As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 11, 1997

                                                      Registration No. 333-27551
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                               -------------------

                                  PRE-EFFECTIVE
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                               -------------------

                         Arizona Public Service Company
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

        ARIZONA                                        86-0011170
(State of incorporation)                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

                             400 North Fifth Street
                             Phoenix, Arizona 85004
                                 (602) 250-1000
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                               -------------------

                                MATTHEW P. FEENEY
                              Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
                               One Arizona Center
                           Phoenix, Arizona 85004-0001
                                 (602) 382-6239
            (Name, address, including zip code and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

================================================================================
    

INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT  TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.   A
REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  RELATING  TO THESE  SECURITIES  HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION.  THESE  SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFER  TO  SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION  OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 11, 1997
    
                         Arizona Public Service Company

                              First Mortgage Bonds
                                  Senior Notes
                                 Debt Securities

                                -----------------
   
   Arizona Public Service Company (the  "Company")  intends from time to time to
issue up to $150,000,000  aggregate principal amount of its first mortgage bonds
(the "New  Bonds"),  senior  notes  (the  "Senior  Notes"),  or  unsecured  debt
securities ("Debt Securities") (collectively,  the "Securities"), in one or more
series at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale.
    

   For each issue of Securities  for which this  Prospectus  is being  delivered
(the  "Offered  Bonds,"  the  "Offered  Senior  Notes,"  or  the  "Offered  Debt
Securities"  and,  collectively,  the  "Offered  Securities"),  there will be an
accompanying  Prospectus  Supplement  (the  "Prospectus  Supplement")  that sets
forth,   without  limitation  and  to  the  extent   applicable,   the  specific
designation,  aggregate principal amount,  denomination,  maturity,  premium, if
any, rate of interest  (which may be fixed or variable) or method of calculation
thereof, time of payment of interest, any terms for redemption, any sinking fund
provisions, any subordination provisions, the initial public offering price, the
names of any  underwriters  or agents,  the  principal  amounts,  if any,  to be
purchased by the underwriters,  the compensation of such underwriters or agents,
and any other special terms of the Offered Securities. The Prospectus Supplement
relating  to any  series of Offered  Securities  will also  contain  information
concerning  certain  United  States  federal  income  tax   considerations,   if
applicable to the Offered Securities.

   The Company may sell  Securities  directly to  purchasers  or through  agents
designated  from time to time by the Company or to or through  underwriters or a
group of underwriters which may be managed by one or more  underwriters.  If any
agents of the Company or any underwriters are involved in the sale of Securities
in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents
or underwriters  and any applicable  commission or discount will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus  Supplement.  The net proceeds to the Company from the
sale of Securities  will be the public  offering price of such  Secutiries  less
such  discount,  in the  case of an  offering  through  an  underwriter,  or the
purchase  price  of such  Securities  less  such  commission,  in the case of an
offering through an agent, and less, in each case, other expenses of the Company
associated with the issuance and distribution of such Securities.

                              -------------------

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
       AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
         THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
            COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
                 PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
                             IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

              The date of this Prospectus is                , 1997

                            AVAILABLE INFORMATION

   Arizona   Public   Service   Company  (the   "Company")  is  subject  to  the
informational  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), and in accordance  therewith files reports,  proxy statements,
and  other  information  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission  (the
"Commission").  Such reports,  proxy  statements,  and other  information can be
obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission
or may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities  maintained by
the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington,  D.C. 20549 and
at certain of its regional  offices  located at 500 West Madison  Street,  Suite
1400,  Chicago,  Illinois 60661;  and Seven World Trade Center,  Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048. In addition,  such material may be accessed electronically
by means of the  Commission's  Web Site on the  Internet at  http://www.sec.gov.
Certain  securities  of the Company  are listed on the New York Stock  Exchange.
Reports,  proxy materials,  and other information  concerning the Company can be
inspected  at the office of this  exchange at 20 Broad  Street,  7th Floor,  New
York, New York 10005.

                               -----------------

               INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

   The following  documents  previously filed with the Commission by the Company
(File No. 1-4473) are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:

   1. The Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
(the "1996 10-K Report");

   2. The Company's Form 10-Q Report for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1997
(the "March 10-Q Report"); and

   3. The Company's Form 8-K Report, dated April 7, 1997.

   All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),  13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the 1934 Act after the filing  date of the March 10-Q  Report and prior
to the  termination  of the offering of the  securities  offered hereby shall be
deemed to be  incorporated  by  reference  in this  Prospectus  and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

   Any statement contained in a document  incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or  superseded  for purposes of this  Prospectus to the
extent  that a statement  contained  herein or in any other  subsequently  filed
document which is also  incorporated by reference  herein modifies or supersedes
such  statement.  Any statement so modified or  superseded  shall not be deemed,
except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

   The  Company  will  provide  without  charge to each  person,  including  any
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered,  upon the oral
or  written  request  of  such  person,  a copy  of any or all of the  documents
referred to above which have been or may be  incorporated  in this Prospectus by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents. Request for such copies should
be directed to Arizona Public Service Company, Office of the Secretary,  Station
9068, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999, (602) 250-3252.
                                        2

                             SELECTED INFORMATION

   The  following  material is  qualified  in its  entirety by  reference to the
detailed information and financial statements  incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus.
                                  The Offering

Securities Offered ............   Up to $150,000,000 of any combination of First
                                  Mortgage   Bonds,   Senior  Notes,   and  Debt
                                  Securities.
Application of Proceeds .......   Except   as   otherwise   described   in   the
                                  Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds of the
                                  Offered  Securities will be applied  primarily
                                  to the redemption,  repurchase,  repayment, or
                                  retirement  of  outstanding  indebtedness  and
                                  preferred  stock,  and  temporary   investment
                                  pending such application.

                                   The Company

Business ......................   Electric   utility   servicing   approximately
                                  738,000 customers in an area that includes the
                                  entire state of Arizona with the  exception of
                                  Tucson and about one-half of the Phoenix area.


Generating Fuel Mix (estimated
 for the twelve months ended
 March 31, 1997) ..............   Coal -- 45%; Nuclear -- 33%; Purchases -- 19%;
                                  Gas and Other -- 3%.

Financial Data (thousands of dollars):


                                                          Twelve Months Ended
                                      -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      December 31,            
                                        March 31,    --------------------------------------------
                                         1997(1)          1996            1995            1994   
                                      ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                                  
Electric Operating Revenues  .......   $1,752,032     $1,718,272      $1,614,952      $1,626,168 
                                      ============   ============    ============    ============
Net Income .........................   $  226,510     $  243,471      $  239,570      $  243,486 
                                      ============   ============    ============    ============
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..         2.75           2.84            2.77            2.96 

                                                     
Capitalization Data (thousands of dollars):


                                                                                 As Adjusted(2)
                                                              As of       -------------------------
                                                        March 31, 1997(1)    Amount     Percentage
                                                        ----------------  ------------ ------------
   
                                                                                
Total Debt (including current maturities)............        $2,209,535    $2,235,535        54.2%
Preferred Stock .....................................           192,387       172,387         4.2
Common Stock Equity .................................         1,712,564     1,712,564        41.6
                                                         ---------------  ------------ ------------
  Total Capitalization ..............................        $4,114,486    $4,120,486       100.0%
                                                         ===============  ============ ============
    

- ----------------                            

(1)  Financial  information as of and for the twelve months ended March 31, 1997
     is unaudited but, in the judgment of the Company's management, contains all
     necessary  adjustments for a fair presentation of the financial position of
     the Company on such date and the results of operations for such period.
   
(2)  For the (i) redemption,  repayment, repurchase or retirement of $20 million
     of the  Company's  cumulative  preferred  stock;  (ii)  refinancing  of $24
     million of the Company's  long-term debt; and (iii) issuance of $50 million
     of the Company's senior notes. It is assumed that the net proceeds from the
     issuance of the Offered  Securities  will be used for the  refinancing of a
     similar amount of outstanding long-term debt.
    
                                        3

                                   THE COMPANY

   The  Company  was  incorporated  in 1920  under  the laws of  Arizona  and is
principally  engaged  in  providing  electricity  in the State of  Arizona.  The
principal  executive  offices of the  Company  are  located  at 400 North  Fifth
Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 and its telephone number is (602) 250-1000.

   
                     PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES

   The  following  table  shows each person who at the close of business on June
30, 1997 was known by the Company to beneficially  own more than 5% of any class
of the capital stock of the Company.


                                                                        Percent
Title of         Name and Address of         Amount and Nature of          of
 Class            Beneficial Owner          Beneficial Ownership(1)      Class
 -----            ----------------          -----------------------      -----
Common        Pinnacle West Capital               71,264,947            100.00%
              Corporation                          (Direct)
              400 East Van Buren, Suite 700
              Phoenix, AZ 85004

Preferred,    J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc.                 57,583             16.32%
Series Q      60 Wall Street
              New York, NY 10260

Preferred,    The Colonial Group, Inc.               180,000             10.63%
Series W      One Financial Center
              Boston, MA 02111

Preferred,    Wellington Management Company          150,000              8.86%
Series W      75 State Street
              Boston, MA 02109
- ---------------
(1)  J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 37,583 shares
     and shared  dispositive  power with respect to 57,583 shares.  The Colonial
     Group,  Inc.  has shared  voting  power and shared  dispositive  power with
     respect  to  180,000  shares.  Wellington  Management  Company  has  shared
     dispositive power with respect to 150,000 shares. The information contained
     in this  footnote  was obtained  from  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
     filings made, and  information  provided,  by J.P.  Morgan & Co., Inc., The
     Colonial Group, Inc., and Wellington  Management Company. The Company makes
     no  representation  as to the accuracy or  completness  of the  information
     reported.
    
                             APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS

   Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement,  the net proceeds
of  the  Offered  Securities  will  be  applied  primarily  to  the  redemption,
repurchase,  repayment, or retirement of outstanding  indebtedness and preferred
stock.  Any proceeds not  immediately  so applied when  received may be invested
temporarily,  pending such  application,  in United States  government or agency
obligations,  commercial  paper,  bank  certificates  of deposit,  or repurchase
agreements collateralized by United States government or agency obligations,  or
will be deposited with banks.

                                 EARNINGS RATIOS

   The following table sets forth the Company's  historical ratio of earnings to
fixed charges for each of the indicated periods:

                               Twelve months ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          December 31,
March 31,       ----------------------------------------------------------------
 1997           1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
 ----           ----           ----           ----           ----           ----
 2.75           2.84           2.77           2.96           2.99           2.73
                                        4

   For the purposes of these computations,  "earnings" are defined as the sum of
pre-tax  income plus fixed charges of the Company and its  subsidiaries;  "fixed
charges"  consist of interest on debt,  amortization of debt discount,  premium,
and expense and an estimated interest factor in rentals.

                                   SECURITIES
   
   The  Securities  may be  issued in one or more  series as (i) first  mortgage
bonds ("New Bonds"), (ii) notes secured until the Release Date by New Bonds and,
thereafter (see "Description of Senior Notes -- Release Date"),  being unsecured
notes (such notes are herein referred to as "Senior Notes"),  or (iii) unsecured
debt  securities  ("Debt  Securities").  From and after the  "Release  Date" (as
defined below),  any  outstanding  Senior Notes secured by New Bonds when issued
will cease to be secured and will become  unsecured  obligations of the Company.
The New Bonds are described below under the caption  "Description of New Bonds,"
the Senior Notes are described  below under the caption  "Description  of Senior
Notes,"  and  the  Debt   Securities  are  described  below  under  the  caption
"Description of Debt Securities."
    
                            DESCRIPTION OF NEW BONDS

General

   The New Bonds may be issued in one or more new series  under the Mortgage and
Deed of Trust  dated as of July 1, 1946  between the Company and The Bank of New
York, as successor  Trustee ("Bond  Trustee"),  which as heretofore  amended and
supplemented is herein referred to as the "Mortgage," and which is to be further
amended  and  supplemented  by  appropriate   Supplemental   Indentures   ("Bond
Supplemental Indentures"). The following summary does not purport to be complete
and is subject in all  respects to the  provisions  of, and is  qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the Mortgage, the New Bonds, and the Bond Supplemental
Indentures,  the forms of which are filed,  or will be filed, as exhibits to the
registration   statement  of  which  this  Prospectus  forms  a  part.  Whenever
particular  provisions or defined terms in such documents are referred to herein
or in a Prospectus Supplement, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated
by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.

   Reference is made to the  Prospectus  Supplement  relating to any  particular
issue of Offered Bonds for the  following  terms:  (1) the  aggregate  principal
amount of the Offered  Bonds;  (2) the date on which such Offered  Bonds mature;
(3) the rate per annum at which such Offered Bonds will bear  interest;  (4) the
times at which such interest will be payable;  (5) the date, if any, after which
such  Offered  Bonds  may be  redeemed  at the  option  of the  Company  and the
redemption  price;  (6)  whether any of such  Offered  Bonds will be issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more  Global  Securities  and, if so, the
Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends to be
borne by any such Global Security,  and any  circumstances  under which any such
Global  Security  may be  exchanged  in  whole  or in part  for  Offered  Bonds,
registered  in the names of persons  other than the  Depositary  for such Global
Security or its nominee; and (7) any other special terms.  Interest will be paid
to the person in whose name the  Offered  Bonds are  registered  at the close of
business on the record date, as established in the Bond  Supplemental  Indenture
relating  thereto,  preceding the interest payment date in respect thereof.  The
New  Bonds  will be  issued  as fully  registered  bonds,  without  coupons,  in
denominations  of  $1,000  and  multiples   thereof.   The  New  Bonds  will  be
transferable  at any time without any service or other charge,  except  transfer
taxes and other governmental charges, if any.

   Except as otherwise described under the heading  "Description of New Bonds --
Issuance of Additional  Bonds" or in the  Prospectus  Supplement,  the covenants
contained in the Mortgage and the New Bonds would not afford  holders of the New
Bonds protection in the event of a  highly-leveraged  transaction  involving the
Company.

Redemption

   The Offered Bonds are  redeemable as set forth in the  Prospectus  Supplement
relating thereto and, subject to any  qualifications  or variations set forth in
any such Prospectus Supplement,  are also subject to redemption, in each case at
the principal amount of the Offered Bonds to be redeemed together with
                                        5

accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption,  (i) in whole or in part with
the proceeds from  mortgaged  property of the Company taken under eminent domain
by, or otherwise  sold to, a  governmental  body or agency;  (ii) in whole or in
part with the Proceeds of Released Property, including proceeds from the sale or
other disposition (including a sale and leaseback) of property released from the
lien of the  Mortgage  as  specified  in  section  (b) of the second to the last
paragraph under the heading  "Description of New Bonds -- Security"  below;  and
(iii) in whole, together with all other first mortgage bonds of the Company then
outstanding,  within  twelve  months of certain  mergers  or other  transactions
involving the transfer of substantially  all of the property subject to the lien
of the Mortgage,  as then amended. In addition,  after the date and at the price
set forth in the Prospectus  Supplement,  Offered Bonds may be redeemed in whole
or in part with cash deposited in the replacement fund discussed below.

Security

   The New Bonds will rank pari passu,  except as to any sinking fund or similar
fund provided for a particular  series,  with all bonds at any time  outstanding
under  the  Mortgage.   The  Mortgage  constitutes  a  first  mortgage  lien  on
substantially  all the  fixed  property  owned by the  Company  (which  does not
include a combined cycle plant or certain  interests in Unit 2 of the Palo Verde
Nuclear  Generating  Station being  leased),  other than  property  specifically
excepted by the Mortgage.  Such lien and the  Company's  title to certain of its
properties  are  subject to Excepted  Encumbrances,  to minor  leases,  defects,
irregularities, and deficiencies, and to the considerations discussed below with
respect to the Four Corners and Navajo Plant locations. The lien of the Mortgage
will  also  extend  to all  after-acquired  property  (other  than the  excepted
classes)  located in the  jurisdictions  in which the necessary  recordations or
filings have been  accomplished,  subject to Excepted  Encumbrances and to liens
existing  or  placed  on such  property  at the time of its  acquisition  by the
Company.

   Both the Four Corners and the Navajo  Plants are located on property  held by
the plant participants under leases from the Navajo Tribe and easements from the
Secretary of the  Interior.  The leases extend from their  respective  effective
dates in 1966 and 1969 for terms of 50 years with rights of renewal for up to 25
additional  years.  The easements are for 50-year terms from the same  effective
dates.  While the Company owns the rights  conferred  upon it by the leases from
the Navajo Tribe, the Company does not make any  representation  with respect to
the Tribe's interest in the lands leased (but is not aware of any assertion of a
contesting  claim to such lands) or with  respect to the  enforceability  of the
leases against the Tribe.

   The Mortgage requires the Company to keep the property  encumbered thereby as
an operating system or systems in good repair and working order, but permits the
permanent  discontinuance or reduction in capacity of any such properties which,
in the judgment of the Board of  Directors  of the Company,  is desirable in the
conduct of its business or which is ordered by a  regulatory  authority or which
properties are to be sold or disposed of by the Company.

   When not in default  under the  Mortgage,  the Company may obtain the release
from the lien thereof of (a) property that has become  unserviceable,  obsolete,
or unnecessary  for use in the Company's  operations,  provided that it replaces
such  property  with,  or  substitutes  for the  same,  an equal  value of other
property,  and (b) other  property that has been sold or otherwise  disposed of,
provided  that the Company  deposits  with the Bond  Trustee  cash in an amount,
waives  the  right  to issue  additional  bonds on the  basis of  retired  bonds
previously issued in an amount,  or utilizes as a credit net Property  Additions
acquired by the Company  within the preceding five years and having a fair value
(not more than Cost), equal to the fair value of the property to be released.

   The Bond  Trustee  may,  and upon  request of the Company  shall,  cancel and
discharge  the lien of the  Mortgage  and all  indentures  supplemental  thereto
whenever all indebtedness secured by the Mortgage has been paid.

Issuance of Additional Bonds

   Additional bonds may be issued under the Mortgage in a principal amount equal
to (a) 60% of net  Property  Additions,  (b) the  principal  amount  of  certain
redeemed or retired bonds previously issued,
                                        6

and/or (c) deposited  cash,  provided  that the Company's  Adjusted Net Earnings
over a  twelve-month  period are at least two times the annual  interest  on all
bonds  to  be  outstanding   under  the  Mortgage  after  the  issuance  and  on
indebtedness  secured  by prior  liens.  Exceptions  to this  earnings  coverage
requirement  apply to bonds  issued on the basis of  redeemed  or retired  bonds
where the  redeemed or retired  bonds bore a higher  rate of interest  and where
certain other conditions are satisfied.  In addition,  the Company's articles of
incorporation allow the Company to issue additional preferred stock when certain
earnings  coverage  requirements are met.  Exceptions to this earnings  coverage
requirement  apply to  preferred  stock  issued for the purpose of  redeeming or
retiring other preferred stock.

   As of March  31,  1997,  the  Company  estimates  that the  Mortgage  and the
articles  of  incorporation  would  have  allowed  the  Company  to  issue up to
approximately  $1.8 billion and $1.1 billion of additional  first mortgage bonds
and preferred stock, respectively.

   In  addition  to the  Mortgage  restrictions  on the  Company's  issuance  of
additional  bonds,  the Company must obtain ACC approval  before  issuing equity
securities or incurring long-term debt. Existing ACC orders allow the Company to
have  approximately  $501 million in aggregate par value of preferred  stock and
approximately  $2.6 billion in principal amount of long-term debt outstanding at
any one time. The Company does not expect these provisions or  authorizations to
limit the Company's ability to meet its capital requirements.

   Property Additions,  and in many instances redeemed or retired bonds, as well
as  deposited  cash,  may be used for  certain  alternative  purposes  under the
Mortgage,  including  the  release  of  property  from the lien  thereof  or the
satisfaction of sinking or replacement fund requirements.  The Mortgage contains
restrictions  on the  issuance  of bonds,  withdrawal  of cash,  or  release  of
property on the basis of property  subject to prior liens.  Property  located on
leaseholds or easements  (as, for example,  the Four Corners and Navajo  Plants)
will constitute  fundable Property Additions if the leasehold or easement has an
unexpired  term of, or the term is extendable  at the  Company's  option for, at
least 30 years after the time of funding,  or if the  property may be removed by
the Company without compensation.

Replacement Fund

   So long as any of the New Bonds are outstanding,  the Company is required for
each  calendar  year to deposit  with the Bond  Trustee  cash in a  formularized
amount  related to net  additions  to the  Company's  mortgaged  utility  plant;
however, the Company may satisfy all or any part of the requirement by utilizing
redeemed or retired bonds, net Property Additions, or property retirements.  For
1996, such requirement amounted to approximately $129 million. Any cash that may
be deposited by the Company pursuant to the requirement may, upon request by the
Company, be applied to the redemption or purchase of bonds and, if not withdrawn
against  Property  Additions  or retired  bonds  within five  years,  must be so
applied,  subject in each case to any  restrictions  on any such  redemption  or
purchase  as set forth in the  Prospectus  Supplement  relating  to the issue of
bonds to be redeemed or purchased.

Events of Default

   The  following  are  defaults  under the  Mortgage:  (a)  failure  to pay the
principal of any bond outstanding  under the Mortgage when due and payable;  (b)
failure to pay interest on any bond  outstanding  under the  Mortgage  within 60
days after the same is due and payable;  (c) failure to pay any  installment  of
any  fund  required  to be  applied  to the  purchase  or  redemption  of  bonds
outstanding under the Mortgage within 60 days after the same is due and payable;
(d) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization; and (e) failure
to perform  any other  covenant  of the  Mortgage  continuing  for 90 days after
notice by the Bond  Trustee or holders of 15% in  principal  amount of  Eligible
bonds.  The  Mortgage  allows  the Bond  Trustee to  withhold  notice of certain
defaults,  not including any default in the payment of principal of, or interest
on,  any  bond  outstanding,  or in the  payment  of any  sinking,  improvement,
replacement,  or purchase fund installment,  if it in good faith determines that
the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the bondholders.

   The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Eligible bonds
may direct the time,  method,  and place of conducting  any  proceeding  for any
remedy available to the Bond Trustee under the
                                        7

Mortgage;  provided,  however,  that the  Trustee may decline to follow any such
direction under certain  circumstances,  including a determination  made in good
faith by the Bond Trustee that it will not be  sufficiently  indemnified for any
expenditures,  including  its  own  charges,  in any  action  or  proceeding  so
directed.  The Company is required to file with the Bond  Trustee,  on or before
July 1 of each year,  a  certificate  to the effect  that,  except as  otherwise
stated  therein,  the Company has  complied  with all of the  provisions  of the
Mortgage and is not then in default thereunder.

Modification of the Mortgage

   The Mortgage and the rights of  bondholders  may be modified with the consent
of the  Company,  and of the Bond  Trustee if deemed  affected,  and the vote or
assent of the holders of not less than 70% in  principal  amount of the Eligible
bonds, and of not less than 70% in principal amount of the Eligible bonds of any
one or more series  (less than all)  affected by any such  modification;  except
that the  bondholders,  without the consent of the holder of each bond affected,
have no power to (a) reduce the principal  thereof,  or the premium,  if any, or
rate of interest  thereon or otherwise modify the terms of payment of principal,
premium,  or  interest,  or extend the  maturity  of any  bonds,  (b) permit the
creation  of any  lien  ranking  prior  to or on a  parity  with the lien of the
Mortgage  with  respect  to any of  the  mortgaged  property,  (c)  deprive  any
nonassenting  bondholder of a lien upon the mortgaged  property for the security
of his or her bonds,  or (d) reduce the percentage of bondholders  authorized to
effect any such modification.

Global Securities

   Some or all of the New Bonds of any series may be represented, in whole or in
part, by one or more "Global  Securities" which will have an aggregate principal
amount equal to that of the New Bonds represented thereby.  Each Global Security
will be registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee  thereof  identified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  will be deposited with such depositary
or  nominee  or a  custodian  therefor  and  will  bear a legend  regarding  the
restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below
and any such other  matters as may be provided  for  pursuant to the  applicable
Bond Supplemental Indenture.

   Notwithstanding  any  provision  of the  Mortgage  or any New Bond  described
herein,  no Global  Security  may be exchanged in whole or in part for New Bonds
registered,  and no  transfer  of a Global  Security  in whole or in part may be
registered,  in the name of any person other than the depositary for such Global
Security  or any  nominee  of such  depositary  unless  (i) the  depositary  has
notified the Company  that it is  unwilling or unable to continue as  depositary
for  such  Global  Security  or has  ceased  to be  qualified  to act as such as
required by the  Mortgage,  (ii) there shall have  occurred and be  continuing a
default with respect to the New Bonds  represented by such Global  Security,  or
(iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of
those described  above as may be described in the applicable  Bond  Supplemental
Indenture and Prospectus  Supplement.  All  securities  issued in exchange for a
Global  Security or any portion  thereof will be registered in such names as the
depositary may direct.

   As long as the  depositary,  or its nominee,  is the  registered  holder of a
Global  Security,  the  depositary or such nominee,  as the case may be, will be
considered  the sole owner and holder of such Global  Security and the New Bonds
represented  thereby  for all  purposes  under the New  Bonds and the  Mortgage.
Except in the  limited  circumstances  referred to above,  owners of  beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such Global Security
or any New Bonds represented thereby registered in their names, will not receive
or be  entitled  to  receive  physical  delivery  of  certificated  New Bonds in
exchange therefor and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of such
Global Security or any New Bonds  represented  thereby for any purpose under the
New Bonds or the  Mortgage.  All  payments of  principal  of and any premium and
interest on a Global Security will be made to the depositary or its nominee,  as
the case may be, as the holder thereof.  The laws of some jurisdictions  require
that certain  purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities
in  definitive  form.  These laws may impair the ability to transfer  beneficial
interests in a Global Security.

   Ownership of  beneficial  interests in a Global  Security  will be limited to
institutions   that  have   accounts   with  the   depositary   or  its  nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests
                                        8

through  participants.  In connection with the issuance of any Global  Security,
the depositary will credit, on its book-entry  registration and transfer system,
the respective principal amounts of New Bonds represented by the Global Security
to the  accounts of its  participants.  Ownership of  beneficial  interests in a
Global  Security  will be shown only on,  and the  transfer  of those  ownership
interests  will be effected only through,  records  maintained by the depositary
(with respect to participants'  interests) or any such participant (with respect
to interests of persons held by such  participants  on their behalf).  Payments,
transfers,  exchanges,  and other matters relating to beneficial  interests in a
Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the
depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the Bond Trustee or any agent
of the Company or the Bond Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for
any aspect of the depositary's or any participant's  records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial  interests in a Global Security,  or for
maintaining,  supervising,  or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.

Other

   The  Mortgage  restricts  the  payment of  dividends  on common  stock of the
Company under certain  conditions  which have not existed in the past and do not
currently exist.

   The Bond Trustee,  security registrar, and paying agent under the Mortgage is
The Bank of New York. The Company maintains normal banking arrangements with The
Bank of New York,  which include (i) two commitments in the aggregate  principal
amount  of  approximately  $35.7  million  by The Bank of New York  pursuant  to
reimbursement  agreements  related to letters of credit  issued on behalf of the
Company in connection with issuances of pollution control bonds, the proceeds of
which were made available to the Company,  and (ii) a $25 million  commitment by
The Bank of New York pursuant to a revolving credit agreement, none of which was
outstanding  at March 31, 1997.  The Bank of New York also serves as (i) trustee
for the holders of several issues of pollution control bonds issued on behalf of
the Company,  (ii) trustee under the Indenture relating to the subordinated Debt
Securities (see "Description of Debt Securities" below), (iii) trustee under the
Senior  Note  Indenture  (as defined  below),  (iv)  investment  manager for the
Company's   nonunion   post-retirement   medical  fund,  and  (v)  custodian  of
international fixed-income assets for the Company's pension plan.

                           DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR NOTES
   
General
    

   The Senior  Notes may be issued in one or more new series  under an Indenture
(the "Senior Note  Indenture")  between the Company and The Bank of New York, or
any other  trustee to be named,  as Trustee  (the "Senior  Note  Trustee").  The
following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects
to the  provisions  of, and is qualified  in its  entirety by reference  to, the
Senior Note Indenture pursuant to which the Senior Notes are to be issued and to
the Senior Notes, the forms of which are filed, or will be filed, as exhibits to
the  registration  statement  of which this  Prospectus  forms a part.  Whenever
particular provisions or defined terms in the Senior Note Indenture are referred
to  herein  or  in  a  Prospectus  Supplement,  such  provisions  or  terms  are
incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.

   
   Until the Release Date (as defined  below),  the Senior Notes will be secured
by one or more series of New Bonds  ("Senior  Note Mortgage  Bonds")  issued and
delivered by the Company to the Senior Note Trustee.  See "Description of Senior
Notes -- Security"  and  "Description  of Senior Notes -- Release  Date." On the
Release Date,  the Senior Notes will cease to be secured by Senior Note Mortgage
Bonds,  will become  unsecured  obligations  of the Company,  and will rank on a
parity with other unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company, including senior
Debt  Securities.  The Senior Note  Indenture  provides that, in addition to the
Senior Notes offered hereby,  additional Senior Notes may be issued  thereunder,
without limitation as to aggregate principal amount, provided that, prior to the
Release  Date,  the amount of Senior Notes that may be issued  cannot exceed the
amount of first  mortgage  bonds  that the  Company  is able to issue  under its
Mortgage. See "Description of New Bonds -- Issuance of Additional Bonds."
    

   Reference is made to the  Prospectus  Supplement  relating to any  particular
issue of Offered  Senior Notes for the  following  terms:  (1) the title of such
Senior Notes; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal
                                        9

   
amount of such Senior Notes or the series of which they are a part; (3) the date
or dates on which the principal of any of such Senior Notes will be payable; (4)
the rate or rates at which any of such Senior Notes will bear interest,  if any,
the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment
Dates on which any such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date for
any such interest  payable on any Interest Payment Date; (5) the place or places
where the  principal of and any premium and interest on any of such Senior Notes
will be payable,  if other than as described under  "Description of Senior Notes
- -- Payment and Paying Agents"; (6) the period or periods within which, the price
or prices at which and the  terms  and  conditions  on which any of such  Senior
Notes may be redeemed,  in whole or in part,  at the option of the Company;  (7)
the obligation,  if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of such Senior
Notes  pursuant to any sinking fund or  analogous  provision or at the option of
the Holder thereof,  and the period or periods within which, the price or prices
at which and the terms and  conditions on which any of such Senior Notes will be
redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation; (8)
the  denominations in which any of such Senior Notes will be issuable,  if other
than  denominations  of $1,000 and any  integral  multiple  thereof;  (9) if the
amount of  principal  of or any premium or interest on any of such Senior  Notes
may be  determined  with  reference  to an index or pursuant  to a formula,  the
manner in which such amounts will be determined; (10) if other than the currency
of the United States of America, the currency,  currencies, or currency units in
which the  principal  of or any premium or interest on any of such Senior  Notes
will be payable  and the manner of  determining  the  equivalent  thereof in the
currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes
of determining  the principal  amount deemed to be Outstanding at any time; (11)
if the principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Senior Notes is to
be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more
currencies,  or currency  units other than those in which such Senior  Notes are
stated to be  payable,  the  currency,  currencies  or  currency  units in which
payment of any such  amount as to which such  election  is made will be payable,
the periods within which and the terms and  conditions  upon which such election
is to be made and the amount so payable  (or the manner in which such  amount is
to be determined);  (12) if other than the entire principal amount thereof,  the
portion  of the  principal  amount of any of such  Senior  Notes  which  will be
payable upon  declaration of acceleration of the Maturity  thereof;  (13) if the
principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any of such Senior Notes will
not be  determinable  as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated  Maturity,
the amount which will be deemed to be such principal  amount as of any such date
for any purpose,  including the principal  amount  thereof which will be due and
payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed
to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which
such deemed principal amount is to be determined); (14) if applicable, that such
Senior Notes,  in whole or any specified  part, are  defeasible  pursuant to the
provisions of the Senior Note Indenture  described under  "Description of Senior
Notes -- Defeasance  and Covenant  Defeasance";  (15) whether any of such Senior
Notes  will be  issuable  in whole or in part in the form of one or more  Global
Securities and, if so, the respective  Depositaries for such Global  Securities,
the form of any  legend or legends to be borne by any such  Global  Security  in
addition to or in lieu of the legend  referred to under  "Description  of Senior
Notes -- Global  Securities"  and, if different from those  described under such
caption, any circumstances under which any such Global Security may be exchanged
in whole or in part for Senior Notes registered, and any transfer of such Global
Security in whole or in part may be  registered,  in the names of Persons  other
than the Depositary for such Global Security or its nominee; (16) if any of such
Senior Notes are to be issued prior to the Release Date, the  designation of the
series of Senior Note Mortgage  Bonds to be delivered to the Senior Note Trustee
as security for such Senior Notes;  (17) any addition to or change in the Events
of Default applicable to any of such Senior Notes and any change in the right of
the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal amount of any of such Senior
Notes due and payable;  (18) any  addition to or change in the  covenants in the
Senior  Note  Indenture;  and (19) any  other  terms of such  Senior  Notes  not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture. (Section 301).
    

   Senior Notes,  including  Original  Issue  Discount  Notes,  may be sold at a
substantial discount below their principal amount. Certain special United States
federal income tax considerations (if any) applicable to Senior Notes sold at an
original  issue   discount  may  be  described  in  the  applicable   Prospectus
Supplement.  In addition,  certain  special  United States federal income tax or
other considerations (if any)
                                       10

applicable to any Senior Notes which are  denominated  in a currency or currency
unit other  than  United  States  dollars  may be  described  in the  applicable
Prospectus Supplement.

   Except as otherwise  described in the  Prospectus  Supplement,  the covenants
contained in the Senior Note Indenture  would not afford holders of Senior Notes
protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the Company.

Form, Exchange, and Transfer

   The Senior  Notes of each series will be  issuable  only in fully  registered
form  without  coupons  and,  unless  otherwise   specified  in  the  applicable
Prospectus  Supplement,  in  denominations  of $1,000 and any integral  multiple
thereof. (Section 302).

   At the  option  of the  Holder,  subject  to the  terms  of the  Senior  Note
Indenture and the limitations  applicable to Global Securities,  Senior Notes of
any series will be  exchangeable  for other Senior Notes of the same series,  of
any authorized  denomination and of like tenor and aggregate  principal  amount.
(Section 305).

   Subject  to the  terms  of the  Senior  Note  Indenture  and the  limitations
applicable to Global  Securities,  Senior Notes may be presented for exchange as
provided above or for  registration  of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form
of transfer  endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Note Registrar
or at the  office of any  transfer  agent  designated  by the  Company  for such
purpose.  No service  charge  will be made for any  registration  of transfer or
exchange  of  Senior  Notes,  but  the  Company  may  require  payment  of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other  governmental  charge payable in connection
therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Note Registrar or
such transfer  agent,  as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of
title and identity of the person  making the request.  The Company has appointed
the Senior Note Trustee as Note  Registrar.  Any transfer  agent (in addition to
the Note  Registrar)  initially  designated  by the Company for any Senior Notes
will be  named in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.  (Section  305).  The
Company  may at any time  designate  additional  transfer  agents or rescind the
designation  of any  transfer  agent or approve a change in the  office  through
which any  transfer  agent acts,  except  that the  Company  will be required to
maintain a transfer  agent in each Place of Payment for the Senior Notes of each
series. (Section 1102).

   If the Senior Notes of any series (or of any series and specified  tenor) are
to be  redeemed,  the Company  will not be required to (i) issue,  register  the
transfer  of, or exchange  any Senior Note of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such
Senior  Note that may be  selected  for  redemption  and  ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange
any Senior  Note so selected  for  redemption,  in whole or in part,  except the
unredeemed  portion of any such  Senior Note being  redeemed  in part.  (Section
305).

Global Notes

   Some or all of the Senior Notes of any series may be represented, in whole or
in part,  by one or more  Global  Notes which will have an  aggregate  principal
amount equal to that of the Senior Notes represented  thereby.  Each Global Note
will be registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee  thereof  identified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  will be deposited with such Depositary
or  nominee  or a  custodian  therefor  and  will  bear a legend  regarding  the
restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below
and any such other  matters as may be provided  for  pursuant to the Senior Note
Indenture.

   Notwithstanding any provision of the Senior Note Indenture or any Senior Note
described herein, no Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Senior
Notes  registered,  and no  transfer of a Global Note in whole or in part may be
registered,  in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global
Note or any nominee of such  Depositary  unless (i) the  Depositary has notified
the Company that it is unwilling  or unable to continue as  Depositary  for such
Global  Note or has ceased to be  qualified  to act as such as  required  by the
Senior Note Indenture, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event
of Default with respect to the Senior Notes represented by such Global Note, or
                                       11

(iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of
those  described  above  as  may  be  described  in  the  applicable  Prospectus
Supplement.  All securities  issued in exchange for a Global Note or any portion
thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may direct. (Sections
204 and 305).

   As long as the  Depositary,  or its nominee,  is the  registered  Holder of a
Global  Note,  the  Depositary  or such  nominee,  as the case  may be,  will be
considered  the sole owner and Holder of such Global  Note and the Senior  Notes
represented  thereby for all purposes under the Senior Notes and the Senior Note
Indenture.  Except in the limited  circumstances  referred  to above,  owners of
beneficial  interests  in a Global Note will not be entitled to have such Global
Note or any Senior Notes represented thereby registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Senior Notes
in exchange  therefor and will not be  considered to be the owners or Holders of
such Global Note or any Senior Notes  represented  thereby for any purpose under
the Senior Notes or the Senior Note Indenture.  All payments of principal of and
any premium and interest on a Global Note will be made to the  Depositary or its
nominee,  as  the  case  may  be,  as the  Holder  thereof.  The  laws  of  some
jurisdictions  require that  certain  purchasers  of  securities  take  physical
delivery  of such  securities  in  definitive  form.  These  laws may impair the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note.

   Ownership  of  beneficial  interests  in a Global  Note  will be  limited  to
institutions   that  have   accounts   with  the   Depositary   or  its  nominee
("participants")  and to  persons  that may hold  beneficial  interests  through
participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Note, the Depositary
will credit, on its book-entry  registration and transfer system, the respective
principal amounts of Senior Notes represented by the Global Note to the accounts
of its participants.  Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be
shown only on, and the transfer of those  ownership  interests  will be effected
only  through,   records   maintained  by  the   Depositary   (with  respect  to
participants'  interests) or any such participant  (with respect to interests of
persons  held  by such  participants  on  their  behalf).  Payments,  transfers,
exchanges,  and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a Global Note
may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from
time to time.  None of the Company,  the Senior Note Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Senior Note Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for
any aspect of the Depositary's or any participant's  records relating to, or for
payments  made on account of,  beneficial  interests  in a Global  Note,  or for
maintaining,  supervising,  or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.

Payment and Paying Agents

   Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  payment
of interest on a Senior Note on any  Interest  Payment  Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Senior Note (or one or more Predecessor  Senior Notes)
is  registered  at the close of  business  on the  Regular  Record Date for such
interest. (Section 307).

   Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, principal
of and any premium and interest on the Senior Notes of a particular  series will
be payable at the office of such  Paying  Agent or Paying  Agents as the Company
may designate  for such purpose from time to time,  except that at the option of
the Company  payment of any  interest may be made by check mailed to the address
of the Person  entitled  thereto as such address  appears in the Note  Register.
Unless  otherwise  indicated  in  the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,   the
corporate  trust  office of the Senior Note Trustee in The City of New York will
be designated  as the  Company's  sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to
Senior Notes of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by the
Company  for the  Senior  Notes  of a  particular  series  will be  named in the
applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.  The  Company  may  at  any  time  designate
additional  Paying  Agents or rescind  the  designation  of any Paying  Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts,  except that
the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment
for the Senior Notes of a particular series. (Section 1102).

   All  moneys  paid by the  Company  to a Paying  Agent for the  payment of the
principal  of or any  premium or  interest  on any  Senior  Notes  which  remain
unclaimed at the end of two years after such
                                       12

principal,  premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to the
Company,  and the Holder of such Senior  Notes  thereafter  may look only to the
Company for payment thereof. (Section 1103).

Consolidation, Merger, and Sale of Assets

   The  Company  may not  consolidate  with or merge  into any  other  Person or
convey,  transfer  or lease  its  properties  and  assets  "substantially  as an
entirety" to any Person,  and may not permit any Person to  consolidate  with or
merge into the Company or convey,  transfer,  or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless (a) the successor Person (if
any) is a corporation,  partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly
existing  under  the  laws of any  domestic  jurisdiction  and (i)  assumes  the
Company's  obligations on the Senior Notes and under the Senior Note  Indenture,
and (ii) if such consolidation,  merger,  conveyance,  transfer, or lease occurs
prior to the Release Date,  assumes the Company's  obligations  under the Senior
Note Mortgage Bonds and under the Mortgage;  (b) immediately after giving effect
to the  transaction,  no Event of Default,  and no event which,  after notice or
lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and
be  continuing   and  (iii)  certain   other   conditions   are  met.  The  term
"substantially  as an  entirety"  means 50% or more of the  total  assets of the
Company as shown on the  Company's  consolidated  balance sheet as of the end of
the  calendar  year  immediately  preceding  the day of the year in  which  such
determination is made. (Section 901).

   
Security

   Until the Release Date (see "Release  Date" below),  the Senior Notes will be
secured by one or more series of New Bonds ("Senior Note Mortgage Bonds") issued
and delivered by the Company to the Senior Note Trustee (see "Description of New
Bonds").  Upon the  issuance  of a series of Senior  Notes  prior to the Release
Date,  the  Company  will  simultaneously  issue and  deliver to the Senior Note
Trustee,  as security for such series of Senior  Notes,  a series of Senior Note
Mortgage  Bonds that will have the same  stated  rate or rates of  interest  (or
interest calculated in the same manner), Interest Payment Dates, Stated Maturity
and redemption provisions, and will be in the same aggregate principal amount as
the series of the Senior Notes being issued. (Sections 401-403). Payments by the
Company to the Senior Note Trustee of principal  of,  premium and interest on, a
series of Senior Notes will satisfy the  Company's  obligations  with respect to
principal  of,  premium  and  interest  on, the  related  series of Senior  Note
Mortgage Bonds.

   Each series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds will be a series of New Bonds,  all
of which are secured by a lien on certain  property  owned by the  Company.  See
"Description  of New Bonds -- Security." In certain  circumstances  prior to the
Release Date, the Company is permitted to reduce the aggregate  principal amount
of a series of Senior Note Mortgage  Bonds held by the Senior Note Trustee,  but
in no event to an amount lower than the aggregate  outstanding  principal amount
of the  series of Senior  Notes  initially  issued  contemporaneously  with such
Senior Note Mortgage  Bonds.  (Section  409).  Following  the Release Date,  the
Company  will cause the Mortgage to be closed and the Company will not issue any
additional First Mortgage Bonds under the Mortgage. (Section 403).

Release Date

   ON THE RELEASE DATE, THE SENIOR NOTE MORTGAGE BONDS WILL NO LONGER SECURE THE
SENIOR NOTES, AND THE SENIOR NOTES WILL BECOME UNSECURED GENERAL  OBLIGATIONS OF
THE COMPANY.  (Section  407). The "Release Date" means the date that the Company
has repaid all of its First Mortgage Bonds,  other than the Senior Note Mortgage
Bonds  securing  the Senior  Notes.The  Senior Note Trustee will give the Senior
Note Holders notice of the occurrence of the Release Date. See  "Description  of
Senior Notes -- Defeasance and Covenant  Defeasance -- Defeasance and Discharge"
for a discussion of another  situation in which  outstanding  Senior Notes would
not be secured by Senior Note Mortgage Bonds.

   Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  from and
after the Release Date and so long as Senior  Notes of a  particular  series are
outstanding, the Company may not issue, 
                                       13

assume or  guarantee  any debt  evidenced by notes,  debentures,  bonds or other
securities  for  money  borrowed  that  is  secured  by any  mortgage,  security
interest,  pledge or lien of or upon any operating property of the Company,  and
will not permit to exist any such debt  secured  by any such lien  created on or
prior to the Release  Date,  without  effectively  securing  such  Senior  Notes
equally and ratably therewith, subject to certain exceptions as described below.
See "Limitations on Liens and Sale and Lease-Back  Transactions."  The intention
of these  provisions  is that before the Release Date the Senior Notes will have
the  benefit  of being  secured by Senior  Note  Mortgage  Bonds,  and after the
Release  Date the Senior  Notes will have the  benefit of the same  security  as
other secured debt of the Company, if any, subject to specified exceptions.
    

   
Limitations on Liens and Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

   Limitations on Liens. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement,  from and after the  Release  Date and so long as Senior  Notes of a
particular  series  are  outstanding,  the  Company  may not issue,  assume,  or
guarantee any debt evidenced by notes,  debentures,  bonds, or other  securities
for money borrowed ("Debt") that is secured by any mortgage,  security interest,
pledge, or lien ("lien") of or upon any Operating  Property of the Company,  and
will not permit to exist any such Debt secured by any such  mortgage  created on
or prior to the Release  Date,  without  effectively  securing such Senior Notes
equally and ratably with such Debt. This restriction does not apply to (1) liens
on any property  existing at the time of its acquisition;  (2) liens on property
of a  corporation  existing  at the  time  the  corporation  is  merged  into or
consolidated  with, or disposes of substantially all of its properties (or those
of a  division)  to, the  Company;  (3)  subject to  certain  conditions,  liens
securing Debt incurred to acquire, construct,  develop, or substantially repair,
alter,  or improve  property or to reimburse the Company for funds spent for any
such  purpose;  (4) liens in favor of the United  States of America or any State
thereof,  or for the benefit of holders of securities issued by any such entity,
or any department,  agency, or instrumentality  or political  subdivision of the
United States of America or any State  thereof,  to secure any Debt incurred for
the purpose of financing  all or any part of the  purchase  price or the cost of
constructing,  developing or substantially repairing, altering, or improving the
property subject to such liens; or (5) any extension,  renewal,  or replacement,
in  whole or in part,  of any lien  referred  to in  clauses  (1)  through  (4).
However, the foregoing  restriction does not apply to the issuance,  assumption,
or guarantee  by the Company of Debt secured by a lien which would  otherwise be
subject to the foregoing  restrictions up to an aggregate amount which, together
with all other secured Debt of the Company (not including secured Debt permitted
under the foregoing exceptions) and the Value (as defined below) of all Sale and
Lease-Back  Transactions  (as defined  below)  existing at such time (other than
Sale  and  Lease-Back  Transaction  proceeds  which  have  been  applied  to the
retirement or certain  indebtedness,  Sale and Lease-Back  Transactions in which
the  property  involved  would have been  permitted  to be  mortgaged  under the
foregoing exceptions and Sale and Lease-Back  Transactions that are permitted by
the first  sentence  of "--  Limitations  on Sale and  Lease-Back  Transactions"
below),  does not exceed the greater of 10% of Net  Tangible  Assets (as defined
below) or 10% of Capitalization (as defined below).

   Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back  Transactions.  Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  after the Release Date, so long as any
Senior  Notes are  outstanding,  the  Company  may not  enter  into any Sale and
Lease-Back  Transaction  with  respect to any  Operating  Property  and will not
permit to remain in effect any Sale and Lease-Back  transaction  with respect to
any Operating  Property  entered into on or prior to the Release Date (except in
each case, for transactions  involving leases for a term,  including any renewal
thereof,  of not more than 48 months),  if the purchaser's  commitment is or was
obtained  more  than  18  months  after  the  later  of  the  completion  of the
acquisition,  construction  or  development  or the placing in operation of such
Operating Property or of such Operating Property as constructed, being developed
or substantially repaired,  altered or improved. This restriction will not apply
if (a) the Company would be entitled pursuant to the provisions described in the
second  sentence  under  "--  Limitations  on Liens"  above to issue,  assume or
guarantee Debt secured by a lien on such Operating  Property without equally and
ratably  securing  such Senior  Notes,  (b) after giving effect to such Sale and
Lease-Back  Transaction,  the  Company  could incur  pursuant to the  provisions
described in the third sentence under "-- Limitation on Liens,"  additional debt
secured by liens, or (c) the Company applies within 180 days an amount equal to,
in the case of a sale or transfer for cash,  the net 
    
                                       14

   
proceeds (not exceeding the net book value), and, otherwise,  an amount equal to
the fair  value (as  determined  by its  Board of  Directors)  of the  Operating
Property  so  leased to the  retirement  of  Senior  Notes or other  Debt of the
Company  ranking  senior  to, or equally  with,  the  Senior  Notes,  subject to
reduction as set forth in the Supplemental  Indenture in respect of Senior Notes
and such Debt retired  during such 180-day  period  otherwise  than  pursuant to
mandatory sinking fund or prepayment provisions and payments at Stated Maturity.
    

   
   Definitions.  The  term  "Capitalization"  shall  mean  the  total of all the
following  items appearing on, or included in, the balance sheet of the Company:
(i) liabilities for  indebtedness  maturing more than 12 months from the date of
determination; and (ii) common stock, preferred stock, premium on capital stock,
capital surplus, capital in excess of par value, and retained earnings, less, to
the extent not  otherwise  deducted,  the cost of shares of capital stock of the
Company held in its treasury.

   The term "Net Tangible Assets" shall mean the amount shown as total assets on
the  consolidated  balance  sheet  of  the  Company,  less  the  following:  (i)
intangible assets  including,  but without  limitation,  such items as goodwill,
trademarks,  tradenames,  patents and unamortized  debt discount and expense and
other  regulatory  assets  carried as an asset on said balance  sheet;  and (ii)
appropriate adjustments, if any, on account of minority interests.

   The term  "Operating  Property"  shall mean (i) any interest in real property
owned by the Company and (ii) any asset owned by the Company that is depreciable
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

   The term "Sale and Lease-Back  Transaction"  shall mean any arrangement  with
any person  providing for the leasing to the Company of any  Operating  Property
(except for leases for a term,  including any renewal thereof,  of not more than
48 months), which Operating Property has been or is to be sold or transferred by
the Company to such person.

   The  term  "Value"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  a  Sale  and  Lease-Back
Transaction,  as of any particular  time, the amount equal to the greater of (i)
the net proceeds to the Company from the sale or transfer of the property leased
pursuant to such Sale and  Lease-Back  Transaction or (ii) the net book value of
such property,  as determined in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting
principles by the Company at the time of entering into such Sale and  Lease-Back
Transaction, in each case multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall
be equal to the  number of full  years of the term of the lease  that is part of
such Sale and Lease-Back  Transaction remaining at the time of determination and
the  denominator  of which  shall be equal to the  number of full  years of such
term, without regard, in any case, to any renewal or extension options contained
in such lease.
    

Events of Default

   Each of the  following  will  constitute an Event of Default under the Senior
Note  Indenture  with respect to Senior Notes of any series:  (a) failure to pay
principal  of or any  premium  on any  Senior  Note of  that  series  when  due,
continued for five days;  (b) failure to pay any interest on any Senior Notes of
that  series  when due,  continued  for sixty  days;  (c) failure to deposit any
sinking  fund  payment,  when due, in respect of any Senior Note of that series;
(d)  failure to perform  any other  covenant  of the  Company in the Senior Note
Indenture  (other than a covenant  included in the Senior Note Indenture  solely
for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 90 days after
written  notice has been given by the Senior Note  Trustee,  or the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding  Senior Notes of that series, as
provided  in the Senior  Note  Indenture;  (e) prior to the  Release  Date,  the
occurrence  of a Default under the Mortgage  (see  "Description  of the Bonds --
Events of Default"), of which the Trustee under the Mortgage, the Company or the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate  principal amount of the outstanding Senior
Notes have given  written  notice  thereof to the Senior Note  Trustee;  and (f)
certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. (Section 601).

   If an Event of Default  (other than an Event of Default  described  in clause
(f)  above)  with  respect  to the  Senior  Notes  of  any  series  at the  time
Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the Senior Note Trustee or the
Holders of a majority in  principal  amount of the  Outstanding  Senior Notes of
that series by notice as provided in the Senior Note  Indenture  may declare the
principal amount of the Senior
                                       15

Notes of that  series  (or,  in the case of any Senior  Note that is an Original
Issue Discount Note or the principal  amount of which is not then  determinable,
such portion of the  principal  amount of such Senior Note, or such other amount
in lieu of such  principal  amount,  as may be  specified  in the  terms of such
Senior Note) to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default described
in clause (f) above with  respect to the Senior  Notes of any series at the time
Outstanding  shall occur,  the principal  amount of all the Senior Notes of that
series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue Discount Note or other Senior
Note, such specified amount) will  automatically,  and without any action by the
Senior Note Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. After any
such acceleration,  but before (i) a judgment or decree based on acceleration or
(ii) the Senior Note Trustee's  receipt from the Trustee under the Mortgage of a
notice of acceleration of Senior Note First Mortgage  Bonds,  such  acceleration
will be automatically waived and rescinded if all Events of Default,  other than
the non-payment of accelerated  principal (or other specified amount), have been
cured or waived as provided in the Indenture.  (Section 602). For information as
to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver."

   Subject to the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture relating to the duties
of the  Senior  Note  Trustee  in case an Event of  Default  shall  occur and be
continuing,  the Senior Note Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any
of its  rights or powers  under the  Senior  Note  Indenture  at the  request or
direction of any of the Holders,  unless such Holders  shall have offered to the
Senior  Note  Trustee  reasonable  indemnity.  (Section  703).  Subject  to such
provisions for the indemnification of the Senior Note Trustee,  the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding  Senior Notes of any series will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Senior Note Trustee,  or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Senior Note Trustee,  with respect to the Senior Notes of
that series. (Section 612).

   No Holder of a Senior Note of any series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Senior Note Indenture,  or for the appointment of
a receiver or a trustee,  or for any other  remedy  thereunder,  unless (i) such
Holder has  previously  given to the Senior  Note  Trustee  written  notice of a
continuing  Event of Default  with  respect to the Senior  Notes of that series,
(ii)  the  Holders  of at  least  25%  in  aggregate  principal  amount  of  the
Outstanding  Senior  Notes of that series have made  written  request,  and such
Holder or Holders have offered reasonable indemnity,  to the Senior Note Trustee
to institute such  proceeding as trustee,  and (iii) the Senior Note Trustee has
failed to institute such proceeding,  and has not received from the Holders of a
majority in aggregate  principal amount of the Outstanding  Senior Notes of that
series a direction  inconsistent  with such  request,  within 60 days after such
notice, request and offer. (Section 607). However, such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Senior Note for the enforcement of payment
of the  principal  of or any premium or interest on such Senior Note on or after
the applicable due date specified in such Senior Note. (Section 608).

   The Company  will be required to furnish to the Trustee  annually a statement
by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their knowledge,
is in default in the  performance or observance of any of the terms,  provisions
and conditions of the Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
(Section 1104).

Modification and Waiver

   Modifications  and amendments of the Senior Note Indenture may be made by the
Company  and the  Senior  Note  Trustee  with the  consent  of the  Holders of a
majority in  principal  amount of the  Outstanding  Senior  Notes of each series
affected by such  modification  or amendment;  provided,  however,  that no such
modification  or  amendment  may,  without  the  consent  of the  Holder of each
Outstanding Senior Note affected thereby,  (a) change the Stated Maturity of the
principal of, or any instalment of principal of or interest on, any Senior Note,
(b) reduce the  principal  amount of, or any premium or interest  on, any Senior
Note,  (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original  Issue Discount Note or
any other Senior Note payable upon  acceleration  of the Maturity  thereof,  (d)
change  the place or  currency  of payment of  principal  of, or any  premium or
interest  on, any Senior Note,  (e) impair the right to  institute  suit for the
enforcement  of any payment on or with respect to any Senior Note,  (f) prior to
the Release  Date,  (i) impair the  interest  of the Senior Note  Trustee in the
Senior Note Mortgage  Bonds,  (ii) reduce the principal  amount of any series of
Senior Note Mortgage  Bonds to an amount less than the  principal  amount of the
                                       16

related  Series of Notes,  or (iii) alter the payment  provisions  of the Senior
Note  Mortgage  Bonds in a manner  adverse to the  Holders of the Notes,  or (g)
reduce the  percentage in principal  amount of  Outstanding  Senior Notes of any
series,  the consent of whose Holders is required for  modification or amendment
of the Senior Note  Indenture,  reduce the  percentage  in  principal  amount of
Outstanding  Senior Notes of any series  necessary for waiver of compliance with
certain  provisions  of the  Senior  Note  Indenture  or for  waiver of  certain
defaults or modify such  provisions  with  respect to  modification  and waiver.
(Section 1002).

   The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes
of any series may waive  compliance  by the  Company  with  certain  restrictive
provisions  of the Senior  Note  Indenture.  (Section  1108).  The  Holders of a
majority in principal  amount of the Outstanding  Senior Notes of any series may
waive any past default under the Senior Note Indenture,  except a default in the
payment of principal,  premium, or interest and certain covenants and provisions
of the Senior Note Indenture  which cannot be amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Senior Note of such series affected. (Section 613).

   The Senior Note Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of
the requisite  principal  amount of the  Outstanding  Senior Notes have given or
taken any direction,  notice, consent,  waiver, or other action under the Senior
Note  Indenture as of any date,  (i) the principal  amount of an Original  Issue
Discount  Note that will be deemed to be  Outstanding  will be the amount of the
principal  thereof  that  would  be  due  and  payable  as  of  such  date  upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the
principal  amount  payable  at the  Stated  Maturity  of a  Senior  Note  is not
determinable  (for  example,  because  it is based on an index),  the  principal
amount of such Senior Note deemed to be  Outstanding  as of such date will be an
amount  determined in the manner  prescribed  for such Senior Note and (iii) the
principal amount of a Senior Note denominated in one or more foreign  currencies
or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding  will be the U.S. dollar
equivalent,  determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for such Senior
Note, of the  principal  amount of such Senior Note (or, in the case of a Senior
Note  described  in clause (i) or (ii) above,  of the amount  described  in such
clause).  Certain Senior Notes,  including those for whose payment or redemption
money has been  deposited  or set aside in trust for the  Holders and those that
have been fully  defeased  pursuant  to Section  1402,  will not be deemed to be
Outstanding. (Section 101).

   Except in certain limited circumstances,  the Company will be entitled to set
any  day as a  record  date  for the  purpose  of  determining  the  Holders  of
Outstanding  Senior Notes of any series  entitled to give or take any direction,
notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the Senior Note Indenture, in the
manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Senior Note Indenture.  In
certain limited circumstances, the Senior Note Trustee will be entitled to set a
record date for action by Holders.  If a record date is set for any action to be
taken by  Holders  of a  particular  series,  such  action  may be taken only by
persons who are Holders of Outstanding Senior Notes of that series on the record
date.  To be  effective,  such action must be taken by Holders of the  requisite
principal  amount of such Senior Notes within a specified  period  following the
record date.  For any  particular  record date,  this period will be 180 days or
such other shorter period as may be specified by the Company (or the Senior Note
Trustee, if it set the record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not
beyond 180 days) from time to time. (Section 104).

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

   If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Company may elect,  at its option at any time, to have the provisions of Section
1402,  relating to defeasance  and discharge of  indebtedness,  or Section 1403,
relating  to  defeasance  of certain  restrictive  covenants  in the Senior Note
Indenture,  applied to the Senior Notes of any series,  or to any specified part
of a series. (Section 1401).

   
   Defeasance and Discharge.  The Senior Note Indenture  provides that, upon the
Company's  exercise of its option (if any) to have  Section  1402 applied to any
Senior  Notes,  the Company will be  discharged  from all its  obligations  with
respect to such Senior  Notes  (except for  certain  obligations  to exchange or
register  the transfer of Senior  Notes,  to replace  stolen,  lost or mutilated
Senior Notes, to
                                       17

maintain  paying  agencies  and to hold  moneys for  payment in trust)  upon the
deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Senior Notes of money or
U.S. Government  Obligations,  or both, which,  through the payment of principal
and interest in respect  thereof in  accordance  with their terms,  will provide
money in an  amount  sufficient  to pay the  principal  of and any  premium  and
interest on such Senior Notes on the respective  Stated Maturities in accordance
with the terms of the Senior Note  Indenture  and such Senior  Notes.  UPON SUCH
DEFEASANCE  AND  DISCHARGE,  THE SENIOR NOTE TRUSTEE WILL DELIVER TO THE COMPANY
FOR  CANCELLATION  ALL SENIOR NOTE  MORTGAGE  BONDS  SECURING SUCH SENIOR NOTES,
AFTER  WHICH TIME SUCH  SENIOR  NOTES  WILL NO LONGER BE SECURED BY SENIOR  NOTE
MORTGAGE  BONDS.  Such  defeasance  and discharge may occur only if, among other
things,  the Company  has  delivered  to the Senior  Note  Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect  that the  Company has  received  from,  or there has been
published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling,  or there has
been a change in tax law,  in either  case to the  effect  that  Holders of such
Senior Notes will not recognize  gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as
a result of such  deposit,  defeasance,  and  discharge  and will be  subject to
federal income tax on the same amount,  in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such deposit,  defeasance  and discharge were not
to occur. (Sections 1402 and 1404).
    
   
   Defeasance of Certain  Covenants.  The Senior Note  Indenture  provides that,
upon the Company's  exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1403 applied
to any Senior  Notes,  the Company may omit to comply with  certain  restrictive
covenants that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the
occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (d)
(with respect to such restrictive  covenants) under "Description of Senior Notes
- -- Events of Default" and any that may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, will be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default will cease
to be effective, in each case with respect to such Senior Notes. The Company, in
order to exercise  such  option,  will be required to deposit,  in trust for the
benefit  of  the  Holders  of  such  Senior  Notes,  money  or  U.S.  Government
Obligations,  or both,  which,  through the payment of principal and interest in
respect thereof in accordance with their terms,  will provide money in an amount
sufficient  to pay the  principal of and any premium and interest on such Senior
Notes on the respective  Stated  Maturities in accordance  with the terms of the
Senior Note Indenture and such Senior Notes.  The Company will also be required,
among  other  things,  to  deliver  to the  Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that  Holders of such Senior  Notes will not  recognize  gain or loss for
federal  income tax  purposes  as a result of such  deposit  and  defeasance  of
certain  obligations  and will be  subject  to  federal  income  tax on the same
amount,  in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such  deposit  and  defeasance  were not to  occur.  In the  event  the  Company
exercised  this option with  respect to any Senior  Notes and such Senior  Notes
were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default,
the amount of money and U.S. Government  Obligations so deposited in trust would
be  sufficient  to pay  amounts  due on such  Senior  Notes at the time of their
respective  Stated  Maturities  but may not be  sufficient to pay amounts due on
such Senior Notes upon any acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In
such case, the Company would remain liable for such payments. (Sections 1403 and
1404).
    

Notices

   Notices to Holders of Senior Notes will be given by mail to the  addresses of
such Holders as they may appear in the Note Register. (Sections 101 and 106).

Title

   The  Company,  the Senior Note  Trustee,  and any agent of the Company or the
Senior  Note  Trustee  may  treat  the  Person  in whose  name a Senior  Note is
registered as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not such Senior Note may be
overdue) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.  (Section
308).

Governing Law

   The Senior  Note  Indenture  and the Senior  Notes will be  governed  by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112).
                                       18

Regarding the Senior Note Trustee

   The Senior Note Trustee is The Bank of New York. The Company maintains normal
banking  arrangements  with  The  Bank  of  New  York,  which  include  (i)  two
commitments in the aggregate  principal amount of approximately $35.7 million by
The Bank of New York pursuant to reimbursement  agreements related to letters of
credit issued on behalf of the Company in connection with issuances of pollution
control  bonds,  the proceeds of which were made  available to the Company,  and
(ii) a $25 million  commitment  by The Bank of New York  pursuant to a revolving
credit  agreement,  none of which was outstanding at March 31, 1997. The Bank of
New York also serves as (i) trustee  under the  Mortgage,  (ii)  trustee for the
holders of several  issues of  pollution  control  bonds issued on behalf of the
Company,  (iii) trustee under the Company's  Indenture  relating to subordinated
Debt Securities (see below),  (iv) investment manager for the Company's nonunion
post-retirement  medical fund, and (v) custodian of  international  fixed-income
assets for the Company's pension plan.

                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

General

   The  Debt  Securities  may be  issued  in one or more  new  series  under  an
Indenture  between  the  Company  and (i) The Bank of New  York,  in the case of
subordinated Debt Securities,  and (ii) The Chase Manhattan Bank, in the case of
senior Debt  Securities,  or any other trustees to be named, as Trustee (each, a
"Trustee"). The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject
in all  respects  to the  provisions  of, and is  qualified  in its  entirety by
reference to, the Indentures  pursuant to which the subordinated and senior Debt
Securities are to be issued and to the Debt  Securities,  the forms of which are
filed, or will be filed, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part. Whenever particular provisions or defined terms in such
documents are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement,  such provisions
or terms are incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.

   The Debt  Securities will be unsecured  obligations of the Company.  Separate
Indentures  will be used  for  senior  Debt  Securities  and  subordinated  Debt
Securities,  respectively,  although the  description  of the Indenture  herein,
except as specifically stated otherwise, applies to both Indentures.

   Reference is made to the  Prospectus  Supplement  relating to any  particular
issue of Offered Debt Securities for the following  terms: (1) the title of such
Debt  Securities;  (2) any limit on the aggregate  principal amount of such Debt
Securities  or the  series  of which  they are a part;  (3) the date or dates on
which the principal of any of such Debt Securities will be payable; (4) the rate
or rates at which any of such Debt  Securities  will bear interest,  if any, the
date or dates from which any such  interest  will accrue,  the Interest  Payment
Dates on which any such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date for
any such interest  payable on any Interest Payment Date; (5) the place or places
where  the  principal  of and any  premium  and  interest  on any of  such  Debt
Securities  will be payable,  if other than as described  under  "Description of
Debt Securities -- Payment and Paying Agents";  (6) the period or periods within
which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of
such Debt Securities may be redeemed,  in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company; (7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of
such Debt Securities  pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous  provision or at
the option of the Holder  thereof,  and the period or periods within which,  the
price or prices at which and the terms and  conditions on which any of such Debt
Securities will be redeemed or purchased,  in whole or in part,  pursuant to any
such obligation; (8) the denominations in which any of such Debt Securities will
be issuable,  if other than  denominations  of $1,000 and any integral  multiple
thereof;  (9) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any of
such Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to
a formula,  the manner in which such amounts will be  determined;  (10) if other
than the currency of the United States of America, the currency,  currencies, or
currency  units in which the  principal  of or any premium or interest on any of
such  Debt  Securities  will  be  payable  and the  manner  of  determining  the
equivalent  thereof  in the  currency  of the United  States of America  for any
purpose, including for purposes of determining the principal amount deemed to be
Outstanding at any time;  (11) if the principal of or any premium or interest on
any of such
                                       19

Debt  Securities is to be payable,  at the election of the Company or the Holder
thereof, in one or more currencies,  or currency units other than those in which
such Debt  Securities  are stated to be payable,  the  currency,  currencies  or
currency  units in which payment of any such amount as to which such election is
made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon
which such  election  is to be made and the amount so payable  (or the manner in
which such amount is to be determined);  (12) if other than the entire principal
amount  thereof,  the  portion  of the  principal  amount  of any of  such  Debt
Securities  which  will be  payable  upon  declaration  of  acceleration  of the
Maturity thereof; (13) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of
any of such Debt Securities will not be determinable as of any one or more dates
prior to the  Stated  Maturity,  the  amount  which  will be  deemed  to be such
principal  amount as of any such date for any purpose,  including  the principal
amount  thereof  which will be due and payable upon any Maturity  other than the
Stated  Maturity or which will be deemed to be  Outstanding  as of any such date
(or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be
determined);  (14) if  applicable,  that such Debt  Securities,  in whole or any
specified  part,  are  defeasible  pursuant to the  provisions  of the Indenture
described  under  "Description  of Debt  Securities --  Defeasance  and Covenant
Defeasance -- Defeasance and Discharge" or  "Description  of Debt  Securities --
Defeasance and Covenant  Defeasance -- Covenant  Defeasance," or under both such
captions;  (15) whether any of such Debt Securities will be issuable in whole or
in part in the form of one or more Global  Securities and, if so, the respective
Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends to be
borne  by any such  Global  Security  in  addition  to or in lieu of the  legend
referred to under  "Description of Debt Securities -- Global Securities" and, if
different from those described under such caption, any circumstances under which
any  such  Global  Security  may be  exchanged  in  whole  or in part  for  Debt
Securities  registered,  and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in
part may be  registered,  in the names of Persons other than the  Depositary for
such  Global  Security  or its  nominee;  (16) any  addition to or change in the
Events of Default  applicable to any of such Debt  Securities  and any change in
the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the  principal  amount of any
of such Debt  Securities due and payable;  (17) any addition to or change in the
covenants in the Indenture; and (18) any other terms of such Debt Securities not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture. (Section 301).

   Debt Securities, including Original Issue Discount Securities, may be sold at
a substantial  discount below their  principal  amount.  Certain  special United
States federal income tax  considerations (if any) applicable to Debt Securities
sold at an original issue discount may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.  In addition,  certain  special  United States federal income tax or
other  considerations  (if any)  applicable  to any Debt  Securities  which  are
denominated  in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

   Except as otherwise  described in the  Prospectus  Supplement,  the covenants
contained  in  the  Indenture  would  not  afford  holders  of  Debt  Securities
protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the Company.

Subordination

   The Indenture  relating to the  subordinated  Debt Securities  provides that,
unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution, the
Debt Securities will be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company, whether outstanding as of the
date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred. (Section 1401). The balance of the
information  under  this  "Subordination"  heading  assumes  that  the  relevant
supplemental  indenture or Board Resolution results in the corresponding  series
of Debt Securities being subordinated obligations of the Company.

   No payment of principal of (including  redemption and sinking fund payments),
premium, if any, or interest on, the subordinated Debt Securities may be made if
any Senior Debt is not paid when due, any  applicable  grace period with respect
to such default has ended and such  default has not been cured or waived,  or if
the  maturity  of any  Senior  Debt has been  accelerated  because of a default.
(Section 1402). Upon any distribution of assets of the Company to creditors upon
any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or
involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other
                                       20

proceedings,  all  principal  of, and  premium,  if any,  and interest due or to
become due on, all Senior  Debt must be paid in full  before the  holders of the
subordinated  Debt  Securities  are  entitled to receive or retain any  payment.
(Section 1403).  The rights of the holders of the  subordinated  Debt Securities
will be  subordinated  to the rights of the  holders  of Senior  Debt to receive
payments or  distributions  applicable to Senior Debt until all amounts owing on
the Debt Securities are paid in full. (Section 1404).

   The term "Senior Debt" shall mean the principal of, premium, if any, interest
on and  any  other  payment  due  pursuant  to any  of  the  following,  whether
outstanding  at the date of execution of the Indenture or  thereafter  incurred,
created or assumed:

      (a) all indebtedness of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds,
   or other  securities  sold by the  Company  for  money,  including  all first
   mortgage bonds of the Company outstanding from time to time;

      (b) all  indebtedness  of others of the kinds  described in the  preceding
   clause (a) assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by the Company; and

      (c) all renewals,  extensions,  or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds
   described in any of the preceding clauses (a) and (b);

unless,  in the  case of any  particular  indebtedness,  renewal,  extension  or
refunding,  the instrument  creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or
guarantee  of the same  expressly  provides  that  such  indebtedness,  renewal,
extension  or  refunding is not superior in right of payment to or is pari passu
with the Debt Securities. (Section 101).

   
   The  Indenture  does not limit the  aggregate  amount of Senior Debt that the
Company  may  issue.  As  of  March  31,  1997,   outstanding  Senior  Debt  and
subordinated debt of the Company  aggregated  approximately $2.0 billion and $75
million,  respectively.  Any Senior Notes issued by the Company would constitute
Senior Debt,  whether  before or after the Release  Date.  See  "Description  of
Senior Notes -- Release Date."
    

Form, Exchange, and Transfer

   The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully  registered
form  without  coupons  and,  unless  otherwise   specified  in  the  applicable
Prospectus  Supplement,  in  denominations  of $1,000 and any integral  multiple
thereof. (Section 302).

   At the option of the Holder,  subject to the terms of the  Indenture  and the
limitations applicable to Global Securities,  Debt Securities of any series will
be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series,  of any authorized
denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. (Section 305).

   Subject  to the terms of the  Indenture  and the  limitations  applicable  to
Global  Securities,  Debt  Securities  may be presented for exchange as provided
above  or for  registration  of  transfer  (duly  endorsed  or with  the form of
transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security Registrar
or at the  office of any  transfer  agent  designated  by the  Company  for such
purpose.  No service  charge  will be made for any  registration  of transfer or
exchange  of Debt  Securities,  but the  Company  may  require  payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other  governmental  charge payable in connection
therewith.  Such  transfer  or  exchange  will be  effected  upon  the  Security
Registrar or such transfer  agent,  as the case may be, being satisfied with the
documents  of title and identity of the person  making the request.  The Company
has appointed the Trustee as Security Registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition
to the  Security  Registrar)  initially  designated  by the Company for any Debt
Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 305).
The Company may at any time designate  additional transfer agents or rescind the
designation  of any  transfer  agent or approve a change in the  office  through
which any  transfer  agent acts,  except  that the  Company  will be required to
maintain a transfer  agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt  Securities  of
each series. (Section 1002).

   If the Debt  Securities of any series (or of any series and specified  tenor)
are to be redeemed,  the Company will not be required to (i) issue, register the
transfer of, or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening
                                       21

of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of  redemption  of any
such Debt Security that may be selected for  redemption  and ending at the close
of  business  on the day of such  mailing or (ii)  register  the  transfer of or
exchange  any Debt  Security so selected  for  redemption,  in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed  portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part.
(Section 305).

Global Securities

   Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in whole
or in part,  by one or more  Global  Securities  which  will  have an  aggregate
principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities  represented thereby. Each
Global  Security  will be  registered  in the name of a Depositary  or a nominee
thereof identified in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  will be deposited
with such  Depositary or nominee or a custodian  therefor and will bear a legend
regarding the  restrictions on exchanges and  registration  of transfer  thereof
referred to below and any such other  matters as may be provided for pursuant to
the Indenture.

   Notwithstanding any provision of the Indenture or any Debt Security described
herein,  no  Global  Security  may be  exchanged  in  whole  or in part for Debt
Securities registered,  and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part
may be registered,  in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such
Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary  unless (i) the Depositary has
notified the Company  that it is  unwilling or unable to continue as  Depositary
for  such  Global  Security  or has  ceased  to be  qualified  to act as such as
required by the  Indenture,  (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an
Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities  represented by such Global
Security or (iii) there shall exist such  circumstances,  if any, in addition to
or in lieu of  those  described  above  as may be  described  in the  applicable
Prospectus  Supplement.  All securities issued in exchange for a Global Security
or any portion  thereof will be registered in such names as the  Depositary  may
direct. (Sections 204 and 305).

   As long as the  Depositary,  or its nominee,  is the  registered  Holder of a
Global  Security,  the  Depositary or such nominee,  as the case may be, will be
considered  the sole  owner and  Holder  of such  Global  Security  and the Debt
Securities  represented  thereby for all purposes under the Debt  Securities and
the Indenture.  Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of
beneficial  interests  in a Global  Security  will not be  entitled to have such
Global Security or any Debt Securities  represented  thereby registered in their
names,  will  not  receive  or be  entitled  to  receive  physical  delivery  of
certificated  Debt Securities in exchange therefor and will not be considered to
be the  owners  or  Holders  of such  Global  Security  or any  Debt  Securities
represented  thereby for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the Indenture.
All payments of  principal of and any premium and interest on a Global  Security
will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder
thereof.  The laws of some  jurisdictions  require  that certain  purchasers  of
securities take physical  delivery of such securities in definitive  form. These
laws may  impair  the  ability  to  transfer  beneficial  interests  in a Global
Security.

   Ownership of  beneficial  interests in a Global  Security  will be limited to
institutions   that  have   accounts   with  the   Depositary   or  its  nominee
("participants")  and to  persons  that may hold  beneficial  interests  through
participants.  In  connection  with the  issuance  of any Global  Security,  the
Depositary will credit, on its book-entry  registration and transfer system, the
respective  principal  amounts  of Debt  Securities  represented  by the  Global
Security to the accounts of its participants.  Ownership of beneficial interests
in a Global  Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership
interests  will be effected only through,  records  maintained by the Depositary
(with respect to participants'  interests) or any such participant (with respect
to interests of persons held by such  participants  on their behalf).  Payments,
transfers,  exchanges,  and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a
Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the
Depositary from time to time.  None of the Company,  the Trustee or any agent of
the Company or the Trustee will have any  responsibility  or  liability  for any
aspect of the  Depositary's  or any  participant's  records  relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial  interests in a Global Security,  or for
maintaining,  supervising,  or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
                                       22

Payment and Paying Agents

   Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  payment
of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest  Payment Date will be made to the
Person  in whose  name  such  Debt  Security  (or one or more  Predecessor  Debt
Securities)  is registered  at the close of business on the Regular  Record Date
for such interest. (Section 307).

   Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, principal
of and any premium and interest on the Debt  Securities  of a particular  series
will be  payable  at the  office of such  Paying  Agent or Paying  Agents as the
Company may  designate  for such purpose  from time to time,  except that at the
option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person  entitled  thereto as such address appears in the Security
Register.  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,
the  corporate  trust  office  of the  Trustee  in The City of New York  will be
designated as the Company's  sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Debt
Securities of each series.  Any other Paying Agents initially  designated by the
Company  for the Debt  Securities  of a  particular  series will be named in the
applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.  The  Company  may  at  any  time  designate
additional  Paying  Agents or rescind  the  designation  of any Paying  Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts,  except that
the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment
for the Debt Securities of a particular series. (Section 1002).

   All  moneys  paid by the  Company  to a Paying  Agent for the  payment of the
principal  of or any  premium or  interest  on any Debt  Security  which  remain
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal,  premium or interest has
become due and  payable  will be repaid to the  Company,  and the Holder of such
Debt  Security  thereafter  may look only to the Company  for  payment  thereof.
(Section 1003).

Consolidation, Merger, and Sale of Assets

   Unless  otherwise  indicated in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Company  may not  consolidate  with or merge  into any other  Person or  convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets  substantially as an entirety to any
Person,  and may not  permit any  Person to  consolidate  with or merge into the
Company or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets substantially as
an  entirety  to the  Company,  unless  (i) the  successor  Person (if any) is a
corporation,  partnership,  trust or other entity organized and validly existing
under  the  laws  of  any  domestic   jurisdiction  and  assumes  the  Company's
obligations on the Debt  Securities and under the  Indenture,  (ii)  immediately
after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both,  would become an Event of Default,  shall
have occurred and be continuing  and (iii)  certain  other  conditions  are met.
(Section 801).

Events of Default

   Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture
with respect to Debt  Securities of any series:  (a) failure to pay principal of
or any premium on any Debt  Security of that series when due; (b) failure to pay
any interest on any Debt  Securities  of that series when due,  continued for 30
days;  (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment,  when due, in respect of
any Debt Security of that series;  (d) failure to perform any other  covenant of
the Company in the  Indenture  (other than a covenant  included in the Indenture
solely for the benefit of a series  other than that  series),  continued  for 90
days after  written  notice has been given by the Trustee,  or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series,
as provided in the Indenture;  and (e) certain events in bankruptcy,  insolvency
or reorganization. (Section 501).

   If an Event of Default  (other than an Event of Default  described  in clause
(e)  above)  with  respect  to the Debt  Securities  of any  series  at the time
Outstanding shall occur and be continuing,  either the Trustee or the Holders of
at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
that  series by notice as provided in the  Indenture  may declare the  principal
amount  of the  Debt  Securities  of that  series  (or,  in the case of any Debt
Security that is an Original Issue Discount  Security or the principal amount of
which is not then  determinable,  such portion of the  principal  amount of such
Debt Security, or
                                       23

such other amount in lieu of such principal  amount,  as may be specified in the
terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable  immediately.  If an Event of
Default described in clause (e) above with respect to the Debt Securities of any
series at the time Outstanding shall occur, the principal amount of all the Debt
Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such Original  Issue  Discount
Security or other Debt Security, such specified amount) will automatically,  and
without  any action by the  Trustee or any Holder,  become  immediately  due and
payable.  After any such acceleration,  but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration,  the Holders of a majority in  aggregate  principal  amount of the
Outstanding  Debt  Securities of that series may,  under certain  circumstances,
rescind and annul such  acceleration  if all Events of  Default,  other than the
non-payment  of accelerated  principal (or other  specified  amount),  have been
cured or waived as provided in the Indenture.  (Section 502). For information as
to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver."

   Subject to the  provisions  of the  Indenture  relating  to the duties of the
Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be  continuing,  the Trustee
will be under no  obligation  to exercise  any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable  indemnity.  (Section 603). Subject
to such  provisions  for the  indemnification  of the Trustee,  the Holders of a
majority in principal  amount of the  Outstanding  Debt Securities of any series
will have the  right to direct  the time,  method  and place of  conducting  any
proceeding for any remedy  available to the Trustee,  or exercising any trust or
power  conferred on the Trustee,  with  respect to the Debt  Securities  of that
series. (Section 512).

   No Holder of a Debt  Security of any series will have any right to  institute
any  proceeding  with  respect to the  Indenture,  or for the  appointment  of a
receiver  or a  trustee,  or for any other  remedy  thereunder,  unless (i) such
Holder has previously  given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series,  (ii) the Holders
of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of that  series  have made  written  request,  and such  Holder or Holders  have
offered  reasonable  indemnity,  to the Trustee to institute such  proceeding as
trustee and (iii) the Trustee has failed to institute such  proceeding,  and has
not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding  Debt Securities of that series a direction  inconsistent  with such
request,  within 60 days after such notice,  request and offer.  (Section  507).
However,  such  limitations  do not apply to a suit  instituted by a Holder of a
Debt Security for the  enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium
or interest on such Debt Security on or after the  applicable due date specified
in such Debt Security. (Section 508).

   The Company  will be required to furnish to the Trustee  annually a statement
by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their knowledge,
is in default in the  performance or observance of any of the terms,  provisions
and conditions of the Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
(Section 1004).

Modification and Waiver

   Modifications  and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the  Trustee  with  the  consent  of the  Holders  of not  less  than 66 2/3% in
aggregate  principal  amount of the  Outstanding  Debt Securities of each series
affected by such  modification  or amendment;  provided,  however,  that no such
modification  or  amendment  may,  without  the  consent  of the  Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security  affected  thereby,  (a) change the Stated Maturity of
the  principal  of, or any  instalment  of principal of or interest on, any Debt
Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any
Debt Security,  (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security or any other Debt Security  payable upon  acceleration  of the Maturity
thereof,  (d) change the place or  currency of payment of  principal  of, or any
premium or interest  on, any Debt  Security,  (e) impair the right to  institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security,
(f) reduce the percentage in principal  amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of
any  series,  the  consent of whose  Holders is  required  for  modification  or
amendment  of the  Indenture,  reduce  the  percentage  in  principal  amount of
Outstanding  Debt  Securities  of any series  necessary for waiver of compliance
with certain  provisions of the  Indenture or for waiver of certain  defaults or
modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver. (Section 902).
                                       24

   The  Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in  aggregate  principal  amount of the
Outstanding  Debt  Securities of any series may waive  compliance by the Company
with certain  restrictive  provisions  of the  Indenture.  (Section  1008).  The
Holders of a majority in principal  amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
any series may waive any past default under the  Indenture,  except a default in
the payment of  principal,  premium,  or  interest  and  certain  covenants  and
provisions of the Indenture  which cannot be amended  without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Section 513).

   The  Indenture  provides  that in  determining  whether  the  Holders  of the
requisite  principal  amount of the  Outstanding  Debt  Securities have given or
taken  any  direction,  notice,  consent,  waiver,  or other  action  under  the
Indenture as of any date, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount
Security  that  will be  deemed  to be  Outstanding  will be the  amount  of the
principal  thereof  that  would  be  due  and  payable  as  of  such  date  upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the
principal  amount  payable  at the Stated  Maturity  of a Debt  Security  is not
determinable  (for  example,  because  it is based on an index),  the  principal
amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an
amount  determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security and (iii) the
principal  amount  of a  Debt  Security  denominated  in  one  or  more  foreign
currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be  Outstanding  will be the
U.S. dollar equivalent,  determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for
such Debt  Security,  of the principal  amount of such Debt Security (or, in the
case of a Debt  Security  described  in clause (i) or (ii) above,  of the amount
described in such clause).  Certain Debt  Securities,  including those for whose
payment or  redemption  money has been  deposited  or set aside in trust for the
Holders and those that have been fully defeased  pursuant to Section 1302,  will
not be deemed to be Outstanding. (Section 101).

   Except in certain limited circumstances,  the Company will be entitled to set
any  day as a  record  date  for the  purpose  of  determining  the  Holders  of
Outstanding  Debt  Securities  of any  series  entitled  to  give  or  take  any
direction,  notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the Indenture, in the
manner and  subject to the  limitations  provided in the  Indenture.  In certain
limited  circumstances,  the  Trustee  will be entitled to set a record date for
action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders
of a particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are Holders
of  Outstanding  Debt  Securities  of that  series  on the  record  date.  To be
effective,  such  action  must be taken by  Holders of the  requisite  principal
amount of such Debt Securities  within a specified  period  following the record
date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other
shorter period as may be specified by the Company (or the Trustee, if it set the
record date),  and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from
time to time. (Section 104).

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

   If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Company may elect,  at its option at any time, to have the provisions of Section
1302,  relating to defeasance  and discharge of  indebtedness,  or Section 1303,
relating  to  defeasance  of certain  restrictive  covenants  in the  Indenture,
applied to the Debt  Securities  of any series,  or to any  specified  part of a
series. (Section 1301).

   Defeasance and  Discharge.  The Indenture  provides that,  upon the Company's
exercise  of its  option  (if  any) to have  Section  1302  applied  to any Debt
Securities, the Company will be discharged from all its obligations with respect
to such Debt Securities (except for certain  obligations to exchange or register
the transfer of Debt  Securities,  to replace  stolen,  lost or  mutilated  Debt
Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust)
upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities
of money or U.S. Government Obligations,  or both, which, through the payment of
principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance  with their terms,  will
provide  money in an amount  sufficient  to pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on such Debt  Securities  on the  respective  Stated  Maturities in
accordance  with the  terms of the  Indenture  and such  Debt  Securities.  Such
defeasance or discharge  may occur only if, among other things,  the Company has
delivered  to the  Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect  that the Company
has received  from, or there has been  published by, the United States  Internal
Revenue Service a ruling,  or there has been a change in tax law, in either case
to the effect that Holders of such Debt  Securities  will not recognize  gain or
loss for federal
                                       25


income tax purposes as a result of such deposit,  defeasance,  and discharge and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and
at the same times as would have been the case if such  deposit,  defeasance  and
discharge were not to occur. (Sections 1302 and 1304).

   Defeasance  of Certain  Covenants.  The  Indenture  provides  that,  upon the
Company's  exercise of its option (if any) to have  Section  1303 applied to any
Debt  Securities,  the  Company  may omit to  comply  with  certain  restrictive
covenants that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the
occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (d)
(with respect to such  restrictive  covenants) under "Events of Default" and any
that may be described in the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  will be deemed
not to be or  result  in an Event  of  Default  and the  provisions  of  Article
Fourteen  relating  to  subordination  (included  in the  Indenture  relating to
subordinated  Debt  Securities)  will cease to be  effective,  in each case with
respect to such Debt Securities.  The Company, in order to exercise such option,
will be  required  to  deposit,  in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such
Debt Securities,  money or U.S. Government Obligations,  or both, which, through
the payment of principal  and  interest in respect  thereof in  accordance  with
their terms,  will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of
and any premium and interest on such Debt  Securities on the  respective  Stated
Maturities  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of the  Indenture  and  such  Debt
Securities. The Company will also be required, among other things, to deliver to
the  Trustee an Opinion  of  Counsel  to the  effect  that  Holders of such Debt
Securities  will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject
to federal  income tax on the same  amount,  in the same  manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such  deposit  and  defeasance  were not to
occur.  In the event the Company  exercised this option with respect to any Debt
Securities and such Debt Securities were declared due and payable because of the
occurrence  of any Event of  Default,  the  amount of money and U.S.  Government
Obligations so deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such
Debt Securities at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be
sufficient  to pay amounts  due on such Debt  Securities  upon any  acceleration
resulting  from such Event of Default.  In such case,  the Company  would remain
liable for such payments. (Sections 1303 and 1304).

