The following discussion of Southwest Gas Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) includes information related to the Company’s two business segments: natural gas operations (“Southwest” or the “natural gas operations” segment) and construction services. Southwest is engaged in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California. Southwest is the largest distributor in Arizona, selling and transporting natural gas in most of central and southern Arizona, including the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Southwest is also the largest distributor of natural gas in Nevada, serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area and northern Nevada. In addition, Southwest distributes and transports natural gas in portions of California, including the Lake Tahoe area and the high desert and mountain areas in San Bernardino County.
Northern Pipeline Construction Co. (“NPL” or the “construction services” segment), a wholly owned subsidiary, is a full-service underground piping contractor that provides utility companies with trenching and installation, replacement, and maintenance services for energy distribution systems.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the MD&A, included in the 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference into the 2006 Form 10-K, and the first quarter 2007 Form 10-Q.
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
The decrease in consolidated results of operations during the second quarter of 2007 was due primarily to the following factors:
| • | a favorable nonrecurring property tax settlement recognized in the second quarter of 2006; |
| • | a decrease in contribution from NPL; |
| • | an increase in operating expenses due to general cost increases and employee-related costs; and |
| • | a 2.1 million increase in average shares outstanding between the second quarter of 2007 and 2006. |
Partially offsetting the above negative factors was a $6.5 million increase in operating margin due to a combination of rate relief in California (including changes in the margin tracking mechanism) and continued customer growth.
Principal Factors Affecting Operating Margin
Southwest’s operating revenues are recognized from the distribution and transportation of natural gas (and related services) to customers. Operating margin is the measure of gas operating revenues less the net cost of gas sold. Management uses operating margin as a main benchmark in comparing operating results from period to period. The three principal factors affecting operating margin are general rate relief, weather, and customer growth.
General Rate Relief. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) approved the Company’s 2007 attrition year filing, granting annualized rate relief of $2.7 million, effective January 2007. In connection with this filing, the Company also received approval to recognize margin equally throughout the year under its margin tracker mechanism, rather than on a seasonally adjusted basis. This change does not impact the total amount of margin recognized annually; however it does affect the comparability of 2007 versus 2006 quarterly amounts. During the second quarter of 2007, rate changes in California provided a $3 million increase in operating margin including an increase of $2 million due to the effect of the equalized margin tracker mechanism. Southwest is currently preparing its 2008 attrition and 2009 general rate case filings in California, which are expected to be filed in the fourth quarter of 2007. The Company is also analyzing its need for a general rate case in Arizona, which if warranted, would be anticipated to be filed in the second half of 2007.
Weather. Weather is a significant driver of natural gas volumes used by residential and small commercial customers and is the main reason for volatility in margin. Space heating-related volumes are the primary component of billings for these customer classes and are concentrated in the months of November to April for the majority of the Company’s customers. Variances in temperatures from normal levels, especially in Arizona where rates remain leveraged, have a significant impact on the margin and associated net income of the Company. Warmer-than-normal temperatures were experienced during the second quarters of both 2007 and 2006, but had no incremental impact on margin between quarters.
Customer Growth. As of June 30, 2007, Southwest had 1,800,000 residential, commercial, industrial, and other natural gas customers, of which 54 percent were located in Arizona, 36 percent in Nevada, and 10 percent in California. Residential and commercial customers represented over 99 percent of the total customer base. During the twelve months ended June 30, 2007, Southwest earned 56 percent of operating margin in Arizona, 35 percent in Nevada, and 9 percent in California. During this same period, Southwest earned 86 percent of operating margin from residential and small commercial customers, 5 percent from other sales customers, and 9 percent from transportation customers. These general patterns are expected to continue.
The record customer growth levels experienced in recent years have moderated. During the twelve months ended June 30, 2007, Southwest added 57,000 customers, a three percent increase, attributable mainly to population growth in its service areas. Management expects this more moderate growth level will continue throughout the second half of 2007.
