EX-99.1 4 c75197exv99w1.txt CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS EXHIBIT 99.1 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ameren Corporation: In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of income, common stockholders' equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ameren Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP St. Louis, Missouri February 13, 2003 AMEREN CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts Year Ended December 31, 2002 2001 2000 -------- -------- -------- OPERATING REVENUES: Electric $ 3,520 $ 3,507 $ 3,526 Gas 315 342 324 Other 6 9 6 -------- -------- -------- TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES 3,841 3,858 3,856 -------- -------- -------- OPERATING EXPENSES: Fuel and purchased power 825 914 1,025 Gas 198 222 210 Other operations and maintenance 1,160 1,090 1,032 Voluntary retirement and other restructuring charges (Note 9) 92 -- -- Depreciation and amortization 431 406 383 Income taxes 250 300 301 Other taxes 262 261 265 -------- -------- -------- TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 3,218 3,193 3,216 -------- -------- -------- OPERATING INCOME 623 665 640 -------- -------- -------- OTHER INCOME AND (DEDUCTIONS): Allowance for equity funds used during construction 6 13 5 Miscellaneous, net - Miscellaneous income (Note 10) 15 22 14 Miscellaneous expense (Note 10) (50) (16) (21) Income taxes 13 (5) 3 -------- -------- -------- TOTAL OTHER INCOME AND (DEDUCTIONS) (16) 14 1 -------- -------- -------- INTEREST CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS: Interest 219 199 180 Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (5) (8) (8) Preferred dividends of subsidiaries 11 12 12 -------- -------- -------- NET INTEREST CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS 225 203 184 -------- -------- -------- INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE 382 476 457 CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE, NET OF INCOME TAXES -- (7) -- -------- -------- -------- Net Income $ 382 $ 469 $ 457 ======== ======== ======== EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC: Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ 2.61 $ 3.46 $ 3.33 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income taxes -- (0.05) -- -------- -------- -------- NET INCOME $ 2.61 $ 3.41 $ 3.33 ======== ======== ======== EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED: Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ 2.60 $ 3.45 $ 3.33 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income taxes -- (0.05) -- -------- -------- -------- NET INCOME $ 2.60 $ 3.40 $ 3.33 ======== ======== ======== Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 1) 146.1 137.3 137.2 ======== ======== ========
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. WWW.AMEREN.COM 35 AMEREN CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts December 31, 2002 2001 -------- -------- ASSETS: PROPERTY AND PLANT, NET (Note 4) $ 8,914 $ 8,427 -------- -------- INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS: Investments 38 39 Nuclear decommissioning trust fund 172 187 Other assets 233 114 -------- -------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS 443 340 -------- -------- CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents 628 67 Accounts receivable - trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $7 and $9, respectively) 266 218 Unbilled revenue 176 171 Miscellaneous accounts and notes receivable 44 71 Materials and supplies, at average cost 299 295 Other current assets 39 41 -------- -------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,452 863 -------- -------- REGULATORY ASSETS 690 771 -------- -------- Total Assets $ 11,499 $ 10,401 ======== ======== CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES: CAPITALIZATION: Common stock, $.01 par value, 400.0 shares authorized - shares outstanding of 154.1 and 138.0, respectively (Notes 6 and 8) $ 2 $ 1 Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock 2,203 1,614 Retained earnings 1,739 1,733 Accumulated other comprehensive income (93) 5 Other (9) (4) -------- -------- Total common stockholders' equity 3,842 3,349 Preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption (Note 6) 193 235 Long-term debt, net (Note 8) 3,433 2,835 -------- -------- TOTAL CAPITALIZATION 7,468 6,419 -------- -------- MINORITY INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 15 4 -------- -------- CURRENT LIABILITIES: Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 8) 339 139 Short-term debt (Note 7) 271 641 Accounts and wages payable 369 392 Accumulated deferred income taxes 5 58 Taxes accrued 45 132 Other current liabilities 172 219 -------- -------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,201 1,581 -------- -------- Commitments and contingencies (Notes 1, 2, 14, and 15) Accumulated deferred income taxes 1,707 1,563 Accumulated deferred investment tax credits 149 158 Regulatory liabilities 136 172 Accrued pension liabilities 377 88 Other deferred credits and liabilities 446 416 -------- -------- Total Capital and Liabilities $ 11,499 $ 10,401 ======== ========
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 36 AMEREN CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
In Millions Year Ended December 31, 2002 2001 2000 ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING: Net income $ 382 $ 469 $ 457 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle -- 7 -- Depreciation and amortization 431 406 383 Amortization of nuclear fuel 30 29 37 Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts 8 5 6 Allowance for funds used during construction (11) (21) (13) Deferred income taxes, net 74 28 2 Deferred investment tax credits, net (9) (6) (7) Voluntary retirement and other restructuring charges 92 -- -- Other 8 (1) (2) Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables, net (26) 70 (140) Materials and supplies (4) (68) 26 Accounts and wages payable (80) (71) 122 Taxes accrued 38 8 (31) Assets, other (1) (54) (8) Liabilities, other (99) (63) 32 ------- ------- ------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 833 738 864 ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING: Construction expenditures (787) (1,102) (929) Allowance for funds used during construction 11 21 13 Nuclear fuel expenditures (28) (24) (21) Other 1 1 26 ------- ------- ------- NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (803) (1,104) (911) ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING: Dividends on common stock (376) (350) (349) Capital issuance costs (35) -- (8) Redemptions: Nuclear fuel lease -- (64) (11) Short-term debt (370) -- -- Long-term debt (247) (63) (421) Preferred stock (42) -- -- Issuances: Common stock 658 33 -- Nuclear fuel lease 50 13 9 Short-term debt -- 438 55 Long-term debt 893 300 703 ------- ------- ------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 531 307 (22) ------- ------- ------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 561 (59) (69) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 67 126 195 ------- ------- ------- Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year $ 628 $ 67 $ 126 ======= ======= ======= Cash paid during the periods: Interest $ 221 $ 187 $ 169 Income taxes, net 140 266 312 ------- ------- -------
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. WWW.AMEREN.COM 37 AMEREN CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
In Millions Year Ended December 31, 2002 2001 2000 ------- ------- ------- COMMON STOCK: Beginning balance $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 Shares issued 1 -- -- ------- ------- ------- 2 1 1 ------- ------- ------- OTHER PAID-IN CAPITAL: Beginning balance 1,614 1,581 1,582 Shares issued (less issuance costs of $20, $-, and $-, respectively) 637 33 -- Contracted stock purchase payment obligations (46) -- -- Employee stock awards (2) -- (1) ------- ------- ------- 2,203 1,614 1,581 ------- ------- ------- RETAINED EARNINGS: Beginning balance 1,733 1,614 1,506 Net income 382 469 457 Dividends (376) (350) (349) ------- ------- ------- 1,739 1,733 1,614 ------- ------- ------- ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: Beginning balance - derivative financial instruments 5 -- -- Change in derivative financial instruments in current period 4 5 -- ------- ------- ------- 9 5 -- ------- ------- ------- Beginning balance - minimum pension liability -- -- -- Change in minimum pension liability in current period (102) -- -- ------- ------- ------- (102) -- -- ------- ------- ------- (93) 5 -- ------- ------- ------- OTHER: Beginning balance (4) -- -- Restricted stock compensation awards (7) (5) -- Compensation amortized and mark-to-market adjustments 2 1 -- ------- ------- ------- (9) (4) -- ------- ------- ------- TOTAL COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 3,842 $ 3,349 $ 3,196 ======= ======= ======= COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXES: Net income $ 382 $ 469 $ 457 Unrealized net gain/(loss) on derivative hedging instruments, net of income taxes of $3, $3, and $-, respectively 6 5 -- Reclassification adjustments for gains/(losses) included in net income, net of income taxes of $(1), $7, and $-, respectively (2) 11 -- Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income taxes of $-, $(7), and $-, respectively -- (11) -- Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income taxes of $(62), $-, and $-, respectively (102) -- -- ------- ------- ------- TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXES $ 284 $ 474 $ 457 ======= ======= ======= COMMON STOCK SHARES AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 138.0 137.2 137.2 Shares issued 16.1 0.8 -- ------- ------- ------- COMMON STOCK SHARES AT END OF PERIOD 154.1 138.0 137.2 ======= ======= =======
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 38 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES General Ameren Corporation is a public utility holding company registered under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Our principal business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, and the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale users in the central United States. Our primary subsidiaries are as follows: o Union Electric Company, which operates a rate-regulated electric generation, transmission and distribution business, and a rate-regulated natural gas distribution business in Missouri and Illinois as AmerenUE. o Central Illinois Public Service Company, which operates a rate-regulated electric and natural gas transmission and distribution business in Illinois as AmerenCIPS. o Central Illinois Light Company is a subsidiary of CILCORP Inc., which operates a rate-regulated transmission and distribution business, an electric generation business, and a rate-regulated natural gas distribution business in Illinois as AmerenCILCO. We completed our acquisition of CILCORP on January 31, 2003 from The AES Corporation (AES). See Note 18 - Subsequent Event for further information. o AmerenEnergy Resources Company (Resources Company), which consists of non rate-regulated operations. Subsidiaries include AmerenEnergy Generating Company (Generating Company) that operates our non rate-regulated electric generation in Missouri and Illinois, AmerenEnergy Marketing Company (Marketing Company), which markets power for periods over one year, AmerenEnergy Fuels and Services Company, which procures fuel and manages the related risks for our affiliated companies and AmerenEnergy Medina Valley Cogen (No. 4), LLC, which indirectly owns a 40 megawatt, gas-fired electric generation plant. On February 4, 2003, we completed our acquisition of AES Medina Valley Cogen (No. 4), LLC from AES and renamed it AmerenEnergy Medina Valley Cogen (No. 4), LLC. See Note 18 - Subsequent Event for further information. o AmerenEnergy, Inc. (AmerenEnergy) which serves as a power marketing and risk management agent for our affiliated companies for transactions of primarily less than one year. o Electric Energy, Inc. (EEI), which operates electric generation and transmission facilities in Illinois. We have a 60% ownership interest in EEI and consolidate it for financial reporting purposes. o Ameren Services Company, which provides shared support services to us and our subsidiaries. When we refer to Ameren, our, we or us, we are referring to Ameren Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. In certain circumstances, our subsidiaries are specifically referenced in order to distinguish among their different business activities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ameren Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The financial results of CILCORP have not been included or discussed in these financial statements, except with regard to certain forward looking information. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions, unless otherwise indicated. The accounting policies of Ameren conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). Our financial statements reflect all adjustments (which include normal, recurring adjustments) necessary, in our opinion, for a fair presentation of our results. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' financial statements to conform to 2002 reporting. Regulation We are subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain of Ameren's subsidiaries are also regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission (MoPSC), Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). See Note 2 - Rate and Regulatory Matters for further information. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71 "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," we defer certain costs pursuant to actions of our regulators and are currently recovering such costs in rates charged to customers. WWW.AMEREN.COM 39 At December 31, 2002 and 2001, we had the following regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities:
2002 2001 ---- ---- REGULATORY ASSETS: Income taxes(a)(g) $526 $604 Callaway costs(b) 81 84 Unamortized loss on reacquired debt(c)(g) 32 28 Recoverable costs- contaminated facilities(d)(g) 26 26 Other(e)(g) 25 29 ---- ---- Regulatory assets $690 $771 ==== ==== REGULATORY LIABILITIES: Income taxes(f) $136 $172 ==== ====
(a) See Note 11 - Income Taxes for amortization period. Amount represents SFAS 109 deferred tax asset. (b) Represents Callaway nuclear plant operations and maintenance expenses, property taxes and carrying costs incurred between the plant in-service date and the date the plant was reflected in rates. These costs are being amortized over the remaining life of the plant's current operating license through 2024. (c) Represents losses related to refunded debt. These amounts are being amortized over the lives of the related new debt issues or the remaining lives of the old debt issues if no new debt was issued. (d) Represents the recoverable portion of accrued environmental site liabilities, which is primarily collected through a revenue rider in Illinois. (e) Represents Y2K expenses being amortized over 6 years starting in 2002 in conjunction with the settlement of our Missouri electric rate case and a Department of Energy Decommissioning assessment being amortized over 14 years through 2007. In addition, amount includes the portion of merger-related expenses applicable to the Missouri retail jurisdiction, which are being amortized through 2008 based on a MoPSC order. (f) See Note 11- Income Taxes for amortization period. Represents unamortized portion of investment tax credit and federal excess taxes. (g) These assets do not earn a return. We continually assess the recoverability of our regulatory assets. Under current accounting standards, regulatory assets are written off to earnings when it is no longer probable that such amounts will be recovered through future revenues. Electric industry restructuring legislation may impact the recoverability of regulatory assets in the future. Property and Plant The cost of additions to, and betterments of, units of property and plant is capitalized. Cost includes labor, material, applicable taxes and overheads. An allowance for funds used during construction is also added for our rate-regulated assets, and interest during construction is added for non rate-regulated assets. Maintenance expenditures and the renewal of items not considered units of property are expensed as incurred. When units of depreciable property are retired, the original cost and removal cost, less salvage value, are charged to accumulated depreciation. See Accounting Changes and Other Matters relating to SFAS No. 143 "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" and Note 4 - Property and Plant, Net for further information. Depreciation Depreciation is provided over the estimated lives of the various classes of depreciable property by applying composite rates on a straight-line basis. The provision for depreciation in 2002, 2001, and 2000 was approximately 3% of the average depreciable cost. Allowance for Funds Used During Construction Allowance for funds used during construction (AFC) is a utility industry accounting practice whereby the cost of borrowed funds and the cost of equity funds (preferred and common stockholders' equity) applicable to rate-regulated construction expenditures are capitalized as a cost of construction. AFC does not represent a current source of cash funds. This accounting practice offsets the effect on earnings of the cost of financing current construction, and treats such financing costs in the same manner as construction charges for labor and materials. Under accepted ratemaking practice, cash recovery of AFC, as well as other construction costs, occurs when completed projects are placed in service and reflected in customer rates. The AFC ranges of rates used were 5% - 9% during 2002, 4% - 10% during 2001, and 6% - 10% during 2000. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The determination of whether impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted cash flows attributable to the assets, as compared with the carrying value of the assets. If impairment has occurred, the amount of the impairment recognized is determined by estimating the fair value of the assets and recording a provision for loss if the carrying value is greater than the fair value. See Accounting Changes and Other Matters relating to SFAS No. 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and temporary investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. Unamortized Debt Discount, Premium and Expense Discount, premium and expense associated with long-term debt are amortized over the lives of the related issues. Revenue We accrue an estimate of electric and gas revenues for service rendered, but unbilled, at the end of each accounting period. 40 Interchange revenues included in Operating Revenues-Electric were $200 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 (2001 - $309 million, 2000 - $477 million). See Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 02-3, "Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities," discussion under Accounting Changes and Other Matters for further information. Purchased Power Purchased power included in Operating Expenses - Fuel and Purchased Power was $116 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 (2001 - $290 million, 2000 - $358 million). See EITF 02-3 discussion under Accounting Changes and Other Matters for further information. Fuel and Gas Costs In our retail electric utility jurisdictions, there are no provisions for adjusting rates for changes in the cost of fuel for electric generation. In our retail gas utility jurisdictions, changes in gas costs are generally reflected in billings to gas customers through purchased gas adjustment clauses. The cost of nuclear fuel is amortized to fuel expense on a unit-of-production basis. Spent fuel disposal cost is charged to expense, based on net kilowatthours generated and sold. Excise Taxes Excise taxes on Missouri electric and gas, and Illinois gas customer bills are imposed on us and are recorded gross in Operating Revenues and Other Taxes. Excise taxes recorded in Operating Revenues and Other Taxes for 2002 were $116 million (2001- $113 million, 2000 - $119 million). Excise taxes applicable to Illinois electric customer bills are imposed on the consumer and are recorded as tax collections payable and included in Taxes Accrued on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Income Taxes We file a consolidated federal tax return. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax consequences of transactions that have been treated differently for financial reporting and tax return purposes, measured using statutory tax rates. Investment tax credits utilized in prior years were deferred and are being amortized over the useful lives of the related properties. Earnings Per Share The inclusion of assumed stock option conversions in the calculation of earnings per share resulted in dilution of $0.01 for 2002 and 2001. There was no difference between the basic and diluted earnings per share amounts in 2000. Dilution resulted from assumed stock option conversions, which increased the number of shares outstanding in the diluted earnings per share calculation by 332,909 shares in 2002, 331,813 shares in 2001 and 183,201 shares in 2000. Accounting Changes and Other Matters In January 2001, we adopted SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." The impact of that adoption resulted in a cumulative effect charge of $7 million, net of taxes, to the income statement, and a cumulative effect adjustment of $11 million net of taxes, to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (OCI), which reduced common stockholders' equity. See Note 3 - Derivative Financial Instruments for further information. In January 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations," and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS 141 requires business combinations to be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, which requires one party in the transaction to be identified as the acquiring enterprise and for that party to allocate the purchase price to the assets and liabilities of the acquired enterprise based on fair market value. SFAS 142 requires goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets recorded in the financial statements to be tested for impairment at least annually, rather than amortized over a fixed period, with impairment losses recorded in the income statement. SFAS 141 and SFAS 142 did not have any effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity upon adoption. SFAS 141 and SFAS 142 were utilized for our acquisition of CILCORP, Inc. and AES Medina Valley Cogen (No. 4), LLC. See Note 18 - Subsequent Event for further information. We are adopting SFAS 143 in the first quarter of 2003. SFAS 143 provides the accounting requirements for asset retirement obligations associated with tangible, long-lived assets. SFAS 143 requires us to record the estimated fair value of legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which the liabilities are incurred and to capitalize a corresponding amount as part