UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-4315
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York 13-1727729
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
One Blue Hill Plaza, Pearl River, New York 10965
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(914) 352-6000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
NONE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's class of
common stock, as of the close of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock - $5 Par Value 13,519,866 shares
(Class) (Outstanding at October 31, 1998)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) at
September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 1
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
for the three months and nine months ended
September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997 3
Consolidated Cash Flow Statements (Unaudited)
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998
and September 30, 1997 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 8
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings 20
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 23
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 24
Signatures 25
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item I. Financial Statements
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Assets
September 30, December 31,
1998 1997
(Thousands of Dollars)
Utility Plant:
Electric $1,059,009 $1,047,857
Gas 241,294 232,206
Common 95,513 64,570
Utility Plant in Service 1,395,816 1,344,633
Less accumulated depreciation 497,679 471,865
Net Utility Plant in Service 898,137 872,768
Construction work in progress 46,807 63,445
Net Utility Plant 944,944 936,213
Non-utility Property:
Non-utility property 11,664 11,651
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion
and amortization 1,226 1,109
Net Non-utility Property 10,438 10,542
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 5,067 3,513
Temporary cash investments - 518
Customer accounts receivable, less allowance for
uncollectible accounts of $3,139 and $2,530 64,911 61,817
Accrued utility revenue 18,920 22,869
Other accounts receivable, less allowance for
uncollectible accounts of $269 and $258 11,320 20,450
Materials and supplies (at average cost) 32,964 35,269
Prepaid property taxes 33,770 21,575
Prepayments and other current assets 32,726 21,469
Total Current Assets 199,678 187,480
Deferred Debits:
Income tax recoverable in future rates 73,770 74,731
Deferred revenue taxes 11,617 10,923
Deferred pension and other postretirement benefits 7,631 9,334
IPP settlements 7,592 14,238
Unamortized debt expense (amortized over term
of securities) 10,431 11,153
Other deferred debits 26,810 29,705
Total Deferred Debits 137,851 150,084
Net Assets of Discontinued Operations 1,352 1,645
Total $1,294,263 $1,285,964
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Capitalization and Liabilities
September 30, December 31,
1998 1997
(Thousands of Dollars)
Capitalization:
Common stock (13,519,731 & 13,589,011 shares
outstanding) $ 67,598 $ 67,945
Premium on capital stock 132,317 132,985
Capital stock expense (6,045) (6,084)
Retained earnings 188,140 181,473
Total 382,010 376,319
Non-redeemable preferred stock (428,443 shares
outstanding) - 42,844
Non-redeemable cumulative preference stock
(10,862 and 11,639 shares outstanding) - 379
Total Non-Redeemable Stock - 43,223
Long-term debt 356,637 356,637
Total Capitalization 738,647 776,179
Non-current Liabilities:
Reserve for claims and damages 4,756 4,591
Postretirement benefits 12,852 15,334
Pension costs 46,487 43,618
Obligations under capital leases 1,517 1,646
Total Non-current Liabilities 65,612 65,189
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable and obligations due within one year 176,553 130,609
Accounts payable 72,747 57,630
Accrued Federal income and other taxes 4,174 2,929
Refundable fuel and gas costs (19) 3,848
Refunds to customers 572 986
Other current liabilities 20,554 30,678
Total Current Liabilities 274,581 226,680
Deferred Taxes and Other:
Deferred Federal income taxes 195,574 192,514
Deferred investment tax credits 13,904 14,482
Accrued Order 636 transition costs 1,340 1,340
Other deferred credits 4,605 9,580
Total Deferred Taxes and Other 215,423 217,916
Total $1,294,263 $1,285,964
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Three Months Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
1998 1997 1998 1997
(Thousands of Dollars)
Operating Revenues:
Electric $159,172 $145,244 $381,016 $364,224
Gas 12,796 14,364 95,224 117,415
Total Utility Revenues 171,968 159,608 476,240 481,639
Diversified Activities 150 120 508 602
Total Operating Revenues 172,118 159,728 476,748 482,241
Operating Expenses:
Operations:
Fuel used in electric production 30,021 25,149 72,170 53,332
Electricity purchased for resale 14,402 14,568 40,572 47,428
Gas purchased for resale 7,219 7,978 50,684 69,896
Other expenses of operation 40,167 37,790 108,538 106,697
Maintenance 9,134 8,724 27,163 26,711
Depreciation and amortization 9,129 8,871 26,430 27,087
Taxes other than income taxes 23,269 24,592 68,605 74,179
Federal income taxes 11,875 8,315 21,490 18,707
Total Operating Expenses 145,216 135,987 415,652 424,037
Income from Operations 26,906 23,741 61,096 58,204
Other Income and (Deductions):
Allowance for other funds used during
construction (7) 30 (4) 64
Investigation costs - 625 - (2,765)
Other - net (99) (88) 549 663
Taxes other than income taxes (70) (68) (208) (200)
Federal income taxes 305 65 397 1,455
Total Other Income and (Deductions) 129 564 734 (783)
Income Before Interest Charges 27,031 24,305 61,830 57,421
Interest Charges:
Interest on long-term debt 5,957 5,957 17,918 18,118
