UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
— OR —
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number 333-100240
Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| | |
Delaware | | 75-2967830 |
(State of organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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1601 Bryan Street, Dallas, TX 75201 | | (214) 486-2000 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Registrant’s Telephone Number) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No ¨ (The registrant is not currently required to submit such files.)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | | ¨ | | Accelerated filer | | ¨ | | Non-accelerated filer | | x | | Smaller reporting company | | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of October 29, 2009, 80.033% of the outstanding membership interests in Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) were directly held by Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC and indirectly by Energy Future Holdings Corp., 19.75% of the outstanding membership interests were held by Texas Transmission Investment LLC and 0.217% of the outstanding membership interests were indirectly held by certain members of Oncor’s management and board of directors. None of the membership interests are publicly traded.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are made available to the public, free of charge, on the Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) website at http://www.oncor.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Oncor will provide copies of current reports not posted on the website upon request. The information on Oncor’s website shall not be deemed a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report on Form 10-Q. Readers should not rely on or assume the accuracy of any representation or warranty in any agreement that Oncor has filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q because such representation or warranty may be subject to exceptions and qualifications contained in separate disclosure schedules, may represent the parties’ risk allocation in the particular transaction, may be qualified by materiality standards that differ from what may be viewed as material for securities law purposes or may no longer continue to be true as of any given date.
This Form 10-Q and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings of Oncor and its subsidiary occasionally make references to Oncor when describing actions, rights or obligations of its subsidiary. These references reflect the fact that the subsidiary is consolidated with Oncor for financial reporting purposes. However, these references should not be interpreted to imply that Oncor is actually undertaking the action or has the rights or obligations of its subsidiary or that the subsidiary company is undertaking an action or has the rights or obligations of its parent company or of any other affiliate.
i
GLOSSARY
When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.
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2008 Form 10-K | | Oncor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 |
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CREZ | | Competitive Renewable Energy Zone |
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EFC Holdings | | Refers to Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company, a direct subsidiary of EFH Corp. and the direct parent of TCEH. |
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EFH Corp. | | Refers to Energy Future Holdings Corp., a holding company, and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context. Its major subsidiaries include Oncor and TCEH. |
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EPA | | US Environmental Protection Agency |
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ERCOT | | Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the independent system operator and the regional coordinator of the various electricity systems within Texas |
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FASB | | Financial Accounting Standards Board, the designated organization in the private sector for establishing standards for financial accounting and reporting |
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FERC | | US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
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Fitch | | Fitch Ratings, Ltd. (a credit rating agency) |
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GAAP | | generally accepted accounting principles |
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GWh | | gigawatt-hours |
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Intermediate Holding | | Refers to Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. and the direct parent of Oncor Holdings. |
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Investment LLC | | Refers to Oncor Management Investment LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and noncontrolling interest owner of Oncor, whose managing member is Oncor and whose Class B Interests are owned by officers, directors and key employees of Oncor. |
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LIBOR | | London Interbank Offered Rate. An interest rate at which banks can borrow funds, in marketable size, from other banks in the London interbank market. |
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Limited Liability Company Agreement | | The Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Oncor, dated as of November 5, 2008, by and among Oncor Holdings, Texas Transmission and Investment LLC, as amended. |
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Luminant | | Refers to subsidiaries of TCEH engaged in competitive market activities consisting of electricity generation, development and construction of new generation facilities, wholesale energy sales and purchases as well as commodity risk management and trading activities, all largely in Texas. |
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Merger | | The transaction referred to in the Merger Agreement (defined immediately below) that was completed on October 10, 2007. |
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Merger Agreement | | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 25, 2007, under which Texas Holdings agreed to acquire EFH Corp. |
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Moody’s | | Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (a credit rating agency) |
ii
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Oncor | | Refers to Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a direct, majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings, and/or its wholly-owned consolidated bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary, Oncor Electric Delivery Transition Bond Company LLC, depending on context. |
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Oncor Holdings | | Refers to Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Intermediate Holding and the direct majority owner of Oncor. |
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Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities | | Refers to Oncor Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. |
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OPEB | | other postretirement employee benefits |
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PUCT | | Public Utility Commission of Texas |
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PURA | | Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act |
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Purchase accounting | | The purchase method of accounting for a business combination as prescribed by GAAP, whereby the cost or “purchase price” of a business combination, including the amount paid for the equity and direct transaction costs, are allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities (including intangible assets) based upon their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. |
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REP | | retail electric provider |
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S&P | | Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (a credit rating agency) |
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SEC | | US Securities and Exchange Commission |
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Sponsor Group | | Collectively, the investment funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR), TPG Capital, L.P. and GS Capital Partners, an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. (See Texas Holdings below.) |
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TCEH | | Refers to Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFC Holdings and an indirect subsidiary of EFH Corp., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context. |
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TCEQ | | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
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Texas Holdings | | Refers to Texas Energy Future Holdings Limited Partnership, a limited partnership controlled by the Sponsor Group that owns substantially all of the common stock of EFH Corp. |
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Texas Holdings Group | | Refers to Texas Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries other than the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities. |
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Texas Transmission | | Refers to Texas Transmission Investment LLC, a limited liability company that owns a 19.75% equity interest in Oncor. Texas Transmission is not affiliated with EFH Corp., any of EFH Corp.’s subsidiaries or any member of the Sponsor Group. |
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TXU Energy | | Refers to TXU Energy Retail Company LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of TCEH engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers. TXU Energy is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT. |
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US | | United States of America |
iii
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
| | (millions of dollars) |
Operating revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Affiliated | | $ | 308 | | $ | 290 | | $ | 783 | | $ | 775 |
Nonaffiliated | | | 462 | | | 438 | | | 1,254 | | | 1,194 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating revenues | | | 770 | | | 728 | | | 2,037 | | | 1,969 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operation and maintenance | | | 245 | | | 221 | | | 698 | | | 640 |
Write off of regulatory assets (Note 2) | | | 25 | | | — | | | 25 | | | — |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 147 | | | 128 | | | 405 | | | 370 |
Provision for/in lieu of income taxes | | | 49 | | | 73 | | | 122 | | | 162 |
Taxes other than amounts related to income taxes | | | 99 | | | 100 | | | 287 | | | 289 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | | | 565 | | | 522 | | | 1,537 | | | 1,461 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Operating income | | | 205 | | | 206 | | | 500 | | | 508 |
| | | | |
Other income and deductions: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income (Note 9) | | | 10 | | | 12 | | | 30 | | | 34 |
Other deductions (Note 9) | | | 5 | | | 4 | | | 14 | | | 21 |
Nonoperating provision for/in lieu of income taxes | | | 6 | | | 7 | | | 18 | | | 17 |
| | | | |
Interest income | | | 13 | | | 12 | | | 32 | | | 34 |
| | | | |
