______________________________________________________________________________
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
[x] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission |
Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address; and Telephone Number |
IRS Employer |
1-11337 |
WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION |
39-1775292 |
1-3016 |
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION |
39-0715160 |
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.
WPS Resources Corporation |
Yes [x] No [ ] |
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
Yes [x] No [ ] |
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers' classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION |
Common stock, $1 par value, |
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION |
Common stock, $4 par value, |
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION CONTENTS |
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Page |
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
3 |
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PART I. |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION |
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Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive |
4 |
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Consolidated Balance Sheets |
5 |
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Consolidated Statements of Capitalization |
6 |
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
7 |
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WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION |
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Consolidated Statements of Income and |
8 |
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Consolidated Balance Sheets |
9 |
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Consolidated Statements of Capitalization |
10 |
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
11 |
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Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings |
12 |
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CONDENSED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF |
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WPS Resources Corporation and |
13 - 16 |
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Item 2. |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for |
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WPS Resources Corporation |
17 - 28 |
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Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
29 - 34 |
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Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
35 |
PART II. |
OTHER INFORMATION |
36 |
Item 5. |
Other Information |
36 - 37 |
Item 6. |
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
37 |
Signatures |
38 - 39 |
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EXHIBIT INDEX |
40 |
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical data and statements of current fact, the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any references to plans, goals, beliefs or expectations in respect to future events and conditions or to estimates are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that statements of our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to risks and should be viewed with caution. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Forward-looking statements included or incorporated in this Form 10-Q include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
We cannot predict the course of future events or anticipate the interaction of multiple factors beyond our control and their effect on revenues, project timing and costs. Some risk factors that could cause results different from any forward-looking statement include:
- the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas industries,
- the adoption of, or changes in, state and federal legislation, regulation, interpretation or enforcement,
- the adoption of new regulatory initiatives,
- changes in the economic climate,
- changes in the direction and amount of industrial, commercial and residential growth,
- the adoption of new, or changes in the interpretation of environmental regulations or unanticipated environmental problems or proceedings,
- the weather,
- the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices,
- the timing and extent of changes in interest rates,
- acts of terrorism,
- availability of generating facilities,
- changes in the capital markets, and
- opportunities for expansion in nonregulated energy markets.
We make no commitment to disclose any revisions to the forward-looking statements as a result of facts, events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q.
Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. Financial Statements |
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WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, |
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
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AND RETAINED EARNINGS |
September 30 |
September 30 |
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(Thousands, except per share amounts) |
2001 |
2000 |
2001 |
2000 |
Operating revenues |
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Electric utility |
$180,421 |
$162,706 |
$ 500,872 |
$ 466,660 |
Gas utility |
34,536 |
38,564 |
248,624 |
158,753 |
Nonregulated gas |
214,804 |
216,565 |
1,126,803 |
501,959 |
Nonregulated electric and other |
87,304 |
39,050 |
215,368 |
102,497 |
Total operating revenues |
517,065 |
456,885 |
2,091,667 |
1,229,869 |
Operating expenses |
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Utility electric production fuels |
34,150 |
36,239 |
94,957 |
94,479 |
Utility purchased power |
29,116 |
17,724 |
73,322 |
53,667 |
Utility gas purchased for resale |
18,153 |
27,462 |
179,479 |
100,744 |
Nonregulated gas cost of sales |
212,386 |
214,335 |
1,121,294 |
498,737 |
Nonregulated electric and other cost of sales |
72,246 |
25,906 |
180,109 |
67,274 |
Other operating expenses |
67,228 |
55,482 |
210,820 |
169,456 |
Maintenance |
16,998 |
17,154 |
51,487 |
55,034 |
Depreciation and decommissioning |
21,231 |
24,525 |
60,758 |
79,447 |
Taxes other than income |
8,575 |
8,235 |
26,520 |
26,009 |
Total operating expenses |
480,083 |
427,062 |
1,998,746 |
1,144,847 |
Operating income |
36,982 |
29,823 |
92,921 |
85,022 |
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Other income |
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Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
343 |
466 |
1,229 |
1,233 |
Other, net |
6,250 |
567 |
12,208 |
20,441 |
Total other income |
6,593 |
1,033 |
13,437 |
21,674 |
Income before interest expense |
43,575 |
30,856 |
106,358 |
106,696 |
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Interest on long-term debt |
11,142 |
11,164 |
33,345 |
30,706 |
Other interest |
3,364 |
2,499 |
9,949 |
8,068 |
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
(500) |
(431) |
(1,492) |
(2,361) |
Total interest expense |
14,006 |
13,232 |
41,802 |
36,413 |
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|
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Distributions - preferred securities of subsidiary trust |
873 |
874 |
2,625 |
2,625 |
Income before income taxes |
28,696 |
16,750 |
61,931 |
67,658 |
Income taxes |
6,094 |
3,105 |
2,556 |
11,871 |
Preferred stock dividends of subsidiaries |
778 |
778 |
2,333 |
2,333 |
Net income |
21,824 |
12,867 |
57,042 |
53,454 |
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Other comprehensive income |
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Cash flow hedge (1) |
(2,460) |
- |
(4,800) |
- |
Comprehensive income |
19,364 |
12,867 |
52,242 |
53,454 |
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Retained earnings at beginning of period |
359,386 |
355,552 |
354,756 |
341,701 |
Cash dividends on common stock |
14,969 |
13,600 |
43,217 |
40,336 |
Retained earnings at end of period |
$363,781 |
$354,819 |
$ 363,781 |
$ 354,819 |
Average shares of common stock |
28,720 |
26,407 |
27,925 |
26,479 |
Basic and diluted earnings per average share of common stock (2) |
$0.76 |
$0.49 |
$2.04 |
$2.02 |
Dividend per share of common stock |
$0.525 |
$0.515 |
$1.555 |
$1.525 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
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(1) Refer to Note 7, "Price Risk Management Activities." |
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(2) Refer to Note 3, "Earnings Per Share." |
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WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION |
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
September 30 |
December 31 |
(Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
ASSETS |
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Utility plant |
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Electric |
$1,842,155 |
$1,893,358 |
Gas |
382,768 |
302,942 |
Property under capital lease |
74,130 |
74,130 |
Net |
2,299,053 |
2,270,430 |
Less - Accumulated depreciation and decommissioning |
1,479,047 |
1,365,367 |
Total |
820,006 |
905,063 |
Nuclear decommissioning trusts |
290,257 |
207,224 |
Construction in progress |
102,634 |
69,997 |
Nuclear fuel, less accumulated amortization of $247,062 |
25,495 |
16,040 |
Net utility plant |
1,238,392 |
1,198,324 |
Current assets |
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Cash and equivalents |
27,160 |
12,789 |
Customer and other receivables, net of reserves of $5,714 |
187,501 |
317,808 |
Accrued revenues |
31,076 |
83,905 |
Fossil fuel, at average cost |
23,121 |
18,122 |
Gas in storage |
72,373 |
65,975 |
Materials and supplies, at average cost |
32,253 |
31,373 |
Assets from risk management activities |
459,242 |
642,481 |
Prepayments and other |
22,874 |
28,718 |
Total current assets |
855,600 |
1,201,171 |
Regulatory assets |
88,687 |
74,579 |
Nonutility and nonregulated plant, net of accumulated |
179,872 |
113,683 |
Pension assets |
84,491 |
62,992 |
Goodwill |
36,118 |
- |
Investments and other assets |
171,876 |
165,393 |
Total |
$2,655,036 |
$2,816,142 |
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
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Capitalization |
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Common stock equity |
$ 620,503 |
$ 542,777 |
Preferred stock of subsidiary with no mandatory redemption |
51,146 |
51,168 |
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable trust preferred |
50,000 |
50,000 |
Long-term capital lease obligation |
72,487 |
72,955 |
Long-term debt |
708,077 |
587,017 |
Total capitalization |
1,502,213 |
1,303,917 |
Current liabilities |
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Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligation |
6,348 |
8,311 |
Notes payable |
10,000 |
10,000 |
Commercial paper |
69,348 |
119,557 |
Accounts payable |
217,240 |
334,311 |
Accrued taxes |
17,400 |
11,217 |
Accrued interest |
13,866 |
9,882 |
Liabilities from risk management activities |
436,758 |
659,468 |
Other |
21,458 |
29,866 |
Total current liabilities |
792,418 |
1,182,612 |
Long-term liabilities and deferred credits |
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Accumulated deferred income taxes |
92,901 |
100,463 |
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits |
21,441 |
23,963 |
Regulatory liabilities |
68,713 |
50,641 |
Environmental remediation liabilities |
45,339 |
38,867 |
Postretirement liabilities |
54,876 |
47,267 |
Other long-term liabilities |
77,135 |
68,412 |
Total long-term liabilities and deferred credits |
360,405 |
329,613 |
Total |
$2,655,036 |
$2,816,142 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
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WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION |
September 30 |
December 31 |
(Thousands, except share amounts) |
2001 |
2000 |
Common stock equity |
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Common stock, $1 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; |
$ 29,039 |
$ 26,851 |
Premium on capital stock |
239,535 |
172,451 |
Retained earnings |
363,781 |
354,756 |
Treasury stock, 313,120 shares at average cost of |
(7,751) |
(8,149) |
Shares in deferred compensation trust; 133,994 shares at an average |
(4,101) |
(3,132) |
Total common stock equity |
620,503 |
542,777 |
Preferred stock - Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
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Cumulative, $100 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; |
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Shares Outstanding |
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September 30 December 31 |
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Series 2001 2000 |
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5.00% 131,500 131,720 |
13,150 |
13,172 |
5.04% 29,980 29,980 |
2,998 |
2,998 |
5.08% 49,980 49,980 |
4,998 |
4,998 |
6.76% 150,000 150,000 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