Other interest 2,352 1,586 6,836 4,901
Amortization of debt premium, expense-net 283 412 851 1,221
Allowance for borrowed funds used
during construction (10) (347) (1,104) (740)
Total Interest Charges 8,582 7,608 24,501 23,500
Income from Continuing Operations 18,449 16,697 37,329 33,921
(continued)
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(continued)
Three Months Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
1998 1997 1998 1997
(Thousands of Dollars)
Discontinued Operations (Note 5):
Loss from discontinued operations
net of related income taxes - - - (6,738)
Estimated net loss on disposal of
discontinued operations - (4,129) - (8,694)
Loss with respect to
discontinued operations - (4,129) - (15,432)
Net Income 18,449 12,568 37,329 18,489
Preferred and preference
stock requirements 861 700 2,260 2,099
Earnings applicable to common stock $17,588 $11,868 $35,069 $16,390
Avg. number of common shares outstanding
(000's) 13,520 13,654 13,520 13,654
Earnings Per Average Common Share
Outstanding:
Continuing Operations $ 1.30 $ 1.17 $ 2.59 $ 2.33
Discontinued - - - (.49)
Estimated net loss on disposal - (.30) - (.64)
Total $ 1.30 $ .87 $ 2.59 $ 1.20
Dividends declared per common share
outstanding $ - $ - $1.935 $1.935
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Cash Flow Statements (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
1998 1997
(Thousands of Dollars)
Cash Flow from Operations:
Net income $37,329 $18,489
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 26,094 26,751
Deferred Federal income taxes 4,150 4,637
Deferred investment tax credit (578) (595)
Deferred and refundable fuel and gas costs (3,867) 519
Allowance for funds used during construction (1,100) (804)
Other non-cash charges 49 2,833
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities:
Accounts and gas marketing receivables (net) and
accrued utility revenues 10,292 10,585
Materials and supplies 2,305 (2,857)
Prepaid property taxes (12,195) (12,496)
Prepayments and other current assets (11,257) (12,460)
Operating accounts payable 15,117 14,911
Accrued Federal Income and other taxes 1,245 96
Accrued interest (1,663) (2,834)
Refunds to customers (414) (430)
Other current liabilities (8,462) (3,491)
Discontinued operations 293 7,248
Other-net 8,424 11,359
Net Cash Provided from Operations 65,762 61,461
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Additions to plant (36,752) (47,822)
Temporary cash investments 518 1,289
Allowance for funds used during construction 1,100 804
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (35,134) (45,729)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from:
Issuance of long-term debt - 20,089
Issuance of capital lease obligation - 2,020
Retirements of:
Common stock (3,225) -
Preference and preferred stock - (1,390)
Long-term debt (29) (25,252)
Capital lease obligations (120) (166)
Net borrowings (repayments) under
short-term debt arrangements* 2,575 17,180
Dividends on preferred and common stock (28,275) (28,549)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (29,074) (16,068)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 1,554 (336)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 3,513 3,321
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 5,067 $ 2,985
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized $25,577 $25,825
Federal income taxes $17,811 $10,000
*Debt with maturities of 90 days or less.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. The consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 1998, the consolidated
statements of income for the three month and nine month periods ended
September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the consolidated cash flow statements for
the nine month periods then ended have been prepared by Orange and Rockland
Utilities, Inc. (the "Company") without an audit. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments and
the adjustments necessitated by the discontinued operations) necessary to
fairly present the financial position and results of operations at
September 30, 1998, and for all periods presented, have been made. The
amounts in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1997 have been
derived from audited financial statements.
2. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been omitted. It is suggested that these unaudited
consolidated financial statements, notes to consolidated financial
statements and the management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements, the review of the Company's results of
operations and financial condition and the notes to consolidated financial
statements included in the Company's December 31, 1997 Annual Report to
Shareholders. The results of operations for the period ended September 30,
1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the
full year.
3. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company,
all subsidiaries and the Company's pro rata share of an unincorporated
joint venture. All intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated.
4. Contingencies at September 30, 1998 are substantially the same as the
contingencies described in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements"
included in the Company's December 31, 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders,
which material is incorporated by reference to the Company's December 31,
1997 Form 10-K Annual Report, and in Item 3, Legal Proceedings of the
Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997, except changes in the status of regulatory matters which are updated
in Part I, Item 2 under the caption "Regulatory Activities" and the status
of certain Legal Proceedings updated in Part II, Item I, "Legal
Proceedings".