Interest expense and related charges (Note 9) | | | 85 | | | 80 | | | 258 | | | 229 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net income | | $ | 132 | | $ | 139 | | $ | 272 | | $ | 309 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | (millions of dollars) | |
| | | | |
Net income | | $ | 132 | | $ | 139 | | | $ | 272 | | $ | 309 | |
| | | | |
Other comprehensive income, net of tax effects: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in fair value of derivatives (net of tax benefit of $—, $1, $— and $1) | | | — | | | (2 | ) | | | — | | | (2 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Comprehensive income | | $ | 132 | | $ | 137 | | | $ | 272 | | $ | 307 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
1
ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | (millions of dollars) | |
Cash flows — operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 272 | | | $ | 309 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 379 | | | | 340 | |
Write off of regulatory assets (Note 2) | | | 25 | | | | — | |
Provision for/in lieu of deferred income taxes – net | | | 86 | | | | 63 | |
Amortization of investment tax credits | | | (4 | ) | | | (4 | ) |
Other – net | | | (2 | ) | | | 4 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Deferred advanced metering system revenues (Note 2) | | | 51 | | | | — | |
Other operating assets and liabilities | | | (153 | ) | | | (122 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash provided by operating activities | | | 654 | | | | 590 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Cash flows — financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of long-term debt | | | — | | | | 1,500 | |
Repayments of long-term debt | | | (70 | ) | | | (67 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings | | | 200 | | | | (1,130 | ) |
Distributions to members | | | (149 | ) | | | (213 | ) |
Decrease in income tax-related note receivable from TCEH | | | 27 | | | | 24 | |
Debt discount, financing and reacquisition expenses – net | | | (3 | ) | | | (15 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash provided by financing activities | | | 5 | | | | 99 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Cash flows — investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | | | (728 | ) | | | (654 | ) |
Costs to remove retired property | | | (30 | ) | | | (26 | ) |
Other | | | (4 | ) | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash used in investing activities | | | (762 | ) | | | (679 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | | | (103 | ) | | | 10 | |
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Cash and cash equivalents — beginning balance | | | 125 | | | | 22 | |
| | | | | | | | |
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Cash and cash equivalents — ending balance | | $ | 22 | | | $ | 32 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
2
ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
| | (millions of dollars) | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 22 | | | $ | 125 | |
Restricted cash (Note 9) | | | 64 | | | | 51 | |
Trade accounts receivable from nonaffiliates — net (Note 9) | | | 253 | | | | 217 | |
Trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates | | | 211 | | | | 182 | |
Amounts receivable from parent related to income taxes (Note 8) | | | — | | | | 21 | |
Materials and supplies inventories — at average cost | | | 79 | | | | 63 | |
Prepayments | | | 83 | | | | 75 | |
Other current assets | | | 5 | | | | 8 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 717 | | | | 742 | |
Restricted cash (Note 9) | | | 15 | | | | 16 | |
Investments and other property (Note 9) | | | 72 | | | | 72 | |
Property, plant and equipment — net (Note 9) | | | 9,058 | | | | 8,606 | |
Goodwill | | | 4,064 | | | | 4,064 | |
Note receivable due from TCEH (Note 8) | | | 227 | | | | 254 | |
Regulatory assets — net (Note 2) | | | 1,755 | | | | 1,892 | |
Other noncurrent assets | | | 54 | | | | 60 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 15,962 | | | $ | 15,706 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Short-term borrowings (Note 3) | | $ | 537 | | | $ | 337 | |
Long-term debt due currently (Note 4) | | | 106 | | | | 103 | |
Trade accounts payable | | | 128 | | | | 124 | |
Amounts payable to members related to income taxes (Note 8) | | | 17 | | | | — | |
Accrued taxes other than amounts related to income | | | 116 | | | | 141 | |
Accrued interest | | | 74 | | | | 103 | |
Other current liabilities | | | 100 | | | | 99 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 1,078 | | | | 907 | |
| | |
Liability in lieu of deferred income taxes | | | 1,553 | | | | 1,434 | |
Investment tax credits | | | 38 | | | | 42 | |
Long-term debt, less amounts due currently (Note 4) | | | 5,031 | | | | 5,101 | |
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits | | | 1,340 | | | | 1,423 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 9,040 | | | | 8,907 | |
| | |
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5) | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Membership interests (Note 6): | | | | | | | | |
Capital account | | | 6,924 | | | | 6,801 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total membership interests | | | 6,922 | | | | 6,799 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and membership interests | | $ | 15,962 | | | $ | 15,706 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
3
ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BUSINESS |
Description of Business
Oncor is a regulated electricity transmission and distribution company principally engaged in providing delivery services to REPs, including subsidiaries of TCEH, that sell power in the north-central, eastern and western parts of Texas. Distribution revenues from TCEH represented 38% and 39% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Oncor is a majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings, which is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Intermediate Holding, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. Oncor Holdings owns 80.033% of Oncor’s membership interests, Texas Transmission owns 19.75% of the membership interests and certain members of Oncor’s management indirectly own the remaining membership interests through Investment LLC. Oncor is managed as an integrated business; consequently, there are no separate reportable business segments.
Oncor’s consolidated financial statements include its wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary, Oncor Electric Delivery Transition Bond Company LLC. See “Glossary” for definition of terms and abbreviations.
Various “ring-fencing” measures have been taken to enhance Oncor’s credit quality. Such measures include, among other things: Oncor Holdings’ sale of a 19.75% equity interest in Oncor to Texas Transmission in November 2008; maintenance of separate books and records for the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities; Oncor’s board of directors being comprised of a majority of independent directors, and prohibitions on the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities’ providing credit support to, or receiving credit support from, any member of the Texas Holdings Group. The assets and liabilities of the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are separate and distinct from those of the Texas Holdings Group, including TXU Energy and Luminant, and none of the assets of the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are available to satisfy the debt or other obligations of any member of the Texas Holdings Group. Accordingly, Oncor’s operations are conducted, and its cash flows managed, independently from the Texas Holdings Group.
Basis of Presentation
Oncor’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and on the same basis as the audited financial statements included in the 2008 Form 10-K. All adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial position have been included therein. All intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Because the condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the 2008 Form 10-K. The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for a full year. All dollar amounts in the financial statements and tables in the notes are stated in millions of US dollars unless otherwise indicated. Subsequent events have been evaluated through October 29, 2009, the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of the financial statements requires estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reporting of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expense, including fair value measurements. In the event estimates and/or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. No material adjustments, other than those disclosed elsewhere herein, were made to previous estimates or assumptions during the current year.
4
Property, Plant and Equipment
Properties are stated at original cost. The cost of self-constructed property additions includes materials and both direct and indirect labor and applicable overhead and an allowance for funds used during construction.
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives of the properties based on depreciation rates approved by the PUCT. Depreciation rates include plant removal costs as a component of depreciation expense, consistent with regulatory treatment. As is common in the industry, depreciation expense is recorded using composite depreciation rates that reflect blended estimates of the lives of major asset components as compared to depreciation expense calculated on an asset-by-asset basis.
In accordance with the PUCT’s August 2009 order in Oncor’s rate review, the remaining net book value and anticipated removal cost of existing meters that are being replaced by advanced meters is being charged (amortized) to expense over an 11-year cost recovery period.
Changes in Accounting Standards
In June 2009, the FASB issued “TheFASB Accounting Standards Codification™ and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” which establishes theFASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (Codification) as the source of authoritative US GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied to nongovernmental entities. The Codification was effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of the Codification did not affect reported results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Oncor implemented the Codification in this Form 10-Q.
In May 2009, the FASB issued new guidance related to subsequent events that requires disclosure of the date through which Oncor has evaluated subsequent events related to the financial statements being issued and the basis for that date (either the date the financial statements were issued or the date they were available to be issued). This guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance as of April 1, 2009 did not affect reported results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, and the required disclosure is provided above in “Basis of Presentation.”
In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance requiring the disclosure of summarized financial information about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting. This new guidance was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and Oncor adopted it as of April 1, 2009. As this new guidance provides only disclosure requirements, the adoption did not have any effect on reported results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The disclosures are provided in Note 4.
