Fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Puget Energy’s independent accountants, in 2000 were as follows:
The fees paid for financial information systems design and implementation relate to Puget Sound Energy’s successful implementation of its ConsumerLinX customer information systemin 2000, on which PricewaterhouseCoopers’ management consulting services group provided system integration services to the companies. Other fees relate to:
o consulting services relating to consideration of strategic alternatives for a subsidiary of Puget Energy and for regulatory matters - $590,000;
o employee benefit plan audits, fees relating to registration statements and other - $414,000.
The Audit Committee of Puget Energy has considered the compatibility of these non-audit services with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s independence.
Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers
Beneficial Ownership Table
The following table shows the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned on January 31, 2001 by each director and nominee, by each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and by the directors and executive officers of Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy as a group. No director or executive officer owns more than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock. We are not aware of any person who beneficially owns five percent or more of the common stock.
Number of Beneficially Number of Share
Name Owned Shares Interests Held
---- ------------- --------------
Douglas P. Beighle............. 4,256 1,403(1)
Charles W. Bingham............. 4,754 435(1)
Phyllis J. Campbell............ 1,000 1,754(1)
Craig W. Cole.................. 200 1,239(1)
Donald J. Covey................ 6,231 3,687(1)
Robert L. Dryden............... 4,698 2,692(1)
John D. Durbin................. 3,115 3,419(1)(3)
John W. Ellis.................. 34,918(2) 1,403(1)
Tomio Moriguchi................ 805 5,341(1)(3)
Sally G. Narodick.............. 258 3,332(1)
William S. Weaver.............. 31,328(2) 22,632(3)
Richard L. Hawley.............. 12,198(2) 7,622(3)
Timothy J. Hogan............... 7,733(2) 21,165(3)(4)
Stephen A. McKeon.............. 14,747(2) 9,554(3)
Gary B. Swofford............... 10,077(2) 12,233(3)
All Directors and Executive Officers 170,833 110,933
_________
(1) Shares represent stock units under the Puget Energy Directors' Stock Plan.
(2) Includes shares credited under the Puget Sound Energy Investment Plan for Employees through December 31, 2000.
(3) Includes vested and non-vested stock units under the Puget Sound Energy Deferred Compensation Plan.
(4) Includes 14,376 shares subject to unexercised stock options granted by Washington Energy Company prior to the Merger, which were converted into options to purchase common stock at the merger exchange ratio of .86 to 1.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the directors and officers of Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with respect to the equity securities of the companies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. To our knowledge, based on our review of the reports furnished to Puget Sound Energy in 2000 and written representations that no other reports were required, all directors and officers of Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy who are subject to the Section 16 reporting requirements filed the required reports on a timely basis in 2000.
Executive Compensation
Joint Compensation and Retirement Committee Report
The Boards of Directors of Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy delegate responsibility for executive compensation to their respective Compensation and Retirement Committees. The Committees' members are Phyllis J. Campbell (Chairperson), Douglas P. Beighle, Donald J. Covey and Sally G. Narodick, none of whom is an employee of Puget Energy or Puget Sound Energy or participates in the compensation programs described here for executives. The Committees establish compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer and review and approve the President and Chief Executive Officer's recommendations regarding compensation of the other executive officers.
In determining executive compensation, the Committees consider the pay practices in comparable companies in the electric and combination gas and electric utility industries. The Committees believe that executive compensation packages should do the following:
o attract and retain outstanding executives by providing compensation opportunities consistent with those offered by the electric and combination gas and electric utility industries for similar positions;
o place a significant portion of each executive's total pay at risk to motivate executives to achieve company and individual performance goals;
o be aligned with annual operating goals that support continued emphasis on low cost, reliable service to customers; and
o tie long-term incentive compensation to increasing value to the shareholders.
