417

 
2,683,113

 
(4,696
)
 
(0.2
)%
Commercial and industrial, small
2,366,802

 
2,372,305

 
(5,503
)
 
(0.2
)
Commercial and industrial, large
1,085,680

 
1,091,990

 
(6,310
)
 
(0.6
)
Sales to public authorities
1,630,470

 
1,614,806

 
15,664

 
1.0

Total retail sales
7,761,369

 
7,762,214

 
(845
)
 

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
63,909

 
64,154

 
(245
)
 
(0.4
)
Off-system sales
2,392,904

 
2,681,080

 
(288,176
)
 
(10.7
)
Total wholesale sales
2,456,813

 
2,745,234

 
(288,421
)
 
(10.5
)
Total kWh sales
10,218,182

 
10,507,448

 
(289,266
)
 
(2.8
)
Operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
236,921

 
$
237,588

 
$
(667
)
 
(0.3
)%
Commercial and industrial, small
185,998

 
194,339

 
(8,341
)
 
(4.3
)
Commercial and industrial, large
40,857

 
44,054

 
(3,197
)
 
(7.3
)
Sales to public authorities
95,825

 
96,103

 
(278
)
 
(0.3
)
Total retail non-fuel base revenues
559,601

 
572,084

 
(12,483
)
 
(2.2
)
Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
2,234

 
1,961

 
273

 
13.9

Total non-fuel base revenues
561,835

 
574,045

 
(12,210
)
 
(2.1
)
Fuel revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period (1)
125,785

 
149,098

 
(23,313
)
 
(15.6
)
Under (over) collection of fuel
5,997

 
(15,411
)
 
21,408

 

New Mexico fuel in base rates
73,998

 
74,636

 
(638
)
 
(0.9
)
Total fuel revenues (2)
205,780

 
208,323

 
(2,543
)
 
(1.2
)
Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel cost
61,665

 
69,189

 
(7,524
)
 
(10.9
)
Shared margins
10,795

 
7,114

 
3,681

 
51.7

Retained margins
1,288

 
853

 
435

 
51.0

Total off-system sales
73,748

 
77,156

 
(3,408
)
 
(4.4
)
Other (3)
32,092

 
36,602

 
(4,510
)
 
(12.3
)
Total operating revenues
$
873,455

 
$
896,126

 
$
(22,671
)
 
(2.5
)
Average number of retail customers (4):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
345,757

 
340,370

 
5,387

 
1.6
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
38,588

 
38,627

 
(39
)
 
(0.1
)
Commercial and industrial, large
50

 
50

 

 

Sales to public authorities
4,917

 
4,721

 
196

 
4.2

Total
389,312

 
383,768

 
5,544

 
1.4

 

(1)
Excludes $6.9 million of refunds in the twelve month period ended June 30, 2013 related to Texas deferred fuel revenues from prior periods.
(2)
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $11.5 million and $11.4 million, respectively.
(3)
Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.
(4)
The number of retail customers presented for both the current and prior periods are based on the number of service locations. Previous presentations of the number of retail customers were based on the number of bills rendered including consolidated bills for customers operating multiple facilities. Management believes that the number of service locations provides a more accurate indicator of customers served than the number of bills rendered.



 
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Table of Contents

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 34% of our available net generating capacity and approximately 52%, 57% and 55% of our Company-generated energy for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2013, 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 $13.5 million or 21.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to (i) increased natural gas costs of $12.9 million due to a 56.8% increase in the average price of natural gas partially offset by an 11.5% decrease in MWhs generated with natural gas, and (ii) increased costs of purchased power of $1.4 million due to a 24.4% increase in the average market price for power partially offset by an 11.9% decrease in MWhs purchased. The increase in energy expenses was partially offset by decreased nuclear fuel costs of $1.3 million due to a 6.0% decrease in the cost of nuclear fuel consumed and a 3.9% decrease in MWhs generated with nuclear fuel. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.
 
Three Months ended June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Fuel Type
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
46,276

 
1,001,564

 
$
46.20

 
$
33,353

 
1,131,822

 
$
29.47

Coal
3,222

 
140,027

 
23.01

 
2,788

 
128,214

 
21.74

Nuclear
11,932

 
1,219,051

 
9.79

 
13,225

 
1,269,096

 
10.42

Total
61,430

 
2,360,642

 
26.02

 
49,366

 
2,529,132

 
19.52

Purchased power
15,913

 
373,382

 
42.62

 
14,522

 
423,948

 
34.25

Total energy
$
77,343

 
2,734,024

 
28.29

 
$
63,888

 
2,953,080

 
21.63


Our energy expenses increased $18.7 million or 16.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to 2012, primarily due to (i) increased natural gas costs of $16.6 million due to a 35.7% increase in the average price of natural gas partially offset by a 4.9% decrease in MWhs generated with natural gas, and (ii) increased purchased power costs of $1.7 million due to a a 32.0% increase in the average cost of purchased power partially offset by a 19.4% decrease in the MWhs purchased. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 
Six Months ended June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Fuel Type
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
73,601