6.88% 150,000 150,000 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
Total preferred stock with no mandatory redemption |
51,146 |
51,168 |
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Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable trust |
50,000 |
50,000 |
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Capital lease obligation - Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
73,117 |
73,585 |
Less current portion |
(630) |
(630) |
Net capital lease obligation |
72,487 |
72,955 |
Long-term debt |
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First mortgage bonds - Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
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Series Year Due |
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7.30% 2002 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
6.80% 2003 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
6.125% 2005 |
9,075 |
9,075 |
6.90% 2013 |
22,000 |
22,000 |
8.80% 2021 |
- |
53,100 |
7.125% 2023 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
Senior notes - Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (1) |
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Series Year Due |
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6.08% 2028 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
6.125% 2011 |
150,000 |
- |
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First mortgage bonds - Upper Peninsula Power Company |
|
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Series Year Due |
|
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7.94% 2003 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
10.0% 2008 |
3,000 |
3,000 |
9.32% 2021 |
18,000 |
18,000 |
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Unsecured senior notes - WPS Resources Corporation |
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Series Year Due |
|
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7.00% 2009 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
Term loans - nonrecourse, secured by nonregulated assets |
97,785 |
102,742 |
Tax exempt bonds |
27,000 |
- |
Notes payable to bank, secured by nonregulated plant |
19,725 |
19,342 |
Senior secured note |
3,446 |
3,542 |
Other long-term debt |
119 |
119 |
Total |
715,150 |
595,920 |
Unamortized discount and premium on bonds and debt securities, net |
(1,355) |
(1,222) |
Total long-term debt |
713,795 |
594,698 |
Less current portion |
(5,718) |
(7,681) |
Net long-term debt |
708,077 |
587,017 |
Total capitalization |
$1,502,213 |
$1,303,917 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
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(1) Refer to Note 6, "Issuance of Notes." |
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WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
Nine Months Ended |
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(Thousands) |
September 30 |
|
2001 |
2000 |
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Cash flows from operating activities |
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Net income |
$ 57,042 |
$ 53,454 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from |
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Depreciation and decommissioning |
60,758 |
79,447 |
Gain on nuclear decommissioning trust |
(3,112) |
(13,747) |
Amortization of nuclear fuel and other |
11,128 |
14,372 |
Deferred income taxes |
(6,457) |
3,796 |
Investment tax credit restored |
(1,262) |
(1,341) |
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
(1,229) |
(1,233) |
Gain on sale of property |
- |
(3,750) |
Pension income |
(4,823) |
(3,754) |
Postretirement funding |
3,794 |
(2,739) |
Other, net |
7,659 |
6,133 |
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Changes in |
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Customer and other receivables |
139,647 |
(35,835) |
Accrued revenues |
55,787 |
11,518 |
Fossil fuel inventory |
(5,895) |
5,223 |
Gas in storage |
(5,473) |
(18,463) |
Risk management assets and liabilities |
(42,621) |
(3,825) |
Miscellaneous assets |
7,282 |
(10,698) |
Accounts payable |
(125,214) |
68,609 |
Accrued taxes |
(14,066) |
(2,921) |
Miscellaneous current and accrued liabilities |
6,102 |
(8,955) |
Net cash from operating activities |
139,047 |
135,291 |
Cash flows from investing activities |
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Construction of utility plant and nuclear fuel expenditures |
(136,376) |
(117,321) |
Construction of nonregulated plant |
(19,505) |
(8,481) |
Purchase of other property and equipment |
(28,568) |
(31,025) |
Decommissioning funding |
(1,971) |
(6,450) |
Return of capital on equity method investment |
42,292 |
- |
Proceeds from sale of property |
88 |
31,144 |
Other |
(3,019) |
(6,185) |
Net cash used for investing activities |
(147,059) |
(138,318) |
Cash flows from financing activities |
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Issuance of bonds |
150,000 |
- |
Redemption of bonds |
(53,100) |
- |
Issuance of other long-term debt |
30,234 |
84,898 |
Redemptions of other long-term debt |
(7,904) |
(4,438) |
Issuance of commercial paper |
1,550,402 |
610,476 |
Redemptions of commercial paper |
(1,600,611) |
(640,336) |
Cash dividends on common stock |
(43,217) |
(40,336) |
Issuance of common stock |
13,949 |
192 |
Purchase of treasury and deferred compensation shares |
(694) |
(10,297) |
Redemption of obligations acquired in purchase business combination |
(15,829) |
- |
Other |
(847) |
398 |
Net cash from financing activities |
22,383 |
557 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents |
14,371 |
(2,470) |
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period |
12,789 |
10,547 |
Cash and equivalents at end of period |
$ 27,160 |
$ 8,077 |
Cash paid during period for |
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Interest, less amount capitalized |
$36,573 |
$32,503 |
Income taxes |
15,825 |
22,562 |
Preferred stock dividends of subsidiary |
2,333 |
2,333 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
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Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities for 2001: |
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1. An investment in American Transmission Company, LLC was made with the exchange of $93.5 million of transmission assets for approximately 15% equity interest in American Transmission Company, LLC. |
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2. WPS Resources acquired the assets and liabilities of Wisconsin Fuel and Light Company in exchange for 1.8 million shares of WPS Resources common stock. |
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WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
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(Thousands) |
September 30 |
September 30 |
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2001 |
2000 |
2001 |
2000 |
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Operating revenues |
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Electric |
$168,911 |
$151,482 |
$466,968 |
$431,492 |
Gas |
35,332 |
38,564 |
249,420 |
158,753 |
Total operating revenues |
204,243 |
190,046 |
716,388 |
590,245 |
Operating expenses |
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Electric production fuels |
33,200 |
35,833 |
93,785 |
93,748 |
Purchased power |
28,265 |
16,895 |
69,864 |
49,012 |
Gas purchased for resale |
19,925 |
27,433 |
184,230 |
103,908 |
Other operating expenses |
43,442 |
37,114 |
141,721 |
115,215 |
Maintenance |
15,875 |
15,178 |
48,089 |
50,767 |
Depreciation and decommissioning |
17,982 |
21,024 |
50,491 |
68,533 |
Federal income taxes |
10,602 |
6,334 |
27,648 |
23,534 |
Investment tax credit restored |
(393) |
(402) |
(1,156) |
(1,204) |
State income taxes |
2,508 |
2,117 |
6,303 |
6,435 |
Gross receipts tax and other |
7,558 |
7,011 |
23,318 |
21,696 |
Total operating expenses |
178,964 |
168,537 |
644,293 |
531,644 |
Operating income |
25,279 |
21,509 |
72,095 |
58,601 |
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Other income and (deductions) |
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Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
343 |
466 |
1,229 |
1,233 |
Other, net |
4,688 |
2,396 |
12,461 |
20,056 |
Income taxes |
(157) |
(326) |
(1,478) |
(2,035) |
Total other income |
4,874 |
2,536 |
12,212 |
19,254 |
Income before interest expense |
30,153 |
24,045 |
84,307 |
77,855 |
Interest expense |
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|
|
|
Interest on long-term debt |
6,188 |
5,188 |
17,095 |
16,107 |
Other interest |
2,269 |
2,732 |
7,302 |
7,052 |
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
(500) |
(431) |
(1,492) |
(2,361) |
Total interest expense |
7,957 |
7,489 |
22,905 |
20,798 |
Minority interest |
(539) |
- |
(539) |
- |
Net income |
21,657 |
16,556 |
60,863 |
57,057 |
Preferred stock dividend requirements |
778 |
778 |
2,333 |
2,333 |
Earnings on common stock |
20,879 |
15,778 |
58,530 |
54,724 |
Other comprehensive income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Comprehensive income |
$ 20,879 |
$ 15,778 |
$ 58,530 |
$ 54,724 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
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WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION |
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
September 30 |
December 31 |
(Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
Utility plant |
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Electric |
$1,689,438 |
$1,698,843 |
Gas |
382,768 |
302,942 |
Property under capital lease |
74,130 |
74,130 |
Total |
2,146,336 |
2,075,915 |
Less - Accumulated depreciation and decommissioning |
1,401,289 |
1,268,949 |
Total |
745,047 |
806,966 |
Nuclear decommissioning trusts |
290,257 |
207,224 |
Construction in progress |
92,800 |
64,593 |
Nuclear fuel, less accumulated amortization of $247,062 |
25,495 |
16,040 |
Net utility plant |
1,153,599 |
1,094,823 |
Current assets |
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Cash and equivalents |
2,544 |
4,375 |
Customer and other receivables, net of reserves of $3,503 |
86,421 |
92,058 |
Accrued utility revenues |
23,174 |
56,826 |
Fossil fuel, at average cost |
12,937 |
11,223 |
Gas in storage, at average cost |
43,646 |
21,682 |
Materials and supplies, at average cost |
23,951 |
22,241 |
Assets from risk management activities |
4,895 |
- |
Prepayments and other |
18,729 |
23,020 |
Total current assets |
216,297 |
231,425 |
Regulatory assets |
86,522 |
72,367 |
Nonutility plant, net of accumulated depreciation of |
1,202 |
1,168 |
Pension assets |
84,491 |
62,992 |
Goodwill |
35,618 |
- |
Investments and other assets |
79,211 |
40,471 |
Total |
$1,656,940 |
$1,503,246 |
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
||
|
|
|
Capitalization |
||
Common stock equity |
$ 641,677 |
$ 567,757 |
Preferred stock with no mandatory redemption |
51,188 |
51,188 |
Capital lease obligation |
72,487 |
72,955 |
Long-term debt to parent |
13,231 |
13,476 |
Long-term debt |
380,316 |
283,594 |
Total capitalization |
1,158,899 |
988,970 |
Current liabilities |
||
Current portion of capital lease obligation |
630 |
630 |
Note payable |
10,000 |
10,000 |
Commercial paper |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Accounts payable |
68,220 |
96,728 |
Accrued interest and taxes |
12,295 |
12,389 |
Other |
7,279 |
14,776 |
Total current liabilities |
123,424 |
194,523 |
Long-term liabilities and deferred credits |
||
Accumulated deferred income taxes |
124,950 |
109,024 |
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits |
19,984 |
21,946 |
Regulatory liabilities |
61,296 |
42,729 |
Environmental remediation liability |
43,871 |
37,367 |
Postretirement liabilities |
54,876 |
47,267 |
Other long-term liabilities |
69,641 |
61,420 |
Total long-term liabilities and deferred credits |
374,618 |
319,753 |
Total |
$1,656,941 |
$1,503,246 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
||
|
|
|
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION |
||
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION |
September 30 |
December 31 |
(Thousands, except share amounts) |
2001 |
2000 |
Common stock equity |
||
Common stock |
$ 95,588 |
$ 95,588 |
Premium on capital stock |
302,767 |
242,877 |
Retained earnings |
243,322 |
229,292 |
Total common stock equity |
641,677 |
567,757 |
Preferred stock |
||
Cumulative, $100 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; |
||
Shares Outstanding |
||
September 30 December 31 |
||
Series 2001 2000 |
|
|
5.00% 131,920 131,920 |
13,192 |
13,192 |
5.04% 29,980 29,980 |
2,998 |
2,998 |
5.08% 49,980 49,980 |
4,998 |
4,998 |
6.76% 150,000 150,000 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
6.88% 150,000 150,000 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
Total preferred stock |
51,188 |
51,188 |
Capital lease obligation |
73,117 |
73,585 |
Less current portion |
(630) |
(630) |
Net capital lease obligation |
72,487 |
72,955 |
|
|
|
Long-term debt to parent |
|
|
Series Year Due |
|
|
8.76% 2015 |
5,464 |
5,567 |
7.35% 2016 |
7,767 |
7,909 |
Total long-term debt to parent |
13,231 |