In making compensation decisions, the Committees reviews appropriate market compensation indices. The principal source of this data is a selection of comparable companies from a comprehensive, industry-wide annual survey of management pay prepared by a national compensation consulting firm. All are part of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Investor-Owned Utilities Index and most are gas and electric combination companies which comprise the EEI Combination Gas & Electric Investor-Owned Utilities Index presented in the Stock Price Performance Graph on page 12.
The Committees' compensation policies encompass a mix of base salary and annual and long-term incentive compensation programs. The Committees design the total package to provide participants with appropriate incentives to achieve current performance goals as well as the long-term objective of enhancing shareholder value. Long-term incentives are designed to comprise the largest portion of each executive's incentive pay. Total Cash Compensation is targeted at the 50th percentile of total compensation for the comparator group if annual performance goals are achieved. If performance goals are achieved at the highest level, total cash compensation will be leveraged to reach the 60th percentile or higher.
Base Salary
Generally, base salaries for executives are administered on a subjective, individual basis by the Committees using as a guideline, median salary levels of a select group of electric and combination gas and electric companies from the industry survey described above that are most similar in scope and size to Puget Energy.
Annual Incentive Compensation
All executive officers participate in the annual Pay at Risk Plan. This plan is designed to provide financial incentives to executives for achieving desired annual operating results while meeting the companies' service quality commitment to customers. For 2000, the targeted opportunity for awards from this plan varied by executive officer: Mr. Weaver's target was 45% of base salary; the target for Messrs. Hawley, McKeon and Swofford was 35%; and the target for Mr. Hogan was 30%.
The primary measure for the named executive officers was earnings per share. For Messrs. Weaver, Hawley and McKeon, 100% of the award was based on EPS performance. For Mr. Swofford, 50% of the award was based on EPS and 50% was based on the weather-adjusted earnings contribution of the business units in his area of responsibility. For Mr. Hogan, 50% of the award was based on EPS with the remaining 50% divided among five additional goals related to his area of responsibility. EPS results were achieved at the outstanding level. For Mr. Swofford, the weather-adjusted earnings contribution of the business unit was achieved at the minimum funding level. For Mr. Hogan, two of the additional goals that comprise 50% of his award achieved funding status.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
The 1995 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, approved by shareholders in 1995, links compensation to the relative total shareholder return. Under this plan, the committee has awarded contingent grants of common stock to executives and key employees that generally pay in stock at the end of a four-year period, based on Puget Energy's cumulative four-year total shareholder return relative to the EEI Combination Gas & Electric Investor-Owned Utilities Index during that period. The number of shares delivered at the end of the four-year cycle will range from zero to 175% of the contingent grant. Dividend equivalents are accrued during the performance period and paid out in cash when and to the extent the related performance shares are paid. The Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards in 2000 table shown on page 16 lists the awards made in 2000 to the named executive officers for the four-year performance cycle ending December 31, 2003. The Summary Compensation Table on page 13 shows the payout of awards for the four-year cycle ended December 31, 2000.
As part of its Long-Term Incentive Program, the committee has also established stock ownership guidelines to be achieved over a five-year period commencing in 1998 for officers and key managers that range from 50% of base salary to two times base salary for the named executive officers.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
In February, 2000, Mr. Weaver's base salary as Chief Executive Officer was determined to be below median for CEOs in comparable companies in the EEI survey, and was increased from $575,000 per year to the market median salary of $600,000.
During 2000, Mr. Weaver's leadership and focus on company-wide strategic and operating goals resulted in continued, significant improvement in financial results with a net increase in EPS of 4.9% over the prior year. This level of achievement resulted in Mr. Weaver's 2000 target annual incentive payment being paid at twice the target of 45% of base salary. As a result, Mr. Weaver's total cash compensation for 2000, was above the 50th percentile for CEO's of comparable companies in the EEI survey, which is in keeping with the committee's philosophy for total cash compensation at the 60th percentile or higher when results are achieved at this outstanding level.