In December 2008, the FASB issued new guidance for employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets. This new guidance provides enhanced disclosures regarding how investment allocation decisions are made and certain aspects of fair value measurements on plan assets. The required disclosures are intended to provide transparency related to the types of assets and associated risks in an employer’s defined benefit pension or other postretirement employee benefits plan and events in the economy and markets that could have a significant effect on the value of plan assets. These new disclosure requirements are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. As this new guidance provides only disclosure requirements, the adoption will not have any effect on reported results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
5
2. | REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
Recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities and the amortization periods over which they are expected to be recovered or refunded through rate regulation reflect the decisions of the PUCT. Components of the regulatory assets and liabilities are provided in the table below. Amounts not earning a return through rate regulation are noted. On August 31, 2009, the PUCT issued a final order on Oncor’s rate review filed in June 2008. The rate review included a determination of the recoverability of regulatory assets as of December 31, 2007, including the recoverability period of those assets deemed allowable by the PUCT. The PUCT’s findings included denial of recovery of certain regulatory assets primarily related to business restructuring costs and rate case expenses, which resulted in a $25 million charge ($16 million after-tax) in the third quarter 2009 reported as write off of regulatory assets.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Remaining Rate Recovery/Amortization Period as of September 30, 2009 | | Carrying Amount |
| | | September 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 |
Regulatory assets: | | | | | | | | |
Generation-related regulatory assets securitized by transition bonds (a) | | 7 years | | $ | 787 | | $ | 865 |
Employee retirement costs | | 5 years | | | 84 | | | — |
Employee retirement costs to be reviewed (b)(c) | | To be determined | | | 37 | | | 100 |
Employee retirement liability (a)(c)(d) | | To be determined | | | 542 | | | 559 |
Self-insurance reserve (primarily storm recovery costs) — net | | 7 years | | | 142 | | | — |
Self-insurance reserve to be reviewed (b)(c) | | To be determined | | | 109 | | | 214 |
Nuclear decommissioning cost under-recovery (a)(c)(e) | | Not applicable | | | 90 | | | 127 |
Securities reacquisition costs (pre-industry restructure) | | 8 years | | | 63 | | | 68 |
Securities reacquisition costs (post-industry restructure) | | Terms of related debt | | | 28 | | | 29 |
Recoverable amounts for/in lieu of deferred income taxes — net | | Life of related asset or liability | | | 76 | | | 77 |
Rate case expenses (f) | | Largely 3 years | | | 9 | | | 10 |
Rate case expenses to be reviewed (b)(c) | | To be determined | | | 2 | | | — |
Advanced meter customer education costs | | 10 years | | | 4 | | | 2 |
Deferred conventional meter depreciation | | 10 years | | | 2 | | | — |
Business restructuring costs (g) | | Not applicable | | | — | | | 20 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total regulatory assets | | | | | 1,975 | | | 2,071 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Regulatory liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Committed spending for demand-side management initiatives (a) | | 3 years | | | 87 | | | 96 |
Deferred advanced metering system revenues | | 10 years | | | 51 | | | — |
Investment tax credit and protected excess deferred taxes | | Various | | | 46 | | | 49 |
Over-collection of securitization (transition) bond revenues (a) | | 7 years | | | 32 | | | 28 |
Other regulatory liabilities (a) | | Various | | | 4 | | | 6 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total regulatory liabilities | | | | | 220 | | | 179 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net regulatory asset | | | | $ | 1,755 | | $ | 1,892 |
| | | | | | | | |
(a) | Not earning a return in the regulatory rate-setting process. |
(b) | Costs incurred since the period covered under the last rate review. |
(c) | Recovery is specifically authorized by statute, subject to reasonableness review by the PUCT. |
(d) | Represents unfunded liabilities recorded in accordance with pension and OPEB accounting standards. |
(e) | Offset by an intercompany payable to TCEH. See Note 8. |
(f) | Rate case expenses totaling $4 million were disallowed by the PUCT and written off in the third quarter of 2009. |
(g) | All previously recorded business restructuring costs were disallowed by the PUCT and written off in the third quarter of 2009. |
6
As part of purchase accounting, the carrying value of the generation-related regulatory assets was reduced by $213 million, and this amount is being accreted to other income over the approximate nine-year recovery period remaining as of the date of the Merger.
In September 2008, the PUCT approved a settlement for Oncor to recover its estimated future investment for advanced metering deployment. Oncor began billing the advanced metering surcharge in the January 2009 billing month cycle. The surcharge is expected to total $1.023 billion over the 11-year recovery period and includes a cost recovery factor of $2.19 per month per residential retail customer and $2.39 to $5.15 per month for non-residential retail customers. Oncor accounts for the difference between the surcharge billings for advanced metering facilities and the allowed revenues under the surcharge provisions, which are based on expenditures and an allowed return, as a regulatory asset or liability. Such differences arise principally as a result of timing of expenditures. As indicated in the table above, the regulatory liability at September 30, 2009 totaled $51 million.
See Note 8 for additional information regarding nuclear decommissioning cost recovery.
3. | BORROWINGS UNDER CREDIT FACILITIES |
At September 30, 2009, Oncor had a $2.0 billion secured revolving credit facility, expiring October 10, 2013, to be used for its working capital and general corporate purposes, including issuances of commercial paper and letters of credit. Increases in the commitments under the facility may be requested in any amount up to $500 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Amounts borrowed under the facility, once repaid, can be borrowed again from time to time. Borrowings are classified as short-term on the balance sheet.
At September 30, 2009, Oncor had outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaling $537 million with an interest rate of 0.60% at the end of the period. At December 31, 2008, outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled $337 million with an interest rate of 1.98% at the end of the period. All outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2009 bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.350%, and a facility fee is payable (currently at a rate per annum equal to 0.125%) on the commitments under the facility, each based on Oncor’s current credit ratings. The interest rate and facility fee per annum declined in June 2009 from LIBOR plus 0.425% and 0.150%, respectively, due to a two notch upgrade in Oncor’s credit ratings by Moody’s.
Availability under the credit facility as of September 30, 2009 was $1.341 billion. This availability excludes $122 million of commitments from a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. (such subsidiary, Lehman) that has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. Availability under the credit facility as of December 31, 2008 was $1.508 billion, which excluded $155 million of commitments from Lehman. See Note 10 to the 2008 Form 10-K Financial Statements for additional information.
7
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, long-term debt consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
Oncor (a): | | | | | | | | |
6.375% Fixed Senior Notes due May 1, 2012 | | $ | 700 | | | $ | 700 | |
5.950% Fixed Senior Notes due September 1, 2013 | | | 650 | | | | 650 | |
6.375% Fixed Senior Notes due January 15, 2015 | | | 500 | | | | 500 | |
6.800% Fixed Senior Notes due September 1, 2018 | | | 550 | | | | 550 | |
7.000% Fixed Debentures due September 1, 2022 | | | 800 | | | | 800 | |
7.000% Fixed Senior Notes due May 1, 2032 | | | 500 | | | | 500 | |
7.250% Fixed Senior Notes due January 15, 2033 | | | 350 | | | | 350 | |
7.500% Fixed Senior Notes due September 1, 2038 | | | 300 | | | | 300 | |
Unamortized discount | | | (15 | ) | | | (16 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Oncor | | | 4,335 | | | | 4,334 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Oncor Electric Delivery Transition Bond Company LLC (b): | | | | | | | | |
4.030% Fixed Series 2003 Bonds due in semiannual installments through February 15, 2010 | | | 13 | | | | 54 | |
4.950% Fixed Series 2003 Bonds due in semiannual installments through February 15, 2013 | | | 130 | | | | 130 | |
5.420% Fixed Series 2003 Bonds due in semiannual installments through August 15, 2015 | | | 145 | | | | 145 | |
3.520% Fixed Series 2004 Bonds due in semiannual installments through November 15, 2009 | | | 10 | | | | 39 | |
4.810% Fixed Series 2004 Bonds due in semiannual installments through November 15, 2012 | | | 221 | | | | 221 | |
5.290% Fixed Series 2004 Bonds due in semiannual installments through May 15, 2016 | | | 290 | | | | 290 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Oncor Electric Delivery Transition Bond Company LLC | | | 809 | | | | 879 | |
| | |
Unamortized fair value discount related to transition bonds (c) | | | (7 | ) | | | (9 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Total consolidated | | | 5,137 | | | | 5,204 | |
Less amount due currently | | | (106 | ) | | | (103 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total long-term debt | | $ | 5,031 | | | $ | 5,101 | |
| | | | | | | | |
(a) | Secured with first priority lien on certain transmission and distribution assets equally and ratably with the credit facility. If the lien is terminated at Oncor’s option upon the termination of the current credit facility, the notes will cease to be secured obligations and will become senior unsecured general obligations. See Note 11 to the 2008 Form 10-K Financial Statements for additional information. |
(b) | The transition bonds are nonrecourse to Oncor and were issued to securitize a regulatory asset. |
(c) | The transition bonds, which secured regulatory assets not earning a return, were fair valued as of October 10, 2007 as a result of purchase accounting. |
Debt Repayments in 2009
Repayments of long-term debt in 2009 totaled $70 million and represent transition bond principal payments at scheduled maturity dates.
Fair Value of Long-Term Debt
The estimated fair value of long-term debt (including current maturities) totaled $5.862 billion at September 30, 2009 and $4.990 billion at December 31, 2008, and the carrying amount totaled $5.137 billion and $5.204 billion, respectively. The fair value is estimated at the lesser of either the call price or the market value as determined by quoted market prices.
8
5. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Legal Proceedings
Oncor is involved in various legal and administrative proceedings in the normal course of business, the ultimate resolution of which, in the opinion of management, should not have a material effect upon its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Guarantees
Oncor has entered into contracts that contain guarantees to outside parties that could require performance or payment under certain conditions.
Oncor is the lessee under various operating leases that obligate it to guarantee the residual values of the leased assets. At September 30, 2009, both the aggregate maximum amount of residual values guaranteed and the estimated residual recoveries totaled approximately $10 million. These leased assets consist primarily of vehicles used in distribution activities. The average life of the residual value guarantees under the lease portfolio is approximately one year.
