SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x

 

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006 or

 

 

 

o

 

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission file number 001-14431

American States Water Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

California

 

95-4676679

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

630 E. Foothill Blvd, San Dimas, CA

 

91773-1207

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(909) 394-3600
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Commission file number 001-12008

Golden State Water Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

California

 

95-1243678

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

630 E. Foothill Blvd, San Dimas, CA

 

91773-1212

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(909) 394-3600
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether 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 Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

American States Water Company

 

Yes x No o

Golden State Water Company

 

Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a nonaccelerated file. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated file” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

American States Water Company

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

Nonaccelerated filer o

Golden State Water Company

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Nonaccelerated filer x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)

American States Water Company

 

Yes o No x

Golden State Water Company

 

Yes o No x

 

As of August 9, 2006, the number of Common Shares outstanding, of American States Water Company was 16,981,858 shares.

As of August 9, 2006, all of the 122 outstanding Common Shares of Golden State Water Company were owned by American States Water Company.

 




 

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
and
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

 

 

Page No.

Part I

 

Financial Information

 

 

Item 1:

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets of American States Water Company as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

 

3-4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income of American States Water Company for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income of American States Water Company for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow of American States Water Company for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheets of Golden State Water Company as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

 

8-9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Income of Golden State Water Company for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Income of Golden State Water Company for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Cash Flow of Golden State Water Company for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2:

 

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

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3:

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4:

 

Controls and Procedures

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

Part II

 

Other Information

 

 

Item 1:

 

Legal Proceedings

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A:

 

Risk Factors

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2:

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3:

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4:

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5:

 

Other Information

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6:

 

Exhibits

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

47

 

1




 

PART I

Item 1. Financial Statements

General

The basic financial statements included herein have been prepared by Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim period have been made.

It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto in the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K of American States Water Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden State Water Company.

Filing Format

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is a combined report being filed by two separate Registrants: American States Water Company (hereinafter “AWR”) and Golden State Water Company (hereinafter “GSWC”) (formerly known as Southern California Water Company). For more information, please see Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the heading entitled General in Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. References in this report to “Registrant” are to AWR and GSWC collectively, unless otherwise specified. GSWC makes no representations as to the information contained in this report relating to AWR and its subsidiaries, other than GSWC.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain matters discussed in this report (including the documents incorporated herein by reference) are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the “safe harbor” from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as Registrant “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe Registrant’s future plans, objectives, estimates or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such statements address future events and conditions concerning capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, rates, water quality and other regulatory matters, adequacy of water supplies, GSWC’s ability to recover electric, natural gas and water supply costs from ratepayers, contract operations, liquidity and capital resources, and accounting matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, by reason of factors such as changes in utility regulation, including ongoing local, state and federal activities; recovery of regulatory assets not yet included in rates; future economic conditions, including changes in customer demand and changes in water and energy supply costs; future climatic conditions; and legislative, legal proceedings, regulatory and other circumstances affecting anticipated revenues and costs.

2




 

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Utility Plant, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

882,870

 

$

869,471

 

Electric

 

61,928

 

61,386

 

 

 

944,798

 

930,857

 

Less - Accumulated depreciation

 

(274,173

)

(259,915

)

 

 

670,625

 

670,942

 

Construction work in progress

 

60,777

 

42,283

 

Net utility plant

 

731,402

 

713,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Property and Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

11,799

 

11,841

 

Other property and investments

 

9,695

 

9,740

 

Total other property and investments

 

21,494

 

21,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

9,434

 

13,032

 

Accounts receivable-customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $760 in 2006 and $789 in 2005)

 

13,207

 

13,341

 

Unbilled revenue

 

18,925

 

15,195

 

Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $313 in 2006 and $337 in 2005)

 

10,344

 

10,844

 

Income taxes receivable

 

23

 

822

 

Materials and supplies, at average cost

 

1,550

 

1,421

 

Regulatory assets - current

 

6,188

 

6,104

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

2,166

 

2,998

 

Unrealized gain on purchased power contracts

 

339

 

3,417

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

 

3,767

 

 

Deferred income taxes - current

 

2,785

 

1,692

 

Total current assets

 

68,728

 

68,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory and Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

60,036

 

55,866

 

Other accounts receivable

 

9,037

 

8,820

 

Deferred income taxes

 

38

 

 

Other

 

8,322

 

8,419

 

Total regulatory and other assets

 

77,433

 

73,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

899,057

 

$

876,777

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

3




 

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Capitalization

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares, no par value, no stated value

 

$

172,358

 

$

166,529

 

Earnings reinvested in the business

 

105,613

 

101,121

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(3,556

)

(3,556

)

Total common shareholders’ equity

 

274,415

 

264,094

 

Long-term debt

 

268,209

 

268,405

 

Total capitalization

 

542,624

 

532,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to banks

 

28,000

 

27,000

 

Long-term debt - current

 

571

 

635

 

Accounts payable

 

20,875

 

19,653

 

Income taxes payable

 

2,294

 

1,534

 

Accrued employee expenses

 

5,120

 

5,879

 

Accrued interest

 

2,547

 

2,254

 

Regulatory liabilities - current

 

5,189

 

5,592

 

Deferred income taxes - current

 

 

86

 

Other

 

12,071

 

14,952

 

Total current liabilities

 

76,667

 

77,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Credits

 

 

 

 

 

Advances for construction

 

86,642

 

85,168

 

Contributions in aid of construction - net

 

86,153

 

83,976

 

Deferred income taxes

 

75,433

 

69,669

 

Unamortized investment tax credits

 

2,473

 

2,518

 

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits

 

17,313

 

13,562

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

760

 

1,823

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

3,090

 

2,207

 

Other

 

7,902

 

7,770

 

Total other credits

 

279,766

 

266,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 

$

899,057

 

$

876,777

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

4




 

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

53,122

 

$

53,574

 

Electric

 

7,027

 

6,091

 

Other

 

1,989

 

867

 

Total operating revenues

 

62,138

 

60,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

10,916

 

12,277

 

Power purchased for pumping

 

2,416

 

2,184

 

Groundwater production assessment

 

2,239

 

1,843

 

Power purchased for resale

 

3,248

 

2,710

 

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts

 

923

 

(459

)

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(825

)

(550

)

Other operating expenses

 

5,886

 

5,218

 

Administrative and general expenses

 

10,902

 

11,608

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,610

 

5,725

 

Maintenance

 

3,246

 

2,484

 

Property and other taxes

 

2,475

 

2,244

 

Total operating expenses

 

48,036

 

45,284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

14,102

 

15,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(5,347

)

(4,809

)

Interest income

 

963

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

9,718

 

10,474

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

3,449

 

4,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

6,269

 

$

5,735

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

 

16,881

 

16,773

 

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares

 

16,947

 

16,834

 

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Declared Per Common Share

 

$

0.225

 

$

0.225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

5




 

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

101,271

 

$

95,071

 

Electric

 

15,372

 

13,561

 

Other

 

6,102

 

1,713

 

Total operating revenues

 

122,745

 

110,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

19,260

 

19,963

 

Power purchased for pumping

 

4,020

 

3,671

 

Groundwater production assessment

 

4,322

 

3,764

 

Power purchased for resale

 

7,811

 

6,847

 

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts

 

3,078

 

(3,474

)

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(338

)

528

 

Other operating expenses

 

10,587

 

10,287

 

Administrative and general expenses

 

22,015

 

21,909

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,092

 

11,389

 

Maintenance

 

5,719

 

4,822

 

Property and other taxes

 

5,018

 

4,539

 

Gain on settlement for removal of wells

 

 

(760

)

Total operating expenses

 

94,584

 

83,485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

28,161

 

26,860

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(10,515

)

(9,534

)

Interest income

 

1,776

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

19,422

 

17,382

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

7,252

 

7,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

12,170

 

$

9,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

 

16,844

 

16,769

 

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares

 

16,905

 

16,821

 

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Declared Per Common Share

 

$

0.450

 

$

0.450

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

6




 

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

12,170

 

$

9,499

 

Adjustments for non-cash items:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,092

 

11,389

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

264

 

235

 

Deferred income taxes, net regulatory asset for flow-through taxes, and investment tax credits

 

3,704

 

3,219

 

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts

 

3,078

 

(3,474

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

325

 

97

 

Other - net

 

421

 

(165

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable - customers

 

(130

)

(1,182

)

Unbilled revenue

 

(3,730

)

(3,890

)

Other accounts receivable

 

283

 

52

 

Materials and supplies

 

(129

)

60

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

832

 

1,549

 

Regulatory assets - supply cost balancing accounts

 

(338

)

528

 

Other assets

 

(6,227

)

336

 

Accounts payable

 

1,222

 

576

 

Income taxes receivable/payable

 

1,559

 

9,189

 

Other liabilities

 

660

 

4,871

 

Net cash provided

 

27,056

 

32,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Construction expenditures

 

(34,122

)

(35,834

)

Net cash used

 

(34,122

)

(35,834

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common shares

 

1,023

 

555

 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

3,421

 

 

Tax benefits from exercise of stock-based awards

 

897

 

 

Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction

 

5,892

 

8,128

 

Refunds on advances for construction

 

(2,196

)

(2,372

)

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(260

)

(353

)

Net change in notes payable to banks

 

1,000

 

4,000

 

Cash received on financing portion of purchased power contracts

 

1,333

 

1,333

 

Dividend equivalent rights paid

 

(127

)

 

Tax benefits from payment of dividend equivalent rights

 

52

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(7,567

)

(7,545

)

Net cash provided

 

3,468

 

3,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(3,598

)

801

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

13,032

 

4,303

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

9,434

 

$

5,104

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

7




 

GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Utility Plant, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

832,638

 

$

819,958

 

Electric

 

61,928

 

61,386

 

 

 

894,566

 

881,344

 

Less - Accumulated depreciation

 

(259,927

)

(246,649

)

 

 

634,639

 

634,695

 

Construction work in progress

 

58,240

 

38,334

 

Net utility plant

 

692,879

 

673,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Property and Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Other property and investments

 

7,318

 

7,364

 

Total other property and investments

 

7,318

 

7,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

6,319

 

8,788

 

Accounts receivable-customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $715 in 2006 and $765 in 2005)

 

12,754

 

12,919

 

Unbilled revenue

 

18,495

 

14,856

 

Inter-company receivable

 

298

 

263

 

Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $310 in 2006 and $334 in 2005)

 

3,067

 

6,106

 

Materials and supplies, at average cost

 

1,534

 

1,404

 

Regulatory assets - current

 

6,113

 

6,033

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

1,921

 

2,795

 

Unrealized gain on purchased power contracts

 

339

 

3,417

 

Deferred income taxes - current

 

2,751

 

1,693

 

Total current assets

 

53,591

 

58,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory and Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

59,834

 

55,627

 

Other accounts receivable

 

9,037

 

8,820

 

Other

 

7,477

 

7,575

 

Total regulatory and other assets

 

76,348

 

72,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

830,136

 

$

810,689

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

8




 

GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Capitalization

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares, no par value, no stated value

 

$

160,897

 

$

159,531

 

Earnings reinvested in the business

 

103,045

 

99,645

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(3,556

)

(3,556

)

Total common shareholder’s equity

 

260,386

 

255,620

 

Long-term debt

 

261,344

 

261,540

 

Total capitalization

 

521,730

 

517,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt - current

 

301

 

295

 

Accounts payable

 

18,771

 

17,914

 

Inter-company payable

 

2,500

 

 

Income taxes payable to Parent

 

4,626

 

2,268

 

Accrued employee expenses

 

4,750

 

5,507

 

Accrued interest

 

2,515

 

2,218

 

Regulatory liabilities - current

 

5,189

 

5,592

 

Deferred income taxes - current

 

 

109

 

Other

 

11,366

 

12,390

 

Total current liabilities

 

50,018

 

46,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Credits

 

 

 

 

 

Advances for construction

 

76,114

 

74,790

 

Contributions in aid of construction - net

 

84,750

 

83,055

 

Deferred income taxes

 

70,896

 

65,469

 

Unamortized investment tax credits

 

2,473

 

2,518

 

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits

 

17,313

 

13,562

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

1,063

 

Other

 

6,842

 

6,779

 

Total other credits

 

258,388

 

247,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 

$

830,136

 

$

810,689

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

9




 

GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

51,073

 

$

51,797

 

Electric

 

7,027

 

6,091

 

Other

 

318

 

36

 

Total operating revenues

 

58,418

 

57,924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

10,702

 

12,100

 

Power purchased for pumping

 

2,218

 

2,045

 

Groundwater production assessment

 

2,239

 

1,878

 

Power purchased for resale

 

3,248

 

2,710

 

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts

 

923

 

(459

)

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(825

)

(550

)

Other operating expenses

 

4,906

 

4,697

 

Administrative and general expenses

 

8,910

 

9,763

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,134

 

5,444

 

Maintenance

 

3,022

 

2,268

 

Property and other taxes

 

2,368

 

2,135

 

Total operating expenses

 

43,845

 

42,031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

14,573

 

15,893

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(4,875

)

(4,481

)

Interest income

 

928

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

10,626

 

11,427

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

3,867

 

5,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

6,759

 

$

6,297

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

10




GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005
(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

97,440

 

$

91,951

 

Electric

 

15,372

 

13,561

 

Other

 

2,919

 

56

 

Total operating revenues

 

115,731

 

105,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

18,877

 

19,670

 

Power purchased for pumping

 

3,733

 

3,457

 

Groundwater production assessment

 

4,322

 

3,799

 

Power purchased for resale

 

7,811

 

6,847

 

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts

 

3,078

 

(3,474

)

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(338

)

528

 

Other operating expenses

 

9,434

 

9,310

 

Administrative and general expenses

 

19,094

 

18,742

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

12,165

 

10,830

 

Maintenance

 

5,341

 

4,461

 

Property and other taxes

 

4,794

 

4,318

 

Total operating expenses

 

88,311

 

78,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

27,420

 

27,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(9,678

)

(8,900

)

Interest income

 

1,724

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

19,466

 

18,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

7,362

 

8,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

12,104

 

$

9,976

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

11




GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005
(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

12,104

 

$

9,976

 

Adjustments for non-cash items:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

12,165

 

10,830

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

239

 

218

 

Deferred income taxes, net regulatory asset for flow-through taxes, and investment tax credits

 

3,417

 

2,782

 

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts

 

3,078

 

(3,474

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

310

 

97

 

Other - net

 

346

 

37

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable - customers

 

(74

)

(1,181

)

Unbilled revenue

 

(3,639

)

(3,789

)

Other accounts receivable

 

2,822

 

172

 

Materials and supplies

 

(130

)