Additional Information
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation over $1 million paid to a company's chief executive officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers, unless that compensation is deferred or is considered performance-based. Our policies are to structure executive officer compensation to achieve maximum deductibility under Section 162(m) with minimal sacrifices in flexibility and corporate objectives.
Puget Energy, Inc. and Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
Phyllis J. Campbell, Chair
Douglas P. Beighle
Donald J. Covey
Sally G. Narodick
Stock Price Performance Graph
The chart below compares the five-year cumulative total shareholder return (share price appreciation plus reinvested dividends) on our common stock to the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the EEI Combination Gas & Electric Investor-Owned Utilities Index.
Year Puget Energy EEI G&E S&P 500
- ---- ------------ ------- -------
1995 100.0 100.0 100.0
1996 111.4 99.4 123.0
1997 149.9 128.5 164.0
1998 147.3 149.3 210.9
1999 111.6 121.3 255.2
2000 172.3 180.6 232.0
Five-Year Cumulative Total Return
This comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 1995, in (a) our common stock, (b) the S&P 500 Stock Index, and (c) the EEI Combination Gas & Electric Investor-Owned Utilities Index. The graph then observes, in each case, stock price growth and dividends paid (assuming dividends were reinvested) over five years.
The Board of Directors and its Compensation and Retirement Committee recognize that many factors influence the market price of stock, one of which is company performance. The returns shown on the graph do not necessarily predict future performance.
Summary Compensation Table
The following information is furnished for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 with respect to Puget Energy's and Puget Sound Energy's Chief Executive Officer, and each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers of Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy during 2000, each of whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000. Annual compensation includes amounts deferred at the officer's election. Unless otherwise indicated, all positions and offices are at Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy.
Long-Term
Compensation
------------ All Other
Name and Principal Annual Compensation LTIP Compensation
Position in 2000 (1) Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) Payouts ($)(5) ($)
-------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
W. Weaver 2000 594,841 540,000 211,598 (2) 63,852 (6)
President and 1999 570,208 517,500 38,933 (3) 44,198
Chief Executive Officer 1998 532,971 0 109,933 (4) 35,456
R. Hawley 2000 335,079 237,300 123,807 (2) 36,188 (7)
Vice President and 1999 316,167 224,000 20,964 (3) 53,462
Chief Financial Officer 1998 225,000 0 21,987 (4) 81,985
T. Hogan 2000 210,460 90,300 77,380 (2) 17,241 (8)
Vice President External 1999 191,888 57,900 14,488 (3) 14,546
Affairs of Puget Sound Energy 1998 184,309 0 26,384 (4) 13,458
S. McKeon 2000 335,079 237,300 147,443 (2) 34,802 (9)
Vice President and 1999 316,167 224,000 25,142 (3) 22,588
General Counsel 1998 283,941 25,800 43,516 (4) 21,038
G. Swofford 2000 261,905 115,937 77,380 (2) 22,061 (10)
Vice President and Chief 1999 238,960 87,500 19,841 (3) 17,300
Operating Officer-Delivery 1998 189,429 0 54,967 (4) 13,337
of Puget Sound Energy
(1) Mr. Weaver became President and Chief Executive Officer of Puget Energy in October 2000 and of Puget Sound Energy in January 1998. Mr. Hawley became an executive officer of Puget Energy in October 2000 and of Puget Sound Energy in March 1998. Mr. McKeon became an executive officer of Puget Energy in October 2000.
(2) The amounts for 2000 represent payment of LTIP awards for the four-year performance cycle ended December 31, 2000, which consist of (a) unrestricted shares valued as of the December 31, 2000 closing price of $27.8125, plus (b) a total dividend amount of $7.36 per share during the four-year performance period multiplied by the total number of unrestricted shares. The number and value of unrestricted shares for each of the named executive officers are as follows:
Unrestricted Shares
-------------------
Name Number Value
---- ------ -----
W. Weaver............. 6,016 $167,320
R. Hawley............. 3,520 97,900 (a)
T. Hogan.............. 2,200 61,188
S. McKeon............. 4,192 116,590
G. Swofford........... 2,200 61,188
(a) Mr. Hawley received $50,000 of his share award in the form of cash and the remainder in the form of 1,530 Puget Energy shares.
