UNITED STATES
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 (Date of earliest event reported) Aug. 10, 2016
| Commission File Number | Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter; State of Incorporation; Address of Principal Executive Offices; and Telephone Number | IRS Employer Identification Number | ||
| 001-3034 | XCEL ENERGY INC. | 41-0448030 | ||
| (a Minnesota corporation) | ||||
| 414 Nicollet Mall | ||||
| Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 | ||||
| (612) 330-5500 | ||||
| 001-03789 | SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | 75-0575400 | ||
| (a New Mexico corporation) | ||||
| Tyler at Sixth | ||||
| Amarillo, Texas 79101 | ||||
| (303) 571-7511 | ||||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
£ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
£ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
£ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
£ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01. Other Events
In October 2015, Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS), a New Mexico corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., filed an electric rate case with the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission (NMPRC) seeking an increase in non-fuel base rates of $45.4 million. The proposed increase would be offset by a decrease in base fuel revenue of approximately $21.1 million. The rate filing is based on a June 30, 2015 historic test year adjusted for known and measurable changes, a requested return on equity of 10.25 percent, an electric rate base of approximately $734 million and an equity ratio of 53.97 percent.
In May 2016, SPS, the NMPRC Staff and all other parties filed a unanimous black-box stipulation that resolves all issues in the case. Under the stipulation, SPS will implement a non-fuel base rate increase of $23.5 million and a decrease in base fuel revenue of approximately $21.1 million. The decrease in base fuel revenue will be reflected in adjustments collected through the fuel and purchased power cost adjustment clause (FPPCAC). The stipulation places no restriction on when SPS may file its next base rate case.
In July 2016, the hearing examiner issued a recommendation that the NMPRC approve the stipulation, with one exception. The hearing examiner recommended removal of all fuel and purchased power costs from base rates, with recovery of these costs through the existing FPPCAC, resulting in no net revenue change from the stipulation.
On Aug. 10, 2016, the NMPRC approved the stipulation as recommended by the hearing examiner. Final rates will be implemented later this month.
Earnings Guidance
Xcel Energy is reaffirming 2016 ongoing earnings guidance of $2.12 to $2.27 per diluted share. This guidance range is based on several key assumptions previously disclosed, including constructive outcomes in all rate case and regulatory proceedings.
Except for the historical statements contained in this 8-K, the matters discussed herein, including the expected impact of rate cases, are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “should” and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Xcel Energy’s and SPS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2015, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: general economic conditions, including inflation rates, monetary fluctuations and their impact on capital expenditures and the ability of Xcel Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, Xcel Energy) to obtain financing on favorable terms; business conditions in the energy industry; including the risk of a slow down in the U.S. economy or delay in growth recovery; trade, fiscal, taxation and environmental policies in areas where Xcel Energy and SPS have a financial interest; customer business conditions; actions of credit rating agencies; competitive factors including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by Xcel Energy and its subsidiaries; unusual weather; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; cyber security threats and data security breaches; state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rates or have an impact on asset operation or ownership; or impose environmental compliance conditions; structures that affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas markets; costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; financial or regulatory accounting policies imposed by regulatory bodies; availability of cost of capital; and employee work force factors.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| Aug. 12, 2016 | Xcel Energy Inc. (a Minnesota corporation) |
Southwestern Public Service Company (a New Mexico corporation) | |
| /s/ ROBERT C. FRENZEL | |
| Robert C. Frenzel | |
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | |