SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: May 28, 2002
(Date of earliest event reported)
Commission
file number | Registrant; State of Incorporation
Address; and Telephone Number | IRS Employer Identification No. |
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1-11337 | WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION
(A Wisconsin Corporation)
700 North Adams Street
P. O. Box 19001
Green Bay, WI 54307-9001
920-433-4901 | 39-1775292 |
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1-3016 | WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
(A Wisconsin Corporation)
700 North Adams Street
P. O. Box 19001
Green Bay, WI 54307-9001
920-433-1598 | 39-0715160 |
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ITEM 4. CHANGES IN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
On May 28, 2002, the Audit Committee of WPS Resources Corporation's Board of Directors dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP as the principal accountants of WPS Resources and its subsidiary, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, following the completion of Arthur Andersen's limited review of their results of operations for the first quarter ending March 31, 2002. Prior to this decision, Arthur Andersen had been engaged by WPS Resources and Wisconsin Public Service as their principal accountants to audit their financial statements and those of their subsidiaries.
The reports of Arthur Andersen on the financial statements of WPS Resources and Wisconsin Public Service as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During 2000, 2001, or the period January 1, 2002 to date, there have been no disagreements with Arthur Andersen regarding accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedure, which if not resolved to the satisfaction of Arthur Andersen would have caused Arthur Andersen to make reference thereto in its report for those periods.
WPS Resources and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation have requested that Arthur Andersen furnish a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements. Arthur Andersen's letter dated May 29, 2002 is included with this Form 8-K as exhibit 16.1.
Effective May 28, 2002, the Audit Committee of WPS Resources' Board of Directors appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as its new independent accountants, to act as the principal accountants in auditing the financial statements of WPS Resources and its subsidiaries. Neither WPS Resources nor any of its subsidiaries has consulted with Deloitte & Touche regarding any matters described in Item 304(a)(2)(i) or (ii) of Regulation S-K in 2000, 2001, or the period January 1, 2002 to date.
ITEM 7. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
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| | (c) | Exhibits
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| | 16.1 | Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission, dated May 29, 2002. |
SIGNATURES |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. |
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| | WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION
By: /s/ Diane L. Ford
Diane L. Ford
Vice President - Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer |
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Date: May 29, 2002 |
SIGNATURES |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. |
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| | WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Diane L. Ford
Diane L. Ford
Vice President - Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer |
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Date: May 29, 2002 |