5. In August 1997, NORSTAR Management, Inc. ("NMI"), a wholly-owned indirect
subsidiary of the Company sold certain of the assets of NORSTAR Energy
Limited Partnership ("NORSTAR"), a natural gas services and marketing
company of which NMI is the general partner. During the third quarter of
1998, NMI continued to wind down the remaining portion of the NORSTAR
business. All activity has been completed with the exception of finalizing
the remaining accounts receivable and payable balances. The resolution of
these items is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's
financial condition or results of operations.
6. At a Special Meeting of the Common Shareholders of the Company held
on August 20, 1998, the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 10,
1998 ("Merger Agreement") among the Company, Consolidated Edison, Inc.
("CEI") and C Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of CEI,("Merger
Sub") was approved by a vote of approximately 74% of the common shares
entitled to vote. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge
with and into the Company (the "Merger"), with the Company becoming the
surviving corporation and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of CEI. The
Merger is expected to occur shortly after all of the conditions to the
consummation of the Merger, including the receipt of certain regulatory
approvals, are met or waived. The Parties have requested regulatory reviews
and approvals prior to March 31, 1999.
7. The Merger Agreement requires the redemption of the Company's Cumulative
Preferred Stock and Cumulative Preference Stock. The Company intends to
redeem those issues as soon as practicable, but in any event prior to the
effective date of the Merger. These issues of stock are reflected on the
Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 1998 as Current Liabilities.
Effective July 1, 1998, the Company began accreting the estimated call price
over the carryingamount for the Preferred and Preference Stock to be
redeemed.
8. Certain amounts from prior years have been reclassified to conform with the
current year presentation.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Financial Condition:
Financial Performance
The Company's consolidated earnings per average common share outstanding for the
third quarter of 1998 were $1.30 as compared to $0.87 for the third quarter of
1997. Discontinued operations had no effect on the third quarter of 1998 and
accounted for a loss of $0.30 per share for the third quarter of 1997.
Fluctuations within the components of earnings are discussed in the "Results of
Operations". The average number of common shares outstanding was 13.5 million
for the third quarter of 1998 and 13.7 million for the third quarter of 1997.
The return on average common equity for the twelve months ended September 30,
1998 was 12.17% as compared to 5.90% for the twelve months ended September
30, 1997. If the effect of the Company's discontinued operations were excluded,
the return on common equity for the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 would
have been 10.33%.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
At September 30, 1998, the Company and its utility subsidiaries had unsecured
bank lines of credit totaling $140.0 million. Effective October 1, 1998, the
Company increased its lines of credit to $160.0 million. The Company borrows
under the lines of credit through the issuance of promissory notes to the banks.
However, the Company primarily utilizes such lines of credit to fully support
commercial paper borrowings. The aggregate amount of borrowings through the
issuance of promissory notes and commercial paper cannot exceed the aggregate
lines of credit. The average daily balance of short-term borrowings for the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 amounted to $123.9 million at an effective
interest rate of 5.9% as compared to $155.4 million at an effective interest
rate of 5.8% for the same period of 1997. The average daily balance of
temporary cash investments for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 was $0.6
million with an effective interest rate of 5.2% compared to $0.9 million at an
effective interest rate of 5.2% for the same period of 1997. The non-utility
subsidiaries of the Company and of Rockland Electric Company ("RECO"), a wholly
owned utility subsidiary of the Company, had no bank lines of credit at
September 30, 1998.
The Company has outstanding 428,443 shares of Non-Redeemable Cumulative
Preferred Stock and 10,862 shares of Non-Redeemable Preference Stock (the
"Preferred and Preference Stock") in various series, which together amount to
$43.4 million. The 10,862 shares of Non-Redeemable Preference Stock are
convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, prior to redemption, at a
ratio of 1.47 shares of common stock for each share of Preference Stock. The
Merger Agreement calls for the redemption of all of the Company's Preferred and
Preference Stock prior to the effective date of the Merger. On October 7, 1998,
the Company filed a petition with the New York Public Service Commission
("NYPSC") for the consent of the Public Service Commission to and its
approval of the issuance and sale of up to $45 million aggregate principal
amount of unsecured debentures, in one or more series and the use of the
proceeds from the sale of the unsecured debentures to call all of the Company's
Preferred Stock and all of the Preference Stock outstanding. The Company
anticipates that the NYPSC will consider this petition in December 1998. The
Company currently has no other plans for the issuance of additional debt or
equity securities.
On July 29, 1998, the Company's Pennsylvania subsidiary, Pike County Light &
Power Company ("Pike"), filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission ("PPUC") requesting authority to issue up to $3.5 million of First
Mortgage Bonds, the proceeds of which would be used primarily for the
refinancing of Pike's First Mortgage Bonds Series A, 9.00% due 2001 and First
Mortgage Bonds Series B, 9.95% due 2020, with the remaining funds being used to
finance capital expenditures and for other corporate purposes. On September 3,
1998, Pike's petition was approved by the PPUC. Pike sold $3.2 million of First
Mortgage Bonds Series C, 7.07% due 2018 and it is expected that the bonds will
be issued in November.
