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 JUNE 30, 1996 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 0-368 OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Minnesota 41-0462685 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 215 South Cascade Street, Box 496, Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538-0496 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) 218-739-8200 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) (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 classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date: August 1, 1996 - 11,180,136 Common Shares ($5 par value) OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY INDEX Part I. Financial Information Page No. Item 1. Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 1996 (Unaudited) and December 31, 1995 2 & 3 Consolidated Statements of Income - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 (Unaudited) 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 (Unaudited) 5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 6 & 7 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 7, 8, 9 & 10 Part II. Other Information Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 10 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 10 Signatures 11 Part I. Financial Information Item 1. Financial Statements Otter Tail Power Company Consolidated Balance Sheets -Assets- June 30, December 31, 1996 1995 (Unaudited) (Thousands of dollars) Plant: Electric plant in service $720,358 $715,305 Subsidiary companies 78,122 54,266 ________ ________ Total 798,480 769,571 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 320,806 308,174 ________ ________ 477,674 461,397 Construction work in progress 27,105 16,285 ________ ________ Net plant 504,779 477,682 ________ ________ Investments 16,108 12,716 ________ ________ Intangibles -- net 21,663 18,902 ________ ________ Other assets 6,784 7,732 ________ ________ Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1,444 1,867 Temporary cash investments 48 2,208 Accounts receivable: Trade - net 37,662 31,184 Other 5,929 8,276 Materials and supplies: Fuel 3,395 3,322 Inventory, materials and operating supplies 21,724 19,408 Deferred income taxes 4,141 3,754 Accrued utility revenues 2,995 4,328 Other 7,271 4,427 ________ ________ Total current assets 84,609 78,774 ________ ________ Deferred debits: Unamortized debt expense and reacquisition premiums 4,447 4,687 Regulatory assets 5,584 5,727 Other 1,483 2,976 ________ ________ Total deferred debits 11,514 13,390 ________ ________ Total $645,457 $609,196 ======== ======== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements - 2 - Otter Tail Power Company Consolidated Balance Sheets -Liabilities- June 30, December 31, 1996 1995 (Unaudited) (Thousands of dollars) Capitalization Common shares, par value $5 per share - authorized 25,000,000 shares; outstanding 1996 and 1995, 11,180,136 shares $55,901 $55,901 Premium on common shares 30,335 30,335 Retained earnings 102,777 98,006 ________ ________ Total 189,013 184,242 Cumulative preferred shares - authorized 1,500,000 shares without par value; outstanding 1996 and 1995, 388,311 shares: Subject to mandatory redemption 18,000 18,000 Other 20,831 20,831 Cumulative preference shares - authorized 1,000,000 shares without par value; outstanding - none -- -- Long-term debt 181,519 168,261 ________ ________ Total capitalization 409,363 391,334 ________ ________ Current liabilities Short-term debt 12,750 -- Sinking fund requirements and current maturities 24,798 13,733 Accounts payable 26,275 27,828 Accrued salaries and wages 2,724 3,703 Federal and state income taxes accrued 1,878 393 Other taxes accrued 8,697 11,356 Interest accrued 3,603 3,509 Other 5,593 6,752 ________ ________ Total current liabilities 86,318 67,274 ________ ________ Noncurrent liabilities 13,727 13,498 ________ ________ Deferred credits Accumulated deferred income taxes 99,217 99,398 Accumulated deferred investment tax credit 20,407 20,994 Regulatory liabilities 14,119 14,500 Other 2,306 2,198 ________ ________ Total deferred credits 136,049 137,090 ________ ________ Total $645,457 $609,196 ======== ======== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements -3- Otter Tail Power Company Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30 June 30 1996 1995 1996 1995 (Thousands of dollars) (Thousands of dollars) Operating revenues Electric $44,787 $47,906 $101,818 $103,632 Health services 17,056 9,775 27,071 24,883 Manufacturing 15,628 8,065 29,978 15,875 Other business operations 12,117 8,061 19,111 13,380 _________ _________ _________ _________ Total operating revenues 89,588 73,807 177,978 157,770 Operating expenses Production fuel 7,009 7,770 15,601 16,982 Purchased power 5,390 7,724 12,497 15,504 Electric operation expenses 12,806 12,039 26,112 24,346 Electric maintenance 3,072 2,829 6,367 5,783 Cost of goods sold 31,012 15,712 52,674 33,272 Other nonelectric expenses 9,338 7,239 16,435 14,690 Depreciation and amortization 5,608 5,451 11,169 10,872 Property taxes 3,061 2,956 5,999 6,012 Income taxes 2,997 3,515 8,850 9,139 _________ _________ _________ _________ Total operating expenses 80,293 65,235 155,704 136,600 _________ _________ _________ _________ Operating income 9,295 8,572 22,274 21,170 Allowance for equity (other) funds used during construction 81 4 143 6 Other income and deductions and applicable taxes 