(3) The amounts for 1999 represent payment of LTIP awards for the four-year performance cycle ended December 31, 1999, which consist of (a) unrestricted shares and restricted shares, valued as of the December 31, 1999 closing price of $19.38, plus (b) a total dividend amount of $7.36 per share during the four-year performance period multiplied by the total number of restricted and unrestricted shares. The number and value of restricted and unrestricted shares for each of the named executive officers is as follows:
Unrestricted Shares Restricted Shares
------------------- -----------------
Name Number Value Number Value
---- ------ ----- ------ -----
W. Weaver........ 728 $14,109 728 $14,109
R. Hawley........ 392 7,597 392 7,597
T. Hogan....... 271 5,250 271 5,250
S. McKeon........ 470 9,111 470 9,111
G. Swofford...... 371 7,190 371 7,190
(4) The amounts for 1998 represent payment of LTIP awards for the four-year performance cycle ended December 31, 1998, which consist of (a) unrestricted shares and restricted shares, valued as of the December 31, 1998 closing price of $27.875, plus (b) a total dividend amount of $7.36 per share during the four-year performance period multiplied by the total number of restricted and unrestricted shares. The number and value of restricted and unrestricted shares for each of the named executive officers are as follows:
Unrestricted Shares Restricted Shares
------------------- -----------------
Name Number Value Number Value
---- ------ ----- ------ -----
W. Weaver....... 1,560 $43,485 1,560 $43,485
R. Hawley....... 312 8,697 312 8,697
T. Hogan........ 374 10,425 374 10,425
S. McKeon....... 617 17,199 617 17,199
G. Swofford..... 780 21,743 780 21,743
(5) The aggregate number and value of all outstanding restricted stock held by each of the named executive officers as of December 31, 2000, based on the closing price of Puget Sound Energy stock on that date of $27.8125, are as follows: W. Weaver, 728 shares, $20,248; R. Hawley, 392 shares, $10,903; T. Hogan, 271 shares, $7,534; S. McKeon, 470 shares, $13,075; G. Swofford, 371 shares, $10,318.
(6) Represents $8,500 match under Investment Plan for Employees; $47,117 match under the Investment Plan make-up; and $8,235 imputed income on life insurance.
(7) Represents $9,967 match under Investment Plan for Employees; $23,578 match under the Investment Plan make-up; and $2,643 imputed income on life insurance.
(8) Represents $4,316 match under Investment Plan for Employees; $11,872 match under the Investment Plan make-up; and $1,053 imputed income on life insurance.
(9) Represents $8,650 match under Investment Plan for Employees; $24,895 match under the Investment Plan make-up; and $1,257 imputed income on life insurance.
(10) Represents $6,220 match under Investment Plan for Employees; $14,744 match under the Investment Plan make-up; and $1,097 imputed income on life insurance.
Option/SAR Exercises and Year-End Option/SAR Values The following table shows the number of stock options or stock appreciation rights ("SARs") exercised in 2000 and the number and value of outstanding unexercised options and SARs held by the participating named executive officers at the end of 2000.
Number of Shares Number of Shares Underlying Value of Unexercised
Underlying Value of Unexercised Options/SARs at In-the-Money Options/ SARs
Options/SARs Exercised Options/SARs Fiscal Year-End (#) at Fiscal Year-End ($)
---------- ------------- ---
Name in 2000 Exercised in 2000 Exercisable Exercisable (3)
---- ------- ----------------- ----------- ---------------
W. Weaver 11,400 $44,047 (1) 7,300 -
R. Hawley - - - -
T. Hogan 1,290 $935 (2) 14,376 $119,672
S. McKeon - - - -
G. Swofford - - 5,600 $16,950
Before 1995, participants in Puget Energy’s Long-Term Incentive Program for Senior Management could receive stock appreciation rights, which are payable only in cash. No options have been granted since 1996 and no SARs have been granted since 1994.
