Exhibit 12-A Atlantic City Electric Company ------------------------------ Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges ---------------------------------- (Dollars in Thousands) 12 Months 12 Months Ended December 31, Ended June 30, --------------------------------------------------- 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 --------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income $ 45,276 $ 85,747 $ 75,017 $ 98,752 $ 93,174 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income taxes 27,260 50,442 36,958 48,277 36,130 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Fixed charges: Interest on long-term debt 63,381 64,501 64,847 62,879 58,460 Other interest 3,478 3,574 4,019 4,364 4,148 Preferred stock dividend requirements of subsidiaries 5,775 5,775 1,428 - - -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges 72,634 73,850 70,294 67,243 62,608 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings before income taxes and fixed charges $145,170 $210,039 $182,269 $214,272 $191,912 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.00 2.84 2.59 3.19 3.07 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- For purposes of computing the ratio, earnings are net income plus income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on long- and short-term debt, amortization of debt discount, premium, and expense, dividends on preferred securities of a subsidiary trust, and the interest factor associated with the Company's major leases. 16