Incremental margin ($4 million in the second quarter of 2007) has accompanied customer growth, but the costs associated with creating and maintaining the infrastructure needed to accommodate new customers have also been significant. The timing of including these costs in rates is often delayed (regulatory lag) and can result in a reduction of current-period earnings.
Management has attempted to mitigate the regulatory lag associated with growth by collecting contributions and advances
11
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
from home builders and by effectively utilizing technology to minimize incremental staffing levels. During the quarter, six months, and twelve months ended June 30, 2007, Southwest partially offset capital outlays by collecting approximately $12 million, $25 million, and $47 million, respectively, in net advances and contributions from customers and third-party contractors.
In recent years, Southwest initiated a project to expand its use of electronic meter reading technology. Use of this technology has reduced the time associated with obtaining monthly meter readings, while improving their accuracy. By June 30, 2007, approximately 64 percent of Southwest customers’ meters were being read electronically. The project is expected to be completed in 2009 with no adverse impact to existing employees, although some experienced employees have been redeployed to expand service and construction capabilities.
The results of the natural gas operations segment and the overall results of the Company are heavily dependent upon the three components noted previously (general rate relief, weather, and customer growth). Significant changes in these components (primarily weather) have contributed to somewhat volatile earnings historically. Management continues to work with its regulatory commissions in designing rate structures that strive to provide affordable and reliable service to its customers while mitigating the volatility in prices to customers and stabilizing returns to investors. Such a rate structure is in place in California and progress has been made in Nevada. Southwest continues to pursue rate design changes in Arizona.
Cash Flows
Southwest’s operating cash flows for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2007 improved significantly over the corresponding periods of 2006. Primary drivers of the improvement include earnings growth and collections of previously deferred PGA balances. Cash flows from operating activities of Southwest (net of dividends paid) provided $285 million (representing 85 percent) of the required capital resources pertaining to capital expenditures for the twelve months ended June 30, 2007. The remainder was provided from construction advances, external financing activities, and existing credit facilities. During the three-year period ending December 31, 2009, cash flows from gas segment operating activities (net of dividends) are expected to fund approximately 90 percent of the gas operations construction expenditures, assuming continued timely recovery of current and future deferred PGA balances.
Results of Construction Services Operations
NPL’s contribution to consolidated net income decreased by $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2007 when compared to the record second quarter results of the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to lower profit margins on blanket contracts in the majority of NPL’s operating areas resulting from the general slow down in the housing market.
12
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
Results of Natural Gas Operations
Quarterly Analysis
| Three Months Ended June 30,
|
---|
| 2007
| 2006
|
---|
| (Thousands of dollars) |
---|
Gas operating revenues | | | $ | 344,233 | | $ | 354,168 | |
Net cost of gas sold | | | | 198,417 | | | 214,823 | |
|
| |
| |
Operating margin | | | | 145,816 | | | 139,345 | |
Operations and maintenance expense | | | | 83,090 | | | 76,883 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | 39,076 | | | 36,563 | |
Taxes other than income taxes | | | | 9,938 | | | 5,620 | |
|
| |
| |
Operating income | | | | 13,712 | | | 20,279 | |
Other income (expense) | | | | 3,648 | | | 1,929 | |
Net interest deductions | | | | 21,315 | | | 21,252 | |
Net interest deductions on subordinated debentures | | | | 1,932 | | | 1,931 | |
|
| |
| |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | | | (5,887 | ) | | (975 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | | | (3,032 | ) | | (984 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Contribution to consolidated net income (loss) | | | $ | (2,855 | ) | $ | 9 | |
|
| |
| |
Contribution from natural gas operations decreased $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period a year ago. The decrease in contribution was primarily caused by higher operating expenses, partially offset by increased operating margin and other income. Results during the second quarter of 2006 reflect the impact of a favorable nonrecurring property tax settlement.