63

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

874

 

1,503

 

Regulatory assets - supply cost balancing accounts

 

(338

)

528

 

Other assets

 

(2,446

)

501

 

Accounts payable

 

857

 

234

 

Inter-company receivable/payable

 

(35

)

(2,423

)

Income taxes receivable/payable from/to Parent

 

2,358

 

7,979

 

Other liabilities

 

(200

)

3,920

 

Net cash provided

 

31,708

 

27,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Construction expenditures

 

(33,116

)

(33,437

)

Net cash used

 

(33,116

)

(33,437

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefits from exercise of stock-based awards

 

897

 

 

Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction

 

5,241

 

7,013

 

Refunds on advances for construction

 

(2,173

)

(2,377

)

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(190

)

(184

)

Net change in inter-company borrowings

 

2,500

 

8,300

 

Cash received on financing portion of purchased power contracts

 

1,333

 

1,333

 

Dividend equivalent rights paid

 

(116

)

 

Tax benefits from payment of dividend equivalent rights

 

47

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(8,600

)

(8,000

)

Net cash (used) provided

 

(1,061

)

6,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(2,469

)

621

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

8,788

 

2,702

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

6,319

 

$

3,323

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

12




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
AND
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

General / Nature of Operations: American States Water Company (“AWR”) is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”), American States Utility Services, Inc. (“ASUS”) (and its subsidiaries: Fort Bliss Water Services Company (“FBWS”), Terrapin Utility Services, Inc. (“TUS”) and Old Dominion Utility Services, Inc. (“ODUS”)), and Chaparral City Water Company (“CCWC”).  More than 90% of AWR’s assets consist of the common stock of GSWC and its revenues and operations are primarily those of GSWC. GSWC is a public utility engaged principally in the purchase, production, distribution and sale of water in California serving approximately 254,000 water customers. GSWC also distributes electricity in several California mountain communities serving approximately 23,000 electric customers. The California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) regulates GSWC’s water and electric businesses, including properties, rates, services, facilities and other matters. CCWC is a public utility regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”) serving approximately 13,000 customers in the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona and a portion of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona. ASUS performs water-related services and operations on a contract basis. There is no direct regulatory oversight by either the CPUC or the ACC of the operation or rates of the contracted services provided by ASUS and its wholly owned subsidiaries or by AWR.

FBWS operates the water and wastewater systems at Fort Bliss located near El Paso, Texas pursuant to the terms of a 50-year contract with the U.S. Government. FBWS holds a certificate of convenience and necessity from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”).  TUS took over the operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater systems at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on February 1, 2006 and commenced operation of these systems on that date pursuant to the terms of a 50-year contract with the U.S. Government.  On December 14, 2005, the Maryland Public Service Commission determined it was in the public interest and consistent with public convenience and necessity to conditionally approve the right of TUS to operate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract with the U.S. Government.  Furthermore, ODUS took over the operation and maintenance of the wastewater systems at Fort Lee in Virginia on February 23, 2006 and the water and wastewater systems at Fort Eustis, Fort Monroe and Fort Story in Virginia on April 3, 2006 and commenced operation and maintenance of these systems on those dates pursuant to the terms of a 50-year contract with the U.S. Government.  The Virginia State Corporation Commission exercises jurisdiction over ODUS as a public service company.

Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements of AWR include the accounts of AWR and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in the AWR consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods, have been made. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC.  Certain prior-period amounts were reclassified to conform to the June 30, 2006 financial statement presentation.

13




 

GSWC’s Related Party Transactions: GSWC and other subsidiaries provide and receive various services to and from their parent, AWR, and among themselves. In addition, AWR has an $85 million syndicated credit facility. AWR borrows under this facility and provides funds to its subsidiaries, including GSWC, in support of their operations. Amounts owed to AWR for borrowings under this facility represent the majority of GSWC’s inter-company payables on GSWC’s balance sheets as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. The interest rate charged to GSWC is sufficient to cover AWR’s interest cost under the credit facility. GSWC also allocates certain corporate office administrative and general costs to its affiliates using agreed upon allocation factors.

Note 2 — Regulatory Matters:

In accordance with accounting principles for rate-regulated enterprises, Registrant records regulatory assets, which represent probable future revenues associated with certain costs that will be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process, and regulatory liabilities, which represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. At June 30, 2006, Registrant had $9.4 million of regulatory assets not accruing carrying costs. Of this amount, $7.7 million represents deferred income taxes due to accelerated tax benefits previously flowed-through to ratepayers, which will be included in rates concurrently with recognition of the associated tax expense. In addition, $1.7 million in deferred charges for rate case applications was recorded as other regulatory assets that Registrant recovers in rates over a short period and for which no recovery of carrying costs is earned.

Regulatory assets, less regulatory liabilities, included in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

GSWC

 

 

 

 

 

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

$

18,518

 

$

19,624

 

Supply cost memorandum accounts net under-collections

 

4,668

 

3,151

 

Costs deferred for future recovery on Aerojet case

 

21,346

 

21,109

 

Flow-through taxes, net

 

7,737

 

6,939

 

Electric transmission line abandonment costs

 

3,355

 

3,428

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

3,102

 

2,928

 

Low income balancing accounts

 

3,212

 

2,846

 

General rate case memorandum accounts

 

 

209

 

Refund of water rights lease revenues

 

(3,902

)

(6,474

)

Other regulatory assets

 

2,722

 

1,245

 

Total GSWC

 

$

60,758

 

$

55,005

 

CCWC

 

 

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

46

 

44

 

Other regulatory assets/liabilities, net

 

(529

)

(494

)

Total AWR

 

$

60,275

 

$

54,555

 

 

Supply Cost Balancing and Memorandum Accounts:

Electric Supply Cost Balancing Account — Electric power costs incurred by GSWC’s Bear Valley Electric division continue to be charged to its electric supply cost balancing account. The under-collection in the electric supply cost balancing account is $20.5 million at June 30, 2006. The balance in the electric supply balancing account is primarily impacted by (i) a surcharge to decrease previously under-collected energy costs; (ii) changes in purchased energy costs; and (iii) changes in power system delivery costs.

The CPUC has authorized GSWC to collect a surcharge from its customers of 2.2¢ per kilowatt hour through August 2011, to enable GSWC to recover an under-collection of approximately $23.1 million at the end of 2001 which had been incurred during the energy crisis in late 2000 and 2001. GSWC sold 34,381,187 and 30,120,267 kilowatt hours of electricity to its Bear Valley Electric division customers for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and 77,075,265 and 70,314,814 kilowatt hours for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As a result, the supply cost balancing account was reduced by approximately $761,000 and $667,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and approximately $1,706,000 and $1,557,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Approximately $13.6

14




 

million of the under-collection incurred during the energy crisis in late 2000 and 2001 has been recovered through this surcharge.  GSWC anticipates the surcharge, based on electricity sales, to be sufficient for it to recover the amount of the under-collected balance incurred during the energy crisis by August 2011.

The purchased energy costs that are recorded in the supply cost balancing account are subject to a price cap by terms of the 2001 settlement with the CPUC. GSWC is allowed to include up to a weighted average annual energy purchase cost of $77 per megawatt-hour (“MWh”) through August 2011 in its electric supply cost balancing account for purchased energy costs. To the extent that the actual weighted average annual cost for power purchased exceeds the $77 per MWh amount, GSWC will not be able to include these amounts in its balancing account and such amounts will be expensed. During the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, there was no expense over the $77 per MWh cap because of increases in GSWC’s sales of surplus energy into the spot market.  During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, GSWC expensed approximately $40,000 and $48,000 for costs over $77 per MWh, respectively.

Charges to GSWC by Southern California Edison (Edison) associated with the transportation of energy over Edison’s power system and the abandonment of a transmission line upgrade have increased under Edison’s tariff to levels that exceed the amounts authorized by the CPUC in Bear Valley Electric’s retail power rates to its customers.  The incremental cost increase to GSWC from this tariff above the amounts included in rates is $38,137 per month, or approximately $114,000 and $229,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, both of which do not include prepayments. These increases have been included in the balancing account for subsequent recovery from customers.  The incoming power system delivery costs are not subject to any price caps.

Other components, such as interest accrued on cumulative under-collected balance and power loss during transmission, also affect the balance of the electric supply cost balancing account.

Water Supply Cost Memorandum/Balancing Accounts - In a CPUC decision issued on June 19, 2003 related to memorandum supply cost accounts, all water utilities regulated by the CPUC were required to seek review of under- and over- collections by filing an advice letter annually and the utility’s recovery of such expenses has been reduced by the amount exceeding the authorized rate of return. On April 13, 2006, the CPUC approved a decision eliminating the earnings test adopted in the June 2003 decision.  The recent decision also eliminated the need to make an annual filing.  Pursuant to this order, GSWC recognized a cumulative under-collection of approximately $636,000 to the supply cost memorandum account provisions in the second quarter of 2006 for the under-collected balances not recognized at March 31, 2006 and began recording under- and over- collections on a monthly basis thereafter commencing with the second quarter of 2006.   In addition, for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, approximately $599,000 and $1,141,000 of under-collections, respectively, were recorded in the water supply cost memorandum/balancing accounts, net of amortization of approximately $283,000 and $172,000.  For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, approximately $361,000 and $799,000 of under-collections were recorded in the memorandum/balancing accounts, respectively, net of amortization of approximately $520,000 and $291,000, respectively.

Costs Deferred for Future Recovery:

In 1999, GSWC sued Aerojet-General Corporation (“Aerojet”) for contaminating the Sacramento County Groundwater Basin, which affected certain GSWC wells. On a related matter, GSWC also filed a lawsuit against the State of California (the “State”). The CPUC authorized memorandum accounts to allow for recovery, from customers, of costs incurred by GSWC in prosecuting the cases against Aerojet and the State, less any recovery from the defendants or others.

On July 21, 2005, the CPUC authorized GSWC to collect approximately $21.3 million of the Aerojet litigation memorandum account, through a rate surcharge, which will continue for no longer than 20 years. Beginning in October 2005, new rates went into effect to begin amortizing the memorandum account over a 20-year period.   A rate surcharge generating approximately $289,000 and $499,000 was billed to customers during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively. GSWC will keep the Aerojet memorandum account open until it is fully amortized. However, no costs will be added to the memorandum account, other than on-going interest charges approved by the decision.

It is management’s intention to offset any settlement proceeds from Aerojet that may occur pursuant to the settlement agreement against the balance in the memorandum account, with the exception of an $8 million payment (for capital investments) with interest due GSWC guaranteed by Aerojet, to be paid in full over 5 years, beginning in

15




 

2009.  Pursuant to such settlement agreement, Aerojet has agreed to reimburse GSWC $17.5 million, plus interest accruing from January 1, 2004, for its past legal and expert costs. The recovery of the $17.5 million is contingent upon the issuance of land use approvals for development in a defined area within Aerojet property in Eastern Sacramento County and the receipt of certain fees in connection with such development.  On April 7, 2006, GSWC filed an advice letter with the CPUC to incorporate the Westborough development into the Arden Cordova service area and to provide water service to that new development.  The City of Folsom filed a protest of GSWC’s advice letter on April 27, 2006.  GSWC has until September 15, 2006 to respond to the protest.  GSWC cannot predict the outcome of the City’s protest nor the future development within Aerojet’s property.

Refund of Water Rights Lease Revenues:

In 1994, GSWC entered into a contract to lease to the City of Folsom, 5,000 acre-feet per year of water rights from the American River. GSWC included all associated revenues in a nonoperating income account. In a decision issued on March 16, 2004, the CPUC ordered GSWC to refund 70 percent of the total amount of lease revenues received since 1994, plus interest, to customers. Pursuant to the order, refunds of approximately $144,000 and $150,000 were provided to customers during the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and approximately $255,000 and $269,000 were provided to customers during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The refunds will be made over a 9-year period which commenced in June 2004.

Pursuant to the March 2004 CPUC order, the apportionment of any lease revenues that GSWC collects commencing in January 2004 was to be determined by a later decision. Pending that later decision and beginning in the first quarter of 2004, all amounts billed to the City of Folsom had been included in a regulatory liability account and no amounts were recognized as revenue until uncertainties about this matter were resolved with the CPUC. On April 13, 2006, the CPUC authorized GSWC to reinvest all lease revenues received from the City of Folsom since January, 2004, inclusive of the balances in the regulatory liability accounts, in water system infrastructure and to include such investments in the rate base upon which GSWC earns a rate of return.  As a result, GSWC transferred approximately $2.3 million of water rights lease revenues received from the City of Folsom in 2004 and 2005 from the regulatory liability account into other operating revenues in the first quarter of 2006. GSWC also recorded additional other operating revenues of approximately $299,000 and $598,000 reflecting water rights revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively.

Outside Services Memorandum Account:

In April 2006, the CPUC approved GSWC’s Region II advice letter which requested recovery of the expenses recorded in the Outside Services Memorandum Account (“OSMA”), as of December 31, 2005.  The decision authorized the recovery of this memorandum account to record costs incurred while working with the Water Replenishment District (“WRD”), WRD Technical Advisory Committee, Central and West Basin Municipal Water Districts, Metropolitan Water District, West Basin Water Association and Central Basin Water Association on water supply reliability and rate-related issues in Region II. GSWC incurred approximately $374,000 and $345,000 in the OSMA in 2004 and 2005, respectively.  GSWC sought and received authorization to amortize the cumulative total of approximately $719,000 over a 12-month period through customer rates.   Accordingly, GSWC recorded a regulatory asset for this amount in April of 2006 with an offset and reduction to outside legal services recorded in administrative and general expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2006.  A surcharge went into effect in April of 2006 and accordingly, GSWC began amortizing the OSMA account. Revenues of approximately $104,000 were received from customers during the three months ended June 30, 2006 relating to this surcharge. GSWC also booked the amortization for these amounts received to its OSMA memorandum account; therefore, there was no net impact on earnings. The surcharge will be in place for a 12-month period from the effective date.

