UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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 March 31, 2008 |
OR | |
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the transition period from _________ to ___________ |
Commission File Number | Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address and Telephone Number | IRS Employer Identification No. | |
1-11459 | PPL Corporation (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) (Pennsylvania) Two North Ninth Street Allentown, PA 18101-1179 (610) 774-5151 | 23-2758192 | |
333-74794 | PPL Energy Supply, LLC (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) (Delaware) Two North Ninth Street Allentown, PA 18101-1179 (610) 774-5151 | 23-3074920 | |
1-905 | PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) (Pennsylvania) Two North Ninth Street Allentown, PA 18101-1179 (610) 774-5151 | 23-0959590 | |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have 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 Registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
PPL Corporation | Yes X | No | ||
PPL Energy Supply, LLC | Yes X | No | ||
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | Yes X | No |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, non-accelerated filers, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "accelerated filer, large accelerated filer and smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | Accelerated filer | Non-accelerated filer | Smaller reporting company | ||
PPL Corporation | [ X ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
PPL Energy Supply, LLC | [ ] | [ ] | [ X ] | [ ] | |
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | [ ] | [ ] | [ X ] | [ ] |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
PPL Corporation | Yes | No X | ||
PPL Energy Supply, LLC | Yes | No X | ||
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | Yes | No X |
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
PPL Corporation | Common stock, $.01 par value, 373,036,911 shares outstanding at April 28, 2008. | |
PPL Energy Supply, LLC | PPL Corporation indirectly holds all of the membership interests in PPL Energy Supply, LLC. | |
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | Common stock, no par value, 66,368,056 shares outstanding and all held by PPL Corporation at April 28, 2008. |
This document is available free of charge at the Investor Center on PPL's Web site at www.pplweb.com. However, information on this Web site does not constitute a part of this Form 10-Q.
PPL ENERGY SUPPLY, LLC
PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2008
Table of Contents
Page | ||||||
i | ||||||
1 | ||||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||||
Item 1. Financial Statements | ||||||
PPL Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||
2 | ||||||
3 | ||||||
4 | ||||||
PPL Energy Supply, LLC and Subsidiaries | ||||||
6 | ||||||
7 | ||||||
8 | ||||||
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||
10 | ||||||
11 | ||||||
12 | ||||||
14 | ||||||
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | ||||||
45 | ||||||
57 | ||||||
67 | ||||||
72 | ||||||
72 | ||||||
72 | ||||||
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | ||||||
73 | ||||||
73 | ||||||
73 | ||||||
73 | ||||||
75 | ||||||
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES | ||||||
76 | ||||||
77 | ||||||
78 | ||||||
CERTIFICATES OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 | ||||||
79 | ||||||
81 | ||||||
83 | ||||||
CERTIFICATES OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 | ||||||
85 | ||||||
87 | ||||||
89 |
PPL Corporation and its current and former subsidiaries
Hyder - - Hyder Limited, a subsidiary of WPDL that was the previous owner of South Wales Electricity plc. In March 2001, South Wales Electricity plc was acquired by WPDH Limited and renamed WPD (South Wales).
PPL - PPL Corporation, the parent holding company of PPL Electric, PPL Energy Funding and other subsidiaries.
PPL Capital Funding - PPL Capital Funding, Inc., a wholly-owned financing subsidiary of PPL.
PPL Electric - PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, a regulated utility subsidiary of PPL that transmits and distributes electricity in its service territory and provides electric supply to retail customers in this territory as a PLR.
PPL Energy Funding - PPL Energy Funding Corporation, a subsidiary of PPL and the parent company of PPL Energy Supply.
PPL EnergyPlus - PPL EnergyPlus, LLC, a subsidiary of PPL Energy Supply that markets and trades wholesale and retail electricity, and supplies energy and energy services in deregulated markets.
PPL Energy Supply - PPL Energy Supply, LLC, a subsidiary of PPL Energy Funding and the parent company of PPL Generation, PPL EnergyPlus, PPL Global and other subsidiaries.
PPL Gas Utilities - PPL Gas Utilities Corporation, a regulated utility subsidiary of PPL that specializes in natural gas distribution, transmission and storage services, and the competitive sale of propane. In March 2008, PPL signed a definitive agreement to sell these businesses.
PPL Generation - PPL Generation, LLC, a subsidiary of PPL Energy Supply that owns and operates U.S. generating facilities through various subsidiaries.
PPL Global - PPL Global, LLC, a subsidiary of PPL Energy Supply that primarily owns and operates a business in the U.K. that is focused on the regulated distribution of electricity.
PPL Martins Creek - PPL Martins Creek, LLC, a subsidiary of PPL Generation that owns generating operations in Pennsylvania.
PPL Montana - PPL Montana, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of PPL Generation that generates electricity for wholesale sales in Montana and the Pacific Northwest.
PPL Services - PPL Services Corporation, a subsidiary of PPL that provides shared services for PPL and its subsidiaries.
PPL Susquehanna - PPL Susquehanna, LLC, the nuclear generating subsidiary of PPL Generation.
PPL Transition Bond Company - PPL Transition Bond Company, LLC, a subsidiary of PPL Electric that was formed to issue transition bonds under the Customer Choice Act.
SIUK Capital Trust I - a business trust created to issue preferred securities, the common equity of which was held by WPD LLP. The preferred securities were redeemed in February 2007.
WPD - - refers collectively to WPDH Limited and WPDL.
WPD LLP - Western Power Distribution LLP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPDH Limited, which owns WPD (South West) and WPD (South Wales).
WPD (South Wales) - Western Power Distribution (South Wales) plc, a British regional electric utility company.
WPD (South West) - Western Power Distribution (South West) plc, a British regional electric utility company.
WPDH Limited - Western Power Distribution Holdings Limited, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of PPL Global. WPDH Limited owns WPD LLP.
WPDL - - WPD Investment Holdings Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PPL Global. WPDL owns 100% of the common shares of Hyder.
Other terms and abbreviations
£ - British pounds sterling.
2007 Form 10-K - Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
APB - Accounting Principles Board.
ARB - Accounting Research Bulletin.
ARO - - asset retirement obligation.
Bcf - - billion cubic feet.
Clean Air Act - federal legislation enacted to address certain environmental issues related to air emissions, including acid rain, ozone and toxic air emissions.
COLA - - combined construction and operating license application.
CTC - - competitive transition charge on customer bills to recover allowable transition costs under the Customer Choice Act.
Customer Choice Act - the Pennsylvania Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act, legislation enacted to restructure the state's electric utility industry to create retail access to a competitive market for generation of electricity.
DEP - - Department of Environmental Protection, a state government agency.
DOE - - Department of Energy, a U.S. government agency.
EITF - - Emerging Issues Task Force, an organization that assists the FASB in improving financial reporting through the identification, discussion and resolution of financial accounting issues within the framework of existing authoritative literature.
EMF - - electric and magnetic fields.
EPA - - Environmental Protection Agency, a U.S. government agency.
EPS - - earnings per share.
FASB - Financial Accounting Standards Board, a rulemaking organization that establishes financial accounting and reporting standards.
FERC - - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the federal agency that regulates interstate transmission and wholesale sales of electricity and related matters.
FIN - FASB Interpretation.
Fitch - Fitch, Inc.
FSP - FASB Staff Position.
FTR - financial transmission rights, which are financial instruments established to manage price risk related to electricity transmission congestion. They entitle the holder to receive compensation or require the holder to remit payment for certain congestion-related transmission charges that arise when the transmission grid is congested.
GWh - - gigawatt-hour, one million kilowatt-hours.
IRS - Internal Revenue Service, a U.S. government agency.
ISO - - Independent System Operator.
ITC - - intangible transition charge on customer bills to recover intangible transition costs associated with securitizing stranded costs under the Customer Choice Act.
LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate.
Montana Power - The Montana Power Company, a Montana-based company that sold its generating assets to PPL Montana in December 1999. Through a series of transactions consummated during the first quarter of 2002, Montana Power sold its electricity delivery business to NorthWestern.
Moody's - - Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
MW - - megawatt, one thousand kilowatts.
MWh - - megawatt-hour, one thousand kilowatt-hours.
NERC - - North American Electric Reliability Corporation.
NorthWestern - NorthWestern Energy Division, a Delaware corporation and a subsidiary of NorthWestern Corporation and successor in interest to Montana Power's electricity delivery business, including Montana Power's rights and obligations under contracts with PPL Montana.
NRC - - Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal agency that regulates the operation of nuclear power facilities.
NUGs (Non-Utility Generators) - generating plants not owned by public utilities, whose electrical output must be purchased by utilities under the PURPA if the plant meets certain criteria.
NYMEX - New York Mercantile Exchange.
PJM (PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.) - operator of the electric transmission network and electric energy market in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
PLR (Provider of Last Resort) - the role of PPL Electric in providing default electricity supply to retail customers within its delivery territory who have not chosen to select an alternative electricity supplier under the Customer Choice Act.
PP&E - property, plant and equipment.
Preferred Securities - company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities issued by SIUK Capital Trust I, which solely held debentures of WPD LLP. The securities of SIUK Capital Trust I were redeemed in February 2007.
PUC - Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the state agency that regulates certain ratemaking, services, accounting and operations of Pennsylvania utilities.
PUHCA - - Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, legislation passed by the U.S. Congress. Repealed effective February 2006 by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
PURPA - Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, legislation passed by the U.S. Congress to encourage energy conservation, efficient use of resources and equitable rates.
Regulation S-X - SEC regulation governing the form and content of and requirements for financial statements required to be filed pursuant to the federal securities laws.
RFC - ReliabilityFirst Corporation (the regional transmission reliability entity that replaced the Mid-Atlantic Area Coordination Council).
SCR - - selective catalytic reduction, a pollution control process.
Scrubber - - an air pollution control device that can remove particulates and/or gases (such as sulfur dioxide) from exhaust gases.
SEC - - Securities and Exchange Commission, a U.S. government agency whose primary mission is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities markets.
SFAS - - Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, the accounting and financial reporting rules issued by the FASB.
S&P - - Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
Smart metering technology - technology that can measure, among other things, time of consumption to permit offering rate incentives for usage during lower cost or demand intervals.
Superfund - - federal environmental legislation that addresses remediation of contaminated sites; states also have similar statutes.
Synfuel projects - production facilities that manufacture synthetic fuel from coal or coal byproducts. Favorable federal tax credits, which expired effective December 31, 2007, were available on qualified synthetic fuel products.
Tolling agreement - agreement whereby the owner of an electric generating facility agrees to use that facility to convert fuel provided by a third party into electric energy for delivery back to the third party.
VaR - - value-at-risk.
Accounting Pronouncements
APB Opinion No. 23 - Accounting for Income Taxes-Special Areas.
EITF 87-24 - Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations.
EITF Issue No. 02-3 - Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities.
FIN 39 - Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts, as amended and interpreted.
FIN 45 - Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, an Interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and Rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34.
FSP FAS 157-1 - Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13.
FSP FAS 157-2 - Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157.
SFAS 133 - Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted.
SFAS 141 - Business Combinations.
SFAS 141(R) - Business Combinations (revised 2007).
SFAS 144 - Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.
SFAS 157 - Fair Value Measurements.
SFAS 159 - The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.
SFAS 160 - Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51.
SFAS 161 - Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.
Statements contained in this Form 10-Q concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. In addition to the specific factors discussed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the companies' 2007 Form 10-K and in "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Form 10-Q report, the following are among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:
· | market demand and prices for energy, capacity and fuel; |
· | weather conditions affecting generation production, customer energy use and operating costs; |
· | competition in retail and wholesale power markets; |
· | liquidity of wholesale power markets; |
· | defaults by our counterparties under our energy, fuel or other power product contracts; |
· | the effect of any business or industry restructuring; |
· | the profitability and liquidity, including access to capital markets and credit facilities, of PPL and its subsidiaries; |
· | new accounting requirements or new interpretations or applications of existing requirements; |
· | operation, availability and operating costs of existing generation facilities; |
· | transmission and distribution system conditions and operating costs; |
· | current and future environmental conditions and requirements and the related costs of compliance, including environmental capital expenditures, emission allowance costs and other expenses; |
· | significant delays in the ongoing installation of pollution control equipment at certain coal-fired generating units in Pennsylvania due to weather conditions, contractor performance or other reasons; |
· | market prices of commodity inputs for ongoing capital expenditures; |
· | collective labor bargaining negotiations; |
· | development of new projects, markets and technologies; |
· | performance of new ventures; |
· | asset acquisitions and dispositions; |
· | political, regulatory or economic conditions in states, regions or countries where PPL or its subsidiaries conduct business; |
· | any impact of hurricanes or other severe weather on PPL and its subsidiaries, including any impact on fuel prices; |
· | receipt of necessary governmental permits, approvals and rate relief; |
· | new state, federal or foreign legislation, including new tax legislation; |
· | state, federal and foreign regulatory developments; |
· | the impact of any state, federal or foreign investigations applicable to PPL and its subsidiaries and the energy industry; |
· | capital market conditions, including changes in interest rates, and decisions regarding capital structure; |
· | stock price performance of PPL; |
· | the market prices of equity securities and the impact on pension costs and resultant cash funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans; |
· | securities and credit ratings; |
· | foreign currency exchange rates; |
· | the outcome of litigation against PPL and its subsidiaries; |
· | potential effects of threatened or actual terrorism or war or other hostilities; and |
· | the commitments and liabilities of PPL and its subsidiaries. |
Any such forward-looking statements should be considered in light of such important factors and in conjunction with other documents of PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric on file with the SEC.
New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for PPL, PPL Energy Supply or PPL Electric to predict all of such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric undertake no obligation to update the information contained in such statement to reflect subsequent developments or information.
Item 1. Financial Statements | ||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | ||||||||
PPL Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars, except per share data) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Operating Revenues | ||||||||
Utility | $ | 1,120 | $ | 1,081 | ||||
Unregulated retail electric | 34 | 22 | ||||||
Wholesale energy marketing | 258 | 249 | ||||||
Net energy trading margins | (2 | ) | 9 | |||||
Energy-related businesses | 116 | 185 | ||||||
Total | 1,526 | 1,546 | ||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||
Operation | ||||||||
Fuel | 243 | 233 | ||||||
Energy purchases | 55 | 122 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 377 | 325 | ||||||
Amortization of recoverable transition costs | 76 | 81 | ||||||
Depreciation | 112 | 116 | ||||||
Taxes, other than income | 75 | 78 | ||||||
Energy-related businesses (Note 8) | 108 | 202 | ||||||
Total | 1,046 | 1,157 | ||||||
Operating Income | 480 | 389 | ||||||
Other Income - net | 8 | 27 | ||||||
Interest Expense | 108 | 120 | ||||||
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes, Minority Interest and Dividends on Preferred Securities of a Subsidiary | 380 | 296 | ||||||
Income Taxes | 129 | 69 | ||||||
Minority Interest | 1 | |||||||
Dividends on Preferred Securities of a Subsidiary | 5 | 5 | ||||||
Income from Continuing Operations | 246 | 221 | ||||||
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations (net of income taxes) (Note 8) | 14 | (18 | ) | |||||
Net Income | $ | 260 | $ | 203 | ||||
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock: | ||||||||
Income from Continuing Operations: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.58 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.57 | ||||
Net Income: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.53 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.52 | ||||
Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock | $ | 0.335 | $ | 0.305 |
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
PPL Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 260 | $ | 203 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||
Depreciation | 112 | 124 | ||||||
Amortization - recoverable transition costs and other | 94 | 108 | ||||||
Unrealized gain on derivatives and other hedging activities | (63 | ) | (22 | ) | ||||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | (38 | ) | (32 | ) | ||||
Impairment of assets | 65 | |||||||
Other | 39 | 11 | ||||||
Change in current assets and current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 61 | (48 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable | (65 | ) | (29 | ) | ||||
Fuel, materials and supplies | 28 | 58 | ||||||
Prepayments | (107 | ) | (135 | ) | ||||
Taxes | 137 | 49 | ||||||
Other | (15 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||
Other operating activities | ||||||||
Other assets | 11 | 16 | ||||||
Other liabilities | (30 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 424 | 286 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | ||||||||
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment | (330 | ) | (341 | ) | ||||
Purchases of emission allowances | (19 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from the sale of emission allowances | 1 | 30 | ||||||
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments | (47 | ) | (42 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from the sale of nuclear decommissioning trust investments | 40 | 38 | ||||||
Purchases of other investments | (50 | ) | (127 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from the sale of other investments | 25 | 132 | ||||||
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents | (78 | ) | 10 | |||||
Other investing activities | (4 | ) | 5 | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (462 | ) | (299 | ) | ||||
�� | ||||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | ||||||||
Issuance of long-term debt | 399 | 505 | ||||||
Retirement of long-term debt | (91 | ) | (201 | ) | ||||
Repurchase of common stock | (38 | ) | ||||||
Issuance of common stock | 4 | 5 | ||||||
Payment of common stock dividends | (113 | ) | (105 | ) | ||||
Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt | (50 | ) | 29 | |||||
Other financing activities | (3 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 108 | 221 | ||||||
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents | 68 | 207 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period | 430 | 794 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents included in Assets Held for Sale | (3 | ) | (36 | ) | ||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period | $ | 495 | $ | 965 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
PPL Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 495 | $ | 430 | ||||
Short-term investments | 100 | 108 | ||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 278 | 203 | ||||||
Accounts receivable (less reserve: 2008, $40; 2007, $39) | ||||||||
Customer | 504 | 574 | ||||||
Other | 84 | 87 | ||||||
Unbilled revenues | 510 | 531 | ||||||
Fuel, materials and supplies | 305 | 316 | ||||||
Prepayments | 187 | 160 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 40 | 25 | ||||||
Price risk management assets | 1,078 | 319 | ||||||
Other intangibles | 75 | 76 | ||||||
Assets held for sale (Note 8) | 315 | 318 | ||||||
Other | 18 | 21 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 3,989 | 3,168 | ||||||
Investments | ||||||||
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates - at equity | 43 | 44 | ||||||
Nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds | 530 | 555 | ||||||
Other | 39 | 9 | ||||||
Total Investments | 612 | 608 | ||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment | ||||||||
Electric plant in service | ||||||||
Transmission and distribution | 8,737 | 8,787 | ||||||
Generation | 9,323 | 8,812 | ||||||
General | 843 | 836 | ||||||
18,903 | 18,435 | |||||||
Construction work in progress | 930 | 1,287 | ||||||
Nuclear fuel | 411 | 387 | ||||||
Electric plant | 20,244 | 20,109 | ||||||
Gas and oil plant | 67 | 66 | ||||||
Other property | 197 | 202 | ||||||
20,508 | 20,377 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | 7,850 | 7,772 | ||||||
Total Property, Plant and Equipment | 12,658 | 12,605 | ||||||
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets | ||||||||
Recoverable transition costs | 497 | 574 | ||||||
Goodwill | 962 | 991 | ||||||
Other intangibles | 351 | 335 | ||||||
Price risk management assets | 854 | 587 | ||||||
Other | 1,132 | 1,104 | ||||||
Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets | 3,796 | 3,591 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 21,055 | $ | 19,972 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||||
PPL Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||||
Short-term debt | $ | 41 | $ | 92 | ||||||
Long-term debt | 797 | 678 | ||||||||
Accounts payable | 659 | 723 | ||||||||
Above market NUG contracts | 37 | 42 | ||||||||
Taxes | 178 | 127 | ||||||||
Interest | 122 | 131 | ||||||||
Dividends | 130 | 118 | ||||||||
Price risk management liabilities | 1,066 | 423 | ||||||||
Liabilities held for sale (Note 8) | 58 | 68 | ||||||||
Other | 468 | 480 | ||||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 3,556 | 2,882 | ||||||||
Long-term Debt | 7,067 | 6,890 | ||||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities | ||||||||||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | 2,113 | 2,192 | ||||||||
Price risk management liabilities | 1,194 | 916 | ||||||||
Accrued pension obligations | 58 | 59 | ||||||||
Asset retirement obligations | 380 | 376 | ||||||||
Above market NUG contracts | 23 | 29 | ||||||||
Other | 760 | 752 | ||||||||
Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities | 4,528 | 4,324 | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 10) | ||||||||||
Minority Interest | 19 | 19 | ||||||||
Preferred Securities of a Subsidiary | 301 | 301 | ||||||||
Shareowners' Common Equity | ||||||||||
Common stock - $0.01 par value (a) | 4 | 4 | ||||||||
Capital in excess of par value | 2,157 | 2,172 | ||||||||
Earnings reinvested | 3,583 | 3,448 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (160 | ) | (68 | ) | ||||||
Total Shareowners' Common Equity | 5,584 | 5,556 | ||||||||
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | 21,055 | $ | 19,972 | ||||||
(a) | 780 million shares authorized; 373 million shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. | |||||||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
PPL Energy Supply, LLC and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Operating Revenues | ||||||||
Wholesale energy marketing | $ | 258 | $ | 249 | ||||
Wholesale energy marketing to affiliate | 489 | 481 | ||||||
Utility | 241 | 216 | ||||||
Unregulated retail electric | 34 | 22 | ||||||
Net energy trading margins | (2 | ) | 9 | |||||
Energy-related businesses | 114 | 183 | ||||||
Total | 1,134 | 1,160 | ||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||
Operation | ||||||||
Fuel | 243 | 233 | ||||||
Energy purchases | 14 | 71 | ||||||
Energy purchases from affiliate | 28 | 37 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 283 | 244 | ||||||
Depreciation | 77 | 81 | ||||||
Taxes, other than income | 19 | 24 | ||||||
Energy-related businesses (Note 8) | 106 | 201 | ||||||
Total | 770 | 891 | ||||||
Operating Income | 364 | 269 | ||||||
Other Income - net | 11 | 24 | ||||||
Interest Expense | 71 | 72 | ||||||
Interest Expense with Affiliates | 4 | |||||||
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest | 304 | 217 | ||||||
Income Taxes | 105 | 44 | ||||||
Minority Interest | 1 | |||||||
Income from Continuing Operations | 199 | 172 | ||||||
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations (net of income taxes) (Note 8) | 5 | (25 | ) | |||||
Net Income | $ | 204 | $ | 147 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
PPL Energy Supply, LLC and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 204 | $ | 147 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||
Depreciation | 77 | 87 | ||||||
Unrealized gain on derivatives and other hedging activities | (66 | ) | (23 | ) | ||||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | 11 | 5 | ||||||
Impairment of assets | 65 | |||||||
Other | 38 | 20 | ||||||
Change in current assets and current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 100 | (28 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable | (62 | ) | (66 | ) | ||||
Fuel, materials and supplies | 10 | 35 | ||||||
Taxes | 135 | |||||||
Other | 25 | (8 | ) | |||||
Other operating activities | ||||||||
Other assets | 5 | 8 | ||||||
Other liabilities | (26 | ) | (19 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 451 | 223 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | ||||||||
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment | (266 | ) | (270 | ) | ||||
Purchases of emission allowances | (19 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from the sale of emission allowances | 1 | 30 | ||||||
Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust investments | (47 | ) | (42 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from the sale of nuclear decommissioning trust investments | 40 | 38 | ||||||
Purchases of other investments | (47 | ) | (93 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from the sale of other investments | 22 | 72 | ||||||
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents | (82 | ) | 3 | |||||
Other investing activities | (5 | ) | 2 | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (403 | ) | (264 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | ||||||||
Issuance of long-term debt | 399 | 6 | ||||||
Retirement of long-term debt | (9 | ) | (121 | ) | ||||
Contributions from Member | 500 | |||||||
Distributions to Member | (492 | ) | (72 | ) | ||||
Net decrease in short-term debt | (50 | ) | ||||||
Other financing activities | (3 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (155 | ) | 311 | |||||
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (109 | ) | 269 | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period | 355 | 524 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents included in Assets Held for Sale | (36 | ) | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period | $ | 246 | $ | 757 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. | ||||||||
PPL Energy Supply, LLC and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 246 | $ | 355 | ||||
Short-term investments | 100 | 102 | ||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 227 | 146 | ||||||
Accounts receivable (less reserve: 2008, $21; 2007, $20) | ||||||||
Customer | 254 | 376 | ||||||
Other | 54 | 61 | ||||||
Unbilled revenues | 339 | 339 | ||||||
Accounts receivable from affiliates | 195 | 169 | ||||||
Collateral on PLR energy supply to affiliate | 300 | 300 | ||||||
Fuel, materials and supplies | 271 | 282 | ||||||
Prepayments | 47 | 120 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 59 | 49 | ||||||
Price risk management assets | 1,072 | 318 | ||||||
Other intangibles | 75 | 76 | ||||||
Other | 5 | 7 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 3,244 | 2,700 | ||||||
Investments | ||||||||
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates - at equity | 43 | 44 | ||||||
Nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds | 530 | 555 | ||||||
Other | 31 | 5 | ||||||
Total Investments | 604 | 604 | ||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment | ||||||||
Electric plant in service | ||||||||
Transmission and distribution | 4,375 | 4,470 | ||||||
Generation | 9,323 | 8,812 | ||||||
General | 329 | 334 | ||||||
14,027 | 13,616 | |||||||
Construction work in progress | 821 | 1,165 | ||||||
Nuclear fuel | 411 | 387 | ||||||
Electric plant | 15,259 | 15,168 | ||||||
Gas and oil plant | 67 | 66 | ||||||
Other property | 195 | 200 | ||||||
15,521 | 15,434 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | 5,963 | 5,904 | ||||||
Total Property, Plant and Equipment | 9,558 | 9,530 | ||||||
Other Noncurrent Assets | ||||||||
Goodwill | 962 | 991 | ||||||
Other intangibles | 230 | 214 | ||||||
Price risk management assets | 812 | 568 | ||||||
Other | 686 | 660 | ||||||
Total Other Noncurrent Assets | 2,690 | 2,433 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 16,096 | $ | 15,267 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
PPL Energy Supply, LLC and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Short-term debt | $ | 51 | ||||||
Long-term debt | $ | 273 | 283 | |||||
Accounts payable | 595 | 626 | ||||||
Accounts payable to affiliates | 38 | 61 | ||||||
Above market NUG contracts | 37 | 42 | ||||||
Taxes | 180 | 102 | ||||||
Interest | 107 | 94 | ||||||
Deferred revenue on PLR energy supply to affiliate | 12 | 12 | ||||||
Price risk management liabilities | 1,063 | 421 | ||||||
Other | 354 | 342 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 2,659 | 2,034 | ||||||
Long-term Debt | 5,136 | 4,787 | ||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | 1,381 | 1,413 | ||||||
Price risk management liabilities | 1,185 | 904 | ||||||
Accrued pension obligations | 19 | 23 | ||||||
Asset retirement obligations | 380 | 376 | ||||||
Above market NUG contracts | 23 | 29 | ||||||
Deferred revenue on PLR energy supply to affiliate | 9 | 12 | ||||||
Other | 455 | 465 | ||||||
Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities | 3,452 | 3,222 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 10) | ||||||||
Minority Interest | 19 | 19 | ||||||
Member's Equity | 4,830 | 5,205 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | 16,096 | $ | 15,267 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Operating Revenues | ||||||||
Retail electric | $ | 880 | $ | 865 | ||||
Wholesale electric to affiliate | 28 | 37 | ||||||
Total | 908 | 902 | ||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||
Operation | ||||||||
Energy purchases | 41 | 51 | ||||||
Energy purchases from affiliate | 489 | 481 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 103 | 92 | ||||||
Amortization of recoverable transition costs | 76 | 81 | ||||||
Depreciation | 32 | 32 | ||||||
Taxes, other than income | 56 | 54 | ||||||
Total | 797 | 791 | ||||||
Operating Income | 111 | 111 | ||||||
Other Income - net | 5 | 12 | ||||||
Interest Expense | 26 | 32 | ||||||
Interest Expense with Affiliate | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Income Before Income Taxes | 87 | 87 | ||||||
Income Taxes | 31 | 30 | ||||||
Net Income | 56 | 57 | ||||||
Dividends on Preferred Securities | 5 | 5 | ||||||
Income Available to PPL | $ | 51 | $ | 52 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 56 | $ | 57 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | ||||||||
Depreciation | 32 | 32 | ||||||
Amortization - recoverable transition costs and other | 82 | 86 | ||||||
Other | 6 | 3 | ||||||
Change in current assets and current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | (68 | ) | (46 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable | (43 | ) | 2 | |||||
Prepayments | (115 | ) | (118 | ) | ||||
Other | 25 | 3 | ||||||
Other operating activities | ||||||||
Other assets | (1 | ) | 3 | |||||
Other liabilities | 3 | 8 | ||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (23 | ) | 30 | |||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | ||||||||
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment | (58 | ) | (63 | ) | ||||
Purchases of investments | (32 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from the sale of investments | 57 | |||||||
Net decrease in note receivable from affiliate | 277 | |||||||
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents | (1 | ) | 5 | |||||
Other investing activities | 1 | 3 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 219 | (30 | ) | |||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | ||||||||
Retirement of long-term debt | (82 | ) | (80 | ) | ||||
Payment of common dividends to PPL | (18 | ) | (40 | ) | ||||
Net increase in short-term debt | 29 | |||||||
Other financing activities | (5 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (105 | ) | (96 | ) | ||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | 91 | (96 | ) | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period | 33 | 150 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period | $ | 124 | $ | 54 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 124 | $ | 33 | ||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 41 | 42 | ||||||
Accounts receivable (less reserve: 2008, $19; 2007, $18) | ||||||||
Customer | 250 | 197 | ||||||
Other | 22 | 17 | ||||||
Unbilled revenues | 171 | 192 | ||||||
Accounts receivable from affiliates | 26 | 16 | ||||||
Note receivable from affiliate | 277 | |||||||
Prepayments | 131 | 16 | ||||||
Prepayment on PLR energy supply from affiliate | 12 | 12 | ||||||
Other | 51 | 53 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 828 | 855 | ||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment | ||||||||
Electric plant in service | ||||||||
Transmission and distribution | 4,362 | 4,316 | ||||||
General | 452 | 443 | ||||||
4,814 | 4,759 | |||||||
Construction work in progress | 99 | 114 | ||||||
Electric plant | 4,913 | 4,873 | ||||||
Other property | 2 | 2 | ||||||
4,915 | 4,875 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | 1,870 | 1,854 | ||||||
Total Property, Plant and Equipment | 3,045 | 3,021 | ||||||
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets | ||||||||
Recoverable transition costs | 497 | 574 | ||||||
Intangibles | 121 | 121 | ||||||
Prepayment on PLR energy supply from affiliate | 9 | 12 | ||||||
Taxes recoverable through future rates | 247 | 245 | ||||||
Other | 159 | 158 | ||||||
Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets | 1,033 | 1,110 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 4,906 | $ | 4,986 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Short-term debt | $ | 41 | $ | 41 | ||||
Long-term debt | 313 | 395 | ||||||
Accounts payable | 37 | 59 | ||||||
Accounts payable to affiliates | 175 | 192 | ||||||
Taxes | 56 | 44 | ||||||
Collateral on PLR energy supply from affiliate | 300 | 300 | ||||||
Other | 94 | 107 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 1,016 | 1,138 | ||||||
Long-term Debt | 1,279 | 1,279 | ||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | 752 | 763 | ||||||
Other | 239 | 220 | ||||||
Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities | 991 | 983 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 10) | ||||||||
Shareowners' Equity | ||||||||
Preferred securities | 301 | 301 | ||||||
Common stock - no par value (a) | 364 | 364 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 424 | 424 | ||||||
Earnings reinvested | 531 | 497 | ||||||
Total Shareowners' Equity | 1,620 | 1,586 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | 4,906 | $ | 4,986 |
(a) | 170 million shares authorized; 66 million shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. | |
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements. |
Terms and abbreviations appearing in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are explained in the glossary. Dollars are in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise noted.