13,476 |
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
||
First mortgage bonds |
||
Series Year Due |
||
7.30% 2002 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
6.80% 2003 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
6.125% 2005 |
9,075 |
9,075 |
6.90% 2013 |
22,000 |
22,000 |
8.80% 2021 |
- |
53,100 |
7.125% 2023 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
Senior notes (1) |
||
6.08% 2028 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
6.125% 2011 |
150,000 |
- |
Total |
381,075 |
284,175 |
Unamortized discount and premium on bonds, net |
(878) |
(700) |
Total first mortgage bonds |
380,197 |
283,475 |
Other long-term debt |
119 |
119 |
Total long-term debt |
380,316 |
283,594 |
Total capitalization |
$1,158,899 |
$988,970 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
||
(1) Refer to Note 6. "Issuance of Notes." |
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
Nine Months Ended |
|
(Thousands) |
September 30 |
|
2001 |
2000 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
||
Net income |
$ 60,863 |
$ 57,057 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from |
||
operating activities |
||
Depreciation and decommissioning |
50,491 |
68,533 |
Gain on nuclear decommissioning trust |
(3,112) |
(13,747) |
Amortization of nuclear fuel and other |
6,078 |
10,974 |
Deferred income taxes |
13,625 |
3,453 |
Investment tax credit restored |
(1,157) |
(1,204) |
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
(1,229) |
(1,233) |
Gain on sale of property |
- |
(3,750) |
Pension income |
(4,823) |
(3,754) |
Postretirement funding |
3,794 |
(2,739) |
Other, net |
2,519 |
(5,866) |
|
|
|
Changes in |
||
Customer and other receivables |
15,455 |
10,700 |
Accrued utility revenues |
36,610 |
11,712 |
Fossil fuel inventory |
(1,702) |
6,379 |
Gas in storage |
(21,039) |
(8,545) |
Miscellaneous assets |
4,899 |
(6,095) |
Accounts payable |
(36,651) |
9,687 |
Miscellaneous current and accrued liabilities |
(13,200) |
(5,051) |
Accrued taxes |
160 |
2,847 |
Net cash from operating activities |
111,581 |
129,358 |
Cash flows from investing activities |
||
Construction of utility plant and nuclear fuel expenditures |
(127,636) |
(111,854) |
Decommissioning funding |
(1,971) |
(6,450) |
Purchase of other property and equipment |
(17,487) |
(50) |
Proceeds from sale of property |
88 |
31,144 |
Return of capital on equity method investment |
32,307 |
- |
Other |
(2,238) |
4,335 |
Net cash used for investing activities |
(116,937) |
(82,875) |
Cash flows from financing activities |
||
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper |
590,000 |
414,000 |
Redemptions of commercial paper |
(625,000) |
(413,000) |
Redemption of bonds |
(53,100) |
- |
Issuance of senior notes |
150,000 |
- |
Equity infusion from parent |
40,000 |
45,000 |
Dividend to parent |
(44,500) |
(91,000) |
Preferred stock dividends |
(2,333) |
(2,333) |
Equity withdrawal by parent |
(35,000) |
- |
Redemption of obligations acquired in purchase business combination |
(15,829) |
- |
Other |
(713) |
(282) |
Net cash from (used for) financing activities |
3,525 |
(47,615) |
Net decrease in cash and equivalents |
(1,831) |
(1,132) |
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period |
4,375 |
3,428 |
Cash and equivalents at end of period |
$ 2,544 |
$ 2,296 |
Cash paid during period for |
||
Interest, less amount capitalized |
$ 19,390 |
$ 19,542 |
Income taxes |
38,075 |
36,445 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
|
|
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities for 2001: |
||
1. An investment in American Transmission Company, LLC was made with the exchange of $71.3 million of transmission assets for a 11.6% equity interest in American Transmission Company, LLC. |
||
2. Wisconsin Public Service acquired the assets and liabilities of Wisconsin Fuel and Light Company in exchange for additional paid in capital from WPS Resources of $54.8 million. |
||
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS |
Nine Months Ended |
|
(Thousands) |
September 30 |
|
2001 |
2000 |
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of period |
$229,292 |
$263,922 |
Add net income |
60,863 |
57,057 |
290,155 |
320,979 |
|
Deduct |
||
Cash dividends declared on preferred stock |
2,333 |
2,333 |
Dividend to parent |
44,500 |
91,000 |
46,833 |
93,333 |
|
Balance at end of period |
$243,322 |
$227,646 |
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
||
WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
NOTE 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
We have prepared the consolidated financial statements of WPS Resources Corporation and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These financial statements have not been audited. Management believes that these financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial results for each period shown. Certain items from a prior period have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. We believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read along with the financial statements and notes included with our latest annual Form 10-K report.
Because of the seasonal nature of utility operations, the results reported for the quarter may not be representative of annual results.
NOTE 2. INCOME TAXES
WPS Resources' income tax expense and effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, is a tax expense of $2.6 million (4.1%) compared to a tax expense of $11.9 million (17.5%) for the same period in 2000. The primary reasons for the change are the effect of Section 29 tax credits and lower consolidated book income before tax.
NOTE 3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table reconciles the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Potentially dilutive items include in-the-money stock options. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the periods shown excludes out-of-the-money stock options that had an anti-dilutive effect.
Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share |
Three Months Ended September 30 |
Nine Months Ended September 30 |
||
(Thousands, except share amounts) |
2001 |
2000 |
2001 |
2000 |
Net income |
$21,824 |
$12,867 |
$57,042 |
$53,454 |
Basic weighted average shares |
28,720 |
26,407 |
27,925 |
26,479 |
Basic earnings per share |
$0.76 |
$0.49 |
$2.04 |
$2.02 |
Net income |
$21,824 |
$12,867 |
$57,042 |
$53,454 |
Income effect of: |
||||
Stock options |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Adjusted net income |
21,824 |
12,867 |
57,042 |
53,454 |
Basic weighted average shares |
28,720 |
26,407 |
27,925 |
26,479 |
Incremental issuable shares: |
||||
Stock options |
45 |
7 |
46 |
3 |
Diluted weighted average shares |
28,765 |
26,414 |
27,971 |
26,482 |
Diluted earnings per share |
$0.76 |
$0.49 |
$2.04 |
$2.02 |
NOTE 4. SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS
We manage our reportable segments separately due to their different operating and regulatory environments. Our utility business segments are the regulated electric utility operations of Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Upper Peninsula Power Company and the regulated gas utility operations of Wisconsin Public Service. Our other reportable segments include WPS Energy Services, Inc. and WPS Power Development, Inc. WPS Energy Services is a diversified energy supply and services company. WPS Power Development is an electric generation asset development and operating company. The Holding Company and Other segment includes the operations of WPS Resources and WPS Resources Capital Corporation as holding companies and the activities at Wisconsin Public Service and Upper Peninsula Power that are nonutility.
The table below presents summary information pertaining to our operations segmented by lines of business.
Regulated Utilities |
Nonutility and |
|||||||
Segments of |
Electric |
Gas |
Total |
WPS |
WPS |
Holding |
Reconciling |
WPS |
Quarter Ended |
||||||||
Operating revenues |
$186,104 |
$35,332 |
$221,436 |
$267,382 |
$39,156 |
$346 |
$(11,255) |
$517,065 |
Net income (loss) |
21,801 |
(1,342) |
20,459 |
1,252 |
1,072 |
(959) |
- |
21,824 |
Quarter Ended |
||||||||
Operating revenues |
167,997 |
38,564 |
206,561 |
225,477 |
34,078 |
1,098 |
(10,329) |
456,885 |
Net income (loss) |
19,088 |
(2,079) |
17,009 |
383 |
20 |
(4,545) |
- |
12,867 |
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||
Operating revenues |
516,788 |
249,420 |
766,208 |
1,240,436 |
115,311 |
993 |
(31,281) |
2,091,667 |
Net income (loss) |
47,864 |
7,713 |
55,577 |
3,422 |
2,814 |
(4,771) |
- |
57,042 |
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||
Operating revenues |
480,194 |
158,753 |
638,947 |
527,490 |
95,022 |
5,853 |
(37,443) |
1,229,869 |
Net income (loss) |
49,417 |
7,005 |
56,422 |
1,637 |
1,275 |
(5,880) |
- |
53,454 |
NOTE 5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We have reviewed the status of our commitments and contingencies and believe there are no material changes from that disclosed in our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2000. See WPS Resources Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 13--Commitments and Contingencies in our 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2000 for specific details.
NOTE 6. ISSUANCE OF NOTES
Wisconsin Public Service issued $150.0 million of 6.125% senior notes on August 14, 2001, which will mature in 2011. These notes are in addition to $50.0 million of 6.08% senior notes issued in December 1998 and due in 2028. Both issuances are secured by a pledge of first mortgage bonds and become unsecured if Wisconsin Public Service retires all of its outstanding first mortgage bonds.
Also in August 2001, Wisconsin Public Service retired $53.1 million of 8.80% first mortgage bonds that would have matured in 2021.
NOTE 7. PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
On January 1, 2001 WPS Resources adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 137 and 138. Statement No. 133 requires that every derivative instrument be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value and that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
WPS Resources has concluded that the majority of its contracts do not meet the definition of a derivative as defined by Statement No. 133. Therefore, at September 30, 2001, such contracts are not subject to the accounting requirements of this statement, as amended.
Wisconsin Public Service has entered into a limited number of commodity contracts to service its customers that meet the definition of a derivative under Statement No. 133. A majority of these contracts are gas purchase agreements. The derivative amounts to be recorded as a result of these gas contracts will be offset with a corresponding regulatory asset and liability. As of September 30, 2001, we have recorded an Asset from Risk Management Activities and a Regulatory Liability of approximately $4.7 million related to these Wisconsin Public Service contracts.
WPS Resources' nonregulated segments have also entered into a limited number of contracts that meet the definition of a derivative under Statement No. 133. One of these contracts was an electric energy contract that was used to protect WPS Resources against potential summer energy price spikes. This contract expired during the third quarter. The total loss of $3.5 million for this contract is included in Other Income in WPS Resources' Consolidated Statement of Income, Comprehensive Income, and Retained Earnings. A similar contract was held in 2000 that resulted in a $3.8 million total loss.
Another contract classified as a derivative is an interest rate swap used to fix the entire interest rate for the full term of an 18-year variable rate loan. In accordance with Statement No. 133, management has designated this contract as a cash flow hedge. Because the swap is 100% effective, we have recorded the $4.8 million mark-to-market loss, net of deferred taxes, through September 30, 2001 directly to Other Comprehensive Income. WPS Resources did not exclude any components of the derivative instrument's loss from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
Both Wisconsin Public Service and WPS Resources nonregulated segments hold a limited number of other derivative instruments. The cumulative effect on the balance sheet and income statement for these contracts at September 30, 2001 was not significant.
NOTE 8. ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL OWNERSHIP OF KEWAUNEE NUCLEAR PLANT
On September 24, 2001, Wisconsin Public Service acquired Madison Gas and Electric Company's 17.8% interest in the Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant including its decommissioning trust assets. As a result of the $17.5 million purchase, Wisconsin Public Service now owns 59% of the plant with the remaining portion held by Wisconsin Power and Light Company. The additional operations of Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant are included in the financial statements of Wisconsin Public Service beginning September 24, 2001. Madison Gas and Electric will retain its obligations as they relate to the plant for the period of time it was an owner.
