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: May 2, 2002
SEMCO ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MICHIGAN 000-15565 38-2144267
(State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
28470 13 MILE ROAD, STE. 300, FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN 48334
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 248-702-6000
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
The Company has notified Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur Andersen"), previously
engaged as the principal accountant to audit the Company's financial statements,
that the Company will engage other principal accountants upon completion of
Arthur Andersen's review of the Company's financial statements for the first
quarter period ended March 31, 2002. Management and the Company's Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors ("Board") have been conducting a search for
a replacement independent auditor from qualified auditing firms, and will
recommend such replacement firm to the Board for appointment as soon as
practical.
Arthur Andersen's reports on the Company's consolidated financial statements for
each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 did not
contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, and
through the date hereof, there were no disagreements with Arthur Andersen on any
matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or
auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Arthur Andersen's
satisfaction, would have caused Arthur Andersen to make reference to the subject
matter of the disagreement in connection with its report on the Company's
consolidated financial statements for such years; and there were no reportable
events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
The Company provided Arthur Andersen with a copy of the foregoing disclosures.
Attached as Exhibit 16 is a copy of Arthur Andersen's letter, dated May 2, 2002,
stating its agreement with the statements made herein.
Representatives from Arthur Andersen attended the Company's Annual Meeting of
Shareholders held on April 16, 2002, where they were given the opportunity to
make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions.
The Company will file a second Form 8-K Report when a replacement independent
auditor has been engaged.
Item 7.(c) Exhibits.
16 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, dated May 2, 2002, regarding change in certifying accountant.
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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.
SEMCO Energy, Inc.
(Registrant)
Dated: May 2, 2002 By:/s/John E. Schneider
_________________________________
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Form 8-K
May 2, 2002
Filed
-------------------------
Exhibit No. Description Herewith By Reference
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16 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP x
to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, dated May 2, 2002,
Regarding change in certifying
Accountant.
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