Regulatory Activities
Proposed Merger with Consolidated Edison, Inc.
Reference is made to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of May
10, 1998, for a description of the Merger Agreement, dated as of May 10, 1998,
entered into among the Company, CEI and Merger Sub. A Special Meeting of the
Common Shareholders of the Company was held on August 20, 1998, to consider and
vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. The Merger
Agreement was approved by a vote of approximately 74% of the outstanding shares
of the Company's common stock entitled to vote.
On June 22, 1998, the Company, CEI and Consolidated Edison Company of New York,
Inc. ("Con Edison") filed a Joint Petition with the NYPSC requesting approval of
the Merger. The Parties have requested that the NYPSC review and approve this
Joint Petition prior to March 31, 1999.
On July 2, 1998, the Company, CEI and Con Edison filed a Joint Petition with the
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities ("NJBPU") requesting approval of the
Merger. The Parties have requested that the NJBPU review and approve this Joint
Petition on or before February 1, 1999.
On July 2, 1998 Pike filed an Application with the PPUC requesting approval of
the Merger. Pike requested that the PPUC review and approve this Application
prior to March 31, 1999.
On September 9, 1998, the Company and Con Edison filed an Application for
Approval of Merger and Related Authorizations with the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission ("FERC"). The parties have requested that the FERC approve the
Merger prior to March 31, 1999.
New York Competitive Opportunities Proceeding
Electric:
Reference is made to Item 3, Legal Proceedings, under the caption "New York
Competitive Opportunities Proceeding" in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, and to Item 2, Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in
the Company's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31,
1998, for a description of the NYPSC's Competitive Opportunities Proceeding
(Case No. 94-E-0952, the Company-specific Competitive Opportunity Proceeding
and Case No. 96-E-0900, the Company's Restructuring Plan which provides for,
among other things, the sale of the Company's generating assets and for an
unbundeled rate filing as submitted to the NYPSC on February 17, 1998).
On August 13, 1998, the Company, NYPSC Staff and interested parties reached an
agreement to establish production related revenue requirements for the purposes
of unbundling the Company's electric tariffs in the revenue requirement phase of
the New York Unbundling proceeding. On September 13, 1998, a settlement
concerning the rate design and all other issues had been reached as well.
Settlements were submitted to an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") for review.
The Company expects a decision during the first quarter of 1999. The Company is
unable to predict the outcome of this regulatory proceeding and the effect on
the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
As provided for in the Settlement Agreement in Case No. 96-E-0900, the Company
has commenced the process of auctioning its generating assets. Final bids have
been submitted and the Company is currently reviewing the bids.
New Jersey Energy Master Plan
Reference is made to Item 3, Legal Proceedings, under the caption "New Jersey -
Energy Master Plan" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997, for information regarding the NJBPU order "Adopting and
Releasing Final Report in its Energy Master Plan Phase II Proceeding to
Investigate the Future Structure of the Electric Power Industry (Docket No. EX
94120585Y)." The Order required RECO and other New Jersey investor owned
electric utilities each to file unbundled rates, a stranded cost proposal and a
restructuring plan. Hearings were conducted in the stranded cost and unbundling
phases.
On August 19, 1998, the ALJ issued his recommended decision in the proceeding to
consider RECO's unbundled rates filing and stranded costs filing. The ALJ
determined that, in accordance with the NJBPU's directives, RECO's unbundled
rates are revenue neutral on an intra-class, inter-class and total revenue
basis. In his decision, the ALJ indicated that the final determination of the
stranded costs issue should be reserved until after the divestiture of the
Company's electric generating assets and the consummation of the Merger. The ALJ
deferred any decision on the proper level of rate reductions to the NJBPU.
Initial briefs on exceptions were filed on October 2, 1998. In its initial
brief, RECO argued that no portion of its share of divestiture proceeds should
be applied to reduce stranded costs. It also contended that since these
proceedings were separate from the NJBPU's proceeding to consider the Merger,
the resolution of the divestiture and stranded costs issues need not be delayed
until the Merger is consummated.
Hearings in the restructuring phase were held before the NJBPU. The NJPBU has
indicated that it will delay a ruling on these proceedings until 1999.
Currently, there are bills before the New Jersey State Legislature which, if
enacted, will determine the shape of retail electric choice in that state. Key
points contained in the legislation currently under consideration deal
specifically with a rate reduction for customers by June 1, 1999, and the issue
of stranded costs.