Note 3 — Earnings per Share/Capital Stock:

In accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 03-06, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128”, Registrant uses the “two-class” method of computing earnings per share (“EPS”). The “two-class” method is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating security. AWR has participating securities related to stock options and restricted stock units that earn dividend equivalents on an equal basis with AWR’s Common Shares (the “Common Shares”) that have been issued under AWR’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and 2003 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan.  In applying the “two-class” method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities.  The following is a reconciliation of Registrant’s net income and weighted average Common Shares outstanding for calculating basic net income per share:

16




 

Basic

 

For The Three Months 
Ended June 30,

 

For The Six Months
 Ended June 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net income

 

$

6,269

 

$

5,735

 

$

12,170

 

$

9,499

 

Less: distributed earnings to common shareholders (a)

 

3,798

 

3,774

 

7,580

 

7,546

 

 distributed earnings to participating securities

 

79

 

 

154

 

 

Undistributed earnings

 

2,392

 

1,961

 

4,436

 

1,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undistributed earnings allocated to common (b)

 

2,345

 

1,961

 

4,348

 

1,953

 

Undistributed earnings allocated to participating

 

48

 

 

88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total income available to common shareholders, basic (a)+(b)

 

$

6,143

 

$

5,735

 

$

11,928

 

$

9,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding, basic

 

16,881

 

16,773

 

16,844

 

16,769

 

Basic earnings per Common Share

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.57

 

 

Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of Common Shares including both outstanding shares and shares potentially issuable in connection with stock options and restricted stock units granted under Registrant’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and 2003 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan, and net income.  At June 30, 2006 and 2005 there were 645,389 and 688,045 options outstanding, respectively, under these Plans.  At June 30, 2006 and 2005, there were also 47,129 and 30,300 restricted stock units outstanding, respectively.   The following is a reconciliation of Registrant’s net income and weighted average Common Shares outstanding for calculating diluted net income per share:

Diluted

 

For The Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For The Six Months
 Ended June 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Common shareholders earnings, basic

 

$

6,143

 

$

5,735

 

$

11,928

 

$

9,499

 

Undistributed earnings for dilutive stock options (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Total common shareholders earnings, diluted

 

$

6,143

 

$

5,735

 

$

11,928

 

$

9,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding, basic

 

16,881

 

16,773

 

16,844

 

16,769

 

Stock-based compensation (2)

 

66

 

61

 

61

 

52

 

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding, diluted

 

16,947

 

16,834

 

16,905

 

16,821

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per Common Share

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.56

 


(1)          Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities were not included due to their antidilutive effect on diluted earnings per share.

(2)          In applying the treasury stock method of reflecting the dilutive effect of outstanding stock-based compensation in calculation of diluted EPS, 241,962 stock options at June 30, 2006 were deemed to be outstanding in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”.  All of the stock options and restricted stock units at June 30, 2005 were included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005.

Stock options of 403,427 and restricted stock units of 47,129 were outstanding at June 30, 2006, but not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were antidilutive.

The Company has a Shareholder Rights Plan designed to protect the Company’s shareholders in the event of an unsolicited unfair offer to acquire the Company.  The rights for Junior Participating Preferred Shares (the “Rights”) are exercisable based solely on “a non-market-based contingency”, and are not contingent upon the market price of the Company’s stock.  Therefore, the shares that would be issued if the Rights are exercised are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

17




 

During the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, Registrant issued 13,245 and 8,588 Common Shares, for approximately $494,000 and $237,000, respectively, under the Registrant’s Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRP”), and the 401(k) Plan. During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, Registrant issued 29,102 and 20,685 Common Shares, for approximately $1,023,000 and $555,000, respectively, under the Registrant’s DRP and 401(k) Plan.  In addition, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, Registrant issued 140,588 and 148,832 Common Shares for approximately $3,231,000 and $3,421,000, respectively, as a result of the exercise of stock options. None of the cash proceeds received by AWR as a result of the exercise of these stock options have been distributed to any subsidiaries of AWR.

In addition, during the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, Registrant purchased 10,737 and 12,897, respectively, Common Shares on the open market under the Registrant’s DRP and 401(k) Plan, which were used to satisfy the requirements of these plans and programs.  During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, Registrant purchased 24,821 and 21,506, respectively, Common Shares on the open market under the Registrant’s DRP and 401(k) Plan, for the same reason.

During the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, AWR paid quarterly dividends to shareholders, totaling approximately $3.8 million or $0.225 per share.  During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, AWR paid quarterly dividends to shareholders, totaling approximately $7.6 million and $7.5 million, respectively, or $0.450 per share.

Note 4 — Derivative Instruments:

Registrant has certain block-forward purchase power contracts that are subject to SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended by SFAS Nos. 138 and 149. A derivative financial instrument or other contract derives its value from another investment or designated benchmark. SFAS No. 133 requires companies to record derivatives on the balance sheet as assets and liabilities, and to measure those instruments at their fair value. Certain of these contracts qualify as an exception provided under SFAS No. 133 for activities that are considered normal purchases and normal sales. These contracts are reflected in the statements of income at the time of contract settlement.

During 2002, GSWC became a party to block-forward purchase power contracts that qualified as derivative instruments under SFAS No. 133. Contracts with Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (“PWCC”) which became effective in November 2002 have not been designated as normal purchases and normal sales.  As a result, on a monthly basis, the related asset or liability is adjusted to reflect the fair market value at the end of the month. For the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, GSWC recognized a pretax unrealized loss of approximately $923,000 and a pretax unrealized gain of approximately $459,000, respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, GSWC recognized a pretax unrealized loss of approximately $3,078,000 and a pretax unrealized gain of approximately $3,474,000, respectively.  As this contract is settled, the realized gains or losses are recorded in power purchased for resale, and the unrealized gains or losses are reversed. These contracts have been recognized at fair market value on the balance sheets resulting in a cumulative unrealized gain of approximately $339,000 as of June 30, 2006 since the inception of the contracts.

The market prices used to determine the fair value for this derivative instrument were estimated based on independent sources such as broker quotes and publications. Settlement of this contract occurs on a cash or net basis through 2006 and by physical delivery through 2008.  Registrant has no other derivative financial instruments.

Note 5 — Taxes:

As a regulated utility, GSWC treats certain temporary differences as flow-through adjustments in computing its income tax provision consistent with the income tax approach approved by the CPUC for ratemaking purposes.  Flow-through adjustments increase or decrease tax expense in one period, with an offsetting increase or decrease occurring in another period.  Giving effect to these temporary differences as flow-through adjustments typically results in a greater variance between the effective tax rate (“ETR”) and the statutory federal income tax rate in any given period than would otherwise exist if GSWC were not required to account for its income taxes as a regulated enterprise.  During the second quarter of 2005, the recognition of the federal effect of state taxes was adjusted to conform to the flow-through method reflected in the tax calculation for ratemaking purposes, which partially defers the recognition of the effect to the subsequent tax year. This reduced income tax expense by approximately $63,000 and $204,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively. During the third quarter of 2005, AWR filed an amended tax return for 2001 with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) which was subject to IRS and Congressional Joint Committee of Taxation (“JCT”) review.  During the second quarter of 2006, the IRS and JCT reviews were completed and AWR received a refund in the amount of its original claim of $3.0 million, with

18




 

interest.  Consequently, in the second quarter of 2006, AWR recorded a tax benefit of approximately $400,000, of which $351,000 was attributable to GSWC.

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes: an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.”  This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  This Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2006.  Registrant is currently assessing the impact of the Interpretation on its financial statements.

In March 2006, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force issued EITF No. 06-03, “How Sales Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross Versus Net Presentation)”, which provides clarifying guidance on how to present sales taxes in the income statement.  This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2006, with early application of the guidance permitted.  Registrant is currently assessing the impact of the Issue on its financial statements.

Note 6 — Stock-Based Compensation:

Summary Description of Stock Incentive Plans

AWR currently has two primary stock incentive plans for employee and non-employee directors: the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2000 Employee Stock Plan”) and the 2003 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan (the “Directors Stock Plan”), more fully described below.

2000 Employee Stock Plan — AWR adopted the 2000 Employee Stock Plan at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2000 to provide stock-based incentive awards in the form of stock options, and restricted stock to employees as a means of promoting the success of the Company by attracting, retaining and aligning the interests of employees with those of shareholders generally. The 2000 Employee Stock Plan was amended in January 2006 to also permit the grant of restricted stock units. There are 1,050,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the 2000 Employee Stock Plan, 278,500 of which remain available for issuance as of June 30, 2006. The 2000 Employee Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”). For stock options, the Committee determines, among other things, the date of grant, the form, term, option exercise price, vesting and exercise terms of each option. Stock options granted by AWR have been in the form of nonqualified stock options, expire ten years from the date of grant, vest over a period of three years and are subject to earlier termination as provided in the form of option agreement approved by the Committee.

The option price per share is determined by the Committee at the time of grant, but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of Common Shares on the date of grant.  In addition, AWR may grant employees receiving a grant of stock options the right to receive cash dividends pursuant to the terms of a dividend equivalent rights agreement for a period of up to three years from the date of the option grant.  For restricted stock, the Committee determines, among other things, the dividend, voting and other rights prior to vesting and the restrictions (which may be based on performance criteria, passage of time or other factors) imposed on the shares. For restricted stock units, the Committee determines, among other things, the vesting terms and form of pay-out.  Each employee who receives a grant of a restricted stock unit is also generally entitled to dividend equivalents rights in the form of additional restricted stock units until vesting of the restricted stock units. The restricted stock units are a non-voting unit of measurement relative to one Common Share.

Directors Stock Plan On May 20, 2003, the Board of Directors adopted the Directors Stock Plan, subject to shareholder approval. The shareholders approved the Directors Stock Plan at the May 2004 Annual Meeting. The Directors Stock Plan provides the non-employee directors with supplemental stock-based compensation and encourages them to increase their stock ownership in AWR. There are 250,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Directors Stock Plan, 169,300 of which remain available for issuance as of June 30, 2006. Pursuant to the Directors Stock Plan, non-employee directors are entitled to receive options to purchase 3,000 Common Shares at each annual meeting of shareholders commencing with the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders. AWR also granted options to each non-employee director to purchase 1,000 Common Shares at its annual shareholder meetings in 2003 and 2004. In addition, each non-employee director with no more than ten years of service with AWR is entitled to receive restricted stock units at each annual meeting in an amount equal to the then current annual retainer payable by AWR to each non-employee director divided by the fair market value of Common Shares on the last trading day prior to

19




 

the annual meeting. All grants of stock options and restricted stock units are entitled to dividend equivalents payable in the form of additional restricted stock units under the terms of the Directors Stock Plan.

The stock options granted under the Directors Stock Plan are 10-year nonqualified stock options. The exercise price of the stock options must be 100% of the fair market value of Common Shares on the date of grant. Stock options granted under the Directors Stock Plan are fully vested and exercisable upon the date of grant. The restricted stock units are a non-voting unit of measurement relative to one Common Share. Restricted stock units with respect to dividend equivalent rights on stock options credited to the non-employee director are payable in Common Shares on the earlier of the date on which the stock option is exercised and three years from the date of grant of the stock option. Restricted stock units granted at each annual meeting of shareholders and restricted stock units with respect to dividend equivalent rights with respect thereto are payable solely in Common Shares on the date that the participant terminates service as a director. Restricted stock units credited to each non-employee director’s account are at all times fully vested and non-forfeitable.

Change in Accounting Principle

Prior to January 1, 2006, Registrant accounted for share-based compensation to employees in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations.  Registrant also followed the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure”.  Except for costs related to restricted stock units and restricted stock granted to directors and employees, no stock-based compensation cost was recognized in net income.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” which requires the recognition of compensation expense related to the fair value of stock-based compensation awards. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), share-based compensation cost is measured by the Registrant at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). Registrant elected to adopt the modified prospective transition method as provided by SFAS No. 123(R). Accordingly, financial statement amounts for the prior periods presented in this Form 10-Q have not been restated to reflect the fair value method of expensing share-based compensation.

Effect of Stock-Based Compensation on Net Income

Prior to January 1, 2006, Registrant had previously adopted the “disclosure-only” provisions of SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148. Had Registrant accounted for stock-based compensation plans using the fair value based accounting method described by SFAS No. 123 for the periods prior to fiscal year 2006, Registrant’s net income and earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 would have been changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

(dollars in thousands, except EPS)

 

Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2005

 

Six Months
Ended
 June 30, 2005

 

Net income, as reported

 

$

5,735

 

$

9,499

 

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax

 

52

 

57

 

Less: Stock-based compensation expense determined under the fair-value accounting method, net of tax

 

(106

)

(672

)

 Pro forma

 

$

5,681

 

$

8,884

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.57

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.56

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.53

 

 

 

20




 

There were no material differences between the consolidated 2005 pro forma disclosures for AWR and the 2005 pro forma disclosures for GSWC.

The following table presents share-based compensation expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and included in administrative and general expenses in AWR and GSWC’s statements of income resulting from stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units:

 

 

AWR

 

GSWC

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Three Months
Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Stock-based compensation related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options granted to employees and directors

 

$

182

 

$

 

$

219

 

$

 

$

176

 

$

 

$

209

 

$

 

Restricted stock units granted to employees

 

55

 

 

78

 

 

52

 

 

73

 

 

Restricted stock units granted to directors

 

28

 

87

 

28

 

97

 

28

 

87

 

28

 

97

 

Stock-based compensation recognized in the income statement, before taxes

 

$

265

 

$

87

 

$

325

 

$

97

 

$

256

 

$

87

 

$

310

 

$

97

 

Income tax benefit

 

(106

)

(35

)

(130

)

(40

)

(102

)

(35

)

(124

)

(40

)

Total stock-based compensation after income taxes

 

$

159

 

$

52

 

$

195

 

$

57

 

$

154

 

$

52

 

$

186

 

$

57

 

 

Compensation cost capitalized as part of utility plant for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 was approximately $106,000 and $127,000, respectively.  In addition, pursuant to SFAS No. 123(R), dividend equivalent rights paid in cash in the amount of $127,000 and $116,000 for AWR and GSWC, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2006 were recognized as a reduction to retained earnings, net of tax benefit of $52,000 and $47,000, respectively.

With the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), Registrant elected to amortize stock-based compensation for awards granted on or after the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006 on a straight-line basis over the requisite (vesting) period for the entire award.  Registrant did not recognize compensation expense for employee share-based awards for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, when the exercise price of Registrant’s employee stock awards equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Registrant did recognize compensation expense under APB No. 25 relating to restricted stock units granted to directors. Non-vested stock options granted to employees prior to January 1, 2006 have terms that provide for the continuation of vesting upon termination of employment.  Accordingly, these awards were deemed to be granted for past services from an accounting standpoint and any measured compensation cost was recognized in full in the pro forma disclosures at the date of grant.   Therefore, upon implementation of SFAS No. 123(R), there was no remaining compensation cost to be recognized for these options granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006.

Valuation of Stock Options

Registrant estimated the fair value of stock options granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the exercise price of the award, the expected option term, the expected volatility of the Registrant’s stock over the option’s expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the option’s expected term, and the Registrant’s expected annual dividend yield. Registrant believes that the valuation technique and the approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions are appropriate in calculating the fair values of Registrant’s stock options granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by persons who receive equity awards.  The fair value of stock units and restricted stock was determined based on the closing trading price of Common Shares on the grant date.