Madison Gas and Electric will maintain one decommissioning trust fund that will accumulate its remaining contributions in accordance with its existing funding plan, which extends to December 31, 2002. At that time, Madison Gas and Electric will transfer that trust fund to Wisconsin Public Service. Wisconsin Public Service also assumed Madison Gas and Electric's share of the decommissioning obligations in exchange for the trust funds transferred on September 24, 2001 and to be transferred on December 31, 2002.
NOTE 9. WISCONSIN FUEL AND LIGHT COMPANY MERGER
On April 1, 2001, Wisconsin Public Service completed its merger with Wisconsin Fuel and Light Company. Wisconsin Fuel and Light served residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Manitowoc and Wausau, Wisconsin with natural gas. Wisconsin Fuel and Light shareholders received 1.73 shares of WPS Resources common stock for each share of Wisconsin Fuel and Light common stock. A total of 1,763,943 shares were issued resulting in a purchase price of $54.8 million based on an average price of $31.0625, the prevailing price at the time of the merger announcement.
Wisconsin Public Service used the purchase method of accounting and recorded $41.8 million of total premium associated with the purchase. Of that total premium, $36.0 million was recorded as goodwill and is being amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 40 years. With the Financial Accounting Standards Board finalizing its Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations," and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" on June 30, 2001, Wisconsin Public Service plans to stop amortizing the goodwill effective January 1, 2002. The remaining premium, $5.8 million after tax, was recorded as an acquisition adjustment, which we expect to be recovered in Wisconsin retail rates over the three-year period of 2003 through 2005.
The operations of Wisconsin Fuel and Light are included in the financial statements presented for Wisconsin Public Service and WPS Resources for the period beginning April 1, 2001 and ending September 30, 2001, but do not have a material impact.
NOTE 10. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board finalized Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations," and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." Statement No. 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, to use the purchase method of accounting. Under the requirements of Statement No. 142, intangible assets meeting specific criteria will be separately identified from goodwill acquired in future purchase method acquisitions. The resulting intangible assets will be amortized over their individual useful lives without the 40 year limit that was previously required for goodwill. Also under Statement No. 142, existing goodwill at June 30, 2001, will no longer be amortized, effective January 1, 2002. Instead, an assessment of fair-value will be used to test for impairment of goodwill on an annual basis or when circumstances indicate a possible impairment.
The majority of the goodwill at WPS Resources is related to the Wisconsin Fuel and Light acquisition. This goodwill is presently being amortized over 40 years. We plan to discontinue amortization on January 1, 2002 and begin using the fair-value impairment test as indicated by Statement No. 142. Management does not expect any impairment of the Wisconsin Fuel and Light goodwill at January 1, 2002. Currently we do not anticipate any other material impacts
from Statements No. 141 and 142.Also in June 2001 the Financial Accounting Standards Board finalized Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." This statement applies to all entities with legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that result from the acquisition, construction, or development and/or normal operation of a long-lived asset. An asset retirement obligation should be recognized when it meets the definition of a liability and be measured at fair value. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board finalized Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," in August 2001. The statement intends to unify the accounting for long-lived assets to be disposed of, based on the framework established by Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of." This statement must be implemented for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.
We are analyzing the impact both these statements will have on WPS Resources and its subsidiaries.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION
WPS Resources Corporation is a holding company. Our wholly-owned subsidiaries include two regulated utilities, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Upper Peninsula Power Company. Another wholly-owned subsidiary, WPS Resources Capital Corporation, is a holding company for our nonregulated businesses including WPS Energy Services, Inc. and WPS Power Development, Inc.
Third Quarter 2001 Compared with Third Quarter 2000
WPS Resources Overview
WPS Resources' third quarter 2001 and third quarter 2000 results of operations are shown in the following chart:
WPS Resources' Results |
Third Quarter |
||
(Thousands, except per share amounts) |
2001 |
2000 |
Change |
Consolidated operating revenues |
$517,065 |
$456,885 |
13% |
Net income |
21,824 |
12,867 |
70% |
Basic and diluted earnings per share |
$0.76 |
$0.49 |
55% |
Financial performance improved for all segments of our business in the third quarter of 2001. Consolidated operating revenues increased due to sales volume growth for all segments. Increased electric and gas utility margins and higher nonregulated gas and electric margins at WPS Energy Services contributed positively to overall earnings. Additional tax credits received from WPS Power Development's synthetic fuel operation also contributed to increased earnings. Earnings were negatively affected by an increase in other operating expenses for all segments.
Overview of Utility Operations
Net income from electric utility operations increased to $21.8 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with $19.1 million in the third quarter of 2000. Net income from gas utility operations resulted in a loss of $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with a loss of $2.1 million in the same period of 2000.
Electric Utility Operations
The consolidated electric utility margin represents electric revenue less cost of sales exclusive of intercompany transactions.
WPS Resources' Consolidated |
Third Quarter |
|
Electric Utility Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Revenues |
$180,421 |
$162,706 |
Fuel and purchased power costs |
63,266 |
53,963 |
Margins |
$117,155 |
$108,743 |
Sales in kilowatt-hours |
3,368,975 |
3,255,258 |
Our consolidated electric utility margin increased $8.4 million primarily due to an increase in Wisconsin retail electric rates. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin authorized a 5.4% rate increase for Wisconsin Public Service's Wisconsin retail electric customers effective January 1, 2001. In addition, sales volumes were up to all customer classes at Upper Peninsula Power and Wisconsin Public Service, except for a slight decrease in sales to large commercial and industrial customers at Wisconsin Public Service. Weather was 76% warmer in the third quarter of 2001 than in the third quarter of 2000, and 20% warmer than normal.
Although sales volumes were up, a change in the customer mix at Wisconsin Public Service and the lack of a new retail electric rate structure at Upper Peninsula Power continue to negatively affect the electric utility margin. At Wisconsin Public Service, sales volumes to lower margin, wholesale customers are increasing, while sales to higher margin, large commercial and industrial customers continue to decline, largely due to a slow-down in economic conditions. Upper Peninsula Power's rate case pending before the Michigan Public Service Commission was dismissed at Upper Peninsula Power's request in August 2001. Upper Peninsula Power requested a dismissal of this rate case, which was originally filed in October of 2000, because the information filed with that case was outdated. Upper Peninsula Power intends to submit a new rate filing in 2002.
Our overall consolidated fuel expense for production plants decreased $2.1 million, or 6%. Of this amount, $2.5 million was the result of decreased fuel costs at Wisconsin Public Service's combustion turbine generation plants. This decrease was primarily due to a lower cost of natural gas which resulted in a 24% decrease in the average cost of generation at the combustion turbines in the third quarter of 2001. Our consolidated purchased power expense increased $11.4 million, or 64%, as a result of a 45% increase in purchase requirements at Wisconsin Public Service and an increase in the average cost per kilowatt-hour of purchases. Purchase requirements were higher due to weather that was 76% warmer in the third quarter of 2001 than in the same period in 2000. In addition, we take advantage, whenever possible, of purchased power when its unit cost is lower than the cost of production at our next available unit to be dispatched.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin allows Wisconsin Public Service to adjust prospectively the amount billed to Wisconsin retail customers for fuel and purchased power if costs fall outside a specified range. Wisconsin Public Service is required to file an application to adjust rates either higher or lower when costs are plus or minus 2% from forecasted costs on an annualized basis. In the third quarter of 2001, Wisconsin Public Service submitted a fuel filing with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin requesting a $2.0 million retail electric rate reduction. The rate reduction was approved and implemented on September 3, 2001.
Gas Utility Operations
The consolidated gas utility margin represents gas revenues less purchases exclusive of intercompany transactions. Effective April 1, 2001 the gas utility margin at Wisconsin Public Service includes the merged Wisconsin Fuel and Light operations.
Wisconsin Public Service's |
Third Quarter |
|
Gas Utility Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Revenues |
$35,332 |
$38,564 |
Purchase costs |
19,925 |
27,433 |
Margins |
$15,407 |
$11,131 |
Throughput in therms |
124,037 |
105,953 |
The gas utility margin at Wisconsin Public Service increased $4.3 million, or 38%, due to a 17% increase in overall gas throughput volumes and a 1.5% increase in Wisconsin retail gas rates authorized by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin effective January 1, 2001. Part of the increase in gas throughput was the result of incorporating Wisconsin Fuel and Light's operations. Gas throughput volumes to large commercial and industrial customers, however, decreased 2% as a result of customers switching to the gas transport customer class and to declining economic conditions. Gas throughput volumes to gas transport customers increased 28%.
Wisconsin Public Service's gas revenues decreased $3.2 million as the result of a 28% decrease in the average unit cost of natural gas, partially offset by increased throughput, and the 1.5% increase in Wisconsin retail gas rates.
Wisconsin Public Service's gas purchase costs decreased $7.5 million due to the lower average cost of natural gas. Under current regulatory practice, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and the Michigan Public Service Commission allow Wisconsin Public Service to pass changes in the cost of gas on to customers through a purchased gas adjustment clause. Therefore, the lower natural gas prices experienced in the third quarter of 2001 were passed on to customers. The lower natural gas prices are reflected in both revenues and gas purchases, thus having little impact on margin.
Other Utility Expenses/Income
Utility operating expenses increased $7.9 million largely due to increased transmission expenses as the result of forming American Transmission Company, LLC, increased maintenance costs at the Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant during its refueling outage which began in late September, increased payments to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for demand-side management (energy conservation) activities, and higher write-offs for uncollectible accounts. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has allowed a portion of the higher transmission costs to be deferred. The deferred transmission costs, $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2001, are expected to be recovered in future regulatory proceedings.
Lower earnings on the nuclear decommissioning fund were offset by higher earnings on equity investments, including the investment in American Transmission Company, resulting in increased other income at Wisconsin Public Service. Due to regulatory practice, lower earnings on the nuclear decommissioning fund were offset by decreased depreciation expense. Also contributing to decreased depreciation expense were an extension in the Kewaunee plant's assumed depreciable life and a reduction in the nuclear decommissioning fund contribution. These nuclear-related items had been considered in Wisconsin Public Service's current Wisconsin retail rate structure and, thus, have no net income impact.
Overview of Nonregulated Operations
Nonregulated operations consist of the gas, electric, and other sales at WPS Energy Services, a diversified energy supply and services company, and the operations of WPS Power Development, an electric generation asset development and operating company.
WPS Energy Services' net income increased to $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with $0.4 million in the same period of 2000. WPS Power Development's net income increased to $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with a small positive net income in the third quarter of 2000.
Overview of WPS Energy Services
WPS Energy Services' principal business involves nonregulated gas sales. In addition, nonregulated electric sales have become an important factor in the growth of WPS Energy Services. Revenues at WPS Energy Services grew to $267.4 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with $225.5 million in the third quarter of 2000, an increase of 19%.
WPS Energy Services' Margins
The consolidated nonregulated gas margin represents nonregulated gas revenues less nonregulated gas cost of sales exclusive of intercompany transactions.