1. | Interim Financial Statements |
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. are reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, except as otherwise disclosed. The Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007, are derived from each Registrant's 2007 audited Balance Sheet. The financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes contained in each Registrant's 2007 Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2008, or other future periods, because results for interim periods can be disproportionately influenced by various factors and developments and seasonal variations.
The classification of certain prior period amounts has been changed to conform to the presentation in the March 31, 2008 financial statements.
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
PPL is in the process of selling its natural gas distribution and propane businesses. On the Statements of Income, the operating results of the natural gas distribution and propane businesses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, are classified as Discontinued Operations. Discontinued Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, also include the results of Latin American operations that were discontinued during 2007. At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the assets and liabilities related to the natural gas distribution and propane businesses are reflected in the Balance Sheets as held for sale. See Note 8 for additional information. The Statements of Cash Flows do not separately report the cash flows of the Discontinued Operations.
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
The following accounting policy disclosures represent updates to the "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" Note in each Registrant's 2007 Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with that discussion.
Price Risk Management
Master Netting Arrangements
As permitted by FIN 39, PPL and its subsidiaries have elected not to offset net derivative positions in the financial statements. Accordingly, PPL and its subsidiaries do not offset such derivative positions against the fair value of amounts (or amounts that approximate fair value) recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) under master netting arrangements.
PPL's and PPL Energy Supply's obligation to return counterparty collateral under master netting arrangements was $54 million at March 31, 2008 and $21 million at December��31, 2007.
PPL Electric's obligation to return cash collateral to PPL Energy Supply under master netting arrangements was $300 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. See Note 11 for additional information.
PPL has not posted any cash collateral under master netting arrangements.
New Accounting Standards Adopted
SFAS 157, as amended
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, which provides a definition of fair value as well as a framework for measuring fair value. In addition, SFAS 157 expands the fair value disclosure requirements of other accounting pronouncements to require, among other things, disclosure of the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value as well as the earnings impact of certain fair value measurement techniques. SFAS 157 excludes from its scope fair value measurements related to stock-based compensation. See Note 13 for additional information and related disclosures.
In February 2008, the FASB amended SFAS 157 through the issuance of FSP FAS 157-1 and FSP FAS 157-2. FSP FAS 157-1 was effective upon the initial adoption of SFAS 157 and amends SFAS 157 to exclude from its scope, certain accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements associated with leases. FSP FAS 157-2 was effective upon issuance and delays the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).
PPL and its subsidiaries adopted SFAS 157, as amended, prospectively, effective January 1, 2008. Limited retrospective application for financial instruments that were previously measured at fair value in accordance with footnote 3 of EITF Issue No. 02-3 was not required. The January 1, 2008 adoption did not have a significant impact on PPL and its subsidiaries. As permitted by this guidance, PPL and its subsidiaries will apply SFAS 157, as amended, prospectively effective January 1, 2009, to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. PPL and its subsidiaries are in the process of evaluating the impact of applying SFAS 157, as amended, to these items. The potential impact of this application is not yet determinable, but it could be material.
Since PPL and PPL Energy Supply elected to defer the effective date of SFAS 157, as amended, for eligible assets and liabilities, the provisions of this standard were not applied to intangible assets acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2008. PPL Electric's election to defer the effective date of this standard for eligible assets and liabilities had no impact on its 2008 financial statements.
SFAS 159
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, which provides entities with an option to measure, upon adoption of this standard and at specified election dates, certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities, as well as other eligible items. The fair value option (i) may be applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis, with a few exceptions, (ii) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs), and (iii) is applied to an entire instrument and not to only specified risks, cash flows, or portions of that instrument. An entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.
SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between similar assets and liabilities measured using different attributes. Upon adoption of SFAS 159, an entity may elect the fair value option for eligible items that exist at that date and must report the effect of the first remeasurement to fair value as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.
PPL and its subsidiaries adopted SFAS 159 effective January 1, 2008. PPL and its subsidiaries did not elect the fair value option for eligible items. Therefore, the January 1, 2008 adoption did not have an impact on PPL and its subsidiaries.
New Accounting Standards Pending Adoption
See Note 18 for a discussion of new accounting standards pending adoption.
3. | Segment and Related Information |
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
See the "Segment and Related Information" Note in each Registrant's 2007 Form 10-K for a discussion of reportable segments.
Financial data for the segments are:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
PPL | PPL Energy Supply | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Income Statement Data | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues from external customers | ||||||||||||||||
Supply | $ | 397 | $ | 455 | $ | 884 | $ | 934 | ||||||||
International Delivery | 250 | 226 | 250 | 226 | ||||||||||||
Pennsylvania Delivery | 879 | 865 | ||||||||||||||
1,526 | 1,546 | 1,134 | 1,160 | |||||||||||||
Intersegment revenues | ||||||||||||||||
Supply | 489 | 481 | ||||||||||||||
Pennsylvania Delivery | 29 | 37 | ||||||||||||||
Net Income | ||||||||||||||||
Supply | 102 | 117 | 106 | 119 | ||||||||||||
International Delivery (a) | 98 | 28 | 98 | 28 | ||||||||||||
Pennsylvania Delivery (a) | 60 | 58 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 260 | $ | 203 | $ | 204 | $ | 147 |
PPL | PPL Energy Supply | |||||||||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data | ||||||||||||||||
Total assets | ||||||||||||||||
Supply | $ | 10,559 | $ | 9,231 | $ | 10,632 | $ | 9,628 | ||||||||
International Delivery | 5,464 | 5,639 | 5,464 | 5,639 | ||||||||||||
Pennsylvania Delivery | 5,032 | 5,102 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 21,055 | $ | 19,972 | $ | 16,096 | $ | 15,267 |
(a) | Both periods include the results of Discontinued Operations. See Note 8 for additional information. |
4. | Earnings Per Share |
(PPL)
Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, increased for additional shares that would be outstanding if potentially dilutive securities were converted to common shares. Potentially dilutive securities consist of:
· | stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units granted under the incentive compensation plans; |
· | stock units representing common stock granted under the directors compensation programs; and |
· | convertible senior notes. |
The basic and diluted EPS calculations, and the reconciliation of the shares (in thousands) used in the calculations, are:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Income (Numerator) | ||||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 246 | $ | 221 | ||||
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) | 14 | (18 | ) | |||||
Net Income | $ | 260 | $ | 203 | ||||
Shares (Denominator) | ||||||||
Shares for Basic EPS | 372,782 | 384,793 | ||||||
Add incremental shares: | ||||||||
Convertible Senior Notes | 1,084 | 1,354 | ||||||
Restricted stock, stock options and other share-based awards | 2,736 | 3,021 | ||||||
Shares for Diluted EPS | 376,602 | 389,168 | ||||||
Basic EPS | ||||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.58 | ||||
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) | 0.04 | (0.05 | ) | |||||
Net Income | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.53 | ||||
Diluted EPS | ||||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.57 | ||||
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) | 0.04 | (0.05 | ) | |||||
Net Income | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.52 |
If converted, PPL Energy Supply's 2-5/8% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (Convertible Senior Notes) require cash settlement of the principal amount and permit settlement of any conversion premium in cash or PPL common stock. Based upon the current conversion rate of 40.2212 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (or $24.8625 per share), the Convertible Senior Notes have a dilutive impact when the average market price of PPL common stock equals or exceeds $24.87.
See Note 7 for discussion of attainment of the market price trigger related to the Convertible Senior Notes and related conversions during 2008.
At March 31, 2008, $48 million of Convertible Senior Notes remained outstanding. The maximum number of shares of PPL common stock that could potentially be issued to settle the conversion premium, based upon the current conversion rate, was 1,934,479 shares. Based on PPL's common stock price at March 31, 2008, the conversion premium equated to 887,092 shares of PPL common stock, or $41 million.
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, PPL issued 365,817 shares of common stock related to the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units and conversion of stock units granted to directors under its stock-based compensation plans.
No stock options to purchase PPL common shares were excluded in the respective periods' computations of diluted EPS because the effect would have been antidilutive.
5. | Income Taxes |
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
Reconciliations of effective income tax rates are:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
PPL | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense | ||||||||
Federal income tax on Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes, Minority Interest and Dividends on Preferred Securities of a Subsidiary at statutory tax rate - 35% | $ | 133 | $ | 104 | ||||
Increase (decrease) due to: | ||||||||
State income taxes | 9 | 5 | ||||||
Amortization of investment tax credits | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||
Federal income tax credits (a) | 13 | (26 | ) | |||||
Difference related to income recognition of foreign affiliates (net of foreign income taxes) | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
Change in foreign tax reserves (b) | (12 | ) | ||||||
Stranded cost securitization (b) | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
Other (b) | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
(4 | ) | (35 | ) | |||||
Total income tax expense from continuing operations | $ | 129 | $ | 69 | ||||
Effective income tax rate | 33.9% | 23.3% |
(a) | In March 2008, PPL recorded income tax expense of $13 million to adjust the amount of synthetic fuel tax credits recorded during 2007. See Note 10 for additional information. | |
(b) | For the three months ended March 31, 2008, PPL recorded a $10 million benefit related to income tax reserve changes, which consisted of a $12 million benefit reflected in "Change in foreign tax reserves" and a $1 million benefit reflected in "Stranded cost securitization," offset by a $3 million expense reflected in "Other." For the three months ended March 31, 2007, PPL recorded a $1 million expense related to income tax reserve changes, which consisted of a $2 million expense reflected in "Other," offset by a $1 million benefit reflected in "Stranded cost securitization." |
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
PPL Energy Supply | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense | ||||||||
Federal income tax on Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest at statutory tax rate - 35% | $ | 106 | $ | 76 | ||||
Increase (decrease) due to: | ||||||||
State income taxes (a) | 7 | 4 | ||||||
Amortization of investment tax credits | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||
Federal income tax credits (b) | 13 | (26 | ) | |||||
Difference related to income recognition of foreign affiliates (net of foreign income taxes) | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
Change in foreign tax reserves (a) | (12 | ) | ||||||
Other (a) | 1 | 1 | ||||||
(1 | ) | (32 | ) | |||||
Total income tax expense from continuing operations | $ | 105 | $ | 44 | ||||
Effective income tax rate | 34.5% | 20.3% |
(a) | For the three months ended March 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply recorded a $9 million benefit related to income tax reserve changes, which consisted of a $12 million benefit reflected in "Change in foreign tax reserves" and a $1 million benefit reflected in "State income taxes," offset by a $4 million expense reflected in "Other." For the three months ended March 31, 2007, PPL Energy Supply recorded a $2 million expense related to income tax reserve changes, which consisted of a $2 million expense reflected in "Other," offset by an insignificant amount in "State income taxes." | |
(b) | In March 2008, PPL Energy Supply recorded income tax expense of $13 million to adjust the amount of synthetic fuel tax credits recorded during 2007. See Note 10 for additional information. |
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
PPL Electric | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense | ||||||||
Federal income tax on Income Before Income Taxes at statutory tax rate - 35% | $ | 30 | $ | 30 | ||||
Increase (decrease) due to: | ||||||||
State income taxes | 4 | 3 | ||||||
Amortization of investment tax credits | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
Stranded cost securitization (a) | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
Other | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
1 | ||||||||
Total income tax expense | $ | 31 | $ | 30 | ||||
Effective income tax rate | 35.6% | 34.5% |
(a) | For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, PPL Electric recorded a $1 million benefit related to state income tax reserve changes. |
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
Changes to unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2008, were as follows:
PPL | PPL Energy Supply | PPL Electric | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 (a) | $ | 204 | $ | 130 | $ | 68 | ||||||
Additions based on tax positions of prior years | 17 | 17 | ||||||||||
Reduction based on tax positions of prior years | (10 | ) | (7 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||||
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year | 5 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Settlements | (12 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||||||
Lapse of applicable statues of limitations | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Effects of foreign currency translation | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2008 | $ | 200 | $ | 111 | $ | 83 |
(a) | PPL and PPL Energy Supply include a $15 million adjustment to exclude recognized uncertain tax positions from unrecognized tax benefits. |
Changes to unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2007 were insignificant.
At March 31, 2008, the total unrecognized tax benefits and related indirect effects that if recognized would decrease the effective tax rate were:
PPL | PPL Energy Supply | PPL Electric | ||||||||||
Total unrecognized tax benefits | $ | 200 | $ | 111 | $ | 83 | ||||||
Unrecognized tax benefits associated with taxable or deductible temporary differences | (26 | ) | 2 | (28 | ) | |||||||
Unrecognized tax benefits associated with business combinations (a) | (18 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||||||
Total indirect effect of unrecognized tax benefits on other tax jurisdictions | (40 | ) | (11 | ) | (28 | ) | ||||||
Total unrecognized tax benefits and related indirect effects that if recognized would decrease the effective tax rate | $ | 116 | $ | 84 | $ | 27 |
(a) | Upon adoption, effective January 1, 2009, SFAS 141(R) will require changes in unrecognized tax benefits associated with business combinations to be recognized in tax expense rather than in goodwill. These amounts do not consider the impact of SFAS 141(R) as it is not applicable until 2009. |
At March 31, 2008, it was reasonably possible that during the next 12 months the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could increase by as much as $18 million or decrease by up to $73 million for PPL, increase by as much as $12 million or decrease by up to $57 million for PPL Energy Supply and decrease by up to $9 million for PPL Electric. These increases and decreases could result from subsequent recognition, derecognition and/or changes in measurement of uncertain tax positions related to the creditability of foreign taxes, the timing and utilization of foreign tax credits and the related impact on alternative minimum tax and other credits, the timing and/or valuation of certain deductions, intercompany transactions and unitary filing groups. The events that could cause these changes are direct settlements with taxing authorities, litigation, legal or administrative guidance by relevant taxing authorities and the lapse of an applicable statute of limitation.
At March 31, 2008, PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric had accrued interest related to tax positions of $30 million, $24 million and $6 million.
PPL and its subsidiaries recognize interest and penalties in "Income Taxes" on their Statements of Income. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, PPL and PPL Energy Supply recognized a net benefit of $1 million and $3 million from the accrual of additional interest and reversal of accrued interest, primarily related to the lapse of statutes of limitations, settlements or reductions based on tax positions of prior years. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, PPL Electric recognized net expense of $2 million from the accrual of additional interest and reversal of accrued interest, primarily related to additions based on tax positions of prior years. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, these amounts were insignificant for PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric.
6. | Comprehensive Income |
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
The after-tax components of comprehensive income are:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||
PPL | PPL Energy Supply | ||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 260 | $ | 203 | $ | 204 | $ | 147 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (59 | ) | (59 | ) | |||||||||||
Defined benefit plans amortization: | |||||||||||||||
Prior service cost | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||
Net actuarial gain | 2 | 10 | 3 | 10 | |||||||||||
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities | (13 | ) | 1 | (13 | ) | 1 | |||||||||
Net unrealized (loss) gain on qualifying derivatives | (26 | ) | 32 | (21 | ) | 33 | |||||||||
Total other comprehensive (loss) income | (92 | ) | 47 | (87 | ) | 47 | |||||||||
Comprehensive Income | $ | 168 | $ | 250 | $ | 117 | $ | 194 |
(PPL Electric)
PPL Electric's comprehensive income approximates net income.
7. | Credit Arrangements and Financing Activities |
Credit Arrangements
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
PPL Energy Supply maintains credit facilities in order to enhance liquidity and provide credit support, and as a backstop to its commercial paper program.
In March 2008, PPL Energy Supply increased the capacity of its 364-day reimbursement agreement from $200 million to $300 million and extended the expiration date of the agreement to March 2009. Under the agreement, PPL Energy Supply can cause the bank to issue up to $300 million of letters of credit but cannot make cash borrowings. At March 31, 2008, there were $115 million of letters of credit outstanding under this agreement.
PPL Energy Supply maintains a $3.4 billion five-year credit facility that expires in June 2012. PPL Energy Supply has the ability to cause the lenders under this facility to issue letters of credit. At March 31, 2008, there were no cash borrowings and $470 million of letters of credit outstanding under this facility.
PPL Energy Supply also maintains a $300 million five-year letter of credit and revolving credit facility expiring in March 2011. At March 31, 2008, there were no cash borrowings and $197 million of letters of credit outstanding under this facility. PPL Energy Supply's obligations under this facility are supported by a $300 million letter of credit issued on PPL Energy Supply's behalf under a separate $300 million five-year letter of credit and reimbursement agreement, also expiring in March 2011.
PPL Energy Supply maintains a commercial paper program for up to $500 million to provide an additional financing source to fund its short-term liquidity needs, if and when necessary. Commercial paper issuances are supported by PPL Energy Supply's $3.4 billion five-year credit facility. PPL Energy Supply had no commercial paper outstanding at March 31, 2008.
In January 2008, WPDH Limited extended the expiration date of its £150 million (approximately $298 million) five-year committed credit facility to January 2013, and it has the option to extend the expiration date by another year in January 2009. WPD (South West) maintains a £150 million (approximately $298 million) five-year committed credit facility that expires in October 2009 and uncommitted credit facilities of £65 million (approximately $129 million). There were no cash borrowings outstanding under any of WPD's credit facilities at March 31, 2008.
(PPL and PPL Electric)
PPL Electric maintains credit facilities in order to enhance liquidity and provide credit support, and as a backstop to its commercial paper program.
PPL Electric maintains a $200 million five-year credit facility that expires in May 2012. PPL Electric has the ability to cause the lenders under this facility to issue letters of credit. PPL Electric had no cash borrowings and an insignificant amount of letters of credit outstanding under this facility at March 31, 2008.
PPL Electric maintains a commercial paper program for up to $200 million to provide an additional financing source to fund its short-term liquidity needs, if and when necessary. Commercial paper issuances are supported by PPL Electric's $200 million five-year credit facility. PPL Electric had no commercial paper outstanding at March 31, 2008.
At March 31, 2008, $156 million of accounts receivable and $152 million of unbilled revenue were pledged by a PPL Electric subsidiary under the credit agreement related to PPL Electric's and the subsidiary's participation in an asset-backed commercial paper program. Also at this date, there was $41 million of short-term debt outstanding under the credit agreement at an interest rate of 3.04%, all of which was being used to cash collateralize letters of credit issued on PPL Electric's behalf. The funds used to cash collateralize the letters of credit are reported in "Restricted cash and cash equivalents" on the Balance Sheet. At March 31, 2008, based on the accounts receivable and unbilled revenue pledged, an additional $109 million was available for borrowing. PPL Electric's sale to its subsidiary of the accounts receivable and unbilled revenue is an absolute sale of the assets, and PPL Electric does not retain an interest in these assets. However, for financial reporting purposes, the subsidiary's financial results are consolidated in PPL Electric's financial statements. The credit agreement governing the asset-backed commercial paper program expires in July 2008.
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
The subsidiaries of PPL are separate legal entities. PPL's subsidiaries are not liable for the debts of PPL. Accordingly, creditors of PPL may not satisfy their debts from the assets of the subsidiaries absent a specific contractual undertaking by a subsidiary to pay PPL's creditors or as required by applicable law or regulation. Similarly, absent a specific contractual undertaking or as required by applicable law or regulation, PPL is not liable for the debts of its subsidiaries. Accordingly, creditors of PPL's subsidiaries may not satisfy their debts from the assets of PPL absent a specific contractual undertaking by PPL to pay the creditors of its subsidiaries or as required by applicable law or regulation.
Similarly, the subsidiaries of PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric are separate legal entities. These subsidiaries are not liable for the debts of PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric. Accordingly, creditors of PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric may not satisfy their debts from the assets of their subsidiaries absent a specific contractual undertaking by a subsidiary to pay the creditors or as required by applicable law or regulation. In addition, absent a specific contractual undertaking or as required by applicable law or regulation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric are not liable for the debts of their subsidiaries. Accordingly, creditors of these subsidiaries may not satisfy their debts from the assets of PPL Energy Supply or PPL Electric absent a specific contractual undertaking by that parent to pay the creditors of its subsidiaries or as required by applicable law or regulation.
Financing Activities
(PPL)
In March 2007, PPL and PPL Capital Funding entered into a Replacement Capital Covenant in connection with the issuance of PPL Capital Funding's 2007 Series A Junior Subordinated Notes due 2067. In March 2008, there was a redesignation of the series of covered debt benefiting from such Replacement Capital Covenant. Effective March 1, 2008, PPL Capital Funding's 4.33% Notes Exchange Series A due March 2009 ceased being the covered debt and PPL Capital Funding's 6.85% Senior Notes due 2047 became the covered debt benefiting from the Replacement Capital Covenant.
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
In March 2008, PPL Energy Supply issued $400 million of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2018 (the Notes). The Notes may be redeemed any time prior to maturity at PPL Energy Supply's option at make-whole redemption prices. PPL Energy Supply received proceeds of $396 million, net of a discount and underwriting fees, from the issuance of the Notes. The proceeds have been used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures relating to the installation of pollution control equipment by PPL Energy Supply subsidiaries.
The terms of PPL Energy Supply's 2-5/8% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (Convertible Senior Notes) include a market price trigger that permits holders to convert the notes during any fiscal quarter if the closing sale price of PPL's common stock exceeds $29.83 for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter. Holders of the Convertible Senior Notes were entitled to convert their notes any time during the first quarter of 2008 and are also entitled to convert their notes any time during the second quarter of 2008, as a result of the market price trigger being met. When holders elect to convert the Convertible Senior Notes, PPL Energy Supply is required to settle the principal amount in cash and any conversion premium in cash or PPL common stock. During the first quarter of 2008, Convertible Senior Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $9 million were presented for conversion. The total conversion premium related to these conversions was $7 million, which was settled with 158,945 shares of PPL common stock, along with an insignificant amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares. After such conversions, approximately $48 million of Convertible Senior Notes remain outstanding.
The holders of the Convertible Senior Notes have the right to require PPL Energy Supply to purchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of the Convertible Senior Notes on May 15, 2008 at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of such date. Additionally, in April 2008, the holders were notified that PPL Energy Supply is calling for redemption on May 20, 2008 all outstanding Convertible Senior Notes at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of such date. The Convertible Senior Notes are subject to conversion at the election of the holders any time prior to May 20, 2008.
In April 2008, PPL Energy Supply elected to change the interest rate mode on the Exempt Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2007 due 2037 (the Bonds) that were issued by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority on behalf of PPL Energy Supply in December 2007. The interest rate mode was converted from a rate that was reset daily through daily remarketing of the Bonds to a term rate of 1.80% for one year. In connection with this change, the letter of credit supporting the Bonds was modified accordingly.
(PPL and PPL Electric)
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, PPL Transition Bond Company made principal payments on transition bonds of $82 million.
Common Stock Repurchase Program (PPL)
In June 2007, PPL's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase by PPL of up to $750 million of its common stock. Through March 31, 2008, a total of 15,732,708 shares were repurchased for $750 million, excluding related fees, under the plan. This includes the purchases of 802,816 shares of its common stock for $38 million in 2008. These purchases were primarily recorded as a reduction to "Capital in excess of par value" on the Balance Sheet.
Distributions and Capital Contributions
(PPL)
In February 2008, PPL announced an increase to its quarterly common stock dividend, effective April 1, 2008, to 33.5 cents per share (equivalent to $1.34 per annum). Future dividends, declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors, will be dependent upon future earnings, cash flows, financial requirements and other factors.
(PPL Energy Supply)
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply distributed $492 million to its parent company, PPL Energy Funding.
(PPL Electric)
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, PPL Electric paid common stock dividends of $18 million to PPL.
8. | Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures |
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
PPL continuously evaluates strategic options for its business segments and, from time to time, PPL and its subsidiaries are involved in negotiations with third parties regarding acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets, joint ventures and development projects, which may or may not result in definitive agreements. Any such transactions may impact future financial results.
Domestic
Development
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
In December 2007, PPL announced that a subsidiary will ask the NRC to approve a COLA for a nuclear generating unit adjacent to the Susquehanna plant. NRC acceptance of the COLA by December 2008 would meet the first requirement to qualify for federal production tax credits and loan guarantees, as provided under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Requests have also been filed with PJM for transmission feasibility and system impact studies. PPL has contracted with UniStar Nuclear Services, LLC, an affiliate of UniStar Nuclear Energy, LLC, a joint venture between Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC and EDF Development, Inc., to prepare the application. The facility for which the application will be submitted will be based on the U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactor design developed by AREVA NP, Inc. and its affiliates. PPL is currently authorized to spend approximately $90 million on the COLA, most of which would be incurred by the end of 2008. PPL has made no decision to proceed with development and construction of another nuclear unit and expects that such decision could take as long as four years given an anticipated lengthy approval process. These cost estimates do not reflect any construction expenditures, nor do they represent a commitment to build. Additionally, PPL has announced that it would likely only proceed to construction in a joint-venture arrangement. Through March 31, 2008, $22 million of costs associated with the licensing effort were capitalized, as PPL deems it probable that upon receiving approval of the COLA from the NRC, it would build the unit, sell the COLA rights to another party or contribute the COLA to a joint venture.
(PPL and PPL Electric)
In June 2007, PJM approved the construction of a new 130-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line between the Susquehanna substation in Pennsylvania and the Roseland substation in New Jersey that has been identified as essential to long-term reliability of the mid-Atlantic electricity grid. PJM determined that the line is needed to prevent potential overloads that could occur in the next decade on several existing transmission lines in the interconnected PJM system. PJM has directed PPL Electric to construct the portion of the Susquehanna-Roseland line in Pennsylvania and has directed Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) to construct the portion of the line in New Jersey by June 1, 2012. PPL Electric's estimated share is between $300 million and $500 million. PPL Electric's capital projections currently include approximately $320 million for the new transmission line, which will require certain regulatory approvals.
In December 2007, PPL Electric and PSE&G filed a joint petition for a declaratory order with the FERC requesting approval of transmission rate incentives for the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line. The companies requested: (1) an additional 1.5% allowed rate of return on equity; (2) recognition of construction work in progress in rate base; (3) recovery of all costs if the project is cancelled; and (4) an additional 0.5% allowed rate of return on equity for membership in PJM. In April 2008, the FERC approved the filing and granted all of the requested incentives except that the allowed rate of return on equity was approved at 1.25%.
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
Sale of Telecommunication Operations
In the first quarter of 2007, PPL completed a review of strategic options for the transport operations of its domestic telecommunications subsidiary, which offered fiber optic capacity to other telecommunications companies and enterprise customers. The operating results of this subsidiary were included in the Supply segment. Due to a combination of significant capital requirements for the telecommunication operations and competing capital needs in PPL's core electricity supply and delivery businesses, PPL decided to actively market these telecommunication operations. As a result, PPL and PPL Energy Supply recorded an initial impairment of $31 million ($18 million after tax) of the telecommunication assets based on their estimated fair value. The impairment is included in "Energy-related businesses" expenses on the Statement of Income. The transport operations did not meet the criteria for discontinued operations presentation on the Statement of Income because there were not separate and distinguishable cash flows, among other factors.
In May 2007, PPL reached a definitive agreement to sell its telecommunication operations. In the second quarter of 2007, PPL and PPL Energy Supply recorded an additional impairment of $3 million ($2 million after tax). In August 2007, PPL completed the sale of its telecommunication operations and recorded an additional impairment of $5 million ($3 million after tax). PPL realized net proceeds of $47 million from the sale.
Acquisition of a Long-term Tolling Agreement
In April 2008, PPL EnergyPlus entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of rights to the capacity and energy of a 664 MW natural gas-fired power plant in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. PPL EnergyPlus agreed to acquire a long-term tolling agreement, under which PPL EnergyPlus will compensate the present owner-operator for generating electricity at the plant with natural gas supplied by PPL EnergyPlus. The tolling agreement extends through 2021. The transaction is subject to various regulatory approvals, including approval from the FERC.
International
Sales
In 2005, WPD effectively sold an equity investment by transferring substantially all risks and rewards of ownership of the two subsidiaries that held the investment. The gain was deferred until WPD's continuing involvement in the subsidiaries ceased. In the first quarter of 2007, PPL Global recognized a pre-tax gain of $5 million as WPD's involvement ceased. This gain is included in "Other Income - net" on the Statements of Income.
Other
In 2000, WPD acquired Hyder. Subsequently, WPD sold the majority of Hyder's non-electricity delivery businesses and placed the remaining companies in liquidation. WPD has periodically received distributions related to these ongoing liquidations. These distributions are included in "Other Income - net" on the Statements of Income (as detailed in Note 12). The Hyder non-electricity delivery businesses are substantially liquidated at March 31, 2008. WPD continues to operate the former Hyder electricity delivery business, now WPD (South Wales).
Discontinued Operations
Sale of Latin American Businesses
In March 2007, PPL completed a review of strategic options for its Latin American businesses and announced its intention to sell its regulated electricity delivery businesses in Chile, El Salvador and Bolivia, which were included in the International Delivery segment.
In April 2007, PPL agreed to sell its Bolivian businesses and recorded an impairment in the first quarter of 2007 of $34 million, or $17 million after tax, to reflect the estimated fair value of the businesses at the date the agreement was reached. In the second and third quarters of 2007, additional pre- and after-tax impairments of $2 million and $1 million were recorded primarily to offset each period's earnings. This sale was completed in July 2007.
In May 2007, PPL completed the sale of its El Salvadoran business for $180 million in cash. PPL recorded a gain of $94 million, or $89 million after tax, as a result of the sale.
In November 2007, PPL completed the sale of its Chilean business for $660 million in cash. PPL recorded a gain of $306 million, or $197 million after tax, as a result of the sale.
PPL Global expects to recognize income tax adjustments and incur expenses in 2008 as the remaining Latin American holding companies are dissolved.