Cash Distributions
During 2009, Oncor’s board of directors declared and Oncor paid the following cash distributions to its members:
| | | | | |
Declaration Date | | Payment Date | | Amount Paid |
August 18, 2009 | | August 19, 2009 | | $ | 74 |
May 19, 2009 | | May 20, 2009 | | $ | 50 |
February 18, 2009 | | March 3, 2009 | | $ | 25 |
For the period beginning October 11, 2007 and ending December 31, 2012, distributions paid by Oncor (other than distributions of the proceeds of any issuance of limited liability company units) are limited by the Limited Liability Company Agreement to an amount not to exceed Oncor’s net cumulative income determined in accordance with GAAP, as adjusted by applicable orders of the PUCT. Such adjustments include deducting the $72 million ($46 million after tax) one-time refund to customers in September 2008 and deducting funds spent as part of the $100 million commitment for additional demand-side management or other energy efficiency initiatives (see Note 4 to the 2008 Form 10-K Financial Statements) of which $13 million ($9 million after tax) has been spent through September 30, 2009, neither of which impacted net income due to purchase accounting, and removing the effect of the $860 million goodwill impairment charge from fourth quarter 2008 net income available for distribution. The refund and goodwill impairment charge are described in the 2008 Form 10-K. Distributions are further limited by Oncor’s required regulatory capital structure, as determined by the PUCT, to be at or below the assumed debt-to-equity ratio established periodically by the PUCT for ratemaking purposes, which is currently set at 60% debt to 40% equity. At September 30, 2009, no material amount of net income was restricted from being used to make distributions on membership interests.
9
Membership Interests
As of September 30, 2009, approximately 80.03% of outstanding membership interests were directly held by Oncor Holdings and indirectly held by EFH Corp., 19.75% were held by Texas Transmission and approximately 0.22% were held indirectly by certain members of management and Oncor’s board of directors through Investment LLC.
The following table presents the changes to membership interests during the nine months ended September 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Capital Accounts | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | | Total Membership Interests | |
| | | |
Balance at December 31, 2008 | | $ | 6,801 | | | $ | (2 | ) | | $ | 6,799 | |
Net income | | | 272 | | | | — | | | | 272 | |
Distributions | | | (149 | ) | | | — | | | | (149 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2009 | | $ | 6,924 | | | $ | (2 | ) | | $ | 6,922 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
7. | PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (OPEB) COSTS |
Oncor is a participating employer in the EFH Retirement Plan, a defined benefit pension plan sponsored by EFH Corp., and also participates with EFH Corp. and certain other affiliated subsidiaries of EFH Corp. to offer certain health care and life insurance benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents upon the retirement of such employees. The net allocated pension and OPEB costs applicable to Oncor for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are comprised of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
| | | | |
Amounts recognized as expense | | $ | 5 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 14 | | $ | 13 |
Amounts deferred principally as a regulatory asset or property | | | 18 | | | 10 | | | 51 | | | 32 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net pension and OPEB costs | | $ | 23 | | $ | 14 | | $ | 65 | | $ | 45 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The discount rates reflected in net pension and OPEB costs in 2009 are 6.90% and 6.85%, respectively. The expected rates of return on pension and OPEB plan assets reflected in the 2009 cost amounts are 8.25% and 7.64%, respectively.
Oncor made contributions to EFH Corp.’s pension and OPEB plans of $41 million and $13 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and expects to make additional contributions of $16 million and $4 million, respectively, in the remainder of 2009.
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8. | RELATED–PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
The following represents Oncor’s significant related-party transactions:
| • | | Oncor records revenue from TCEH, principally for electricity delivery fees, which totaled $308 million and $290 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $783 million and $775 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. |
| • | | Oncor records interest income from TCEH with respect to generation-related regulatory assets, which have been securitized through the issuance of transition bonds by Oncor’s bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary. The interest income serves to offset interest expense on the transition bonds. This interest income totaled $10 million and $11 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $32 million and $35 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. |
| • | | Incremental amounts payable related to income taxes as a result of delivery fee surcharges to customers related to transition bonds are reimbursed by TCEH. Oncor’s financial statements reflect a note receivable from TCEH of $263 million ($36 million reported as current in trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates) at September 30, 2009 and $289 million ($35 million reported as current in trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates) at December 31, 2008 related to these income taxes. |
| • | | An EFH Corp. subsidiary charges Oncor for financial and certain other administrative services at cost. These costs, which are reported in operation and maintenance expenses, totaled $6 million and $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $19 million and $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. |
| • | | Under Texas regulatory provisions, the trust fund for decommissioning the Comanche Peak nuclear generation facility (reported on TCEH’s balance sheet) is funded by a delivery fee surcharge collected from REPs by Oncor and remitted to TCEH. These trust fund assets are established with the intent to be sufficient to fund the estimated decommissioning liability (also reported on TCEH’s balance sheet). Income and expenses associated with the trust fund and the decommissioning liability recorded by TCEH are offset by a net change in the Oncor and TCEH intercompany receivable/payable, which in turn results in a change in Oncor’s reported net regulatory asset/liability. The regulatory asset of $90 million and $127 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, represents the excess of the net decommissioning liability over the trust fund balance. |
| • | | Oncor has a 19.5% limited partnership interest, with carrying values of $4 million and $5 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, in an EFH Corp. subsidiary holding principally software-related assets. Equity losses related to this interest are reported in other deductions and totaled $1 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and $1 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These losses primarily represent amortization of software assets held by the subsidiary. |
| • | | Under the terms of a tax sharing agreement among Oncor, Oncor Holdings, Texas Transmission, Investment LLC and EFH Corp., Oncor is generally obligated to make payments to Texas Transmission, Investment LLC and EFH Corp., pro rata in accordance with their respective membership interests, in an aggregate amount that is substantially equal to the amount of federal income taxes that Oncor would have been required to pay if it was filing its own corporate income tax return. In addition, consistent with the tax sharing agreement, Oncor remits to EFH Corp. Texas margin tax payments, which are accounted for as income taxes, calculated as if Oncor were filing its own return. Oncor’s results are included in the consolidated Texas state margin tax return filed by EFH Corp. Oncor had amounts due to EFH Corp. related to income taxes that totaled $17 million at September 30, 2009, and amounts due from EFH Corp. related to income taxes, due primarily to timing of payments, that totaled $21 million at December 31, 2008. Income tax payments to members in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $28 million, including $9 million in federal income tax-related payments to noncontrolling interests. |
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| • | | Oncor held cash collateral of $15 million on both September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 provided by TCEH related to interconnection agreements for three generation units being developed by TCEH. The collateral is reported in the balance sheet in other current liabilities. |
| • | | Certain transmission and distribution utilities in Texas have tariffs in place to assure adequate creditworthiness of any REP to support the REP’s obligation to collect securitization bond-related (transition) charges on behalf of the utility. Under these tariffs, as a result of TCEH’s credit rating being below investment grade, TCEH is required to post collateral support in an amount equal to estimated transition charges over specified time periods. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, TCEH had posted letters of credit in the amounts of $16 million and $13 million, respectively, for Oncor’s benefit. |
| • | | At the closing of the Merger, Oncor entered into its current $2 billion revolving credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions and other lenders. The syndicate includes affiliates of GS Capital Partners. Affiliates of GS Capital Partners (a member of the Sponsor Group) have from time to time engaged in commercial banking transactions with Oncor in the normal course of business. |
| • | | Affiliates of the Sponsor Group have, and may, sell, acquire or participate in the offerings of debt or debt securities issued by Oncor in open market transactions or through loan syndications. |
See Notes 6 and 7 for information regarding distributions to members and the allocation of EFH Corp.’s pension and OPEB costs to Oncor, respectively.
9. | SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Other Income and Deductions
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Other income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accretion of adjustment (discount) of regulatory assets resulting from purchase accounting | | $ | 10 | | $ | 11 | | $ | 30 | | $ | 33 |
Net gain on sale of other properties and investments | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other income | | $ | 10 | | $ | 12 | | $ | 30 | | $ | 34 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Other deductions: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Professional fees | | $ | 2 | | $ | 1 | | $ | 7 | | $ | 4 |
Costs related to 2006 cities rate settlement | | | 1 | | | — | | | 2 | | | 13 |
Other | | | 2 | | | 3 | | | 5 | | | 4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other deductions | | $ | 5 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 14 | | $ | 21 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Major Customers
Distribution revenues from TCEH represented 40% of total operating revenues for both the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and 38% and 39% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Revenues from subsidiaries of one nonaffiliated REP collectively represented 13% and 14% of total operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 14% and 15% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. No other customer represented 10% or more of total operating revenues.