WPS Energy Services' |
Third Quarter |
|
Gas Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Nonregulated gas revenues |
$216,329 |
$216,565 |
Nonregulated gas cost of sales |
212,877 |
214,088 |
Margins |
$ 3,452 |
$ 2,477 |
The nonregulated gas margin at WPS Energy Services increased $1.0 million due to additional activity in wholesale markets in the third quarter of 2001. Gas revenues and cost of sales decreased as the result of lower natural gas prices in the third quarter of 2001 compared with the third quarter of 2000.
WPS Energy Services' |
Third Quarter |
|
Electric Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Nonregulated electric revenues |
$50,173 |
$8,297 |
Nonregulated electric cost of sales |
46,723 |
7,137 |
Margins |
$ 3,450 |
$1,160 |
Nonregulated electric revenues at WPS Energy Services increased $41.9 million, and the nonregulated electric margin increased $2.3 million. Higher electric sales volumes in existing and newly-entered retail electric markets, as well as significant impacts from remarketing energy from WPS Power Development's Sunbury plant, contributed to these increases.
WPS Energy Services' Other Expenses
Operating expenses at WPS Energy Services increased $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with the third quarter of 2000 due to costs associated with business expansion and higher write-offs of uncollectible accounts.
Overview of WPS Power Development
Revenues at WPS Power Development increased $5.1 million, or 15%, due primarily to higher revenues at its Sunbury generation plant of $4.5 million and higher revenues at its ECO No. 12 synthetic fuel operation of $2.7 million. WPS Power Development's net income was $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with a small positive net income in the third quarter of 2000. Additional tax credits of approximately $2.4 million from its ECO No. 12 synthetic fuel operation increased WPS Power Development's net income in the third quarter of 2001.
WPS Power Development's Margins
WPS Power Development's |
Third Quarter |
|
Production Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Nonregulated other revenues |
$39,156 |
$34,078 |
Nonregulated other cost of sales |
28,000 |
22,985 |
Margins |
$11,156 |
$11,093 |
WPS Power Development experienced an increase of $0.1 million in its margin in the third quarter of 2001. The margin increased $1.0 million at the Westwood generation plant as a result of a full quarter of production in the third quarter of 2001. Westwood was acquired in September of 2000 and, thus, was not in production for a full quarter last year. Also, Sunbury's generation was up 14%, but its margin was offset by higher fuel costs as a result of purchasing coal at current market prices. WPS Power Development is attempting to recover a portion of this cost by resolving a lawsuit filed against a coal supplier for failure to deliver under the terms of a coal supply agreement.
WPS Power Development's Other Expenses
Other operating expenses at WPS Power Development increased $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with the third quarter of 2000, primarily due to costs associated with operations at the Westwood generation plant which WPS Power Development acquired in September of 2000, higher payroll expenses, and increased development costs for potential new projects.
Overview of Holding Company and Other Operations
Holding Company and Other operations include the operations of WPS Resources and WPS Resources Capital as holding companies and the nonutility activities at Wisconsin Public Service and Upper Peninsula Power. Holding Company and Other operations experienced a loss of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared with a loss of $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2000.
WPS Resources experienced a $0.2 million marked-to-market expense in the third quarter of 2001 on an electric energy contract entered into by WPS Resources as a hedge against potential summer energy price peaks through August of 2001. WPS Resources had recognized a $3.3 million marked-to-market expense through the second quarter of 2001. In the third quarter of 2000, WPS Resources experienced a $3.8 million marked-to-market expense on a similar type of contract.
Nine Months 2001 Compared with Nine Months 2000
WPS Resources Overview
WPS Resources' nine months 2001 and nine months 2000 results of operations are shown in the following chart:
WPS Resources' Results |
Nine Months |
||
(Thousands, except per share amounts) |
2001 |
2000 |
Change |
Consolidated operating revenues |
$2,091,667 |
$1,229,869 |
70% |
Net income |
57,042 |
53,454 |
7% |
Basic and diluted earnings per share |
$2.04 |
$2.02 |
1% |
Consolidated operating revenues increased primarily due to an increase in gas revenues at WPS Energy Services and Wisconsin Public Service largely as a result of higher natural gas prices in the first half of 2001, and also due to sales volume growth. Increased electric and gas utility margins and higher gas and electric margins at WPS Energy Services contributed positively to overall earnings. Additional tax credits received from WPS Power Development's synthetic fuel operation also contributed to increased earnings. Earnings were negatively affected by a change in the electric utility sales mix, a decrease in margin at WPS Power Development, and an increase in other operating expenses for all segments.
Overview of Utility Operations
Net income from electric utility operations was $47.9 million in the first nine months of 2001 compared with $49.4 million in the first nine months of 2000. Net income from gas utility operations was $7.7 million in the first nine months of 2001 and $7.0 million in the same period of 2000.
Electric Utility Operations
The consolidated electric utility margin represents electric revenue less cost of sales exclusive of intercompany transactions.
WPS Resources' Consolidated |
Nine Months |
|
Electric Utility Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Revenues |
$500,872 |
$466,660 |
Fuel and purchased power costs |
168,279 |
148,146 |
Margins |
$332,593 |
$318,514 |
Sales in kilowatt-hours |
9,576,860 |
9,388,082 |
Our consolidated electric utility margin increased $14.1 million due to an increase in Wisconsin retail electric rates and higher sales volumes to all customer classes at Wisconsin Public Service, except for a decrease in sales to large commercial and industrial customers. A change in the customer mix at Wisconsin Public Service negatively affected the electric margin. Sales volumes to lower margin, wholesale customers were up 9% while sales to higher margin, large commercial and industrial customers were down 3% largely due to a slow-down in economic conditions. Sales to residential customers were up 5%.
Our consolidated fuel expense for production plants increased $0.5 million. Our consolidated purchased power expense increased $19.7 million, or 37%, as a result of an increase in the average cost per kilowatt-hour of purchases and a 16% increase in volumes purchased at Wisconsin Public Service in the first nine months of 2001. Purchase requirements were higher due to summer weather that was 76% warmer in 2001 than in 2000. In addition, we take advantage, whenever possible, of purchased power when its unit cost is lower than the cost of production at our next available unit to be dispatched.
Gas Utility Operations
The consolidated gas utility margin represents gas revenues less purchases exclusive of intercompany transactions. The gas utility margin at Wisconsin Public Service increased $10.3 million, or 19%, for the first nine months of 2001 compared with the first nine months of 2000.
Wisconsin Public Service's |
Nine Months |
|
Gas Utility Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Revenues |
$249,420 |
$158,753 |
Purchase costs |
184,230 |
103,908 |
Margins |
$ 65,190 |
$ 54,845 |
Throughput in therms |
519,069 |
488,657 |
The increase in gas margin was due to a 1.5% increase in Wisconsin retail gas rates and higher overall gas throughput volumes of 6%. Increased gas throughput volumes were partially the result of Wisconsin Public Service's acquisition of Wisconsin Fuel and Light Company in April 2001. Gas throughput volumes to large commercial and industrial customers, however, decreased 2% as a result of customers switching to the gas transport customer class and to declining economic conditions. Gas throughput volumes to gas transport customers increased 9%.
Wisconsin Public Service's gas revenues increased $90.7 million, or 57%, as the result of an increase in the average unit cost of natural gas in the first half of 2001, increased throughput, and the 1.5% increase in Wisconsin retail gas rates.
Wisconsin Public Service's gas purchase costs increased $80.3 million, or 77%, largely due to a higher average cost of gas in the first half of 2001. The higher natural gas prices experienced in 2001 were passed on to customers and are reflected in both revenues and gas purchases, thus having little impact on margin.
Other Utility Expenses/Income
Utility operating expenses increased $25.6 million largely due to higher transmission costs, demand-side management (energy conservation) expenditures, write-offs of uncollectible accounts, employee benefit expenses, and other administrative costs. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has allowed a portion of the higher transmission costs to be deferred. The deferred transmission costs, $5.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, are expected to be recovered in future regulatory proceedings.
Lower earnings on the nuclear decommissioning fund contributed to a decrease in other income at Wisconsin Public Service. Due to regulatory practice, lower earnings on the nuclear decommissioning fund were offset by decreased depreciation expense. Also contributing to decreased depreciation expense were an extension in the Kewaunee plant's assumed depreciable life and a reduction in the nuclear decommissioning fund contribution. These nuclear-related items had been considered in Wisconsin Public Service's current Wisconsin retail rate structure and, thus, have no net income impact.
Interest expense increased due to the issuance of additional long-term debt at Wisconsin Public Service in August of 2001.
Overview of Nonregulated Operations
WPS Energy Services' net income increased to $3.4 million in the first nine months of 2001 compared with $1.6 million in the same period of 2000. WPS Power Development's net income increased to $2.8 million in the first nine months of 2001 compared with $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2000.
Overview of WPS Energy Services
WPS Energy Services' principal business involves nonregulated gas sales. In addition, nonregulated electric sales have become an important factor in the growth of WPS Energy Services. Revenues at WPS Energy Services grew to $1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2001 compared with $527.5 million in the first nine months of 2000, an increase of 128%.
WPS Energy Services' Margins
WPS Energy Services' |
Nine Months |
|
Gas Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Nonregulated gas revenues |
$1,131,715 |
$505,945 |
Nonregulated gas cost of sales |
1,122,138 |
498,037 |
Margins |
$ 9,577 |
$ 7,908 |
Nonregulated gas revenues at WPS Energy Services increased $625.8 million primarily as the result of higher natural gas prices in the first half of 2001 and additional growth in wholesale activity. The nonregulated gas margin increased $1.7 million, or 21%, due to increased sales volumes.
WPS Energy Services' |
Nine Months |
|
Electric Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Nonregulated electric revenues |
$105,850 |
$20,023 |
Nonregulated electric cost of sales |
96,159 |
16,166 |
Margins |
$ 9,691 |
$ 3,857 |
Nonregulated electric revenues at WPS Energy Services increased $85.8 million, and the nonregulated electric margin increased $5.8 million. Higher electric sales volumes in existing and newly-entered retail electric markets, as well as impacts from remarketing energy from WPS Power Development's Sunbury plant, contributed to these increases.
WPS Energy Services' Other Expenses
Operating expenses at WPS Energy Services increased $5.0 million in the first nine months of 2001 due to costs associated with business expansion and higher write-offs of uncollectible accounts.
WPS Energy Services' Price Risk Management Activities
WPS Energy Services began to mark to market its energy contracts in the first quarter of 2000. At September 30, 2001, WPS Energy Services had "Assets from Risk Management Activities" of $454.3 million which represents receivables based on the fair value of energy contracts and had "Liabilities from Risk Management Activities" of $428.7 million which represents payables based on the fair value of energy contracts. Net changes in the fair market value of energy contracts are reported in nonregulated energy cost of sales.
Overview of WPS Power Development
Revenues at WPS Power Development increased $20.3 million, or 21%, due to additional sales at its ECO No. 12 synthetic fuel operation and at its Sunbury and Westwood generation plants. WPS Power Development's net income increased to $2.8 million in the first nine months of 2001 compared with $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2000. The increase in income was primarily due to additional tax credits of approximately $7.3 million from its ECO No. 12 synthetic fuel operation. Additional tax credits significantly reduced the effective federal income tax rate in the first nine months of 2001. Partially offsetting the additional tax credits were a lower margin on operating activities and higher operating expenses.
