Exhibit 12(b) Gulf States Utilities Company Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred and Preference Dividends Years Ended -------------------------------------------------------- December 31, 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 -------------------------------------------------------- (In Thousands, Except for Ratios) Fixed charges, as defined: Interest on long-term debt $231,170 $218,462 $201,335 $197,218 $172,494 Interest on long-term debt - other 19,495 12,668 19,507 21,155 19,440 Interest on notes payable 33,185 24,295 8,446 - - Amortization of expense and premium on debt-net(cr) 2,280 2,192 1,999 3,479 8,104 Other interest 13,331 18,380 29,169 26,564 10,561 Interest applicable to rentals 23,244 23,761 24,049 23,759 23,455 -------------------------------------------------------- Total fixed charges, as defined 322,705 299,758 284,505 272,175 234,054 Preferred and preference dividends, as defined (a) 241,829 104,484 90,146 69,617 65,299 -------------------------------------------------------- Fixed charges and preferred and preference dividends, as defined $564,534 $404,242 $374,651 $341,792 $299,353 ======================================================== Earnings as defined: Net Income (loss) before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes $ 13,251 $(36,399) $112,391 $139,413 $ 69,462 Add: Provision for income taxes: Federal & State 1,140 4,538 5,657 10,775 16,679 Deferred - net 41,028 (24,469) 46,901 47,285 40,244 Investment tax credit adjustment - net (4,424) (4,285) (4,308) (2,200) 1,093 Fixed charges as above 322,705 299,758 284,505 272,175 234,054 -------------------------------------------------------- Total earnings, as defined $373,700 $239,143 $445,146 $467,448 $361,532 ======================================================== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges, as defined 1.16 0.80 1.56 1.72 1.54 ======================================================== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred and preference dividends, as defined 0.66 0.59 1.19 1.37 1.21 ======================================================== - ------------------------ (a) "Preferred dividends," as defined by SEC regulation S-K, are computed by dividing the preferred dividend requirement by one hundred percent (100%) minus the income tax rate. (b) Earnings for the year ended December 31, 1990, for GSU were not adequate to cover fixed charges by $60.6 million. Earnings for the years December 31, 1990 and 1989, were not adequate to cover fixed charges and preferred and preference dividends by $165.1 million and $190.8 million, respectively. Earnings in 1990 include a $205 million charge for the settlement of a purchased power dispute.