12
Interest Expense and Related Charges
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | |
Interest | | $ | 84 | | | $ | 80 | | | $ | 254 | | | $ | 226 | |
Amortization of fair value debt discounts resulting from purchase accounting | | | — | | | | 1 | | | | 2 | | | | 3 | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts | | | 2 | | | | 1 | | | | 5 | | | | 4 | |
Allowance for funds used during construction – capitalized interest portion | | | (1 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | (3 | ) | | | (4 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest expense and related charges | | $ | 85 | | | $ | 80 | | | $ | 258 | | | $ | 229 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted Cash
All restricted cash amounts reported on the balance sheet relate to the securitization (transition) bonds.
Trade Accounts Receivable
| | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
| | |
Gross trade accounts receivable | | $ | 427 | | | $ | 359 | |
Trade accounts receivable from TCEH | | | (172 | ) | | | (135 | ) |
Allowance for uncollectible accounts | | | (2 | ) | | | (7 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Trade accounts receivable from nonaffiliates – net | | $ | 253 | | | $ | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Gross trade accounts receivable at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 included unbilled revenues of $138 million and $140 million, respectively.
In April 2009, the PUCT finalized a new rule relating to the Certification of Retail Electric Providers. Under the new rule, write-offs of uncollectible amounts owed by nonaffiliated REPs are deferred as a regulatory asset. Accordingly, Oncor recognized a $3 million one-time reversal of bad debt expense in the three months ended June 30, 2009 representing bad debt reserves previously recognized for nonaffiliated REP accounts receivable.
Investments
| | | | | | |
| | September 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets related to employee benefit plans, including employee savings programs, net of distributions | | $ | 66 | | $ | 65 |
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | | | 4 | | | 5 |
Land | | | 2 | | | 2 |
| | | | | | |
Total investments | | $ | 72 | | $ | 72 |
| | | | | | |
Property, Plant and Equipment
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, property, plant and equipment of $9.1 billion and $8.6 billion, respectively, is stated net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $4.3 and $4.2 billion, respectively.
13
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets other than goodwill reported in the balance sheet are comprised of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of September 30, 2009 | | As of December 31, 2008 |
| | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net |
Intangible assets subject to amortization included in property, plant and equipment: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Land easements | | $ | 184 | | $ | 71 | | $ | 113 | | $ | 184 | | $ | 69 | | $ | 115 |
Capitalized software | | | 203 | | | 99 | | | 104 | | | 145 | | | 80 | | | 65 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 387 | | $ | 170 | | $ | 217 | | $ | 329 | | $ | 149 | | $ | 180 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets totaled $9 million and $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $21 million and $14 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years from December 31, 2008 is as follows:
| | | |
Year | | Amortization Expense |
2009 | | $ | 29 |
2010 | | | 25 |
2011 | | | 22 |
2012 | | | 19 |
2013 | | | 13 |
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, goodwill of $4.1 billion was reported on the balance sheet. None of this goodwill balance is being deducted for tax purposes. This balance is net of the $860 million goodwill impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008 (see Note 3 to the 2008 Form 10-K Financial Statements). No additional charge was recorded in 2009 in connection with the completion of fair value calculations supporting the 2008 impairment, and no other impairments have been recorded since the Merger.
Exit Liabilities
As part of purchase accounting, Oncor accrued $16 million in costs expected to be incurred related to the termination and transition of outsourcing arrangements. Oncor incurred $1 million of the exit liabilities in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and the remaining accrual is expected to be settled no later than June 30, 2010, the targeted date of completion of transition of outsourced activities.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Cash payments: | | | | | | | | |
Interest paid | | $ | 283 | | | $ | 227 | |
Capitalized interest | | | (3 | ) | | | (4 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Interest (net of amounts capitalized) | | | 280 | | | | 223 | |
Amounts paid for/in lieu of income taxes | | | 28 | | | | 76 | |
Noncash investing and financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Noncash construction expenditures (a) | | | 56 | | | | 24 | |
(a) | Represents end-of-period accruals. |
14
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Members of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2009, and the related condensed statements of consolidated income and comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2008, and the related statements of consolidated income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and membership interests for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 2, 2009 (which report includes an explanatory paragraph related to Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC being an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFH Corp., which completed its merger with Texas Energy Future Merger Sub Corp on October 10, 2007), we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
|
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP |
|
Dallas, Texas |
October 29, 2009 |
15
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion and analysis of Oncor’s financial condition and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements.
All dollar amounts in the tables in the following discussion and analysis are stated in millions of US dollars unless otherwise indicated.
BUSINESS
Oncor is a regulated electricity transmission and distribution company principally engaged in providing delivery services to REPs, including subsidiaries of TCEH, that sell power in the north-central, eastern and western parts of Texas. Distribution revenues from TCEH represented 38% and 39% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Oncor is a majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings, which is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Intermediate Holding, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. Oncor Holdings owns 80.033% of Oncor’s membership interests, Texas Transmission owns 19.75% of the membership interests and certain members of Oncor’s management indirectly own the remaining membership interests through Investment LLC. Oncor is managed as an integrated business; consequently, there are no separate reportable business segments.
Various “ring-fencing” measures have been taken to enhance Oncor’s credit quality. Such measures include, among other things: Oncor Holdings’ sale of a 19.75% equity interest in Oncor to Texas Transmission in November 2008; maintenance of separate books and records for the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities; Oncor’s board of directors being comprised of a majority of independent directors, and prohibitions on the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities’ providing credit support to, or receiving credit support from, any member of the Texas Holdings Group. The assets and liabilities of the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are separate and distinct from those of the Texas Holdings Group, including TXU Energy and Luminant, and none of the assets of the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities are available to satisfy the debt or other obligations of any member of the Texas Holdings Group. Accordingly, Oncor’s operations are conducted, and its cash flows managed, independently from the Texas Holdings Group.
Significant Activities and Events
Technology Initiatives —Oncor continues to invest in technology initiatives that include development of a modernized grid through the replacement of existing meters with advanced digital metering equipment and development of advanced digital communication, data management, real-time monitoring and outage detection capabilities. This modernized grid is expected to produce electricity service reliability improvements and provide the potential for additional products and services from REPs that will enable businesses and consumers to better manage their electricity usage and costs. Oncor’s plans provide for the full deployment of over three million advanced meters by the end of 2012 to all residential and most non-residential retail electricity customers in Oncor’s service area. As of September 30, 2009, Oncor has installed approximately 310 thousand advanced digital meters, including approximately 270 thousand in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Cumulative capital expenditures for the deployment of the advanced meter system totaled $137 million as of September 30, 2009. In July 2009, Oncor’s advanced metering system completed its first 15-minute interval, billing-quality electricity consumption data reporting to the Texas market. The data, which makes it possible to support innovative new programs and pricing options, represented information technology integration of over 200,000 advanced meters.
16
In July 2009, Oncor applied to the US Department of Energy for approximately $317 million in stimulus funds to advance its modernized grid initiatives. In October 2009, the US Department of Energy notified Oncor that these applications were not selected for funding.
Matters with the PUCT —See discussion of these matters, including the awarded construction of $1.3 billion of transmission lines and a rate case with the PUCT, below under “Regulation and Rates.”