In accordance with SFAS 144, the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, have been classified as Discontinued Operations on the Statements of Income. Following are the components of Discontinued Operations on the Statements of Income.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 155 | ||||||
Operating expenses (a) | $ | 2 | 169 | |||||
Operating loss | (2 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||
Other income – net | (1 | ) | 3 | |||||
Interest expense (b) | 5 | |||||||
Loss before income taxes and minority interest | (3 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||
Income tax (benefit) expense (c) (d) | (8 | ) | 7 | |||||
Minority interest | 2 | |||||||
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations | $ | 5 | $ | (25 | ) |
(a) | 2007 includes the impairment of the carrying value of the Bolivian businesses. | |
(b) | 2007 includes $2 million of interest expense allocated pursuant to EITF 87-24 based on the discontinued operation's share of the net assets of PPL Energy Supply. | |
(c) | 2007 includes U.S. deferred tax charges of $18 million. As a result of PPL's decision to sell its Latin American businesses, it no longer qualified for the permanently reinvested exception to recording deferred taxes pursuant to APB Opinion No. 23. | |
(d) | 2008 includes $6 million from the recognition of a previously unrecognized tax benefit associated with a prior year tax position. |
(PPL)
Anticipated Sale of Gas and Propane Businesses
In July 2007, PPL completed a review of strategic options for its natural gas distribution and propane businesses and announced its intention to sell these businesses, which are included in the Pennsylvania Delivery segment. In March 2008, PPL signed a definitive agreement to sell these businesses for $268 million in cash plus working capital, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement and following the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. PPL expects the sale to close before the end of 2008. Proceeds of the sale are expected to be used to invest in growth opportunities in PPL's core electricity supply and delivery businesses and/or for the repurchase of securities.
In accordance with SFAS 144, the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, have been classified as Discontinued Operations on the Statements of Income. The assets and liabilities at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, are classified as held for sale on the Balance Sheets.
Following are the components of Discontinued Operations on the Statements of Income.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 94 | $ | 94 | ||||
Operating expenses | 76 | 81 | ||||||
Operating income | 18 | 13 | ||||||
Interest expense | 2 | 1 | ||||||
Income before income taxes | 16 | 12 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 7 | 5 | ||||||
Income from Discontinued Operations | $ | 9 | $ | 7 |
The major classes of "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale" on the Balance Sheets at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, were as follows:
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3 | ||||||
Accounts receivable | 28 | $ | 18 | |||||
Fuel, materials and supplies | 18 | |||||||
Other | 7 | 7 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 38 | 43 | ||||||
PP&E | 216 | 213 | ||||||
Goodwill and other noncurrent assets | 61 | 62 | ||||||
Total assets held for sale | $ | 315 | $ | 318 | ||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 11 | $ | 18 | ||||
Other | 21 | 14 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 32 | 32 | ||||||
Long-term Debt (a) | 10 | |||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities | 26 | 26 | ||||||
Total liabilities held for sale | $ | 58 | $ | 68 |
(a) | Under the terms of the definitive sales agreement, the purchaser is not assuming this debt. Therefore, it has been reclassified from "Liabilities held for sale" to "Current Liabilities - Long-term debt" on the Balance Sheet at March 31, 2008. |
9. | Defined Benefits |
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
Net periodic defined benefit costs (credits) were:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension Benefits | Other Postretirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic | International | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||
PPL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 15 | $ | 16 | $ | 4 | $ | 6 | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||
Interest cost | 35 | 33 | 49 | 42 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (45 | ) | (44 | ) | (60 | ) | (56 | ) | (5 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transition (asset) obligation | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Prior service cost | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Actuarial (gain) loss | (2 | ) | 5 | 13 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic defined benefit costs (credits) | $ | 7 | $ | 9 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 6 | $ | 11 | $ | 11 | |||||||||||
PPL Energy Supply | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 4 | $ | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest cost | 2 | 1 | 49 | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | (60 | ) | (56 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior service cost | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Actuarial loss | 5 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic defined benefit costs (credits) | $ | 1 | $ | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 6 |
10. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Energy Purchases, Energy Sales and Other Commitments
Energy Purchase Commitments
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
PPL and PPL Energy Supply enter into long-term purchase contracts to supply the fuel requirements for generation facilities. These contracts include commitments to purchase coal, emission allowances, natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel and extend for terms through 2019. PPL and PPL Energy Supply also enter into long-term contracts for the storage and transportation of natural gas. The long-term natural gas storage contracts extend for terms through 2014 for PPL and 2011 for PPL Energy Supply. The long-term natural gas transportation contracts extend for terms through 2032 for PPL and PPL Energy Supply. Additionally, PPL and PPL Energy Supply have entered into long-term contracts to purchase power that extend for terms through 2017, excluding long-term power purchase agreements for full output of two wind farms. These wind farm contracts extend for terms through 2027.
In April 2008, PPL EnergyPlus entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of rights to the capacity and energy of a 664 MW natural gas-fired power plant. This agreement extends through 2021. See Note 8 for additional information.
(PPL and PPL Electric)
Beginning in 2007, PPL Electric began to conduct competitive solicitations to purchase electricity generation supply in 2010, after its existing PLR contract expires, for customers who do not choose a competitive supplier. A total of six auctions were planned, with two occurring in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. Each solicitation is for 850 MW of expected generation supply. Average generation supply prices (per MWh), including Pennsylvania gross receipts tax and an adjustment for line losses, for the first three solicitations were as follows:
Residential | Small Commercial and Small Industrial | ||||||||
July 2007 | $ | 101.77 | $ | 105.11 | |||||
October 2007 | 105.08 | 105.75 | |||||||
March 2008 | 108.80 | 108.76 |
The fourth competitive solicitation will be held in September 2008.
See Note 11 for additional information on PPL Electric's existing PLR contracts with PPL EnergyPlus and the bids awarded to PPL EnergyPlus under PPL Electric's Supply Master Agreement for 2010.
Energy Sales Commitments
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
In connection with its marketing activities or associated with certain of its power plants, PPL Energy Supply has entered into long-term power sales contracts that extend for terms through 2017. All long-term contracts were executed at prices that approximated market price at the time of execution.
PPL Energy Supply has entered into full requirements and retail contracts with various counterparties. These contracts extend through 2014. Under these contracts, if PPL Energy Supply's credit rating falls below investment grade or PPL Energy Supply's contract exposure exceeds the established credit limit for the contract, then the counterparty has the right to request collateral from PPL Energy Supply. At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, an insignificant amount of collateral was posted under these contracts.
(PPL Energy Supply)
See Note 11 for information on the power supply agreements between PPL EnergyPlus and PPL Electric.
PPL Montana Hydroelectric License Commitments (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
PPL Montana has 11 hydroelectric facilities and one storage reservoir licensed by the FERC pursuant to the Federal Power Act under long-term licenses. Pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Power Act, the FERC approved the transfer from Montana Power to PPL Montana of all pertinent licenses and any amendments in connection with the Montana Asset Purchase Agreement.
The Kerr Dam Project license was jointly issued by the FERC to Montana Power and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation in 1985, and required Montana Power to hold and operate the project for 30 years. The license required Montana Power, and subsequently PPL Montana as a result of the purchase of the Kerr Dam from Montana Power, to continue to implement a plan to mitigate the impact of the Kerr Dam on fish, wildlife and the habitat. Under this arrangement, PPL Montana has a remaining commitment to spend $16 million between 2008 and 2015, in addition to the annual rental it pays to the tribes. Between 2015 and 2025, the tribes have the option to purchase, hold and operate the project for the remainder of the license term of 2035.
PPL Montana entered into two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with state, federal and private entities related to the issuance in 2000 of the FERC renewal license for the nine dams for the Missouri-Madison project. The MOUs require PPL Montana to implement plans to mitigate the impact of its projects on fish, wildlife and the habitat, and to increase recreational opportunities. The MOUs were created to maximize collaboration between the parties and enhance the possibility for matching funds from relevant federal agencies. Under this arrangement, PPL Montana has a remaining commitment to spend $43 million between 2008 and 2040.
Legal Matters
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
PPL and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business. PPL and its subsidiaries cannot predict the outcome of such matters, or whether such matters may result in material liabilities.
Montana Power Shareholders' Litigation (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
In August 2001, a purported class-action lawsuit was filed by a group of shareholders of Montana Power against Montana Power, the directors of Montana Power, certain advisors and consultants of Montana Power, and PPL Montana. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that Montana Power was required to, and did not, obtain shareholder approval of the sale of Montana Power's generation assets to PPL Montana in 1999, and that the sale "was null and void ab initio." Among the remedies that the plaintiffs are seeking is the establishment of a "resulting and/or constructive trust" on both the generation assets and all profits earned by PPL Montana from the generation assets, plus interest on the amounts subject to the trust. This lawsuit is pending in the U.S. District Court of Montana, Butte Division, and the judge placed this proceeding on hold pending the outcome of certain motions currently before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, the resolution of which may impact this proceeding. The judge in this case has not established a schedule to resume the proceeding. In September 2007, certain plaintiffs proposed a settlement of certain claims not involving PPL and proposed a status conference to discuss their proposal. The judge held the status conference in January 2008 and rejected the proposed settlement. PPL and PPL Energy Supply cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Montana Hydroelectric Litigation (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
In November 2004, PPL Montana, Avista Corporation (Avista) and PacifiCorp commenced an action for declaratory judgment in Montana First Judicial District Court seeking a determination that no lease payments or other compensation for their hydropower facilities' use and occupancy of streambeds in Montana can be collected by the State of Montana. This request was brought following the dismissal of the State of Montana's federal lawsuit seeking such payments or compensation in the U.S. District Court of Montana, Missoula Division, on jurisdictional grounds. The State's federal lawsuit was founded on allegations that the beds of Montana's navigable rivers became state-owned trust property upon Montana's admission to statehood, and that the use of them for placement of dam structures, affiliated structures and reservoirs should, under a 1931 regulatory scheme enacted after all but one of the dams in question were constructed, trigger lease payments for use of land beneath. In July 2006, the Montana state court approved a stipulation by the State of Montana that it is not seeking lease payments or other compensation from PPL Montana for the period prior to PPL Montana's acquisition of the hydroelectric facilities in December 1999.
In October 2007, Avista announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement in its separate proceeding with the State of Montana providing, in pertinent part, that Avista would make prospective lease payments of $4 million per year for use of the State's streambeds (adjusted annually for inflation and subject to other future adjustments). Under the settlement agreement, this prospective annual payment by Avista resolves the State's claims for both past and future rent.
In the October 2007 trial of this matter, the State of Montana asserted that PPL Montana should make a prospective lease payment for use of the State's streambeds of $6 million per year (adjusted annually for inflation) and a retroactive payment for the 2000-2006 period (including interest) of $41 million.
PPL Montana continues to vigorously defend its position in this proceeding. PPL and PPL Energy Supply cannot predict when a final decision may be rendered in this proceeding or the ultimate outcome.
Regulatory Issues
California ISO and Western Markets (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
Through its subsidiaries, PPL made $18 million of sales to the California ISO during the period from October 2000 through June 2001, of which $17 million has not been paid to PPL subsidiaries. Given the myriad of electricity supply problems presently faced by the California electric utilities and the California ISO, PPL cannot predict whether or when it will receive payment. At March 31, 2008, PPL continues to be fully reserved for underrecoveries of payments for these sales.
Regulatory proceedings arising out of the California electricity supply situation have been filed at the FERC. The FERC has determined that all sellers of energy into markets operated by the California ISO and the California Power Exchange, including PPL Montana, should be subject to refund liability for the period beginning October 2, 2000 through June 20, 2001, but the FERC has not yet ruled on the exact amounts that the sellers, including PPL Montana, would be required to refund. In decisions in September 2004 and August 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that the FERC had the additional legal authority to order refunds for periods prior to October 2, 2000, and ordered the FERC to determine whether or not it would be appropriate to grant such additional refunds. In February 2008, the FERC initiated proceedings to determine whether it would be appropriate to grant additional refunds. The FERC also instituted settlement proceedings to explore whether a settlement is possible.
In June 2003, the FERC took several actions as a result of a number of related investigations. The FERC terminated proceedings to consider whether to order refunds for spot market bilateral sales made in the Pacific Northwest, including sales made by PPL Montana, during the period December 2000 through June 2001. In August 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the FERC's decision and ordered the FERC to consider additional evidence. The FERC also commenced additional investigations relating to "gaming" and bidding practices during 2000 and 2001, but neither PPL EnergyPlus nor PPL Montana believes it is a subject of these investigations.
Litigation arising out of the California electricity supply situation has been filed in California courts against sellers of energy to the California ISO. The plaintiffs and intervenors in these legal proceedings allege, among other things, abuse of market power, manipulation of market prices, unfair trade practices and violations of state antitrust laws, and seek other relief, including treble damages and attorneys' fees. While PPL's subsidiaries have not been named by the plaintiffs in these legal proceedings, one defendant in a consolidated court proceeding named PPL Montana in its cross-complaint; this defendant denied any unlawful conduct but asserted that, if it is found liable, the other generators and power marketers, including PPL Montana, caused, contributed to and/or participated in the plaintiffs' alleged losses. In July 2006, the Court dismissed this case as the result of a settlement under which PPL Montana was not required to make any payments or provide any compensation.
In February 2004, the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) initiated a limited investigation of the Montana retail electricity market for the years 2000 and 2001, focusing on how that market was affected by transactions involving the possible manipulation of the electricity grid in the western U.S. The investigation includes all public utilities and licensed electricity suppliers in Montana, including PPL Montana, as well as other entities that may possess relevant information. In June 2004, the Montana Attorney General served PPL Montana and more than 20 other companies with subpoenas requesting documents, and PPL Montana has provided responsive documents to the Montana Attorney General.
While PPL and its subsidiaries believe that they have not engaged in any improper trading or marketing practices affecting the California and western markets, PPL cannot predict the outcome of the above-described investigations, lawsuits and proceedings or whether any PPL subsidiaries will be the target of any additional governmental investigations or named in other lawsuits or refund proceedings.
PJM Capacity Litigation (PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
In December 2002, PPL was served with a complaint against PPL, PPL EnergyPlus and PPL Electric filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by 14 Pennsylvania boroughs that apparently alleged, among other things, violations of the federal antitrust laws in connection with the pricing of installed capacity in the PJM daily market during the first quarter of 2001 and certain breach of contract claims. These boroughs were wholesale customers of PPL Electric. In April 2006, the Court dismissed all of the federal antitrust claims and all but one of the breach of contract claims. In May 2007, the Court withdrew its April 2006 decision as to one of the federal antitrust claims, but directed additional briefing on alternative grounds for dismissal of that claim. In September 2007, the Court dismissed the one remaining federal antitrust claim. Such dismissals were subject to the plaintiffs' right to appeal. In April 2008, the parties agreed to dismiss all claims in the proceeding and forgo appeals. The matter is now concluded.
Each of the U.S. Department of Justice - Antitrust Division, the FERC and the Pennsylvania Attorney General conducted investigations regarding PPL's PJM capacity market transactions in early 2001 and did not find any reason to take action against PPL.
New England Investigation (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
In January 2004, PPL became aware of an investigation by the Connecticut Attorney General and the FERC's Office of Market Oversight and Investigation (OMOI) regarding allegations that natural gas-fired generators located in New England illegally sold natural gas instead of generating electricity during the week of January 12, 2004. PPL has responded to a data request of OMOI that indicated PPL was not under suspicion of a regulatory violation, but that OMOI was conducting an initial investigation. PPL also has responded to data requests of ISO New England and data requests served by subpoena from the Connecticut Attorney General. Both OMOI and ISO New England have issued preliminary reports finding no regulatory or other violations concerning these matters. While PPL does not believe that it committed any regulatory or other violations concerning the subject matter of these investigations, PPL cannot predict the outcome of these investigations.
FERC Market-Based Rate Authority (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
In December 1998, the FERC issued an order authorizing PPL EnergyPlus to make wholesale sales of electric power and related products at market-based rates. In that order, the FERC directed PPL EnergyPlus to file an updated market analysis within three years of the date of the order, and every three years thereafter. Market-based rate filings with the FERC were made in November 2004 by PPL EnergyPlus, PPL Electric, PPL Montana and most of PPL Generation's subsidiaries. These filings consisted of a Western market-based rate filing for PPL Montana and an Eastern market-based rate filing for most of the other PPL subsidiaries in the PJM region.
In September 2005, the FERC issued an order conditionally approving the Eastern market-based rate filing, subject to PPL subsidiaries making a compliance filing providing further support that they cannot erect other non-transmission barriers to entry into the generation market. The PPL subsidiaries made this compliance filing in October 2005, which the FERC accepted.
In May 2006, the FERC issued an order rejecting the claims of the various parties in the proceeding regarding PPL's Western market-based rate filing and granting PPL Montana market-based rate authority in NorthWestern's control area. In July 2007, the FERC denied two outstanding requests for rehearing of its 2006 order. Subsequently, various parties in this proceeding filed appeals of the order with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In September 2007, a party also filed a complaint with the FERC seeking additional refunds in the event that the U.S. Court of Appeals overturns or reverses the FERC order. While PPL Montana continues to believe that it does not have market power in NorthWestern's control area and that it has no obligations to make additional sales of power to NorthWestern regardless of the outcome of this proceeding, it cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings.
In January 2008, pursuant to the schedule established by FERC orders, PPL's subsidiaries made another market-based rate renewal filing for all Eastern subsidiaries in the PJM, New England and New York regions, including PPL Electric, PPL EnergyPlus and most of PPL Generation's subsidiaries.
Currently, if a seller is granted market-based rate authority by the FERC, it may enter into power contracts during the time period for which such authority has been granted. If the FERC determines that the market is not workably competitive or that the seller possesses market power or is not charging "just and reasonable" rates, the FERC institutes prospective action. Any contracts entered into pursuant to the FERC's market-based rate authority remain in effect and are generally subject to a high standard of review before the FERC can order any changes. Recent court decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit have raised issues that may make it more difficult for the FERC to continue its program of promoting wholesale electricity competition through market-based rate authority. These court decisions permit retroactive refunds and a lower standard of review by the FERC for changing power contracts, and could have the effect of requiring the FERC to review in advance most, if not all, power contracts. The FERC has not yet taken action in response to these recent court decisions, and the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to review one of these decisions. At this time, PPL cannot predict the impact of these court decisions on the FERC's future market-based rate authority program or on PPL's business.
Illinois Auction Complaints (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
As a result of the Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997, the Illinois General Assembly provided the opportunity for power suppliers to compete to supply power to Illinois electric utilities to meet the full requirements of all non-shopping Illinois electricity customers. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) conducted an auction for supply of up to 25,474 MW of peak load and hired an independent Auction Monitor for this purpose. PPL EnergyPlus submitted bids in this Illinois auction process and, as a result, in September 2006 entered into three agreements with Commonwealth Edison Company to supply a portion of its full requirements service. These agreements commenced in January 2007 and expire after 17, 29 and 41 months. During peak hours, PPL EnergyPlus' obligation to supply Commonwealth Edison may reach 700 MW. At the conclusion of the auction process, the Auction Monitor and the ICC Staff both concluded that the auction process was competitive.
In March 2007, the Illinois Attorney General filed a complaint at the FERC against all of the successful bidders in this auction process, including PPL EnergyPlus and fifteen other suppliers, alleging market manipulation and requesting that the FERC investigate such allegations, requesting refunds for sales at prices above just and reasonable rates and seeking revocation of the FERC market-based rate authority for certain of the suppliers. PPL EnergyPlus is not identified in the complaint as a supplier which allegedly engaged in market manipulation or which should have its market-based rate authority revoked.
In June 2007, PPL EnergyPlus filed an answer requesting dismissal of the complaint. In July 2007, the Illinois Attorney General asked the FERC to hold this proceeding in abeyance pending a possible settlement among the Illinois parties, stating that such a settlement, if finalized, would result in dismissal of its FERC complaint. In August 2007, the Illinois Attorney General, along with other parties, filed a motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice due to a retail rate and procurement procedure settlement agreement reached among a number of interested parties in the State of Illinois. In October 2007, the FERC dismissed the complaint with prejudice and terminated the proceeding.
Subsequent to the Illinois Attorney General's complaint, two class actions were filed in Illinois State Court in Cook County against all successful bidders in the Illinois auction, including PPL EnergyPlus, alleging violations of unfair trade practices laws. The factual allegations appear similar to those in the Attorney General's complaint. In December 2007, the judge issued an order dismissing the class action cases without prejudice to seek relief from either the FERC or the Illinois Commerce Commission. While PPL and PPL Energy Supply do not currently believe that these matters will have a material adverse impact on the financial condition of PPL and PPL Energy Supply, they cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Maine Transmission Line Rates (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
PPL currently holds 100 MW of firm point-to-point transmission service rights associated with an existing transmission line owned by Maine Electric Power Company, Inc. (MEPCO). MEPCO is owned by Central Maine Power Company, Bangor Hydro Electric Company and Maine Public Service Company. These transmission rights enable PPL to sell energy and capacity from Canada into ISO New England.
In August 2007, MEPCO, ISO New England and other New England transmission owners (the Filing Parties) submitted a filing to the FERC seeking to roll the revenue requirement of the MEPCO transmission facilities into the regional transmission rates in New England and to change certain rules concerning the use of the transmission line for energy and capacity (MEPCO roll-in). PPL protested this proposal because it fails to preserve and protect pre-existing firm transmission rights currently held on the MEPCO transmission facilities by PPL EnergyPlus. If the proposal were accepted by the FERC as filed, the value of PPL's pre-existing rights on the MEPCO line would be adversely affected.
In 2007, PPL recorded a $23 million ($13 million after tax) impairment of the transmission rights based on their estimated fair value as determined by an internal model and other analysis. These transmission rights are included in the Supply segment.
In October 2007, the FERC issued an order accepting the Filing Parties' proposal, subject to modification of certain matters presented in the filing. Based on the October 2007 Order, PPL EnergyPlus opted to terminate its contractual rights on the MEPCO line in the event the MEPCO roll-in proposal was implemented. Due to complications implementing the proposal as modified by the FERC, in November 2007, ISO New England and MEPCO filed with the FERC a motion to delay the effectiveness and hold a technical conference or, in the alternative, cancel the MEPCO roll-in.
In February 2008, the FERC issued a further order in response to the ISO New England and MEPCO request that authorized appointment of a settlement judge and deferred the effective date of the MEPCO roll-in proposal to a future date to be determined. In April 2008, the FERC terminated the settlement proceeding without the parties having reached any settlement.
Although PPL cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the remaining issues in this matter, PPL does not expect the outcome to result in any significant costs to PPL.
IRS Synthetic Fuels Tax Credits (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
PPL, through its subsidiaries, has interests in two synthetic fuel production facilities: the Somerset facility located in Pennsylvania and the Tyrone facility located in Kentucky. PPL has received tax credits pursuant to Section 29/45K of the Internal Revenue Code based on the sale of synthetic fuel from these facilities. The Section 29/45K tax credit program expired at the end of 2007, and production of synthetic fuel at these facilities and all other synthetic fuel operations ceased as of December 31, 2007. The facilities are being dismantled and PPL is in the process of disposing of its interests.
In addition, Section 29/45K provided for the synthetic fuel tax credit to begin to phase out when the relevant annual reference price for crude oil, which is the domestic first purchase price (DFPP), fell within a designated range and to be eliminated when the DFPP exceeds the range. The phase-out range was adjusted annually for inflation.
PPL estimated the phase-out range for 2007 to begin at about $57 per barrel (DFPP) and the tax credits to be totally eliminated at about $71 per barrel (DFPP). At December 31, 2007, PPL projected a phase-out of approximately 56% of the gross tax credits produced in 2007, based on its estimate of the DFPP reference price and the inflation-adjusted phase-out range applicable for 2007. The DFPP was published by the IRS in April 2008 for the prior year indicating that the DFPP reference price increased above the previously estimated price levels for 2007 and the inflation-adjusted phase-out range decreased, resulting in a higher phase-out percentage of approximately 67%. Therefore, PPL recorded an expense of $13 million ($0.04 per share, basic and diluted, for PPL) during the three months ended March 31, 2008, to "Income Taxes" on the Statement of Income to account for this difference.
After considering the above adjustment, the synthetic fuel produced at the Somerset and Tyrone facilities resulted in an aggregate estimated recognition of tax credits of $314 million for Somerset and $112 million for Tyrone through March 31, 2008.
In 2007, PPL also purchased synthetic fuel from unaffiliated third parties, at prices below the market price of coal, for use at its coal-fired power plants. Fuel cost savings for the first quarter of 2007 were $5 million.
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
In August 2005, President Bush signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the 2005 Energy Act). The 2005 Energy Act is comprehensive legislation that substantially affects the regulation of energy companies. The Act amends federal energy laws and provides the FERC with new oversight responsibilities. Among the important changes that have been or will be implemented as a result of this legislation are:
· | The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 was repealed. PUHCA significantly restricted mergers and acquisitions in the electric utility sector. |
· | The FERC has appointed the NERC as the organization to establish and enforce mandatory reliability standards (Reliability Standards) regarding the bulk power system, and the FERC will oversee this process and independently enforce the Reliability Standards, as further described below. |
· | The FERC will establish incentives for transmission companies, such as performance-based rates, recovery of the costs to comply with reliability rules and accelerated depreciation for investments in transmission infrastructure. |
· | The Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 1988, which provides the framework for nuclear liability protection, was extended to 2025. |
· | Federal support will be available for certain clean coal power initiatives, nuclear power projects and renewable energy technologies. |
The implementation of the 2005 Energy Act requires proceedings at the state level and the development of regulations, some of which have not been finalized, by the FERC, the DOE and other federal agencies. PPL cannot predict when all of these proceedings and regulations will be finalized.
The implemented Reliability Standards have the force and effect of law, and apply to certain users of the bulk power electricity system, including electric utility companies, generators and marketers. The FERC has indicated that it intends to enforce vigorously the Reliability Standards using, among other means, civil penalty authority. Under the Federal Power Act, the FERC may assess civil penalties of up to $1 million per day for certain violations. The first group of Reliability Standards approved by the FERC became effective in June 2007. In September 2007, PPL Electric self-reported to the RFC, a regional reliability entity designated to enforce the Reliability Standards, that it had identified a potential violation of certain reliability requirements and submitted an accompanying mitigation plan. In February 2008, the RFC notified PPL Electric that it had completed its investigation, accepted PPL Electric's mitigation plan and issued a Notice of Alleged Violation. Once finalized, following opportunity for PPL Electric to comment, the RFC's determination is subject to review and approval by the NERC and the FERC. At this time, PPL Electric cannot predict the outcome of these reviews.
PPL and its subsidiaries cannot predict the impact the Reliability Standards will have on PPL and its subsidiaries, including on its capital and operating expenditures; however, compliance costs could be significant.
PPL also cannot predict with certainty the impact of the other provisions of the 2005 Energy Act and any related regulations on PPL and its subsidiaries.
Environmental Matters - Domestic
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
Due to the environmental issues discussed below or other environmental matters, PPL subsidiaries may be required to modify, curtail, replace or cease operating certain facilities to comply with statutes, regulations and actions by regulatory bodies or courts. In this regard, PPL subsidiaries also may incur capital expenditures or operating expenses in amounts which are not now determinable, but could be significant.
Air (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
The Clean Air Act deals, in part, with emissions causing acid deposition, attainment of federal ambient air quality standards and toxic air emissions and visibility in the U.S. Amendments to the Clean Air Act requiring additional emission reductions are likely to continue to be proposed in the U.S. Congress. The Clean Air Act allows states to develop more stringent regulations and in some instances, as discussed below, Pennsylvania and Montana have chosen to do so.
Clean Air Interstate Rule
Citing its authority under the Clean Air Act, in 1997, the EPA developed new standards for ambient levels of ozone and fine particulates in the U.S. These standards have been upheld following court challenges. To facilitate attainment of these standards, the EPA has promulgated the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) for 28 midwestern and eastern states, including Pennsylvania, to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by about 50% by 2010 and to extend the current seasonal program for reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions to a year-round program starting in 2009. The CAIR requires further reductions in the CAIR region, starting in 2015, in sulfur dioxide of 30% from 2010 levels, and nitrogen oxides during the ozone season of 17% from 2009 levels. The CAIR allows these reductions to be achieved through cap-and-trade programs.
In addition, the EPA has recently tightened the ambient air quality standard for ozone. The more stringent standard could result in requirements to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides beyond those required under the CAIR. If additional reductions were required, the costs are not now determinable, but could be significant.
In order to continue meeting existing sulfur dioxide reduction requirements of the Clean Air Act, including the CAIR, PPL is installing scrubbers at its Montour and Brunner Island plants. The scrubber for Montour Unit 2 was placed in-service in March 2008. The scrubbers for Montour Unit 1 and Unit 3 at Brunner Island are expected to be in-service during 2008, and the scrubber for Units 1 and 2 at Brunner Island is expected to be in-service during 2009. In order to meet the year-round reductions in nitrogen oxides under the CAIR, PPL's current plan is to operate the SCRs at Montour Units 1 and 2 year-round, optimize emission reductions from the existing combustion controls and purchase any needed emission allowances on the open market. PPL's current installation plan for the scrubbers and other pollution control equipment (primarily aimed at sulfur dioxide, particulate and nitrogen oxides with co-benefits for mercury emissions reduction) through 2012 are included in the capital budget. PPL expects a 30 MW reduction in net generation capability at each of the Brunner Island and Montour plants, due to the estimated increases in station service usage during the scrubber operation.
Mercury
Also citing its authority under the Clean Air Act, the EPA issued the Clean Air Mercury Regulations (CAMR) that affect coal-fired plants. These regulations established a cap-and-trade program to take effect in two phases, with a first phase to begin in January 2010, and a second phase with more stringent requirements to begin in January 2018. However, in February 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned the EPA's rule. Under this decision, the EPA must either properly remove mercury from regulation under the hazardous air pollutant provisions of the Clean Air Act or develop standards requiring maximum achievable control technology (MACT) for electric generating units. The EPA has stated that it will likely proceed with developing MACT standards for all hazardous air emissions from electric generating units. The costs of complying with such standards are not now determinable, but could be significant.
The ruling is not expected to affect PPL's current plans to comply with state regulations in Pennsylvania and Montana as discussed below. PPL continues to review the federal court decision to determine whether it has any effect on state regulations in the long term.
Pennsylvania has adopted its own, more stringent mercury rules. Pennsylvania's rules establish mercury emission limits for each coal-fired generating facility beginning in 2010, and require that mercury emission allowances under the EPA's cap-and-trade program under CAMR be met at each unit without the benefit of an emissions trading program, and that tighter emission limits based on the second phase of the CAMR requirements be accelerated to begin in 2015. Even though the CAMR cap-and-trade program on which those allowances were based has now been overturned, the Pennsylvania DEP has stated that it plans to implement its mercury rule without making any changes.