of the book value of the related long-lived asset. In subsequent periods, we are required to adjust asset retirement obligations based on changes in estimated fair value, and the corresponding increases in asset book values are depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Uncertainties as to the probability, timing or cash flows associated with an asset retirement obligation affect our estimate of fair value. Upon adoption of this standard, we expect to recognize additional asset retirement obligations of approximately $220 million and a net increase in net property and plant of approximately $75 million related WWW.AMEREN.COM 41 primarily to the Callaway nuclear decommissioning costs and also to retirement costs for a river structure and an ash pond. These asset retirement obligations are in addition to liabilities we have previously recorded related to our future obligation to decommission the Callaway nuclear plant. The difference between the net asset and the liability recorded upon adoption of SFAS 143 related to rate-regulated assets will be recorded as an additional regulatory asset because we expect to continue to recover the cost of Callaway nuclear decommissioning and other costs of removal in electric rates. The difference between the net asset and the liability to be recorded upon adoption related to non rate-regulated assets will be recorded as a loss of approximately $2 million, net of taxes, for a change in accounting principle. In addition to these obligations, we have determined that certain other asset retirement obligations exist. However, we are unable to estimate the fair value of those obligations because the probability, timing or cash flows associated with the obligations are indeterminable. We do not believe that these obligations, when incurred, will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. SFAS 143 also requires a change in the depreciation methodology we have historically utilized for our non rate-regulated operations. Historically, we have included an estimated cost of dismantling and removing plant from service upon retirement in the basis upon which our depreciation rates were determined. SFAS 143 requires us to exclude costs of dismantling and removal upon retirement from the depreciation rates applied to non rate-regulated plant balances. Further, we are required to remove accumulated provisions for dismantling and removal costs from accumulated depreciation, where they are currently embedded, and reflect such adjustment as a gain upon adoption of this standard, to the extent such dismantling and removal activities are not considered obligations as defined by SFAS 143. At this time we have not finalized our determination of the gain to be recorded upon adoption of SFAS 143 for our non rate-regulated operations; however, it will most likely substantially exceed the loss resulting from adopting this standard discussed above. Additionally, beginning in January 2003, depreciation rates for non rate-regulated assets will be reduced to reflect the discontinuation of the accrual of dismantling and removal costs. As a result, non rate-regulated asset removal costs will be expensed as incurred. The impact of this change in accounting will result in a decrease in depreciation expense and an increase in operations and maintenance expense, the net impact of which is indeterminable, but not expected to be material. Like our non rate-regulated operations, the depreciation methodology historically utilized by our rate-regulated operations has included an estimated cost of dismantling and removing plant from service upon retirement. This practice is currently required by regulators in the jurisdictions in which we operate. As a result, though we are still assessing the impact of SFAS 143 on our rate-regulated depreciation methodology, we do not believe any such impact will affect our results of operations. However, if we are required to remove accrued dismantling and removal costs from accumulated depreciation, where they are currently embedded, our asset and liability balances could be materially increased. On January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS 144. SFAS 144 addresses the financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets and supersedes SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." SFAS 144 retains the guidance related to calculating and recording impairment losses but adds guidance on the accounting for discontinued operations, previously accounted for under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions." SFAS 144 did not have any effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity in 2002. In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." SFAS 146 requires an entity to recognize, and measure at fair value, a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity in the period in which the liability is incurred and nullifies EITF Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (Including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)." SFAS 146 is effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. During 2002, we adopted the provisions of EITF 02-3, that required revenues and costs associated with certain energy contracts to be shown on a net basis in the income statement. Prior to adopting EITF 02-3 and the rescission of EITF Issue No. 98-10, "Accounting for Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities," our accounting practice was to present all settled energy purchase or sales contracts within our power risk management program, on a gross basis in Operating Revenues - Electric and in Operating 42 Expenses - Fuel and Purchased Power. This meant that revenues were recorded for the notional amount of the power sale contracts with a corresponding charge to income for the costs of the energy that was generated, or for the notional amount of a purchased power contract. In October 2002, the EITF reached a consensus to rescind EITF No. 98-10. The effective date for the full rescission of EITF 98-10 was for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2002, with early adoption permitted. In addition, the EITF reached a consensus in October 2002 that all SFAS 133 trading derivatives (subsequent to the rescission of EITF 98-10) should be shown net in the income statement, whether or not physically settled. This consensus applies to all energy and non-energy related trading derivatives that meet the definition of a derivative pursuant to SFAS 133. We have adopted and applied this guidance to 2002 and 2001. The adoption of EITF 02-3, the rescission of EITF 98-10 and the related transition guidance resulted in netting of certain energy contracts, and lowered our reported revenues and costs with no impact on earnings or stockholders' equity. The following table summarizes the impact of energy contract netting for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000:
2001 2000 ------ ------ Previously reported gross operating revenues $4,506 $3,856 Revenues and costs netted(a) 648 -- ------ ------ Net operating revenues reported $3,858 $3,856 ====== ======
(a) Revenues and costs netted for the year ended December 31, 2002 were $738 million. SFAS 133 was adopted on January 1, 2001 and therefore no netting was required for the year ended December 31, 2000. In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure." SFAS 148 amends SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," to provide alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure provisions to require disclosure about the effects on reported net income of an entity's accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. Prior to 2003, we accounted for our long-term incentive plan under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." No stock-based employee compensation cost was reflected for options in 2002, 2001, and 2000 as all options granted under our plan had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The pretax effect of weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted would have been approximately $2 million in each of the years ended 2002, 2001, and 2000 had the fair value method under SFAS 123 been used for options. Effective January 1, 2003, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 by using the prospective method of adoption under SFAS 148. We do not expect SFAS 148 to have any effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity in 2003. See Note 13 - Stock-Based Compensation for further information. NOTE 2 - RATE AND REGULATORY MATTERS Missouri Electric MOPSC RATE CASE From July 1, 1995 through June 30, 2001, our subsidiary, AmerenUE, operated under experimental alternative regulation plans in Missouri that provided for the sharing of earnings with customers if our regulatory return on equity exceeded defined threshold levels. After AmerenUE's experimental alternative regulation plan for its Missouri retail electric customers expired, the MoPSC Staff and others sought to reduce our annual Missouri electric revenues by over $300 million. The MoPSC Staff's recommendation was based on a return to traditional cost of service ratemaking, a lowered return on equity, a reduction in AmerenUE's depreciation rates and other cost of service adjustments. In August 2002, a stipulation and agreement resolving this case became effective following agreement by all parties to the case and approval by the MoPSC. The stipulation and agreement includes the following principal features: o The phase-in of $110 million of electric rate reductions through April 2004, $50 million of which was retroactively effective as of April 1, 2002, $30 million of which will become effective on April 1, 2003, and $30 million of which will become effective on April 1, 2004. o A rate moratorium providing for no changes in rates before June 30, 2006, subject to certain statutory and other exceptions. o A commitment to contribute $14 million to programs for low income energy assistance and weatherization, promotion of energy efficiency and economic development in AmerenUE's service territory in 2002, with additional payments of $3 million made annually on WWW.AMEREN.COM 43 June 30, 2003 through June 30, 2006. This entire obligation was expensed in 2002. o A commitment to make $2.25 billion to $2.75 billion in critical energy infrastructure investments from January 1, 2002 through June 30, 2006, including, among other things, the addition of more than 700 megawatts of new generation capacity and the replacement of steam generators at AmerenUE's Callaway nuclear plant. The 700 megawatts of new generation is expected to be satisfied by 240 megawatts that were added by AmerenUE in 2002 and the proposed transfer at net book value to AmerenUE of approximately 550 megawatts of generation assets from Generating Company, which is subject to receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. o An annual reduction in AmerenUE's depreciation rates by $20 million, retroactive to April 1, 2002, based on an updated analysis of asset values, service lives and accumulated depreciation levels. o A one-time credit of $40 million which was accrued during the plan period. The entire amount was paid to AmerenUE's Missouri retail electric customers in 2002 for settlement of the final sharing period under the alternative regulation plan that expired June 30, 2001. MARKETING COMPANY - AMERENUE POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENTS In order to satisfy AmerenUE's regulatory load requirements for 2001, AmerenUE purchased, under a one year contract (the 2001 Marketing Company - AmerenUE agreement), 450 megawatts of capacity and energy