A final ruling by the NJBPU will be made subsequent to action by the State
Legislature. The legislation currently being considered is expected to be
passed before the end of December 1998. It is not possible to predict the
outcome of the NJBPU proceeding or its effect, if any, on the Company's
consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Pennsylvania - Competitive Legislation
Reference is made to Item 3, Legal Proceedings, under the caption "Pennsylvania
- - Competitive Legislation" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997 for a description of the "Electricity Generation
Customer Choice and Competition Act." The Company's subsidiary, Pike, is a
Pennsylvania electric and gas utility company.
On July 23, 1998, the PPUC issued an Order approving the Joint Petition for
Complete Settlement of Pike's Proposed Restructuring Plan. This Joint Petition,
dated May 15, 1998, was supported by all parties in Pike's electric
restructuring proceeding and provides for full retail access for all customers
as of May 1, 1999. The settlement provides for the recovery, through a
competitive transition charge, of stranded costs relating to non-utility
generator ("NUG")contracts, NUG contract buyout costs previously incurred and
deferred fuel costs incurred to May 1, 1999. Pike will be allowed to retain the
first $55,000 of any net gains from the divestiture of the Company's electric
generating facilities. Pike's share of any additional net gains from the
divestiture of the Company's electric generating facilities will be used to
offset stranded costs.
Year 2000 Update
The Company has been working to address the Year 2000 issue since 1996. The
Company's Year 2000 Plan addresses mainframe computer applications, personal
computer software and hardware functionality, embedded technology, critical
supplier and vendor considerations and contingency planning. The Company expects
to be Year 2000 ready on or before October 1, 1999.
The Company believes that with the full implementation of its Year 2000 Plan,
the possibility of significant Year 2000 problems will be greatly reduced, if
not eliminated. However, the failure of the Company, or one or more of the
Company's key suppliers or vendors, to correct a material Year 2000 problem
could result in the interruption of service to its customers or failure of
certain normal business operations.
The overall responsibility for the Company's Year 2000 efforts resides with an
Executive Sponsorship Committee which is responsible for ensuring that
appropriate plans are implemented, adequate resources are available, and work
activities are completed to address Year 2000 issues throughout the Company. A
Program Manager reporting directly to the Executive Sponsorship Committee
provides support for the overall Year 2000 effort, monitors progress and
coordinates all activities and documentation.
To ensure that Year 2000 issues are adequately addressed throughout the Company,
Project Managers with oversight responsibility for the Company's Year 2000
efforts have been assigned to specific functional areas as follows:
Enterprise Computing Systems
Mainframe Legacy Applications ("Legacy Systems")
Desktop Systems & Servers
Customer Information Management System
Telecommunications Embedded Systems
Transmission & Distribution Embedded Systems
Generation Embedded Systems
Energy Control Center Systems
Vendor Management
System Integrated Testing
Business Contingency Planning
The Year 2000 activity within each functional area will conform to a
management process which includes an assessment, remediation, validation and
implementation phase.
Over the last several years, the Company has been evaluating and replacing
various of its Legacy Systems, including its Customer Information Management
System, Fixed Asset System and other core accounting and management systems.
This effort was undertaken to provide additional functionality, automated
processes and improved access to information, and addresses Year 2000 issues as
well.
In addition to those systems described in the preceding paragraph, the Company
has also made significant progress on the remediation of the Year 2000 issues in
other systems. For example, the Company's desktop PCs will be remediated and
tested on or before March 1, 1999. Similarly, an inventory of embedded systems
is essentially complete and affected systems prioritized so as to identify those
which are deemed to be Mission Critical and Business Critical. The testing and
remediation of Mission Critical systems is in progress. All systems are
scheduled to be Year 2000 ready on October 1, 1999 with Mission Critical systems
targeted for completion prior to that date. Vendor Management activities have
commenced and are ongoing.
The Company has been working in conjunction with the New York Power Pool and the
North American Electric Reliability Council to address issues relating to grid
reliability and protection. In addition, the Company's existing contingency
plans are being reviewed and updated for use in connection with Year 2000
issues. The contingency plans will be modified as may be required to address
any potential Year 2000 problems which are identified during the Company's
planning process.
The Company estimates that the cost of its Year 2000 efforts will be
approximately $8.0 million, of which approximately $3.0 has been incurred. These
expenditures include the core accounting system, which provides both enhanced
functionality and addresses Year 2000 issues, but do not include other systems
that were replaced in the normal course of business for operating reasons, which
also address Year 2000 issues.
Due to the general uncertainty inherent in the Year 2000 issues, the Company is
unable to determine at this time whether the consequences of Year 2000 will have
a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, liquidity or
financial condition.
QUARTERLY COMPARISON
Results of Operations
The Company's total consolidated basic earnings per average common share
outstanding for the third quarter of 1998 were $1.30 as compared to $0.87 for
the third quarter of 1997.
The lower earnings experienced during the third quarter of 1997 were primarily
the result of the loss of $0.30 per share experienced by the Company's now
discontinued gas marketing subsidiary operations.