(1) Amount represents exercise on November 30, 2000 from two SAR grants when the market value of the common stock was $26.4375 per share: 6,000 SARs from a February 4, 1992 grant with a base price of $24.875 per share, and 5,400 SARs from an April 26, 1994 grant with a base price of $20.750 per share.
(2) Amount represents options exercises of September 18, 2000 and October 10, 2000 totaling 1,290 options.
(3) Amounts are the number of options or SARs multiplied by the difference between the closing price of the common stock on December 31, 2000 of $27.8125 per share, minus the base price for that option or SAR. There is no guarantee that these options or SARs will have this value when and if they are exercised.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards in 2000
The following table presents grants made to the named executive officers under our 1995 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan during 2000.
Number of Period Until Estimated Future Share Payouts
------------------------------
Shares Maturation or Threshold Target Maximum
Name (#)(1) Payout (#) (#) (#)
---- ------ ------ --- --- ---
W. Weaver........ 48,387 4 years 0 48,387 84,677
R. Hawley........ 19,883 4 years 0 19,883 34,795
T. Hogan......... 7,093 4 years 0 7,093 12,413
S. McKeon........ 19,883 4 years 0 19,883 34,795
G. Swofford...... 12,240 4 years 0 12,240 21,420
(1) Awards are contingent grants of common stock. The number of shares delivered at the end of the four-year cycle will range from zero to 175% of the contingent grant. The actual payout depends on Puget Energy's four-year total shareholder return compared to the returns reported in the Edison Electric Institute's Combination Gas and Electric Investor-Owned Utilities Index. To receive 100% of the grant, Puget Energy must perform at the 55th percentile among Edison Electric Institute's companies. To receive 175% of the grant, Puget Energy must perform at or above the 85th percentile ranking. Dividend equivalents are accrued during the performance period and paid out in cash when and to the extent the performance shares are paid.
Retirement Benefits Statement
The table below presents estimated retirement benefits for the named executive officers, assuming retirement on January 1, 2001 at age 62 after selected periods of service. The table lists the estimated aggregate values under the Puget Sound Energy, Inc. funded pension plan, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, Washington Natural Gas Nonqualified Retirement Plan benefits, the SERP pension-type rollover accounts in the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Cash Balance Restoration Matching Account within the Deferred Compensation Plan. Social Security benefits will not be deducted from the amounts shown in the table.
Estimated Annual Benefit Upon Retirement At Age 62
Final Average Years of Credited Service
---------------------------------------------------
Compensation 5 10 15+
------------ - -- ---
$200,000....... $ 33,333 $ 66,667 $100,000
300,000....... 50,000 100,000 150,000
400,000....... 66,667 133,333 200,000
500,000....... 83,333 166,667 250,000
600,000....... 100,000 200,000 300,000
700,000....... 116,667 233,333 350,000
800,000....... 133,333 266,667 400,000
900,000....... 150,000 300,000 450,000
The named executive officers have the following years of credited service as of December 31, 2000: W. Weaver, 32.5; R. Hawley, 2.75; T. Hogan, 24.33; S. McKeon, 3.58; and G. Swofford, 33.42. Under their employment agreements, if Messrs. Hawley and McKeon complete five years of service they will be treated as if they have completed 15 years of credited service.
Estimated aggregate benefits are based on the following formula: 3-1/3% times years of credited service times average annual compensation (salary plus bonus) for the highest three calendar years in the last five complete calendar years prior to retirement, except that Mr. Weaver’s benefits are based on the average of his highest 24 consecutive months of compensation and Messrs. Hawley’s and McKeon’s benefits are based on the annual average of their highest 36 consecutive months of salary paid or payable plus the average of their highest three annual bonuses paid or payable. Also, $50,000 of Mr. Hawley’s LTIP-related payouts are treated as salary. See the section called “Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements” below.