 
1,610,927

 
$
45.69

 
$
57,034

 
1,694,368

 
$
33.66

Coal
7,009

 
324,070

 
21.63

 
6,488

 
321,697

 
20.17

Nuclear
25,219

 
2,552,933

 
9.88

 
25,278

 
2,550,276

 
9.91

Total
105,829

 
4,487,930

 
23.58

 
88,800

 
4,566,341

 
19.45

Purchased power
28,790

 
722,087

 
39.87

 
27,081

 
896,407

 
30.21

Total energy
$
134,619

 
5,210,017

 
25.84

 
$
115,881

 
5,462,748

 
21.21


Our energy expenses decreased $5.6 million or 2.0% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to 2012, primarily due to (i) decreased purchased power costs of $5.5 million due to a 19.1% decrease in the MWhs purchased partially offset by an 13.5% increase in the average cost of purchased power, and (ii) decreased natural gas costs of $2.7 million due to a 2.5% decrease in MWhs generated with natural gas. These decreases were partially offset by increased nuclear fuel costs of $1.8 million primarily due to an 2.4% increase in the average cost of nuclear fuel and a 1.4% increase in MWhs generated with nuclear fuel. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 
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Twelve Months Ended June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Fuel Type
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
144,400

 
3,477,812

 
$
41.52

 
$
147,112

(a)
3,567,375

 
$
41.24

Coal
14,125

 
657,481

 
21.48

 
13,345

 
657,650

 
20.29

Nuclear
49,580

 
5,048,429

 
9.82

 
47,773

 
4,980,470

 
9.59

Total
208,105

 
9,183,722

 
22.66

 
208,230

 
9,205,495

 
22.62

Purchased power
61,960

 
1,594,490

 
38.86

 
67,459

 
1,970,949

 
34.23

Total energy
$
270,065

 
10,778,212

 
25.06

 
$
275,689

 
11,176,444

 
24.67

Other operations expense
Other operations expense increased $0.2 million, or 0.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to (i) increased operations expense at Palo Verde of $0.5 million and (ii) increased administrative and general expense due to increased outside services partially offset by decreased rate case amortization expense and decreased pension expense. The increase in other operations expense was partially offset by decreased customer care expenses primarily due to a decrease in our provision for uncollectible customer accounts reflecting improved collection efforts.
 
Other operations expense increased $1.8 million, or 1.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to increased administrative and general expense of $2.2 million due to increased outside services partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in customer care expenses primarily due to a decrease in our provision for uncollectible customer accounts reflecting improved collection efforts.
 
Other operations expense increased $6.9 million, or 3.0% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to increased administrative and general expense of $8.5 million due to increased outside services and increased employee pension and benefits costs as a result of changes in actuarial assumptions used to calculate expenses for our pension and other post-retirement employee benefit plans. Other operations expense for the twelve month period also increased due to increased expenses at Palo Verde of $3.3 million. These increases were partially offset by (i) a $3.7 million decrease in customer care expenses primarily related to a decrease in our provision for uncollectible customer accounts reflecting improved collection efforts and (ii) decreased transmission expense of $2.1 million which includes a $1.9 million refund associated with transmission delivery services provided by the Public Service Company of New Mexico recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Maintenance expense
Maintenance expense increased $1.2 million, or 8.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year primarily due to the the timing of the spring refueling outages at Palo Verde. The 2013 spring refueling outages for Palo Verde Unit 1 began March 30, 2013 and was completed April 28, 2013. The 2012 spring refueling outage at Palo Verde Unit 3 began March 17, 2012 and was completed April 17, 2012.

Maintenance expense decreased $2.2 million, or 7.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year primarily due to the timing of planned maintenance at our gas-fired generating plants. In the six months ended June 30, 2012, we performed scheduled major maintenance at Rio Grande Unit 8 and Newman Unit 1 with a reduced level of maintenance activity in the current period.

Maintenance expense decreased $5.8 million, or 9.0%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year primarily due to the timing of planned maintenance at our fossil-fuel generating plants. The decrease in maintenance expense was also due to a $2.7 million decrease in maintenance expense at Palo Verde due to the timing and costs of refueling outages at Palo Verde.