21




 

The fair value of each option grant during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

2006

 

2005

Weighted-average fair value of option granted

 

$8.01 - $10.60

 

$5.63

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.40% - 5.02%

 

3.93%

Expected annual dividend yield

 

2.77% - 3.08%

 

3.68%

Expected volatility factor

 

25.09% - 26.40%

 

26.23%

Expected option term (in years)

 

6

 

7

 

Summary of key assumptions The risk-free interest rate for periods equal to the expected term of the share option was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.  Dividend yield reflects the current dividend of $0.225 per share per quarter. The stock volatility for each grant is measured using the weighted average of historical monthly and daily price changes of the Common Shares over the most recent period equal to the expected option life of the grant. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, the option term was determined using the simplified method for estimating expected option life, which qualify as “plain-vanilla” options and is derived from the average midpoint between vesting and the contractual term, as described in SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment.”  As permitted by SFAS No. 123(R), underlying assumptions used for stock options granted prior to January 1, 2005 were retained.

SFAS No. 123(R) requires entities to estimate the number of forfeitures expected to occur and record expense based upon the number of awards expected to vest.  Prior to adoption, the Company accounted for forfeitures as they occurred as permitted under previous accounting standards.  The cumulative effect of adopting the change in estimating forfeitures was not material to the Company’s financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2006.

Stock Options A summary of stock option activity as of June 30, 2006, and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2006, is presented below:

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2006

 

684,304

 

$

24.32

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

109,917

 

34.85

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(148,832

)

22.99

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at June 30, 2006

 

645,389

 

$

26.41

 

7.58

 

$

5,965,622

 

Options exercisable at June 30, 2006

 

387,105

 

$

24.89

 

6.80

 

$

4,163,579

 

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted by Registrant during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 was $10.60 and $9.31, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (i.e., the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on the last trading day of the second quarter of 2006 and the exercise price, times the number of shares) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their option on June 30, 2006.  This amount changes if the fair market value of the Common Shares changes.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 was approximately $2,091,000 and $2,201,000, respectively.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, Registrant received approximately $3,231,000 and $3,421,000, respectively, in cash proceeds from the exercise of its stock options and realized approximately $852,000 and $897,000, respectively, of tax benefit for the tax deduction from awards exercised.  As of June 30, 2006, approximately $623,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.59 years.

22




 

Restricted Stock and Stock Units - A summary of the status of Registrant’s outstanding restricted stock units to employees and directors as of June 30, 2006, and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2006, is presented below:

 

Number of
Restricted Share
Units

 

Weighted Average
Grant-Date Value

 

Restricted share units at January 1, 2006

 

31,166

 

$

25.02

 

Granted

 

16,565

 

34.31

 

Vested

 

(602

)

26.68

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Restricted share units at June 30, 2006

 

47,129

 

$

28.26

 

 

As of June 30, 2006, there was approximately $396,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units granted under Registrant’s employee and director’s stock plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.59 years.

AWR has no restricted stock outstanding as of June 30, 2006.

Note 7 — Employee Benefit Plans:

The components of net periodic benefit costs, before allocation to the overhead pool, for Registrant’s pension plan, postretirement plan, and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

 

For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other
Postretirement
Benefits

 

SERP

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Cost

 

$

991

 

$

933

 

$

107

 

$

109

 

$

32

 

$

32

 

Interest Cost

 

1,175

 

1,088

 

155

 

151

 

35

 

28

 

Expected Return on Plan Assets

 

(984

)

(922

)

(50

)

(74

)

 

 

Amortization of Transition

 

 

 

105

 

105

 

 

 

Amortization of Prior Service Cost

 

41

 

41

 

(50

)

(50

)

37

 

38

 

Amortization of Actuarial Loss (Gain)

 

292

 

313

 

37

 

41

 

(3

)

(10

)

Net Periodic Pension Cost

 

$

1,515

 

$

1,453

 

$

304

 

$

282

 

$

101

 

$

88

 

 

 

 

For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Other
Postretirement
Benefits

 

SERP

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Cost

 

$

1,982

 

$

1,866

 

$

214

 

$

218

 

$

64

 

$

64

 

Interest Cost

 

2,350

 

2,176

 

310

 

302

 

70

 

56

 

Expected Return on Plan Assets

 

(1,968

)

(1,844

)

(100

)

(148

)

 

 

Amortization of Transition

 

 

 

210

 

210

 

 

 

Amortization of Prior Service Cost

 

82

 

82

 

(100

)

(100

)

74

 

76

 

Amortization of Actuarial Loss (Gain)

 

584

 

626

 

74

 

82

 

(6

)

(20

)

Net Periodic Pension Cost

 

$

3,030

 

$

2,906

 

$

608

 

$

564

 

$

202

 

$

176

 

 

Registrant expects to contribute approximately $4,414,000 and $800,000 to pension and postretirement plans in 2006, respectively. No contributions were made during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006.

23




 

The Board of Directors approved an amendment to the SERP for executive officers of the Company. Under the SERP, the formula for calculating benefits was revised to provide that the benefit is calculated based on 2% of compensation per year of credited service before 2006 and 3% of compensation per year of credited service after 2005 up to a combined maximum of 60% of compensation, except that participants who were employed with the Company on January 1, 2006 are entitled to receive the greater of the benefit calculated under the new formula or the benefit calculated under the previous formula. The Board’s approval of the new SERP formula is subject to the receipt of a confirming example, showing the effect of the change on an executive officer.

Note 8 — Contingencies:

Water Quality-Related Litigation:

In 1997, GSWC was named as a defendant in nineteen lawsuits that alleged that GSWC and other water utilities delivered unsafe water to their customers in the San Gabriel Valley and Pomona Valley areas of Los Angeles County. Plaintiffs in these actions sought damages, including general, special, and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees on certain causes of action, costs of suit, and other unspecified relief.

On August 4, 2004, GSWC was dismissed from all nineteen Los Angeles County cases. The order was issued by the Trial Judge presiding over these matters, and followed a lengthy legal proceeding dating back to April 1997 when the first of the cases was filed by over 140 customers in the San Gabriel Valley. The Court found GSWC did not violate established water quality standards and dismissed the cases after allowing reasonable time and opportunity for the plaintiffs to prove otherwise. GSWC has long asserted that it provides water within the standards established by the health authorities. On September 21, 2004, GSWC received notice that several plaintiffs filed an appeal to the trial court’s order to dismiss GSWC. Briefs and reply briefs on the appeal have been filed. On February 7, 2006, the Second Appellate District in which the briefs were filed moved the California Supreme Court to transfer the appeal to the First Appellate District, the District in which prior appeals regarding these cases had been heard. GSWC is unable to predict the outcome of this appeal.

GSWC is subject to self-insured retention (deductible) provisions in its applicable insurance policies and has either expensed the self-insured amounts or has reserved against payment of these amounts as appropriate. GSWC’s various insurance carriers have, to date, provided reimbursement for much of the costs incurred above the self-insured amounts for defense against these lawsuits, subject to a reservation of rights. In addition, the CPUC has issued certain decisions, which authorize GSWC to establish a memorandum account to accumulate costs for future recovery.

Perchlorate and/or Volatile Organic Compounds (“VOC”) have been detected in five wells servicing GSWC’s San Gabriel System. GSWC filed suit in federal court, along with two other affected water purveyors and the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (“WQA”), against some of those allegedly responsible for the contamination. Some of the other potential defendants settled with GSWC, other water purveyors and the WQA (the “Water Entities”) on VOC related issues prior to the filing of the lawsuit. In response to the filing of the Federal lawsuit, the Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) defendants filed motions to dismiss the suit or strike certain portions of the suit. The judge issued a ruling on April 1, 2003 granting in part and denying in part the defendant’s motions.

A key ruling of the court was that the water purveyors, including the Registrant, by virtue of their ownership of wells contaminated with hazardous chemicals are themselves PRPs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”).

Registrant has, pursuant to permission of the court, amended its suit to claim certain affirmative defenses as an “innocent” party under CERCLA. Registrant is presently unable to predict the outcome of this ruling on its ability to fully recover from the PRPs future costs associated with the treatment of these wells. In this same suit, the PRPs have filed cross-complaints against the Water Entities, the Metropolitan Water District, the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster and others on the theory that they arranged for and did transport contaminated water into Main San Gabriel Basin for use by Registrant and the other two affected water purveyors and for other related claims.

On August 29, 2003, the US Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued Unilateral Administrative Orders (“UAO”) against 41 parties deemed responsible for polluting the groundwater in that portion of the San Gabriel Valley from which two of GSWC’s impacted wells draw water. GSWC was not named as a party to the

24




 

UAO. The UAO requires that these parties remediate the contamination. The judge in the Federal lawsuit has appointed a special master to oversee mandatory settlement discussions between the PRPs and the Water Entities. EPA is also conducting settlement discussions with several PRPs regarding the UAO. The Water Entities and EPA are working to coordinate their settlement discussions under the special master in order to arrive at a complete resolution of all issues affecting the Federal lawsuits and the UAO. Registrant is presently unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these settlement discussions.

Registrant is unable to predict an estimate of the loss, if any, resulting from any of these litigations or administrative proceedings.

Condemnation of Properties:

The laws of the State of California and the State of Arizona provide for the acquisition of public utility property by governmental agencies through their power of eminent domain, also known as condemnation, where doing so is necessary and in the public interest. In addition, however, the laws of the State of California also provide: (i) that the owner of the utility property may contest whether the condemnation is actually necessary and in the public interest; and (ii) that the owner is entitled to receive the fair market value of its property if the property is ultimately taken.

Although the City of Claremont, California located in GSWC’s Region III, has not initiated the formal condemnation process pursuant to California law, the City has expressed various concerns to GSWC about the rates charged by GSWC and the effectiveness of the CPUC’s rate setting procedures. The City hired a consultant to perform an appraisal of the value of Registrant’s water system serving the City. The value was estimated in 2004 by the consultant at $40 - $45 million. GSWC disagrees with the City’s valuation assessment. As of June 30, 2006, management believes that the fair market value of the system exceeds the $37.2 million recorded net book value and also exceeds the consultant’s estimates of the Claremont water system.

On April 12, 2005, the Town Council of the Town of Apple Valley located in GSWC’s Region III, voted 5-0 to authorize Town staff to prepare a Request for Proposal for an evaluation of the feasibility and estimated cost of and a timeframe for the potential takeover of GSWC’s Apple Valley water systems as well as the water systems of another utility serving the Town. On April 11, 2006 the Town Council unanimously decided to move forward with efforts to acquire all the water systems serving the Town, based on a study authorized by the Town Council.  GSWC has not received any formal notice from the Town of its intention to condemn the Registrant’s Apple Valley water systems. Management will vigorously represent Registrant’s interests in any condemnation proceeding to ensure that the Company receives full value for assets that become subject to condemnation.  As of June 30, 2006, management believes that the fair market value of GSWC’s system exceeds the recorded net book value of the Apple Valley water systems.

Except for the City of Claremont and the Town of Apple Valley, Registrant has not been, within the last three years, involved in activities related to the condemnation of any of its water customer service areas or in its Bear Valley Electric customer service area.

Santa Maria Groundwater Basin Adjudication:

In 1997, the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (“plaintiff”) filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants, including GSWC, the City of Santa Maria, and several other public water purveyors. The plaintiff’s lawsuit seeks an adjudication of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin.

As of June 30, 2006, GSWC has incurred costs of approximately $6.2 million in defending its rights in the Santa Maria Basin, including legal and expert witness fees, which have been deferred in Utility Plant for rate recovery. In February 2006, GSWC filed with the CPUC for recovery of these costs. Management believes that the recovery of these costs through rates is probable. However, the stipulation between the parties requires GSWC to go to the CPUC to seek recovery of these costs that have been incurred by GSWC in this lawsuit. A settlement of the lawsuit has been reached, subject to CPUC approval. The settlement, among other things, if approved, would preserve GSWC’s historical pumping rights and secure supplemental water rights for use in case of drought or other reductions in the natural yield of the Basin. There are also a small number of nonsettling parties, and the case is going forward as to these parties.  The stipulation, if approved, would preserve GSWC’s position with the settling parties independent of the outcome of the case as it moves forward with the nonsettling parties.  GSWC cannot predict the outcome of the case as to the nonsettling parties.

25




 

Other Litigation:

Registrant is also subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. Other than those disclosed above, no other legal proceedings are pending, which are believed to be material. Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against property, general liability and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business.

Note 9 — Business Segments:

AWR has three reportable segments, water, electric and contracts operations, whereas GSWC has two, water and electric.  Within the segments, AWR has three principal business units: water and electric service utility operations conducted through GSWC, a water-service utility operation conducted through CCWC, and a contracted services unit through ASUS and its subsidiaries. All activities of GSWC are geographically located within California. All activities of CCWC are located in the state of Arizona. All activities of ASUS are conducted in Arizona, California, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas and Virginia. Both GSWC and CCWC are regulated utilities. On a stand-alone basis, AWR has no material assets other than its investments in its subsidiaries. The tables below set forth information relating to GSWC’s operating segments, CCWC and other matters which includes ASUS and its subsidiaries. Certain assets, revenues and expenses have been allocated in the amounts set forth. The identifiable assets are net of respective accumulated provisions for depreciation. Capital additions reflect capital expenditures paid in cash and exclude property installed by developers and conveyed to GSWC or CCWC.

(dollars in thousands)

 

As of and for The Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

GSWC

 

CCWC

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Water

 

Electric

 

Water

 

Other*

 

AWR

 

Operating revenues

 

$

51,391

(1)

$

7,027

 

$

2,049

 

$

1,671

 

$

62,138

 

Operating income (loss)

 

14,669

 

(96) (2)

 

393

 

(864

)

14,102

 

Interest expense, net

 

3,655

 

292

 

154

 

283

 

4,384

 

Identifiable assets

 

651,440

 

41,439

 

37,603

 

920

 

731,402

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

5,593

 

541

 

422

 

54

 

6,610

 

Capital additions

 

13,765

 

543

 

486

 

 

14,794

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

As of and for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005

 

 

 

GSWC

 

CCWC

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Water

 

Electric

 

Water

 

Other*

 

Eliminations

 

AWR

 

Operating revenues

 

$

51,833

(1)

$

6,091

 

$

1,753

 

$

890

 

$

(35

)

$

60,532

 

Operating income (loss)

 

15,003

 

890

(2)

286

 

(931

)

 

 

15,248

 

Interest expense, net

 

4,056

 

410

 

104

 

204

 

 

 

4,774

 

Identifiable assets

 

610,249

 

39,995

 

36,488

 

692

 

 

 

687,424

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

4,932

 

512

 

264

 

17

 

 

 

5,725

 

Capital additions

 

14,628

 

682

 

1,450

 

248

 

 

 

17,008

 


*                    Includes amounts from AWR and ASUS’ and its subsidiaries’ contracted services (including FBWS, ODUS and TUS for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and FBWS for the three months ended June 30, 2005.)