from Marketing Company. This agreement was entered into through a competitive bidding process and reflected market-based rates. For 2002, AmerenUE similarly entered into a one year contract (the 2002 Marketing Company - AmerenUE agreement) with Marketing Company for the purchase of 200 megawatts of capacity and energy. For the four summer months of 2002, AmerenUE also entered into contracts with two other power suppliers for an aggregate 200 megawatts of additional capacity and energy. In May 2001, the MoPSC filed a complaint with the SEC relating to the 2001 Marketing Company - AmerenUE agreement. The complaint requested an investigation into the contractual relationship between AmerenUE, Marketing Company and Generating Company, in the context of the 2001 Marketing Company - AmerenUE agreement and requested that the SEC find that such relationship violates Section 32(k) of PUHCA, which requires state utility commission approval of power sales contracts between an electric utility company and an affiliated exempt wholesale generator, like Generating Company. We have asserted that the MoPSC's approval of the power sales agreement under PUHCA is not required because Generating Company is not a party to the agreement. In its SEC complaint, the MoPSC proposes that the SEC require AmerenUE to contract directly with Generating Company and submit such contract to the MoPSC for review. On May 9, 2002, the MoPSC filed a similar complaint with the SEC relating to the 2002 Marketing Company - AmerenUE agreement. While the complaints were pending, the MoPSC and AmerenUE reached an agreement for resolving these disputes. The agreement requires AmerenUE to not enter into any new contracts to purchase wholesale electric energy from any Ameren affiliate that is an exempt wholesale generator without first obtaining, on a timely basis, the determinations required of the MoPSC that are specified in Section 32(k) of PUHCA. However, this commitment did not prevent AmerenUE from completing the purchases contemplated by the 2001 and 2002 Marketing Company - AmerenUE agreement and does not prevent AmerenUE from making short term energy purchases (less than 90 days) from an Ameren affiliate, without prior MoPSC determination, to prevent or alleviate system emergencies. As part of this agreement, the MoPSC has agreed to terminate its SEC complaints. Also, with respect to the 2002 Marketing Company - AmerenUE agreement, on May 31, 2002, the FERC accepted the agreement, subject to refund, and scheduled the matter for a January 2003 hearing. In October 2002, Marketing Company and the FERC Staff jointly reported to the FERC that they have negotiated a settlement in principle of the issues that had been set for hearing. Other than a slight modification to the procedures for establishing off-peak energy prices under the agreement, the settlement in principle will have no impact on the agreement's price, terms and conditions. The settlement in principle also establishes guidelines for AmerenUE to follow when conducting future requests for proposals for the purpose of pursuing long-term power purchases. On January 27, 2003, the settlement in principle between Marketing Company and the FERC Staff was certified by the settlement judge and submitted to the FERC for approval. Until the SEC and the FERC take final action in these proceedings, management is unable to predict their ultimate impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Illinois Electric In 2002, all of our Illinois residential, commercial and industrial customers had choice in electric suppliers. As a provision of the legislation related to the restructuring of the Illinois electric industry (the Illinois Law), 44 a rate freeze is in effect through January 1, 2007. As a result of this extension through January 1, 2007, we expect to seek to renew or extend a power supply agreement between AmerenCIPS and Marketing Company through the same period. A renewal or extension of the power supply agreement will depend on compliance with regulatory requirements in effect at the time, and we cannot predict whether we will be successful in securing a renewal or extension of this agreement. In October 2002, AmerenUE and AmerenCIPS filed with the ICC a proposal to suspend collection of transition charges associated with the Illinois Law for the period commencing June 2003 until at least June 2005. The Illinois Law allows a utility to collect transition charges from customers that elect to move from bundled retail rates to market-based rates. Utilities have the right to collect transition charges throughout the transition period that ends January 1, 2007. The suspension of collection of transition charges is not expected to have a material impact on either AmerenUE or AmerenCIPS. Under the Illinois Law, we were subject to a residential electric rate decrease of up to 5% in 2002 to the extent rates exceeded the Midwest utility average. In 2002, 2001, and 2000, our Illinois electric rates were below the Midwest utility average. The Illinois Law also contains a provision requiring that one-half of excess earnings from the Illinois jurisdiction for the years 1998 through 2006 be refunded to Ameren's Illinois customers. Excess earnings are defined as the portion of the two-year average annual rate of return on common equity in excess of 1.5% of the two-year average of an Index, as defined in the Illinois Law. The Index is defined as the sum of the average for the twelve months ended September 30 of the average monthly yields of the 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds, plus prescribed percentages ranging from 4% to 7%. AmerenCIPS' and AmerenUE's average rates of return on common equity for the two year average at December 31, 2002 were 6% and 13%, respectively, as compared to the average index of 12.6%. No refunds are expected to be required for the period of April 1, 2002 through March 31, 2003. For the twelve months ended December 31, 1999, AmerenUE made excess earnings refunds of $2.1 million from April 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2000, AmerenUE made excess earnings refunds of $1.5 million from April 1, 2001 through May 31, 2002. These refunds were recorded as a reduction to Operating Revenues - Electric. Federal - Electric Transmission REGIONAL TRANSMISSION ORGANIZATION In December 1999, the FERC issued Order 2000 requiring all utilities, subject to FERC jurisdiction, to state their intentions for joining a regional transmission organization (RTO). RTOs are independent organizations that will functionally control the transmission assets of utilities and are designed to improve the wholesale power market. Beginning in January 2001, our subsidiaries, AmerenUE and AmerenCIPS, along with several other utilities, sought approval from the FERC to participate in an RTO known as the Alliance RTO. The Ameren companies had previously been members of the Midwest Independent System Operator (Midwest ISO) and recorded a pretax charge to earnings in 2000 of $25 million ($15 million, net of taxes) for an exit fee and other costs when we left that organization. We believed that the for-profit Alliance RTO business model was superior to the not-for-profit Midwest ISO business model and provided us with a more equitable return on our transmission assets. In late 2001, the FERC issued an order that rejected the formation of the Alliance RTO and ordered the Alliance RTO companies and the Midwest ISO to discuss how the Alliance RTO business model could be accommodated within the Midwest ISO. In April 2002, after the Alliance RTO and Midwest ISO failed to reach an agreement, and after a series of filings by the two parties with the FERC, the FERC issued a declaratory order setting forth the division of responsibilities between the Midwest ISO and National Grid (the managing member of the transmission company formed by the Alliance companies) and approved the rate design and the revenue distribution methodology proposed by the Alliance companies. However, the FERC denied a request by the Alliance companies and National Grid to purchase certain services from the Midwest ISO at incremental cost rather than Midwest ISO's full tariff rates. The FERC also ordered the Midwest ISO to return the exit fee paid by the Ameren companies to leave the Midwest ISO, provided the Ameren companies return to the Midwest ISO and agree to pay their proportional share of the startup and ongoing operational expenses of the Midwest ISO. Moreover, the FERC required the Alliance companies to select the RTO in which they will participate within thirty days of the order. Following the April 2002 FERC order, Ameren made filings with the FERC indicating that Ameren would return to the Midwest ISO through a new independent transmission company, GridAmerica LLC, that was agreed to be formed by AmerenCIPS and AmerenUE, and subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corporation and NiSource Inc. Upon receipt of final FERC approval of the definitive agreements establishing GridAmerica, a subsidiary of National Grid will serve as the managing member of WWW.AMEREN.COM 45 GridAmerica and will manage the transmission assets of the three companies and participate in the Midwest ISO on behalf of GridAmerica. Other Alliance RTO companies announced their intentions to join the PJM Interconnection LLC (PJM) RTO. On July 25, 2002, the Ameren companies filed a motion with the FERC requesting that it condition the approval of the choices of other Illinois utilities to join the PJM RTO on Midwest ISO and PJM entering into an agreement addressing important reliability and rate-barrier issues. On July 31, 2002, the FERC issued an order accepting the formation of GridAmerica as an independent transmission company under the Midwest ISO subject to further compliance filings ordered by the FERC. The FERC also issued an order accepting the elections made by the other Illinois utilities to join the PJM RTO on the condition PJM and Midwest ISO immediately begin a process to address the reliability and rate-barrier issues raised by us and other market participants in previous filings. The compliance filing to facilitate the formation and operation of GridAmerica as an independent transmission company within the Midwest ISO, as contemplated in the July 31, 2002 order of the FERC, was conditionally accepted by FERC in an order issued December 19, 2002. In the order, the FERC approved the return of the $18 million exit fee paid by Ameren to leave the Midwest ISO with interest once GridAmerica becomes operational. The FERC also approved, subject to further filings, reimbursement of $36 million to the GridAmerica companies for expenses incurred to form the Alliance RTO. In our filing, we stated that GridAmerica is scheduled to become operational in April 2003. Until the reliability and rate-barrier issues are resolved as ordered by the FERC, and the tariffs and other material terms of our participation in GridAmerica, and GridAmerica's participation in the Midwest ISO, are finalized and approved by the FERC, we are unable to predict the impact that on-going RTO developments will have on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. STANDARD MARKET DESIGN NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (NOPR) On July 31, 2002, the FERC issued a NOPR. The NOPR proposes a number of changes to the way the current wholesale transmission service and energy markets are operated. Specifically, the NOPR calls for all jurisdictional transmission facilities to be placed under the control of an independent transmission provider (similar to an RTO), proposes a new transmission