Operating margin increased $6.5 million, or five percent, in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2006. Rate changes resulted in a $3 million increase in operating margin compared to the prior year (consisting of $1 million in California attrition amounts and a $2 million increase from implementing a California equalized margin tracker mechanism, effective January 2007). New customers accounted for the remaining incremental operating margin during the quarter as the Company added 57,000 customers during the last twelve months, an increase of three percent. Warmer-than-normal temperatures were experienced during both quarters, but had no incremental impact between quarters.
Operations and maintenance expense increased $6.2 million, or eight percent, primarily due to general cost increases and incremental costs associated with providing service to a growing customer base. Additional factors contributing to the increase include higher uncollectible and employee-related costs.
Depreciation expense increased $2.5 million, or seven percent, as a result of construction activities. Average gas plant in service for the current period increased $287 million, or eight percent, compared to the corresponding period a year ago. The increase reflects ongoing capital expenditures for the upgrade of existing operating facilities and the expansion of the system to accommodate continued customer growth.
General taxes increased $4.3 million primarily due to the favorable nonrecurring property tax settlement recognized in April 2006.
Other income (expense) increased $1.7 million during the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to increased returns on long-term investments. The second quarter of 2006 included $948,000 in interest income related to the nonrecurring property tax settlement.
Net financing costs were relatively unchanged between periods as strong operating cash flows, collection of construction advances, and common stock issuances mitigated the need for incremental borrowings to finance construction activities.
13
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
Six-Month Analysis
| Six Months Ended June 30,
|
---|
| 2007
| 2006
|
---|
| (Thousands of dollars) |
---|
Gas operating revenues | | | $ | 1,071,248 | | $ | 962,310 | |
Net cost of gas sold | | | | 692,628 | | | 612,320 | |
|
| |
| |
Operating margin | | | | 378,620 | | | 349,990 | |
Operations and maintenance expense | | | | 167,625 | | | 155,270 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | 77,606 | | | 72,116 | |
Taxes other than income taxes | | | | 20,405 | | | 16,237 | |
|
| |
| |
Operating income | | | | 112,984 | | | 106,367 | |
Other income (expense) | | | | 5,024 | | | 4,881 | |
Net interest deductions | | | | 42,463 | | | 43,207 | |
Net interest deductions on subordinated debentures | | | | 3,863 | | | 3,862 | |
|
| |
| |
Income before income taxes | | | | 71,682 | | | 64,179 | |
Income tax expense | | | | 25,909 | | | 22,093 | |
|
| |
| |
Contribution to consolidated net income | | | $ | 45,773 | | $ | 42,086 | |
|
| |
| |
Contribution from natural gas operations increased $3.7 million in the first six months of 2007 compared to the same period a year ago. The increase was principally attributed to higher operating margin partially offset by higher operating expenses. The second quarter of 2006 included a favorable nonrecurring property tax settlement.
Operating margin increased approximately $29 million, or eight percent, in the first six months of 2007 compared to the first six months of 2006. New customers contributed an incremental $10 million in operating margin during the current period. Rate changes resulted in a net $11 million increase in operating margin, consisting of $15 million in Arizona general rate relief and $2 million in California attrition amounts, offset by a $6 million impact of implementing the California equalized margin tracker mechanism. Differences in heating demand primarily caused by weather variations between periods resulted in an $8 million margin increase as the current period experienced near normal temperatures and the prior period was warmer-than-normal.
Operations and maintenance expense increased $12.4 million, or eight percent, principally due to the impact of general cost increases and incremental costs associated with providing service to a growing customer base. Factors contributing to the increase included higher uncollectible expenses and employee-related costs.
Depreciation expense increased $5.5 million, or eight percent, as a result of construction activities. Average gas plant in service increased $273 million, or eight percent, as compared to the first six months of 2006. The increase reflects ongoing capital expenditures for the upgrade of existing operating facilities and the expansion of the system to accommodate continued customer growth.
