EX-99.1 2 c07127exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

(LOGO)

     
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  October 27, 2010
Media Contact: Joe Salkowski, (520) 884-3625
  Page 1 of 9
Financial Analyst Contact: Jo Smith, (520) 884-3650
 

UNISOURCE ENERGY REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2010 EARNINGS,
NARROWS 2010 EARNINGS GUIDANCE RANGE

  UniSource Energy’s net income for the third quarter of 2010 was $54.9 million, or $1.36 per diluted share of common stock, compared with net income of $57.6 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2009. Financial results from the third quarter of 2010 include $6 million of non-cash, non-operating after-tax charges at Millennium Energy Holdings, a subsidiary that holds UniSource Energy’s unregulated energy investments.

  Earnings at UniSource Energy’s primary subsidiary, Tucson Electric Power (TEP), increased $3.7 million, or 7 percent, compared with the third quarter of 2009. Cost control efforts, benefits from the operation of Unit 4 at the Springerville Generating Station (SGS) and lower depreciation and amortization expense contributed to higher earnings at TEP.

  UniSource Energy narrowed its 2010 earnings guidance range to $2.75 to $2.90 per diluted share from $2.75 to $3.00 per diluted share. The updated guidance range reflects the impact of net losses at Millennium during the first nine months of 2010.

Tucson, Ariz. – UniSource Energy Corporation (NYSE: UNS) today reported third quarter 2010 net income of $54.9 million, or $1.36 per diluted share of common stock, compared with $57.6 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, in the same period last year. For the nine months that ended September 30, 2010, UniSource Energy’s net income was $100.4 million, or $2.53 per diluted share of common stock, compared with net income of $93.8 million, or $2.40 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2009.

UniSource Energy’s financial results primarily reflect those of TEP, which reported net income of $59.0 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared with net income of $55.3 million in the same period last year.

TEP’s retail kilowatt-hour (kWh) sales fell 0.3 percent compared with the third quarter of 2009. A year-over-year increase in sales to industrial and mining customers was offset by reduced residential and commercial sales. Although TEP’s service area experienced hotter than normal weather in the third quarter of 2010, there were 5 percent fewer cooling degree days than during the same period last year. For the first nine months of the year, TEP’s total retail kWh sales were down 1.0 percent compared with the same period in 2009.

“Our core utility businesses have performed very well,” said Paul Bonavia, Chairman, President and CEO of UniSource Energy. “We have carefully managed costs to reflect the level of sales while maintaining strong operating performance.” Bonavia continued, “The local economic conditions remain challenging, but we are seeing some signs of recovery.”

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Seasonality of Earnings

The net income and results of operations of TEP as well as of UNS Gas and UNS Electric – operating subsidiaries of UniSource Energy Services (UES) – are seasonal in nature. TEP and UNS Electric typically record the majority of their net income during the second and third quarters, when hot weather contributes to higher energy consumption. TEP’s retail prices, which include higher rates for higher levels of energy use, also shift a larger share of the company’s earnings into those periods.

Energy demand from UNS Gas customers typically peaks during the winter. Accordingly, UNS Gas records the majority of its net income during the first and fourth quarters.

Tucson Electric Power

Retail kWh Sales

TEP’s retail kWh sales declined 0.3 percent in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same period last year. Although hot weather lifted the number of cooling degree days to 12 percent above the 10-year average for the period, weather was less extreme than that experienced during the same period last year. Residential and commercial kWh sales were down 0.6 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively, while kWh sales to industrial and mining customers were up 0.3 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively compared with the third quarter of 2009.

Retail Revenues

Retail margin revenues decreased $1 million, or 0.5 percent, in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the third quarter of 2009. These revenues do not include a $7 million increase in customer surcharges used to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency programs or a $3 million decrease in charges to cover fuel and purchased power costs.

Long-Term Wholesale Revenues

Margin on long-term wholesale sales was $6 million, which is substantially the same as that of the third quarter of 2009.

Transmission Revenues

Revenues from the wholesale transmission of electricity were $4 million in the third quarters of 2010 and 2009.

Other Operating Expenses

TEP held its base O&M expense to $53 million in the third quarter of 2010, matching the same figure from the third quarter of 2009. Base O&M excludes costs directly offset by customer surcharges and third-party reimbursements.

Depreciation expense decreased by $3 million due primarily to new and lower depreciation rates for transmission assets and lower depreciation on Unit 4 at TEP’s H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station. Those savings were partially offset by depreciation related to new plant additions. Amortization expense decreased $1 million due to a decline in the balance of capital lease obligations.

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Benefits of SGS Units 3 and 4

The December 2009 completion of SGS Unit 4 contributed to a $3 million increase in third-quarter rents and fees for the operations of SGS Units 3 and 4. Salt River Project (SRP) owns Unit 4, while Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association owns Unit 3. TEP operates all four units at the plant.

UNS Gas

UNS Gas reported a net loss of $1 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009. Retail therm sales were 1.1 percent below the third quarter of 2009.

UNS Electric

UNS Electric reported net income of $3 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared with $4 million in the third quarter of 2009. Higher O&M costs offset a 1.7 percent year-over-year increase in third-quarter retail kWh sales. Sales to mining and industrial customers were up 18.8 percent and 10.0 percent respectively, while sales to residential customers did not change compared to the same period last year. Weak economic conditions contributed to a 2.2 percent reduction in commercial sales compared to the same period last year.

In September 2010, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approved a base rate increase for UNS Electric of $7.4 million, or 4 percent, to cover increased capital and operating costs. The new rates took effect October 1, 2010. The ACC also approved the acquisition and inclusion of the Black Mountain Generating Station (BMGS) in UNS Electric’s rate base, subject to various conditions. UNS Electric currently purchases the plant’s output from sister company UniSource Energy Development. Upon its purchase, BMGS will be included in UNS Electric’s rate base through a revenue-neutral rate reclassification of approximately 0.7 cents per kWh from the base power supply rate to non-fuel base rates.

Millennium

Millennium recorded a $6 million loss in the third quarter of 2010 compared with no net income in the same period last year. Millennium’s results in the third quarter of 2010 include $5 million of income tax expense related to the write-off of deferred tax assets and a $1 million after-tax impairment loss related to its investments.

In the first nine months of 2010, Millennium recorded a net loss of $9 million, compared with net income of $4 million in the first nine months of 2009.

On September 30, 2010, Millennium’s investment balance was $22 million, including a $15 million note receivable plus interest of $1 million, and its cash balance was $3 million.

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Net Income and Earnings Per Share Summary
                                 
    3rd Quarter     YTD Sep. 30,  
Net Income   2010     2009     2010     2009  
    -Millions-     -Millions-  
 
                               
Tucson Electric Power
  $ 59.0     $ 55.3     $ 97.0     $ 81.2  
UNS Gas
    (1.0 )     (1.3 )     5.3       3.6  
UNS Electric
    3.3       3.6       8.2       5.9  
Other (1)
    (6.4 )     0.0       (10.1 )     3.1  
 
                       
Net Income
  $ 54.9     $ 57.6     $ 100.4     $ 93.8  
 
                       
 
                               
Avg. Basic Shares Outstanding (millions)
    36.5       35.9       36.3       35.8  
Avg. Diluted Shares Outstanding (millions)
    41.1       40.5       40.9       40.4  
                                 
    3rd Quarter     YTD Sep. 30,  
Earnings Per UniSource Energy Share   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Tucson Electric Power
  $ 1.62     $ 1.54     $ 2.67     $ 2.27  
UNS Gas
    (0.03 )     (0.04 )     0.15       0.10  
UNS Electric
    0.09       0.10       0.23       0.16  
Other (1)
    (0.18 )     0.00       (0.29 )     0.09  
 
                       
Net Income per Basic Share
  $ 1.50     $ 1.60     $ 2.76     $ 2.62  
 
                       
Net Income per Diluted Share (2)
  $ 1.36     $ 1.45     $ 2.53     $ 2.40  
 
                       
     
(1)   Includes UniSource Energy on a stand-alone basis and results from Millennium Energy Holdings, Inc. and UniSource Energy Development, wholly-owned subsidiaries of UniSource Energy.
 
(2)   Stock options to purchase 227,000 and 395,000 shares of Common Stock were outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the stock options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Common Stock.

UniSource Energy believes the presentation of TEP, UNS Gas, UNS Electric and Other segment net income or loss on a per basic UniSource Energy share basis, which are non–GAAP financial measures, provides useful information to investors by disclosing the results of operations of its business segments on a basis consistent with UniSource Energy's reported earnings or losses.

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Conference Call and Webcast

The company will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. EDT to discuss the financial results and outlook. To participate in the call, please dial in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start time.

Dial-in number: (877) 582-0446
Reference code: 20481170

The conference call also can be heard live on UniSource Energy’s website. The webcast can be accessed at uns.com and will be available for replay for seven days.

Replay number: (800) 642-1687
Reference code: 20481170

In conjunction with this earnings announcement, UniSource Energy has provided detailed information on its performance during the third quarter of 2010. These materials have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are also available at uns.com.

UniSource Energy is a Tucson, Arizona-based company with consolidated assets of approximately $3.8 billion. UniSource Energy’s primary subsidiaries include Tucson Electric Power, which serves more than 400,000 customers in southern Arizona, and UniSource Energy Services, provider of natural gas and electric service for about 236,000 customers in northern and southern Arizona.
For more information about UniSource Energy and its subsidiaries, visit uns.com.

This release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including factors that could affect UniSource Energy’s ability to reach the 2010 earnings guidance. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: state and federal regulatory and legislative decisions and actions; regional economic and market conditions, which could affect customer growth and energy usage; weather variations affecting energy usage; the cost of debt and equity capital and access to capital markets; the performance of the stock market and changing interest rate environment, which affect the value of the company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets and the related contribution requirements and expense; unexpected increases in O&M expense; resolution of pending litigation matters; changes in accounting standards; changes in critical accounting estimates; the ongoing restructuring of the electric industry; changes to long-term contracts; the cost of fuel and power supplies; performance of TEP’s generating plants; and other factors listed in UniSource Energy’s Form 10-K and 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The preceding factors may cause future results to differ materially from outcomes currently expected by UniSource Energy.

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UNISOURCE ENERGY 2010 RESULTS
UniSource Energy Corporation
Comparative Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                                 
    Three Months Ended        
(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)   September 30,     Increase / (Decrease)  
(UNAUDITED)   2010     2009     Amount     Percent  
Operating Revenues
                               
Electric Retail Sales
  $ 360,028     $ 348,938     $ 11,090       3.2  
Electric Wholesale Sales
    36,776       28,785       7,991       27.8  
Gas Revenue
    16,140       16,226       (86 )     (0.5 )
Other Revenues
    25,824       20,290       5,534       27.3  
 
                       
Total Operating Revenues
    438,768       414,239       24,529       5.9  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Expenses
                               
Fuel
    90,493       99,895       (9,402 )     (9.4 )
Purchased Energy
    93,889       76,207       17,682       23.2  
Transmission
    3,380       2,356       1,024       43.5  
Decrease to Reflect PPFAC/PGA Recovery
    (12,373 )     (15,403 )     3,030       19.7  
 
                       
Total Fuel and Purchased Energy
    175,389       163,055       12,334       7.6  
Other Operations and Maintenance
    88,936       79,549       9,387       11.8  
Depreciation
    32,450       35,246       (2,796 )     (7.9 )
Amortization
    7,177       8,433       (1,256 )     (14.9 )
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
    11,334       11,098       236       2.1  
 
                       
Total Operating Expenses
    315,286       297,381       17,905       6.0  
 
                       
Operating Income
    123,482       116,858       6,624       5.7  
 
                       
 
                               
Other Income (Deductions)
                               
Interest Income
    2,011       2,609       (598 )     (22.9 )
Other Income
    1,362       1,899       (537 )     (28.3 )
Other Expense
    (1,621 )     (812 )     (809 )     (99.6 )
 
                       
Total Other Income (Deductions)
    1,752       3,696       (1,944 )     (52.6 )
 
                       
 
                               
Interest Expense
                               
Long-Term Debt
    15,928       14,317       1,611       11.3  
Capital Leases
    11,616       12,504       (888 )     (7.1 )
Other Interest Expense Net of Interest Capitalized
    (1,726 )     544       (2,270 )     N/M  
 
                       
Total Interest Expense
    25,818       27,365       (1,547 )     (5.7 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    99,416       93,189       6,227       6.7  
Income Tax Expense
    44,533       35,543       8,990       25.3  
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 54,883     $ 57,646     $ (2,763 )     (4.8 )
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (000)
    36,533       35,928       605       1.7  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic Earnings per Share
  $ 1.50     $ 1.60     $ (0.10 )     (6.3 )
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted Earnings per Share
  $ 1.36     $ 1.45     $ (0.09 )     (6.2 )
 
                       
 
                               
Dividends Declared per Share
  $ 0.39     $ 0.29     $ 0.10       34.5  
 
                       
                                 
    Three Months Ended        
Tucson Electric Power   September 30,     Increase / (Decrease)  
Electric MWh Sales:   2010     2009     Amount     Percent  
Retail Sales
    3,026,232       3,035,953       (9,721 )     (0.3 )
Long-Term Wholesale Sales
    223,728       125,919       97,809       77.7  
N/M — Not Meaningful
Reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current period’s presentation.