The three-year averages (24-consecutive-month average for Mr. Weaver; 33 - consecutive-month average for Mr. Hawley as of December 31, 2000) for the named executive officers were: $841,275 for Mr. Weaver; $436,453 for Mr. Hawley; $219,353 for Mr. Hogan; $402,579 for Mr. McKeon; and $263,889 for Mr. Swofford.
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control Arrangements
Agreements
In October 1996 Puget Sound Energy entered into an agreement with Mr. Weaver under which he will receive the following payments and benefits if his employment terminates for any reason sooner than his normal retirement date, which, in accordance with Puget Sound Energy’s policy, is when Mr. Weaver reaches the age of 62.
a. annual base salary and accrued benefits earned through termination, plus a pro rata share of any incentive compensation accrued through the date of termination, regardless of whether such amounts are vested or payable on that date;
b. an amount equal to three times annual base salary and bonus;
c. continued participation for three years in employee benefit plans or provision for substantially similar benefits;
d. a cash payment at normal retirement date of the actuarial equivalent of the additional retirement compensation he would have earned had employment continued for three more years;
e. a payment equal to the difference between the exercise prices of any outstanding options or rights under similar equity plans (whether or not then fully exercisable) and the higher of (i) the market price of the common stock on the date of termination and (ii) the highest price per share actually paid in connection with any change-in-control;
f. a payment equal to the value of the number of shares payable upon full vesting of all outstanding performance awards, whether or not such awards were then fully vested or payable; and
g. a cash payment equal to any excise taxes payable by him due to excess parachute payments, plus the tax expense to him resulting from this payment.
In addition, Mr. Weaver’s agreement provides that his benefits under the SERP will be based on his average compensation for his highest consecutive 24 months of service. Pursuant to a November 2000 supplement to his October 1996 agreement, Mr. Weaver has agreed not to voluntarily terminate his employment with Puget Sound Energy as its Chief Executive Officer any earlier than December 31, 2001, and Puget Sound Energy has agreed that the various payments due Mr. Weaver under the October 1996 agreement will be calculated based on the actual termination date or an assumed termination date of December 31, 2000, whichever produces the higher payment under each payment provision.
Effective March 16, 1998, Puget Sound Energy entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hawley to secure his services as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The agreement has a term of five years. Mr. Hawley will receive a minimum annual base salary of $300,000. He also will participate in Puget Sound Energy’s Pay at Risk Plan, with a target award of at least 35% of base salary, and in Puget Energy’s 1995 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, with a target of at least 40% of base salary and grants of 1,200 performance units for the 1995-1998 cycle, 2,800 performance units for the 1996-1999 cycle, 4,400 performance units for the 1997-2000 cycle and 6,400 performance units for the 1998-2001 cycle, and a cash payment equal to the difference between $50,000 and any lesser settlement value for such awards.
In addition, Mr. Hawley’s agreement provides that if he completes five years of service to Puget Sound Energy, then his benefits under the SERP will be calculated as if he had completed 15 years of service to Puget Sound Energy. His agreement also provides that his benefits under the SERP will be based on the sum of (a) the annual average of his highest 36 consecutive months of salary paid or payable and (b) the average of his highest three annual bonuses paid or payable. Under his agreement, the $50,000 minimum annual award to which Mr. Hawley is entitled with respect to the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan will be treated as salary for purposes of calculating his SERP benefits.
If Puget Sound Energy terminates Mr. Hawley's employment without cause prior to the end of the term of the agreement, Mr. Hawley will receive:
a. annual base salary and accrued benefits earned through termination, plus a pro rata share of any incentive compensation accrued through the date of termination, regardless of whether such amounts are vested or payable on that date and;
b. continuation of his base salary for two years, plus $50,000 per year.
