Northeast Energy Associates 8-K Other events

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 earliest event reported:March 31, 2003

Commission File Number	Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters, State of Organization, address of principal executive offices and registrants' telephone number	IRS Employer Identification Number
33-87902	ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP. (a Delaware corporation)	04-3255377
33-87902-02	NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (a Massachusetts limited partnership)	04-2955642
33-87902-01	NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (a New Jersey limited partnership)	04-2955646
333-52397	ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP. (a Delaware corporation)	65-0827005
333-52397-01	NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (a Delaware limited partnership)	65-0811248
c/o FPL Energy, LLC 700 Universe Boulevard Juno Beach, Florida 33408 (561) 691-7171

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act), ESI Tractebel Funding Corp. (Funding Corp.), Northeast Energy Associates, a limited partnership (NEA) and North Jersey Energy Associates, a limited partnership (NJEA) (collectively, the Partnerships), ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp. (Acquisition Corp.) and Northeast Energy, LP (NE LP) (all five entities collectively, the registrants) are hereby filing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the registrants' actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Reform Act) made by or on behalf of the registrants in this combined Form 8-K, in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases suc h as "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimated," "projection," "target," "outlook") are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could cause the registrants' actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the registrants.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the registrants undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
The following are some important factors that could have a significant impact on the registrants' operations and financial results, and could cause the registrants' actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:
·	The registrants are subject to changes in laws or regulations, including the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as amended (PURPA), changing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), with respect to, but not limited to, acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities, and present or prospective competition.
·	The registrants are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, waste management, natural resources and health and safety that could, among other things, restrict or limit the use of certain fuels required for the production of electricity. There are significant capital, operating and other costs associated with compliance with these environmental statutes, rules and regulations, and those costs could be even more significant in the future.
·	The registrants operate in a changing market environment influenced by various legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation, regulation or restructuring of the energy industry, including deregulation of the production and sale of electricity. The registrants will need to adapt to these changes and may face increasing competitive pressure.
·	The Partnerships were developed and are operated as qualifying facilities (QFs) under PURPA and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the FERC. FERC regulations require that at least 5% of a QF's total energy output be useful thermal energy. To meet this requirement, the Partnerships sell steam under long-term sales agreements to two unrelated third parties for use in gas and chemical processing facilities to maintain their QF status. The Partnerships are dependent upon the on-going operations of these facilities. Loss of QF status would entitle one power purchaser to renegotiate the price provisions of its power purchase agreement and one power purchaser to terminate its power purchase agreement.
·	A substantial portion of the output from the Partnerships' power generation facilities is sold under long-term power purchase agreements to four regulated utilities, two of which are under common control. The limited number of power purchasers creates a concentration of counterparty risk. The remaining output from the power generation facilities is sold, from time to time, in the merchant markets. In addition, it is expected that upon expiration of the power purchase agreements, the residual portion of the electrical output will be sold in the merchant market. Merchant plants sell power based on market conditions at the time of sale. The amount and timing of revenues to be received from the merchant markets in the future is uncertain.
·	The operation of power generation facilities involves many risks, including start up risks, breakdown or failure of equipment, transmission lines or pipelines, the dependence on a specific fuel source or the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions (including natural disasters), as well as the risk of performance below expected levels of output or efficiency. This could result in lost revenues and/or increased expenses. Insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not cover any or all of the lost revenues or increased expenses, including the cost of replacement power. Breakdown or failure of an operating facility may prevent the facility from performing under applicable power sales agreements which, in certain situations, could result in termination of the agreement or payment of liquidated damages.
·	The registrants use derivative instruments, such as swaps and options, to manage their commodity and financial market risks. The registrants could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market values of these contracts, or if a counterparty fails to perform.
·	In addition to risks discussed elsewhere, risk factors specifically affecting the registrants' success include the ability to efficiently operate generating assets, the price and supply of fuel, transmission constraints, competition from new sources of generation, excess generation capacity and demand for power. There can be significant volatility in market prices for fuel, and there are other financial, counterparty and market risks that are beyond the control of the registrants. The registrants' inability or failure to effectively hedge their assets or positions against changes in commodity prices, interest rates, counterparty credit risk or other risk measures could significantly impair their future financial results.
·	The registrants' results of operations can be affected by changes in the weather. Severe weather can be destructive, causing outages and/or property damage, which could require additional costs to be incurred.
·	The registrants are subject to costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; as well as the effect of new, or changes in, tax rates or policies, rates of inflation or accounting standards.
·	The registrants are subject to direct and indirect effects of terrorist threats and activities. Generation and transmission facilities, in general, have been identified as potential targets. The effects of terrorist threats and activities include, among other things, terrorist actions or responses to such actions or threats, the inability to generate, purchase or transmit power, the risk of a significant slowdown in growth or a decline in the U.S. economy, delay in economic recovery in the U.S. and the increased cost and adequacy of security and insurance.
·	The registrants' ability to obtain insurance, and the cost of and coverage provided by such insurance, could be affected by national events as well as registrant-specific events.
·	The registrants are substantially leveraged. The ability of the registrants to make interest and principal payments and fund capital expenditures is dependent on the future performance of the Partnerships. Future performance is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond the control of the registrants. The registrants are also subject to restrictive covenants under their debt agreements that will limit the ability to borrow additional funds.
·	All obligations of the Partnerships are non-recourse to the direct and indirect owners of the registrants. Following any default by the Partnerships, security is limited to the owners' economic interests in the Partnerships. The owners have no meaningful revenues other than the distributions they receive from the Partnerships. In the event of default, the ability of the owners to satisfy any obligations will be limited to amounts payable by the Partnerships as distributions.
The issues and associated risks and uncertainties described above are not the only ones the registrants may face. Additional issues may arise or become material as the energy industry evolves. The risks and uncertainties associated with these additional issues could impair the registrants' businesses in the future.

Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure

On December 31, 2000, NEA exercised its option to receive a reduced energy payment for the period remaining on the power purchase agreement (Montaup PPA) with Montaup Electric Company (Montaup) in lieu of paying the energy bank balance existing as of that date. The $24.9 million balance as of December 31, 2000 was being amortized into revenue on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the agreement which expires on September 15, 2021. NEA's accounting treatment reflected the position that, as of December 31, 2000, the energy bank balance represented deferred revenue and was being reduced for the discounted amount of the energy payments on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the Montaup PPA. The power purchaser, New England Power Company, successor to Montaup (NEP), disputed this position. NEP contended that the energy bank balance was being adjusted monthly and could require a significant payment by NEA upon termination. On October 31, 2002, NEP filed a demand for arbitration with the A merican Arbitration Association in this matter.

On March 31, 2003, the Montaup PPA was restructured resulting in an $11.1 million gain for NEA. In connection with this restructuring, a settlement of the disputes in connection with the arbitration was reached between NE LP, acting on its behalf and on behalf of NEA, and Constellation Power Source, Inc. (CPS), acting on its behalf and on behalf of NEP. The registrants understand that, under a 1998 power purchase agreement between Montaup and CPS (CPS PPA), CPS acts as agent and representative of NEP with respect to the Montaup PPA. Under the terms of the settlement, the arbitration was irrevocably dismissed and the related claims released, any energy bank obligations under the Montaup PPA were terminated and the energy bank balance was eliminated, and NE LP is to pay approximately $11.1 million plus interest to CPS on or before December 31, 2003. Such payment is expected to be paid out of funds otherwise available for NE LP partnership distributions, and is secured by a letter of credit.

As a condition to this settlement, CPS entered into an agreement (PMI Agreement) with FPL Energy, LLC's power marketing subsidiary, FPL Energy Power Marketing, Inc. (PMI). Under the terms of the PMI Agreement, until termination of the Montaup PPA, PMI is to purchase power from CPS under the same terms as CPS purchases power under the Montaup PPA, as NEP's agent and representative pursuant to the CPS PPA. Also, under the PMI Agreement the parties agreed to seek approvals and satisfy conditions for NEA to terminate the Montaup PPA on or before December 31, 2003. Those approvals and conditions include approvals under the indentures relating to the Funding Corp. and Acquisition Corp. secured notes and bonds.

SIGNATURES

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.

	NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner) NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner) NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner) ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP. ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP. (Registrants)
Date: April 28, 2003
	MARK R. SORENSEN
	Mark R. Sorensen Vice President and Treasurer of ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. Treasurer of ESI Tractebel Funding Corp. Treasurer of ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp. (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer of the Registrants)