PPL expects that it can achieve the 2010 requirements under Pennsylvania's mercury rules with only the addition of chemical injection systems. This expectation is based on the co-benefits of mercury removal from the scrubbers expected to be in place at its Pennsylvania plants as of 2010, and the SCRs already in place at Montour. PPL currently estimates that the capital cost of such chemical injection systems at its Pennsylvania plants will be approximately $23 million.
To meet Pennsylvania's 2015 requirements, adsorption/absorption technology with fabric filters may be required at most PPL Pennsylvania coal-fired generating units. Based on current analysis and industry estimates, PPL estimates that if this technology were required at every one of its Pennsylvania units, the aggregate capital cost of compliance would be approximately $530 million.
Montana also has finalized its own more stringent rules that require, by 2010, every coal-fired generating plant in the state to achieve reduction levels more stringent than the CAMR's 2018 requirements. PPL presently plans to install chemical injection systems to meet these requirements. PPL estimates its share of the capital cost for these systems in Montana would be approximately $8 million. Because enhanced chemical injection technologies may not be sufficiently developed to meet this level of reductions by 2010, there is a risk that adsorption/absorption technology with fabric filters at both Colstrip and Corette would be required. Based on current analysis and industry estimates, PPL estimates that if this technology were required, its share of the capital cost to achieve compliance at its Montana units would be approximately $140 million.
PPL expects both Pennsylvania's and Montana's mercury rules to be challenged in court. PPL cannot predict the outcome of such actions.
Regional Haze and Visibility
In addition to the above rules, the Clean Air Visibility Rule was issued by the EPA on June 15, 2005, to address regional haze or regionally-impaired visibility caused by multiple sources over a wide area. The rule defines Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) requirements for electric generating units, including presumptive limits for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides controls for large units. Under the BART rule, PPL has submitted to the Pennsylvania DEP its analyses of the visibility impacts of particulate matter emissions from Martins Creek Units 3 and 4, Brunner Island Units 2 and 3 and Montour Units 1 and 2. The EPA has determined that meeting the requirements for its CAIR meet the BART requirements for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Also under the BART rule, PPL has submitted to the EPA (Region 8), which administers the BART program for Montana, its analyses of the visibility impacts of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions for Colstrip Units 1 and 2 and Corette. PPL's analyses have shown that further reductions are not needed. The Pennsylvania DEP has not yet acted on the reports. However, the EPA has responded to PPL's reports for Colstrip and Corette and has requested further information and analysis. PPL cannot predict whether any additional reductions will be required in Pennsylvania or Montana. If additional reductions are required, the costs are not now determinable, but could be significant.
New Source Review
In 1999, the EPA initiated enforcement actions against several electric generators, asserting that older, coal-fired power plants operated by those generators have, over the years, been modified in ways that subjected them to more stringent "New Source" requirements under the Clean Air Act. The EPA subsequently issued notices of violation and commenced enforcement activities against other generators.
However, in recent years, the EPA has shifted its position on New Source Review. In 2003, the EPA issued changes to its regulations that clarified what projects are exempt from "New Source" requirements as routine maintenance and repair. However, these regulations were stayed and subsequently struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Furthermore, in April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the annual emissions test under which the EPA had found emissions increases at the plants included in its enforcement initiative. PPL is therefore continuing to operate under the "New Source" regulations as they existed prior to the EPA's 2003 clarifications.
In October 2005, the EPA proposed changing its rules on how to determine whether a project results in an emissions increase and is therefore subject to review under the "New Source" regulations. The EPA's proposed tests are consistent with the position of energy companies and industry groups and, if adopted, would substantially reduce the uncertainties under the current regulations. PPL cannot predict whether these proposed new tests will be adopted. In addition to proposing these new tests, the EPA also announced in October 2005 that it will not bring new enforcement actions with respect to projects that would satisfy the proposed new tests or the EPA's 2003 clarifications referenced above. Accordingly, PPL believes it is unlikely the EPA will pursue the information requests issued to PPL Montana's Corette and Colstrip plants by EPA Region 8 in 2000 and 2003, respectively, and to PPL Generation's Martins Creek plant by EPA Region 3 in 2002. However, states and environmental groups also have been bringing enforcement actions alleging violations of "New Source" requirements by coal-fired plants, and PPL is unable to predict whether such state or citizens enforcement actions will be brought with respect to any of its affiliates' plants.
If new source review requirements are imposed, then PPL must install best available control technology for any pollutant found to have significantly increased due to a major modification. The costs of installing such technology are not now determinable, but could be significant.
Finally, if the EPA regulates carbon dioxide emissions pursuant to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on global climate change, then carbon dioxide emissions could become subject to the PSD/NSR provisions of the Clean Air Act. The implications are uncertain, as currently no permitting authorities have implemented the PSD/NSR program for carbon dioxide emissions.
Opacity
The New Jersey DEP and some New Jersey residents have raised environmental concerns with respect to the visible opacity of emissions from the oil-fired units at the Martins Creek plant. Similar issues also are being raised by the Pennsylvania DEP. PPL is continuing to study and negotiate the matter with the Pennsylvania DEP. If it is determined that actions must be taken to address the visible opacity of these emissions, such actions could result in costs that are not now determinable, but could be significant. In September 2007, in accordance with a 2003 agreement with the New Jersey DEP and the Pennsylvania DEP, PPL shut down Martins Creek's two 150 MW coal-fired generating units, but may replace or repower them at any time so long as it complies with all applicable state and federal requirements.
Global Climate Change
There is a growing concern nationally and internationally about global climate change and the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions including, most significantly, carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels. This concern has led to increased federal legislative proposals, actions at state and local levels, as well as litigation relating to greenhouse gas emissions, including an April 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act. As a result of this decision, the EPA is reviewing the Clean Air Act provisions for New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) applicable to stationary sources to determine if it will include stationary source greenhouse gas emissions under these rules. In addition, if the EPA concludes greenhouse gases from motor vehicles pose an endangerment to public health or welfare, this could lead to regulation of stationary source carbon dioxide emissions under other provisions of the Clean Air Act. Also, increased pressure for carbon dioxide emissions reduction is being initiated by investor and environmental organizations and the international community. In addition, a nuisance claim brought by a number of states against other large electric generating companies was dismissed by a federal district court in New York but remains pending on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
PPL believes future legislation and regulations that cap or tax carbon dioxide emissions from power plants are likely, although technology to efficiently capture, remove and sequester carbon dioxide emissions is not presently available. At the federal level, such regulation has received support from the majority leadership in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. PPL supports a national program and has publicly supported the key concepts of the "Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007" introduced in the Senate in July 2007, including an economy-wide approach, a gradual phase-in of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and timetables and cost containment measures to limit the cost to the economy.
At the regional level, ten northeastern states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to establish a greenhouse gas emission cap-and-trade program, called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The program commences in January 2009 and calls for stabilization of carbon dioxide emissions, at base levels established in 2005, from electric power plants larger than 25 MW in capacity. The MOU also provides for a 10% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from base levels by 2019. A similar effort is under way in the western U.S. (the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative or WCI), and Midwestern states have recently agreed to form another regional climate change program.
Pennsylvania and Montana have not, at this time, established mandatory programs to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Pennsylvania has not stated an intention to join RGGI, but has declared support for state action on climate change. Montana has joined the WCI and will participate in any greenhouse gas emission control regulations that are adopted by the WCI. The WCI currently is developing greenhouse gas emission allocation, offsets, and reporting recommendations.
PPL has conducted an inventory of its carbon dioxide emissions and is continuing to evaluate options for reducing, avoiding, off-setting or sequestering its carbon dioxide emissions. In 2007, PPL's power plants emitted approximately 31 million tons of carbon dioxide (based on PPL's equity share of these assets).
PPL believes that the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions may have a material impact on its capital expenditures and operations, but the costs are not now determinable. PPL also cannot predict the impact that any pending or future federal or state climate change legislation regarding more stringent environmental standards could have on PPL or its subsidiaries.
Water/Waste (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
Martins Creek Fly Ash Release
In August 2005, there was a release of approximately 100 million gallons of water containing fly ash from a disposal basin at the Martins Creek plant used in connection with the operation of the two 150 MW coal-fired generating units at the plant. This resulted in ash being deposited onto adjacent roadways and fields, and into a nearby creek and the Delaware River. The leak was stopped, and PPL has determined that the problem was caused by a failure in the disposal basin's discharge structure. PPL has conducted extensive clean-up and completed studies, in conjunction with a group of natural resource trustees and the Delaware River Basin Commission, evaluating the effects of the release on the river's sediment, water quality and ecosystem. These studies do not show any environmental damage attributable to the release.
The Pennsylvania DEP filed a complaint in Commonwealth Court against PPL Martins Creek and PPL Generation, alleging violations of various state laws and regulations and seeking penalties and injunctive relief. The Delaware Riverside Conservancy and several citizens have been granted the right, without objection from PPL, to intervene in the Pennsylvania DEP's action. PPL and the Pennsylvania DEP have reached a tentative settlement for the alleged violations. The Intervenors have objected to this settlement. The proposed settlement requires PPL to pay $1.5 million in penalties and reimbursement of the DEP's costs, and requires PPL to submit a report on the completed studies of possible natural resource damages. PPL submitted the assessment report to the agencies in June 2007. However, the agencies may require additional studies. In addition, PPL expects the trustees and the Delaware River Basin Commission to seek to recover their costs and/or any damages they determine were caused by the release.
At March 31, 2008, management's best estimate of the probable loss associated with the Martins Creek ash basin leak remained at $37 million, of which $31 million relates to off-site costs, and the balance to on-site costs. Based on actual costs incurred and recorded to date, at March 31, 2008, the remaining recorded contingency for this remediation was $9 million. PPL and PPL Energy Supply cannot be certain of the outcome of the action initiated by the Pennsylvania DEP, the outcome of the natural resource damage assessment, the outcome of any lawsuit brought by the citizens and businesses and the exact nature of any other regulatory or other legal actions that may be initiated against PPL, PPL Energy Supply or their subsidiaries as a result of the disposal basin leak.
Basin Seepage - Pennsylvania
Seepages have been detected at active and retired wastewater basins at various PPL plants, including the Montour, Brunner Island and Martins Creek generating facilities. PPL has completed an assessment of some of the seepages at the Montour and Brunner Island facilities and is working with the Pennsylvania DEP to implement abatement measures for those seepages. PPL is continuing to conduct assessments of other seepages at the Montour and Brunner Island facilities as well as seepages at the Martins Creek facility to determine the appropriate abatement actions. PPL's capital budget includes $50 million to upgrade and/or replace certain wastewater facilities in response to the seepage and for other facility changes. The potential additional cost to address the identified seepages or other seepages at all of PPL's Pennsylvania plants is not now determinable, but could be significant.
Basin Seepage - Montana
In May 2003, approximately 50 plaintiffs brought an action now pending at the Montana Sixteenth Judicial District Court, Rosebud County, against PPL Montana and the other owners of the Colstrip plant alleging property damage from seepage from the freshwater and wastewater ponds at Colstrip. In February 2007, six plaintiffs filed a separate lawsuit in the same court against the Colstrip plant owners asserting similar claims. The lawsuit filed in 2007 is in its initial stages of discovery and investigation and PPL Montana is unable to predict the outcome of these proceedings. PPL Montana has undertaken certain groundwater investigation and remediation measures at the Colstrip plant to address groundwater contamination alleged by the plaintiffs as well as other groundwater contamination at the plant. These measures include proceeding with extending city water to certain residents who live near the plant, some of whom are plaintiffs in the original 2003 lawsuit. At a September 2007 mandatory mediation session with the original 2003 plaintiffs, PPL Montana and the other current owner defendants proposed a settlement. At that time, PPL Montana recorded a reserve of $1 million for its share of the proposed settlement cost. In April 2008, the current owner defendants and the original 2003 plaintiffs reached an agreement in principle to settle their claims. PPL Montana's share of the revised settlement offer is approximately $8 million. Accordingly, in March 2008, PPL Montana recorded an additional reserve of $7 million ($0.01 per share, basic and diluted, for PPL) to "Operation and maintenance" on the Statement of Income. The settlement offer does not affect the status of the lawsuit filed in February 2007. PPL Montana may incur further costs based on the outcome of the lawsuits and its additional groundwater investigations and any related remedial measures, which costs are not now determinable, but could be significant.
Other Issues
The EPA has significantly increased the water quality standard for arsenic. The revised standard became effective in January 2006 and at this time applies only to drinking water. Pennsylvania is in the comment period of the Triennial Review in which the arsenic standard has been proposed as an in-stream water quality standard. The revised standard may result in action by individual states that could require several PPL subsidiaries to further treat wastewater or take abatement action at their power plants, or both. The cost of complying with any such requirements is not now determinable, but could be significant.
The EPA finalized requirements in 2004 for new or modified cooling water intake structures. These requirements affect where generating facilities are built, establish intake design standards, and could lead to requirements for cooling towers at new and modified power plants. Another rule finalized in 2004 that addressed existing structures has been withdrawn following a January 2007 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In April 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the petitions for writs of certiorari filed by Utility Water Act Group, Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. and Entergy Corporation, limited to one question: Whether Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the "best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact" at cooling water intake structures. Depending on the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court review and what changes the EPA makes to the rule in accordance with this decision and the other issues raised by the Second Circuit Court (that will not be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court), in addition to what actions the states may take on their own, the impacts of the actions could result in stricter standards for existing structures that could impose significant costs on PPL subsidiaries.
The EPA plans to finalize its 2008 Effluent Guidelines Plan by August 2008, in which the EPA will make a decision about whether to revise the steam electric effluent guidelines. The EPA is presently conducting a sampling study of industry discharges to obtain information needed to make that decision.
Superfund and Other Remediation
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
PPL Electric is a potentially responsible party at several sites listed by the EPA under the federal Superfund program, including the Columbia Gas Plant Site. Clean-up actions have been or are being undertaken at all of these sites, the costs of which have not been significant. However, should the EPA require significantly different or additional measures in the future, the costs of such measures are not determinable, but could be significant.
PPL Electric and PPL Gas Utilities have been remediating several sites that were not being addressed under another regulatory program such as Superfund, but for which PPL Electric or PPL Gas Utilities may be liable for remediation. These include a number of coal gas manufacturing facilities formerly owned or operated by PPL Electric; coal gas manufacturing facilities and potential mercury contamination from gas meters and regulators at PPL Gas Utilities' sites and plugging of abandoned wells by PPL Gas Utilities.
Depending on the outcome of investigations at sites where investigations have not begun or have not been completed, the costs of remediation and other liabilities could be substantial. PPL and its subsidiaries also could incur other non-remediation costs at sites included in the consent orders or other contaminated sites, the costs of which are not now determinable, but could be significant.
The EPA is evaluating the risks associated with naphthalene, a chemical by-product of coal gas manufacturing operations. As a result of the EPA's evaluation, individual states may establish stricter standards for water quality and soil cleanup. This could require several PPL subsidiaries to take more extensive assessment and remedial actions at former coal gas manufacturing facilities. The costs to PPL of complying with any such requirements are not now determinable, but could be significant.
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
Under the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, subsidiaries of PPL Generation are obligated to remediate acid mine drainage at former mine sites and may be required to take additional measures to prevent potential acid mine drainage at previously capped refuse piles. One PPL Generation subsidiary is pumping mine water at two mine sites, and treating water at one of these sites. Another PPL Generation subsidiary has installed a passive wetlands treatment system at a third site. At March 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply had accrued a discounted liability of $34 million to cover the costs of pumping and treating groundwater at the two mine sites for 50 years and for operating and maintaining passive wetlands treatment at the third site. PPL Energy Supply discounted this liability at a rate of 5.74%. Expected undiscounted payments are estimated at $1 million for each of the years from 2008 through 2012, and the expected payments for the work after 2012 are $135 million.
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
Future cleanup or remediation work at sites currently under review, or at sites not currently identified, may result in material additional operating costs for PPL subsidiaries that cannot be estimated at this time.
Gas Seepage (PPL)
PPL Gas Utilities owns and operates the Meeker gas storage field and has a partial ownership interest in the Tioga gas storage field, both located in north-central Pennsylvania. There continues to be an issue with natural gas observed in several drinking water wells that the Pennsylvania DEP has been working to address. The Pennsylvania DEP has raised concerns that potential leakage of natural gas from the Tioga gas storage field could be contributing to this issue. To help determine the cause of the natural gas in the potable water wells, the Pennsylvania DEP enlisted the services of the U.S. Geological Survey Department. The results of the U.S. Geological Survey study were published in mid-2007 and indicate that gas in the groundwater in the area, including in certain residential wells, may be due in part to gas stored in the storage fields. Pending completion of a more detailed study of the issue, PPL Gas Utilities and the co-owner of the Tioga storage field have offered to sample potable water wells and install water treatment systems on any wells in which natural gas exceeds 20 parts per million within an agreed-upon program area. The cost of the actions in the program area offered by PPL Gas Utilities and the co-owner are not expected to be significant. The costs of any required mitigation actions, following completion of the broader study, are not now determinable, but could be significant.
Electric and Magnetic Fields (PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
Concerns have been expressed by some members of the public regarding potential health effects of power frequency EMFs, which are emitted by all devices carrying electricity, including electric transmission and distribution lines and substation equipment. Government officials in the U.S. and the U.K. have reviewed this issue. The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences concluded in 2002 that, for most health outcomes, there is no evidence that EMFs cause adverse effects. The agency further noted that there is some epidemiological evidence of an association with childhood leukemia, but that the evidence is difficult to interpret without supporting laboratory evidence. The U.K. National Radiological Protection Board (part of the U.K. Health Protection Agency) concluded in 2004 that, while the research on EMFs does not provide a basis to find that EMFs cause any illness, there is a basis to consider precautionary measures beyond existing exposure guidelines. In April 2007, the Stakeholder Group on Extremely Low Frequency EMF, set up by the U.K. Government, issued its interim assessment which describes a number of options for reducing public exposure to EMFs. This assessment is being considered by the U.K. Government. PPL and its subsidiaries believe the current efforts to determine whether EMFs cause adverse health effects should continue and are taking steps to reduce EMFs, where practical, in the design of new transmission and distribution facilities. PPL and its subsidiaries are unable to predict what effect, if any, the EMF issue might have on their operations and facilities either in the U.S. or the U.K., and the associated cost, or what, if any, liabilities they might incur related to the EMF issue.
Environmental Matters - International (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
U.K.
WPD's distribution businesses are subject to environmental regulatory and statutory requirements. PPL believes that WPD has taken and continues to take measures to comply with the applicable laws and governmental regulations for the protection of the environment. There are no material legal or administrative proceedings pending against WPD with respect to environmental matters. See "Environmental Matters - Domestic - Electric and Magnetic Fields" for a discussion of EMFs.
Other
Nuclear Insurance (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
PPL Susquehanna is a member of certain insurance programs that provide coverage for property damage to members' nuclear generating stations. Facilities at the Susquehanna station are insured against property damage losses up to $2.75 billion under these programs. PPL Susquehanna is also a member of an insurance program that provides insurance coverage for the cost of replacement power during prolonged outages of nuclear units caused by certain specified conditions. Under the property and replacement power insurance programs, PPL Susquehanna could be assessed retroactive premiums in the event of the insurers' adverse loss experience. At March 31, 2008, this maximum assessment was about $38 million.
In the event of a nuclear incident at the Susquehanna station, PPL Susquehanna's public liability for claims resulting from such incident would be limited to about $10.8 billion under provisions of The Price-Anderson Act Amendments under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. PPL Susquehanna is protected against this liability by a combination of commercial insurance and an industry assessment program. In the event of a nuclear incident at any of the reactors covered by The Price-Anderson Act Amendments under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, PPL Susquehanna could be assessed up to $201 million per incident, payable at $30 million per year.
Guarantees and Other Assurances
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
In the normal course of business, PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric enter into agreements that provide financial performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. Such agreements include, for example, guarantees, stand-by letters of credit issued by financial institutions and surety bonds issued by insurance companies. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness attributed to a subsidiary on a stand-alone basis or to facilitate the commercial activities in which these subsidiaries enter.
(PPL)
PPL fully and unconditionally guarantees all of the debt securities of PPL Capital Funding.
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
The table below provides an update to those guarantees that are within the scope of FIN 45 and are specifically disclosed in Note 15 to the Financial Statements contained in each Registrant's 2007 Form 10-K.
Recorded Liability at | Exposure at March 31, 2008 (a) | ||||||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | Expiration Date | |||||||||||
PPL Energy Supply (b) | |||||||||||||
Letters of credit issued on behalf of affiliates | $ | 9 | (c) | 2009 | |||||||||
Retroactive premiums under nuclear insurance programs | 38 | ||||||||||||
Nuclear claims under The Price-Anderson Act Amendments under The Energy Policy Act of 2005 | 201 | (d) | |||||||||||
Indemnifications for entities in liquidation and sales of assets | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | 313 | (e) | 2008 to 2012 | ||||||
Indemnification to operators of jointly-owned facilities | 6 | (f) | (f) | ||||||||||
Assignment of Enron claims | 5 | (g) | (g) | ||||||||||
WPD guarantee of pension and other obligations of unconsolidated entities | 3 | 4 | 39 | (h) | 2017 | ||||||||
Tax indemnification related to unconsolidated WPD affiliates | 10 | (i) | 2012 | ||||||||||
PPL Electric (b) | |||||||||||||
Guarantee of a portion of an unconsolidated entity's debt | 7 | (j) | 2008 |
(a) | Represents the estimated maximum potential amount of future payments that could be required to be made under the guarantee. | |
(b) | Other than the letters of credit, all guarantees of PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric also apply to PPL on a consolidated basis. | |
(c) | Represents letters of credit issued at the direction of PPL Energy Supply for the benefit of third parties for assurance against nonperformance by PPL and PPL Gas Utilities. This is not a guarantee by PPL on a consolidated basis. | |
(d) | Amount is per incident. | |
(e) | PPL Energy Supply's maximum exposure with respect to certain indemnifications and the expiration of the indemnifications cannot be estimated because, in the case of certain of the indemnification provisions, the maximum potential liability is not capped by the transaction documents and the expiration date is based on the applicable statute of limitations. The exposure noted is only for those cases in which the agreements provide for a specific limit on the amount of the indemnification. In connection with the liquidation of wholly-owned subsidiaries that have been deconsolidated upon turning the entities over to the liquidators, certain affiliates of PPL Global have agreed to indemnify the liquidators, directors and/or the entities themselves for any liabilities or expenses arising during the liquidation process, including liabilities and expenses of the entities placed into liquidation. In some cases, the indemnifications are limited to a maximum amount that is based on distributions made from the subsidiary to its parent either prior or subsequent to being placed into liquidation. In other cases, the maximum amount of the indemnifications is not explicitly stated in the agreements. The indemnifications generally expire two to seven years subsequent to the date of dissolution of the entities. The exposure noted only includes those cases in which the agreements provide for a specific limit on the amount of the indemnification, and the expiration date was based on an estimate of the dissolution date of the entities. PPL Energy Supply has provided indemnification to the purchaser of a generating facility for losses arising out of any breach of the representations, warranties and covenants under the related transaction documents and for losses arising with respect to liabilities not specifically assumed by the purchaser, including certain pre-closing environmental and tort liabilities. The indemnification other than for pre-closing environmental and tort liabilities is triggered only if the purchaser's losses reach $1 million in the aggregate, capped at 50% of the purchase price (or $95 million), and either expired in May 2007 or will expire pursuant to applicable statutes of limitations. The indemnification provision for unknown environmental and tort liabilities related to periods prior to PPL Energy Supply's ownership of the real property on which the facility is located is capped at $4 million in the aggregate and survive for a maximum period of five years after the transaction closing. | |
(f) | In December 2007, PPL Energy Supply executed revised owners agreements for two jointly-owned facilities, the Keystone and Conemaugh generating stations. The agreements require that in the event of any default by an owner, the other owners fund contributions for the operation of the generating stations, based upon their ownership percentage. The maximum obligation among all owners, for each station, is currently $20 million. The non-defaulting owners, who make up the defaulting owner's obligations, are entitled to the generation entitlement of the defaulting owner, based upon their ownership percentage. The agreements do not have an expiration date. | |
(g) | In July 2006, two subsidiaries of PPL Energy Supply assigned their Enron claims to an independent third party (claims purchaser). In connection with the assignment, the subsidiaries agreed to repay a pro rata share of the purchase price paid by the claims purchaser, plus interest, in the event that any of the assigned claims are disallowed under certain circumstances. The bankruptcy court overseeing the Enron bankruptcy approved the assigned claims prior to their assignment to the claims purchaser. The subsidiaries' repayment obligations will remain in effect until the claims purchaser has received all distributions with respect to the assigned claims. | |
(h) | As a result of the privatization of the utility industry in the U.K., certain electric associations' roles and responsibilities were discontinued or modified. As a result, certain obligations, primarily pension-related, associated with these organizations have been guaranteed by the participating members. Costs are allocated to the members based on predetermined percentages as outlined in specific agreements. However, if a member becomes insolvent, costs can be reallocated to and are guaranteed by the remaining members. At March 31, 2008, WPD has recorded an estimated discounted liability based on its current allocated percentage of the total expected costs. Neither the expiration date nor the maximum amount of potential payments for certain obligations is explicitly stated in the related agreements. Therefore, they have been estimated based on the types of obligations. | |
(i) | Two WPD unconsolidated affiliates were refinanced during 2005. Under the terms of the refinancing, WPD has indemnified the lender against certain tax and other liabilities. At this time, WPD believes that the likelihood of such liabilities arising is remote. | |
(j) | Reflects principal payments only. |
PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric and their subsidiaries provide other miscellaneous guarantees through contracts entered into in the normal course of business. These guarantees are primarily in the form of indemnifications or warranties related to services or equipment and vary in duration. The obligated amounts of these guarantees often are not explicitly stated, and the overall maximum amount of the obligation under such guarantees cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric and their subsidiaries have not made any significant payments with respect to these types of guarantees. At inception, the aggregate fair value of these indemnifications related to arrangements entered into subsequent to December 31, 2002, was insignificant.
11. | Related Party Transactions |
Affiliate Trust (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
In February 2007, WPD LLP redeemed all of the 8.23% Subordinated Debentures maturing in February 2027 that were held by SIUK Capital Trust I. Interest expense on this obligation was $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The redemption resulted in a recorded loss of $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2007. This interest expense and loss are both reflected in "Interest Expense" for PPL and "Interest Expense with Affiliates" for PPL Energy Supply on the Statement of Income. See Note 22 in each Registrant's 2007 Form 10-K for additional information on the trust.
PLR Contracts (PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
PPL Electric has power sales agreements with PPL EnergyPlus, effective July 2000 and January 2002, in which PPL EnergyPlus will supply PPL Electric's entire PLR load through December 31, 2009. Under these contracts, PPL EnergyPlus provides electricity at the predetermined capped prices that PPL Electric is authorized to charge its PLR customers. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, these purchases totaled $489 million and $481 million. These purchases include nuclear decommissioning recovery and amortization of an up-front contract payment and are included in the Statements of Income as "Wholesale energy marketing to affiliate" by PPL Energy Supply, and as "Energy purchases from affiliate" by PPL Electric.
Under one of the PLR contracts, PPL Electric is required to make performance assurance deposits with PPL EnergyPlus when the market price of electricity is less than the contract price by more than its contract collateral threshold. Conversely, PPL EnergyPlus is required to make performance assurance deposits with PPL Electric when the market price of electricity is greater than the contract price by more than its contract collateral threshold. PPL Electric estimated that at March 31, 2008, the market price of electricity would exceed the contract price by approximately $3.1 billion. Accordingly, at March 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply was required to provide PPL Electric with performance assurance of $300 million, the maximum amount required under the contract. PPL Energy Supply's deposit with PPL Electric was $300 million at both March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. This deposit is shown on the Balance Sheets as "Collateral on PLR energy supply to/from affiliate," a current asset of PPL Energy Supply and a current liability of PPL Electric. PPL Electric pays interest equal to the one-month LIBOR plus 0.5% on this deposit, which is included in "Interest Expense with Affiliate" on the Statements of Income. PPL Energy Supply records the receipt of the interest as affiliated interest income, which is included in "Other Income - net" on the Statements of Income. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, interest related to this deposit was $3 million and $4 million.
In 2001, PPL Electric made a $90 million up-front payment to PPL EnergyPlus in connection with the PLR contracts. The up-front payment is being amortized by both parties over the term of the PLR contracts. The unamortized balance of this payment and other payments under the contract was $21 million and $24 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The current and noncurrent balances are reported on the Balance Sheets as "Deferred revenue on PLR energy supply to affiliate" by PPL Energy Supply, and as "Prepayment on PLR energy supply from affiliate" by PPL Electric.
Under Pennsylvania law and PUC regulations, PPL Electric is required to buy electricity generation supply for customers who do not choose a competitive supplier. PPL Electric has conducted three of its six planned competitive solicitations for generation supply in 2010, after its existing PLR contract expires. Competitive bids have been solicited for 2,550 MW of generation supply, or one-half of PPL Electric's expected supply requirements for these customers in 2010. An independent company, NERA Economic Consulting (NERA), is managing this competitive solicitation process. NERA compiles the results and presents them to the PUC. The first 850 MW solicitation results were presented to and approved by the PUC in July 2007. The second 850 MW solicitation results were presented to and approved by the PUC in October 2007. The third 850 MW solicitation results were presented to and approved by the PUC in March 2008. Additional bids will be sought in the fall of 2008 and twice in 2009 to secure the remainder of supply needed to serve PPL Electric's customers in 2010.
PPL EnergyPlus was one of the successful bidders in the July 2007 competitive solicitation process and has entered into an agreement with PPL Electric to supply up to 671 MW of total peak load in 2010, at an average price of $91.42 per MWh.
Under the standard Supply Master Agreement for the bid solicitation process, PPL Electric requires all suppliers to post collateral once credit exposures exceed defined credit limits. In no instance is PPL Electric required to post collateral to suppliers under these supply contracts. PPL EnergyPlus is required to post collateral with PPL Electric when the market price of electricity to be delivered by PPL EnergyPlus exceeds the contract price for the forecasted quantity of electricity to be delivered and this market price exposure exceeds a contractual credit limit. Based on the current credit rating of PPL Energy Supply, as guarantor, this credit limit is $35 million.
At March 31, 2008, PPL Electric has credit exposure to PPL EnergyPlus under the PLR contracts and the July 2007 supply contract discussed above, of $3.1 billion. As a result of netting arrangements, PPL Electric's credit exposure was reduced to $2.6 billion.
PPL Energy Supply has credit exposure to PPL Electric under the PLR contracts. At March 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply's credit exposure with PPL Electric was $156 million, excluding the effects of netting arrangements. As a result of netting arrangements, PPL Energy Supply's credit exposure was reduced to zero.
NUG Purchases (PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
PPL Electric has a reciprocal contract with PPL EnergyPlus to sell electricity purchased under contracts with NUGs. PPL Electric purchases electricity from the NUGs at contractual rates and then sells the electricity at the same price to PPL EnergyPlus. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, these NUG purchases totaled $28 million and $37 million. These amounts are included in the Statements of Income as "Wholesale electric to affiliate" by PPL Electric, and as "Energy purchases from affiliate" by PPL Energy Supply.
Allocations of Corporate Service Costs (PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
PPL Services provides corporate functions such as financial, legal, human resources and information services. PPL Services charges the respective PPL subsidiaries for the cost of such services when they can be specifically identified. The cost of these services that is not directly charged to PPL subsidiaries is allocated to certain subsidiaries based on an average of the subsidiaries' relative invested capital, operation and maintenance expenses, and number of employees. PPL Services allocated the following amounts, which PPL management believes are reasonable, to PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric, including amounts applied to accounts that are further distributed between capital and expense.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||
PPL Energy Supply | $ | 51 | $ | 59 | ||
PPL Electric | 27 | 32 |
Intercompany Borrowings
(PPL Energy Supply)
PPL Energy Supply had no notes receivable from affiliates at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Interest earned on loans to affiliates, included in "Other Income - net" on the Statements of Income, was $2 million and $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
(PPL Electric)
In August 2004, a PPL Electric subsidiary issued a $300 million demand note to an affiliate. There was no balance outstanding at March 31, 2008, and a $277 million balance outstanding at December 31, 2007. Interest is due quarterly at a rate equal to the 3-month LIBOR plus 1%. This note is shown on the Balance Sheet as "Note receivable from affiliate." Interest earned on the note is included in "Other Income - - net" on the Statements of Income, and was $3 million and $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
Intercompany Derivatives (PPL Energy Supply)
In 2007 and 2008, PPL Energy Supply entered into a combination of average rate forwards and average rate options with PPL to sell British pounds sterling. These hedging instruments have terms identical to average rate forwards and average rate options entered into by PPL with third parties to protect the translation of expected income denominated in British pounds sterling to U.S. dollars. At March 31, 2008, the total exposure hedged was £66 million and the net fair value of these positions was not significant. No similar hedging instruments were outstanding at December 31, 2007. Gains and losses, both realized and unrealized, on these types of hedging instruments are included in "Other income - net" on the Statements of Income. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, PPL Energy Supply recorded net losses of $1 million.
In 2007, PPL Energy Supply also entered into forward contracts with PPL to sell British pounds sterling to protect the value of a portion of its net investment in WPD. These hedging instruments have terms identical to forward sales contracts entered into by PPL with third parties. The total notional amount of the contracts outstanding at March 31, 2008 was £68 million (approximately $134 million). The fair value of these positions was $5 million and $3 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and is reflected in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and "Other Noncurrent Assets - Price risk management assets" on the Balance Sheets.
Trademark Royalties (PPL Energy Supply)
A PPL subsidiary owns PPL trademarks and bills certain affiliates for their use. PPL Energy Supply was allocated $9 million of this license fee for both the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. These allocations of the license fee are primarily included in "Other operation and maintenance" on the Statements of Income.
12. | Other Income - net |
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
The breakdown of "Other Income - net" was:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
PPL | 2008 | 2007 | |||||
Other Income | |||||||
Interest income | $ | 10 | $ | 12 | |||
Hyder liquidation distributions (Note 8) | 2 | 4 | |||||
Gain on transfer of international equity investment (Note 8) | 5 | ||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 5 | ||||||
Earnings on nuclear decommissioning trust | (1 | ) | 2 | ||||
Miscellaneous - Domestic | 1 | 4 | |||||
Total | 12 | 32 | |||||
Other Deductions | |||||||
Charitable contributions | 1 | 2 | |||||
Miscellaneous - International | 1 | 1 | |||||
Miscellaneous - Domestic | 2 | 2 | |||||
Other Income - net | $ | 8 | $ | 27 | |||
PPL Energy Supply | |||||||
Other Income | |||||||
Interest income | $ | 7 | $ | 8 | |||
Affiliated interest income (Note 11) | 5 | 5 | |||||
Hyder liquidation distributions (Note 8) | 2 | 4 | |||||
Gain on transfer of international equity investment (Note 8) | 5 | ||||||
Earnings on nuclear decommissioning trust | (1 | ) | 2 | ||||
Miscellaneous - Domestic | 1 | 4 | |||||
Total | 14 | 28 | |||||
Other Deductions | |||||||
Miscellaneous - International | 1 | 1 | |||||
Miscellaneous - Domestic | 2 | 3 | |||||
Other Income - net | $ | 11 | $ | 24 | |||
PPL Electric | |||||||
Other Income | |||||||
Affiliated interest income (Note 11) | $ | 3 | $ | 5 | |||
Interest income | 2 | 3 | |||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 4 | ||||||
Total | 5 | 12 | |||||
Other Deductions | |||||||
Other Income - net | $ | 5 | $ | 12 |
13. | Fair Value Measurements |
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
Adoption of SFAS 157
Effective January 1, 2008, PPL and its subsidiaries adopted SFAS 157, as amended, as discussed in Note 2. SFAS 157 provides a definition of fair value as well as a framework for measuring fair value. In addition, SFAS 157 expands the fair value disclosure requirements of other accounting pronouncements to require, among other things, disclosure of the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value as well as the earnings impact of certain fair value measurement techniques.
As defined by SFAS 157, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Consistent with the valuation techniques identified in SFAS 157, PPL and its subsidiaries use, as appropriate, a market approach (generally, data from market transactions), an income approach (generally, present value techniques), and/or a cost approach (generally, replacement cost) to measure the fair value of an asset or liability. These valuation approaches incorporate inputs such as observable, independent market data and/or unobservable data that management believes are predicated on the assumptions market participants would use to price an asset or liability. These inputs may incorporate, as applicable, certain risks such as nonperformance risk, which includes credit risk.
SFAS 157 established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety is classified is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. SFAS 157 recognizes that assessing the significance of a particular input requires judgment that considers factors specific to the asset or liability. As such, PPL and its subsidiaries' assessment of the significance of a particular input may affect the placement of assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy as specified by SFAS 157 are:
· | Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. |
· | Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices in active markets, that are either directly or indirectly observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. |
· | Level 3 - unobservable inputs that management believes are predicated on the assumptions market participants would use to price the asset or liability. |
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
The assets and liabilities measured at fair value in accordance with SFAS 157 at March 31, 2008 were:
Fair Value Measurements Using | ||||||||||||||||
Total | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
PPL | ||||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Price risk management assets | ||||||||||||||||
Energy commodities | $ | 1,850 | $ | 18 | $ | 1,545 | $ | 287 | ||||||||
Interest rate/foreign exchange | 82 | 82 | ||||||||||||||
1,932 | 18 | 1,627 | 287 | |||||||||||||
Nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds | ||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
Equity securities | 200 | 200 | ||||||||||||||
Commingled equity index funds | 123 | 123 | ||||||||||||||
Debt securities | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury | 94 | 94 | ||||||||||||||
Municipality | 58 | 58 | ||||||||||||||
Corporate | 30 | 30 | ||||||||||||||
Other | 15 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
530 | 210 | 320 | ||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities | 40 | 40 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 2,502 | $ | 228 | $ | 1,947 | $ | 327 | |||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Price risk management liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Energy commodities | $ | 2,111 | $ | 16 | $ | 2,015 | $ | 80 | ||||||||
Interest rate/foreign exchange | 149 | 149 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 2,260 | $ | 16 | $ | 2,164 | $ | 80 | |||||||||
PPL Energy Supply | ||||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Price risk management assets | ||||||||||||||||
Energy commodities | $ | 1,850 | $ | 18 | $ | 1,545 | $ | 287 | ||||||||
Interest rate/foreign exchange | 34 | 34 | ||||||||||||||
1,884 | 18 | 1,579 | 287 | |||||||||||||
Nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds | ||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
Equity securities | 200 | 200 | ||||||||||||||
Commingled equity index funds | 123 | 123 | ||||||||||||||
Debt securities | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury | 94 | 94 | ||||||||||||||
Municipality | 58 | 58 | ||||||||||||||
Corporate | 30 | 30 | ||||||||||||||
Other | 15 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
530 | 210 | 320 | ||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities | 35 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 2,449 | $ | 228 | $ | 1,899 | $ | 322 | |||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Price risk management liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Energy commodities | $ | 2,111 | $ | 16 | $ | 2,015 | $ | 80 | ||||||||
Interest rate/foreign exchange | 137 | 137 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 2,248 | $ | 16 | $ | 2,152 | $ | 80 |
A reconciliation of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 is as follows:
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
Energy Commodities, net | Auction Rate Securities | Total | ||||||||||
PPL | ||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2008 | $ | 134 | $ | 134 | ||||||||
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized) | ||||||||||||
Included in earnings (a) | ||||||||||||
Included in other comprehensive income | 73 | 73 | ||||||||||
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net | ||||||||||||
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | $ | 40 | 40 | |||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2008 | $ | 207 | $ | 40 | $ | 247 | ||||||
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains and losses relating to assets or liabilities still held at March 31, 2008 (a) | ||||||||||||
PPL Energy Supply | ||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2008 | $ | 134 | $ | 134 | ||||||||
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized) | ||||||||||||
Included in earnings (a) | ||||||||||||
Included in other comprehensive income | 73 | 73 | ||||||||||
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net | ||||||||||||
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | $ | 35 | 35 | |||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2008 | $ | 207 | $ | 35 | $ | 242 | ||||||
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains and losses relating to assets or liabilities still held at March 31, 2008 (a) |
(a) | These amounts are classified in "Net energy trading margins" on the Statements of Income. |
Price Risk Management Assets/Liabilities - Energy Commodities
The only energy commodity contracts classified as Level 1 are exchange-traded derivative gas contracts. Over-the-counter (OTC) contracts are valued using quotes obtained from an exchange, brokers, prices posted by ISOs or published tariff rates. These OTC contracts include forwards, swaps, options and structured deals for electricity, gas, oil, and/or emission allowances and may be offset with similar positions in exchange-traded markets. To the extent possible, fair value measurements utilize various inputs that include quoted prices for similar contracts or market-corroborated inputs. In certain instances, these instruments may be valued using models, including standard option valuation models. For example, the fair value of a structured deal that delivers power to an illiquid delivery point may be measured by valuing the nearest liquid trading point plus the value of the basis between the two points. The basis input may be from market quotes, FTR prices, or historical prices. When observable inputs are used to measure most of the value of a contract, the contract is classified as Level 2. When the unobservable inputs are significant to the fair value measurement, the contract is classified as Level 3. Additionally, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements include adjustments for credit risk based on PPL's own creditworthiness (for net liabilities) and its counterparties' creditworthiness (for net assets) by applying probabilities of default obtained from an independent service. For Level 3 fair value measurements, PPL also assesses the need for additional adjustments for liquidity or modeling risks; however, PPL's overall need for liquidity adjustments has declined significantly due to the greater reliance on market prices. The contracts classified as Level 3 represent contracts for which the delivery dates are beyond the dates for which independent prices are available.
Price Risk Management Assets/Liabilities - Interest Rate/Foreign Exchange
Treasury instruments include forward starting swaps, fixed-to-floating swaps, forwards and options for foreign exchange contracts, and cross currency swaps. Fair value for these instruments is obtained from pricing services; alternatively, the valuation may be done by an independent external source, such as a bank, and then validated by PPL's risk management group. As noted above, these fair value measurements also include adjustments for credit risk.
Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Trust Funds
PPL and PPL Energy Supply generally use the market approach to measure the fair value of the securities held in the nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds.
Auction Rate Securities
At March 31, 2008, PPL reported on the Balance Sheet $11 million of auction rate securities as "Short-term investments" and $29 million as "Investments-Other" and PPL Energy Supply reported $11 million as "Short-term investments" and $24 million as "Investments-Other." PPL's and PPL Energy Supply's auction rate securities include Federal Family Education Loan Program's guaranteed student loan revenue bonds as well as various municipal bond issues, all of which are rated investment grade by at least two credit rating agencies, which include Fitch, Moody's and S&P. Auction rate securities have normally been remarketed on a short-term basis with auction dates commonly set at seven day, 28-day, 35-day or 49-day intervals. Recent investor concerns over insurers who guarantee the credit of certain of the underlying securities and other conditions have led to auction failures in recent months. In certain instances, this has resulted in investors continuing to own these securities, generally at higher interest rates. The issuers of these securities have the ability to call these securities at par on an interest payment date. Auction rate securities were transferred into Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2008. The failed auctions limit the amount of observable market data that is available for measuring the fair value of these securities. When measuring the fair value of these securities at March 31, 2008, PPL and PPL Energy Supply considered the credit quality of the security, the issuer's par call option, the reset interest rate and the current lack of liquidity in the market for auction rate securities. Additionally, subsequent to March 31, 2008, an aggregate of $11 million of PPL's and PPL Energy Supply's auction rate securities have either been liquidated or called for redemption by the issuers at par. Based on these factors, fair value was estimated to equal the stated par value for these securities.
14. | Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities |
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
Fair Value Hedges
PPL and PPL Energy Supply enter into financial contracts to hedge fluctuations in the fair value of existing debt issuances, which range in maturity through 2047 for PPL and 2046 for PPL Energy Supply. PPL and PPL Energy Supply also enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the exchange rates associated with firm commitments denominated in foreign currencies. These forward contracts range in maturity through 2008.
PPL and PPL Energy Supply did not recognize significant gains or losses resulting from hedges of firm commitments that no longer qualified as fair value hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. PPL and PPL Energy Supply also did not recognize any gains or losses resulting from the ineffective portion of fair value hedges for these periods.
Cash Flow Hedges
PPL and PPL Energy Supply enter into financial and physical contracts, including forwards, futures, swaps and options, to hedge the price risk associated with electric, gas, oil and other commodities. These contracts range in maturity through 2017. Additionally, PPL and PPL Energy Supply enter into financial interest rate swap contracts to hedge floating interest rate risk associated with both existing and anticipated debt issuances. These interest rate swap contracts have maturity dates in 2018. PPL and PPL Energy Supply also enter into foreign currency contracts to hedge the cash flows associated with foreign currency-denominated debt, the exchange rates associated with firm commitments denominated in foreign currencies and the net investment in foreign operations. These contracts range in maturity through 2028.
Net investment hedge activity is reported in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of other comprehensive income. These contracts range in maturity through 2011. During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, PPL and PPL Energy Supply recognized net investment hedge gains, after tax, of $2 million and an insignificant amount in other comprehensive income. At March 31, 2008, $2 million of accumulated net investment hedge losses, after tax, were included in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive loss compared to $4 million at December 31, 2007.
Cash flow hedges are discontinued if it is no longer probable that the original forecasted transaction will occur by the end of the originally specified time periods. In certain instances, amounts previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are reclassified to earnings. Such reclassifications during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were insignificant.
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, hedge ineffectiveness associated with energy derivatives was, after tax, insignificant and a loss of $3 million.
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, hedge ineffectiveness associated with interest rate and foreign currency derivatives was not significant.
This table shows the accumulated net unrealized after-tax losses on qualifying derivatives (excluding net investment hedges), which are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
PPL | ||||||||
Beginning of period | $ | (192 | ) | $ | (51 | ) | ||
Net change associated with current period hedging activities and other | (43 | ) | 16 | |||||
Net change from reclassification into earnings | 17 | 16 | ||||||
End of period | $ | (218 | ) | $ | (19 | ) |
PPL Energy Supply | ||||||||
Beginning of period | $ | (188 | ) | $ | (52 | ) | ||
Net change associated with current period hedging activities and other | (40 | ) | 18 | |||||
Net change from reclassification into earnings | 19 | 15 | ||||||
End of period | $ | (209 | ) | $ | (19 | ) |
At March 31, 2008, the accumulated net unrealized after-tax losses on qualifying derivatives that are expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months are $58 million for PPL and $62 million for PPL Energy Supply. Amounts are reclassified as the energy contracts go to delivery and as interest payments are made.
Normal Purchase/Normal Sale Exception
PPL's and PPL Energy Supply's "normal" portfolio includes derivative contracts for full requirements energy, emission allowances, gas and capacity; these contracts range in maturity through 2012. Due to the "normal" election permitted by SFAS 133, these contracts receive accrual accounting. The net fair value of these contracts was:
Gains (Losses) | ||||||||
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
PPL | $ | (506 | ) | $ | (140 | ) | ||
PPL Energy Supply | (506 | ) | (138 | ) |
Economic Activity
PPL and PPL Energy Supply have entered into energy derivative transactions that economically hedge a specific risk, but do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133. The unrealized gains and losses on these transactions are considered non-trading activities and are reflected on the Statements of Income in "Wholesale energy marketing" or "Energy-related businesses" revenues, or "Fuel" or "Energy purchases" expenses. For the three months ending March 31, 2008 and 2007, the pre-tax net unrealized gains reflected in earnings from these transactions were $86 million and $12 million.
The net unrealized gains recorded in 2008 and 2007 resulted primarily from the mark-to-market on purchases to supply the full requirements contracts referenced in the "Normal Purchase/Normal Sale Exception" section above. Since power prices have increased during the period, these fixed-price purchase contracts resulted in unrealized gains. These purchases either did not qualify for hedge accounting or hedge accounting was not elected. As discussed above, the mark-to-market on the associated fixed-price sales contracts is generally not reflected in the Statements of Income as these contracts qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception under SFAS 133.
Credit Concentration
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
PPL and its subsidiaries enter into contracts with many entities for the purchase and sale of energy. Many of these contracts are considered a normal part of doing business and, as such, the fair value of these contracts is not reflected in the financial statements. However, the fair value of these contracts is considered when committing to new business from a credit perspective.
PPL and its subsidiaries have credit exposure to energy trading partners. The majority of these exposures are the fair value of multi-year contracts for energy sales and purchases. Therefore, if these counterparties fail to perform their obligations under such contracts, PPL and its subsidiaries would not experience an immediate financial loss but would experience lower revenues or higher costs in future years to the extent that replacement sales or purchases could not be made at the same prices as those under the defaulted contracts.
PPL and its subsidiaries generally have the right to request collateral, in the forms of cash or letters of credit, from their counterparties in the event that the counterparties' credit ratings fall below investment grade or their exposure exceeds an established credit limit. It is also the policy of PPL and its subsidiaries to enter into netting agreements with their counterparties to limit credit exposure.
(PPL)
At March 31, 2008, PPL had credit exposure of $2.2 billion to energy trading partners, excluding the effects of netting arrangements. As a result of netting and collateral arrangements, PPL's credit exposure was reduced to $469 million. One of the counterparties accounted for 30% of the net exposure and no other individual counterparty accounted for more than 10% of the exposure. Ten counterparties accounted for $343 million, or 73%, of the total exposure. Eight of these counterparties had an investment grade credit rating from S&P and accounted for 52% of the top 10 exposure. The two counterparties that are not rated investment grade have posted collateral in the form of a letter of credit pursuant to the terms and conditions of their respective contracts, and both counterparties are current on their obligations.
(PPL Energy Supply)
At March 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply had credit exposure of $2.2 billion to energy trading partners, excluding the effects of netting arrangements. As a result of netting and collateral arrangements, PPL Energy Supply's credit exposure was reduced to $419 million. One of the counterparties accounted for 33% of the net exposure and no other individual counterparty accounted for more than 11% of the exposure. Ten counterparties accounted for $339 million, or 81%, of the total exposure. Seven of these counterparties had an investment grade credit rating from S&P and accounted for 48% of the top 10 exposure. Two of the counterparties that are not rated investment grade have posted collateral in the form of a letter of credit pursuant to the terms and conditions of their respective contracts, and all three counterparties are current on their obligations.
PPL Energy Supply has credit exposure to PPL Electric under the long-term contract for PPL EnergyPlus to supply PPL Electric's PLR load. This exposure is excluded from the exposure discussed above. See Note 11 for additional information on the related party credit exposure.
(PPL Electric)
At March 31, 2008, PPL Electric had credit exposure of $50 million as a result of its two solicitation bids in 2007 and one solicitation bid in 2008 for the 2010 PLR supply. The successful bidders were eight suppliers, all of which had an investment grade credit rating from S&P.
PPL EnergyPlus was one of the successful bidders in the first competitive solicitation process. PPL Electric has credit exposure to PPL Energy Supply under the PLR contracts and the first competitive solicitation. These exposures are excluded from the exposure discussed above. See Note 11 for additional information on the related party credit exposure.
15. | Goodwill |
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment were:
Supply | International Delivery | Total | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 | $ | 94 | $ | 897 | $ | 991 | ||||||
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates | (29 | ) | (29 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2008 | $ | 94 | $ | 868 | $ | 962 |
(PPL)
At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $55 million of goodwill has been classified as "Assets held for sale" on the Balance Sheets due to the anticipated sale of the natural gas distribution and propane businesses. These businesses are a component of the Pennsylvania Delivery segment. See Note 8 for additional information.
16. | Asset Retirement Obligations |
(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)
The change in the carrying amounts of the AROs was:
AROs at December 31, 2007 | $ | 376 | |||
Accretion expense | 7 | ||||
Obligations settled | (3 | ) | |||
AROs at March 31, 2008 | $ | 380 |
Changes in ARO costs and settlement dates, which affect the carrying value of AROs, are reviewed periodically to ensure that any material changes are incorporated into the latest estimate of the obligation.
Funds in the nuclear plant decommissioning trust are legally restricted for purposes of settling PPL's and PPL Energy Supply's ARO related to the decommissioning of the Susquehanna station. PPL Electric collects authorized nuclear decommissioning costs through the CTC. These revenues are passed on to PPL EnergyPlus under the power supply agreements between PPL Electric and PPL EnergyPlus. Similarly, these revenues are passed on to PPL Susquehanna under a power supply agreement between PPL EnergyPlus and PPL Susquehanna. These revenues, less applicable taxes, are used to fund the nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds and can only be used for future decommissioning costs. The aggregate fair value of the nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds was $530 million as of March 31, 2008, and $555 million as of December 31, 2007. See Note 13 for additional information on the March 31, 2008 fair value.
17. | Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents |
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
The following table details the components of restricted cash and cash equivalents by reporting entity and by type.
March 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||
PPL | PPL Energy Supply | PPL Electric | ||||||||||
Current: | ||||||||||||
Collateral for letters of credit (a) | $ | 41 | $ | 41 | ||||||||
Deposits for trading purposes with NYMEX broker | 165 | $ | 165 | |||||||||
Counterparty collateral | 59 | 59 | ||||||||||
Client deposits | 10 | |||||||||||
WPD customer deposits | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||
Total current | 278 | 227 | 41 | |||||||||
Noncurrent: | ||||||||||||
Required deposits of WPD (b) | 18 | 18 | ||||||||||
PPL Transition Bond Company Indenture reserves (c) | 44 | 44 | ||||||||||
Escrowed funds related to Exempt Facility Revenue Bonds | 19 | 19 | ||||||||||
Total noncurrent | 81 | 37 | 44 | |||||||||
$ | 359 | $ | 264 | $ | 85 |
December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||
PPL | PPL Energy Supply | PPL Electric | ||||||||||
Current: | ||||||||||||
Collateral for letters of credit (a) | $ | 41 | $ | 41 | ||||||||
Deposits for trading purposes with NYMEX broker | 119 | $ | 119 | |||||||||
Counterparty collateral | 26 | 26 | ||||||||||
Client deposits | 16 | |||||||||||
Miscellaneous | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Total current | 203 | 146 | 42 | |||||||||
Noncurrent: | ||||||||||||
Required deposits of WPD (b) | 18 | 18 | ||||||||||
PPL Transition Bond Company Indenture reserves (c) | 42 | 42 | ||||||||||
Escrowed funds related to Exempt Facility Revenue Bonds | 19 | 19 | ||||||||||
Total noncurrent | 79 | 37 | 42 | |||||||||
$ | 282 | $ | 183 | $ | 84 |
(a) | A deposit with a financial institution of funds from the asset-backed commercial paper program to fully collateralize $41 million of letters of credit at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. See Note 7 for further discussion on the asset-backed commercial paper program. | |
(b) | Includes insurance reserves of $17 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. | |
(c) | Credit enhancement for PPL Transition Bond Company's $2.4 billion Series 1999-1 Bonds to protect against losses or delays in scheduled payments. |
18. | New Accounting Standards Pending Adoption |
(PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)
SFAS 141(R)
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), which replaces SFAS 141. PPL and its subsidiaries will adopt SFAS 141(R) prospectively, effective January 1, 2009. The most significant changes to business combination accounting pursuant to SFAS 141(R) includes requirements or amendments to:
· | recognize with certain exceptions, 100% of the fair values of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests in acquisitions of less than a 100% controlling interest when the acquisition constitutes a change in control of the acquired entity; |
· | measure acquirer shares issued in consideration for a business combination at fair value on the acquisition date; |
· | recognize contingent consideration arrangements at the acquisition-date fair values, with subsequent changes in fair value generally reflected through earnings; |
· | recognize pre-acquisition loss and gain contingencies at their acquisition-date fair values, with certain exceptions; |
· | capitalize in-process research and development assets acquired; |
· | expense, as incurred, acquisition-related transaction costs; |
· | capitalize acquisition-related restructuring costs only if the criteria in SFAS 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities," are met as of the acquisition date; |
· | recognize changes that result from a business combination transaction in an acquirer's existing income tax valuation allowances and tax uncertainty accruals as adjustments to income tax expense; |
· | recognize changes in unrecognized tax benefits acquired in a business combination, including business combinations that have occurred prior to January 1, 2009, in income tax expense rather than in goodwill; and |
· | provide guidance on the impairment testing of acquired research and development intangible assets and assets that the acquirer intends not to use. |
The adoption of SFAS 141(R) will impact the accounting for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. As noted above, it will also impact all changes to tax uncertainties and income tax valuation allowances established for business combinations that have occurred prior to January 1, 2009. Early adoption is prohibited. The potential impact of adoption to the financial statements is not yet determinable, but it could be material.
SFAS 157, as amended
See Note 2 for information regarding PPL and its subsidiaries' election to defer the application of SFAS 157, as amended, for eligible nonfinancial assets and liabilities.
SFAS 160
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160. The objective of SFAS 160 is to improve the relevancy, comparability, and transparency of the financial information an entity provides when it has a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and when it deconsolidates a subsidiary. SFAS 160 requires that:
· | The ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified, labeled, and presented in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent's equity. |
· | The amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income. |
· | Changes in a parent's ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary be accounted for consistently. A parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary changes if the parent purchases additional ownership interests in its subsidiary or if the parent sells some of its ownership interests in its subsidiary. It also changes if the subsidiary reacquires some of its ownership interests or the subsidiary issues additional ownership interests. All of those transactions are economically similar, and SFAS 160 requires that they be accounted for similarly, as equity transactions. |
· | When a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary be initially measured at fair value. The gain or loss on the deconsolidation of the subsidiary is measured using the fair value of any noncontrolling equity investment rather than the carrying amount of that retained investment. |
· | Entities provide sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. |
PPL and its subsidiaries will adopt SFAS 160 prospectively, effective January 1, 2009, concurrent with the adoption of SFAS 141(R), except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which require retrospective application. The potential impact of adoption to the financial statements is not yet determinable, but it could be material.
SFAS 161
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, which applies to all derivative instruments, including bifurcated derivative instruments and nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments pursuant to SFAS 133, as well as related hedged items accounted for under SFAS 133. SFAS 161 requires entities to expand its disclosures to provide greater transparency about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
PPL and its subsidiaries will adopt SFAS 161 effective January 1, 2009. SFAS 161 permits early adoption and encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption. SFAS 161 was issued to provide greater transparency by enhancing existing disclosures; therefore, the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on PPL and its subsidiaries' financial statements.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
PPL is an energy and utility holding company with headquarters in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In PPL's 2007 Form 10-K, descriptions of its domestic and international businesses are found in "Item 1. Business - Background." Through its subsidiaries, PPL is primarily engaged in the generation and marketing of electricity in two key markets - the northeastern and western U.S. - and in the delivery of electricity in Pennsylvania and the U.K. PPL's reportable segments are Supply, International Delivery and Pennsylvania Delivery. In 2007, PPL sold its regulated electricity delivery businesses in Latin America, which were included in the International Delivery segment. In July 2007, PPL announced its intention to sell its natural gas distribution and propane businesses, which are included in the Pennsylvania Delivery segment. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for information on the sales and planned divestitures. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview" in PPL's 2007 Form 10-K for a discussion of PPL's strategy and the risks and the challenges that it faces in its business. See "Forward-Looking Information," Note 10 to the Financial Statements and the rest of this Item 2 in this Form 10-Q and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and the rest of Item 7 in PPL's 2007 Form 10-K for more information concerning the material risks and uncertainties that PPL faces in its businesses and with respect to its future earnings.
The following information should be read in conjunction with PPL's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes and with PPL's 2007 Form 10-K.
Terms and abbreviations are explained in the glossary. Dollars are in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise noted.
Results of Operations
The following discussion begins with a summary of PPL's earnings. "Results of Operations" continues with a review of results by reportable segment and a description of key factors by segment that management expects may impact future earnings. This section ends with explanations of significant changes in principal items on PPL's Statements of Income, comparing the three months ended March 31, 2008, with the same period in 2007.
Earnings
Net income and the related EPS were:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Net income | $ | 260 | $ | 203 | ||||
EPS - basic | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.53 | ||||
EPS - diluted | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.52 |
The changes in net income from period to period were, in part, attributable to several special items that management considers significant. Details of these special items are provided within the review of each segment's earnings.
The period-to-period changes in significant earnings components, including domestic gross energy margins by region and significant income statement line items, are explained in the "Statement of Income Analysis."
The results for interim periods can be disproportionately influenced by various factors and developments and by seasonal variations, and as such, the results of operations for interim periods do not necessarily indicate results or trends for the year or for future operating results.
Segment Results
Net income by segment was:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Supply | $ | 102 | $ | 117 | ||||
International Delivery | 98 | 28 | ||||||
Pennsylvania Delivery | 60 | 58 | ||||||
Total | $ | 260 | $ | 203 |
Supply Segment
The Supply segment primarily consists of the domestic energy marketing, domestic generation and domestic development operations of PPL Energy Supply. In August 2007, PPL completed the sale of its domestic telecommunication operations. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
Supply segment net income was:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Energy revenues | ||||||||
External | $ | 290 | $ | 280 | ||||
Intersegment | 489 | 481 | ||||||
Energy-related businesses | 107 | 175 | ||||||
Total operating revenues | 886 | 936 | ||||||
Fuel and energy purchases | ||||||||
External | 257 | 304 | ||||||
Intersegment | 29 | 37 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 227 | 175 | ||||||
Depreciation | 44 | 41 | ||||||
Taxes, other than income | 2 | 8 | ||||||
Energy-related businesses | 105 | 197 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 664 | 762 | ||||||
Other Income - net | 4 | |||||||
Interest Expense | 41 | 35 | ||||||
Income Taxes | 79 | 25 | ||||||
Minority Interest | 1 | |||||||
Net Income | $ | 102 | $ | 117 |
The after-tax change in net income between these periods was due to the following factors.
Eastern U.S. non-trading margins | $ | (12 | ) | ||
Net energy trading margins | (6 | ) | |||
Operating expenses | (10 | ) | |||
Depreciation | (2 | ) | |||
Taxes, other than income | 4 | ||||
Earnings from synfuel projects | (27 | ) | |||
Realized earnings on nuclear decommissioning trust | (3 | ) | |||
Interest expense | (4 | ) | |||
Other | 4 | ||||
Special items | 41 | ||||
$ | (15 | ) |
· | See "Domestic Gross Energy Margins" for an explanation of non-trading margins by geographic region and for an explanation of net energy trading margins. |
· | Higher operating expenses were primarily attributable to higher operating costs at the fossil generating stations primarily due to unplanned outages, the timing of planned outages and higher operating costs in the energy marketing organization. |
· | Lower earnings contribution from synfuel projects was the result of the expiration of federal tax credits and closure of the synfuel facilities at the end of 2007. |
The following after-tax amounts, which management considers special items, also had a significant impact on the Supply segment earnings. See the indicated Notes to the Financial Statements for additional information.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Mark-to-market adjustments from certain economic, non-trading hedges (a) | $ | 50 | $ | 10 | ||||
Sale of domestic telecommunication operations (Note 8) | (18 | ) | ||||||
PJM billing dispute | (1 | ) | ||||||
Colstrip groundwater litigation (Note 10) | (5 | ) | ||||||
Synthetic fuel tax adjustment (Note 10) | (13 | ) | ||||||
Total | $ | 32 | $ | (9 | ) |
(a) | These economic hedge transactions do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133, however they economically hedge a specific risk and do not represent speculative trading activity. These transactions are highly probable of going to physical delivery; therefore, the mark-to-market gains or losses on these transactions will reverse by the time the transactions settle in the future. See "Changes in Domestic Gross Energy Margins by Region" and Note 14 to the Financial Statements for additional information regarding economic activity. |
2008 Outlook
Excluding special items, PPL projects lower earnings in its Supply segment in 2008 compared with 2007 as a result of the expiration of synfuel-related benefits and higher depreciation relating to the installation of scrubbers in 2008 at its Montour and Brunner Island coal-fired power plants. PPL expects these negative effects to be partially offset by higher energy margins as a result of higher-valued wholesale energy contracts and higher overall baseload generation compared with 2007. PPL expects most of its increased energy margins to be realized in the second half of 2008.
As discussed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in PPL's 2007 Form 10-K, activities by the FERC, other governmental authorities and other involved parties can have a significant effect on market prices for wholesale electricity, and thus on the margins that PPL EnergyPlus achieves on its future sales of energy. In April 2008, the FERC denied PJM's request to increase the Cost of New Entry element of the PJM capacity pricing formula. In a separate action, in connection with Duquesne Light Company's (Duquesne) decision to leave PJM, in April 2008 the FERC ruled that PJM may grant capacity resources in the Duquesne zone transmission rights that would facilitate inclusion of such capacity in PJM’s Reliability Pricing Model (RPM) capacity markets, beginning with the 2011-2012 planning year auction, notwithstanding that such capacity would be treated as external generation to PJM at the time it had to be delivered. In response, PJM has indicated that it will grant generators in the Duquesne zone of PJM the necessary transmission rights. These FERC and PJM actions are expected to reduce capacity prices for the 2011-2012 RPM capacity auction scheduled to take place in May 2008 and possibly for future RPM capacity auctions. Because a large portion of PPL's generating capacity is located in PJM, the impact of any such reduced RPM capacity prices on PPL could be material. PPL cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these or related FERC proceedings and the impact on capacity prices in PJM or on PPL’s financial results.
International Delivery Segment
The International Delivery segment includes operations of the international energy businesses of PPL Global that are primarily focused on the distribution of electricity. PPL Global's primary remaining international business is located in the U.K. In 2007, PPL completed the sale of its Latin American operating businesses. PPL Global expects to recognize income tax adjustments and incur expenses in 2008 as the remaining Latin American holding companies are dissolved. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
The International Delivery segment results in 2008 and 2007 reflect the reclassification of Latin American revenues and expenses to Discontinued Operations.
International Delivery segment net income was:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Utility revenues | $ | 241 | $ | 216 | ||||
Energy-related businesses | 9 | 10 | ||||||
Total operating revenues | 250 | 226 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 46 | 56 | ||||||
Depreciation | 36 | 43 | ||||||
Taxes, other than income | 17 | 16 | ||||||
Energy-related businesses | 3 | 5 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 102 | 120 | ||||||
Other Income - net | 3 | 11 | ||||||
Interest Expense | 38 | 49 | ||||||
Income Taxes | 20 | 15 | ||||||
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations | 5 | (25 | ) | |||||
Net Income | $ | 98 | $ | 28 |
The after-tax change in net income between these periods was due to the following factors, including Discontinued Operations.
U.K.: | |||||
Delivery margins | $ | 16 | |||
Depreciation | 5 | ||||
Operating expenses | 6 | ||||
Interest expense | 3 | ||||
Income taxes | 12 | ||||
Foreign currency exchange rates | 1 | ||||
Gain on transfer of international equity investment (Note 8) | (5 | ) | |||
Hyder liquidation distributions (Note 8) | (2 | ) | |||
Other | (1 | ) | |||
Discontinued operations (Note 8) | (10 | ) | |||
Other | 5 | ||||
Special item | 40 | ||||
$ | 70 |
· | The U.K.'s earnings were favorably impacted by higher delivery margins primarily due to higher prices, which include the annual regulatory adjustment for inflation. |
· | Lower U.K. operating expenses were primarily due to lower pension expense resulting from an improvement in the fair value of pension assets and an increase in the discount rate. |
· | Lower U.K. income taxes were due to a favorable U.K. taxing authority determination. |
The following after-tax amount, which management considers a special item, also had a significant impact on the International Delivery segment earnings.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Sale of Latin American businesses (Note 8) | $ | (40 | ) |
2008 Outlook
Excluding special items, PPL projects the earnings of its International Delivery segment will decline in 2008 compared with 2007. This decline is a result of the 2007 sale of PPL's Latin American businesses and higher U.S. income taxes primarily driven by the U.S. income tax benefits realized in 2007. Partially offsetting the impact of these negative earnings drivers are higher revenues in WPD's electricity distribution businesses and lower pension expense.
Pennsylvania Delivery Segment
The Pennsylvania Delivery segment includes the regulated electric and gas delivery operations of PPL Electric and PPL Gas Utilities. In 2007, PPL announced its intention to sell its natural gas distribution and propane businesses. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
The Pennsylvania Delivery segment results in 2008 and 2007 reflect the reclassification of the natural gas distribution and propane businesses' revenues and expenses to Discontinued Operations.
Pennsylvania Delivery segment net income was:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Operating revenues | ||||||||
External | $ | 879 | $ | 865 | ||||
Intersegment | 29 | 37 | ||||||
Total operating revenues | 908 | 902 | ||||||
Fuel and energy purchases | ||||||||
External | 41 | 51 | ||||||
Intersegment | 489 | 481 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 104 | 94 | ||||||
Amortization of recoverable transition costs | 76 | 81 | ||||||
Depreciation | 32 | 32 | ||||||
Taxes, other than income | 56 | 54 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 798 | 793 | ||||||
Other Income - net | 5 | 12 | ||||||
Interest Expense | 29 | 36 | ||||||
Income Taxes | 30 | 29 | ||||||
Dividends on Preferred Securities | 5 | 5 | ||||||
Income from Discontinued Operations | 9 | 7 | ||||||
Net Income | $ | 60 | $ | 58 |
The after-tax change in net income between these periods was due to the following factors, including Discontinued Operations.
Delivery revenues (net of CTC/ITC amortization, interest expense on transition bonds and ancillary charges) | $ | 10 | |||
Operating expenses | (7 | ) | |||
Other | (1 | ) | |||
$ | 2 |
· | Higher delivery revenues were attributable to normal load growth and a PPL Electric base rate increase effective January 1, 2008. |
· | Higher operating expenses were primarily due to higher storm restoration costs and other inflationary increases. |
2008 Outlook
PPL projects higher earnings for its Pennsylvania Delivery segment, driven by higher revenues as a result of PPL Electric's new distribution rates that became effective January 1, 2008, partially offset by higher operating expenses.
In May 2007, the PUC approved final regulations regarding the obligation of Pennsylvania electric utilities to provide default electricity supply in 2011 and beyond. The new regulations provide that default service providers will acquire electricity supply at prevailing market prices pursuant to procurement and implementation plans approved by the PUC. The regulations also address the utilities' recovery of market supply costs. The final regulations became effective in September 2007.
In May 2007, the PUC approved PPL Electric's plan to procure default electricity supply in 2007-2009 for retail customers who do not choose an alternative competitive supplier in 2010 after PPL Electric's PLR contract with an affiliate expires. Under the plan, PPL Electric was approved to issue a series of competitive bids for such supply in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Each solicitation is for 850 MW of expected generation supply, or one-sixth of PPL Electric's expected PLR supply requirement in 2010. The average generation supply prices (per MWh), including Pennsylvania gross receipts tax and an adjustment for line losses, for the first three solicitations were as follows:
Residential | Small Commercial and Small Industrial | ||||||||
July 2007 | $ | 101.77 | $ | 105.11 | |||||
October 2007 | 105.08 | 105.75 | |||||||
March 2008 | 108.80 | 108.76 |
As a result, PPL Electric has contracted for one-half of the electricity supply it expects to need for 2010. If the average prices paid for the supply purchased so far were to be the same for the remaining three purchases, the average residential customer's monthly bill in 2010 would increase about 34.4% over 2009 levels, while small commercial and small industrial bills would increase in the range of 23.8% to 42.8%. The estimated increases include Pennsylvania gross receipts tax, an adjustment for line losses, PPL Electric's January 1, 2008 rate increase and a court-ordered rate adjustment in 2007. Actual 2010 prices will not be known until all six supply purchases have been made. The fourth solicitation will be conducted in September 2008.
In addition, the Governor of Pennsylvania proposed an Energy Independence Strategy (Strategy) in early 2007 which, among other things, contains initiatives to address PLR issues. For example, under the Strategy as originally proposed, retail customers could elect to phase-in over three years any initial generation rate increase approved by the PUC. Also, PLR providers would be required to obtain a "least cost portfolio" of supply by purchasing power in the spot market and through contracts of varying lengths, and the provider would be required to procure energy conservation resources before acquiring additional power. In addition, PLR providers could enter into long-term contracts with large energy users and alternative energy developers. It is uncertain at this time whether the details of implementing the Strategy, including the issues of deferral of costs and recovery of interest for the customer rate phase-in program and the timing of PUC approval for PLR supply portfolios, will be delegated to the PUC.
Components of the Strategy are included in various bills. One such bill that passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (House) in February 2008 contains conservation and demand-side management targets and mandatory deployment of smart metering technology. The bill provides for full and current cost recovery through an energy efficiency and demand-side management recovery mechanism.
In September 2007, the Pennsylvania General Assembly convened a special session to address the proposals in the Governor's Strategy. Central to the Governor's Strategy is an $850 million Energy Independence Fund to support alternative and renewable energy sources and energy conservation that would be funded through revenue bonds and a surcharge on electricity bills. The Pennsylvania Senate (Senate) has formed a special committee to manage legislation for the special legislative session. As an alternative to the Governor's $850 million Energy Independence Fund, the full Senate has approved a bill that would create a $650 million fund for clean energy projects, conservation and energy efficiency initiatives and pollution control projects that would be funded through revenue bonds and gross receipts tax revenue, which will increase as rate caps expire. The House passed similar legislation to create an $850 million fund, also to be funded primarily through revenue bonds, while also allowing the use of gross receipts tax revenue.
Since September 2007, PPL and PPL Electric have been working with Pennsylvania legislators, regulators and other stakeholders to develop constructive measures to help customers transition to market rates after 2009, including a variety of rate mitigation, educational and energy conservation programs, consistent with several initiatives being developed by the state administration and legislature. In this regard, in November 2007, PPL Electric requested the PUC to approve a plan under which its residential and small commercial customers could smooth the impact of price increases when generation rate caps expire in 2010. The proposed phase-in plan provided that customers could pay additional amounts on their electric bills beginning in mid-2008 and continuing through 2009, and such additional amounts, plus accrued interest, would be applied to their 2010 and 2011 electric bills, mitigating the impact of the rate cap expiration. PPL Electric requested expedited consideration of the proposal by the PUC. Ten parties filed responses to PPL Electric's petition, primarily because the proposal offered the program on an "opt-out" basis (i.e., customers would be enrolled automatically and affirmatively have to "opt-out" if they choose not to participate). The parties negotiated a settlement agreement under which PPL Electric agreed to change the "opt-out" approach to an "opt-in" approach (i.e., customers would have to affirmatively enroll) and to make the program available to customers enrolled in budget billing. In March 2008, the Administrative Law Judge assigned to this case recommended that the PUC approve the settlement agreement. In April 2008, the PUC postponed taking action on the approval of the agreement. In May 2008, as a result of this postponement, PPL Electric announced that it must delay the planned start date for the proposed phase-in option to allow adequate time for PPL Electric to publicize the plan and for eligible customers to make an informed choice about whether to enroll. PPL Electric cannot predict if and when the PUC will take further action in this matter.
Certain Pennsylvania legislators have introduced or are contemplating the introduction of legislation to extend generation rate caps or otherwise limit cost recovery through rates for Pennsylvania utilities beyond their transition periods, which in PPL Electric's case would be December 31, 2009. PPL and PPL Electric have expressed strong concern regarding the severe potential consequences of such legislation on customer service, system reliability, adequate future generation supply and PPL Electric's financial viability. If such legislation or similar legislation is enacted, PPL Electric could experience substantial operating losses, cash flow shortfalls and other adverse financial impacts. In addition, continuing uncertainty regarding PPL Electric's ability to recover its market supply and other costs of operation after 2009 could adversely impact its credit quality, financing costs and availability of credit facilities necessary to operate its business. In addition, PPL and PPL Electric believe that such an extension of rate caps, if enacted into law, would violate federal law and the U.S. Constitution. At this time, PPL and PPL Electric cannot predict the final outcome or impact of this legislative and regulatory process.
Statement of Income Analysis --
Domestic Gross Energy Margins
The following table provides pre-tax changes in the income statement line items that comprise domestic gross energy margins.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Utility | $ | 39 | |||
Unregulated retail electric | 12 | ||||
Wholesale energy marketing | 9 | ||||
Net energy trading margins | (11 | ) | |||
Other revenue adjustments (a) | (61 | ) | |||
Total revenues | (12 | ) | |||
Fuel | 10 | ||||
Energy purchases | (67 | ) | |||
Other cost adjustments (a) | |||||
Total cost of sales | (57 | ) | |||
Domestic gross energy margins | $ | 45 |
(a) | Adjusted to exclude the impact of any revenues and costs not associated with domestic gross energy margins, consistent with the way management reviews domestic gross energy margins internally. These exclusions include revenues and energy costs related to WPD and the domestic delivery operations of PPL Electric. Also adjusted to include gains or losses on sales of emission allowances, which are included in "Other operation and maintenance" expenses on the Statements of Income. |
Changes in Domestic Gross Energy Margins By Region
Domestic gross energy margins are generated through PPL's non-trading and trading activities. PPL manages its non-trading energy business on a geographic basis that is aligned with its generation assets. PPL further segregates non-trading activities into two categories: hedge activity and economic activity. Economic activity represents the net unrealized effect of derivative transactions that are entered into as economic hedges, and that do not qualify for hedge accounting, or hedge accounting was not elected, under SFAS 133.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Non-trading | |||||
Eastern U.S. | $ | 57 | |||
Western U.S. | (1 | ) | |||
Net energy trading | (11 | ) | |||
Domestic gross energy margins | $ | 45 |
Eastern U.S.
Eastern U.S. non-trading margins that resulted from economic activity and hedge ineffectiveness were $79 million higher during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. This increase was due to unrealized gains on purchases to supply full requirements contracts, which was driven by increases in power and gas prices.
Eastern U.S. non-trading margins, excluding results from economic activity and hedge ineffectiveness, were $22 million lower during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to higher average fuel prices, which were up 8%, and lower baseload generation from the retirement of the Martins Creek coal units in September 2007, which was down 2%. Partially offsetting these lower margins was improved wholesale activity, which was driven by higher sales volumes and favorable pricing.
Net Energy Trading
PPL enters into energy contracts to take advantage of market opportunities. As a result, PPL may at times create a net open position in its portfolio that could result in significant losses if prices do not move in the manner or direction anticipated. The margins from these trading activities are reflected in the Statements of Income as "Net energy trading margins." These physical and financial contracts cover trading activity associated with electricity, gas and oil.
Net energy trading margins decreased by $11 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. The entire decrease was due to lower unrealized margins.
The realized physical volumes for electricity and gas associated with energy trading were:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
GWh | 4,438 | 2,788 | ||||||
Bcf | 5.6 | 5.3 |
Utility Revenues
The increase in utility revenues was attributable to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Domestic: | |||||
Retail electric revenue (PPL Electric) | |||||
PLR | $ | 8 | |||
Delivery | 7 | ||||
Other | (1 | ) | |||
International: | |||||
U.K. retail electric revenue | 22 | ||||
U.K. foreign currency exchange rates | 3 | ||||
$ | 39 |
The increase in utility revenues, excluding foreign currency exchange rate impacts, was primarily due to:
· | higher U.K. revenues due to an increase in prices effective April 1, 2007; and |
· | higher PLR and delivery revenues were attributable to normal load growth and a PPL Electric base rate increase effective January 1, 2008. |
Energy-related Businesses
Energy-related businesses contributed $25 million more to operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. The increase was primarily attributable to:
· | a $31 million impairment in 2007 of domestic telecommunication assets that were subsequently sold in 2007 (see Note 8 to the Financial Statements); and |
· | $16 million less in operating losses from synfuel projects. The projects ceased operation at the end of 2007; partially offset by |
· | a $21 million net gain on options purchased to hedge the risk associated with the phase-out of the synthetic fuel tax credits in 2007. No such options were held in 2008 as PPL's synthetic fuel operations have ceased. |
See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for additional information on the synthetic fuel tax credits and the synfuel projects.
Other Operation and Maintenance
The increase in other operation and maintenance expenses was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Lower gains on sales of emission allowances | $ | 29 | |||
Salary expense | 25 | ||||
Outage costs at Western and Eastern U.S. fossil/hydro stations | 7 | ||||
Colstrip groundwater litigation (Note 10) | 7 | ||||
PUC-reportable storm costs | 5 | ||||
Outage costs at Susquehanna nuclear station | (2 | ) | |||
Stock-based compensation expense | (2 | ) | |||
Defined benefit costs | (9 | ) | |||
Other | (8 | ) | |||
$ | 52 |
Depreciation
The decrease in depreciation expense was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Additions to PP&E | $ | 6 | |||
Extension of useful lives of certain WPD network assets in 2007 | (10 | ) | |||
$ | (4 | ) |
Taxes, Other Than Income
Taxes, other than income decreased by $3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in PPL Montana's property taxes, as the 2008 period included a $7 million refund credit. This credit was partially offset by a $2 million increase in domestic gross receipts tax expense and a $1 million increase in WPD property taxes.
Other Income - net
See Note 12 to the Financial Statements for details of other income.
Financing Costs
The decrease in financing costs, which includes "Interest Expense" and "Dividends on Preferred Securities of a Subsidiary," was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | $ | 2 | |||
Hedging ineffectiveness | (2 | ) | |||
Redemption of 8.23% Subordinated Debentures in 2007 | (4 | ) | |||
Capitalized interest | (9 | ) | |||
Other | 1 | ||||
$ | (12 | ) |
Income Taxes
The increase in income taxes was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Synthetic fuel and other tax credits | $ | 39 | |||
Higher pre-tax book income | 30 | ||||
Tax expense on foreign earnings | 3 | ||||
Tax reserve adjustments (Note 5) | (11 | ) | |||
Other | (1 | ) | |||
$ | 60 |
See Note 5 to the Financial Statements for details on effective income tax rates.
Discontinued Operations
See "Discontinued Operations" in Note 8 to the Financial Statements for information on the 2007 sale of PPL's Latin American operating businesses and the anticipated sale of PPL's natural gas distribution and propane businesses, along with information regarding the operating results of such businesses.
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
PPL had the following at:
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 495 | (a) | $ | 430 | |||
Short-term investments (b) | 100 | 108 | ||||||
$ | 595 | $ | 538 | |||||
Short-term debt | $ | 41 | $ | 92 |
(a) | Excludes $3 million of cash related to the natural gas distribution and propane businesses that is included in "Assets held for sale" on the Balance Sheet. | |
(b) | Includes $11 million and $15 million of auction rate securities at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. See below for further discussion of auction rate securities. |
The $65 million increase in PPL's cash and cash equivalents position, which includes the effects of the cash flows of the Discontinued Operations, was primarily the net result of:
· | $424 million of cash provided by operating activities; |
· | proceeds of $399 million from the issuance of long-term debt; |
· | $330 million of capital expenditures; |
· | the payment of $113 million of common stock dividends; |
· | the retirement of $91 million of long-term debt; |
· | an increase of $78 million in restricted cash and cash equivalents; |
· | a net decrease in short-term debt of $50 million (excluding the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments); |
· | the repurchase of 802,816 shares of PPL common stock for $38 million under the common stock repurchase program that was authorized by PPL's Board of Directors in June 2007; |
· | $25 million in net purchases of auction rate securities; and |
· | $18 million in net purchases of emission allowances. |
Auction Rate Securities
At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, PPL had $40 million and $15 million of auction rate securities, of which $11 million and $15 million were reflected as short-term investments at such dates. Investor concerns over insurers who guarantee the credit of certain of the underlying securities and other conditions have resulted in many investors of auction rate securities being unable to sell such securities at auction in recent months. In certain instances, this has resulted in investors continuing to own these securities, generally at higher interest rates. PPL currently believes that it does not have material loss exposure given the high quality of the underlying securities. Subsequent to March 31, 2008, an aggregate of $11 million of auction rate securities have either been liquidated or called for redemption at par value by the issuers. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of auction rate securities.
Credit Facilities
In March 2008, PPL Energy Supply increased the capacity of its 364-day reimbursement agreement, under which it can cause the bank to issue letters of credit, from $200 million to $300 million and extended the expiration date of the agreement to March 2009.
PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric currently do not expect to make any modifications in 2008, including extending the expiration date, to PPL Energy Supply's $3.4 billion or PPL Electric's $200 million five-year credit facilities, both of which expire in 2012.
In January 2008, WPDH Limited extended the expiration date of its £150 million (approximately $298 million) five-year committed credit facility to January 2013, and it has the option to extend the expiration date by another year in January 2009.
Financing Activities
In March 2008, PPL Energy Supply issued $400 million of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2018 (the Notes). The Notes may be redeemed any time prior to maturity at PPL Energy Supply's option at make-whole redemption prices. PPL Energy Supply received proceeds of $396 million, net of a discount and underwriting fees, from the issuance of the Notes. The proceeds have been used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures relating to the installation of pollution control equipment by PPL Energy Supply subsidiaries.
The terms of PPL Energy Supply's 2-5/8% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (Convertible Senior Notes) include a market price trigger that permits holders to convert the notes during any fiscal quarter if the closing sale price of PPL's common stock exceeds $29.83 for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter. Holders of the Convertible Senior Notes were entitled to convert their notes at any time during the first quarter of 2008 and are also entitled to convert their notes any time during the second quarter of 2008, as a result of the market price trigger being met. When holders elect to convert the Convertible Senior Notes, PPL Energy Supply is required to settle the principal amount in cash and any conversion premium in cash or PPL common stock. During the first quarter of 2008, Convertible Senior Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $9 million were presented for conversion. The total conversion premium related to these conversions was $7 million, which was settled with 158,945 shares of PPL common stock, along with an insignificant amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares. After such conversions, approximately $48 million of Convertible Senior Notes remain outstanding.
The holders of the Convertible Senior Notes have the right to require PPL Energy Supply to purchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of the Convertible Senior Notes on May 15, 2008 at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of such date. Additionally, in April 2008, the holders were notified that PPL Energy Supply is calling for redemption on May 20, 2008 all outstanding Convertible Senior Notes at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of such date. The Convertible Senior Notes are subject to conversion at the election of the holders any time prior to May 20, 2008. PPL and PPL Energy Supply have, and expect to continue to have, access to sufficient liquidity sources to fund the redemptions and conversions of the outstanding Convertible Senior Notes.
In April 2008, PPL Energy Supply elected to change the interest rate mode on the Exempt Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2007 due 2037 (the Bonds) that were issued by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority on behalf of PPL Energy Supply in December 2007. The interest rate mode was converted from a rate that was reset daily through daily remarketing of the Bonds to a term rate of 1.80% for one year.
Common Stock Dividends
In February 2008, PPL announced an increase to its quarterly common stock dividend, effective April 1, 2008, to 33.5 cents per share (equivalent to $1.34 per annum). Future dividends, declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors, will be dependent upon future earnings, cash flows, financial requirements and other factors.
Anticipated Sale of Gas and Propane Businesses
In March 2008, PPL signed a definitive agreement to sell its natural gas distribution and propane businesses for $268 million in cash plus working capital, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement and following the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. PPL expects the sale to close before the end of 2008. Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to invest in growth opportunities in PPL's core electricity supply and delivery businesses and/or for the repurchase of securities. See Note 8 for additional information.
Rating Agency Decisions
Moody's, S&P and Fitch periodically review the credit ratings on the debt and preferred securities of PPL and its subsidiaries. Based on their respective independent reviews, the rating agencies may make certain ratings revisions or ratings affirmations.
A credit rating reflects an assessment by the rating agency of the creditworthiness associated with an issuer and particular securities that it issues. The credit ratings of PPL and its subsidiaries are based on information provided by PPL and other sources. The ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities of PPL or its subsidiaries. Such ratings may be subject to revisions or withdrawal by the agencies at any time and should be evaluated independently of each other and any other rating that may be assigned to the securities. A downgrade in PPL's or its subsidiaries' credit ratings could result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to capital markets.
Moody's and S&P did not take any actions related to PPL and its rated subsidiaries during the first quarter of 2008. In March 2008, Fitch completed a review of its credit ratings for PPL, PPL Capital Funding, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric and affirmed all ratings related to these entities, with the exception that it lowered the preferred stock rating of PPL Electric to BBB from BBB+. Fitch stated in the related press release that the lower preferred stock rating reflects its junior position in the capital structure and does not reflect any change in credit quality.
For additional information on PPL's liquidity and capital resources, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in PPL's 2007 Form 10-K.
Risk Management - Energy Marketing & Trading and Other
Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk (Non-trading)
PPL's non-trading commodity derivative contracts mature at various times through 2017. PPL segregates its non-trading activities into two categories: hedge activity and economic activity. Transactions that are accounted for as hedge activity qualify for hedge accounting treatment under SFAS 133. The majority of PPL's energy transactions qualify for accrual or hedge accounting. The economic activity category includes transactions that address a specific risk, but were not eligible for hedge accounting or for which hedge accounting was not elected. Included in this category are certain load-following energy obligations and related supply contracts, options, FTRs, and crude oil swaps to hedge rail transportation charges. Although they do not receive hedge accounting treatment, these transactions are considered non-trading activity. The fair value of economic activity at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, including net premiums on options, was $141 million and $67 million. The following chart sets forth the net fair value of PPL's non-trading commodity derivative contracts. For the period ended March 31, 2008, these amounts reflect the fair value as defined by SFAS 157, as amended. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the beginning of the period | $ | (305 | ) | $ | (111 | ) | ||
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period | 8 | 23 | ||||||
Fair value of new contracts entered into during the period | 100 | 92 | ||||||
Changes in fair value attributable to changes in valuation techniques (a) | 55 | |||||||
Other changes in fair value | (126 | ) | (17 | ) | ||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the end of the period | $ | (268 | ) | $ | (13 | ) |
(a) | Amount represents the reduction of valuation reserves related to capacity and FTR contracts upon the adoption of SFAS 157. |
The following chart segregates fair values of PPL's non-trading commodity derivative contracts at March 31, 2008, based on whether the fair values are determined by quoted market prices for identical instruments or other more subjective means.
Fair Value of Contracts at Period-End Gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maturity Less Than 1 Year | Maturity 1-3 Years | Maturity 4-5 Years | Maturity in Excess of 5 Years | Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
Source of Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prices quoted in active markets for identical instruments | $ | 6 | $ | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
Prices based on significant other observable inputs | 55 | $ | (392 | ) | $ | (153 | ) | (490 | ) | |||||||||||
Prices based on significant unobservable inputs | 5 | 1 | 49 | $ | 161 | 216 | ||||||||||||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the end of the period | $ | 66 | $ | (391 | ) | $ | (104 | ) | $ | 161 | $ | (268 | ) |
Because of PPL's efforts to hedge the value of energy from its generation assets, PPL sells electricity, capacity and related services and buys fuel on a forward basis, resulting in open contractual positions. If PPL were unable to deliver firm capacity and energy or to accept the delivery of fuel under its agreements, under certain circumstances it could be required to pay damages. These damages would be based on the difference between the market price and the contract price of the commodity. Depending on price volatility in the wholesale energy markets, such damages could be significant. Extreme weather conditions, unplanned power plant outages, transmission disruptions, nonperformance by counterparties (or their own counterparties) with which it has energy contracts and other factors could affect PPL's ability to meet its obligations, or cause significant increases in the market price of replacement energy. Although PPL attempts to mitigate these risks, there can be no assurance that it will be able to fully meet its firm obligations, that it will not be required to pay damages for failure to perform, or that it will not experience counterparty nonperformance in the future.
PPL utilizes a VaR model to measure commodity price risk in its non-trading and trading portfolios. This approach is consistent with how PPL's Risk Management Committee assesses the market risk of its commodity business. VaR is a statistical model that attempts to predict the value of potential loss, under normal market conditions, based on historical market price volatility. PPL calculates VaR using a Monte Carlo simulation technique, which uses historical data from the past 12-month period. The VaR is the estimated nominal loss of earnings based on a one-day holding period at a 95% confidence interval. At March 31, 2008, the VaR for PPL's non-trading portfolio was $19 million.