General taxes increased $4.2 million primarily as a result of the favorable nonrecurring property tax settlement recognized in April 2006.
Net financing costs decreased $743,000, or two percent, between periods, as strong operating cash flows, construction advances, and common stock issued under the Company’s various plans were used to reduce average debt outstanding.
Income tax expense in the six months ended June 30, 2006 included a nonrecurring $1.7 million state income tax benefit.
14
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
Twelve-Month Analysis
| Twelve Months Ended June 30,
|
---|
| 2007
| 2006
|
---|
| (Thousands of dollars) |
---|
Gas operating revenues | | | $ | 1,836,332 | | $ | 1,624,536 | |
Net cost of gas sold | | | | 1,114,296 | | | 969,499 | |
|
| |
| |
Operating margin | | | | 722,036 | | | 655,037 | |
Operations and maintenance expense | | | | 333,158 | | | 320,474 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | 152,144 | | | 141,640 | |
Taxes other than income taxes | | | | 39,162 | | | 34,888 | |
|
| |
| |
Operating income | | | | 197,572 | | | 158,035 | |
Other income (expense) | | | | 10,192 | | | 7,882 | |
Net interest deductions | | | | 84,823 | | | 84,881 | |
Net interest deductions on subordinated debentures | | | | 7,725 | | | 7,724 | |
|
| |
| |
Income before income taxes | | | | 115,216 | | | 73,312 | |
Income tax expense | | | | 40,056 | | | 24,580 | |
|
| |
| |
Contribution to consolidated net income | | | $ | 75,160 | | $ | 48,732 | |
|
| |
| |
Contribution to consolidated net income from natural gas operations increased $26.4 million in the current twelve-month period compared to the same period a year ago. The improvement in contribution was primarily caused by higher operating margin and improved other income, partially offset by increased operating expenses.
Operating margin increased $67 million between periods. Rate relief in Arizona and California added $34 million (net of the California equalized margin tracker mechanism year-to-date decrease of $6 million). Customer growth contributed an incremental $19 million. Differences in heating demand, caused primarily by weather variations, accounted for a $14 million increase in operating margin as warmer-than-normal temperatures were experienced during both periods (during the current twelve-month period the negative impact was $7 million, while the negative impact during the prior twelve-month period was $21 million).
Operations and maintenance expense increased $12.7 million, or four percent, between periods reflecting general cost increases and incremental operating costs associated with serving additional customers. Additional factors included increases in uncollectible expenses and employee-related expenses. The prior period includes a $10 million nonrecurring provision made in December 2005 for an injuries and damages case.
Depreciation expense increased $10.5 million, or seven percent, as a result of additional plant in service. Average gas plant in service for the current twelve-month period increased $257 million, or seven percent, compared to the corresponding period a year ago. This was attributable to the upgrade of existing operating facilities and the expansion of the system to accommodate continued customer growth.
General taxes increased $4.3 million primarily as a result of the favorable nonrecurring property tax settlement recognized in April 2006.
Other income (expense) increased $2.3 million in the current twelve-month period compared to the same period in 2006. The current period includes an increase in returns on long-term investments, and gains on dispositions of miscellaneous properties.
Net financing costs decreased slightly between periods due primarily to a reduction in average debt outstanding.
Income tax expense for the twelve months ended June 30, 2006 included a nonrecurring $1.7 million state income tax benefit.
15
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
Results of Construction Services
Contribution to consolidated net income for the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2007 decreased $1.2 million, $2.1 million, and $2.7 million, respectively, when compared to the corresponding periods in 2006. These decreases reflect the general slow down in the housing market which adversely affected profit margins on blanket contracts in the majority of NPL’s operating areas. Unfavorable working conditions due to poor weather earlier in the current year also contributed to the decreases in the six-month and twelve-month periods. The amount of work received under existing blanket contracts, the amount of bid work, and the equipment resale market vary from period to period.