WPS Power Development's Margins
WPS Power Development's |
Nine Months |
|
Production Results (Thousands) | 2001 | 2001 |
Nonregulated other revenues |
$115,311 |
$95,022 |
Nonregulated other cost of sales |
91,213 |
66,812 |
Margins |
$ 24,098 |
$28,210 |
WPS Power Development experienced a decrease of $4.1 million in its margin in the first nine months of 2001. This decrease was primarily due to higher purchased power expense and higher fuel costs at its Sunbury plant as the result of purchasing coal at current market prices. WPS Power Development is attempting to recover a portion of these costs by resolving a lawsuit filed against a coal supplier for failure to deliver under the terms of a coal supply agreement. These decreases were partially offset by an increased margin at its Westwood generation facility, which was purchased in September of 2000.
WPS Power Development's Other Expenses
Other operating expenses at WPS Power Development increased $7.0 million due to maintenance and operations of the Westwood plant which WPS Power Development acquired in September of 2000, increased production at the ECO No. 12 synthetic fuel operation, higher payroll expenses, and increased development costs for potential new projects.
Overview of Holding Company and Other Operations
Holding Company and Other operations experienced a loss of $4.8 million in the first nine months of 2001 compared with a loss of $5.9 million in the first nine months of 2000.
WPS Resources experienced a loss of $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 on an electric energy contract entered into by WPS Resources as a hedge against potential summer energy price peaks through August of 2001. WPS Resources experienced a loss of $3.8 million in the same period of 2000 on a similar type of contract.
Other income at Wisconsin Public Service included a one-time before-tax gain of $0.8 million on the sale of property in 2001 compared with a one-time before-tax gain of $3.8 million on the sale of a combustion turbine in 2000. Earnings on equity investments were up in the first nine months of 2001 compared with the same period in 2000 primarily due to the investment in American Transmission Company.
Interest expense increased due to additional short-term borrowing at WPS Resources for working capital needs in the first half of 2001.
FINANCIAL CONDITION - WPS RESOURCES
Investments and Financing
Payments for return of capital of $35.0 million were paid by Wisconsin Public Service to WPS Resources in the first nine months of 2001. Equity contributions of $40.0 million were made by WPS Resources to Wisconsin Public Service in the first nine months of 2001. These payments and equity contributions allowed Wisconsin Public Service's average equity capitalization and its capitalization ratio for ratemaking to remain near target levels as established by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in its most recent rate order. WPS Resources also contributed $54.8 million of equity to Wisconsin Public Service for the Wisconsin Fuel and Light acquisition.
Cash requirements exceeded internally generated funds by $65.6 million in the first nine months of 2001. Short-term borrowings through commercial paper decreased $50.2 million as the result of issuing additional long-term debt at Wisconsin Public Service in the third quarter of 2001. Our pretax interest coverage, including nonrecourse debt, was 2.10 times for the 12 months ended September 30, 2001.
Standard & Poor's has recently reviewed the credit ratings of many of the Wisconsin utilities. The current credit ratings for WPS Resources and Wisconsin Public Service are listed in the table below.
Credit Ratings |
Standard & Poor's |
Moody's |
WPS Resources Corporation |
|
|
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
|
|
We normally use internally-generated funds and short-term borrowing to satisfy most of our capital requirements. We may periodically issue additional long-term debt and common stock to reduce short-term debt, maintain desired capitalization ratios, and fund future growth.
In October 1999, WPS Resources filed a shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission which allowed the issuance of $400.0 million in the aggregate of public long-term debt and common stock. Long-term debt of $150.0 million has been issued under the shelf registration.
Effective January 2001, we began issuing new shares of common stock under our Stock Investment Plan and under some of our stock-based employee benefit plans. We anticipate an additional increase in equity of approximately $4.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2001 through these plans.
Wisconsin Public Service issued $150.0 million of 6.125% senior notes in the third quarter of 2001, with part of the proceeds used to retire $53.1 million of its existing 8.8% first mortgage bonds. The senior notes are secured by a pledge of first mortgage bonds but become unsecured if Wisconsin Public Service retires all of its outstanding first mortgage bonds.
WPS Resources anticipates issuing $50 to $100 million of common stock in the fourth quarter of 2001. The specific forms of financing, amounts, and timing depend on the availability of projects, market conditions, and other factors.
In April 2001, the Schuylkill County Industrial Development Authority issued $27.0 million of refunding tax-exempt bonds. At the time of issuance of the refunding bonds, WPS Westwood Generation, LLC, a subsidiary of WPS Power Development, owned the original bonds, the proceeds of which were used in substantial part to finance the construction of facilities. Upon issuance of the refunding bonds, the original bonds were paid off. WPS Westwood Generation was paid $27.0 million from the proceeds of the refunding bonds for the retirement of the original bonds plus accrued interest. WPS Westwood Generation is now obligated to pay the refunding bonds. WPS Resources agreed to guaranty WPS Westwood Generation's obligation to provide sufficient funds to pay the refunding bonds and the related obligations and indemnities.
Wisconsin Public Service makes large investments in capital assets. Construction expenditures for Wisconsin Public Service are expected to be approximately $500 million in the aggregate for the 2001 through 2003 period including expenditures for the replacement of the Kewaunee plant's steam generators.
In addition, other capital requirements for Wisconsin Public Service for the three-year period include contributions of approximately $7.8 million to the Kewaunee plant's decommissioning trust fund.
Upper Peninsula Power is expected to incur construction expenditures of about $30 million in the aggregate for the period 2001 through 2003, primarily for electric distribution improvements and repairs at hydro facilities.
Regulatory
In August 2001, Upper Peninsula Power's application for a $5.6 million rate increase which had been pending before the Michigan Public Service Commission since October 2000 was dismissed at Upper Peninsula Power's request. Upper Peninsula Power requested a dismissal of this rate case because the information filed in the case was outdated. Upper Peninsula Power intends to submit a new application for rate increases sometime in 2002 with rates effective in 2003.
On April 12, 2001, Wisconsin Public Service filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for additional rate relief in 2002. Wisconsin Public Service requested an $86.8 million, or 16.1%, increase in retail electric rates and a $13.5 million, or 4.5%, increase in retail gas rates for 2002. Wisconsin Public Service requested a 12.6% return on equity, with equity constituting 55% of the capital structure. These requested rate increases are largely due to costs associated with joining American Transmission Company and improvements at the Kewaunee plant. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin's order, originally expected to be issued in January 2001, is now expected to be delayed until April of 2002.
As the result of the expected delay in receiving an order granting rate relief, Wisconsin Public Service requested interim electric and gas rate increases from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for the period beginning January 1, 2001 and ending when the new rate order becomes effective. The interim request seeks a $62.0 million, or 11.5%, electric rate increase and a $12.0 million, or 4.3%, gas rate increase. The interim relief is based on a 12.3% return on equity with equity constituting 55% of the capital structure. Wisconsin Public Service anticipates a ruling on the interim rates in late December, 2001 with interim rates effective January 1, 2002.
American Transmission Company, LLC
In the first and second quarters of 2001, Wisconsin Public Service and Upper Peninsula Power transferred transmission assets at their net book value to American Transmission Company in exchange for cash and ownership interests in American Transmission Company. Wisconsin Public Service joined other state investor-owned utilities in a joint filing with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to recover additional costs resulting from changes in the state's electric transmission system and formation of American Transmission Company. Wisconsin Public Service included $20.0 million for these additional costs in its 2002 rate request before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. These costs will be removed from the 2002 rate filing if they are determined to be recoverable through the joint filing.
On August 17, 2001, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved the construction of a 250 mile 345 kv transmission line from Wausau, Wisconsin to Duluth, Minnesota. The joint project of Wisconsin Public Service and Minnesota Power, generally known as the Weston-to-Arrowhead project, had previously received the approval of the Minnesota Public Service Commission in March of 2001. Construction of the line is expected to begin in 2002 with completion in 2005. The line will improve the reliability of the state's transmission system. The line will eventually be contributed to American Transmission Company for an increased equity interest in American Transmission. We anticipate that our equity interest in American Transmission Company may be as high as 25% after completion and contribution of the line.
Kewaunee Nuclear Plant
The Kewaunee nuclear plant's co-owners received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to apply deferred accounting treatment to the incremental costs associated with compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements beginning March 27, 2001. Deferred costs are subject to review by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in a future rate filing. Approximately $4.3 million has been deferred through September 30, 2001.
The Kewaunee plant shut down for its scheduled refueling outage on September 23, 2001. At that time, Wisconsin Public Service also began the replacement of the plant's two steam generators. The refueling process and steam generator replacement project continue on schedule and the plant is expected to be back in service before the end of the year.
On September 24, 2001, Wisconsin Public Service acquired Madison Gas and Electric's 17.8% interest in the Kewaunee plant. This acquisition increased Wisconsin Public Service's ownership interest in the Kewaunee plant to 59%.
As a result of the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission advised all nuclear power plants to go to the highest level of security and to maintain this heightened level of security. The Kewaunee nuclear power plant remains at the highest level of security as requested by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In addition to the required security measures, Wisconsin Public Service has also put in place other enhanced security measures. Wisconsin Public Service intends to submit a request to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for permission to defer additional costs incurred in regard to increased security measures at Kewaunee and other facilities. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has indicated, in general, that costs related to increased security measures should be recoverable when included in future rate requests.
Generation Facilities
On September 10, 2001, Mid-American Power, LLC, a joint venture of WPS Power Development and Burns & McDonnell, announced a plan for construction of an additional 200 megawatts of electrical capacity at the existing 53-megawatt Stoneman power plant in Cassville, Wisconsin. Construction is expected to begin in 2003 with completion by the first quarter of 2006.
On October 16, 2001, the Combined Locks Energy Center, a cogeneration project owned by WPS Power Development and located at the Appleton Coated paper mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin, achieved full load output. The facility will complete start-up testing and expects to begin formal operation by the end of October 2001.
The initial phase of the cogeneration project is a simple-cycle operation producing only electricity. Construction will begin soon on the second phase to install the heat recovery steam generator which will complete the cogeneration aspect of the project. The heat recovery steam generator is a boiler which uses the waste heat from the electric turbine to produce steam for Appleton Coated's process requirements. The second phase is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2002.
Gas Storage Facility
On September 26, 2001, WPS Energy Services began flowing gas into its newly constructed three billion cubic foot high deliverability natural gas storage facility. During initial testing, WPS Energy Services anticipates storing two billion cubic feet of natural gas in the facility for its own use. In April 2002, WPS Energy Services expects to make the facility available for commercial use and anticipates increasing the storage capacity of the facility to as much as 3.5 billion cubic feet over the next couple of years.