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Operating Data
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Operating statistics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electric energy billed volumes (GWh) | | | 32,017 | | | 32,611 | | (1.8 | ) | | | 80,189 | | | 83,859 | | (4.4 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Reliability statistics (a): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) (nonstorm) | | | | | | | | | | | | 91.0 | | | 82.6 | | 10.2 | |
System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) (nonstorm) | | | | | | | | | | | | 1.2 | | | 1.1 | | 9.1 | |
Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI) (nonstorm) | | | | | | | | | | | | 77.1 | | | 75.3 | | 2.4 | |
| | | | | | |
Electricity points of delivery (end of period and in thousands): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity distribution points of delivery (based on number of meters) | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,142 | | | 3,116 | | 0.8 | |
| | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Operating revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity distribution revenues (b): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Affiliated (TCEH) | | $ | 308 | | $ | 290 | | 6.2 | | | $ | 783 | | $ | 773 | | 1.3 | |
Nonaffiliated | | | 378 | | | 355 | | 6.5 | | | | 1,004 | | | 960 | | 4.6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distribution revenues | | | 686 | | | 645 | | 6.4 | | | | 1,787 | | | 1,733 | | 3.1 | |
Third-party transmission revenues | | | 76 | | | 72 | | 5.6 | | | | 225 | | | 207 | | 8.7 | |
Other miscellaneous revenues | | | 8 | | | 11 | | (27.3 | ) | | | 25 | | | 29 | | (13.8 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating revenues | | $ | 770 | | $ | 728 | | 5.8 | | | $ | 2,037 | | $ | 1,969 | | 3.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | SAIDI is the average number of minutes electric service is interrupted per consumer in a year. SAIFI is the average number of electric service interruptions per consumer in a year. CAIDI is the average duration in minutes per electric service interruption in a year. The statistics presented are based on twelve months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 data. |
(b) | Includes transition charge revenue associated with the issuance of securitization bonds totaling $44 million and $40 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $113 million and $108 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Also includes disconnect/reconnect fees and other discretionary revenues for services requested by REPs. |
17
Financial Results — Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
Operating revenues increased $42 million, or 6%, to $770 million in 2009. The increase reflected:
| • | | $12 million from increased rates implemented upon the PUCT’s approval of new tariffs in September 2009 (see “Regulation and Rates”); |
| • | | $8 million from increased distribution tariffs to recover higher transmission costs; |
| • | | $7 million from a surcharge to recover advanced metering deployment costs and $3 million from a surcharge to recover additional energy efficiency costs, both of which became effective with the January 2009 billing cycle; |
| • | | an estimated $5 million impact from growth in points of delivery; |
| • | | $4 million in higher transmission revenues primarily due to a rate increase to recover ongoing investment in the transmission system; |
| • | | $4 million in higher charges to REPs related to transition bonds (with a related increase in amortization of the related regulatory asset), and |
| • | | an increase in estimated average customer usage that was largely offset by the estimated effects of milder weather. |
Operation and maintenance expense increased $24 million, or 11%, to $245 million in 2009. The increase reflected $10 million in higher fees paid to other transmission entities and $2 million in costs related to programs designed to improve customer electricity demand efficiency, both of which have related revenue increases, a $4 million increase in contractor and professional services, and other individually insignificant increases.
See Note 2 to Financial Statements for discussion of the write off of regulatory assets.
Depreciation and amortization increased $19 million, or 15%, to $147 million in 2009. The increase reflected $12 million in higher depreciation due to ongoing investments in property, plant and equipment, $4 million in higher amortization of regulatory assets associated with securitization bonds (with an offsetting increase in revenues) and $3 million due to increased depreciation and amortization rates implemented upon the PUCT approval of new tariffs in September 2009.
Other income totaled $10 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. The amounts reflected accretion of an adjustment (discount) to regulatory assets resulting from purchase accounting. See Note 2 to Financial Statements.
Other deductions totaled $5 million in 2009 and $4 million in 2008. The 2009 and 2008 amounts included professional fees totaling $2 million and $1 million, respectively. The 2009 amount included costs totaling $1 million associated with the 2006 settlement with certain cities related to rates.
Provision for/in lieu of income taxes totaled $55 million in 2009 (including $49 million related to operating income and $6 million related to nonoperating income) compared to $80 million (including $73 million related to operating income and $7 million related to nonoperating income) in 2008. The effective rate on pretax income decreased to 29.4% in 2009 from 36.5% in 2008. The decrease in the rate was driven by the reversal of accrued interest due to the favorable resolution of uncertain tax positions. The decreased rate also reflects the effect of investment gains and losses on certain employee benefit plans, which are excluded in determining taxable income.
Interest income increased $1 million, or 8%, to $13 million in 2009. The increase reflected higher earnings on investments held for employee benefit plans, partially offset by a decrease in reimbursement of transition bond interest from TCEH reflecting lower remaining principal amounts of the bonds.
Interest expense and related charges increased $5 million, or 6%, to $85 million in 2009. The increase reflected $4 million in higher average borrowings, reflecting ongoing capital investments, and $1 million due to higher average interest rates.
18
Net income decreased $7 million, or 5%, to $132 million in 2009 driven by the write off of certain regulatory assets, partially offset by the decrease in the effective income tax rate.
Financial Results — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
Operating revenues increased $68 million, or 3%, to $2.037 billion in 2009. The increase reflected:
| • | | $30 million from increased distribution tariffs to recover higher transmission costs; |
| • | | $19 million in higher transmission revenues primarily due to a rate increase to recover ongoing investment in the transmission system; |
| • | | $13 million from a surcharge to recover advanced metering deployment costs and $8 million from a surcharge to recover additional energy efficiency costs, both of which became effective with the January 2009 billing cycle; |
| • | | an estimated $13 million impact from growth in points of delivery, and |
| • | | $12 million from increased rates implemented upon the PUCT’s approval of new tariffs in September 2009 (see “Regulation and Rates”), |
partially offset by an estimated $26 million in lower average consumption primarily due to the effects of milder weather and general economic conditions.
Operation and maintenance expense increased $58 million, or 9%, to $698 million in 2009. The increase reflected $36 million in higher fees paid to other transmission entities and $7 million in costs related to programs designed to improve customer electricity demand efficiencies, both of which have related revenue increases, $8 million in higher labor costs primarily to meet enhanced service terms and conditions, $5 million in higher contractor and professional services and $3 million in higher smart grid services costs, partially offset by a $3 million one-time reversal of bad debt expense due to the PUCT’s finalization of the Certification of Retail Electric Providers rule in April 2009.
See Note 2 to Financial Statements for discussion of the write off of regulatory assets.
Depreciation and amortization increased $35 million, or 9%, to $405 million in 2009. The increase reflected $28 million in higher depreciation due to ongoing investments in property, plant and equipment, $5 million in higher amortization of regulatory assets associated with securitization bonds (with an offsetting increase in revenues) and $3 million due to increased depreciation and amortization rates implemented upon the PUCT approval of new tariffs in September 2009.
Other income totaled $30 million in 2009 and $34 million in 2008. The amounts reflected accretion of an adjustment (discount) to regulatory assets resulting from purchase accounting. See Note 2 to Financial Statements.
Other deductions totaled $14 million in 2009 and $21 million in 2008. The 2009 and 2008 amounts included professional fees totaling $7 million and $4 million, respectively, and costs associated with the 2006 settlement with certain cities related to rates totaling $2 million and $13 million, respectively.
Provision for/in lieu of income taxes totaled $140 million in 2009 (including $122 million related to operating income and $18 million related to nonoperating income) compared to $179 million (including $162 million related to operating income and $17 million related to nonoperating income) in 2008. The effective rate on pretax income decreased to 34.0% in 2009 from 36.7% in 2008. The decrease in the rate was driven by the reversal of accrued interest due to the favorable resolution of uncertain tax positions.
Interest income decreased $2 million, or 6%, to $32 million in 2009. The decrease reflected lower reimbursement of transition bond interest from TCEH due to lower remaining principal amounts of the bonds, partially offset by higher earnings on investments held for certain employee benefit plans.
19
Interest expense and related charges increased $29 million, or 13%, to $258 million in 2009. The increase reflected $15 million due to higher average interest rates, which was driven by refinancing of short-term borrowings with $1.5 billion of senior secured notes issued in September 2008. The majority of the proceeds of the September 2008 notes issuance was used to pay outstanding short-term borrowings under Oncor’s credit facility. The increase also reflected $14 million in higher average borrowings, reflecting ongoing capital investments.
Net income decreased $37 million, or 12%, to $272 million in 2009 driven by the effect of lower average consumption on revenues, the write off of certain regulatory assets and increased interest expense.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows —Cash provided by operating activities totaled $654 million and $590 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The major factors driving the $64 million increase were:
| • | | a $51 million favorable impact due to timing of advanced metering surcharge billings (see Note 2 to Financial Statements); |
| • | | a $48 million decrease in cash payments for/in lieu of income taxes, and |
| • | | a $20 million decrease in pension and OPEB funding compared to an increased level in 2008, |
partially offset by a $56 million increase in interest payments.
Cash provided by financing activities totaled $5 million in 2009 compared to $99 million in 2008. The activity reflected:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Net issuances/(repayments) of borrowings | | $ | 127 | | | $ | 288 | |
Distributions to members | | | (149 | ) | | | (213 | ) |
Decrease in income tax-related note receivable from TCEH | | | 27 | | | | 24 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash provided by financing activities | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 99 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Investing activities, which consisted primarily of capital expenditures, totaled $762 million in 2009 and $679 million in 2008. The activity reflected:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | (728 | ) | | $ | (654 | ) |
Other | | | (34 | ) | | | (25 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash used in investing activities | | $ | (762 | ) | | $ | (679 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
The $74 million, or 11%, increase in capital expenditures reflects $185 million in increased spending for advanced metering deployment and CREZ investments, partially offset by a $90 million purchase in 2008 of certain smart grid equipment.
