UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 7, 1997 SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New Mexico 1-3789 75-0575400 (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) Tyler at Sixth, Amarillo, Texas 79101 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code (806) 378-2121 ITEM 5. other events Reference is made to the press release filed as an exhibit hereto for information with respect to the Company's recorded charge related to a subsidiary project. ITEM 7. financial statements and exhibits (c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed herewith: 99 Press Release, dated February 7, 1997, of Southwestern Public Service Company. 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. SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY /s/ Bill D. Helton By Bill D. Helton Chairman and Chief Executive Officer DATE: February 7, 1997