If Mr. Hawley's employment terminates for any reason within three years after a change-in-control, Mr. Hawley will receive, in lieu of the benefits described above, substantially the same type of payments and benefits as described above for Mr. Weaver.
Mr. Hogan entered into an agreement effective as of August 17, 1995 with the Washington Energy Company that Puget Sound Energy has assumed. Under that agreement, as amended on June 30, 1999, if prior to the earlier of June 30, 2002 or a change-in-control of Puget Sound Energy, Mr. Hogan terminates his employment for good reason or Puget Sound Energy terminates his employment without cause, he will receive the same type of payments and benefits as described above for Mr. Weaver.
In October 1996, Puget Sound Energy entered into an agreement with Mr. Swofford under which he will be paid a retention incentive benefit based on continued employment following the merger of Puget Sound Energy and the Washington Energy Company in February 1997, equal to three times his annual base salary in 1996, plus the bonus paid in 1996. The incentive benefit vests in three equal installments after one year, three years and five years of continued employment after the merger. The vested portion of the incentive benefit will be paid in equal monthly installments over a three-year period beginning on the date his employment terminates.
In 1999 Puget Sound Energy entered into change-in-control agreements with Mr. Swofford and Mr. Hogan that provided for the same type of payments and benefits described above for Mr. Weaver in the event that their employment is terminated by Puget Sound Energy without cause or by the employee for good reason within two years following a change-in-control of Puget Sound Energy, except that the payments in sections (c) and (d) are based on two rather than three years.
Effective June 2, 1997, Puget Sound Energy entered into an employment agreement with Mr. McKeon to secure his services as Vice President and General Counsel. The agreement has an initial term of three years and will be extended for two more one-year periods unless Mr. McKeon or Puget Sound Energy gives written notice of termination not less than six months before the applicable anniversary date. No such notice has been given. Mr. McKeon will receive a minimum annual base salary of $260,000. He also will participate in Puget Sound Energy’s Pay at Risk Plan, with a target award of at least 35% of base salary, and in Puget Energy’s 1995 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, with a target of at least 35% of base salary and grants of 2,375 performance units for the 1995-1998 cycle, 3,358 performance units for the 1996-1999 cycle and 5,240 performance units for the 1997-2000 cycle.
Mr. McKeon’s agreement provides that if he completes five years of service to Puget Sound Energy, then his benefits under the SERP will be calculated as if he had completed 15 years of service to Puget Sound Energy. His agreement also provides that his benefits under the SERP will be based on the sum of (a) the annual average of his highest 36 consecutive months of salary paid or payable and (b) the average of his highest three annual bonuses paid or payable. If Puget Sound Energy terminates his employment without cause prior to the end of the term of the agreement, Mr. McKeon will receive his annual base salary and accrued benefits earned through termination, plus a pro rata share of any incentive compensation accrued through the date of termination, regardless of whether such amounts are vested or payable on that date, and continuation of his base salary for two years. If Mr. McKeon’s employment terminates for any reason within three years after a change-in-control, he would receive substantially the same type of payments and benefits as described above for Mr. Weaver.
1995 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan
Under the Puget Energy 1995 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, in the event of a change-in-control of Puget Energy, each stock award that is at the time outstanding will automatically accelerate and become 100% vested. The plan administrator may, at any time before a corporate transaction, take further action to ensure fair and equitable treatment of awards.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Upon a change-in-control of Puget Energy, all SARs will terminate. Each holder may exercise his or her SARs immediately prior to the transaction, whether or not the SARs have vested.
Certain Transactions
Mr. Dryden, a Director of Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ConneXt since 1999. His aggregate compensation for such service in 2000 was $583,000.
Mr. Durbin, a Director of Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of InfrastruX since 2000. His aggregate compensation for such service in 2000 was $254,545.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Independent Public Accountants
The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited our financial statements since 1933. Representatives of the firm will attend the Annual Meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement and answer appropriate shareholder questions.