Union Contracts
The union contract of the IBEW 1600 at WPS Power Development's Sunbury plant expires on May 12, 2002. The contract covers 104 employees. WPS Power Development hopes to reach agreement on a contract extension prior to the end of the first quarter of 2002.
The union contract of the IBEW 510 at Upper Peninsula Power expires on April 30, 2002. The contract covers 125 employees. Upper Peninsula Power intends to begin negotiations in January of 2002 and hopes to reach agreement on a three-year contract in advance of the expiration of the current contract.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
Wisconsin Public Service is a regulated electric and gas utility. Electric operations accounted for approximately 65% of revenues for the first nine months of 2001, while gas operations accounted for 35% of revenues for the first nine months of 2001.
Third Quarter 2001 Compared with Third Quarter 2000
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation Overview
Wisconsin Public Service's third quarter 2001 and third quarter 2000 results of operations are shown in the following chart:
Wisconsin Public Service's |
Third Quarter |
||
Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Change |
Operating revenues |
$204,243 |
$190,046 |
7% |
Net income |
20,879 |
15,778 |
32% |
The increase in net income was primarily due to higher electric and gas margins in the third quarter of 2001 compared with the third quarter of 2000. Partially offsetting these higher margins were increased operating expenses and a change in the electric sales mix.
Electric Utility Operations
The electric utility margin represents electric revenue less cost of sales.
Wisconsin Public Service |
Third Quarter |
|
Electric Utility Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Revenues |
$168,911 |
$151,482 |
Fuel and purchased power costs |
61,465 |
52,728 |
Margins |
$107,446 |
$ 98,754 |
Sales in kilowatt-hours |
3,347,821 |
3,228,922 |
Wisconsin Public Service's electric utility margin increased $8.7 million primarily due to an increase in Wisconsin retail electric rates. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin authorized a 5.4% rate increase for Wisconsin Public Service's Wisconsin retail electric customers effective January 1, 2001. In addition, sales volumes were up to all customer classes except for a slight decrease in sales to large commercial and industrial customers. Weather was 76% warmer in the third quarter of 2001 than in the third quarter of 2000, and 20% warmer than normal.
Although sales volumes were up, a change in the customer mix at Wisconsin Public Service continues to negatively affect the electric utility margin. Sales volumes to lower margin, wholesale customers are increasing, while sales to higher margin, large commercial and industrial customers continue to decline, largely due to a slow-down in economic conditions.
Fuel expense for production plants decreased $2.6 million, or 7%. Of this amount, $2.5 million was the result of decreased fuel costs at Wisconsin Public Service's combustion turbine generation plants. This decrease was primarily due to a lower cost of natural gas which resulted in a 24% decrease in the average cost of generation at the combustion turbines in the third quarter of 2001. Purchased power expense increased $11.4 million, or 64%, as a result of a 45% increase in purchase requirements and an increase in the average cost per kilowatt-hour of purchases. Purchase requirements were higher due to weather that was 76% warmer in the third quarter of 2001 than in the same period in 2000. In addition, Wisconsin Public Service takes advantage, whenever possible, of purchased power when its unit cost is lower than cost of production at the next available unit to be dispatched.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin allows Wisconsin Public Service to adjust prospectively the amount billed to Wisconsin retail customers for fuel and purchased power if costs fall outside a specified range. Wisconsin Public Service is required to file an application to adjust rates either higher or lower when costs are plus or minus 2% from forecasted costs on an annualized basis. In the third quarter of 2001, Wisconsin Public Service submitted a fuel filing with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin requesting a $2.0 million retail electric rate reduction. The rate reduction was approved and implemented on September 3, 2001.
Gas Utility Operations
The gas utility margin represents gas revenues less purchases. Effective April 1, 2001 the gas utility margin at Wisconsin Public Service includes the merged Wisconsin Fuel and Light operations.
Wisconsin Public Service's |
Third Quarter |
|
Gas Utility Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Revenues |
$35,332 |
$38,564 |
Purchase costs |
19,925 |
27,433 |
Margins |
$15,407 |
$11,131 |
Throughput in therms |
124,037 |
105,953 |
The gas utility margin at Wisconsin Public Service increased $4.3 million, or 38%, due to a 17% increase in overall gas throughput volumes and a 1.5% increase in Wisconsin retail gas rates authorized by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin effective January 1, 2001. Part of the increase in gas throughput was the result of incorporating Wisconsin Fuel and Light's operations. Gas throughput volumes to large commercial and industrial customers, however, decreased 2% as a result of customers switching to the gas transport customer class and to declining economic conditions. Gas throughput volumes to gas transport customers increased 28%.
Wisconsin Public Service's gas revenues decreased $3.2 million as the result of a 28% decrease in the average unit cost of natural gas, partially offset by increased throughput, and the 1.5% increase in Wisconsin retail gas rates.
Wisconsin Public Service's gas purchase costs decreased $7.5 million due to the lower average cost of gas. Under current regulatory practice, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and the Michigan Public Service Commission allow Wisconsin Public Service to pass changes in the cost of gas on to customers through a purchased gas adjustment clause. Therefore, the lower natural gas prices experienced in the third quarter of 2001 were passed on to customers. The lower natural gas prices are reflected in both revenues and gas purchases, thus having little impact on margin.
Other Expenses/Income
Operation and maintenance expenses increased $7.0 million largely due to increased transmission expenses as the result of forming American Transmission Company, LLC, increased maintenance costs at the Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant during its refueling outage which began in late September, increased payments to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for demand-side management (energy conservation) activities, and higher write-offs for uncollectible accounts. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has allowed a portion of the higher transmission costs to be deferred. The deferred transmission costs, $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2001, are expected to be recovered in future regulatory proceedings.
Lower earnings on the nuclear decommissioning fund were offset by higher earnings on equity investments, including the investment in American Transmission Company, resulting in increased other income at Wisconsin Public Service. Due to regulatory practice, lower earnings on the nuclear decommissioning fund were offset by decreased depreciation expense. Also contributing to decreased depreciation expense were an extension in the Kewaunee plant's assumed depreciable life and a reduction in the nuclear decommissioning fund contribution. These nuclear-related items had been considered in Wisconsin Public Service's current Wisconsin retail rate structure and, thus, have no net income impact.
Nine Months 2001 Compared with Nine Months 2000
Wisconsin Public Service Overview
Wisconsin Public Service's nine months 2001 and nine months 2000 results of operations are shown in the following chart:
Wisconsin Public Service's |
Nine Months |
||
Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Change |
Operating revenues |
$716,388 |
$590,245 |
21% |
Net income |
58,530 |
54,724 |
7% |
The primary reasons for the higher income were increases in both the electric and gas margins. An increase in operating expenses and a change in the electric utility sales mix negatively affected income.
Electric Utility Operations
The electric utility margin represents electric revenue less cost of sales.
Wisconsin Public Service's |
Nine Months |
|
Electric Utility Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Revenues |
$466,968 |
$431,492 |
Fuel and purchased power costs |
163,649 |
142,760 |
Margins |
$303,319 |
$288,732 |
Sales in kilowatt-hours |
9,470,880 |
9,268,966 |
Wisconsin Public Service's electric utility margin increased $14.6 million due to an increase in Wisconsin retail electric rates and higher sales volumes to all customer classes at Wisconsin Public Service, except for a decrease in sales to large commercial and industrial customers. A change in the customer mix negatively affected the electric margin. Sales volumes to lower margin, wholesale customers were up 9% while sales to higher margin, large commercial and industrial customers were down 3% largely due to a slow-down in economic conditions. Sales to residential customers were up 5%.
Fuel expense for production plants remained consistent. Consolidated purchased power expense increased $20.1 million, or 43%, as a result of an increase in the average cost per kilowatt-hour of purchases and a 16% increase in volumes purchased at Wisconsin Public Service in the first nine months of 2001. Purchase requirements were higher due to summer weather than was 76% warmer in 2001 than in 2000. In addition, Wisconsin Public Service takes advantage, whenever possible, of purchased power when its unit cost is lower than the cost of production at our next available unit to be dispatched.
Gas Utility Operations
The gas utility margin at Wisconsin Public Service increased $10.3 million, or 19%, for the first nine months of 2001 compared with the first nine months of 2000.
Wisconsin Public Service's |
Nine Months |
|
Gas Utility Results (Thousands) |
2001 |
2000 |
Revenues |
$249,420 |
$158,753 |
Purchase costs |
184,230 |
103,908 |
Margins |
$ 65,190 |
$ 54,845 |
Throughput in therms |
519,069 |
488,657 |
The increase in gas margin was due to a 1.5% increase in Wisconsin retail gas rates and higher overall gas throughput volumes of 6%. Increased gas throughput volumes were partially the result of Wisconsin Public Service's acquisition of Wisconsin Fuel and Light Company in April 2001. Gas throughput volumes to large commercial and industrial customers, however, decreased 2% as a result of customers switching to the gas transport customer class and to declining economic conditions. Gas throughput volumes to gas transport customers increased 9%.
Wisconsin Public Service's gas revenues increased $90.7 million, or 57%, as the result of an increase in the average unit cost of natural gas in the first half of 2001, increased throughput, and the 1.5% increase in Wisconsin retail gas rates.
Wisconsin Public Service's gas purchase costs increased $80.3 million, or 77%, largely due to a higher average cost of gas in the first half of 2001. The higher natural gas prices experienced in 2001 were passed on to customers and are reflected in both revenues and gas purchases, thus having little impact on margin.
Other Expenses/Income
Operation and maintenance expenses increased $23.8 million largely due to higher transmission costs, demand-side management (energy conservation) expenditures, write-offs of uncollectible accounts, employee benefit expenses, and other administrative costs. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has allowed a portion of the higher transmission costs to be deferred. The deferred transmission costs, $5.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, are expected to be recovered in future regulatory proceedings.
Lower earnings on the nuclear decommissioning fund contributed to a decrease in other income at Wisconsin Public Service. Due to regulatory practice, lower earnings on the nuclear decommissioning fund were offset by decreased depreciation expense. Also contributing to decreased depreciation expense were an extension in the Kewaunee plant's assumed depreciable life and a reduction in the nuclear decommissioning fund contribution. These nuclear-related items had been considered in Wisconsin Public Service's current Wisconsin retail rate structure and, thus, have no net income impact.
Interest expense increased due to the issuance of additional long-term debt at Wisconsin Public Service in August of 2001.
Other income at Wisconsin Public Service included a one-time before-tax gain of $0.8 million on the sale of property in 2001 compared with a one-time before-tax gain of $3.8 million on the sale of a combustion turbine in 2000. Earnings on equity investments were up in the first nine months of 2001 compared with the same period in 2000 primarily due to the investment in American Transmission Company.
FINANCIAL CONDITION - WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
Investments and Financing
Payments for return of capital of $35.0 million were paid by Wisconsin Public Service to WPS Resources in the first nine months of 2001. Equity contributions of $40.0 million were made by WPS Resources to Wisconsin Public Service in the first nine months of 2001. These payments and equity contributions allowed Wisconsin Public Service's average equity capitalization and its capitalization ratio for ratemaking to remain near target levels as established by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in its most recent rate order. WPS Resources also contributed $54.8 million of equity to Wisconsin Public Service for the Wisconsin Fuel and Light acquisition.