Rates and Regulatory Proceedings
California Attrition Filing. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the CPUC approved a $2.7 million increase in operating margin related to the Company’s 2007 annual California attrition filing. The increase in customer rates was approved to be made effective January 2007. In connection with this filing, the Company also received approval to change the way operating margin is recognized under the Company’s margin tracker mechanism. The change provides for authorized levels of margin to be recognized in equal monthly amounts throughout the year, rather than on a seasonally adjusted basis. This change will not impact the total amount of margin recognized annually; however it will affect the comparability of 2007 versus 2006 quarterly amounts. Attrition rate relief during the first half of 2007 provided approximately $2 million in operating margin, offset by a $6 million decrease to margin due to the impact of implementing the equalized margin tracker mechanism. The quarterly impact resulting from this equalization is expected to result in increases in margin for the remainder of 2007, particularly in the third quarter ($7 million), offsetting the decline recognized in the first half of the year.
PGA Filings
All of Southwest's state regulatory commissions have regulations that permit the Company to track and recover its actual costs of purchased gas. Deferred energy provisions and purchased gas adjustment clauses are collectively referred to as “PGA” clauses. Timing differences between changes in PGA rates and the recovery/payment of PGA balances result in over and under-collections. At June 30, 2007, over-collections in Nevada and California resulted in a liability of $33.2 million and under-collections in Arizona resulted in an asset of $50.3 million on the Company’s balance sheet. PGA filings are subject to audit by state regulatory commissions. PGA rate changes impact cash flows but have no direct impact on profit margin. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Southwest had the following outstanding PGA balances receivable/(payable) (millions of dollars):
| June 30, 2007
| December 31, 2006
|
---|
Arizona | | | $ | 50.3 | | $ | 68.4 | |
Northern Nevada | | | | (9.9 | ) | | 1.1 | |
Southern Nevada | | | | (20.1 | ) | | 4.1 | |
California | | | | (3.2 | ) | | 3.4 | |
|
| |
| |
| | | $ | 17.1 | | $ | 77.0 | |
|
| |
| |
16
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
Capital Resources and Liquidity
The capital requirements and resources of the Company generally are determined independently for the natural gas operations and construction services segments. Each business activity is generally responsible for securing its own financing sources. The capital requirements and resources of the construction services segment are not material to the overall capital requirements and resources of the Company.
Construction Expenditures and Financing
Southwest continues to experience customer growth above industry averages albeit at a slower pace than in the recent past. This growth has required significant capital outlays for new transmission and distribution plant, to keep up with consumer demand. During the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2007, construction expenditures for the natural gas operations segment were $334 million. Approximately 77 percent of these current-period expenditures represented new construction and the balance represented costs associated with routine replacement of existing transmission, distribution, and general plant. Cash flows from operating activities of Southwest (net of dividends paid) provided $285 million, or 85 percent, of the required capital resources pertaining to total capital expenditures for the twelve months ended June 30, 2007. The remainder was provided from refundable construction advances, external financing activities, and existing credit facilities. Operating cash flows during the current twelve-month period were positively impacted by earnings growth and recoveries of deferred PGA balances.
Southwest estimates construction expenditures during the three-year period ending December 31, 2009 will be approximately $880 million. Of this amount, approximately $337 million are expected to be incurred in 2007. During the three-year period, cash flows from operating activities (net of dividends) are estimated to fund approximately 90 percent of the gas operations’ total construction expenditures, assuming timely recovery of currently deferred PGA balances. Southwest also has $43 million in long-term debt maturities over the three-year period. Maturities would increase to $50.5 million if an existing bondholder exercises a discretionary put option in September 2007. Over the three-year period, the Company expects to raise $100 million to $125 million from its various common stock programs. Any remaining cash requirements are expected to be provided by existing credit facilities and/or other external financing sources. The timing, types, and amounts of these additional external financings will be dependent on a number of factors, including conditions in the capital markets, timing and amounts of rate relief, growth levels in Southwest service areas, and earnings. These external sources may include the issuance of both debt and equity securities, bank and other short-term borrowings, customer contributions and advances, and other forms of financing.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, the Company issued approximately 599,000 additional shares of common stock through the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRSPP”), Employee Investment Plan, Management Incentive Plan, and Stock Incentive Plan. No shares were issued through the Equity Shelf Program (“ESP”) during the first half of 2007. The Company has $16.7 million of remaining capacity on the ESP.