Shareholder Proposals
Shareholders who intend to have a proposal considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must submit the proposal at our principal executive office no later than November 30, 2001. In accordance with Puget Energy’s Bylaws, shareholders who intend to present a proposal at the 2002 Annual Meeting without inclusion of the proposal in our proxy materials must provide written notice of such proposal, in the manner required by Puget Energy’s Bylaws, no earlier than January 15, 2002 and no later than February 14, 2002.
Solicitation of Proxies
The Puget Energy Board of Directors is soliciting the proxies in the form enclosed. William S. Weaver and James W. Eldredge, and each or either of them, are named as proxies. We may solicit your proxy by mail, personal interview, telephone and fax. We will request that banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries forward soliciting materials to their principals and obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. We will reimburse them for their expenses in forwarding and collecting proxies. Our officers, directors, employees and other agents may solicit proxies without compensation, except for reimbursement of expenses. Puget Energy will pay all costs of solicitation of proxies.
March 13, 2001
Bellevue, Washington
By Order of the Board of Directors
_________________
William S. Weaver
President and Chief Executive Officer
APPENDIX A
Puget Energy, Inc.
Audit Committee Charter
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) shall be to monitor the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting by overseeing the participation of management and the independent auditors in the financial reporting process.
Composition:
The Committee shall be composed of three or more directors, as determined by the Board, each of whom shall meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. The Board shall determine in its business judgment that each Committee member is financially literate and that at least one Committee member has accounting or related financial management expertise. In the absence of a member designated by the Board to serve as chair, the members of the Committee may appoint from among their number a person to preside at theirmeetings.
Responsibilities:
The Committee shall have the following responsibilities:
o Recommend to the Board the selection of the independent auditor, evaluate the independent auditor and, where appropriate, recommend the replacement of the independent auditor, with the understanding that the independent auditor shall be ultimately accountable to the Committee and to the Board.
o Obtain and evaluate an annual written statement from the independent auditor regarding the auditor’s independence in accordance with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, discuss with the auditor any independence issues raised by the matters disclosed in such statement and, if so determined by the Committee, take or recommend that the Board take appropriate action to satisfy itself as to the independence of the auditor.
o Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards ("SAS") No. 61, Communications with Audit Committee, SAS No. 89, Audit Adjustments, and SAS No. 90, Audit Committee Communications, all as amended from time to time.
o Meet with management and the independent auditor to review and discuss the annual financial statements and the report of the independent auditor thereon and to discuss any significant issues encountered in the course of the audit work, including restrictions on the scope of activities, access to required information or the adequacy of internal controls.
o Review the management letter delivered by the independent auditor in connection with the audit and management’s responses to the letter.
o Following such reviews and discussions, if so determined by the Committee, recommend to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.
o Meet quarterly with management and the independent auditor to review and discuss the quarterly financial statements.
o Meet at least once each year in separate executive sessions with the internal auditor and the independent auditor to discuss matters that the Committee or either of these groups believes could significantly affect the financial statements and should be discussed privately.
o Review significant changes to the Company’s accounting principles and practices proposed by the internal auditor or management. Discuss these changes with the independent auditor.
o Review changes in promulgated accounting and auditing standards that may materially affect the Company’s financial reporting practices.
o Review the responsibilities, functions and performance of the Company’s internal audit department, including internal audit plans, budget, and the scope and results of internal audits.
o Conduct or authorize such inquiries into matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibility as the Committee deems appropriate.
o As the Committee deems appropriate, retain independent counsel and other professionals to assist the Committee.
o Provide minutes of Committee meetings to the Board and report to the Board on any significant matters arising from the Committee’s work.
o At least annually, review and reassess this charter and, if appropriate, recommend proposed changes to the Board.
o Prepare the report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.
It is not the responsibility of the Committee to plan or conduct audits, or to determine whether the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate or in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.