Cash requirements exceeded internally generated funds by $45.4 million in the first nine months of 2001. Short-term borrowings through commercial paper decreased $35.0 million as the result of issuing additional long-term debt at Wisconsin Public Service in the third quarter of 2001. Pretax interest coverage was 4.50 times for the 12 months ended September 30, 2001.
Standard & Poor's has recently reviewed the credit ratings of many of the Wisconsin utilities. The current credit ratings for Wisconsin Public Service are listed in the table below.
Credit Ratings |
Standard & Poor's |
Moody's |
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
|
|
We normally use internally-generated funds and short-term borrowing to satisfy most of our capital requirements. We may periodically issue additional long-term debt to reduce short-term debt, maintain desired capitalization ratios, and fund future growth.
Wisconsin Public Service issued $150.0 million of 6.125% senior notes in the third quarter of 2001, with part of the proceeds used to refinance $53.1 million of existing 8.8% first mortgage bonds. The senior notes are secured by a pledge of first mortgage bonds but become unsecured if Wisconsin Public Service retires all of its outstanding first mortgage bonds.
Wisconsin Public Service makes large investments in capital assets. Construction expenditures for Wisconsin Public Service are expected to be approximately $500 million in the aggregate for the 2001 through 2003 period including expenditures for the replacement of the Kewaunee plant's steam generators.
In addition, other capital requirements for Wisconsin Public Service for the three-year period include contributions of approximately $7.8 million to the Kewaunee plant's decommissioning trust fund.
Regulatory
On April 12, 2001, Wisconsin Public Service filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for additional rate relief in 2002. Wisconsin Public Service requested an $86.8 million, or 16.1%, increase in retail electric rates and a $13.5 million, or 4.5%, increase in retail gas rates for 2002. Wisconsin Public Service requested a 12.6% return on equity, with equity constituting 55% of the capital structure. These requested rate increases are largely due to costs associated with joining American Transmission Company and improvements at the Kewaunee plant. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin's order, originally expected to be issued in January 2001, is now expected to be delayed until April of 2002.
As the result of the expected delay in receiving an order granting rate relief in 2002, Wisconsin Public Service requested interim electric and gas rate increases from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for the period beginning January 1, 2001 and ending when the new rate order becomes effective. The interim request seeks a $62.0 million, or 11.5%, electric rate increase and a $12.0 million, or 4.3%, gas rate increase. The interim relief is based on a 12.3% return on equity with equity constituting 55% of the capital structure. Wisconsin Public Service anticipates a ruling on the interim rates in late December, 2001 with interim rates effective January 1, 2002.
American Transmission Company, LLC
In the first quarter of 2001, Wisconsin Public Service transferred transmission assets at their net book value to American Transmission Company in exchange for cash and an ownership interest in American Transmission Company. Wisconsin Public Service joined other state investor-owned utilities in a joint filing with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to recover additional costs resulting from changes in the state's electric transmission system and formation of American Transmission Company. Wisconsin Public Service included $20.0 million for these additional costs in its 2002 rate request before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. These costs will be removed from the 2002 rate filing if they are determined to be recoverable through the joint filing.
On August 17, 2001, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved the construction of a 250 mile 345 kv transmission line from Wausau, Wisconsin to Duluth, Minnesota. The project, generally known as the Weston-to-Arrowhead project, had previously received the approval of the Minnesota Public Service Commission in March of 2001. Construction of the line is expected to begin in 2002 with completion in 2005. The line will improve the reliability of the state's transmission system. The line will eventually be contributed to American Transmission Company for an increased equity interest in American Transmission.
Kewaunee Nuclear Plant
The Kewaunee nuclear plant's co-owners received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to apply deferred accounting treatment to the incremental costs associated with compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements beginning March 27, 2001. Deferred costs are subject to review by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in a future rate filing. Approximately $4.3 million has been deferred through September 30, 2001.
The Kewaunee plant shut down for its scheduled refueling outage on September 23, 2001. At that time, Wisconsin Public Service also began the replacement of the plant's two steam generators. The refueling process and steam generator replacement project continue on schedule and the plant is expected to be back in service before the end of the year.
On September 24, 2001, Wisconsin Public Service acquired Madison Gas and Electric's 17.8% interest in the Kewaunee plant. This acquisition increased Wisconsin Public Service's ownership interest in the Kewaunee plant to 59%.
As a result of the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission advised all nuclear power plants to go to the highest level of security and to maintain this heightened level of security. The Kewaunee nuclear power plant remains at the highest level of security as requested by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In addition to the required security measures, Wisconsin Public Service has also put in place other enhanced security measures. Wisconsin Public Service intends to submit a request to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for permission to defer additional costs incurred in regard to increased security measures at Kewaunee and other facilities. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has indicated, in general, that costs related to increased security measures should be recoverable when included in future rate requests.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Risks
WPS Resources has potential market risk exposure related to interest rate risk, equity return and principal preservation risk, and commodity price risk. There currently is no material exposure due to foreign currency risk. Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to ongoing short-term financing, and a long-term debt financing at WPS Power Development. Exposure to equity return and principal preservation risk results from various debt and equity security investments in our employee benefit and nuclear decommissioning trust funds. Exposure to commodity price risk exists with respect to the price of coal, uranium, electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil. WPS Resources has risk management policies in place to monitor and assist in controlling these market risks and uses derivative instruments to manage some of these exposures.
WPS Resources' outstanding commercial paper balance decreased from $119.6 million at December 31, 2000 to $69.3 million at September 30, 2001, reducing our exposure to interest rate risk. This decrease was due to the issuance of long-term, fixed rate debt at Wisconsin Public Service during the third quarter.
To measure commodity price risk exposure, WPS Resources performs a value-at-risk (VaR) analysis on third party exposures. Our VaR amount for trading activities has not changed significantly from the amount reported in the 2000 Form 10-K. Our VaR amount for non-trading activities was calculated to be $4.1 million at September 30, 2001 compared with $1.9 million at June 30, 2001. This increase was primarily due to increased volatility in our forward price curve for electricity and an increase in the exposure period for some assets, both of which are used in our VaR calculation. The September 30, 2001 VaR amount for non-trading activities was not significantly different from the $4.4 million amount reported in the 2000 Form 10-K. A significant portion of the VaR amount related to non-trading activities is mitigated by WPS Power Development's generating capabilities, which are excluded from the VaR calculation.
For purposes of this risk management disclosure, all of WPS Energy Services' activities, including all of its energy commodity purchase and sale contracts and its gas in storage inventory are classified as trading, while all of WPS Power Development's activities are classified as non-trading. Other than the above mentioned changes, WPS Resources' market risks have not changed materially from the market risks reported in the 2000 Form 10-K.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 5. Other Information
WPS Energy Services' Natural Gas Storage Facility
On September 26, 2001 WPS Energy Services began flowing natural gas into its, newly constructed, three billion cubic foot high deliverability gas storage facility. During initial testing, WPS Energy Services expects to store two billion cubic feet of natural gas in the facility for its own use. In April 2002, WPS Energy Services expects to make the facility available for commercial use and anticipates increasing the storage capacity of the facility to as much as 3.5 billion cubic feet over the next couple of years.
WPS Power Development's Generation Expansion
On September 10, 2001, Mid-American Power, LLC, a joint venture of WPS Power Development and Burns & McDonnell, announced a plan for construction of an additional 200 megawatts of electrical capacity at the existing 53-megawatt Stoneman power plant in Cassville, Wisconsin. Construction is expected to begin in 2003 with completion by the first quarter of 2006.
A new 50-megawatt cogeneration facility was completed, in October, in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. The natural gas-fired combustion turbine at that facility began generating electricity in October 2001 and completion of the heat recovery system is expected in the second quarter of 2002.
Union Contracts
The union contract of the IBEW 1600 at WPS Power Development's Sunbury plant expires May 12, 2002. The contract covers 104 employees. WPS Power Development hopes to reach agreement on a contract extension prior to the end of the first quarter of 2002.
The union contract of the IBEW 510 at Upper Peninsula Power expires on April 30, 2002. The contract covers 125 employees. Upper Peninsula Power intends to begin negotiations in January 2002 and hopes to reach agreement on a three-year contract in advance of the expiration of the current contract.
Transmission Line
On August 17, 2001, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved the construction of a 250 mile 345 kv transmission line from Wausau, Wisconsin to Duluth, Minnesota. The joint project of Wisconsin Public Service and Minnesota Power, generally known as the Weston-to-Arrowhead project, had previously received the approval of the Minnesota Public Service Commission in March of 2001. Construction of the line is expected to begin in 2002 with completion in 2005. The line will improve the reliability of the state's transmission system. The line will eventually be contributed to American Transmission Company for an increased equity interest in American Transmission. We anticipate that our equity interest in American Transmission Company may be as high as 25% after completion and contribution of the line.
Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant
The Kewaunee plant shut down for its scheduled refueling outage on September 23, 2001. At that time, Wisconsin Public Service also began the scheduled replacement of the plant's two steam generators. The refueling process and steam generator replacement project continue on schedule and the plant is expected to be back in service before the end of the year.
Effective September 24, 2001, Wisconsin Public Service acquired Madison Gas and Electric's 17.8% interest (90 megawatts) in the plant. This has increased the ownership percentage of Wisconsin Public Service in the plant to 59%.
As a result of the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission advised all nuclear power plants to go to the highest level of security and to maintain this heightened level of security. The Kewaunee nuclear power plant remains at the highest level of security as requested by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In addition to the required security measures, Wisconsin Public Service has also put in place other enhanced security measures. Wisconsin Public Service intends to request the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to permit it to defer additional costs incurred in regard to increased security measures. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has indicated, in general, that costs related to increased security measures should be recoverable when included in future rate requests.
Emission Proposal
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is currently in the process of proposing new mercury emission rules for the State of Wisconsin. The preliminary proposal would require a 30% reduction in mercury emissions in 5 years, 50% reduction in 10 years and 90% reduction in 15 years. The proposal is still being developed within the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources is currently receiving public comments on the proposal. Wisconsin Public Service expects the proposal to be substantially modified before it would be adopted into Wisconsin law.
Item 6. |
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
|||
(a) |
Exhibits |
|||
The following documents are attached as exhibits: |
||||
12 |
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges and Preferred Dividends |
|||
(b) |
Report on Form 8-K |
|||
A Form 8-K, dated August 14, 2001, was filed by Wisconsin Public Service Corporation related to the issuance of $150,000,000 of Senior Notes, 6-1/8% Series due August 1, 2001. |
||||
SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
WPS Resources Corporation |
|
Date: November 1, 2001 |
/s/ Diane L.
Ford Vice President-Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and |
SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
|
Date: November 1, 2001 |
/s/ Diane L.
Ford Vice President-Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and |
WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION AND |
|
Exhibit No. |
Description |
12 |
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges and Preferred Dividends |