service tariff that provides a single form of transmission service for all users of the transmission system including bundled retail load, and proposes a new energy market and congestion management system that uses locational marginal pricing as its basis. On November 15, 2002, we filed our initial comments on the NOPR with the FERC expressing our concern with the potential impact of the proposed rules in their current form on the cost and reliability of service to retail customers. We also proposed that certain modifications be made to the proposed rules in order to protect transmission owners from the possibility of trapped transmission costs that might not be recoverable from ratepayers as a result of inconsistent regulatory policies. We intend to file additional comments on the remaining sections of the NOPR during the first quarter of 2003. Until the FERC issues a final rule, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Illinois Gas In November 2002, AmerenCIPS, AmerenUE, and CILCO filed requests with the ICC to increase annual rates for natural gas service by approximately $16 million, $4 million, and $14 million, respectively. The ICC has until October 2003 to render a decision in these gas cases. NOTE 3 - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS We utilize derivatives principally to manage the risk of changes in market prices for natural gas, fuel, electricity and emission credits. Price fluctuations in natural gas, fuel and electricity cause: o an unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the value of our firm commitments to purchase or sell when purchase or sales prices under the firm commitment are compared with current commodity prices; o market values of fuel and natural gas inventories or purchased power to differ from the cost of those commodities in inventory or under the firm commitment; and o actual cash outlays for the purchase of these commodities, in certain circumstances, to differ from anticipated cash outlays. The derivatives that we use to hedge these risks are dictated by risk management policies and include forward contracts, futures contracts, options and swaps. We continually assess our supply and delivery commitment positions against forward market prices and internal forecasts of forward prices. We actively manage our exposure to power price risk through our power risk management program carried out under our risk management guidelines to modify our exposure to market, credit and operational risk by entering into various offsetting transactions. In general, we believe these transactions serve to reduce price risk for us. 46 In addition, we may purchase additional power, again within risk management guidelines, in anticipation of power requirements and future price changes. Certain derivative contracts we enter into on a regular basis as part of our power risk management program do not qualify for hedge accounting or the normal purchase and sale exceptions under SFAS 133. Accordingly, these contracts are recorded at fair value with changes in the fair value charged or credited to the income statement in the period in which the change occurred. Contracts we enter into as part of our power risk management program may be settled by either physical delivery or net settled with the counterparty. See also Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further information. As of December 31, 2002, we recorded the fair value of derivative financial instrument assets of $8 million in Other Assets and the fair value of derivative financial instrument liabilities of $1 million in Other Deferred Credits and Liabilities. Cash Flow Hedges We routinely enter into forward purchase and sales contracts for electricity based on forecasted levels of economic generation and customer requirements. The relative balance between customer requirements and economic generation varies throughout the year. The contracts typically cover a period of twelve months or less. The purpose of these contracts is to hedge against possible price fluctuations in the spot market for the period covered under the contracts. We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The mark-to-market value of cash flow hedges will continue to fluctuate with changes in market prices up to contract expiration. The pretax net gain or loss on power forward derivative instruments, which represented the impact of discontinued cash flow hedges, the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges, as well as the reversal of amounts previously recorded in OCI due to transactions going to delivery or settlement, was approximately a $3 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2002 (2001 - $15 million gain). As of December 31, 2002, we had hedged a portion of the electricity price exposure for the upcoming twelve-month period. The mark-to-market value accumulated in OCI for the effective portion of hedges of electricity price exposure was a net gain of approximately $1 million (less than $1 million, net of taxes). As of December 31, 2002, a gain of approximately $6 million ($4 million, net of taxes) associated with interest rate swaps was included in OCI. The swaps were a partial hedge of the interest rate on debt that was issued in June 2002. The swaps covered the first ten years of debt that has a 30-year maturity and the gain in OCI is being amortized over a ten-year period that began in June 2002. As of December 31, 2002, a gain of approximately $2 million ($1 million, net of taxes) associated with natural gas swaps was included in OCI. The swaps were a partial hedge of our index priced, baseload gas supply for the period of December 2002 through March 2003. The swaps effectively fix the price on a portion of our gas supply for that time period. We also held three call options for coal with two suppliers. These options to purchase coal expire October 2003, July 2004 and July 2005. As of December 31, 2002, a mark-to-market gain of approximately $6 million ($4 million, net of taxes) associated with these options was included in OCI. The final value of the options will be recognized as a reduction in fuel costs as the hedged coal is burned. Other Derivatives We enter into option transactions to manage our positions in sulfur dioxide allowances, coal, heating oil and electricity. Most of these transactions are treated as non-hedge transactions under SFAS 133. The net change in the market value of sulfur dioxide options is recorded as Operating Revenues - Electric, while the net change in the market value of coal, heating oil and electricity options is recorded as Operating Expense - Operations - Fuel and Purchased Power in the income statement. The net change in the market values of sulfur dioxide, coal, heating oil and electricity options was a gain of $5 million ($3 million, net of taxes) for the year ended December 31, 2002 (2001 - loss of less than $1 million). NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND PLANT, NET At December 31, 2002 and 2001, property and plant, net consisted of the following:
2002 2001 ------- ------- PROPERTY AND PLANT, AT ORIGINAL COST: Electric $14,495 $13,664 Gas 557 532 Other 219 105 ------- ------- 15,271 14,301 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 6,831 6,535 ------- ------- 8,440 7,766 CONSTRUCTION WORK IN PROGRESS: Nuclear fuel in process 81 97 Other 393 564 ------- ------- Property and plant, net $ 8,914 $ 8,427 ======= =======
WWW.AMEREN.COM 47 NOTE 5 - NUCLEAR FUEL LEASE We have a lease agreement, expiring on August 31, 2031, that provides for the financing of a portion of our nuclear fuel that is being processed for use or being consumed in AmerenUE's Callaway nuclear plant. The lease agreement has variable interest rates based on short-term commercial paper interest rates. At December 31, 2002, the maximum amount that could be financed under the agreement was $120 million, of which $113 million was utilized. The lessor, Gateway Fuel Company, maintains a $120 million committed credit facility which supports the financing of fuel under the lease. We consider available lease capacity, future purchase commitments and upcoming in-service fuel requirements when determining whether to utilize leased nuclear fuel. We are not required to pay the lessor, an unrelated third party, unless nuclear fuel is removed from the lease, consumed at our nuclear plant or the lease is terminated. Pursuant to the terms of the lease, we assign to the lessor certain contracts for purchase of nuclear fuel. The lessor obtains, through the issuance of commercial paper or from direct loans under a committed revolving credit agreement from commercial banks, the necessary funds to purchase the fuel and make interest payments when due. We are obligated to reimburse the lessor for expenditures for nuclear fuel, interest and related costs under the lease. As any leased nuclear fuel is consumed at AmerenUE's Callaway nuclear plant, obligations under this lease become due. No leased nuclear fuel was consumed in 2001. Therefore, no reimbursements for amounts consumed under the lease occurred in 2001. Leased nuclear fuel consumption re-commenced in the fourth quarter of 2002. The corresponding reimbursement will occur in the first quarter of 2003. We reimbursed $13 million during 2000 for amounts consumed under the lease. We have capitalized the cost of the leased nuclear fuel incurred by the lessor, plus certain interest costs, and have recorded the related lease obligation. Total interest charges under the lease were $2 million in 2002, $4 million in 2001, and $8 million in 2000. Interest charges for these years were based on average interest rates of approximately 2% for 2002, 5% for 2001 and 7% for 2000. Interest charges of $2 million in 2002, $4 million in 2001, and $6 million in 2000 were capitalized. NOTE 6 - SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AND PREFERRED STOCK SUBSIDIARIES In October 1998, our Board of Directors approved a share purchase rights plan designed to assure shareholders of fair and equal treatment in the event of a proposed takeover. The rights will be exercisable only if a person or group acquires 15% or more of Ameren's common stock or announces a tender offer, the consummation of which would result in ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the common stock. Each right will entitle the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a newly issued preferred stock at an exercise price of $180. If a person or group acquires 15% or more of Ameren's outstanding common stock, each right will entitle its holder (other than such person or members of such group) to purchase, at the right's then-current exercise price, a number of Ameren's common shares having a market value of twice such price. In addition, if we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after a person or group has acquired 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, each right will entitle its holder to purchase, at the right's then-current exercise price, a number of the acquiring company's common shares having a market value of twice such price. The acquiring person or group will not be entitled to exercise these rights. The SEC approved the plan under PUHCA in December 1998. The rights were issued as a dividend payable January 8, 1999, to shareholders of record on that date; these rights expire in 2008. One right will accompany each new share of Ameren common stock issued prior to such expiration date. Outstanding preferred stock is entitled to cumulative dividends and is redeemable, at the option of the issuer, at the prices shown in the following table as of December 31, 2002 and 2001:
Redemption Price Shares (Per Share) 2002 2001 --------- ---------------- --------- --------- PREFERRED STOCK OF SUBSIDIARIES NOT SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION - AmerenUE: Without par value and stated value of $100 per share, 25 million shares authorized $7.64 Series 330,000 $ 103.82(a) $ 33 $ 33 $5.50 Series A 14,000 110.00 1 1 $4.75 Series 20,000 102.176 2 2 $4.56 Series 200,000 102.47 20 20 $4.50 Series 213,595 110.00(b) 21 21 $4.30 Series 40,000 105.00 4 4 $4.00 Series 150,000 105.625 15 15 $3.70 Series 40,000 104.75 4 4 $3.50 Series 130,000 110.00 13 13 Without par value and stated value of $25 per share $1.735 Series 1,657,500 25.00 -- 42 --------- ---------------- --------- ---------
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Redemption Price December 31, Shares (Per Share) 2002 2001 --------- ---------------- --------- --------- AMERENCIPS: With par value of $100 per share, 4.6 million shares authorized 4.00% Series 150,000 $ 101.00 $ 15 $ 15 4.25% Series 50,000 102.00 5 5 4.90% Series 75,000 102.00 8 8 4.92% Series 50,000 103.50 5 5 5.16% Series 50,000 102.00 5 5 1993 Auction 300,000 100.00(c) 30 30 6.625% Series 125,000 100.00 12 12 --------- --------- --------- --------- TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK OF SUBSIDIARIES NOT SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION $ 193 $ 235 ========= =========
(a) Beginning February 15, 2003, declining to $100 per share in 2012. (b) In the event of voluntary liquidation, $105.50. (c) Dividend rates, and the periods during which such rates apply, vary depending on our selection of certain defined dividend period lengths. The average dividend rate during 2002 was 2.35%. NOTE 7 - SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS Our short-term borrowings consist of commercial paper and bank loans (maturities generally within 1 to 45 days). At December 31, 2002, $271 million (2001 - $641 million) of short-term borrowings was outstanding. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2002 was 1.4% (2001 - 1.9%). At December 31, 2002, Ameren had bank credit agreements totaling $695 million, excluding EEI facilities of $45 million and nuclear fuel lease facilities of $21 million, expiring at various dates in 2003 and 2005. All of these amounts were available for use by our rate-regulated subsidiaries (AmerenUE and AmerenCIPS) and Ameren Services Company, and $600 million of this amount was available for use by Ameren Corporation and most of our non rate-regulated subsidiaries including, but not limited to, Resources Company, Generating Company, Marketing Company, AmerenEnergy Fuels and Services Company and AmerenEnergy. These committed credit facilities are used to support our commercial paper programs under which $250 million was outstanding at December 31, 2002. At December 31, 2002, $445 million was unused and available under these committed credit facilities. We also have two bank credit agreements totaling $45 million that expire in 2003 at EEI. At December 31, 2002, $27 million was unused and available under these committed credit facilities. Certain of our bank credit agreements contain provisions which, among other things, place restrictions on our ability to incur liens, sell assets, merge with other entities and restrict and encumber upstream dividend payments of our subsidiaries. Also, certain of our credit agreements contain a provision that restricts Ameren's, AmerenUE's and AmerenCIPS' total indebtedness to 60% of total capitalization. In addition, certain of our credit agreements contain cross default provisions and material adverse change clauses, which require us to represent that no such change has occurred before borrowings can be made. At December 31, 2002, Ameren, AmerenUE and AmerenCIPS were in compliance with all such provisions. We have money pool agreements with and among our subsidiaries to coordinate and provide for certain short-term cash and working capital requirements. Separate money pools are maintained between rate-regulated and non rate-regulated businesses. Interest is calculated at varying rates of interest depending on the composition of internal and external funds in the money pools. This debt and the related interest represent intercompany balances, which are eliminated at the Ameren Corporation consolidated level. NOTE 8 - LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITALIZATION The following table summarizes our long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2002 and 2001:
2002 2001 ------ ------ FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS - (a) AmerenUE: 8.33% Series paid in 2002 $ -- $ 75 8 3/4% Series paid in 2002 -- 125 7.65% Series due 2003 100 100 6 7/8% Series due 2004 188 188 7 3/8% Series due 2004 85 85 6 3/4% Series due 2008 148 148 5.25% Series due 2012 173 -- 8 1/4% Series due 2022 104 104 8% Series due 2022 85 85 7.15% Series due 2023 75 75 7% Series due 2024 100 100 5.45% Series due 2028(b) 44 44 AmerenCIPS: 6 3/8% Series Z due 2003 40 40 7 1/2% Series X due 2007 50 50 6.625% Series due 2011 150 150 7.61% 1997 Series due 2017 40 40 6.125% Series due 2028 60 60 Other 5.375% -7.05% due 2003 through 2008 60 93 ------ ------ $1,502 $1,562 ------ ------
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December 31, 2002 2001 ------ ------ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT/ POLLUTION CONTROL REVENUE BONDS - AmerenUE: 1991 Series due 2020(c) $ 43 $ 43 1992 Series due 2022(c) 47 47 1998 Series A due 2033(c) 60 60 1998 Series B due 2033(c) 50 50 1998 Series C due 2033(c) 50 50 2000 Series A due 2035(c) 64 64 2000 Series B due 2035(c) 63 63 2000 Series C due 2035(c) 60 60 AmerenCIPS: 2000 Series A 5.5% due 2014(d) 51 51 1993 Series C-1 5.95% due 2026(d) 35 35 1993 Series A 6 3/8% due 2028 35 35 Other 5% - 5.90% due 2026 through 2028(d) 60 60 ------ ------ 618 618 ------ ------ SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES - AmerenUE: 7.69% Series A due 2036(e) 66 66 ------ ------ OTHER UNSECURED DEBT - Ameren Corporation: 2001 Floating rate notes due 2003(f) 150 150 2002 5.70% Notes due 2007(g) 100 -- Senior note, due 2007 345 -- Generating Company: 2000 Senior notes series C 7 3/4% due 2005(h)(i) 225 225 2000 Senior notes series D 8.35% due 2010(i)(j) 200 200 2002 Senior notes series F 7.95% due 2032(i)(k) 275 -- Electric Energy, Inc.: 2000 Senior notes 7.61% due 2004 40 40 1991 II Senior medium term notes 8.60% due through 2005 20 27 1994 Senior medium term notes 6.61% due through 2005 23 31 ------ ------ 1,378 673 ------ ------ CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS - AmerenUE: Nuclear fuel lease 113 63 City of Bowling Green lease 103 -- ------ ------ 216 63 ------ ------ UNAMORTIZED DISCOUNT AND PREMIUM ON DEBT (8) (8) ------ ------ MATURITIES DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR (339) (139) ------ ------ TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT $3,433 $2,835 ====== ======
(a) At December 31, 2002, a majority of property and plant was mortgaged under, and subject to liens of, the respective indentures pursuant to which the bonds were issued. AmerenUE's and AmerenCIPS' first mortgage bond indentures contain provisions that restrict the issuance of additional bonds. These provisions restrict future first mortgage bond issuance to 60% of unused net bondable property and previously retired bonds. In addition, net earnings must be at least twice that of first mortgage bond interest to be able to issue bonds under the indentures. AmerenCIPS' indenture also requires a certain level of maintenance capital expenditures. At December 31, 2002, both AmerenUE and AmerenCIPS were in compliance with all such provisions. (b) Environmental Improvement Series backed by first mortgage bonds. (c) Interest rates, and the periods during which such rates apply, vary depending on our selection of certain defined rate modes. The average interest rates for the year 2002 were as follows: 1991 Series 1.64% 1992 Series 1.60% 1998 Series A 1.53% 1998 Series B 1.53% 1998 Series C 1.53% 2000 Series A 1.56% 2000 Series B 1.52% 2000 Series C 1.56%
(d) Variable rate tax-exempt pollution control indebtedness that was converted to long-term fixed rates. (e) During the terms of the debentures, AmerenUE may, under certain circumstances, defer the payment of interest for up to five years. Upon the election to defer interest payments, dividend payments to Ameren Corporation are prohibited. (f) Interest is payable quarterly commencing March 12, 2002. Principal is payable on December 12, 2003. The per annum interest rate on the notes for each interest period will be a floating rate equal to three month LIBOR plus a spread of 0.95%. (g) Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 2002. Principal will be payable on February 1, 2007. (h) Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2001. Principal will be payable on November 1, 2005. (i) Generating Company's senior note indenture contains covenants which, among other things, restrict dividend payments, subordinated debt interest payments and future bond issuance if certain financial conditions are not met. These conditions include minimum interest coverage ratios and a maximum debt to capital ratio. At December 31, 2002, Generating Company was in compliance with all such provisions. (j) Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2001. Principal will be payable on November 1, 2010. (k) Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2002. Principal will be payable on June 1, 2032. 50 The following table summarizes the maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2002:
Ameren Corporation AmerenUE AmerenCIPS ------------ ------------ ------------ 2003 $ 150 $ 130 $ 45 2004 -- 306 -- 2005 -- 36 20 2006 -- 27 20 2007 445 4 50 Thereafter -- 1,318 446 ------------ ------------ ------------ TOTAL $ 595 $ 1,821 $ 581 ============ ============ ============
Generating Electric Ameren Company Energy, Inc. Consolidated ------------ ------------ ------------ 2003 $ -- $ 14 $ 339 2004 -- 55 361 2005 225 14 295 2006 -- -- 47 2007 -- -- 499 Thereafter 475 -- 2,239 ------------ ------------ ------------ TOTAL $ 700 $ 83 $ 3,780 ============ ============ ============