(1)             For the three months ended June 30, 2006, it includes $318,000 of GSWC other operating revenues, $299,000 of which reflects water rights lease revenues received from the City of Folsom (Note 2). For the three months ended June 30, 2005, it also includes $36,000 of GSWC other operating revenues.

(2)             Includes $923,000 and ($459,000) unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

26




 

(dollars in thousands)

 

As of and for The Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

GSWC

 

CCWC

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Water

 

Electric

 

Water

 

Other*

 

AWR

 

Operating revenues

 

$

100,359

(3)

$

15,372

 

$

3,831

 

$

3,183

 

$

122,745

 

Operating income (loss)

 

28,601

 

(1,181) (4)

 

725

 

16

 

28,161

 

Interest expense, net

 

7,365

 

589

 

264

 

521

 

8,739

 

Identifiable assets

 

651,440

 

41,439

 

37,603

 

920

 

731,402

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

11,089

 

1,076

 

838

 

89

 

13,092

 

Capital additions

 

31,740

 

1,376

 

804

 

202

 

34,122

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

As of and for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005

 

 

 

GSCW

 

CCWC

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Water

 

Electric

 

Water

 

Other*

 

Eliminations

 

AWR

 

Operating revenues

 

$

92,007

(3)

$

13,561

 

$

3,096

 

$

1,716

 

$

(35

)

$

110,345

 

Operating income (loss)

 

22,738

 

4,342

(4)

1,266

 

(1,486

)

 

 

26,860

 

Interest expense, net

 

8,054

 

814

 

224

 

386

 

 

 

9,478

 

Identifiable assets

 

610,249

 

39,995

 

36,488

 

692

 

 

 

687,424

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

9,823

 

1,007

 

525

 

34

 

 

 

11,389

 

Capital additions

 

32,077

 

1,360

 

2,038

 

359

 

 

 

35,834

 


*                    Includes amounts from AWR and ASUS’ and its subsidiaries’ contracted services (including FBWS, ODUS and TUS for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and FBWS for the six months ended June 30, 2005.)

(3)             For the six months ended June 30, 2006, it also includes $2,919,000 of GSWC other operating revenues, $2,879,000 of which reflects water rights lease revenues received from the City of Folsom (Note 2). For the six months ended June 30, 2005, it also includes $56,000 of GSWC other operating revenues.

(4)             Includes $3,078,000 and ($3,474,000) unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

27




 

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

General

American States Water Company (“AWR”) is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”), Chaparral City Water Company (“CCWC”) and American States Utility Services, Inc. (“ASUS”) and its subsidiaries, Fort Bliss Water Services Company (“FBWS”), Terrapin Utility Services, Inc. (“TUS”) and Old Dominion Utility Services, Inc. (“ODUS”).  AWR was incorporated as a California corporation in 1998 as a holding company for its subsidiaries.

GSWC is a California public utility company engaged principally in the purchase, production and distribution of water. GSWC also distributes electricity in one customer service area. GSWC is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) and was incorporated as a California corporation on December 31, 1929. GSWC is organized into one electric customer service area and three water service regions operating within 75 communities in 10 counties in the State of California and provides water service in 21 customer service areas. Region I consists of 7 customer service areas in northern and central California; Region II consists of 4 customer service areas located in Los Angeles County; and Region III consists of 10 customer service areas in eastern Los Angeles County, Orange, San Bernardino and Imperial counties. GSWC also provides electric service to the City of Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County through its Bear Valley Electric Service division.

GSWC served 253,740 water customers and 23,101 electric customers at June 30, 2006, or a total of 276,841 customers, compared with 274,390 total customers at June 30, 2005. GSWC’s utility operations exhibit seasonal trends. Although GSWC’s water utility operations have a diversified customer base, residential and commercial customers account for the majority of GSWC’s water sales and revenues. Revenues derived from commercial and residential water customers accounted for approximately 87.4% of total water revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2006, as compared to 83.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Revenues derived from commercial and residential water customers accounted for approximately 88.8% of total water revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2006, as compared to 87.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2005.

CCWC is an Arizona public utility company serving 13,219 customers as of June 30, 2006, compared with 12,813 customers at June 30, 2005. Located in the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona and a portion of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, the majority of CCWC’s customers are residential. The Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”) regulates CCWC.

ASUS contracts, either directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, with various municipalities, the U.S. Government and private entities to provide water and wastewater services, including billing and meter reading, water marketing and the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems. On October 1, 2004, ASUS commenced operation of the water and wastewater systems at Fort Bliss located near El Paso, Texas, through FBWS, pursuant to the terms of a 50 year contract with the U.S. Government. ASUS commenced operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater systems at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on February 1, 2006 through TUS pursuant to the terms of a 50 year contract. ASUS commenced operation and maintenance of the wastewater systems at Fort Lee in Virginia through ODUS on February 23, 2006 pursuant to the terms of a 50 year contract. ASUS also commenced operation of the water and wastewater systems at Fort Eustis, Fort Story and Fort Monroe in Virginia through ODUS on April 3, 2006 pursuant to the terms of a 50 year contract.  These contracts are each subject to termination for convenience by the U.S. Government. The contract price for each of these contracts is subject to re-determination two years after commencement of operations and every three years thereafter to the extent provided in each of the contracts. Prices are also subject to equitable adjustment based upon changes in circumstances and changes in wages and fringe benefits to the extent provided in each of the contracts.

ASUS and GSWC have been pursuing an opportunity to provide retail water services within the service area of the Natomas Central Mutual Water Company (“Natomas”).  Natomas is a California mutual water company which currently provides water service to its shareholders, primarily for agricultural irrigation in portions of Sacramento and Sutter counties in northern California.

In August 2004, Natomas granted ASUS the exclusive right to market water that has become “temporarily surplus” that may arise under water rights permits and contracts owned or controlled by it, to third parties outside the Natomas service area.  On January 31, 2006, ASUS entered into a water purchase agreement to acquire 5,000 acre-feet of permanent Sacramento River water diversion rights from Natomas.  Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, Natomas will sell, transfer and convey to ASUS, in perpetuity, water rights and entitlements to divert

28




 

from the Sacramento River up to 5,000 acre-feet of water per year, subject to certain regulatory approvals.  Terms of the acquisition, among other things, include a base price of $2,500 per acre-foot of water, with payments contingent on meeting specific milestones and events over a 10-year period.  Natomas will pay to ASUS a commission of 16% of the sale price over the same 10-year period under an existing agreement between the two companies.  At the same time that the water sale agreement was completed, Natomas and ASUS also entered into a settlement agreement that released Natomas from previously established reimbursement obligations under existing agreements.  ASUS may use this 5,000 acre-feet of water rights acquired from Natomas to engage in transactional opportunities with developers.

GSWC has also entered into a water transfer agreement with Natomas for 30,000 acre-feet of water to be used exclusively by GSWC to serve Sutter County, California. Additionally, GSWC filed for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the CPUC on May 31, 2006 to provide retail water service in Sutter County, California, subject to completion of an environmental assessment which we anticipate will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2006.  In addition, both agreements are subject to and become effective upon various regulatory approvals.

Overview

Our revenues, income, and cash flows are earned primarily through delivering potable water to homes and businesses. Rates charged to customers of GSWC and CCWC are determined by either the CPUC or ACC. These rates are intended to allow recovery of operating costs and a fair rate of return on capital. Factors recently affecting our financial performance include the process and timing of setting rates charged to customers; our ability to recover, and the process for recovering, the costs of water and electricity in rates; weather; the impact of increased water quality standards on the cost of operations and capital expenditures; pressures on water supply caused by population growth, more stringent water quality standards, deterioration in water quality and water supply from a variety of causes; capital expenditures needed to upgrade water systems and increased costs and risks associated with litigation relating to water quality and water supply, including suits initiated by the Company to protect its water supply.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, net income was $6.3 million compared to $5.7 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of 9.3%. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2006 were $0.36 when compared to the $0.34 for the second quarter of 2005.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, net income was $12.2 million compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of 28.1%. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2006 were $0.71, compared to $0.57 and $0.56 for the same period of 2005, respectively.  The increase in earnings per share was primarily due to a decision issued by the CPUC regarding GSWC’s water rights lease revenues received from the City of Folsom, increased rates approved by the CPUC and ACC, and an increase in water consumption over the prior period. Partially offsetting the increases was a significant decline in the cumulative unrealized gain on purchased power contracts in the first and second quarters of 2006 related to our Bear Valley Electric division due to decreased energy prices since December 31, 2005.

We plan to continue to seek additional rate increases in future years to recover our operating and supply costs and receive reasonable returns on invested capital. Capital expenditures in future years are expected to remain at much higher levels than depreciation expense. Cash solely from operations is not expected to be sufficient to fund our needs for capital expenditures, dividends, investments in our contract business and other cash needs. We expect to fund these needs through a combination of debt and common share offerings in the next five years.

Unless specifically noted, the following discussion and analysis provides information on AWR’s consolidated operations and assets. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, there is generally no material difference between the consolidated operations and assets of AWR and the operations and assets of GSWC. However, where necessary, the following discussion and analysis includes references specifically to AWR’s other subsidiaries — CCWC and ASUS and its subsidiaries.

29




 

Consolidated Results of Operations — Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

 

3 Mos

 

3 Mos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2006

 

6/30/2005

 

Change

 

Change

 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

53,122

 

$

53,574

 

$

(452

)

-0.8

%

Electric

 

7,027

 

6,091

 

936

 

15.4

%

Other

 

1,989

 

867

 

1,122

 

129.4

%

Total operating revenues

 

62,138

 

60,532

 

1,606

 

2.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

10,916

 

12,277

 

(1,361

)

-11.1

%

Power purchased for pumping

 

2,416

 

2,184

 

232

 

10.6

%

Groundwater production assessment

 

2,239

 

1,843

 

396

 

21.5

%

Power purchased for resale

 

3,248

 

2,710

 

538

 

19.9

%

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts

 

923

 

(459

)

1,382

 

301.1

%

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(825

)

(550

)

(275

)

-50.0

%

Other operating expenses

 

5,886

 

5,218

 

668

 

12.8

%

Administrative and general expenses

 

10,902

 

11,608

 

(706

)

-6.1

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,610

 

5,725

 

885

 

15.5

%

Maintenance

 

3,246

 

2,484

 

762

 

30.7

%

Property and other taxes

 

2,475

 

2,244

 

231

 

10.3

%

Total operating expenses

 

48,036

 

45,284

 

2,752

 

6.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

14,102

 

15,248

 

(1,146

)

-7.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(5,347

)

(4,809

)

538

 

11.2

%

Interest income

 

963

 

35

 

928

 

2651.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

9,718

 

10,474

 

(756

)

-7.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

3,449

 

4,739

 

(1,290

)

-27.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

6,269

 

$

5,735

 

$

534

 

9.3

%

 

Net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 increased by 9.3% to $6.3 million, equivalent to $0.36 per common share on both a basic and fully diluted basis, compared to $5.7 million or $0.34 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Impacting the comparability in the results of the two periods are the following significant items:

·                  A significant decline in the cumulative unrealized gain on purchased power contracts due to decreasing energy prices when compared to same period last year. This reduction in the cumulative unrealized gain on purchased power contracts decreased pretax income by approximately $923,000, or $0.03 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2006, as compared to an increase in the cumulative unrealized gain on purchased power contracts of $459,000, or $0.02 per share increase to income, for the same period in 2005.

·                  A 6.3% decrease in billed water consumption in the three months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005 due to changes in weather conditions. The lower consumption decreased earnings by approximately $0.04 per share in the second quarter of 2006. This was offset by water rate

30




 

increases which contributed approximately $1.2 million to revenues, or $0.04 per share for the second quarter of 2006.  The increase in water rates was partially offset by higher expenses as discussed below.

·                  An overall net decrease in administrative and general expenses resulting primarily from the CPUC’s approval in April 2006 of Region II’s outside services memorandum account totaling approximately $709,000.  Upon approval by the CPUC, these legal costs, which were incurred in prior periods, were reversed in the second quarter of 2006 and recorded as a regulatory asset increasing earnings by $0.02 per share.

·                  A lower effective tax rate increased 2006 earnings by $0.06 per share resulting from: (i) a $400,000 tax benefit relating to an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) refund received in May 2006; and (ii) differences between book and taxable income that are treated as flow-through adjustments in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Operating Revenues

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, revenues from water operations decreased by 0.8% to $53.1 million, compared to $53.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. A decrease of 6.3% in billed water consumption resulting from changes in weather conditions decreased revenues by approximately $1.7 million.  This was partially offset by higher water revenues reflecting rate increases since the third quarter of 2005 covering almost all water customers, which contributed $1.2 million in increased revenues for the second quarter of 2006. Differences in temperature and rainfall in Registrant’s service areas impact sales of water to customers, causing fluctuations in Registrant’s revenues and earnings between comparable periods.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, revenues from electric operations increased by 15.4% to $7.0 million compared to $6.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase primarily reflects a 14.1% increase in kilowatt-hour (“KWh”) consumption due to changes in weather conditions.  The cooler weather as compared to same period last year allowed the ski resorts (industrial customers) to remain open well into May, operating their lifts and some snow-making in the evening hours. New rates for the 8.4 megawatt (“MW”) natural gas-fueled generation facility also contributed slightly to the increase for the three months ended June 30, 2006.   The new rates went into effect on April 15, 2005 and are expected to generate approximately $2.7 million in additional annual revenues, subject to refund pending CPUC’s final cost review.  The new rates have been recognized in revenues as management believes it is probable that the final CPUC cost review will not result in refunds to the customer.

Registrant relies upon rate approvals by state regulatory agencies in California and Arizona, in order to recover operating expenses and provide for a return on invested and borrowed capital used to fund utility plant. Without such adequate rate relief granted in a timely manner, revenues and earnings can be negatively impacted.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, other operating revenues increased by 129.4% to $2.0 million compared to $867,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2005 due primarily to an additional $841,000 of revenues generated by ASUS from operating the water and wastewater systems pursuant to new contracts at military bases.  In addition, revenues increased due to a decision issued by the CPUC on April 13, 2006 enabling GSWC to record water rights lease revenues from the City of Folsom subsequent to January 2004 as income.  Prior to this decision, the apportionment of any lease revenues that GSWC collected in 2004 and 2005 had been included in a regulatory liability account and no amounts were recognized as revenues until uncertainties about this matter were resolved. For the second quarter 2006, Registrant recorded additional water lease revenues of $299,000.