596 374 1,278 173 _________ _________ _________ _________ Income before interest charges 9,972 8,950 23,695 21,349 Interest charges 4,087 3,668 7,851 7,402 Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction - credit (95) (55) (168) (97) _________ _________ _________ _________ Net income 5,980 5,337 16,012 14,044 Preferred dividend requirements 589 590 1,179 1,179 _________ _________ _________ _________ Earnings available for common shares $5,391 $4,747 $14,833 $12,865 ========= ========= ========= ========= Earnings per average common share $0.48 $0.42 $1.33 $1.15 ========= ========= ========= ========= Average number of common shares outstanding 11,180,136 11,180,136 11,180,136 11,180,136 Dividends per common share $0.45 $0.44 $0.90 $0.88 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements -4- Otter Tail Power Company Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six months ended June 30, 1996 1995 (Thousands of dollars) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $16,012 $14,044 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash Provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 16,242 14,098 Deferred investment tax credit - net (588) (588) Deferred income taxes (1,424) 534 Change in deferred debits and other assets 4,109 2,566 Change in noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits (779) 2,346 Allowance for equity (other) funds used during construction (143) (6) (Gain)/Loss on disposal of noncurrent assets (8) 795 Cash provided by (used for) current assets & current liabilities: Change in receivables, materials and supplies (3,565) 2,259 Change in other current assets (1,332) (598) Change in payables and other current liabilities (3,630) (7,676) Change in interest and income taxes payable 1,288 (1,153) ________ ________ Net cash provided by operating activities 26,182 26,621 Cash flows from investing activities: Gross capital expenditures (28,192) (17,708) Proceeds from disposal of noncurrent assets 1,294 1,635 Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired (7,859) (1,634) Change in temporary cash investments 2,160 34 Change in marketable securities and other investments (4,926) (3,121) ________ ________ Net cash used in investing activities (37,523) (20,794) Cash flows from financing activities: Change in short-term debt - net 12,750 4,250 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 53,643 23,380 Payments for retirement of long-term debt (44,234) (23,158) Dividends paid (11,241) (11,018) ________ ________ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 10,918 (6,546) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (423) (719) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,867 1,852 ________ ________ Cash and cash equivalents at March 31 $1,444 $1,133 ======== ======== Supplemental cash flow information Cash paid for interest and income taxes: Interest (net of amount capitalized) $7,452 $6,486 Income taxes $9,591 $9,590 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements -5- OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) The Company, in its opinion, has included all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods. The financial statements for 1996 are subject to adjustment at the end of the year when they will be audited by independent accountants. The financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993 included in the Company's 1995 Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K. Because of seasonal and other factors, the earnings for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 1996, should not be taken as an indication of earnings for all or any part of the balance of the year. On February 1, 1996, a subsidiary of the Company acquired a Montana-based supplier of X-ray supplies and accessories. On April 1, 1996 a Company subsidiary closed on the purchase of a mobile medical diagnostic services company located in Bemidji, Minnesota. On June 1, 1996, the FCC approved the acquisition of two radio stations in the Fargo, ND--Moorhead, MN market by a Company subsidiary. FCC approval of the acquisition of a third radio station in that market was still pending as of August 1, 1996. The Company s telecommunications subsidiary acquired a cable TV system serving the community of Milbank, SD on July 1, 1996. These completed and pending acquisitions will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The total price for the completed acquisitions was $8.9 million. The combined revenues of the acquired companies totaled approximately $24.3 million in 1995. On August 8, 1996, the Company s telecommunications subsidiary signed a letter of intent to acquire The Peoples Telephone Company ("Peoples") of Bigfork, MN, subject to negotiation of a definitive purchase agreement, completion of a due diligence investigation, and approval by regulatory authorities and by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Peoples, with 1,862 access lines serving five communities in northern Minnesota, had 1995 revenues of $1.5 million. The Company anticipates that, if completed, this business combination will be accounted for under the pooling of interests method. Quadrant Co. continues to provide primary service to one of its two steam customers under an agreement which can be terminated by either party upon one year's prior written notice. Quadrant is currently providing backup service to its other steam customer under an agreement that