Commodity Price Risk (Trading)
PPL's trading contracts mature at various times through 2012. The following chart sets forth PPL's net fair value of trading contracts. The three months ended March 31, 2008 reflect fair value as defined by SFAS 157. See Note 13 for additional information.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the beginning of the period | $ | 16 | $ | 41 | ||||
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period | 15 | (13 | ) | |||||
Fair value of new contracts entered into during the period | (8 | ) | 16 | |||||
Changes in fair value attributable to changes in valuation techniques | ||||||||
Other changes in fair value | (1 | ) | 1 | |||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the end of the period | $ | 22 | $ | 45 |
PPL will reverse unrealized gains of approximately $13 million over the next three months as the transactions are realized.
The following chart segregates fair values of PPL's trading portfolio at March 31, 2008, based on whether the fair values are determined by quoted market prices for identical instruments or other more subjective means.
Fair Value of Contracts at Period-End Gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maturity Less Than 1 Year | Maturity 1-3 Years | Maturity 4-5 Years | Maturity in Excess of 5 Years | Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
Source of Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prices quoted in active markets for identical instruments | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||
Prices based on significant other observable inputs | 14 | 13 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||
Prices based on significant unobservable inputs | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the end of the period | $ | 8 | $ | 14 | $ | 22 |
See "Commodity Price Risk (Non-trading)" for information on PPL's VaR model. At March 31, 2008, the VaR for PPL's trading portfolio was insignificant.
Commodity Price Risk Summary
In accordance with its marketing strategy, PPL often elects not to completely hedge its generation output or fuel requirements. PPL estimates that for its entire portfolio, including all generation, emissions and physical and financial energy positions, a 10% adverse change in power prices across all geographic zones and time periods would decrease expected 2008 gross margins by $15 million. Similarly, a 10% adverse movement in all fossil fuel prices would decrease expected 2008 gross margins by $5 million.
Interest Rate Risk
PPL and its subsidiaries have issued debt to finance their operations, which exposes them to interest rate risk. PPL utilizes various financial derivative products to adjust the mix of fixed and floating interest rates in its debt portfolio, adjust the duration of its debt portfolio and lock in Treasury rates (and interest rate spreads over Treasuries) in anticipation of future financing, when appropriate. Risk limits under the risk management program are designed to balance risk exposure to volatility in interest expense and changes in the fair value of PPL's debt portfolio due to changes in the absolute level of interest rates.
At March 31, 2008, PPL's potential annual exposure to increased interest expense, based on a 10% increase in interest rates, was $4 million.
PPL is also exposed to changes in the fair value of its domestic and international debt portfolios. PPL estimated that a 10% decrease in interest rates at March 31, 2008, would increase the fair value of its debt portfolio by $383 million.
PPL utilizes various risk management instruments to reduce its exposure to the expected future cash flow variability of its debt instruments. These risks include exposure to adverse interest rate movements for outstanding variable rate debt and for future anticipated financing. While PPL is exposed to changes in the fair value of these instruments, any changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in equity and then reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the item being hedged affects earnings. At March 31, 2008, the fair value of these instruments was a net liability of $10 million. PPL estimated that a 10% adverse movement in interest rates at March 31, 2008, would increase the net liability by $5 million.
PPL also utilizes various risk management instruments to adjust the mix of fixed and floating interest rates in its debt portfolio. The change in fair value of these instruments, as well as the offsetting change in the value of the hedged exposure of the debt, is reflected in earnings. At March 31, 2008, the fair value of these instruments was a net asset of $53 million. PPL estimated that a 10% adverse movement in interest rates at March 31, 2008, would decrease the net asset by $17 million.
WPDH Limited holds a net position in cross-currency swaps totaling $527 million to hedge the interest payments and principal of its U.S. dollar-denominated bonds with maturity dates ranging from December 2008 to December 2028. While PPL is exposed to changes in the fair value of these instruments, any changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in equity and then reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the item being hedged affects earnings. The estimated fair value of this position at March 31, 2008, was a net liability of $115 million. WPDH Limited estimated that a 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates at March 31, 2008, would increase the net liability by $101 million.
Foreign Currency Risk
PPL is exposed to foreign currency risk, primarily through investments in U.K. affiliates. In addition, PPL's domestic operations may make purchases of equipment in currencies other than U.S. dollars.
PPL has adopted a foreign currency risk management program designed to hedge certain foreign currency exposures, including firm commitments, recognized assets or liabilities, anticipated transactions and net investments. In addition, PPL enters into financial instruments to protect against foreign currency translation risk of expected earnings.
In 2007, PPL executed forward contracts to sell British pounds sterling to protect the value of a portion of its net investment in WPD. The total notional amount of the contracts outstanding at March 31, 2008, was £68 million. The settlement dates of these contracts range from March 2009 through June 2011. At March 31, 2008, the fair value of these positions was a net asset of $5 million. PPL estimated that a 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates at March 31, 2008, would decrease the net asset by $12 million.
To economically hedge the translation of 2008 expected income denominated in British pounds sterling to U.S. dollars, PPL entered into a combination of average rate forwards and average rate options to sell British pounds sterling. At March 31, 2008, the total exposure hedged was £66 million. These forwards and options have termination dates ranging from April 2008 to December 2008. At March 31, 2008, the net fair value of these positions was not significant. PPL estimated that a 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates at March 31, 2008, would decrease the net asset position by $11 million.
Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Trust Funds - Securities Price Risk
In connection with certain NRC requirements, PPL Susquehanna maintains trust funds to fund certain costs of decommissioning the Susquehanna nuclear station. As of March 31, 2008, these funds were invested primarily in domestic equity securities and fixed-rate, fixed-income securities and are reflected at fair value on PPL's Balance Sheet. The mix of securities is designed to provide returns sufficient to fund Susquehanna's decommissioning and to compensate for inflationary increases in decommissioning costs. However, the equity securities included in the trusts are exposed to price fluctuation in equity markets, and the values of fixed-rate, fixed-income securities are exposed to changes in interest rates. PPL actively monitors the investment performance and periodically reviews asset allocation in accordance with its nuclear plant decommissioning trust policy statement. At March 31, 2008, a hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates and a 10% decrease in equity prices would have resulted in an estimated $36 million reduction in the fair value of the trust assets. See Note 21 in PPL's 2007 Form 10-K for additional information regarding the nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds.
Related Party Transactions
PPL is not aware of any material ownership interests or operating responsibility by senior management of PPL, PPL Energy Supply or PPL Electric in outside partnerships, including leasing transactions with variable interest entities, or other entities doing business with PPL.
For additional information on related party transactions, see Note 11 to the Financial Statements.
Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures
PPL continuously evaluates strategic options for its business segments and, from time to time, PPL and its subsidiaries are involved in negotiations with third parties regarding acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets, joint ventures and development projects, which may or may not result in definitive agreements. Any such transactions may impact future financial results. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for information regarding recent transactions.
PPL is currently planning incremental capacity increases of 331 MW at several existing domestic generating facilities. Offsetting this increase is an expected 30 MW reduction in net generation capability at each of the Brunner Island and Montour plants, due to the estimated increases in station service usage during the scrubber operation. See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
PPL continuously reexamines development projects based on market conditions and other factors to determine whether to proceed with the projects, sell, cancel or expand them, execute tolling agreements or pursue other options.
Environmental Matters
See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of environmental matters.
New Accounting Standards
See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting standards adopted and Note 18 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting standards pending adoption.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
PPL's financial condition and results of operations are impacted by the methods, assumptions and estimates used in the application of critical accounting policies. The following accounting policies are particularly important to the financial condition or results of operations of PPL, and require estimates or other judgments of matters inherently uncertain: price risk management, defined benefits, asset impairment, leasing, loss accruals, asset retirement obligations and income tax uncertainties.
See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in PPL's 2007 Form 10-K for a discussion of each critical accounting policy. PPL's senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies, and the estimates and assumptions regarding them, with its Audit Committee. In addition, PPL's senior management reviewed the Form 10-K disclosures regarding the application of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee.
In 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157. Among other things, SFAS 157 provides a definition of fair value as well as a framework for measuring fair value. In February 2008, the FASB amended SFAS 157 through the issuance of FSP FAS 157-1 and FSP FAS 157-2. FSP FAS 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude from its scope, certain accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements associated with leases. FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).
As permitted by this guidance, PPL partially applied SFAS 157, as amended, prospectively, effective January 1, 2008. In the current year, the partial application of this standard affected, or will affect, fair value measurement concepts used or embedded in PPL's critical accounting policies related to "Price Risk Management" and "Defined Benefits." PPL's election to defer the application of SFAS 157, as amended, for eligible assets and liabilities will primarily affect the fair value component of PPL's critical accounting policies related to "Asset Impairment" and "Asset Retirement Obligations" in 2009. See Notes 2 and 13 to the Financial Statements for additional information regarding SFAS 157, as amended.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
PPL Energy Supply is an energy company with headquarters in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In PPL Energy Supply's 2007 Form 10-K, descriptions of its domestic and international businesses are found in "Item 1. Business - Background." Through its subsidiaries, PPL Energy Supply is primarily engaged in the generation and marketing of electricity in two key markets - the northeastern and western U.S. - and in the delivery of electricity in the U.K. PPL Energy Supply's reportable segments are Supply and International Delivery. In 2007, PPL Energy Supply sold its regulated electricity delivery businesses in Latin America, which were included in the International Delivery segment. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for information on the sales. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview" in PPL Energy Supply's 2007 Form 10-K for a discussion of PPL Energy Supply's strategy and the risks and the challenges that it faces in its business. See "Forward-Looking Information," Note 10 to the Financial Statements and the rest of this Item 2 in this Form 10-Q and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and the rest of Item 7 in PPL Energy Supply's 2007 Form 10-K for more information concerning the material risks and uncertainties that PPL Energy Supply faces in its businesses and with respect to its future earnings.
The following information should be read in conjunction with PPL Energy Supply's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes and with PPL Energy Supply's 2007 Form 10-K.
Terms and abbreviations are explained in the glossary. Dollars are in millions unless otherwise noted.
Results of Operations
The following discussion begins with a summary of PPL Energy Supply's earnings. "Results of Operations" continues with a review of results by reportable segment and a description of key factors by segment that management expects may impact future earnings. This section ends with explanations of significant changes in principal items on PPL Energy Supply's Statements of Income, comparing the three months ended March 31, 2008, with the same period in 2007.
Earnings
Net income was $204 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with $147 million for the same period in 2007.
The changes in net income from period to period were, in part, attributable to several special items that management considers significant. Details of these special items are provided within the review of each segment's earnings.
The period-to-period changes in significant earnings components, including domestic gross energy margins by region and significant income statement line items, are explained in the "Statement of Income Analysis."
The results for interim periods can be disproportionately influenced by various factors and developments and by seasonal variations, and as such, the results of operations for interim periods do not necessarily indicate results or trends for the year or for future operating results.
Segment Results
Net income by segment was:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Supply | $ | 106 | $ | 119 | ||||
International Delivery | 98 | 28 | ||||||
Total | $ | 204 | $ | 147 |
Supply Segment
The Supply segment primarily consists of the domestic energy marketing, domestic generation and domestic development operations of PPL Energy Supply. In August 2007, PPL Energy Supply completed the sale of its domestic telecommunication operations. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
Supply segment net income was:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Energy revenues | $ | 779 | $ | 761 | ||||
Energy-related businesses | 105 | 173 | ||||||
Total operating revenues | 884 | 934 | ||||||
Fuel and energy purchases | 285 | 341 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 237 | 188 | ||||||
Depreciation | 41 | 38 | ||||||
Taxes, other than income | 2 | 8 | ||||||
Energy-related businesses | 103 | 196 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 668 | 771 | ||||||
Other Income – net | 8 | 13 | ||||||
Interest Expense | 33 | 27 | ||||||
Income Taxes | 85 | 29 | ||||||
Minority Interest | 1 | |||||||
Net Income | $ | 106 | $ | 119 |
The after-tax change in net income between these periods was due to the following factors.
Eastern U.S. non-trading margins | $ | (12 | ) | ||
Net energy trading margins | (6 | ) | |||
Operating expenses | (7 | ) | |||
Taxes, other than income | 4 | ||||
Interest expense | (4 | ) | |||
Earnings from synfuel projects | (27 | ) | |||
Realized earnings on nuclear decommissioning trust | (3 | ) | |||
Other | 1 | ||||
Special items | 41 | ||||
$ | (13 | ) |
· | See "Domestic Gross Energy Margins" for an explanation of non-trading margins by geographic region and for an explanation of net energy trading margins. |
· | Higher operating expenses were primarily attributable to higher operating costs at the fossil generating stations primarily due to unplanned outages, the timing of planned outages and higher operating costs in the energy marketing organization. |
· | Lower earnings contribution from synfuel projects was the result of the expiration of federal tax credits and closure of the synfuel facilities at the end of 2007. |
The following after-tax amounts, which management considers special items, also had a significant impact on the Supply segment earnings. See the indicated Notes to the Financial Statements for additional information.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Mark-to-market adjustments from certain economic non-trading hedges (a) | $ | 50 | $ | 10 | ||||
Sale of domestic telecommunication operations (Note 8) | (18 | ) | ||||||
PJM billing dispute | (1 | ) | ||||||
Colstrip groundwater litigation (Note 10) | (5 | ) | ||||||
Synthetic fuel tax adjustment (Note 10) | (13 | ) | ||||||
Total | $ | 32 | $ | (9 | ) |
(a) | These economic hedge transactions do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133, however they economically hedge a specific risk and do not represent speculative trading activity. These transactions are highly probable of going to physical delivery; therefore, the mark-to-market gains or losses on these transactions will reverse by the time the transactions settle in the future. See "Changes in Domestic Gross Energy Margins by Region" and Note 14 to the Financial Statements for additional information regarding economic activity. |
2008 Outlook
Excluding special items, PPL Energy Supply projects lower earnings in its Supply segment in 2008 compared with 2007 as a result of the expiration of synfuel-related benefits and higher depreciation relating to the installation of scrubbers in 2008 at its Montour and Brunner Island coal-fired power plants. PPL Energy Supply expects these negative effects to be partially offset by higher energy margins as a result of higher-valued wholesale energy contracts and higher overall baseload generation compared with 2007. PPL Energy Supply expects most of its increased energy margins to be realized in the second half of 2008.
As discussed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in PPL Energy Supply's 2007 Form 10-K, activities by the FERC, other governmental authorities and other involved parties can have a significant effect on market prices for wholesale electricity, and thus on the margins that PPL EnergyPlus achieves on its future sales of energy. In April 2008, the FERC denied PJM's request to increase the Cost of New Entry element of the PJM capacity pricing formula. In a separate action, in connection with Duquesne Light Company's (Duquesne) decision to leave PJM, in April 2008 the FERC ruled that PJM may grant capacity resources in the Duquesne zone transmission rights that would facilitate inclusion of such capacity in PJM’s Reliability Pricing Model (RPM) capacity markets, beginning with the 2011-2012 planning year auction, notwithstanding that such capacity would be treated as external generation to PJM at the time it had to be delivered. In response, PJM has indicated that it will grant generators in the Duquesne zone of PJM the necessary transmission rights. These FERC and PJM actions are expected to reduce capacity prices for the 2011-2012 RPM capacity auction scheduled to take place in May 2008 and possibly for future RPM capacity auctions. Because a large portion of PPL Energy Supply's generating capacity is located in PJM, the impact of any such reduced RPM capacity prices on PPL Energy Supply could be material. PPL Energy Supply cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these or related FERC proceedings and the impact on capacity prices in PJM or on PPL Energy Supply’s financial results.
International Delivery Segment
The International Delivery segment includes operations of the international energy businesses of PPL Global that are primarily focused on the distribution of electricity. PPL Global's primary remaining international business is located in the U.K. In 2007, PPL Energy Supply completed the sale of its Latin American operating businesses. PPL Global expects to recognize income tax adjustments and incur expenses in 2008 as the remaining Latin American holding companies are dissolved. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
The International Delivery segment results in 2008 and 2007 reflect the reclassification of Latin American revenues and expenses to Discontinued Operations.
International Delivery segment net income was:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Utility revenues | $ | 241 | $ | 216 | ||||
Energy-related businesses | 9 | 10 | ||||||
Total operating revenues | 250 | 226 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 46 | 56 | ||||||
Depreciation | 36 | 43 | ||||||
Taxes, other than income | 17 | 16 | ||||||
Energy-related businesses | 3 | 5 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 102 | 120 | ||||||
Other Income - net | 3 | 11 | ||||||
Interest Expense | 38 | 49 | ||||||
Income Taxes | 20 | 15 | ||||||
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations | 5 | (25 | ) | |||||
Net Income | $ | 98 | $ | 28 |
The after-tax change in net income between these periods was due to the following factors, including Discontinued Operations.
U.K.: | |||||
Delivery margins | $ | 16 | |||
Depreciation | 5 | ||||
Operating expenses | 6 | ||||
Interest expense | 3 | ||||
Income taxes | 12 | ||||
Foreign currency exchange rates | 1 | ||||
Gain on transfer of international equity investment (Note 8) | (5 | ) | |||
Hyder liquidation distributions (Note 8) | (2 | ) | |||
Other | (1 | ) | |||
Discontinued operations (Note 8) | (10 | ) | |||
Other | 5 | ||||
Special item | 40 | ||||
$ | 70 |
· | The U.K.'s earnings were favorably impacted by higher delivery margins primarily due to higher prices, which include the annual regulatory adjustment for inflation. |
· | Lower U.K. operating expenses were primarily due to lower pension expense resulting from an improvement in the fair value of pension assets and an increase in the discount rate. |
· | Lower U.K. income taxes were due to a favorable U.K. taxing authority determination. |
The following after-tax amount, which management considers a special item, also had a significant impact on the International Delivery segment earnings.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Sale of Latin American businesses (Note 8) | $ | (40 | ) |
2008 Outlook
Excluding special items, PPL Energy Supply projects the earnings of its International Delivery segment will decline in 2008 compared with 2007. This decline is a result of the 2007 sale of PPL Energy Supply's Latin American businesses and higher U.S. income taxes primarily driven by the U.S. income tax benefits realized in 2007. Partially offsetting the impact of these negative earnings drivers are higher revenues in WPD's electricity distribution businesses and lower pension expense.
Statement of Income Analysis --
Domestic Gross Energy Margins
The following table provides pre-tax changes in the income statement line items that comprise domestic gross energy margins.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Wholesale energy marketing | $ | 9 | |||
Wholesale energy marketing to affiliate | 8 | ||||
Unregulated retail electric | 12 | ||||
Net energy trading margins | (11 | ) | |||
Other revenue adjustments (a) | (30 | ) | |||
Total revenues | (12 | ) | |||
Fuel | 10 | ||||
Energy purchases | (57 | ) | |||
Energy purchases from affiliate | (9 | ) | |||
Other cost adjustments (a) | (1 | ) | |||
Total cost of sales | (57 | ) | |||
Domestic gross energy margins | $ | 45 |
(a) | Adjusted to exclude the impact of any revenues and costs not associated with domestic gross energy margins, consistent with the way management reviews domestic gross energy margins internally. These exclusions include revenues and energy costs related to WPD. Also adjusted to include gains or losses on sales of emission allowances, which are included in "Other operation and maintenance" expenses on the Statements of Income. |
Changes in Domestic Gross Energy Margins By Region
Domestic gross energy margins are generated through PPL Energy Supply's non-trading and trading activities. PPL Energy Supply manages its non-trading energy business on a geographic basis that is aligned with its generation assets. PPL Energy Supply further segregates non-trading activities into two categories: hedge activity and economic activity. Economic activity represents the net unrealized effect of derivative transactions that are entered into as economic hedges, and that do not qualify for hedge accounting, or hedge accounting was not elected, under SFAS 133.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Non-trading | |||||
Eastern U.S. | $ | 57 | |||
Western U.S. | (1 | ) | |||
Net energy trading | (11 | ) | |||
Domestic gross energy margins | $ | 45 |
Eastern U.S.
Eastern U.S. non-trading margins that resulted from economic activity and hedge ineffectiveness were $79 million higher during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. This increase was due to unrealized gains on purchases to supply full requirements contracts, which was driven by increases in power and gas prices.
Eastern U.S. non-trading margins, excluding results from economic activity and hedge ineffectiveness, were $22 million lower during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to higher average fuel prices, which were up 8%, and lower baseload generation from the retirement of the Martins Creek coal units in September 2007, which was down 2%. Partially offsetting these lower margins was improved wholesale activity, which was driven by higher sales volumes and favorable pricing.
Net Energy Trading
PPL Energy Supply enters into energy contracts to take advantage of market opportunities. As a result, PPL Energy Supply may at times create a net open position in its portfolio that could result in significant losses if prices do not move in the manner or direction anticipated. The margins from these trading activities are reflected in the Statements of Income as "Net energy trading margins." These physical and financial contracts cover trading activity associated with electricity, gas and oil.
Net energy trading margins decreased by $11 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. The entire decrease was due to lower unrealized margins.
The realized physical volumes for electricity and gas associated with energy trading were:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
GWh | 4,438 | 2,788 | ||||||
Bcf | 5.6 | 5.3 |
Utility Revenues
The increase in utility revenues was attributable to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
U.K. retail electric revenue | $ | 22 | |||
U.K. foreign currency exchange rates | 3 | ||||
$ | 25 |
The increase in U.K. utility revenues, excluding foreign currency exchange rate impacts, was primarily due to an increase in prices effective April 1, 2007.
Energy-related Businesses
Energy-related businesses contributed $26 million more to operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. The increase was primarily attributable to:
· | a $31 million impairment in 2007 of domestic telecommunication assets that were subsequently sold in 2007 (see Note 8 to the Financial Statements); and |
· | $16 million less in operating losses from synfuel projects. The projects ceased operation at the end of 2007; partially offset by |
· | a $21 million net gain on options purchased to hedge the risk associated with the phase-out of the synthetic fuel tax credits in 2007. No such options were held in 2008 as PPL Energy Supply's synthetic fuel operations have ceased. |
See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for additional information on the synthetic fuel tax credits and the synfuel projects.
Other Operation and Maintenance
The increase in other operation and maintenance expenses was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Lower gains on sales of emission allowances | $ | 29 | |||
Salary expense | 15 | ||||
Outage costs at Western and Eastern U.S. fossil/hydro stations | 7 | ||||
Colstrip groundwater litigation (Note 10) | 7 | ||||
Outage costs at Susquehanna nuclear station | (2 | ) | |||
Defined benefit costs | (8 | ) | |||
Allocation of certain corporate service costs (Note 11) | (8 | ) | |||
Other | (1 | ) | |||
$ | 39 |
Depreciation
The decrease in depreciation expense was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Additions to PP&E | $ | 6 | |||
Extension of useful lives of certain WPD network assets in 2007 | (10 | ) | |||
$ | (4 | ) |
Taxes, Other Than Income
Taxes, other than income decreased by $5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in PPL Montana's property taxes, as the 2008 period included a $7 million refund credit. This credit was partially offset by a $1 million increase in WPD property taxes.
Other Income - net
See Note 12 to the Financial Statements for details of other income.
Interest Expense
The decrease in interest expense, which includes "Interest Expense with Affiliates," was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Long-term debt interest expense | $ | 3 | |||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | 2 | ||||
Redemption of 8.23% Subordinated Debentures in 2007 | (4 | ) | |||
Capitalized interest | (8 | ) | |||
Other | 2 | ||||
$ | (5 | ) |
Income Taxes
The increase in income taxes was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Synthetic fuel and other tax credits | $ | 39 | |||
Higher pre-tax book income | 33 | ||||
Tax expense on foreign earnings | 3 | ||||
Tax reserve adjustments (Note 5) | (11 | ) | |||
Other | (3 | ) | |||
$ | 61 |
See Note 5 to the Financial Statements for details on effective income tax rates.
Discontinued Operations
See "Discontinued Operations" in Note 8 to the Financial Statements for information on the 2007 sale of PPL Energy Supply's Latin American operating businesses, along with information regarding the operating results of such businesses.
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
PPL Energy Supply had the following at:
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 246 | $ | 355 | ||||
Short-term investments (a) | 100 | 102 | ||||||
$ | 346 | $ | 457 | |||||
Short-term debt | $ | 51 |
(a) | Includes $11 million and $10 million of auction rate securities at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. See below for further discussion of auction rate securities. |
The $109 million decrease in PPL Energy Supply's cash and cash equivalents position was primarily the net result of:
· | distributions to Member of $492 million; |
· | $266 million of capital expenditures; |
· | an increase of $82 million in restricted cash and cash equivalents; |
· | a net decrease in short-term debt of $50 million (excluding the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments); |
· | $25 million in net purchases of auction rate securities; |
· | $18 million in net purchases of emission allowances; |
· | $451 million of cash provided by operating activities; and |
· | proceeds of $399 million from the issuance of long-term debt. |
Auction Rate Securities
At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, PPL Energy Supply had $35 million and $10 million of auction rate securities, of which $11 million and $10 million were reflected as short-term investments at such dates. Investor concerns over insurers who guarantee the credit of certain of the underlying securities and other conditions have resulted in many investors of auction rate securities being unable to sell such securities at auction in recent months. In certain instances, this has resulted in investors continuing to own these securities, generally at higher interest rates. PPL Energy Supply currently believes that it does not have material loss exposure given the high quality of the underlying securities. Subsequent to March 31, 2008, an aggregate of $11 million of auction rate securities have either been liquidated or called for redemption at par value by the issuers. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of auction rate securities.
Credit Facilities
In March 2008, PPL Energy Supply increased the capacity of its 364-day reimbursement agreement, under which it can cause the bank to issue letters of credit, from $200 million to $300 million and extended the expiration date of the agreement to March 2009.
PPL Energy Supply currently does not expect to make any modifications in 2008, including extending the expiration date, to its $3.4 billion five-year credit facility that expires in June 2012.
In January 2008, WPDH Limited extended the expiration date of its £150 million (approximately $298 million) five-year committed credit facility to January 2013, and it has the option to extend the expiration date by another year in January 2009.
Financing Activities
In March 2008, PPL Energy Supply issued $400 million of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2018 (the Notes). The Notes may be redeemed any time prior to maturity at PPL Energy Supply's option at make-whole redemption prices. PPL Energy Supply received proceeds of $396 million, net of a discount and underwriting fees, from the issuance of the Notes. The proceeds have been used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures relating to the installation of pollution control equipment by PPL Energy Supply subsidiaries.
The terms of PPL Energy Supply's 2-5/8% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (Convertible Senior Notes) include a market price trigger that permits holders to convert the notes during any fiscal quarter if the closing sale price of PPL's common stock exceeds $29.83 for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter. Holders of the Convertible Senior Notes were entitled to convert their notes at any time during the first quarter of 2008 and are also entitled to convert their notes any time during the second quarter of 2008, as a result of the market price trigger being met. When holders elect to convert the Convertible Senior Notes, PPL Energy Supply is required to settle the principal amount in cash and any conversion premium in cash or PPL common stock. During the first quarter of 2008, Convertible Senior Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $9 million were presented for conversion. The total conversion premium related to these conversions was $7 million, which was settled with 158,945 shares of PPL common stock, along with an insignificant amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares. After such conversions, approximately $48 million of Convertible Senior Notes remain outstanding.
The holders of the Convertible Senior Notes have the right to require PPL Energy Supply to purchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of the Convertible Senior Notes on May 15, 2008 at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of such date. Additionally, in April 2008, the holders were notified that PPL Energy Supply is calling for redemption on May 20, 2008 all outstanding Convertible Senior Notes at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of such date. The Convertible Senior Notes are subject to conversion at the election of the holders any time prior to May 20, 2008. PPL and PPL Energy Supply have, and expect to continue to have, access to sufficient liquidity sources to fund the redemptions and conversions of the outstanding Convertible Senior Notes.
In April 2008, PPL Energy Supply elected to change the interest rate mode on the Exempt Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2007 due 2037 (the Bonds) that were issued by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority on behalf of PPL Energy Supply in December 2007. The interest rate mode was converted from a rate that was reset daily through daily remarketing of the Bonds to a term rate of 1.80% for one year.
Rating Agency Decisions
Moody's, S&P and Fitch periodically review the credit ratings on the debt and preferred securities of PPL Energy Supply and its subsidiaries. Based on their respective independent reviews, the rating agencies may make certain ratings revisions or ratings affirmations.
A credit rating reflects an assessment by the rating agency of the creditworthiness associated with an issuer and particular securities that it issues. The credit ratings of PPL Energy Supply and its subsidiaries are based on information provided by PPL Energy Supply and other sources. The ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities of PPL Energy Supply or its subsidiaries. Such ratings may be subject to revisions or withdrawal by the agencies at any time and should be evaluated independently of each other and any other rating that may be assigned to the securities. A downgrade in PPL Energy Supply's or its subsidiaries' credit ratings could result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to capital markets.
Moody's and S&P did not take any actions related to PPL Energy Supply and its rated subsidiaries during the first quarter of 2008. In March 2008, Fitch completed a review of its credit ratings for PPL Energy Supply and affirmed all its ratings.
For additional information on PPL Energy Supply's liquidity and capital resources, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in PPL Energy Supply's 2007 Form 10-K.
Risk Management - Energy Marketing & Trading and Other
Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk (Non-trading)
PPL Energy Supply's non-trading commodity derivative contracts mature at various times through 2017. PPL Energy Supply segregates its non-trading activities into two categories: hedge activity and economic activity. Transactions that are accounted for as hedge activity qualify for hedge accounting treatment under SFAS 133. The majority of PPL Energy Supply's energy transactions qualify for accrual or hedge accounting. The economic activity category includes transactions that address a specific risk, but were not eligible for hedge accounting or for which hedge accounting was not elected. Included in this category are certain load-following energy obligations and related supply contracts, options, FTRs, and crude oil swaps to hedge rail transportation. Although they do not receive hedge accounting treatment, these transactions are considered non-trading activity. The fair value of economic activity at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, including net premiums on options, was $141 million and $67 million. The following chart sets forth the net fair value of PPL Energy Supply's non-trading commodity derivative contracts. For the period ended March 31, 2008, these amounts reflect the fair value as defined by SFAS 157, as amended. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the beginning of the period | $ | (305 | ) | $ | (111 | ) | ||
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period | 8 | 23 | ||||||
Fair value of new contracts entered into during the period | 100 | 92 | ||||||
Changes in fair value attributable to changes in valuation techniques (a) | 55 | |||||||
Other changes in fair value | (126 | ) | (17 | ) | ||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the end of the period | $ | (268 | ) | $ | (13 | ) |
(a) | Amount represents the reduction of valuation reserves related to capacity and FTR contracts upon the adoption of SFAS 157. |
The following chart segregates fair values of PPL Energy Supply's non-trading commodity derivative contracts at March 31, 2008, based on whether the fair values are determined by quoted market prices for identical instruments or other more subjective means.