Operating Expenses

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, purchased water costs decreased by 11.1% to $10.9 million compared to $12.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The decrease is due primarily to a decrease in customer demand resulting from lower consumption and a favorable change in the supply mix caused by less purchased water needed to replace contaminated groundwater supply or wells temporarily out of service. For the three months ended June 30, 2006, 43.9% of Registrant’s supply mix was purchased water as compared to 46.9% purchased water for the three months ended June 30, 2005. During the same period last year, there were additional purchases of water needed to replace contaminated groundwater supply lost due to wells being removed from service resulting from water quality issues and mechanical problems, particularly in GSWC’s Foothill district. The cost of purchased water in this district decreased by approximately $836,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2006 as a result of the wells being returned to operation in 2006.

31




 

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, the cost of power purchased for pumping increased by 10.6% to $2.4 million compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 due to an increase in KWh usage by Registrant caused by higher pumping volume due to the favorable supply mix change discussed above, partially offset by a decrease in consumption.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, groundwater production assessments increased by 21.5% to $2.2 million as compared to $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 due to increases in well production resulting from the supply mix change.  There were also increases in assessment rates levied against groundwater production, effective July 2005. Average pump tax rates increased in GSWC’s Regions II and III by approximately 5% and 20%, respectively.

Changes in the water resource mix between water supplied from purchased sources and that supplied from Registrant’s own wells can increase/decrease actual supply-related costs relative to that approved for recovery through rates, thereby impacting earnings either negatively or positively. Registrant has the opportunity to change the supply-related costs recovered through rates by application to the appropriate regulatory body. Registrant believes that its applications for recovery of supply-related costs accurately reflect the water supply situation as it is known at the time. However, without additional regulatory mechanisms, it is impossible to adequately protect earnings from adverse changes in supply costs related to unforeseen contamination or other loss of water supply.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, cost of power purchased for resale to customers in GSWC’s Bear Valley Electric division increased by 19.9% to $3.2 million compared to $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, reflecting higher customer demand during the second quarter of 2006.

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts represents losses and gains recorded for GSWC’s purchased power agreements with Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (“PWCC”), which qualify as derivative instruments under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. The $923,000 pretax unrealized loss on purchased power contract for the three months ended June 30, 2006 is due to a decrease in the current forward market prices since March 31, 2006.  There was a $459,000 pretax unrealized gain on purchased power contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Unrealized gains and losses at Bear Valley Electric will continue to impact earnings during the life of the contract with PWCC, which terminates in 2008.

A decrease of $275,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2006 in the provision for supply cost balancing accounts as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2005 was primarily due to:  (i) the recording of a $247,000 refund received in May 2005 from Mirant Americas Energy Marketing (“Mirant”) with no corresponding amount booked in the same period of 2006; (ii) the recording of a $1.3 million under-collection in the 2006 second quarter related to the 2006 year to date supply cost memorandum account resulting from the elimination of the earnings test, authorized by the CPUC in April 2006; and (iii) the recording in April 2006 of an additional $181,000 under-collection for 2005’s supply cost memorandum account due to the elimination by the CPUC of the earnings test.  These decreases were offset by: (i) the approval by the CPUC and recording in June 2005 of $1.3 million under-collection related to Region III’s 2004 supply cost memorandum account; (ii) an increase of $150,000 in the second quarter of 2006 primarily in the amortization of water supply cost balancing accounts approved by the CPUC in June and August 2005; and (iii) an increase of $53,000 expensed in the electric supply cost balancing account resulting from amounts in excess of the $77 per megawatt-hour (“MWh”) recovery cap authorized by the CPUC.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, other operating expenses increased by 12.8% to $5.9 million compared to $5.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 due primarily to higher operating expenses of $586,000 at ODUS and TUS due to the commencement of the operations of the water and wastewater systems pursuant to new contracts at new military bases in Maryland and Virginia.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, administrative and general expenses decreased by 6.1% to $10.9 million compared to $11.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 due to: (i) a decrease of $1 million in outside services resulting primarily from the CPUC’s approval in April 2006 of Region II’s outside services memorandum account totaling approximately $709,000.  Upon approval by the CPUC, these legal costs, which were incurred in prior periods, were reversed in the second quarter of 2006 and recorded as a regulatory asset; (ii) a decrease in the dividend equivalent rights (“DERs”) expense of approximately $101,000. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) effective January 1, 2006, DERs are now recorded as a reduction to retained earnings whereas in prior years they were recorded as additional compensation expense; and (iii) a decrease in the bonus accrual of

32




 

approximately $306,000 primarily as a result of changes to the Company’s bonus plan. These decreases were offset by increases in: (i) pensions and benefits of $68,000 due to actuarial assumption changes in the mortality tables; (ii) stock-based compensation expense of $178,000 due to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) effective January 1, 2006; and (iii) labor costs of $466,000 due to higher wages.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, depreciation and amortization expense increased by 15.5% to $6.6 million compared to $5.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 reflecting, among other things, the effects of closing approximately $100 million of additions to utility plant during 2005, depreciation on which began in January 2006. Registrant anticipates that depreciation expense will continue to increase due to Registrant’s on-going construction program at its regulated subsidiaries. Registrant believes that depreciation expense related to property additions approved by the appropriate regulatory agency will be recovered through water and electric rates.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, maintenance expense increased by 30.7% to $3.2 million compared to $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 due principally to an increase in required maintenance on GSWC’s wells and water supply sources in all three Regions.  There were also increases in well treatment and emergency repair costs.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, property and other taxes increased by 10.3% to $2.5 million compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 reflecting additional property taxes resulting from higher assessed values, and increases in payroll taxes based on increased labor costs.

Interest Expense

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, interest expense increased by 11.2% to $5.3 million compared to $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 reflecting primarily increases in long-term debt interest expense of $585,000 due to $40.0 million of additional private placement notes issued in October 2005.  Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in short-term cash borrowings.  Average bank loan balances outstanding under an AWR credit facility for the second quarter of 2006 were approximately $31.0 million, as compared to an average of $47.0 million during the same period of 2005.  However, the decrease in short-term bank loan balances was also partially offset by higher interest rates.

Interest Income

Interest income increased to $963,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2006 due to (i) interest income of $110,000 with respect to interest accrued on an $8.0 million settlement with Aerojet General Corporation (“Aerojet”) which will be paid over a five year period beginning in December 2009; (ii) interest accrued on the uncollected balance of the Aerojet litigation memorandum account authorized by the CPUC of $270,000; (iii) interest income of $381,000 related to a $3.0 million Internal Revenue Service refund received in May 2006; and (iv) interest earned on short-term cash surplus.

Income Tax Expense

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, income tax expense decreased by 27.2% to $3.4 million compared to $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 due, in part, to a decrease in pretax income of 7.2%. In addition, the effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the three months ended June 30, 2006 decreased by 9.7 percentage points to 35.5% as compared to a 45.2% ETR applicable to the three months ended June 30, 2005. The variance between the ETR and the statutory tax rate is primarily the result of differences between book and taxable income that are treated as flow-through adjustments in accordance with regulatory requirements. Flow-through adjustments increase or decrease tax expense in one period, with an offsetting increase or decrease occurring in another period. During the second quarter of 2005, the recognition of the federal effect of state taxes was adjusted to conform to the flow-through method reflected in the tax calculation for ratemaking purposes, which partially defers the recognition of the effect to the subsequent tax year. This reduced income tax expense by $63,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2006. During the third quarter of 2005, AWR filed an amended tax return for 2001with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) which was subject to IRS and Congressional Joint Committee of Taxation (“JCT”) review.  During the second quarter of 2006, the IRS and JCT reviews were completed and AWR received a refund in the amount of its original claim of $3.0 million, with interest.  Consequently, in the second quarter of 2006, AWR recorded a tax benefit of $400,000, of which $351,000 was attributable to GSWC.  The refund-claim benefit contributed 4.1 of the 9.7 percentage point ETR reduction referred to, above.

33




 

Consolidated Results of Operations — Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

6 Mos

 

6 Mos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2006

 

6/30/2005

 

Change

 

Change

 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

101,271

 

$

95,071

 

$

6,200

 

6.5

%

Electric

 

15,372

 

13,561

 

1,811

 

13.4

%

Other

 

6,102

 

1,713

 

4,389

 

256.2

%

Total operating revenues

 

122,745

 

110,345

 

12,400

 

11.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

19,260

 

19,963

 

(703

)

-3.5

%

Power purchased for pumping

 

4,020

 

3,671

 

349

 

9.5

%

Groundwater production assessment

 

4,322

 

3,764

 

558

 

14.8

%

Power purchased for resale

 

7,811

 

6,847

 

964

 

14.1

%

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts

 

3,078

 

(3,474

)

6,552

 

188.6

%

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(338

)

528

 

(866

)

-164.0

%

Other operating expenses

 

10,587

 

10,287

 

300

 

2.9

%

Administrative and general expenses

 

22,015

 

21,909

 

106

 

0.5

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,092

 

11,389

 

1,703

 

15.0

%

Maintenance

 

5,719

 

4,822

 

897

 

18.6

%

Property and other taxes

 

5,018

 

4,539

 

479

 

10.6

%

Gain on settlement for removal of wells

 

 

(760

)

760

 

-100.0

%

Total operating expenses

 

94,584

 

83,485

 

11,099

 

13.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

28,161

 

26,860

 

1,301

 

4.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(10,515

)

(9,534

)

981

 

10.3

%

Interest income

 

1,776

 

56

 

1,720

 

3071.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

19,422

 

17,382

 

2,040

 

11.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

7,252

 

7,883

 

(631

)

-8.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

12,170

 

$

9,499

 

$

2,671

 

28.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2006 increased by 28.1% to $12.2 million, equivalent to $0.71 per common share on both a basic and fully diluted basis, compared to $9.5 million or $0.57 and $0.56 per share on a basic and fully diluted basis, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Impacting the comparability in the results of the two periods are the following significant items:

·                  A decision issued by the CPUC on April 13, 2006 regarding the treatment of GSWC’s water rights lease revenues added about $2.9 million to pretax income for the six months ended June 30, 2006 or approximately $0.10 per share. In this decision, the CPUC authorized GSWC to reinvest all lease revenues since January 2004, inclusive of the balances in the regulatory liability accounts established by GSWC for this matter, in water system infrastructure. These investments will be included in the rate base upon which GSWC earns a rate of return. In accordance with California law, GSWC will have 8 years in which to reinvest the proceeds. As a result, GSWC transferred about $2.3 million of water rights lease revenues received from the City of Folsom in 2004 and 2005 from the regulatory liability

34




 

account into other operating revenues.  GSWC also recorded pretax income of $598,000 reflecting water rights lease revenues for the first and second quarter of 2006.

·                  A significant decline in the cumulative unrealized gain on purchased power contracts due to decreasing energy prices. This reduction in the cumulative unrealized gain on purchased power contracts decreased pretax income by approximately $3.1 million, or $0.11 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, as compared to an increase in the cumulative unrealized gain on purchased power contracts of $3.5 million, or a $0.12 per share increase to income, for the same period in 2005.

·                  Water rate increases contributed approximately $4.9 million to revenues, or $0.17 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2006.  This was partially offset by higher expenses as described below.

·                  An increase in ASUS’s pretax operating income of $1.6 million, or $0.05 per share, as compared to the same period of 2005 by operating and maintaining the water and wastewater systems for the U.S. Government. The increases included revenue recognized for certain special projects and reimbursement of various operating costs incurred during the transition periods.

·                  A $1.7 million increase in interest income, or $0.06 per share, resulting primarily from interest accrued on the uncollected balance of the Aerojet litigation memorandum account authorized by the CPUC and interest income related to a $3.0 million Internal Revenue Service refund received in May 2006.

·                  A lower effective tax rate increased earnings by $0.09 per share resulting primarily from: (i) a $400,000 tax benefit relating to a $3.0 million IRS refund received in May 2006; and (ii) differences between book and taxable income that are treated as flow-through adjustments in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Operating Revenues

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, revenues from water operations increased by 6.5% to $101.3 million, compared to $95.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Higher water revenues reflect rate increases since the second quarter of 2005 covering almost all water customers, which contributed $4.9 million in increased revenues. In addition, an increase of about 2.3% in billed water consumption resulting from changes in weather conditions also increased revenues by approximately $1.3 million. Differences in temperature and rainfall in Registrant’s service areas impact sales of water to customers, causing fluctuations in Registrant’s revenues and earnings between comparable periods.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, revenues from electric operations increased by 13.4% to $15.4 million compared to $13.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase reflects primarily a 9.7% increase in KWh consumption due to changes in weather conditions which increased the usage of snow-making machines in 2006.  New rates for the 8.4 MW natural gas-fueled generation facility also contributed to the increase.   The new rates went into effect on April 15, 2005 and are expected to generate approximately $2.7 million in additional annual revenues, subject to refund pending CPUC’s final cost review.  The new rates have been recognized in revenues as management believes it is probable that the final CPUC cost review will not result in refunds to the customer.

Registrant relies upon rate approvals by state regulatory agencies in California and Arizona, in order to recover operating expenses and provide for a return on invested and borrowed capital used to fund utility plant. Without such adequate rate relief granted in a timely manner, revenues and earnings can be negatively impacted.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, other operating revenues increased by 256.2% to $6.1 million compared to $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 due primarily to a decision issued by the CPUC on April 13, 2006 enabling GSWC to record water rights lease revenues from the City of Folsom from January 2004 to June 2006 of $2.9 million in total, as revenues.  Prior to this decision, the apportionment of any lease revenues that GSWC collected in 2004 and 2005, totaling $2.3 million, had been included in a regulatory liability account and no amounts were recognized as revenues until uncertainties about this matter were resolved. Registrant also recorded additional revenue of $598,000, reflecting the first and second quarter of the 2006 water rights lease revenues.   In addition, an increase of $1.5 million in revenues as compared to the first six months of 2005 reflects: (i) the recording of FBWS revenue of approximately $565,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2006 based on the

35




 

percentage of completion method for contract revenue recognition for several projects at Fort Bliss; and (ii) additional revenues totaling $1.1 million generated from operating the water and wastewater systems at Andrews Air Force Base which began operation on February 1, 2005, at Fort Eustis, Fort Monroe and Fort Story all of which began operations on April 3, 2006, and the wastewater systems at Fort Lee which began operations on February 23, 2006.