Earnings from continuing operations were $1.30 per share for the third quarter
of 1998, compared to $1.17 in the same period a year ago. During the third
quarter of 1998, the earnings increase from continuing operations was primarily
the result of record electric retail sales attributable to the hotter than
normal weather. Electric sales increased eight percent during the third quarter
of 1998 compared with the same period a year ago. The earnings increase was
partially offset by higher third quarter operation and maintenance expenses,
higher property taxes and lower gas sales.
Electric and Gas Revenues
Electric and gas operating revenues, including fuel cost and purchased gas cost
recoveries, increased by $12.4 million during the third quarter of 1998 as
compared to the same quarter of 1997 primarily as a result of higher electric
sales.
Electric operating revenues during the current quarter were $159.2 million as
compared to $145.2 million for the third quarter of 1997, an increase of $14.0
million. This increase was the result of higher electric sales and higher fuel
cost recoveries.
Total sales of electric energy to retail customers during the third quarter of
1998 were 1,402,704 megawatt hours ("Mwh"), compared with 1,298,466 Mwh during
the comparable period a year ago. Revenues from these sales were $154.9 million
during the third quarter compared with $141.2 million for the same period in
1997. Electric revenue was reduced by $2.7 million during the third quarter of
1998 due to the change necessitated by the New Jersey Uniform Transitional
Utilities Assessment Act. This Act, although it resulted in a change in the
method of recording the tax by lowering revenue and correspondingly lowering
taxes other than income taxes, did not affect the Company's tax liability or the
Company's net income for the period. In addition, partially offsetting the
effect of the higher sales was the impact of base rate reductions effective
December 1, 1997. Sales to other utilities for the third quarter of 1998
amounted to 126,376 Mwh with revenues of $3.5 million compared to 124,585 Mwh
and $2.8 million in 1997. Revenue from these sales are primarily a recovery of
costs, and under the applicable tariff regulations, have a minimal impact on
earnings.
Gas operating revenues during the third quarter of 1998 were $12.8 million
compared to $14.4 million for the third quarter of 1997, a decrease of $1.6
million. This decrease is primarily the result of lower gas sales and the
timing of fuel cost recoveries.
Gas sales to firm customers during the third quarter of 1998 totaled 1,406
million cubic feet ("Mmcf"), compared with 1,566 Mmcf during the same period a
year ago. Gas revenues from firm customers were $9.3 million, compared with
$10.8 million in the third quarter of 1997. Interruptible gas sales were 807
Mmcf for the third quarter of 1998 compared to 802 Mmcf for the same period of
1997. Revenues from interruptible customers were $2.6 million for the third
quarter of 1998 compared to $2.7 million for the third quarter of 1997.
Fuel, Purchased Electricity and Purchased Gas Costs
The cost of fuel used in the production of electricity and purchased electricity
costs amounted to $44.4 million for the third quarter of 1998 compared to $39.7
million for the third quarter of 1997. This increase reflects the increased
demand for electricity, including sales to other utilities, and an increase in
fuel costs.
Purchased gas costs were $7.2 million in the third quarter of 1998 compared to
$8.0 million in 1997, a decrease of $0.8 million. This decrease in gas costs is
attributable to the lower volume of gas purchased for resale and lower gas cost
recoveries.
Other Operating and Maintenance Expenses
The Company's total operating expenses excluding fuel, purchased power and gas
purchased for resale for the third quarter of 1998 increased by $5.3 million
compared with the same period in 1997. Utility operating expenses increased
$5.1 million. Diversified operating expenses increased by $0.2 million.
The increase in utility operating expenses is the result of higher electric
transmission and distribution maintenance as well as higher customer records and
collection expenses. The reduction in taxes other than income taxes of $1.3
million is primarily due to the change necessitated by the New Jersey Uniform
Transitional Utilities Assessment Act discussed above. The reduction in taxes
other than income taxes was also impacted by regulatory adjustments related to
the New York Restructuring Plan. After eliminating the regulatory adjustments
approved in the New York Electric Restructuring Case, property taxes and
depreciation expense increased by $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
Federal Income Taxes increased primarily due to the increase in earnings.
Diversified Activities
The Company's diversified activities consist of energy related services and
business ventures and land development conducted through wholly-owned non-
utility subsidiaries.
Revenues from diversified activities were $150,000 for the third quarter of 1998
compared with $120,000 a year ago.
Other Income, Deductions and Interest Charges - Net
Other income, net of interest charges and other deductions, decreased by $1.4
million during the third quarter of 1998 when compared to the same quarter of
1997. This is primarily the result of increased interest expense on short term
debt in 1998 and the 1997 adjustment to investigation costs.