Fair Value of Contracts at Period-End Gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maturity Less Than 1 Year | Maturity 1-3 Years | Maturity 4-5 Years | Maturity in Excess of 5 Years | Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
Source of Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prices quoted in active markets for identical instruments | $ | 6 | $ | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
Prices based on significant other observable inputs | 55 | $ | (392 | ) | $ | (153 | ) | (490 | ) | |||||||||||
Prices based on significant unobservable inputs | 5 | 1 | 49 | $ | 161 | 216 | ||||||||||||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the end of the period | $ | 66 | $ | (391 | ) | $ | (104 | ) | $ | 161 | $ | (268 | ) |
Because of PPL Energy Supply's efforts to hedge the value of energy from its generation assets, PPL Energy Supply sells electricity, capacity and related services and buys fuel on a forward basis, resulting in open contractual positions. If PPL Energy Supply were unable to deliver firm capacity and energy or to accept the delivery of fuel under its agreements, under certain circumstances it could be required to pay damages. These damages would be based on the difference between the market price and the contract price of the commodity. Depending on price volatility in the wholesale energy markets, such damages could be significant. Extreme weather conditions, unplanned power plant outages, transmission disruptions, nonperformance by counterparties (or their own counterparties) with which it has energy contracts and other factors could affect PPL Energy Supply's ability to meet its obligations, or cause significant increases in the market price of replacement energy. Although PPL Energy Supply attempts to mitigate these risks, there can be no assurance that it will be able to fully meet its firm obligations, that it will not be required to pay damages for failure to perform, or that it will not experience counterparty nonperformance in the future.
PPL Energy Supply utilizes a VaR model to measure commodity price risk in its non-trading and trading portfolios. This approach is consistent with how PPL's Risk Management Committee assesses the market risk of its commodity business. VaR is a statistical model that attempts to predict the value of potential loss, under normal market conditions, based on historical market price volatility. PPL Energy Supply calculates VaR using a Monte Carlo simulation technique, which uses historical data from the past 12-month period. The VaR is the estimated nominal loss of earnings based on a one-day holding period at a 95% confidence interval. At March 31, 2008, the VaR for PPL Energy Supply's non-trading portfolio was $19 million.
Commodity Price Risk (Trading)
PPL Energy Supply's trading contracts mature at various times through 2012. The following chart sets forth PPL Energy Supply's net fair value of trading contracts. The three months ended March 31, 2008 reflect fair value as defined by SFAS 157. See Note 13 for additional information.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the beginning of the period | $ | 16 | $ | 41 | ||||
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period | 15 | (13 | ) | |||||
Fair value of new contracts entered into during the period | (8 | ) | 16 | |||||
Changes in fair value attributable to changes in valuation techniques | ||||||||
Other changes in fair value | (1 | ) | 1 | |||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the end of the period | $ | 22 | $ | 45 |
PPL Energy Supply will reverse unrealized gains of approximately $13 million over the next three months as the transactions are realized.
The following chart segregates fair values of PPL Energy Supply's trading portfolio at March 31, 2008, based on whether the fair values are determined by quoted market prices for identical instruments or other more subjective means.
Fair Value of Contracts at Period-End Gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maturity Less Than 1 Year | Maturity 1-3 Years | Maturity 4-5 Years | Maturity in Excess of 5 Years | Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
Source of Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prices quoted in active markets for identical instruments | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||
Prices based on significant other observable inputs | 14 | 13 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||
Prices based on significant unobservable inputs | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of contracts outstanding at the end of the period | $ | 8 | $ | 14 | $ | 22 |
See "Commodity Price Risk (Non-trading)" for information on PPL's VaR model. At March 31, 2008, the VaR for PPL Energy Supply's trading portfolio was insignificant.
Commodity Price Risk Summary
In accordance with its marketing strategy, PPL Energy Supply often elects not to completely hedge its generation output or fuel requirements. PPL Energy Supply estimates that for its entire portfolio, including all generation, emissions and physical and financial energy positions, a 10% adverse change in power prices across all geographic zones and time periods would decrease expected 2008 gross margins by $15 million. Similarly, a 10% adverse movement in all fossil fuel prices would decrease expected 2008 gross margins by $5 million.
Interest Rate Risk
PPL Energy Supply and its subsidiaries have issued debt to finance their operations, which exposes them to interest rate risk. Both PPL and PPL Energy Supply manage the interest rate risk of PPL Energy Supply by using various financial derivative products to adjust the mix of fixed and floating interest rates in PPL Energy Supply's debt portfolio, adjust the duration of its debt portfolio and lock in Treasury rates (and interest rate spreads over Treasuries) in anticipation of future financing, when appropriate. Risk limits under the risk management program are designed to balance risk exposure to volatility in interest expense and changes in the fair value of PPL Energy Supply's debt portfolio due to changes in the absolute level of interest rates.
At March 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply's potential annual exposure to increased interest expense, based on a 10% increase in interest rates, was $2 million.
PPL Energy Supply is also exposed to changes in the fair value of its domestic and international debt portfolios. PPL Energy Supply estimated that a 10% decrease in interest rates at March 31, 2008, would increase the fair value of its debt portfolio by $299 million.
PPL and PPL Energy Supply utilize various risk management instruments to reduce PPL Energy Supply's exposure to the expected future cash flow variability of its debt instruments. These risks include exposure to adverse interest rate movements for outstanding variable rate debt and for future anticipated financing. While PPL Energy Supply is exposed to changes in the fair value of these instruments, any changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in equity and then reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the item being hedged affects earnings. At March 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply had none of these instruments outstanding.
PPL and PPL Energy Supply also utilize various risk management instruments to adjust the mix of fixed and floating interest rates in PPL Energy Supply's debt portfolio. The change in fair value of these instruments, as well as the offsetting change in the value of the hedged exposure of the debt, is reflected in earnings. At March 31, 2008, the fair value of these instruments was a net asset of $4 million. PPL Energy Supply estimated that a 10% adverse movement in interest rates at March 31, 2008, would decrease the net asset by $1 million.
WPDH Limited holds a net position in cross-currency swaps totaling $527 million to hedge the interest payments and principal of its U.S. dollar-denominated bonds with maturity dates ranging from December 2008 to December 2028. While PPL Energy Supply is exposed to changes in the fair value of these instruments, any changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in equity and then reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the item being hedged affects earnings. The estimated fair value of this position at March 31, 2008, was a net liability of $115 million. WPDH Limited estimated that a 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates at March 31, 2008, would increase the net liability by $101 million.
Foreign Currency Risk
PPL Energy Supply is exposed to foreign currency risk, primarily through investments in U.K. affiliates. In addition, PPL Energy Supply's domestic operations may make purchases of equipment in currencies other than U.S. dollars.
PPL and PPL Energy Supply have adopted a foreign currency risk management program designed to hedge certain foreign currency exposures, including firm commitments, recognized assets or liabilities, anticipated transactions and net investments. In addition, PPL and PPL Energy Supply enter into financial instruments to protect against foreign currency translation risk of expected earnings.
In 2007, PPL executed forward contracts to sell British pounds sterling to protect the value of a portion of PPL Energy Supply's net investment in WPD. In connection with these transactions, PPL Energy Supply entered into forward contracts with PPL that have terms identical to those executed by PPL. The total notional amount of the contracts outstanding at March 31, 2008, was £68 million. The settlement dates of these contracts range from March 2009 through June 2011. At March 31, 2008, the fair value of these positions was a net asset of $5 million. PPL Energy Supply estimated that a 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates at March 31, 2008, would decrease the net asset by $12 million.
To economically hedge the translation of 2008 expected income denominated in British pounds sterling to U.S. dollars, PPL entered into a combination of average rate forwards and average rate options to sell British pounds sterling. In connection with these transactions, PPL Energy Supply entered into average rate forwards and average rate options with PPL that have terms identical to those executed by PPL. At March 31, 2008, the total exposure hedged was £66 million. These forwards and options have termination dates ranging from April 2008 to December 2008. At March 31, 2008, the net fair value of these positions was not significant. PPL Energy Supply estimated that a 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates at March 31, 2008, would decrease the net asset position by $11 million.
Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Trust Funds - Securities Price Risk
In connection with certain NRC requirements, PPL Susquehanna maintains trust funds to fund certain costs of decommissioning the Susquehanna nuclear station. As of March 31, 2008, these funds were invested primarily in domestic equity securities and fixed-rate, fixed-income securities and are reflected at fair value on PPL Energy Supply's Balance Sheet. The mix of securities is designed to provide returns sufficient to fund Susquehanna's decommissioning and to compensate for inflationary increases in decommissioning costs. However, the equity securities included in the trusts are exposed to price fluctuation in equity markets, and the values of fixed-rate, fixed-income securities are exposed to changes in interest rates. PPL actively monitors the investment performance and periodically reviews asset allocation in accordance with its nuclear plant decommissioning trust policy statement. At March 31, 2008, a hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates and a 10% decrease in equity prices would have resulted in an estimated $36 million reduction in the fair value of the trust assets. See Note 21 in PPL Energy Supply's 2007 Form 10-K for additional information regarding the nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds.
Related Party Transactions
PPL Energy Supply is not aware of any material ownership interests or operating responsibility by senior management of PPL Energy Supply in outside partnerships, including leasing transactions with variable interest entities, or other entities doing business with PPL Energy Supply.
For additional information on related party transactions, see Note 11 to the Financial Statements.
Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures
PPL Energy Supply continuously evaluates strategic options for its business segments and, from time to time, PPL Energy Supply and its subsidiaries are involved in negotiations with third parties regarding acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets, joint ventures and development projects, which may or may not result in definitive agreements. Any such transactions may impact future financial results. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for information regarding recent transactions.
PPL Energy Supply is currently planning incremental capacity increases of 331 MW at several existing domestic generating facilities. Offsetting this increase is an expected 30 MW reduction in net generation capability at each of the Brunner Island and Montour plants, due to the estimated increases in station service usage during the scrubber operation. See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
PPL Energy Supply continuously reexamines development projects based on market conditions and other factors to determine whether to proceed with the projects, sell, cancel or expand them, execute tolling agreements or pursue other options.
Environmental Matters
See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of environmental matters.
New Accounting Standards
See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting standards adopted and Note 18 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting standards pending adoption.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
PPL Energy Supply's financial condition and results of operations are impacted by the methods, assumptions and estimates used in the application of critical accounting policies. The following accounting policies are particularly important to the financial condition or results of operations of PPL Energy Supply, and require estimates or other judgments of matters inherently uncertain: price risk management, defined benefits, asset impairment, leasing, loss accruals, asset retirement obligations and income tax uncertainties.
See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in PPL Energy Supply's 2007 Form 10-K for a discussion of each critical accounting policy. PPL's senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies, and the estimates and assumptions regarding them, with its Audit Committee. In addition, PPL's senior management reviewed the Form 10-K disclosures regarding the application of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee.
In 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157. Among other things, SFAS 157 provides a definition of fair value as well as a framework for measuring fair value. In February 2008, the FASB amended SFAS 157 through the issuance of FSP FAS 157-1 and FSP FAS 157-2. FSP FAS 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude from its scope, certain accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements associated with leases. FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).
As permitted by this guidance, PPL Energy Supply partially applied SFAS 157, as amended, prospectively, effective January 1, 2008. In the current year, the partial application of this standard affected, or will affect, fair value measurement concepts used or embedded in PPL Energy Supply's critical accounting policies related to "Price Risk Management" and "Defined Benefits." PPL Energy Supply's election to defer the application of SFAS 157, as amended, for eligible assets and liabilities will primarily affect the fair value component of PPL Energy Supply's critical accounting policies related to "Asset Impairment" and "Asset Retirement Obligations" in 2009. See Notes 2 and 13 to the Financial Statements for additional information regarding SFAS 157, as amended.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
PPL Electric provides electricity delivery service in eastern and central Pennsylvania. Its headquarters are in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In PPL Electric's 2007 Form 10-K, see "Item 1. Business - - Background" for a description of its business and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview" for a discussion of its strategy and the risks and the challenges that it faces in its business. See "Forward-Looking Information," Note 10 to the Financial Statements and the rest of this Item 2 in this Form 10-Q and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and the rest of Item 7 in PPL Electric's 2007 Form 10-K for more information concerning the material risks and uncertainties that PPL Electric faces in its business and with respect to its future earnings.
The following information should be read in conjunction with PPL Electric's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes and with PPL Electric's 2007 Form 10-K.
Terms and abbreviations are explained in the glossary. Dollars are in millions unless otherwise noted.
Results of Operations
The following discussion begins with a summary of PPL Electric's earnings and continues with a description of key factors that management expects may impact future earnings. This section ends with explanations of significant changes in principal items on PPL Electric's Statements of Income, comparing the three months ended March 31, 2008, with the same period in 2007.
The results for interim periods can be disproportionately influenced by various factors and developments and by seasonal variations, and as such, the results of operations for interim periods do not necessarily indicate results or trends for the year or for future operating results.
Earnings
Income available to PPL was $51 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with $52 million for the same period in 2007.
The after-tax change in income available to PPL between these periods was due to the following factors.
Delivery revenues (net of CTC/ITC amortization, interest expense on transition bonds and ancillary charges) | $ | 10 | |||
Operating expenses | (7 | ) | |||
Other income - net | (4 | ) | |||
$ | (1 | ) |
The period-to-period changes in significant earnings components are explained in the "Statement of Income Analysis."
PPL Electric's period-to-period earnings were affected by:
· | Higher delivery revenues were attributable to normal load growth and a base rate increase effective January 1, 2008. |
· | Higher operating expenses were primarily due to higher storm restoration costs and other inflationary increases. |
· | Lower other income primarily due to a gain on the sale of land in 2007. |
2008 Outlook
PPL Electric projects higher earnings driven by higher revenues as a result of new distribution rates that became effective January 1, 2008, partially offset by higher operating expenses.
In May 2007, the PUC approved final regulations regarding the obligation of Pennsylvania electric utilities to provide default electricity supply in 2011 and beyond. The new regulations provide that default service providers will acquire electricity supply at prevailing market prices pursuant to procurement and implementation plans approved by the PUC. The regulations also address the utilities' recovery of market supply costs. The final regulations became effective in September 2007.
In May 2007, the PUC approved PPL Electric's plan to procure default electricity supply in 2007-2009 for retail customers who do not choose an alternative competitive supplier in 2010 after PPL Electric's PLR contract with an affiliate expires. Under the plan, PPL Electric was approved to issue a series of competitive bids for such supply in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Each solicitation is for 850 MW of expected generation supply, or one-sixth of PPL Electric's expected PLR supply requirement in 2010. The average generation supply prices (per MWh), including Pennsylvania gross receipts tax and an adjustment for line losses, for the first three solicitations were as follows:
Residential | Small Commercial and Small Industrial | ||||||||
July 2007 | $ | 101.77 | $ | 105.11 | |||||
October 2007 | 105.08 | 105.75 | |||||||
March 2008 | 108.80 | 108.76 |
As a result, PPL Electric has contracted for one-half of the electricity supply it expects to need for 2010. If the average prices paid for the supply purchased so far were to be the same for the remaining three purchases, the average residential customer's monthly bill in 2010 would increase about 34.4% over 2009 levels, while small commercial and small industrial bills would increase in the range of 23.8% to 42.8%. The estimated increases include Pennsylvania gross receipts tax, an adjustment for line losses, PPL Electric's January 1, 2008 rate increase and a court-ordered rate adjustment in 2007. Actual 2010 prices will not be known until all six supply purchases have been made. The fourth solicitation will be conducted in September 2008.
In addition, the Governor of Pennsylvania proposed an Energy Independence Strategy (Strategy) in early 2007 which, among other things, contains initiatives to address PLR issues. For example, under the Strategy as originally proposed, retail customers could elect to phase-in over three years any initial generation rate increase approved by the PUC. Also, PLR providers would be required to obtain a "least cost portfolio" of supply by purchasing power in the spot market and through contracts of varying lengths, and the provider would be required to procure energy conservation resources before acquiring additional power. In addition, PLR providers could enter into long-term contracts with large energy users and alternative energy developers. It is uncertain at this time whether the details of implementing the Strategy, including the issues of deferral of costs and recovery of interest for the customer rate phase-in program and the timing of PUC approval for PLR supply portfolios, will be delegated to the PUC.
Components of the Strategy are included in various bills. One such bill that passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (House) in February 2008 contains conservation and demand-side management targets and mandatory deployment of smart metering technology. The bill provides for full and current cost recovery through an energy efficiency and demand-side management recovery mechanism.
In September 2007, the Pennsylvania General Assembly convened a special session to address the proposals in the Governor's Strategy. Central to the Governor's Strategy is an $850 million Energy Independence Fund to support alternative and renewable energy sources and energy conservation that would be funded through revenue bonds and a surcharge on electricity bills. The Pennsylvania Senate (Senate) has formed a special committee to manage legislation for the special legislative session. As an alternative to the Governor's $850 million Energy Independence Fund, the full Senate has approved a bill that would create a $650 million fund for clean energy projects, conservation and energy efficiency initiatives and pollution control projects that would be funded through revenue bonds and gross receipts tax revenue, which will increase as rate caps expire. The House passed similar legislation to create an $850 million fund, also to be funded primarily through revenue bonds, while also allowing the use of gross receipts tax revenue.
Since September 2007, PPL Electric has been working with Pennsylvania legislators, regulators and other stakeholders to develop constructive measures to help customers transition to market rates after 2009, including a variety of rate mitigation, educational and energy conservation programs, consistent with several initiatives being developed by the state administration and legislature. In this regard, in November 2007, PPL Electric requested the PUC to approve a plan under which its residential and small commercial customers could smooth the impact of price increases when generation rate caps expire in 2010. The proposed phase-in plan provided that customers could pay additional amounts on their electric bills beginning in mid-2008 and continuing through 2009, and such additional amounts, plus accrued interest, would be applied to their 2010 and 2011 electric bills, mitigating the impact of the rate cap expiration. PPL Electric requested expedited consideration of the proposal by the PUC. Ten parties filed responses to PPL Electric's petition, primarily because the proposal offered the program on an "opt-out" basis (i.e., customers would be enrolled automatically and affirmatively have to "opt-out" if they choose not to participate). The parties negotiated a settlement agreement under which PPL Electric agreed to change the "opt-out" approach to an "opt-in" approach (i.e., customers would have to affirmatively enroll) and to make the program available to customers enrolled in budget billing. In March 2008, the Administrative Law Judge assigned to this case recommended that the PUC approve the settlement agreement. In April 2008, the PUC postponed taking action on the approval of the agreement. In May 2008, as a result of this postponement, PPL Electric announced that it must delay the planned start date for the proposed phase-in option to allow adequate time for PPL Electric to publicize the plan and for eligible customers to make an informed choice about whether to enroll. PPL Electric cannot predict if and when the PUC will take further action in this matter.
Certain Pennsylvania legislators have introduced or are contemplating the introduction of legislation to extend generation rate caps or otherwise limit cost recovery through rates for Pennsylvania utilities beyond their transition periods, which in PPL Electric's case would be December 31, 2009. PPL Electric has expressed strong concern regarding the severe potential consequences of such legislation on customer service, system reliability, adequate future generation supply and PPL Electric's financial viability. If such legislation or similar legislation is enacted, PPL Electric could experience substantial operating losses, cash flow shortfalls and other adverse financial impacts. In addition, continuing uncertainty regarding PPL Electric's ability to recover its market supply and other costs of operation after 2009 could adversely impact its credit quality, financing costs and availability of credit facilities necessary to operate its business. In addition, PPL Electric believes that such an extension of rate caps, if enacted into law, would violate federal law and the U.S. Constitution. At this time, PPL Electric cannot predict the final outcome or impact of this legislative and regulatory process.
Statement of Income Analysis --
Operating Revenues
Retail Electric
The increase in revenues from retail electric operations was attributable to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
PLR | $ | 8 | |||
Delivery | 7 | ||||
$ | 15 |
Higher PLR and delivery revenues were attributable to normal load growth and a base rate increase effective January 1, 2008.
Wholesale Electric to Affiliate
PPL Electric has a contract to sell to PPL EnergyPlus the electricity that PPL Electric purchases under contracts with NUGs. The decrease of $9 million in wholesale electric to affiliate for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007, was primarily due to the expiration of a NUG contract at the end of 2007.
Energy Purchases
The decrease of $10 million in energy purchases for the three months ending March 31, 2008, compared with the same period in 2007, was primarily due to the expiration of a NUG contract at the end of 2007.
Other Operation and Maintenance
The increase in other operation and maintenance expenses was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
PUC-reportable storm costs | $ | 5 | |||
Salary expense | 4 | ||||
Contractor expense | 3 | ||||
Insurance premiums | 2 | ||||
Uncollectible accounts | 2 | ||||
Customer service expense | 2 | ||||
Allocation of certain corporate service costs (Note 11) | (4 | ) | |||
Insurance recovery of storm costs | (5 | ) | |||
Other | 2 | ||||
$ | 11 |
Other Income - net
See Note 12 to the Financial Statements for details of other income.
Financing Costs
The decrease in financing costs, which include "Interest Expense," "Interest Expense with Affiliate" and "Dividends on Preferred Securities," was due to:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 vs. March 31, 2007 | |||||
Long-term debt interest expense primarily due to the repayment of transition bonds | $ | (5 | ) | ||
Other | (2 | ) | |||
$ | (7 | ) |
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
PPL Electric had the following at:
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 124 | $ | 33 | ||||
Short-term debt | 41 | 41 |
The $91 million increase in PPL Electric's cash and cash equivalents position was primarily the net result of:
· | $277 million received for repayment of a demand loan with an affiliate; |
· | the retirement of $82 million of long-term debt; |
· | $58 million of capital expenditures; |
· | $23 million of cash used in operating activities; and |
· | the payment of $18 million of common stock dividends to PPL. |
Credit Facilities
PPL Electric currently does not expect to make any modifications in 2008, including extending the expiration date, to its $200 million five-year credit facility that expires in May 2012.
Rating Agency Decisions
Moody's, S&P and Fitch periodically review the credit ratings on the debt and preferred securities of PPL Electric and PPL Transition Bond Company. Based on their respective independent reviews, the rating agencies may make certain ratings revisions or ratings affirmations.
A credit rating reflects an assessment by the rating agency of the creditworthiness associated with an issuer and particular securities that it issues. The credit ratings of PPL Electric and PPL Transition Bond Company are based on information provided by PPL Electric and other sources. The ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities of PPL Electric or PPL Transition Bond Company. Such ratings may be subject to revisions or withdrawal by the agencies at any time and should be evaluated independently of each other and any other rating that may be assigned to the securities. A downgrade in PPL Electric's or PPL Transition Bond Company's credit ratings could result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to capital markets.
Moody's and S&P did not take any actions related to PPL Electric or PPL Transition Bond Company during the first quarter of 2008. In March 2008, Fitch completed a review of its credit ratings for PPL Electric and affirmed all of the ratings for PPL Electric, with the exception that it lowered the preferred stock rating to BBB from BBB+. Fitch stated in the related press release that the lower preferred stock rating reflects its junior position in the capital structure and does not reflect any change in credit quality.
For additional information on PPL Electric's liquidity and capital resources, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in PPL Electric's 2007 Form 10-K.
Risk Management
Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk - PLR Contracts through 2009
PPL Electric and PPL EnergyPlus have power supply agreements under which PPL EnergyPlus sells to PPL Electric (under a predetermined pricing arrangement) energy and capacity to fulfill PPL Electric's PLR obligation through 2009. As a result, PPL Electric has shifted any electric price risk relating to its PLR obligation to PPL EnergyPlus through 2009. See Note 11 to the Financial Statements for information regarding credit risk associated with the PLR contracts with PPL EnergyPlus.
Commodity Price Risk - PLR Contracts Subsequent to 2009
In order to mitigate the risk that PPL Electric will not be able to obtain adequate energy supply subsequent to 2009, when the full requirements energy supply agreements with PPL EnergyPlus expire, PPL Electric has entered into power purchase agreements that include fixed prices. PPL Electric's future financial performance will be affected by its ability to enter into other new supply contracts, the duration and pricing of such contracts relative to prevailing market conditions, and the regulatory treatment for such contracts and the associated recovery of its supply costs. Depending on these factors, PPL Electric's financial results may be materially adversely affected. See "Results of Operations - Earnings - 2008 Outlook" for information on the PUC-approved procurement plan and other ongoing Pennsylvania regulatory and legislative activities.
Interest Rate Risk
PPL Electric has issued debt to finance its operations, which exposes it to interest rate risk. At March 31, 2008, PPL Electric's potential annual exposure to increased interest expense, based on a 10% increase in interest rates, was not significant.
PPL Electric is also exposed to changes in the fair value of its debt portfolio. PPL Electric estimated that a 10% decrease in interest rates at March 31, 2008, would increase the fair value of its debt portfolio by $46 million.
Related Party Transactions
PPL Electric is not aware of any material ownership interests or operating responsibility by senior management of PPL Electric in outside partnerships, including leasing transactions with variable interest entities, or other entities doing business with PPL Electric.
For additional information on related party transactions, see Note 11 to the Financial Statements.
Environmental Matters
See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of environmental matters.
New Accounting Standards
See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting standards adopted and Note 18 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting standards pending adoption.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
PPL Electric's financial condition and results of operations are impacted by the methods, assumptions and estimates used in the application of critical accounting policies. The following accounting policies are particularly important to the financial condition or results of operations of PPL Electric, and require estimates or other judgments of matters inherently uncertain: defined benefits, loss accruals, income tax uncertainties and regulation.
See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in PPL Electric's 2007 Form 10-K for a discussion of each critical accounting policy. PPL's senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies, and the estimates and assumptions regarding them, with its Audit Committee. In addition, PPL's senior management reviewed the Form 10-K disclosures regarding the application of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee.
In 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157. Among other things, SFAS 157 provides a definition of fair value as well as a framework for measuring fair value. In February 2008, the FASB amended SFAS 157 through the issuance of FSP FAS 157-1 and FSP FAS 157-2. FSP FAS 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude from its scope, certain accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements associated with leases. FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).
As permitted by this guidance, PPL Electric partially applied SFAS 157, as amended, prospectively, effective January 1, 2008. In the current year, the partial application of this standard will affect fair value measurement concepts embedded in PPL Electric's critical accounting policy related to "Defined Benefits." See Notes 2 and 13 to the Financial Statements for additional information regarding SFAS 157, as amended.
PPL CORPORATION
PPL ENERGY SUPPLY, LLC
PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES CORPORATION
Reference is made to "Risk Management - Energy Marketing & Trading and Other" for PPL and PPL Energy Supply and "Risk Management" for PPL Electric in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
PPL Corporation | ||
(a) | Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. | |
The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) have concluded that, as of March 31, 2008, the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to the registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms, particularly during the period for which this quarterly report has been prepared. The aforementioned principal officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are also effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officer, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. | ||
(b) | Change in internal controls over financial reporting. | |
The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that there were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting during the registrant's first fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
PPL Energy Supply, LLC and PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | ||
(a) | Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. | |
The registrants' principal executive officers and principal financial officers, based on their evaluation of the registrants' disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) have concluded that, as of March 31, 2008, the registrants' disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to the registrants and their consolidated subsidiaries is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms, particularly during the period for which this quarterly report has been prepared. The aforementioned principal officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are also effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. | ||
(b) | Change in internal controls over financial reporting. | |
The registrants' principal executive officers and principal financial officers have concluded that there were no changes in the registrants' internal control over financial reporting during the registrants' first fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants' internal control over financial reporting. |
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
For additional information regarding various pending administrative and judicial proceedings involving regulatory, environmental and other matters, which information is incorporated by reference into this Part II, see: | ||
· | "Item 3. Legal Proceedings" in PPL's, PPL Energy Supply's and PPL Electric's 2007 Form 10-K; and | |
· | Note 10 of the registrants' "Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" in Part I of this report. |
There have been no material changes in PPL's, PPL Energy Supply's and PPL Electric's risk factors from those disclosed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of the 2007 Form 10-K. |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
(a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | |
Period | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased (1) | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2) | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2) |
January 1 to January 31, 2008 | 21,305 | $46.59 | 0 | $38,301,209 |
February 1 to February 29, 2008 | 802,816 | $47.64 | 802,816 | $57,495 |
March 1 to March 31, 2008 | 293 | $45.95 | 0 | $57,495 |
Total | 824,414 | $47.61 | 802,816 | $57,495 |
(1) | Represents shares of common stock repurchased under the stock purchase program announced by PPL in June 2007 and shares withheld by PPL at the request of its executive officers to pay taxes upon the vesting of the officers' restricted stock awards, as permitted under the terms of PPL's Incentive Compensation Plan and Incentive Compensation Plan for Key Employees. | |
(2) | In June 2007, PPL announced a program to repurchase from time to time up to $750 million of its common stock in open market purchases, pre-arranged trading plans or privately negotiated transactions. |
Item 6. Exhibits | ||
- | Seventh Amendment, dated as of March 1, 2008, to Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, among PPL Energy Supply, LLC, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Issuer and Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto from time to time | |
- | PPL Corporation and Subsidiaries Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends | |
- | PPL Energy Supply, LLC and Subsidiaries Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | |
- | PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends | |
Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008, filed by the following officers for the following companies: | ||
- | James H. Miller for PPL Corporation | |
- | Paul A. Farr for PPL Corporation | |
- | James H. Miller for PPL Energy Supply, LLC | |
- | Paul A. Farr for PPL Energy Supply, LLC | |
- | David G. DeCampli for PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | |
- | J. Matt Simmons, Jr. for PPL Electric Utilities Corporation |
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008, furnished by the following officers for the following companies: | ||
- | James H. Miller for PPL Corporation | |
- | Paul A. Farr for PPL Corporation | |
- | James H. Miller for PPL Energy Supply, LLC | |
- | Paul A. Farr for PPL Energy Supply, LLC | |
- | David G. DeCampli for PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | |
- | J. Matt Simmons, Jr. for PPL Electric Utilities Corporation |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.
PPL Corporation | ||
(Registrant) | ||
PPL Energy Supply, LLC | ||
(Registrant) | ||
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | ||
(Registrant) | ||
Date: May 2, 2008 | /s/ J. Matt Simmons, Jr. | |
J. Matt Simmons, Jr. | ||
Vice President and Controller | ||
(Principal Accounting Officer) |