Depreciation and amortization expense reported in the condensed statement of consolidated cash flows is less than the amount reported in the condensed statement of consolidated income by $26 million and $30 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The difference represents the accretion of the adjustment (discount) to regulatory assets of $30 million and $33 million, respectively, net of the amortization of debt fair value discount of $2 million and $3 million, respectively, both due to purchase accounting, and reported in other income and interest expense and related charges, respectively, in the condensed statement of consolidated income. In addition, the difference reflects regulatory asset amortization in 2009 resulting from the final order in the rate case that is reported in operation and maintenance expense in the condensed statement of consolidated income.
20
Long-Term Debt Activity — Repayments for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $70 million in scheduled transition bond principal payments. See Note 4 to Financial Statements for further information regarding long-term debt.
Available Liquidity/Credit Facility— At September 30, 2009, Oncor had a $2.0 billion secured revolving credit facility under which borrowings are available on a revolving basis through October 10, 2013. Borrowing capacity available under this credit facility totaled $1.341 billion and $1.508 billion at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. This availability excludes $122 million and $155 million, respectively, of commitments from a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. (such subsidiary, Lehman) that has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $22 million and $125 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Available liquidity (cash and available credit facility capacity) at September 30, 2009 of $1.363 billion reflected a decrease of $270 million from year-end 2008 due to ongoing capital investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure. See Note 3 to Financial Statements and Note 10 to the 2008 Form 10-K Financial Statements for additional information regarding the credit facility.
Distributions — During 2009, Oncor’s board of directors declared and Oncor paid $149 million in cash distributions to its members as follows:
| | | | | |
Declaration Date | | Payment Date | | Amount Paid |
August 18, 2009 | | August 19, 2009 | | $ | 74 |
May 19, 2009 | | May 20, 2009 | | $ | 50 |
February 18, 2009 | | March 3, 2009 | | $ | 25 |
See Note 6 to Financial Statements for discussion of distribution restriction provisions.
Pension and OPEB Plan Funding— Pension and OPEB plan funding by Oncor is expected to total $57 million and $17 million, respectively, in 2009. Oncor’s contributions to the pension and OPEB plans totaled $41 million and $13 million, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. In October 2009, Oncor funded its remaining $16 million pension contribution for 2009.
Financial Covenants, Credit Rating Provisions and Cross Default Provisions —Oncor’s revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant that requires maintenance of a specified leverage ratio. As of September 30, 2009, Oncor was in compliance with such covenant.
Credit Ratings —Oncor’s issuer credit ratings as of September 30, 2009 are BBB+ and BBB- as assigned by S&P and Fitch, respectively.
Additionally, the rating agencies assign credit ratings on certain debt securities. The credit ratings assigned for debt securities issued by Oncor as of September 30, 2009 are presented below:
| | | | |
| | Senior Secured | | Senior Unsecured |
S&P | | BBB+ | | BBB+ |
Moody’s | | Baa1 | | Baa1 |
Fitch | | BBB | | BBB- |
As described in Notes 10 and 11 to the 2008 Form 10-K Financial Statements, all of Oncor’s long-term debt is currently secured by a first priority lien on certain of its transmission and distribution assets and is considered senior secured debt. All three rating agencies have placed Oncor’s ratings on “stable outlook”. In June 2009, Moody’s upgraded the long-term debt rating for Oncor’s senior secured debt by two notches from Baa3 to Baa1 citing, among other things, Oncor’s position as a rate-regulated electric transmission and distribution utility in Texas, reasonably supportive regulatory jurisdiction, solid financial credit metrics, adequate sources of near-term liquidity and the continued evidence of strong corporate independence from EFH Corp.
A rating reflects only the view of a rating agency, and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change.
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Material Credit Rating Covenants — Certain of Oncor’s arrangements, including its credit facility and certain leases, contain terms pursuant to which the interest rates charged under the agreements may be adjusted depending on credit ratings.
Material Cross Default Provisions — Certain financing arrangements contain provisions that may result in an event of default if there were a failure under other financing arrangements to meet payment terms or to observe other covenants that could or does result in an acceleration of payments due. Such provisions are referred to as “cross default” provisions.
A default by Oncor or any subsidiary thereof in respect of indebtedness in a principal amount in excess of $50 million may result in a cross default under its credit facility. Under this facility such a default may cause the maturity of outstanding balances ($537 million at September 30, 2009) under such facility to be accelerated.
OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As of September 30, 2009, Oncor does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements involving special purpose entities or variable interest entities.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
See Note 5 to Financial Statements for details of contingencies, including guarantees.
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 1 to Financial Statements for a discussion of changes in accounting standards.
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REGULATION AND RATES
Certification of REPs
In April 2009, the PUCT finalized a rule relating to the Certification of Retail Electric Providers. The rule strengthens the certification requirements for REPs in order to better protect customers, transmission and distribution utilities (TDUs), and other REPs from the potential insolvency of REPs. The rule is considered a competition rule and thus is subject to judicial review as specified in PURA. The rule, among other things, increases creditworthiness and financial reporting requirements for REPs and provides additional customer protection requirements and regulatory asset consideration for TDU bad debt expenses. Under the rule, Oncor uncollectible amounts owed by nonaffiliated REPs are deferred as a regulatory asset. Recovery of the regulatory asset will be considered in a future rate case. Accordingly, Oncor recognized an approximately $3 million one-time reversal of bad debt expense in the three months ended June 30, 2009 (see Note 9 to Financial Statements). Due to the commitments made to the PUCT in connection with the Merger, Oncor may not recover bad debt expense, or certain other costs and expenses, from rate payers in the event of a default or bankruptcy by an affiliate REP.
Matters with the PUCT
Rate Case — In June 2008, Oncor filed for a rate review with the PUCT and 204 cities. On August 31, 2009, the PUCT issued a final order with respect to the rate review. The final order approves a total annual revenue requirement for Oncor of $2.64 billion, based on Oncor’s 2007 test year cost of service and customer characteristics. New rates were calculated for all customer classes using 2007 test year billing metrics and the approved class cost allocation and rate design. The PUCT staff has estimated that the final order results in an approximate $115 million increase in base rate revenues over Oncor’s 2007 adjusted test year revenues, before recovery of rate case expenses. Prior to implementing the new rates in September 2009, Oncor had already begun recovering $45 million of the $115 million increase as a result of approved transmission cost recovery factor and energy efficiency cost recovery factor filings, such as those discussed immediately below. Excluding the one-time write-off of certain regulatory assets discussed below, the result of the rate case is not expected to have a material effect on Oncor’s net income. Also see Note 2 to Financial Statements regarding the PUCT’s review of regulatory assets and liabilities.
Key findings made by the PUCT in the rate review include:
| • | | recognizing and affirming Oncor’s corporate ring-fence from EFH Corp. and its unregulated affiliates by rejecting a proposed consolidated tax savings adjustment arising out of EFH Corp.’s ability to offset Oncor’s taxable income against losses from other investments; |
| • | | approving the recovery of all of Oncor’s capital investment in its transmission and distribution system, including investment in certain automated meters that will be replaced pursuant to Oncor’s advanced meter deployment plan; |
| • | | denying recovery of $25 million of regulatory assets, which resulted in a $16 million after tax loss being recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2009, and |
| • | | setting Oncor’s return on equity at 10.25%. |
New rates were implemented upon approval of new tariffs in September 2009. The final order is subject to any motions for rehearing and appeals.
23
Transmission Rates — In order to recover increases in its transmission costs, including fees paid to other transmission service providers, Oncor is allowed to request an update twice a year to the transmission cost recovery factor (TCRF) component of its retail delivery rate charged to REPs. In January 2009, an application was filed to increase the TCRF, which was administratively approved in February 2009 and became effective in March 2009. This increase is expected to increase annualized revenues by $16 million. In July 2009, an application was filed to increase the TCRF, which was administratively approved in August 2009 and became effective September 1, 2009. This increase is expected to increase annualized revenues by approximately $14 million.
In September 2009, Oncor filed an application for an interim update of its wholesale transmission rate. Accordingly, annualized revenues are expected to increase by approximately $34 million. Approximately $21 million of this increase is recoverable through transmission rates charged to wholesale customers, and the remaining $13 million is recoverable from REPs through the TCRF component of Oncor’s delivery rates.