YEAR TO DATE COMPARISON
Results of Operations
Basic earnings per average common share outstanding for the first nine months of
1998 amounted to $2.59 per share as compared to $1.20 per share for the first
nine months of 1997. Discontinued operations had no effect for the first nine
months of 1998 but accounted for a loss of $1.13 per share for the first nine
months of 1997. Settlement costs related to litigation with the Company's
former Chairman had no effect on the first nine months of 1998 but reduced
earnings by $0.13 per share for the first nine months of 1997.
Earnings from continuing operations were $2.59 per share for the first nine
months of 1998 compared to $2.33 for the same period of 1997. During the first
quarter of 1998, gas operating revenues were adversely affected by below-normal
sales resulting from the warm winter weather, the effect of which was somewhat
mitigated by the Company's gas weather normalization clause. Higher electric
sales during the first nine months of 1998 contributed to the earnings increase.
Electric and Gas Revenues
Electric and gas operating revenues, including fuel cost and purchased gas cost
recoveries, decreased by $5.4 million in the first nine months of 1998 as
compared to the same period of 1997.
Electric operating revenues during the current nine-month period were $381.0
million as compared to $364.2 million for the first nine months of 1997, an
increase of $16.8 million.
Total sales of electric energy to retail customers during the first nine months
of 1998 were 3,698,245 Mwh, compared to 3,522,642 Mwh during the comparable
period a year ago. Electric revenues associated with these sales were $366.8
million compared to $356.8 million during the first nine months of 1997 an
increase of $10.0 million. This increase was due primarily to increased sales,
however, electric revenue was reduced due to a reduction in base rates effective
December 1997 as well as the change necessitated by the New Jersey Uniform
Transitional Utilities Assessment Act discussed above. Sales to other utilities
for the first nine months of 1998 amounted to 445,939 Mwh with revenues of $11.6
million compared to 222,098 Mwh and $5.0 million in 1997. Revenues from these
sales are primarily a recovery of costs and under the applicable tariff
regulations, have a minimal impact on earnings.
Gas operating revenues during the first nine months of 1998 were $95.2 million
compared to $117.4 million for the first nine months of 1997, a decrease of
$22.2 million. Revenues were decreased by lower gas cost recoveries and lower
sales volumes.
Record warm weather conditions during the first quarter of 1998 in addition to a
continued decline in sales resulted in a decrease in gas sales as compared to
the first quarter of 1997. Sales to firm customers during the first nine months
of 1998 totaled 12,144 Mmcf, compared with 13,643 Mmcf during the same period a
year ago. Gas revenues from firm customers were $84.2 million, compared with
$104.5 million in the first nine months of 1997. The level of revenue from gas
sales in New York is subject to a weather normalization clause that provides for
revenue adjustments, which are either collected from or refunded to customers,
for degree day variations of 2.2% or more from base rate forecast levels.
Fuel, Purchased Electricity and Purchased Gas Costs
The cost of fuel used in the production of electricity and purchased electricity
costs increased by $12 million during the first nine months of 1998 when
compared to the same period of 1997. This increase reflects increased demand
offset by a decrease in the cost of fuel and purchased power.
Purchased gas costs were $50.7 million in the first nine months of 1998 compared
to $69.9 million in 1997, a decrease of $19.2 million. This decrease in gas
costs is attributable to the lower volume of gas purchased for resale and lower
prices.
Other Operating and Maintenance Expenses
The Company's total operating expenses, excluding fuel, purchased power and gas
purchased for resale for the first nine months of 1998 decreased by $1.2 million
compared with the same period in 1997. The decrease in expenses associated with
utility operating expenses amounted to $1.0 million. Diversified operation and
maintenance expenses decreased $0.2 million.
The decrease in utility operating expenses is the result of reductions in taxes
other than income taxes of $5.6 million and lower depreciation and amortization
expense of $0.6 million, offset by higher Federal income tax expense of $2.7
million. The reduction in taxes other than income taxes is primarily due to the
change necessitated by the New Jersey Uniform Transitional Utilities Assessment
Act discussed above. After eliminating the regulatory adjustments approved in
the New York Electric Restructuring Case, property taxes and depreciation
expense increased by $2.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The increase
in depreciation expense is due to normal plant additions and the amortization of
the Company's new customer accounting system. Other operating and maintenance
expense increased by $2.5 million due primarily to additional customer records
and collection expenses.
Diversified Activities
Revenues from diversified activities decreased by $94,000 for the first nine
months of 1998 as compared to the same period of 1997.
Other Income, Deductions and Interest Charges - Net
Other income, net of interest charges and other deductions, increased by $0.5
million during the first nine months of 1998 when compared to the same period of
1997 due primarily to decreased investigation costs offset by increased interest
expense on short term debt.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Reference is made to Item 5, Other Events, of the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated March 31, 1998 and to Item 5, Other Events, of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 10, 1998, for a description and
information relating to the litigation entitled Virgilio Ciullo, et al. v.