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UNISOURCE ENERGY 2010 RESULTS
UniSource Energy Corporation
Comparative Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                                 
    Nine Months Ended        
(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)   September 30,     Increase / (Decrease)  
(UNAUDITED)   2010     2009     Amount     Percent  
Operating Revenues
                               
Electric Retail Sales
  $ 824,714     $ 817,490     $ 7,224       0.9  
Electric Wholesale Sales
    100,094       92,031       8,063       8.8  
California Power Exchange (CPX) Provision for Wholesale Refunds
    (2,970 )           (2,970 )     N/M  
Gas Revenue
    96,598       99,189       (2,591 )     (2.6 )
Other Revenues
    76,053       55,169       20,884       37.9  
 
                       
Total Operating Revenues
    1,094,489       1,063,879       30,610       2.9  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Expenses
                               
Fuel
    220,187       223,758       (3,571 )     (1.6 )
Purchased Energy
    241,151       217,121       24,030       11.1  
Transmission
    8,688       7,607       1,081       14.2  
Decrease to Reflect PPFAC/PGA Recovery
    (35,335 )     (5,083 )     (30,252 )     N/M  
 
                       
Total Fuel and Purchased Energy
    434,691       443,403       (8,712 )     (2.0 )
Other Operations and Maintenance
    258,979       243,432       15,547       6.4  
Depreciation
    95,773       109,601       (13,828 )     (12.6 )
Amortization
    20,797       22,280       (1,483 )     (6.7 )
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
    35,559       35,915       (356 )     (1.0 )
 
                       
Total Operating Expenses
    845,799       854,631       (8,832 )     (1.0 )
 
                       
Operating Income
    248,690       209,248       39,442       18.8  
 
                       
 
                               
Other Income (Deductions)
                               
Interest Income
    5,891       9,530       (3,639 )     (38.2 )
Other Income
    8,499       16,284       (7,785 )     (47.8 )
Other Expense
    (8,524 )     (2,040 )     (6,484 )     N/M  
 
                       
Total Other Income (Deductions)
    5,866       23,774       (17,908 )     (75.3 )
 
                       
 
                               
Interest Expense
                               
Long-Term Debt
    46,984       43,680       3,304       7.6  
Capital Leases
    35,124       36,762       (1,638 )     (4.5 )
Other Interest Expense Net of Interest Capitalized
    (1,213 )     631       (1,844 )     N/M  
 
                       
Total Interest Expense
    80,895       81,073       (178 )     (0.2 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    173,661       151,949       21,712       14.3  
Income Tax Expense
    73,266       58,110       15,156       26.1  
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 100,395     $ 93,839     $ 6,556       7.0  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (000)
    36,321       35,829       492       1.4  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic Earnings per Share
  $ 2.76     $ 2.62     $ 0.14       5.3  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted Earnings per Share
  $ 2.53     $ 2.40     $ 0.13       5.4  
 
                       
 
                               
Dividends Declared per Share
  $ 1.17     $ 0.87     $ 0.30       34.5  
 
                       
                                 
    Nine Months Ended        
Tucson Electric Power   September 30,     Increase / (Decrease)  
Electric MWh Sales:   2010     2009     Amount     Percent  
Retail Sales
    7,249,048       7,321,602       (72,554 )     (1.0 )
Long-Term Wholesale Sales
    727,470       566,265       161,205       28.5  
N/M — Not Meaningful
Reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current period’s presentation.

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TUCSON ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY 2010 RESULTS
TUCSON ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
Comparative Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                                 
    Three Months Ended        
(in thousands of dollars)   September 30,     Increase / (Decrease)  
(UNAUDITED)   2010     2009     Amount     Percent  
Operating Revenues
                               
Electric Retail Sales
  $ 300,348     $ 297,418     $ 2,930       1.0  
Electric Wholesale Sales
    26,669       38,018       (11,349 )     (29.9 )
Other Revenues
    27,559       21,753       5,806       26.7  
 
                       
Total Operating Revenues
    354,576       357,189       (2,613 )     (0.7 )
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Expenses
                               