 
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Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense was relatively unchanged for the three months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year as the increase in depreciable plant balances was offset by the reduced depreciation rates for our gas-fired generation plant and our transmission and distribution plant as a result of the Texas rate case settlement effective May 1, 2012. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.2 million and $3.6 million for the six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same periods last year, primarily due to reduced depreciation rates for our gas-fired generation plant and our transmission and distribution plant due to the Texas rate settlement discussed above.
Taxes other than income taxes
Taxes other than income taxes decreased $0.8 million, $1.6 million, and $1.5 million or 5.4%, 5.8%, and 2.7%, for the three, six, and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same periods last year, respectively, primarily due to a decrease in billed revenue reflecting the Texas base rate and fuel factor decreases in May 2012 and a decrease in estimated property taxes.
Other income (deductions)
Other income (deductions) increased $0.7 million and $0.8 million for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same periods last year, respectively, primarily due to net unrealized and realized losses on equity investments in our decommissioning trust funds recorded in 2012 with no comparable activity in the current period. The increases were partially offset by increased miscellaneous deductions due to the timing and amount of charitable donations. Other income (deductions) increased $5.9 million, or 66.0% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2012, primarily due to increased allowance for equity funds used during construction (“AEFUDC”) resulting from higher balances of construction work in progress and net unrealized and realized losses on equity investments in our decommissioning trust recorded in 2012 with no comparable activity in the current period.

Interest charges (credits)

Interest charges (credits) increased $0.7 million, $1.2 million, and $0.6 million for the three, six, and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same periods last year, respectively, primarily due to interest on $150 million of 3.3% senior notes issued in December 2012 partially offset by increased allowance for borrowed funds used during construction ("ABFUDC") as a result of higher balances of construction work in progress and the refunding and remarketing of two series of pollution control bonds at lower interest rates in August 2012.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense decreased by $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to decreased pre-tax income, offset by an increase in an accrual related to tax contingency items. Income tax expense increased by $2.1 million, or 12.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to increased pre-tax income and an increase in an accrual related to tax contingency items. Income tax expense decreased by $3.0 million, or 5.8% for the twelve month period ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to decreased pre-tax income.
New Accounting Standards
In February 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)) to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in its entirety to net income in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under FASB guidance that provide additional detail about those amounts.
Substantially all of the information that ASU 2013-02 requires is already required to be disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements under FASB guidance. However, the new requirement to present information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and their corresponding effect on net income now requires the presentation in one place, information about significant amounts reclassified and, in some cases, cross-references to related footnote disclosures. ASU 2013-02 became effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We implemented ASU 2013-02 in the first quarter of 2013 and we have presented the corresponding effects of components reclassified out of accumulated

 
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other comprehensive income (loss) with cross-references to other disclosures or the respective line items in net income in Note B.
In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)) to eliminate the diversity in the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. ASU 2013-11 is effective prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. Retrospective application is also permitted. We anticipate implementing ASU 2013-11 in the first quarter of 2014. We are currently assessing the future impact of this ASU, however it is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated statement of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows.
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 balance of common stock equity in our capital structure which supports our bond ratings, allowing us to obtain financing from the capital markets at a reasonable cost. At June 30, 2013, our capital structure, including common stock, long-term debt, and short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility, consisted of 45.3% common stock equity and 54.7% debt. At June 30, 2013, we had on hand $11.6 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, cash dividend payments, and operating expenses including fuel costs, maintenance costs and taxes.
Capital Requirements. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, our capital requirements primarily consisted of expenditures for the construction and purchase of electric utility plant, funding of employee pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, purchases of nuclear fuel, and payment of 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. Rio Grande Unit 9, an aeroderivative gas turbine unit with a net dependable generating capacity of 87 MW has been completed and reached commercial operation on May 13, 2013. As of June 30, 2013, we had expended $92.7 million on Rio Grande Unit 9, including AFUDC, of which $11.1 million was incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2013. The total cost for this project is estimated to be $95.0 million. Estimated cash construction expenditures for all capital projects for 2013 are expected to be approximately $238 million. See Part I, Item 1, “Business - Construction Program” in our 2012 Form 10-K. Cash capital expenditures for new electric plant were $110.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $99.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012. Capital requirements for purchases of nuclear fuel were $16.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $38.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
On June 28, 2013, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.265 per share or $10.7 million to shareholders of record on June 13, 2013. We have paid a total of $20.7 million in cash dividends during the six months ended June 30, 2013. At the current dividend rate, we would expect to pay cash dividends of approximately $42.0 million during 2013. In addition, while we do not currently anticipate repurchasing shares in 2013, we may repurchase common stock in the future. 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. No shares of common stock were repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2013. As of June 30, 2013, a total of 393,816 shares remain eligible for repurchase. With the initiation of a dividend in 2011, we are moving toward primarily utilizing the distribution of dividends to maintain a balanced capital structure, supplemented by share repurchases when appropriate.
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. Accelerated tax deductions resulted in net operating loss carryforwards in 2011 and 2012 and as a result income tax payments are expected to be minimal in 2013.
We continually evaluate our funding requirements related to our retirement plans, other postretirement benefit plans, and decommissioning trust funds. We contributed $15.9 million of the projected $16.8 million 2013 annual contribution to our retirement plans during the six months ended June 30, 2013. In the six months ended June 30, 2013, we contributed $2.0 million of the projected $3.1 million 2013 annual contribution to our other postretirement benefits plan, and $2.3 million of the projected $4.5 million 2013 annual contribution to our decommissioning trust funds. We are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal government for our benefit plans. In addition, we are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal law and the Arizona Nuclear Power Project Participation Agreement for our decommissioning trust.
Capital Resources. Cash from operations has been our primary source for funding capital requirements. Cash from operations was $51.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and $91.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. In 2013, cash from operations was affected by an increase in accounts receivable due to the timing of billings and collections from customers. Cash from operations has also 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. We can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor at least four months after the last revision except in the month of December based upon our approved formula which allows us to adjust fuel rates to reflect changes in costs of natural gas. On May 1, 2012, we implemented a reduced fixed fuel factor charged to our Texas retail customers which was based upon a formula that reflected the then current prices for natural gas. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we had an under-recovery of fuel costs of $8.9 million, compared to an over-recovery of $15.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012. At June 30, 2013, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $4.3 million, including $3.5 million in Texas and $0.7 million in New Mexico, and $0.1 million from our FERC regulated customer.

 
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Our liquidity needs can fluctuate quickly based on fuel prices and other factors including investments in new electric plant and other assets in order to reliably serve our customers. We maintain a revolving credit facility (“RCF”) for working capital and general corporate purposes and the financing of nuclear fuel through the Rio Grande Resources Trust (“RGRT”). RGRT is the trust through which we finance our portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde and is consolidated in our financial statements. The RCF has a term ending in September 2016. The aggregate unsecured borrowing available under the RCF is $300 million and the amounts we borrow under the RCF may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT was $130.3 million at June 30, 2013, of which $20.3 million had been borrowed under the RCF and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. At June 30, 2012, the total amounts borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT was $144.8 million of which $34.8 million was borrowed under the revolving credit facility and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. Interest costs on borrowings to finance nuclear fuel are accumulated by RGRT and charged to us as fuel is consumed and recovered from customers through fuel recovery charges. At June 30, 2013, $6.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes and at June 30, 2012, $76.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes.    
We believe we have adequate liquidity through our current cash balances, cash from operations, and our revolving credit facility to meet all our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months. In addition, we may issue long-term debt in the form of senior notes in late 2013 or early 2014 to repay short-term borrowings and for future construction of electric plant.


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 2012 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, 2013, there have been no material changes in the market risks we face or the fair values of assets and liabilities disclosed in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in our 2012 Annual Report 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 Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2013, 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, 2013, 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 G of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Our 2012 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, 2013
 

 
$

 

 
393,816

May 1 to May 31, 2013
 

 

 

 
393,816

June 1 to June 30, 2013
 

 

 

 
393,816


Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5.        Other Information

Investors should note that we announce material financial information in SEC filings, press releases and public conference calls. Based on new guidance from the SEC, we may also use the Investor Relations section of our website (www.epelectric.com) to communicate with investors about our company. It is possible that the financial and other information we post there could be deemed to be material information. The information on our website is not part of this document.

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 6, 2013

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit
 
 
 
†10.02

 
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).
 
 
 
10.03

 
Change in Control Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2013, between the Company and David C. Hawkins, officer of the Company. (Identical in all material respects to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 
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, six agreements, dated as of July 1, 2013 substantially identical in all material respects to this Exhibit, have been entered into with Catherine A. Allen; Edward Escudero; Patricia Z. Holland-Branch; Woodley L. Hunt; Michael K. Parks; and Stephen N. Wertheimer; directors of the Company.

 
In lieu of non-employee director cash compensation, eleven agreements, dated as of May 9, 2013, substantially identical in all material respects to this Exhibit, were entered into with Catherine A. Allen; J. Robert Brown; James W. Cicconi; Edward Escudero; James W. Harris; Patricia Z. Holland-Branch; Woodley L. Hunt; Michael K. Parks; Eric B. Siegel; Stephen N. Wertheimer; Charles A. Yamarone; directors of the Company.
 



 
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