Notices

   Notices to Holders of Debt  Securities will be given by mail to the addresses
of such  Holders as they may appear in the Security  Register.(Sections  101 and
106).

Title

   The  Company,  the  Trustee,  and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name a Debt  Security is  registered  as the  absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose
of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308).

Governing Law

   The Indenture and the Debt  Securities  will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112).

Regarding the Trustees

   The Trustee under the Indenture  relating to the subordinated Debt Securities
is The Bank of New York. The Company maintains normal banking  arrangements with
The  Bank of New  York,  which  include  (i) two  commitments  in the  aggregate
principal amount of approximately $35.7 million by The Bank of New York pursuant
to reimbursement agreements related to letters of credit issued on behalf of the
Company in connection with issuances of pollution control bonds, the proceeds of
which were made available to the Company,  and (ii) a $25 million  commitment by
The Bank of New York pursuant to a revolving credit agreement, none of which was
outstanding  at March 31, 1997.  The Bank of New York also serves as (i) trustee
under the  Mortgage  (see  "Description  of New  Bonds"),  (ii)  trustee for the
holders of several  issues of  pollution  control  bonds issued on behalf of the
Company,  (iii) trustee under the Senior Note  Indenture  (see  "Description  of
Senior   Notes"),   (iv)   investment   manager  for  the   Company's   nonunion
                                       26

post-retirement  medical fund and (v)  custodian of  international  fixed-income
assets for the Company's pension plan. The Trustee under the Indenture  relating
to the senior Debt Securities is The Chase Manhattan Bank. The Company maintains
normal banking  arrangements  with The Chase Manhattan Bank. The Chase Manhattan
Bank also (i) serves as  trustee  for the  holders  of  several  series of bonds
secured by, among other  things,  the  Company's  payments  under its Palo Verde
Nuclear   Generating  Station  leases  (these  bonds  were  issued  by  a  party
unaffiliated with the Company),  (ii) serves as an issuing and paying agent with
respect to the Company's commercial paper program, and (iii) has a commitment to
lend the  Company up to $55  million  under a revolving  credit  agreement,  $25
million of which was outstanding as of March 31, 1997. In addition, an affiliate
of The Chase  Manhattan  Bank is the  lessor  with  respect  to a lease with the
Company  relating to the sale and  leaseback  of a portion of Unit 2 of the Palo
Verde Nuclear Generating Station.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   The Company intends to sell up to $150 million in aggregate  principal amount
of the Offered  Securities to or through  underwriters or dealers,  and may also
sell the Offered  Securities  directly to other purchasers or through agents, as
described  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement  relating  to  an  issue  of  Offered
Securities.

   The distribution of the Offered  Securities may be effected from time to time
in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or
at market  prices  prevailing  at the time of sale,  at prices  related  to such
prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.

   In  connection  with the sale of the  Offered  Securities,  underwriters  may
receive  compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Offered  Securities
for  whom  they may act as  agents  in the form of  discounts,  concessions,  or
commissions. Underwriters may sell Offered Securities to or through dealers, and
such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts,  concessions, or
commissions  from the  underwriters  and/or  commissions from the purchasers for
whom they may act as agents. Underwriters,  dealers, and agents that participate
in the distribution of Offered Securities may be deemed to be underwriters,  and
any discounts or commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on
the  resale of  Offered  Securities  by them may be  deemed  to be  underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"). Any
such person who may be deemed to be an underwriter  will be identified,  and any
such compensation received from the Company will be described, in the Prospectus
Supplement.

   Under  agreements  which may be entered  into by the  Company,  underwriters,
dealers,  and  agents  who  participate  in  the  distribution  of  the  Offered
Securities may be entitled to  indemnification  by the Company  against  certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act.

                                     EXPERTS

   The financial statements  incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the
Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP,  independent  auditors,  as stated in their report,  which is  incorporated
herein by reference,  and have been so  incorporated in reliance upon the report
of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

   The  validity of the  Securities  offered  hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.,  One Arizona Center,  Phoenix,  Arizona 85004,
and, it is currently anticipated, for any underwriters of Securities by Sullivan
& Cromwell,  444 South Flower Street,  Los Angeles,  California 90071. In giving
their  opinions,  Sullivan & Cromwell and Snell & Wilmer  L.L.P.  may rely as to
matters  of New Mexico law upon the  opinion  of  Keleher & McLeod,  P.A.,  1200
Public Service Building,  Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102, Sullivan & Cromwell may
rely as to all matters of Arizona law upon the opinion of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.,
and Snell & Wilmer  L.L.P.  may rely as to all  matters of New York law upon the
opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell.
                                       27

============================================  ==================================

   No person has been authorized to give any
information  or to make  any  representation
not  contained  in this  Prospectus  and, if
given   or   made,   such   information   or
representation  must not be  relied  upon as
having been authorized. This Prospectus does             $150,000,000      
not   constitute  an  offer  to  sell  or  a                               
solicitation  of an  offer to buy any of the                               
securities    offered    hereby    in    any                               
jurisdiction  to any  person  to  whom it is        Arizona Public Service 
unlawful   to  make   such   offer  in  such               Company         
jurisdiction.  Neither the  delivery of this                               
Prospectus   nor  any  sale  made  hereunder                               
shall, under any  circumstances,  create any                               
implication  that the information  herein is         First Mortgage Bonds  
correct  as of any  time  subsequent  to the             Senior Notes      
date hereof or that there has been no change           Debt Securities     
in the  affairs  of the  Company  since such                               
date.                                                                      
                                                                                
                ------------                                                    
                                                          ---------             
              TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                 
                                                             APS                
                                        Page                                    
                                        ----              ---------             
Available Information ................... 2             
Incorporation of Certain Documents by                   
 Reference .............................. 2                                  
Selected Information .................... 3                                  
The Company ............................. 4             
   
Principal Holders of Voting Securities .. 4
Application of Proceeds ................. 4
Earnings Ratios ......................... 4
Securities .............................. 5
Description of New Bonds ................ 5
Description of Senior Notes ............. 9
Description of Debt Securities ..........19
Plan of Distribution ....................27
Experts .................................27
Legal Opinions ..........................27
    

===========================================  ===================================

   
                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 16. List of Exhibits.

Exhibit No.                          Description
- -----------                          -----------
  23.3        Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
  24.1        Power of  Attorney  (see page II-6 in  Registration  Statement No.
                333-27551 filed on May 21, 1997).
  24.2        Certified   resolutions  of  the  Company's   Board  of  Directors
                authorizing officers' names to be signed pursuant to a power  of
                attorney.
  99.1        Form of Prospectus Supplement for Senior Notes.
    

Item 17. Undertakings.

   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

      (1) To file,  during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
   post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

      (i)  to  include  any  prospectus  required  by  Section  10(a)(3)  of the
   Securities Act of 1933;

      (ii) to reflect in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising after the
   effective   date  of  the   registration   statement   (or  the  most  recent
   post-effective  amendment  thereof) which,  individually or in the aggregate,
   represent  a  fundamental   change  in  the  information  set  forth  in  the
   registration  statement;  notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any  increase  or
   decrease in the volume of  securities  offered (if the total  dollar value of
   securities  offered  would not  exceed  that  which was  registered)  and any
   deviation  from the low or high end of the estimated  maximum  offering range
   may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
   to Rule  424(b)  if,  in the  aggregate,  the  changes  in  volume  and price
   represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate  offering
   price  set  forth  in the  "Calculation  of  Registration  Fee"  table in the
   effective registration statement; and

      (iii) to include  any  material  information  with  respect to the plan of
   distribution not previously  disclosed in the  registration  statement or any
   material change to such information in the registration statement;

      provided  however,  that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
   information  required to be included in a  post-effective  amendment by those
   paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant  pursuant
   to Section 13 or Section  15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 that
   are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

      (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each
   such  post-effective  amendment  shall  be  deemed  to be a new  registration
   statement  relating to the securities  offered  therein,  and the offering of
   such  securities  at that time  shall be deemed to be the  initial  bona fide
   offering thereof.

      (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
   of the securities  being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
   the offering.

      (4) That,  for purposes of determining  any liability  under the Act, each
   filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
   15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (and,  where  applicable,  each
   filing of an employee  benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d)
   of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in
   the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
   relating  to  the  securities  offered  herein,  and  the  offering  of  such
   securities  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
   thereof.

      (5) That,  insofar as  indemnification  for liabilities  arising under the
   Securities  Act  of  1933  may  be  permitted  to  directors,  officers,  and
   controlling  persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to
   in Item 15 of this Registration Statement, or otherwise, the Company has been
   advised
                                      II-1

   
   that,  in the  opinion  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  such
   indemnification  is against  public  policy as  expressed  in the Act and is,
   therefore,  unenforceable.  In the  event  that a claim  for  indemnification
   against  such  liabilities  (other  than the  payment  by the  registrant  of
   expenses incurred or paid by a director,  officer,  or controlling  person of
   the registrant in the successful defense of any action,  suit, or proceeding)
   is asserted by such director,  officer,  or controlling  person in connection
   with the securities  being  registered,  the registrant  will,  unless in the
   opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling  precedent,
   submit to a court of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the question of whether such
   indemnification  by it is against  public  policy as expressed in the Act and
   will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

      (6) That, for purposes of determining  any liability  under the Securities
   Act of 1933,  the  information  omitted from the form of prospectus  filed as
   part of this registration  statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained
   in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to rule 424(b)(1) or
   (4) or  497(h)  under the  Securities  Act shall be deemed to be part of this
   registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

      (7)  That,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  any  liability  under  the
   Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
   prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
   securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities at that time
   shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
    
                                      II-2

                                  SIGNATURES

   
   Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has duly caused this amendment to  Registration  Statement No.
333-27551  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Phoenix,  State of Arizona, on the 11th day of July,
1997.

                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY


                         By             GEORGE A. SCHREIBER, JR.
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                       (George A. Schreiber, Jr.
                           Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer)

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to
Registration  Statement  No.  333-27551  has been signed below by the  following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

          Signature                          Title                    Date
          ---------                          -----                    ----

                *                  Principal Executive Officer    July 11, 1997
- -------------------------------           and Director
   (William J. Post, President
   and Chief Executive Officer)



    GEORGE A. SCHREIBER, JR.       Principal Accounting and       July 11, 1997
- -------------------------------       Financial Officer
    (George A. Schreiber, Jr.,           and Director
   Executive Vice President and
     Chief Financial Officer)


                *                          Director               July 11, 1997
 -------------------------------
        (O. Mark Demichele)


                                           Director               July 11, 1997
 ------------------------------- 
      (Michael L. Gallagher)


                *                          Director               July 11, 1997
 ------------------------------- 
        (Martha O. Hesse)


                *                          Director               July 11, 1997
 ------------------------------- 
     (Marianne M. Jennings)


                                           Director               July 11, 1997
 ------------------------------- 
       (Robert E. Keever)


                *                          Director               July 11, 1997
 ------------------------------- 
       (Robert G. Matlock)


                                           Director               July 11, 1997
 --------------------------------
       (Bruce J. Nordstrom)
    
                                      II-3

   
          Signature                          Title                    Date
          ---------                          -----                    ----

                *                          Director               July 11, 1997
 -------------------------------
      (John R. Norton III)


                *                          Director               July 11, 1997
 -------------------------------
       (Donald M. Riley)


                                           Director               July 11, 1997
 -------------------------------
      (Quentin P. Smith, Jr.)


                *                          Director               July 11, 1997
 -------------------------------
        (Richard Snell)


                *                         Director                July 11, 1997
 -------------------------------
        (Dianne C. Walker)


                *                         Director                July 11, 1997
 -------------------------------
      (Ben F. Williams, Jr.)


*By   GEORGE A. SCHREIBER, JR.
   ------------------------------
     (George A. Schreiber, Jr.,
          Attorney-in-fact)
    
                                      II-4

   
                                                      Registration No. 333-27551
================================================================================
    


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                              -------------------

   
                                 EXHIBITS TO
                       PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
    


                                   FORM S-3


                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                    Under
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              -------------------

                        Arizona Public Service Company
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


================================================================================


                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS

   
Exhibit No.                          Description
- -----------                          -----------
23.3          Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24.1          Power of Attorney  (see page II-6 in  Registration  Statement  No.
                 333-27551 filed on May 21, 1997).
24.2          Certified   resolutions  of  the  Company's   Board  of  Directors
                 authorizing  officers'  names to be signed  pursuant to a power
                 of attorney.
99.1          Form of Prospectus Supplement for Senior Notes.