Fuel
    85,793       92,330       (6,537 )     (7.1 )
Purchased Power
    47,909       52,999       (5,090 )     (9.6 )
Transmission
    972       632       340       53.8  
Decrease to Reflect PPFAC Recovery
    (13,362 )     (12,895 )     (467 )     (3.6 )
 
                       
Total Fuel and Purchased Energy
    121,312       133,066       (11,754 )     (8.8 )
Other Operations and Maintenance
    76,277       69,232       7,045       10.2  
Depreciation
    25,190       28,073       (2,883 )     (10.3 )
Amortization
    8,153       9,646       (1,493 )     (15.5 )
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
    9,271       9,117       154       1.7  
 
                       
Total Operating Expenses
    240,203       249,134       (8,931 )     (3.6 )
 
                       
Operating Income
    114,373       108,055       6,318       5.8  
 
                       
 
                               
Other Income (Deductions)
                               
Interest Income
    1,725       2,367       (642 )     (27.1 )
Other Income
    2,014       1,686       328       19.5  
Other Expense
    (826 )     (702 )     (124 )     (17.7 )
 
                       
Total Other Income (Deductions)
    2,913       3,351       (438 )     (13.1 )
 
                       
 
                               
Interest Expense
                               
Long-Term Debt
    10,223       8,829       1,394       15.8  
Capital Leases
    11,614       12,502       (888 )     (7.1 )
Other Interest Expense Net of Interest Capitalized
    (1,683 )     159       (1,842 )     N/M  
 
                       
Total Interest Expense
    20,154       21,490       (1,336 )     (6.2 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    97,132       89,916       7,216       8.0  
Income Tax Expense
    38,139       34,639       3,500       10.1  
 
                       
 
Net Income
  $ 58,993     $ 55,277     $ 3,716       6.7  
 
                       
N/M — Not Meaningful
Reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current period’s presentation.

8

 


 

TUCSON ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY 2010 RESULTS
TUCSON ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
Comparative Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                                 
    Nine Months Ended        
(in thousands of dollars)   September 30,     Increase / (Decrease)  
(UNAUDITED)   2010     2009     Amount     Percent  
Operating Revenues
                               
Electric Retail Sales
  $ 685,322     $ 675,190     $ 10,132       1.5  
Electric Wholesale Sales
    94,694       107,762       (13,068 )     (12.1 )
California Power Exchange (CPX) Provision for Wholesale Refunds
    (2,970 )           (2,970 )     N/M  
Other Revenues
    81,066       59,055       22,011       37.3  
 
                       
Total Operating Revenues
    858,112       842,007       16,105       1.9  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Expenses
                               
Fuel
    210,838       208,808       2,030       1.0  
Purchased Power
    103,766       112,416       (8,650 )     (7.7 )
Transmission
    2,818       2,439       379       15.5  
Decrease to Reflect PPFAC Recovery
    (24,098 )     (16,898 )     (7,200 )     (42.6 )
 
                       
Total Fuel and Purchased Energy
    293,324       306,765       (13,441 )     (4.4 )
Other Operations and Maintenance
    224,441       213,069       11,372       5.3  
Depreciation
    74,143       88,605       (14,462 )     (16.3 )
Amortization
    23,963       25,934       (1,971 )     (7.6 )
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
    29,049       29,413       (364 )     (1.2 )
 
                       
Total Operating Expenses
    644,920       663,786       (18,866 )     (2.8 )
 
                       
Operating Income
    213,192       178,221       34,971       19.6  
 
                       
 
                               
Other Income (Deductions)
                               
Interest Income
    5,111       9,176       (4,065 )     (44.3 )
Other Income
    4,347       9,671       (5,324 )     (55.1 )
Other Expense
    (2,425 )     (1,616 )     (809 )     (50.1 )
 
                       
Total Other Income (Deductions)
    7,033       17,231       (10,198 )     (59.2 )
 
                       
 
                               
Interest Expense
                               
Long-Term Debt
    30,255       27,232       3,023       11.1  
Capital Leases
    35,118       36,753       (1,635 )     (4.4 )
Other Interest Expense Net of Interest Capitalized
    (1,641 )     (289 )     (1,352 )     N/M  
 
                       
Total Interest Expense
    63,732       63,696       36       0.1  
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    156,493       131,756       24,737       18.8  
Income Tax Expense
    59,514       50,527       8,987       17.8  
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 96,979     $ 81,229     $ 15,750       19.4  
 
                       
N/M — Not Meaningful
Reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current period’s presentation.

9