Operating Expenses

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, purchased water costs decreased by 3.5% to $19.3 million compared to $20.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The decrease is due primarily to a change in the supply mix caused by less purchased water needed to replace groundwater supply lost.  For the six months ended June 30, 2006, 43.6% of Registrant’s supply mix was purchased water as compared to 45.7% purchased water for the six months ended June 30, 2005. During the same period last year, there were additional purchases of water needed to replace groundwater supply lost due to wells being removed from service. The wells were removed from service as a result of water quality issues and mechanical problems, particularly in GSWC’s Foothill district. The cost of purchased water in this district decreased by approximately $1.1 million as a result of the wells being returned to operation in 2006. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in customer demand resulting from higher consumption and increased water rates by purchased water suppliers.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the cost of power purchased for pumping increased by 9.5% to $4.0 million compared to $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 due to an increase in KWh usage by Registrant caused by higher customer water demand and an increase in pumping volume due to the supply mix change discussed above.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, groundwater production assessments increased by 14.8% to $4.3 million as compared to $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 due to increases in well production to meet higher customer demand. There were also increases in assessment rates levied against groundwater production, effective July 2005. Average pump tax rates increased in Regions II and III by approximately 5% and 20%, respectively.

Changes in the water resource mix between water supplied from purchased sources and that supplied from Registrant’s own wells can increase/decrease actual supply-related costs relative to that approved for recovery through rates, thereby impacting earnings either negatively or positively.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, cost of power purchased for resale to customers in GSWC’s Bear Valley Electric division increased by 14.1% to $7.8 million compared to $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, reflecting higher customer demand during the six months ended June 30, 2006.

Unrealized loss (gain) on purchased power contracts represents losses and gains recorded for GSWC’s purchased power agreements with PWCC, which qualify as derivative instruments under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. The $3.1 million pretax unrealized loss on purchased power contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2006 is due to a decrease in the current forward market prices since December 31, 2005.  There was a $3.5 million pretax unrealized gain on purchased power contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Unrealized gains and losses at Bear Valley Electric will continue to impact earnings during the life of the contract with PWCC, which terminates in 2008.

A decrease of $866,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2006 in the provision for supply cost balancing accounts as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2005 was primarily due to: (i) the recording of an over-collection of $223,000 in the first quarter of 2005 as a regulatory liability with a corresponding charge booked to the supply cost balancing account provision; (ii) the recording of a $247,000 refund received in May 2005 from Mirant with no corresponding amount booked in the same period of 2006; (iii) the recording of a $1.3 million under-collection in the second quarter of 2006 related to the 2006 year to date supply cost memorandum account resulting from the elimination of the earnings test by the CPUC in April 2006; (iv) the recording in April 2006 of an additional $181,000 under-collection for 2005’s supply cost memorandum account due to the elimination by the CPUC of the earnings test; and (v) a $391,000 decrease in the amortization of the electric balancing account.  These decreases were offset by: (i) the approval by the CPUC and recording in June 2005 of $1.3 million under-collection related to Region III’s 2004 supply cost memorandum account; and (ii) an increase of $229,000 primarily in the amortization of water supply cost balancing accounts approved by the CPUC in June and August 2005.

36




 

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, other operating expenses increased by 2.9% to $10.6 million compared to $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 due primarily to higher operating expenses of $728,000 at ODUS and TUS due to the commencement of operation of the water and wastewater systems at military bases in Maryland and Virginia. There was also a net increase of $122,000 at GSWC primarily due to increases in water treatment costs.  These increases were partially offset by the reimbursement of $546,000 by the U.S. Government and a contractor for operating expenses incurred at Fort Bliss.  FBWS was hired as a subcontractor for certain special projects requested by the U.S. Government, in addition to the services provided under the terms of the primary contract.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, administrative and general expenses remained relatively unchanged compared to the same period in 2005.  There were increases in: (i) pensions and benefits of $136,000 due to actuarial assumption changes in the mortality tables, and increases of approximately $492,000 in various other benefit costs due primarily to increases in medical and labor costs; (ii) stock-based compensation expense of $237,000 due to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) effective January 1, 2006, (iii) labor costs of $753,000 due to higher wages; (iv) general liability related costs of approximately $115,000; and (v) various office and other expenses of approximately $602,000 primarily at ODUS and TUS due to the commencement of operation of the water and wastewater systems at military bases in Maryland and Virginia.  These increases were offset by (i) the recovery of transition period operating expenses of about $672,000 at military bases in Maryland and Virginia by subsidiaries of ASUS; (ii) reimbursement of indirect capital cost of $340,000 incurred by FBWS in the first and second quarters of 2006; (iii) a decrease in the DERs expense of approximately $202,000. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) effective January 1, 2006, DERs are now recorded as a reduction to retained earnings whereas in prior years they were recorded as additional compensation expense; (iv) a decrease in the bonus accrual of approximately $306,000 primarily as a result of changes to the Company’s bonus plan; and (v) the recovery of outside services resulting from the CPUC’s approval in April 2006 of Region II’s outside services memorandum account totaling approximately $709,000.  Upon approval by the CPUC, these legal costs, which were incurred in prior periods, were reversed in the second quarter of 2006 and recorded as a regulatory asset.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, depreciation and amortization expense increased by 15.0% to $13.1 million compared to $11.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 reflecting, among other things, the effects of closing approximately $100 million of additions to utility plant during 2005, depreciation on which began in January 2006. Registrant anticipates that depreciation expense will continue to increase due to Registrant’s on-going construction program at its regulated subsidiaries. Registrant believes that depreciation expense related to property additions approved by the appropriate regulatory agency will be recovered through water and electric rates.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, maintenance expense increased by 18.6% to $5.7 million compared to $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 due principally to an increase in required maintenance on GSWC’s wells and water supply sources at all Regions.  There were also increases in well treatment and emergency repair costs.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, property and other taxes increased by 10.6% to $5.0 million compared to $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 reflecting additional property taxes resulting from higher assessed values, and increases in payroll taxes based on increased labor costs.

For the six months ended June 30, 2005, Registrant recorded a net pre-tax gain of $760,000 on a settlement reached with the Fountain Hills Sanitary District (“FHSD”) in February 2005 for the capping of two CCWC wells in order to facilitate FHSD’s ability to secure certain permits. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, CCWC agreed to permanently remove from service and cap one of its wells, and cap another well which had never been used as a potable source of supply. There was no similar gain in the same period of 2006.

Interest Expense

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, interest expense increased by 10.3% to $10.5 million compared to $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 primarily reflecting increases in long-term debt interest expense of $1.2 million due to $40.0 million of additional private placement notes issued in October 2005.  Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in short-term cash borrowings.  Average bank loan balances outstanding under an AWR credit facility for the six months ended June 30, 2006 were approximately $30.0 million, as compared to an average of $48.0 million during the same period of 2005.  However, the decrease in short-term bank loan balances was also partially offset by higher interest rates.

37




 

Interest Income

Interest income increased to $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 due to (i) interest income of $218,000 with respect to interest accrued on an $8.0 million settlement with Aerojet General Corporation (“Aerojet”) which will be paid over a five year period beginning in December 2009; (ii) interest accrued on the uncollected balance of the Aerojet litigation memorandum account authorized by the CPUC of $862,000; (iii) interest income of $381,000 related to a $3.0 million Internal Revenue Service refund received in May 2006; and (iv) interest earned on short-term cash surplus.

Income Tax Expense

Although pretax income increased by 11.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2006, income tax expense decreased by 8.0% to $7.3 million compared to $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. This was as a result of flow-through adjustments and a refund claim, as discussed further, below. The effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the six months ended June 30, 2006 decreased by approximately 8.0 percentage points to 37.3% as compared to a 45.4% ETR applicable to the six months ended June 30, 2005. The variance between the ETR and the statutory tax rate is primarily the result of differences between book and taxable income that are treated as flow-through adjustments in accordance with regulatory requirements. Flow-through adjustments increase or decrease tax expense in one period, with an offsetting increase or decrease occurring in another period. During the second quarter of 2005, the recognition of the federal effect of state taxes was adjusted to conform to the flow-through method reflected in the tax calculation for ratemaking purposes, which partially defers the recognition of the effect to the subsequent tax year. This reduced income tax expense by $204,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2006. During the third quarter of 2005, AWR filed an amended tax return for 2001 with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) which was subject to IRS and Congressional Joint Committee of Taxation (“JCT”) review.  During the second quarter of 2006, the IRS and JCT reviews were completed and AWR received a refund in the amount of its original claim of $3.0 million, with interest.  Consequently, in the second quarter of 2006, AWR recorded a tax benefit of $400,000, of which $351,000 was attributable to GSWC.  The refund-claim benefit contributed to 2.0 of the 8.0 percentage point ETR reduction referred to, above.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are important to the portrayal of AWR’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments of AWR’s management. The need to make estimates about the effect of items that are uncertain is what makes these judgments difficult, subjective and/or complex. Management makes subjective judgments about the accounting and regulatory treatment of many items. These judgments are based on AWR’s historical experience, terms of existing contracts, and AWR’s observance of trends in the industry, information provided by customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The critical accounting policies used in the preparation of the Registrant’s financial statements that we believe affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements presented in this report are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Except for the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, there have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies.  Effective January 1, 2006, Registrant began accounting for employee and directors stock-based compensation costs in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) which requires the recognition of compensation expense in the financial statements based on fair values of the stock awards.  Registrant elected to adopt the modified prospective transition method as provided by SFAS No. 123(R) and, accordingly, financial statement amounts for the prior periods presented in the Form 10-Q have not been restated to reflect the fair value method of expensing share-based compensation.  Registrant utilized the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of employee stock based compensation at the date of grant, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility and expected life.  Further, as required under SFAS No. 123(R), Registrant now estimates forfeitures for options granted, which are not expected to vest. The cumulative effect of adopting the change in estimating forfeitures is not material to Registrant’s financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Changes in these inputs and assumptions can materially affect the measure of estimated fair value of Registrants share-based compensation.  The adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) did not have a material affect on Registrant’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

AWR

AWR funds its operating expenses and pays dividends on its outstanding Common Shares primarily through dividends from GSWC.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $27.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to $32.9 million for the same period ended June 30, 2005. The decrease of $5.8 million was primarily attributable to: (i) approximately $3.8 million incurred in 2006 of costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts primarily at Fort Bliss; (ii) approximately $812,000 of increases in general rate case costs associated with the filing of Region II and the General Office rate cases; and (iii) the receipt of a $3.0 million federal tax refund received in May 2006 as compared to a $5.0 million federal tax refund in April 2005, as well as differences in the timing of remitting taxes which resulted in an additional $3.9 million of taxes paid during the six months ended June 30, 2006.  These decreases were partially offset by the receipt in June 2006 of $2.6 million from Aerojet for reimbursement of costs incurred on certain capital projects which resulted in a decrease to other accounts receivable, and by improved earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The timing of cash receipts and disbursements related to other working capital items also affected the changes in net cash provided by operating activities.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased to $34.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to $35.8 million for the same period ended June 30, 2005.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2005. The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily caused by a decrease of about $2.2 million in advances for and contributions in aid of construction and a $3.0 million net decrease in the net change in notes payable to banks. These decreases were offset by a $3.9 million increase in proceeds from stock option exercises and the issuance of Common Shares under the Registrant’s Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan and 401(k) Plan. Cash flows from financing activities also increased by $897,000 from the tax benefits associated with the exercise of the aforementioned stock options.

In June 2005, AWR amended and restated its credit agreement which increased its borrowing limit under this facility to $85 million and extended the maturity date to June 2010. Up to $20 million of this facility may be used for letters of credit. As of June 30, 2006, an aggregate of $28 million in cash borrowings were included in current liabilities and approximately $11.2 million of letters of credit were outstanding under this facility. AWR also has a Registration Statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the sale from time to time of debt and equity securities. As of June 30, 2006, approximately $6.5 million was available for issuance under this Registration Statement.

Registrant anticipates that interest costs will increase in future periods due to potential market interest rate increases and the need for additional external capital to fund its construction program.  In December of 2005, S&P revised AWR’s rating from A- negative to A- stable.   S&P debt ratings range from AAA (highest rating possible) to D (obligation is in default). Securities ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold a security and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency. Registrant believes that costs associated with capital used to fund construction at its regulated subsidiaries will continue to be recovered in water and electric rates charged to customers.

GSWC

Net cash provided by operating activities was $31.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to $28.0 million for the same period in 2005.  The increase of $3.7 million was primarily attributable to the receipt in June 2006 of $2.6 million from Aerojet for reimbursement of costs incurred on certain capital projects which resulted in a decrease to other accounts receivable and by improved earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2006. These increases were offset by higher general rate case costs, lower tax refunds received in 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005 as well as differences in the timing of remitting taxes, and various other changes in the timing of cash receipts and disbursements related to other working capital items that affected the net cash provided by operating activities.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased slightly to $33.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to $33.4 million for the same period in 2005.

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Net cash used by financing activities was $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $6.1 million for the same period in 2005. The decrease reflects a $1.8 million decrease in the receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction, and a net decrease of $5.8 million in intercompany borrowings.

GSWC funds the majority of its operating expenses, payments on its debt, and dividends on its outstanding common shares through internal sources. Internal sources of cash flow are provided primarily by retention of a portion of earnings from operating activities. Internal cash generation is influenced by factors such as weather patterns, environmental regulation, litigation, changes in supply costs and regulatory decisions affecting GSWC’s ability to recover these supply costs, and timing of rate relief.

GSWC also relies on external sources, including equity investments and short-term borrowings from AWR, long-term debt, contributions in aid of construction, advances for construction and install-and-convey advances to fund the majority of its construction expenditures. GSWC has a Registration Statement on file with the SEC for issuance from time to time, of up to $100.0 million of debt securities. As of June 30, 2006, $50.0 million remained for issuance under this Registration Statement, subject to regulatory approval from the CPUC for issuance of additional debt.

On October 11, 2005, CoBank, ACB purchased a 5.87% Senior Note due December 20, 2028 in the aggregate principal amount of $40.0 million from GSWC. The proceeds were used to pay down GSWC’s intercompany short-term borrowings.

In February 2005, Moody’s Investor Services (“Moody’s”) changed the rating outlook for $175 million of senior unsecured debt at GSWC from A2 negative to A2 stable.  Moody’s debt ratings range from Aaa (best quality) to C (lowest quality). In December 2005, S&P changed its debt rating for GSWC from A- negative to A- stable.  Securities ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold a security and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency.