Application for 2010 Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor — In May 2009, Oncor filed an application with the PUCT to request approval of an Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor (EECRF) for 2010. PUCT rules require Oncor to make an annual EECRF filing by May 1 for implementation at the beginning of the next calendar year. The requested 2010 EECRF is $54 million, the same amount established for 2009, and would result in the same $0.92 per month charge for residential customers as proposed in Oncor’s rate case. As allowed by the rule, the 2010 EECRF is designed to recover the costs of the 2010 programs, the under-recovery of 2008 program costs, and a performance bonus based on 2008 results. Approval of the application as filed would result in an immediate recognition of $9 million in revenues, representing the performance bonus. In October 2009, the Administrative Law Judge assigned to the case issued a proposal for decision recommending that Oncor’s requests be granted as filed in its application. The PUCT is scheduled to rule on the proposal for decision at its November 5, 2009 open meeting and is not obligated to accept all or any part of the proposal for decision in its ruling.
Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZs) — In January 2009, the PUCT assigned approximately $1.3 billion of CREZ construction projects to Oncor. A written order reflecting the PUCT’s decision was entered in March 2009, and an order on rehearing was issued by the PUCT in May 2009. The cost estimates for the CREZ construction projects are based upon cost analyses prepared by ERCOT. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, CREZ-related capital expenditures totaled $84 million. It is expected that the necessary permitting actions and other requirements and all construction activities for the assigned construction projects will be completed by the end of 2013.
In October 2009, the PUCT initiated a proceeding to determine whether there is sufficient financial commitment from generators of renewable energy to grant Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CCNs) for transmission facilities located in two areas in the panhandle of Texas designated as CREZs. If the PUCT determines that there is not sufficient financial commitment from the generators for either CREZ, the PUCT may take action, including delaying the filing of CREZ CCN applications until such time as the PUCT finds sufficient financial commitment for that CREZ in accordance with the financial commitment provisions of the PUCT’s rules. Three of the CREZ transmission projects awarded to Oncor are located in the two CREZs that are the subject of the proceeding. The estimated cost of these three transmission projects is approximately $380 million. Oncor expects the PUCT to issue an order concluding this proceeding in the second quarter of 2010.
Summary
Oncor cannot predict future regulatory or legislative actions or any changes in economic and securities market conditions. Such actions or changes could significantly alter its basic financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
24
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Market risk is the risk that Oncor may experience a loss in value as a result of changes in market conditions such as interest rates that may be experienced in the ordinary course of business. Oncor may transact in financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk related to its indebtedness, but there are currently no such hedges in place. All of the long-term debt at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 carried fixed interest rates.
Except as discussed below, the information required hereunder is not significantly different from the information set forth in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” included in the 2008 Form 10-K and is therefore not presented herein.
Credit Risk
Credit Risk— Credit risk relates to the risk of loss associated with nonperformance by counterparties. Customers consist primarily of REPs. As a prerequisite for obtaining and maintaining certification, a REP must meet the financial resource standards established by the PUCT. Meeting these standards does not guarantee that a REP will be able to perform its obligations. REP certificates granted by the PUCT are subject to suspension and revocation for significant violation of PURA and PUCT rules. Significant violations include failure to timely remit payments for invoiced charges to a transmission and distribution utility pursuant to the terms of tariffs approved by the PUCT. See “Regulation and Rates” above regarding a new REP certification rule.
Credit Exposure — Exposure to credit risk associated with accounts receivable totaled $174 million from affiliates, which consisted of $172 million of Oncor’s trade accounts receivable from TCEH and $2 million of other receivables from affiliates, and $255 million from nonaffiliated customers as of September 30, 2009. The nonaffiliated customer receivable amount is before the allowance for uncollectible accounts, which totaled $2 million at September 30, 2009. The nonaffiliated exposure consists almost entirely of noninvestment grade trade accounts receivable, of which $191 million represented trade accounts receivable from REPs. As of September 30, 2009, subsidiaries of one customer collectively represent 14% of the nonaffiliated trade receivable amount. No other nonaffiliated parties represent 10% or more of the total exposure. Oncor views exposure to this customer to be within an acceptable level of risk tolerance considering PUCT rules and regulations; however, this concentration increases the risk that a default would have a material effect on cash flows.
Oncor is also exposed to credit risk associated with the note receivable from TCEH totaling $263 million ($36 million reported as current in trade accounts and other receivables from affiliates) at September 30, 2009 (see Note 8 to Financial Statements for additional information).
25
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report and other presentations made by Oncor contain “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that are included in this report, or made in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise, that address activities, events or developments that Oncor expects or anticipates to occur in the future, including such matters as projections, capital allocation, future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, future acquisitions or dispositions, development or operation of facilities, market and industry developments and the growth of Oncor’s business and operations (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “projection,” “target,” “goal,” “objective” and “outlook”), are forward-looking statements. Although Oncor believes that in making such forward-looking statement its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the discussion of risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the 2008 Form 10-K and the following important factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements:
| • | | prevailing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the Texas Legislature, the Governor of Texas, the FERC, the PUCT, the EPA, and the TCEQ, with respect to: |
| • | | allowed rate of return; |
| • | | permitted capital structure; |
| • | | industry, market and rate structure; |
| • | | recovery of investments; |
| • | | acquisitions and disposals of assets and facilities; |
| • | | operation and construction of facilities; |
| • | | changes in tax laws and policies, and |
| • | | changes in and compliance with environmental and safety laws and policies; |
| • | | legal and administrative proceedings and settlements; |
| • | | weather conditions and other natural phenomena, and acts of sabotage, wars or terrorist activities; |
| • | | economic conditions, including the current recessionary environment; |
| • | | unanticipated population growth or decline, or changes in market demand and demographic patterns; |
| • | | changes in business strategy, development plans or vendor relationships; |
| • | | unanticipated changes in interest rates or rates of inflation; |
| • | | unanticipated changes in operating expenses, liquidity needs and capital expenditures; |
| • | | the credit quality and/or inability of various counterparties to meet their financial obligations to Oncor, including failure of counterparties to perform under agreements; |
| • | | general industry trends; |
| • | | hazards customary to the industry and the possibility that Oncor may not have adequate insurance to cover losses resulting from such hazards; |
| • | | changes in technology used by and services offered by Oncor; |
| • | | significant changes in Oncor’s relationship with its employees, including the availability of qualified personnel, and the potential adverse effects if labor disputes or grievances were to occur; |
| • | | changes in assumptions used to estimate costs of providing employee benefits, including pension and OPEB benefits, and future funding requirements related thereto; |
| • | | significant changes in critical accounting policies material to Oncor; |
| • | | commercial bank and financial market conditions, access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the capital markets and the potential impact of continued disruptions in US credit markets; |
| • | | financial restrictions under Oncor’s revolving credit facility and indentures governing its debt instruments; |
| • | | Oncor’s ability to generate sufficient cash flow to make interest payments on its debt instruments; |
| • | | actions by credit rating agencies, and |
| • | | Oncor’s ability to effectively execute its operational strategy. |
26
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and there is no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all of them; nor can Oncor assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures in effect as of the end of the current period included in this report. Based on the evaluation performed, management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective. During the most recent fiscal quarter covered by this report, no changes in internal controls over financial reporting have occurred that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Oncor’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Reference is made to the discussion in Note 5 to Financial Statements regarding legal proceedings.
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the 2008 Form 10-K except for information disclosed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q that provides factual updates to risk factors contained in the 2008 Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
None.
ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
None.
ITEM 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
None.
None.
27
(a) Exhibits provided as part of Part II are:
| | | | | | | | |
Exhibits | | Previously Filed With File Number | | As Exhibit | | | | |
| | | | |
(10) | | Material Contracts. | | | | | | |
| | | | |
10(a) | | 333-100240 Form 8-K (filed August 24, 2009) | | 10.1 | | — | | Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Amended and Restated Executive Annual Incentive Plan. |
| |
(31) | | Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certifications. |
| | | | |
31(a) | | | | | | — | | Certification of Robert S. Shapard, chairman of the board and chief executive of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | | |
31(b) | | | | | | — | | Certification of David M. Davis, vice president and chief financial officer of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| |
(32) | | Section 1350 Certifications. |
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32(a) | | | | | | — | | Certification of Robert S. Shapard, chairman of the board and chief executive of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | | |
32(b) | | | | | | — | | Certification of David M. Davis, vice president and chief financial officer of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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(99) | | Additional Exhibits | | |
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99 | | | | | | — | | Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) –Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2009. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| | |
ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC |
| |
By: | | /S/ DAVID M. DAVIS |
| | David M. Davis |
| | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: October 29, 2009
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