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its cash requirements. Several general factors that could significantly affect liquidity in future years include inflation, growth in Southwest’s service territories, changes in the ratemaking policies of regulatory commissions, interest rates, variability of natural gas prices, changes in income tax laws, and the level of Company earnings. Of these factors, natural gas prices have had the most significant impact on Company liquidity.
Over the past several years the cost of natural gas has fluctuated dramatically. Price volatility is expected to continue indefinitely. Southwest periodically enters into fixed-price term contracts to mitigate price volatility. About half of Southwest’s annual normal weather supply needs are secured using short duration contracts (one year or less). Natural gas purchases not covered by fixed-price contracts are made under variable-price contracts with firm quantities and on the spot market. Prices for these contracts are not known until the month of purchase. Southwest does not currently utilize other stand-alone derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes, or for hedging. During 2007 or 2008, Southwest intends to supplement its current volatility mitigation program with stand-alone derivative financial
17
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
instruments for hedging purposes. The combination of fixed-price contracts and derivative financial instruments should increase flexibility for Southwest and increase supplier diversification. The costs of such derivative financial instruments are expected to be recovered from customers.
The rate schedules in Southwest's service territories contain PGA clauses which permit adjustments to rates as the cost of purchased gas changes. The PGA mechanism allows Southwest to request to change the gas cost component of the rates charged to its customers to reflect increases or decreases in the price expected to be paid to its suppliers and companies providing interstate pipeline transportation service.
On an interim basis, Southwest generally defers over- or under-collections of gas costs to PGA balancing accounts. In addition, Southwest uses this mechanism to either refund amounts over-collected or recoup amounts under-collected as compared to the price paid for natural gas during the period since the last PGA rate change went into effect. At June 30, 2007, the combined balances in PGA accounts totaled a net under-collection of $17.1 million versus an under-collection of $77 million at December 31, 2006. Southwest has the ability to draw on its $300 million credit facility to temporarily finance under-collected PGA balances. This facility was extended by one year in April 2007 to expire in April 2012. Southwest has designated $150 million of the facility as long-term debt and the remaining $150 million for working capital purposes. Southwest currently believes the $150 million designated for working capital purposes is adequate to meet liquidity needs. At June 30, 2007, $55 million was outstanding on the long-term portion and no borrowings were outstanding on the short-term portion of the credit facility.
In February 2007, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend payout from 20.5 cents to 21.5 cents per share, effective with the June 2007 payment.
The following table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the Company. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, these ratios are computed on a twelve-month basis:
| For the Twelve Months Ended
|
---|
| June 30, 2007
| December 31, 2006
|
---|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | | 2.29 | | | 2.25 | |
Earnings are defined as the sum of pretax income plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of all interest expense including capitalized interest, one-third of rent expense (which approximates the interest component of such expense), and amortized debt costs.
18
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report contains statements which constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Reform Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference in this quarterly report are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s plans, objectives, goals, projections, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions. The words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue,” and similar words and expressions are generally used and intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, statements regarding customer growth, estimated future construction expenditures, forecasted operating cash flows, sufficiency of working capital and ability to raise funds and receive external financing, and statements regarding future gas prices, gas purchase contracts and derivative financial instruments, the recovery of under-recovered PGA balances, and the timing and results of future rate approvals and guidelines are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act.