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., et al. On August 14, 1998, on the basis of
an ex parte application, plaintiffs secured a temporary restraining order
("TRO") which would have had the effect of restraining the Company from
conducting the voting or announcing the results thereof at its August 20, 1998
Special Meeting of Common Shareholders (the "Special Meeting") pending a hearing
on August 25, 1998, regarding the issuance of a preliminary injunction. On
August 19, 1998, on application of the Company, the Appellate Division vacated
the TRO, thus permitting the voting to be held at the Special Meeting.
On August 24, 1998, the plaintiffs made a filing with the court seeking to amend
their complaint, which had been previously amended, so as to add additional
causes of action challenging the adequacy of the disclosure in the Proxy
Statement issued in connection with the Special Meeting and seeking to have the
vote at the Special Meeting set aside or, alternatively, seeking damages. On
August 25, 1998, following oral argument before Justice Charles Ramos,
plaintiffs' application for a preliminary injunction was denied as moot since
the Special Meeting had already been held.
On September 9, 1998, oral argument was held before Justice Ramos on (i) the
Company's motion to dismiss plaintiffs' second amended complaint and (ii)
plaintiffs' petition to further amend their complaint to include additional
causes of action relating to the adequacy of the disclosures contained in the
Proxy Statement issued in connection with the Special Meeting.
The parties are awaiting the issuance of a ruling on the matters pending before
the court. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding or
its effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of
operations.
Reference is made to Item 3, Legal Proceedings, in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 for a description of a
petition filed by the Company, the six other New York State investor-owned
electric utilities, and the Energy Association of New York State ("Petitioners")
in the New York State Supreme Court pursuant to Article 78 of the New York Civil
Practice Law and Rules challenging the NYPSC's May 20, 1996 Order in the NYPSC
Competitive Opportunities Proceeding, (Case Nos. 94-E-0952 and 96-E-0900). By
Decision and Order on Motion dated October 28, 1998, the Appellate Division has
granted a motion to extend the time to perfect appeals to February 25, 1999.
Reference is made to Item 3, Legal Proceedings, in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and to Part II, Item 1, Legal
Proceedings, in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 1998, for a description of a litigation entitled Crossroads
Cogeneration Corporation v. Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.
On October 27, 1998, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
issued its decision in this case. The Third Circuit confirmed the trial court's
dismissal with prejudice of Crossroads federal anti-trust claims for
monopolization and attempted monopolization, in violation of Section 2 of the
Sherman Act, as well as price discrimination in violation of Section 2 of the
Clayton Act. The Third Circuit did reject the trial court's determination that
the New York Public Service Commission's ("NYPSC") November 29, 1996 decision
was determinative of Crossroads' state contract claims. It did so on the
grounds that the issue decided by the NYPSC was not identical to that presented
by Crossroads' state contract claims. Under the applicable procedural rules,
either Crossroads or Orange and Rockland may petition the Third Circuit for a
hearing en banc of that portion of the opinion unfavorable to that party. Such
a petition must be filed on or before November 10, 1998.
Absent a successful petition for rehearing, the United States District Court for
the District of New Jersey would gain jurisdiction over this case.
The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding or its effect on
the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Forward-Looking Information
The Company has made forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q Quarterly
Report with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and
business of the Company in the future, which involve certain risks and
uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are included in Item 1 of Part I in
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Item 2 of Part I,
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, under the captions "Capital Resources and Liquidity", "Regulatory
Activities" and "Year 2000 Compliance" as well as in this Part II Item I under
the caption "Legal Proceedings" with respect to certain pending litigation
matters. For all of those statements, the Company claims the protections of the
safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
(a) On August 20, 1998, a Special Meeting of the Common
Shareholders of the Company was held.
(c) At the Special Meeting, the Company's common share-
holders entitled to vote were asked to vote upon a
proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan
of Merger dated as of May 10, 1998 (the "Merger
Agreement"), among the Company, Consolidated Edison,
Inc. and C Acquisition Corp. ("Merger Subsidiary"),
providing for the merger of the Merger Subsidiary with
and into the Company (the "Merger"). The Merger
Agreement was approved by a vote of approximately 74%
of the outstanding shares of the Company's
common stock entitled to vote, as follows:
Shares Shares Shares Broker
For Against Abstaining Non-Votes
10,123,797 523,310 203,153 N/A
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
On August 21, 1998, the Company filed a Current Report
on Form 8-K dated August 20, 1998 regarding a vote of
the Company's shareholders approving the Agreement and
Plan of Merger among the Company, Consolidated Edison,
Inc. and C Acquisition Corp.
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.
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: November 6, 1998 By ROBERT J. McBENNETT
Robert J. McBennett
Treasurer
Date: November 6, 1998 By EDWARD M. McKENNA
Edward M. McKenna
Controller