(1) Includes UniSource Energy on a stand-alone basis and results from Millennium Energy Holdings, Inc. (Millennium), a wholly-owned subsidiary of UniSource Energy.
(2) Relates to the discontinued operations and sale of Global Solar Energy, Inc. by Millennium on March 31, 2006.
UniSource Energy believes the presentation of TEP, UNS Gas, UNS Electric and Other segment net income or loss on a per basic UniSource Energy share basis, which are non-GAAP financial measures, provides useful information to investors by disclosing the results of operations of its business segments on a basis consistent with UniSource Energy's reported earnings.
Earnings Outlook
UniSource Energy's management currently estimates that its 2008 full-year earnings will be between $1.70 and $2.20 per diluted share.
The 2008 earnings estimate assumes the recognition, by year end, of approximately $65 million of incremental revenue collected by TEP, between June and December, as a result of maintaining current retail rates after the Fixed Competition Transition Charge (Fixed CTC) terminates. The Fixed CTC will terminate when the TRA balance is amortized to zero, which is expected to occur in May 2008. According to an order by the ACC, the treatment of the incremental revenue shall be determined in TEP’s rate proceeding.
An ACC decision regarding TEP’s rate proceeding, including the ultimate treatment of the incremental revenues, is expected during the fourth quarter of 2008. Prior to an ACC decision, the revenues will not be recognized as income. Consequently, reported second and third quarter 2008 earnings are
expected to be substantially below prior year quarterly results. Furthermore, if the ACC does not reach a final decision by year-end 2008 or concludes, as part of the TEP rate proceeding, that the incremental revenues must be refunded, 2008 full year earnings would be substantially below the $1.70-$2.20 per diluted share guidance. Not recognizing $65 million of revenues less taxes of $26 million would represent a $39 million reduction to net income. Such reduction of net income divided by diluted shares would equate to approximately $1.00 per diluted share.
The total amount of TEP operating cash flows for 2008 and the timing of such cash flows during the year are not expected to be impacted by an ACC decision. UniSource Energy’s consolidated operating cash flows for 2008, including TEP, are expected to be approximately $300 million.
The 2008 earnings estimate also assumes expenses related to amortization of the TRA of approximately $24 million between January and May, compared with $78 million during the full year of 2007.
Numerous other factors could affect UniSource Energy's ability to reach the 2008 estimate, including but not limited to: regulatory decisions; rising fuel and transportation costs; market prices for power; unexpected increases in O&M expense; performance of TEP's generating plants; resolution of pending litigation matters; weather; pace and strength of the regional economy; and changes in accounting standards.
Conference Call and Webcast
UniSource Energy officials will discuss its 2007 earnings and outlook for 2008 on Friday, February 29, 2008 beginning at 11 a.m. EST in a conference call that will be available live on the Internet. James S. Pignatelli, UniSource Energy Chairman, President and CEO, will host the call.
Internet Access
A live audio-only webcast of the conference call is available through a link at uns.com. A recording of the webcast will be available for 30 days through a link at uns.com.
Telephone Access
To listen to the live conference call, dial 877-582-0446 five to 10 minutes prior to the event and reference confirmation code 31716795. A telephone replay will be available for seven days starting February 29. To listen to the replay, dial 800-642-1687 and reference confirmation code 31716795.
UniSource Energy's primary subsidiaries include Tucson Electric Power Company, which serves approximately 400,000 customers in southern Arizona; UniSource Energy Services, provider of natural gas and electric service for about 236,000 customers in northern and southern Arizona; and Millennium Energy Holdings, parent company of UniSource Energy's unregulated energy businesses. For more information about UniSource Energy and its subsidiaries, visit uns.com.
This news release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties that include, but are not limited to: the outcome of regulatory proceedings; changes in accounting standards; regional economic and market conditions which could affect customer growth and the cost of fuel and power supplies; changes to long-term contracts; performance of TEP's generating plants; the weather; changes in asset depreciable lives; changes related to the recognition of unbilled revenue; the cost of debt and equity capital; the ongoing restructuring of the electric industry; and other factors listed in UniSource Energy's Form 10-K and 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The preceding factors may cause future results to differ materially from outcomes currently expected by UniSource Energy.