CCWC

CCWC funds the majority of its operating expenses, payments on its debt and dividends, if any, through internal operating sources or short-term borrowings from AWR. CCWC also relies on external sources, including long-term debt, contributions in aid of construction, advances for construction and install-and-convey advances, to fund the majority of its construction expenditures.

ASUS

ASUS funds its operating expenses primarily through management fees and investments by or loans from AWR.  ASUS, in turn, provides funding to its subsidiaries.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

Registrant has various contractual obligations which are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements.  Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and operating leases are not recognized as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements, but are required to be disclosed.

In addition to contractual maturities, Registrant has certain debt instruments that contain annual sinking fund or other principal payments. Registrant believes that it will be able to refinance debt instruments at their maturity through public issuance, or private placement, of debt or equity. Annual principal and interest payments are generally made from cash flow from operations.

There have been no material changes to AWR’s contractual obligations and other commitments since December 31, 2005. See”Managements’ Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2005 for a detailed discussion of contractual obligations and other commitments.

40




 

Regulatory Matters

GSWC is subject to regulation by the CPUC, which has broad powers with respect to service and facilities, rates, classification of accounts, valuation of properties, the purchase, disposition and mortgaging of properties necessary or useful in rendering public utility service, the issuance of securities, the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity as to the extension of services and facilities and various other matters. CCWC is subject to regulation by the ACC.

Rates that GSWC and CCWC are authorized to charge are determined by the CPUC and the ACC, respectively, in general rate cases and are derived using rate base, cost of service and cost of capital, as projected for a future test year in California and using an historical test year, as adjusted, in Arizona. Rates charged to customers vary according to customer class and rate jurisdiction and are generally set at levels allowing for recovery of prudently incurred costs, including a fair return on rate base. Rate base generally consists of the original cost of utility plant in service, plus certain other assets, such as working capital and inventory, less accumulated depreciation on utility plant in service, deferred income tax liabilities and certain other deductions.

GSWC is required to file a general rate case (“GRC”) application every three years for each of its water rate-making areas according to a schedule established by the CPUC.  GRCs typically include an increase in year one and step increases for the second and third years. Rates are based on a forecast of expenses and capital investments. GRCs have a typical regulatory processing time of one year.   In California, rates may be increased by offsets for certain expense increases, including but not limited to supply cost offset and balancing account amortization, and advice letter filings related to certain plant additions and other operating cost increases. Offset rate increases and advice letter filings typically have a two to four month regulatory lag.

Neither the operations nor rates of AWR and ASUS are directly regulated by the CPUC or the ACC. The CPUC and the ACC do, however, regulate certain transactions between GSWC and its affiliates.

The amounts charged by the subsidiaries of ASUS for water and wastewater services at military bases are based upon the terms of 50-year contracts with the U.S. Government. Prices will be re-determined at the end of two years after commencement of operations at each military base and generally every three years thereafter. In addition, prices may be equitably adjusted for changes in law, wage and benefit increases and other circumstances.

Recent Changes in Rates

On January 12, 2006, the CPUC approved Region III’s rate case. The authorized rate increase for 2006 was made effective January 19, 2006 and is expected to provide GSWC additional annual revenue approximating $5.4 million in 2006 based on a return on equity of 9.8%.  For the second and the third year of this three-year GRC, the CPUC approved an annual increase of approximately $1.9 million and $2.3 million, respectively, subject to certain earnings tests.

On November 14, 2005, GSWC filed advice letters with the CPUC for step increases for Region I in an amount of approximately $0.6 million and an attrition increase of approximately $5.2 million for Region II, both of which were approved and became effective on January 1, 2006.

Pending Rate Changes in 2006

In February 2006, GSWC filed an application with the CPUC for rate increases in Region II and to cover general office expenses. If approved as filed, the rate increases are expected to generate approximately $14.9 million in annual revenues starting in 2007, with additional increases of $4.7 million in 2008 and $6.9 million in 2009.  A decision on this application is expected in late 2006.  Management is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of this rate case.

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Other Regulatory Matters

Memorandum Supply Cost Accounts

In a CPUC decision issued on June 19, 2003 related to memorandum supply cost accounts, all water utilities regulated by the CPUC were required to seek review of under- and over- collections by filing an advice letter annually. In addition, the utility’s recovery of such expenses was reduced by the amount exceeding the authorized rate-of return (earnings test). On April 13, 2006, the CPUC issued a decision to remove these requirements. Pursuant to this order, GSWC recognized a cumulative under-collection of approximately $636,000 to the supply cost memorandum account provisions in the second quarter of 2006 for the under-collected balances not recognized at March 31, 2006 and began recording under- and over- collections on a monthly basis thereafter.

GSWC intends to file for recovery of the net under-collected supply costs with the CPUC in 2006 or in subsequent general rate case proceedings.  Management believes that it is probable that the CPUC will permit GSWC to recover in rates the net under-collections in supply costs.

Santa Maria Groundwater Basin Adjudication

In 1997, the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (“plaintiff”) filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants, including GSWC, the City of Santa Maria, and several other public water purveyors. The plaintiff’s lawsuit seeks an adjudication of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin. As of June 30, 2006, GSWC has incurred costs of approximately $6.2 million in defending its rights in the Santa Maria Basin, including legal and expert witness fees, which have been deferred in Utility Plant for rate recovery.  In February 2006, GSWC filed for recovery of these costs with the CPUC.  Management believes that the recovery of these costs through rates is probable. A settlement of the lawsuit has been reached, subject to CPUC approval. The settlement, among other things, if approved by the CPUC, would preserve GSWC’s historical pumping rights and secure supplemental water rights for use in case of drought or other reductions in the natural yield of the Santa Maria Basin.  There are also a small number of nonsettling parties, and the case is going forward as to their claims. The stipulation, if approved, would preserve GSWC’s position with the settling parties independent of the outcome of the case as it moves forward with the nonsettling parties.  GSWC can not predict the outcome of the case as to the nonsettling parties.

Refund of Water Rights Lease Revenues

In 1994, GSWC entered into a contract to lease to the City of Folsom, 5,000 acre-feet per year of water rights from the American River. GSWC included all associated revenues in a nonoperating income account. In a decision issued on March 16, 2004, the CPUC ordered GSWC to refund 70 percent of the total amount of lease revenues received since 1994, plus interest, to customers.  On April 13, 2006, the CPUC authorized GSWC to reinvest all lease revenues received from the City of Folsom since January, 2004, inclusive of the balances in the regulatory liability accounts, in water system infrastructure and to include such investments in the rate base upon which GSWC earns a rate of return.  As a result, GSWC transferred about $2.3 million of water rights lease revenues received from the City of Folsom in 2004 and 2005 from the regulatory liability account into income and recorded an additional pretax income of $299,000 and $598,000 reflecting the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively, water rights lease revenues.

Recovery of cost of tree removal and mitigation for Bark Beetle Infestation

In a Proclamation issued on March 7, 2003 former Governor Gray Davis declared a State of Emergency with respect to a severe fire risk caused by dead and dying trees plagued by drought and a major bark beetle infestation in the counties of Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego. On April 3, 2003, the CPUC issued an order requiring Southern California Edison Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company and Bear Valley Electric to take all reasonable and necessary actions to mitigate the increased fire hazard by removing dead, dying or diseased trees from falling or contacting distribution and transmission lines within their rights of way and to ensure compliance with existing vegetation clearance statutes and regulations. The utilities, including Bear Valley Electric, are authorized to make annual advice letter filings requesting recovery of the costs of complying with this order.   On April 13, 2006, the CPUC approved GSWC’s request for the amortization of about $351,000 for costs incurred through June 30, 2005 plus interest in the Bark Beetle Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account.  At June 30, 2006, approximately $636,000, which includes the $351,000, has been incurred and is recorded as a regulatory asset on the balance sheets.

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Outside Services Memorandum Account

In April 2006, the CPUC approved GSWC’s Region II advice letter which requested recovery of the expenses recorded in the Outside Services Memorandum Account (“OSMA”), as of December 31, 2005.  The decision authorized the recovery of this memorandum account to record costs incurred while working with the Water Replenishment District (“WRD”), WRD Technical Advisory Committee, Central and West Basin Municipal Water Districts, Metropolitan Water District, West Basin Water Association and Central Basin Water Association on water supply reliability and rate-related issues in Region II. GSWC incurred approximately $374,000 and $345,000 in the OSMA in 2004 and 2005, respectively.  GSWC sought and received authorization to amortize the cumulative total of approximately $719,000 over a 12-month period through customer rates.   Accordingly, GSWC recorded a regulatory asset for this amount in April of 2006 with an offset and reduction to outside legal services for the three months ended June 30, 2006.  A surcharge went into effect in April of 2006 and accordingly, GSWC began amortizing the OSMA account. Revenues of approximately $104,000 were received from customers during the three months ended June 30, 2006 relating to this surcharge. The surcharge will be in effect over a 12-month period.

Environmental Matters

Registrant’s subsidiaries are subject to increasingly stringent environmental regulations including the 1996 amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act; enhanced surface water treatment rules; regulation of disinfectant/disinfection by-products; and the long-term enhanced surface water treatment rules; ground water treatment rule; contaminant regulation of radon and arsenic; and unregulated contaminants monitoring rule.

Additional information on these requirements and other significant environmental matters are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.  There have been no material changes in any of the environmental matters discussed in the Form 10-K since December 31, 2005.

Water Supply

The adequacy of Registrant’s water supplies varies from year to year depending upon a variety of factors, including rainfall, availability of Colorado River water and imported water from northern California, the amount of water stored in reservoirs and groundwater basins, the amount of water used by Registrant’s customers and others, water quality and legal limitations on use.

Population growth and increases in the amount of water used have increased limitations on use in order to prevent over-drafting of groundwater basins. The importation of water from the Colorado River, one of GSWC’s important sources of supply, is expected to decrease in future years due to the requirements of the Central Arizona Project (“CAP”) and other limitations on the amount of water that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (“MWD”) is entitled to take from the Colorado River. MWD is expected to increase its efforts to secure additional supplies from conservation, desalination and water exchanges with the agricultural water users.

CCWC obtains its water supply from operating wells and from the Colorado River through the CAP. CCWC’s water supply may be subject to interruption or reduction if there is an interruption or reduction in CAP water. In addition, CCWC’s ability to provide water service to new real estate developments is dependent upon its ability to meet the requirements of the Arizona Department of Water Resources regarding its assured water supply account.

The U.S. Government is responsible for supplying water on military bases under the terms of contracts of the subsidiaries of ASUS with the U.S. Government.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Registrant is subject to newly issued requirements as well as changes in existing requirements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.  See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure on new accounting pronouncements.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Registrant is exposed to certain market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, and commodity price risk primarily relating to changes in the market price of electricity. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in prevailing market rates and prices. There have been no material changes regarding Registrant’s market risk position from the information provided in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are discussed in Item 7A-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, contained in Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness, as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report, of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, were adequate and effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2006, that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There have been no material developments in any of the legal proceedings described in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Registrant is subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. Other than those disclosed in Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, no other legal proceedings are pending, which are believed to be material. Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against property, general liability and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no significant changes in the risk factors disclosed in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

The shareholders of AWR have approved the material features of all equity compensation plans under which AWR directly issues equity securities. AWR did not directly issue any unregistered equity securities during the second quarter of 2006.

The following table provides information about repurchases of Common Shares by AWR during the second quarter of 2006:

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

 

Average Price
Paid per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs(1)

 

Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans or
Programs

 

April 1 - 30, 2006

 

131

(3)

$

37.79

 

 

NA(4)

 

May 1 - 31, 2006

 

153

(3)

$

39.22

 

 

NA(4)

 

June 1 - 30, 2006

 

10,453

(2)

$

36.46

 

 

NA(4)

 

Total

 

10,737

 

$

36.51

 

 

NA(4)

 


(1)             None of the Common Shares were purchased pursuant to any publicly announced stock repurchase program.

(2)             Of this amount, 10,295 Common Shares were acquired on the open market for employees pursuant to the Company’s 401(k) plan. The remainder of the Common Shares was acquired on the open market for new participants in the Company’s Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

(3)             All of these Common Shares were acquired on the open market for new participants in the Company’s Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

(4)             None of these plans contain a maximum number of Common Shares that may be purchased in the open market under the plans.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The annual meeting of shareholders was held on May 9, 2006. The following table presents the voting results of the election of Class II directors at this meeting:

Name

 

“Votes For”

 

“Votes Withheld”

 

N.P. Dodge, Jr.

 

14,337,357

 

89,829

 

Robert F. Kathol

 

14,337,818

 

89,368

 

Lloyd E. Ross

 

14,317,458

 

109,727

 

 

Registrant has one other class of directors, James L. Anderson, Anne M. Holloway and Floyd E. Wicks, whose terms will expire at the annual meeting in 2007.

Registrant’s shareholders also ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm, with 14,366,838 voting in favor of the appointment, 32,037 opposing the appointment, 28,310 abstaining from voting on the appointment and 1 share not voting on the proposal.

Item 5. Other Information

(a)  On July 31, 2006, the Board of Directors of Registrant declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.225 per common share. The dividend will be paid September 1, 2006 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 14, 2006.

The Board of Directors has approved an amendment to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for executive officers of the Company and a revised form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.  Under the SERP, the formula for calculating benefits was revised to provide that the benefit is calculated based on  2% of compensation per year of credited service before 2006 and  3% of compensation  per year of credited service after 2005 up to a combined maximum of  60% of compensation, except that participants who were employed with the Company on January 1, 2006  are entitled to receive the greater of the benefit calculated under the  new formula or the benefit calculated under the previous formula.  The Board's approval of the new SERP formula is subject to the receipt of a confirming example, showing the effect of the change on an executive officer.  The Restricted Stock Unit Agreement has been revised to provide that a restricted stock unit will vest upon termination of employment if the employee is at least 55 and his or her age and years of service with the Company and/or its subsidiaries equals at least 75.  Prior to the amendment, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement provided for vesting upon termination of employment if the employee was at least 55 and had at least 20 years of service with the Company and/or its subsidiaries.

(b)  There have been no material changes during the second quarter of 2006 to the procedures by which shareholders may nominate persons to the Board of Directors of AWR.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) The following documents are filed as Exhibits to this report:

10.1

 

Amended Southern California Water Company Pension Restoration Plan (1)(3)

10.2

 

Revised Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (1)(3)

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for AWR (1)

31.1.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for GSWC (1)

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for AWR (1)

31.2.1

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for GSWC (1)

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)


(1) Filed concurrently herewith

(2) Furnished concurrently herewith

(3) Compensatory benefit agreement

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized and as its principal financial officer.

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
and its subsidiary
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Sprowls

 

 

Robert J. Sprowls Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary

 

Dated: August 9, 2006

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