commenced on June 1, 1996 and terminates on May 31, 1998, subject to earlier termination by either party upon 90 days' written notice. Quadrant also continues to burn municipal solid waste for five Minnesota counties under contracts which expire in September of 1996. In the second quarter of 1996 Quadrant was informed by two of the counties, representing about 30% of the waste volume, that they would not continue to burn waste at Quadrant after the expiration of the current contracts. Quadrant is in the process of negotiating a new waste incineration agreement with the representative of the remaining counties. Proposals for a new agreement provide for mitigation of the reduction in the volume of waste processed due to the loss of two counties. New pollution rules for Minnesota municipal waste incinerators have recently been issued. The impact of these rules on Quadrant Co. operations is currently being evaluated. The costs to comply with new pollution rules combined with a decline in future revenues from decreased steam sales and the loss of two waste customers threaten the economic viability of the plant, which had a net undepreciated book value of approximately $3.5 million on June 30, 1996. A letter of credit established in September of 1995 providing for $3.5 million in capital commitment payments to a limited liability company and set to expire on August 1, 1996, has been extended to February 1, 1997. Management expects the remaining commitment, $2.2 million at June 30, 1996, to be drawn by December 31, 1996. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, employers are required to recognize liabilities and expenses associated with pension plans based on actuary valuations. In the second quarter of 1996, the Company requested restated actuary reports for its Executive Survivor and Supplemental Retirement Program amended July 1, 1994, based on revised assumptions regarding expected retirement age and projected benefits under the July 1, 1994 plan amendment, which expanded the plan to include non- officer upper level management employees. The restatement will result in a one-time expense adjustment of $2.59 million for the year 1996, along with a $711,000 reduction in the $1,426,000 additional minimum liability reflected on the Company s December 31, 1995 balance sheet. The Company recognized $863,000 of the expense adjustment as additional operating expense in the second quarter of 1996. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106 (SFAS106), employers are required to accrue the expected cost of providing postretirement benefits other than pensions during the years qualifying employees provide service to the employer. During the second quarter of 1996 actuary valuations for postretirement benefits other than pensions were recalculated to reflect a change in assumptions related to group life insurance. The recalculations will result in a $1.26 million reduction in 1996 expenses related to a reduction in expected postretirement benefit obligations. During the second quarter of 1996, SFAS106 cost adjustments reduced operating expense by about $336,000. Forward Looking Information - Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), the Company has filed cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. When used in this Form 10-Q and in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the Company's press releases and in oral statements, words such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "project", "believes" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Factors affecting future earnings" on pages 29-31 of the Company's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. These factors are in addition to any other cautionary statements, written or oral, which may be made or referred to in connection with any such forward-looking statement or contained in any subsequent filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Material Changes in Financial Position Cash provided by operating activities of $26,182,000 along with net proceeds from the issuance of short-term debt of $12,750,000 as shown on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 1996, combined with funds on hand of $4,075,000 at December 31, 1995, allowed the Company to finance its capital expenditures and pay dividends, and provided a portion of the investment in additional nonutility businesses. At June 30, 1996, the Company had $25,065,000 available in unused lines of credit which could be used to supplement cash needs. The Company estimates that funds internally generated, combined with funds on hand, will be sufficient to meet all sinking fund payments for First Mortgage Bonds in the next five years and to provide for the majority of its 1996-2000 electric utility construction program expenditures. Additional short-term or long-term financing will be required in the period 1996-2000 in connection with a portion of the Company's estimated capital project expenditures, the maturity of First Mortgage Bonds and a Long-Term Lease Obligation ($21,000,000), in the event the Company decides to refund or retire early any of its presently outstanding debt or cumulative preferred shares, or for other corporate purposes. Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt net of payments for the retirement of long-term debt of $9,409,000, for the six months ended June 30, 1996, were used to finance equipment purchases at the Company's medical and manufacturing subsidiaries and to finance a portion of the investment in additional nonutility businesses, and also reflect increases in subsidiary credit line balances required for operating needs. Business acquisitions in the first half of 1996 accounted for $17,561,000 of the $23,856,000 increase in subsidiary companies plant, the entire increase in intangible assets, $2,237,000 of the $6,478,000 increase in trade receivables, $12,791,000 of the $13,258,000 increase in long-term debt and $4,793,000 of the $11,065,000 change in sinking fund requirements and current maturities. The remainder of the increase in subsidiary companies plant reflects the purchase of an MRI scanner for a mobile unit in Nebraska and other less significant equipment purchases in all segments of subsidiary operations. The increases in electric plant in service and construction work in progress for the first half of 1996 are due to new construction and capital expenditures in all electric utility plant areas: production, transmission, distribution, and general. The increase in investments includes $1.2 million invested in limited partnerships that invest in tax-credit qualifying affordable housing projects and $2.2 million related to acquisitions and the reclassification of a note receivable. The increase in trade receivables not attributable to acquisitions is mostly due to increased sales at the company's manufacturing subsidiaries. The decrease in other receivables is due to the timing of payments received from the Company's jointly-owned plant partners and the reclassification of a note receivable from current to long-term status. The increase in inventory is related to increased summer construction activity at the electric utility and purchases of medical equipment for new installations. The increase in other current assets is mainly due to material and production costs incurred on construction jobs ahead of allowable billing schedules. The decrease in other deferred debits reflects increased allocation of deferred overhead costs related to normal seasonal fluctuations in electric construction activity. The increase in sinking fund requirements and current maturities not attributable to acquisitions reflects financing of equipment purchases at the Company's medical and manufacturing subsidiaries along with increases in subsidiary credit line balances to meet operating needs. The decrease in accounts payable reflects a $2.7 million decrease at the electric utility due to a normal seasonal decline, offset by a $1 million increase in billings in excess of cost at the Company s construction subsidiaries. The decrease in other taxes accrued is mainly due to the timing of property tax payments. The reduction in other current liabilities reflects payments of $1.5 million in capital commitments during the first half of 1996. Capital commitments of $2.2 million remain to be paid as of June 30, 1996. Material Changes in Results of Operations The 6.5% decrease in electric operating revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same period in 1995, is mainly due to a decrease in noncontractual power pool sales of 49.4%. The 1.8% decrease in electric operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1996 compared to the six months ended June 30, 1995, is primarily due to a 37.7% decrease in noncontractual power pool sales offset by an 4.6% increase in retail sales. Retail revenues per kwh sold decreased 2.1% for the six month period ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same period in 1995 despite the 4.6% increase in retail sales and a 2.3% increase in retail revenue. The decrease in retail revenue per kwh sold is the result of lower fuel costs at Big Stone Plant being passed on to customers through the Fuel Adjustment Clause and lower rates to one of the Company s largest industrial customers. A number of factors have contributed to the decreases in noncontractual power pool sales for both the three and six month periods. Midcontinent Area Power Pool (MAPP) line loading relief procedures have resulted in schedule cuts. Many utilities within and outside of MAPP have renegotiated and lowered their freight and fuel costs making power marketing more competitive. Many utilities have increased the time span between unit maintenance outages and shifted outage times away from traditional overhaul periods, resulting in increases in on-line availability. MAPP transmission service charges have made it less economical to ship energy over longer distances. In addition, the Company had more energy to market due to a warmer winter season and greater plant availability in 1995 compared to 1996. Lower plant availability in 1996 was related to a scheduled outage for repairs at Hoot Lake Unit 3 in February and March. Production fuel expense decreased for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, by 9.8% and 8.1%, respectively, while generation at the Company's plants remained relatively stable for the same comparable periods mainly as a result of Big Stone Plant switching from lignite to subbituminous coal in August of 1995. The decreases in purchased power for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, reflect decreases in kwh purchases for resale of 55% and 42% for the respective periods. The decreases in purchases for resale correlate to the decreases in noncontractual power pool sales. The increases in electric operation expenses