A number of important factors affecting the business and financial results of the Company could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of weather variations on customer usage, customer growth rates, changes in natural gas prices, our ability to recover costs through our PGA mechanism, the effects of regulation/deregulation, the timing and amount of rate relief, changes in rate design, changes in gas procurement practices, changes in capital requirements and funding, the impact of conditions in the capital markets on financing costs, changes in construction expenditures and financing, renewal of franchises, easements and rights-of-way, changes in operations and maintenance expenses, effects of accounting changes, future liability claims, changes in pipeline capacity for the transportation of gas and related costs, acquisitions and management’s plans related thereto, competition, and our ability to raise capital in external financings. In addition, the Company can provide no assurance that its discussions regarding certain trends relating to its financing, operations and maintenance expenses will continue in future periods. For additional information on the risks associated with the Company’s business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
All forward-looking statements in this quarterly report are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized. We caution you not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statement(s).
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. No material changes have occurred related to the Company’s disclosures about market risk.
19
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or management override of the control. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Based on the most recent evaluation, as of June 30, 2007, management of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believe the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at attaining the level of reasonable assurance noted above.
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the second quarter of 2007 that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
The Company is named as a defendant in various legal proceedings. The ultimate dispositions of these proceedings are not presently determinable; however, it is the opinion of management that none of this litigation individually or in the aggregate will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
ITEMS 1A. through 3. | None. |
ITEM 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 3, 2007 with the holders of approximately 38 million of the Company’s common shares represented in person or by proxy. Matters voted upon and the results of the voting were as follows:
| (1) | The twelve directors nominated were elected. |
Name
| Votes For
|
---|
George C. Biehl | | 37,213,091 | |
Thomas E. Chestnut | | 37,850,596 | |
Stephen C. Comer | | 37,813,601 | |
Richard M. Gardner | | 37,813,137 | |
LeRoy C. Hanneman, Jr. | | 37,829,141 | |
James J. Kropid | | 37,824,179 | |
Michael O. Maffie | | 37,670,068 | |
Anne L. Mariucci | | 37,784,324 | |
Michael J. Melarkey | | 37,812,482 | |
Jeffrey W. Shaw | | 37,809,015 | |
Carolyn M. Sparks | | 36,699,188 | |
Terrence L. Wright | | 37,829,598 | |
20
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
| (2) | The proposal to approve the 2006 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan was approved. Shareholders voted 26,677,236 shares in favor, 7,595,948 against with 409,606 abstentions. |
| (3) | The proposal to approve amending the Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock was approved. Shareholders voted 35,203,539 shares in favor, 2,681,036 against with 267,602 abstentions. |
| (4) | The proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants for the Company was approved. Shareholders voted 37,788,111 shares in favor, 142,341 against with 221,633 abstentions. |
In August 2007, an amendment was made to the Company’s $300 million credit facility with The Bank of New York (and the signatories thereto) to revise and clarify the definition of “unfunded pension liabilities” as used in the agreement, and other technical corrections.
The following documents are filed as part of this report on Form 10-Q:
Exhibit 3(i) | - | Restated Articles of Incorporation of Southwest Gas Corporation. |
Exhibit 3(ii) | - | Amended Bylaws of Southwest Gas Corporation. |
Exhibit 10.01 | - | Amendment No. 2 to Credit Facility. |
Exhibit 10.02 | - | Amendment No. 3 to Credit Facility. |
Exhibit 12.01 | - | Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
Exhibit 31.01 | - | Section 302 Certifications. |
Exhibit 32.01 | - | Section 906 Certifications. |
21
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION | Form 10-Q |
June 30, 2007
SIGNATURES
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 thereunto duly authorized.
| Southwest Gas Corporation | |
| (Registrant) | |
| | |
Date: August 7, 2007 | | |
| | |
| /s/ Roy R. Centrella | |
| Roy R. Centrella | |
| Vice President/Controller and Chief Accounting Officer | |
22