for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1995, are due to expenses related to coal contract and freight negotiations, increased benefit costs resulting from revised actuarial assumptions for the Company s Executive Survivor and Supplemental Retirement Plan, and increased payments to outside consultants in 1996. The increase in electric maintenance expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same period a year ago, is due to increased production plant maintenance expenses, especially at Hoot Lake Unit 3 which was down for scheduled maintenance in February and March of 1996. Also, production plant maintenance expenses decreased significantly in fiscal 1995 from fiscal 1994 levels due to the timing of major overhauls and repairs. The breakdown of cost of goods sold and other nonelectric expenses by business segments other than electric are as follows: Three months ended June 30 Cost of goods sold Other nonelectric expenses 1996 1995 1996 1995 (in thousands) Health services $11,561 $5,399 $4,242 $3,833 Manufacturing $11,456 $5,980 $1,987 $1,125 Other business operations $7,995 $4,333 $3,109 $2,281 ------- ------- ------ ------ Total $31,012 $15,712 $9,338 $7,239 ======= ======= ====== ====== Six months ended June 30 Cost of goods sold Other nonelectric expenses 1996 1995 1996 1995 (in thousands) Health services $17,599 $14,678 $7,530 $8,120 Manufacturing $22,423 $12,119 $3,540 $2,135 Other business operations $12,652 $6,475 $5,365 $4,435 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total $52,674 $33,272 $16,435 $14,690 ======= ======= ======= ======= The increases in health services revenue and cost of goods sold for both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, are due to the acquisitions of two health services companies; one on February 1, 1996, and a second more significant acquisition on April 1, 1996. The increase in health services other nonelectric expenses for the three months ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 1995, is due to the April 1, 1996, acquisition. The $409,000 increase in health services other nonelectric expenses in the second quarter of 1996 as compared to the second quarter of 1995, was not significant enough to offset a $999,000 decrease in this category recorded in the first quarter of 1996, as compared to the first quarter of 1995, which was commensurate with a reduction in first quarter health services revenue in 1996 compared to 1995. The increases in manufacturing operating revenue for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, reflect revenues from Northern Pipe Products, which was acquired in October of 1995, and increased sales at BTD Manufacturing. The increases in manufacturing cost of goods sold and other nonelectric expenses for both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, are directly related to the increases in manufacturing revenue. Other business operations revenue increased for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the quarter and six months ended June 30, 1995, mainly as a result of material cost pass through billings by the Company's construction subsidiaries on material intensive jobs. The increases in material costs billed are also reflected in increased cost of goods sold from other business operations for the same comparable periods. Increases in other business operations other nonelectric expenses for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, are due to increased construction activity. The increases in other income and deductions and applicable taxes for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, reflect increases in miscellaneous revenue from subsidiaries in 1996, the initial recording of affordable housing tax credits in 1996, and losses on marketable securities in 1995 related to the Company's preferred stock investment program which ended in October of 1995. The increases in interest charges for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, are related to increased debt at the Company s subsidiaries due to acquisitions and growth and to an increase in the use of short-term debt at the parent company level in the first half of 1996 compared to the first half of 1995. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. The annual meeting of Shareholders of the Company was held on April 8, 1996, for the purpose of electing three nominees to the Board of Directors with terms expiring in 1999 and approving the appointment of auditors. Proxies for the meeting were solicited pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and there was no solicitation in opposition to management's solicitations. All nominees for directors as listed in the proxy statement were elected. The voting results were as follows: Shares Shares Voted Election of Directors Voted For Withheld Authority Dennis R. Emmen 9,678,205 89,678 Kenneth L. Nelson 9,683,617 84,265 Nathan I. Partain 9,669,381 98,501 Shares Shares Shares Approval of Auditors Voted For Voted Against Voted Abstain Deloitte & Touche LLP 9,581,234 54,544 132,104 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. a) Exhibits: 27 Financial Data Schedule b) Report on Form 8-K. No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1996. 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. OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY By: Jeff Legge --------------------------- Jeff Legge Controller (Chief Accounting Officer/Authorized Officer) Dated: August 14, 1996