Ameren Corporation In January 2002, Ameren Corporation issued $100 million of 5.70% notes due February 1, 2007 in a private placement to qualified investors under rule 144A. Ameren received net proceeds of $99.7 million, after debt discount and fees, which were used to reduce short-term borrowings. Interest is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year. In March 2002, Ameren Corporation entered into interest rate swaps effectively converting the interest rate associated with these notes to three month LIBOR plus 43 basis points. At December 31, 2002, the effective interest rate for these notes was 2.13%. In March 2002, Ameren Corporation issued $345 million of adjustable conversion-rate equity security units and $227 million of common stock (5 million shares at $39.50 per share and 750,000 shares, pursuant to the exercise of an option granted to the underwriters, at $38.865 per share). The $25 adjustable conversion-rate equity security units each consisted of an Ameren Corporation senior unsecured note with a principal amount of $25 and a contract to purchase, for $25, a fraction of a share of Ameren common stock on May 15, 2005. The senior unsecured notes were recorded at their fair value of $345 million and will mature on May 15, 2007. Total distributions on the equity security units will be at an annual rate of 9.75%, consisting of quarterly interest payments on the senior unsecured notes at the initial annual rate of 5.20% and adjustment payments under the stock purchase contracts at the annual rate of 4.55%. The stock purchase contracts require holders to purchase between 8.7 million and 7.4 million shares of Ameren Corporation common stock on May 15, 2005 at the market price at that time, subject to a minimum share purchase price of $39.50 and a maximum of $46.61. The stock purchase contracts include a pledge of the senior unsecured notes as collateral for the stock purchase obligation. The interest rate on the outstanding senior unsecured notes is subject to being reset by a remarketing agent for quarterly payments after May 15, 2005 until maturity. We recorded the net present value of the contracted stock purchase payments of $46 million as an increase in Other Deferred Credits and Liabilities to reflect our obligation and a decrease in Other Paid-in Capital to reflect the fair value of the stock purchase contract. The liability for the contracted stock purchase adjustment payments (December 31, 2002 - $35 million) will be reduced as such payments are made through May 15, 2005. We used the net proceeds from these offerings to repay short-term indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. In July 2002, Ameren Corporation entered into new committed credit agreements for $400 million in revolving credit facilities to be used for general corporate purposes, including support of our commercial paper programs. The $400 million in new facilities includes a $270 million 364-day revolving credit facility and a $130 million 3-year revolving credit facility. The 3-year facility has a $50 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit. These new credit facilities replaced AmerenUE's $300 million revolving credit facility. In August 2002, a shelf registration statement filed by Ameren Corporation with the SEC on Form S-3 was declared effective. This statement authorized the offering from time to time of up to $1.473 billion of various forms of securities including long-term debt, trust preferred and equity securities to finance ongoing construction and maintenance programs, to redeem, repurchase, repay, or retire outstanding debt, to finance strategic investments, including our then pending acquisition of CILCORP, and for general corporate purposes. In September 2002, Ameren Corporation issued, pursuant to the shelf registration statement, $338 million of common stock (8.05 million shares at $42.00 per share). Net proceeds were $327 million after fees, which were used to fund part of the cash portion of the purchase price for our acquisition of CILCORP. See Note 18 - Subsequent Event for further information. In early 2003, Ameren issued, pursuant to the shelf registration statement, 6.325 million shares at $40.50 per share. We received net proceeds of $248 million after fees which were used to fund the remaining cash WWW.AMEREN.COM 51 portion of the purchase price for our acquisition of CILCORP (see Note 18 - Subsequent Event for further information) and for general corporate purposes. We may sell all, or a portion of, the remaining registered securities under the shelf registration statement if warranted by market conditions and our capital requirements. Any offer and sale will be made only by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations thereunder. In 2002 and in early 2003, $594 million was issued under the shelf registration statement. At February 13, 2003, the amount remaining on the shelf registration statement was approximately $879 million. In September 2001, we began issuing new shares of common stock under our dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan (DRPlus) and in December 2001, we began issuing new shares of common stock in connection with our 401(k) plans. Previously, these requirements were met by purchasing outstanding shares. Under these plans, we issued 2.3 million shares of common stock in 2002 and 0.8 million shares in 2001 that were valued at $92 million and $33 million, respectively. In December 2001, Ameren Corporation issued Floating Rate Notes (FRNs) totaling $150 million. Interest accrues on the FRNs at the three month LIBOR (reset quarterly) plus 0.95% and is payable quarterly commencing in March 2002. The FRNs are due in December 2003. The proceeds were used to reduce short-term borrowings. Ameren expects to fund maturities of long-term debt and contractual obligations through a combination of cash flow from operations and external financing. At December 31, 2002, neither Ameren Corporation, nor any of its subsidiaries, had any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, other than operating leases entered into the ordinary course of business. We do not expect to engage in any significant off-balance sheet financing arrangements in the near future. Amortization of debt issuance costs and any premium or discounts for the years ended December 31, 2002 of $8 million (2001 - $5 million; 2000 - $6 million) were included in interest expense in the income statement. AmerenUE In August 2002, a shelf registration statement filed by AmerenUE with the SEC on Form S-3 was declared effective. This statement authorized the offering from time to time of up to $750 million of various forms of long-term debt and trust preferred securities to refinance existing debt and preferred stock, and for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of short-term debt incurred to finance construction expenditures and other working capital needs. In August 2002, AmerenUE issued, pursuant to the shelf registration statement, $173 million of 5.25% Senior Secured Notes due September 1, 2012. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning March 1, 2003. Net proceeds were $172 million, after debt discount and fees. These senior secured notes are secured by a related series of AmerenUE's first mortgage bonds until the release date as described in the senior secured note indenture. Proceeds were used to redeem, in September 2002, AmerenUE's $125 million principal amount 8.75% first mortgage bonds due December 1, 2021 at a 4.38% premium and AmerenUE's $42 million $1.735 series preferred stock at par. We may sell all, or a portion of, the remaining registered securities under the shelf registration statement if warranted by market conditions and our capital requirements. Any offer and sale will be made only by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations thereunder. At December 31, 2002, the amount remaining on the shelf registration statement was $577 million. In December 2002, upon receipt of all the necessary federal and state regulatory approvals, AmerenUE, pursuant to Missouri economic development statutes, conveyed most of its Peno Creek combustion turbine generating facility to the City of Bowling Green, Missouri in exchange for the issuance by the City of a taxable industrial development revenue bond in the amount of $103.4 million. Concurrently, the City leased back the facility to AmerenUE for a term of 20 years. The lease term is the same as the final maturity of the bond purchased by AmerenUE. While the lease is a capital lease, no capital was raised in the transaction. AmerenUE is responsible for making rental payments under the lease in an amount sufficient to pay the debt service of the bond. The City's ownership of the facility during the term of the bond and the lease is expected to result in property tax savings to AmerenUE. Under the terms of the lease, AmerenUE retains all operation and maintenance responsibilities for the facility and ownership of the facility is returned to AmerenUE at the expiration of the lease. Generating Company In June 2002, Generating Company issued $275 million of 7.95% Senior Notes, Series E, due 2032 (Series E Notes) in a private placement to qualified investors under Rule 144A. Interest is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning December 1, 2002. Generating Company received 52 net proceeds of $271 million, after debt discount and fees, that were used to reduce short-term borrowings incurred to finance previous generating capacity additions and for general corporate purposes. In January 2003, all note holders completed an exchange of the privately placed notes for new Series F Notes, which are identical in all material respects to the Series E Notes, except that the new series of notes were registered with the SEC and do not contain transfer restrictions. Generating Company's senior note indenture includes provisions that require it to maintain a senior debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.75 to 1 (for both the prior four fiscal quarters and for the next succeeding four, six-month periods) in order to pay dividends to Ameren or to make payments of principal or interest under certain subordinate indebtedness excluding amounts payable under an intercompany note payable with AmerenCIPS. For the four quarters ending December 31, 2002, this ratio was 4.10 to 1. In addition, the indenture also restricts Generating Company from incurring any additional indebtedness, with the exception of certain permitted indebtedness as defined in the indenture, unless its senior debt service coverage ratio equals at least 2.5 to 1 for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters and its senior debt to total capital ratio would not exceed 60%, both after giving effect to the additional indebtedness on a pro-forma basis. This debt incurrence requirement is disregarded in the event certain rating agencies reaffirm the ratings of Generating Company after considering the additional indebtedness. As of December 31, 2002, Generating Company's senior debt to total capital was 55%. In November 2000, Generating Company issued $225 million of 7.75% Senior Notes, Series A due 2005 and $200 million principal amount 8.35% Senior Notes, Series B due 2010 in a private placement to qualified investors under Rule 144A. In 2001, all holders completed an exchange of the privately placed Series A or B Notes for respective new Series C and D Notes, which are identical in all material respects, except that the new series of notes do not contain transfer restrictions. Proceeds were used to reduce short-term borrowings incurred in conjunction with the construction of combustion turbine generating facilities, for the construction of subsequent combustion turbine facilities, and for funding working capital and other capital expenditure needs. AmerenCIPS In May 2001, a shelf registration statement filed by AmerenCIPS with the SEC on Form S-3 was declared effective. This registration statement enables AmerenCIPS to offer from time to time senior notes in one or more series with an offering price not to exceed $250 million. In June 2001, AmerenCIPS issued $150 million of senior notes due June 2011 with an interest rate of 6.625%. Until the release date as described in the senior secured note indenture, the senior notes will be secured by a related series of AmerenCIPS' first mortgage bonds. The proceeds of these senior notes were used to repay short-term debt and first mortgage bonds maturing in June 2001. At December 31, 2002, the amount remaining on the shelf registration statement was $100 million. NOTE 9 - VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT AND OTHER RESTRUCTURING CHARGES Voluntary retirement and other restructuring charges were $92 million in 2002 or $58 million, net of taxes. In December 2002, approximately 550 employees accepted a voluntary retirement program that was offered to approximately 1,000 of our 7,400 employees. Eligible employees had to be age 50 or over, regular, full-time employees and have at least 10 years of service with Ameren. While we expect to realize significant long-term savings as a result of this program, we incurred a pretax charge of $75 million ($47 million, net of taxes) in December 2002 related to the voluntary retirement program. These costs consisted primarily of special termination benefits associated with our pension and post-retirement benefit plans. In December 2002, we also retired 343 megawatts of rate-regulated capacity at AmerenUE's Venice, Illinois plant and announced that we were temporarily suspending operation of two coal-fired generating units at Generating Company's Meredosia, Illinois plant, representing 126 megawatts of non rate-regulated power generation capacity. The capacity reductions and related severance charges resulted in a charge of $17 million ($11 million, net of taxes) in December 2002. WWW.AMEREN.COM 53 NOTE 10 - MISCELLANEOUS, NET Miscellaneous, net for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 consisted of the following:
2002 2001 2000 ---- ---- ---- MISCELLANEOUS INCOME: Interest and dividend income $ 8 $ 4 $ 8 Gain on disposition of property 3 5 2 Contribution in aid of construction -- 7 -- Other 4 6 4 ---- ---- ---- TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS INCOME $ 15 $ 22 $ 14 ==== ==== ==== MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE: Minority interest in EEI $(14) $ (4) $ (4) Loss on disposition of property -- (2) (1) Donations, including 2002 rate settlement (26) (1) (6) Other (10) (9) (10) ---- ---- ---- TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE $(50) $(16) $(21) ==== ==== ====
NOTE 11 - INCOME TAXES Total income tax expense for 2002 resulted in an effective tax rate of 38% on earnings before income taxes (39% in 2001 and 2000). The principal reasons such rates differ from the statutory federal rate for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 were as follows:
2002 2001 2000 ---- ---- ---- STATUTORY FEDERAL INCOME TAX RATE: 35% 35% 35% Increases (decreases) from: Depreciation differences 2 2 2 State tax 3 3 3 Other (2) (1) (1) ---- ---- ---- EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE 38% 39% 39% ==== ==== ====
Components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 were as follows:
2002 2001 2000 ----- ----- ----- TAXES CURRENTLY PAYABLE (PRINCIPALLY FEDERAL): Included in operating expenses $ 185 $ 280 $ 307 Included in other income (13) 5 (3) ----- ----- ----- 172 285 304 DEFERRED TAXES (PRINCIPALLY FEDERAL): Included in operating expenses: Depreciation differences 83 9 (5) Other (9) 19 7 Included in other income -- -- -- ----- ----- ----- 74 28 2 DEFERRED INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS, AMORTIZATION: Included in operating expenses (9) (8) (8) ----- ----- ----- TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE $ 237 $ 305 $ 298 ===== ===== =====
In accordance with SFAS 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," a regulatory asset, representing the probable recovery from customers of future income taxes, which is expected to occur when temporary differences reverse, was recorded along with a corresponding deferred tax liability. Also, a regulatory liability, recognizing the lower expected revenue resulting from reduced income taxes associated with amortizing accumulated deferred investment tax credits was recorded. Investment tax credits have been deferred and will continue to be credited to income over the lives of the related property. We adjust our deferred tax liabilities for changes enacted in tax laws or rates. Recognizing that regulators will probably reduce future revenues for deferred tax liabilities initially recorded at rates in excess of the current statutory rate, reductions in the deferred tax liability were credited to the regulatory liability. Temporary differences gave rise to the following deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000:
2002 2001 ------- ------- ACCUMULATED DEFERRED INCOME TAXES: Depreciation $ 1,161 $ 1,040 Regulatory assets, net 405 434 Capitalized taxes and expenses 237 184 Deferred benefit costs (79) (68) Other (12) 31 ------- ------- TOTAL NET ACCUMULATED DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES $ 1,712 $ 1,621 ======= =======
NOTE 12 - RETIREMENT BENEFITS We have defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans covering substantially all employees of AmerenUE, AmerenCIPS and Ameren Services Company and certain employees of Resources Company and its subsidiaries. Pension Pension benefits are based on the employees' years of service and compensation. Our plans are funded in compliance with income tax regulations and federal funding requirements. We made cash contributions totaling $31 million to our defined benefit retirement plan during 2002. At December 31, 2002, we recorded a minimum pension liability of $102 million after taxes, which resulted in a charge to OCI and a reduction in stockholders' equity. Based on the performance of plan assets through December 31, 2002, we expect to be required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to fund $150 million to $175 million annually in 2005, 2006 and 2007 in order to maintain 54 minimum funding levels. These amounts are estimates and may change based on actual stock market performance, changes in interest rates, and any changes in government regulations. As mentioned in Note 9 - Voluntary Retirement and Other Restructuring Charges, approximately 550 employees accepted a voluntary retirement program in December 2002. Special termination benefits for 2002 included in the table below represent the enhanced improvement in benefits provided to the employees who voluntarily retired in December 2002. The funded status of Ameren's pension plan for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:
2002 2001 ------- ------- CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION: Net benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 1,418 $ 1,362 Service cost 33 32 Interest cost 103 100 Actuarial loss 64 14 Special termination benefits 65 -- Benefits paid (96) (90) ------- ------- Net benefit obligation at end of year $ 1,587 $ 1,418 ======= ======= CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:(a) Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 1,225 $ 1,359 Actual return on plan assets (101) (45) Employer contributions 31 1 Benefits paid (96) (90) ------- ------- Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 1,059 $ 1,225 ======= ======= Funded status - deficiency $ 528 $ 193 Unrecognized net actuarial loss (324) (33) Unrecognized prior service cost (68) (77) Unrecognized net transition asset 3 5 ------- ------- ACCRUED PENSION COST AT DECEMBER 31 $ 139 $ 88 ======= =======
(a) Plan assets consist principally of common stocks (60%) and fixed income securities (40%) AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET CONSIST OF: Accrued pension liability $ 377 $ 88 Intangible asset (74) -- Accumulated other comprehensive income (164) -- ------- ------- Accrued pension cost at December 31 $ 139 $ 88 ======= =======
Components of Ameren's net periodic pension benefit cost during 2002, 2001 and 2000 were as follows:
2002 2001 2000 ----- ----- ----- Service cost $ 33 $ 32 $ 30 Interest cost 103 100 98 Expected return on plan assets (114) (115) (110) Amortization of: Transition asset (1) (1) (1) Prior service cost 9 9 7 Actuarial gain (12) (21) (21) ----- ----- ----- NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST $ 18 $ 4 $ 3 ===== ===== ===== NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST, INCLUDING SPECIAL TERMINATION BENEFITS $ 83 $ 4 $ 3 ===== ===== =====
Pension costs were $18 million for 2002, $4 million for 2001, and $3 million for 2000 of which 16%, 16% and 21%,were charged to construction accounts, respectively. Assumptions for actuarial present value of projected benefit obligations during 2002, 2001, and 2000 were as follows:
2002 2001 2000 ------- ------- ------- Discount rate at measurement date 6.75% 7.25% 7.50% Expected return on plan assets 8.50% 8.50% 8.50% Increase in future compensation 3.75% 4.25% 4.50% ======= ======= =======
Post-Retirement Our funding policy for post-retirement benefits is to annually fund the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association trusts (VEBA) with the lesser of the net periodic cost or the amount deductible for federal income tax purposes. Post-retirement benefit costs were $74 million for 2002, $63 million for 2001 and $58 million for 2000 of which approximately 18%, 18%, and 17% were charged to construction accounts, respectively. Ameren's transition obligation at December 31, 2002 is being amortized over the next 12 years. The MoPSC and the ICC allow the recovery of post-retirement benefit costs in rates to the extent that such costs are funded. Plan amendments included in the table below represent a favorable change to our net benefit obligation and relate to increasing retiree premiums and placing limits on healthcare benefits. WWW.AMEREN.COM 55 The funded status of Ameren's post-retirement benefit plans at December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:
2002 2001 ----- ----- CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION: Net benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 701 $ 589 Service cost 26 23 Interest cost 51 47 Employee contributions 2 1 Plan amendments (186) -- Actuarial loss 211 80 Special termination benefits 8 -- Benefits paid (42) (39) ----- ----- Net benefit obligation at end of year $ 771 $ 701 ===== ===== CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:(a) Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 300 $ 290 Actual return on plan assets (26) (17) Employer contributions 74 65 Employee contributions 2 1 Benefits paid (41) (39) ----- ----- Fair value of plan assets at end of year 309 300 ===== ===== Funded status - deficiency 462 401 Unrecognized net actuarial loss (389) (134) Unrecognized prior service cost 47 2 Unrecognized net transition obligation (21) (180) ----- ----- POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT LIABILITY AT DECEMBER 31 $ 99 $ 89 ===== =====
(a) Plan assets consisted principally of common stocks (49%), bonds (38%) and money market instruments (13%). Components of Ameren's net periodic post-retirement benefit cost as of December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 were as follows:
2002 2001 2000 ---- ---- ---- Service cost $ 26 $ 23 $ 19 Interest cost 51 47 43 Expected return on plan assets (27) (25) (18) Amortization of: Transition obligation 16 16 16 Actuarial (gain)/loss 8 2 (2) ---- ---- ---- NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST $ 74 $ 63 $ 58 ==== ==== ==== NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST, INCLUDING SPECIAL TERMINATION BENEFITS $ 82 $ 63 $ 58 ==== ==== ====
Assumptions for the post-retirement benefit plan obligation measurements for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 were as follows:
2002 2001 2000 ------- ------- ------- Discount rate at measurement date 6.75% 7.25% 7.50% Expected return on plan assets 8.50% 8.50% 8.50% Medical cost trend rate (initial) 10.00% 5.25% 5.00% Medical cost trend rate (ultimate) 5.25% 5.25% 5.00% ======= ======= =======
A 1% increase in the medical cost trend rate is estimated to increase the net periodic cost and the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation approximately $7 million and $53 million, respectively. A 1% decrease in the medical cost trend rate is estimated to decrease the net periodic cost and the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation approximately $6 million and $49 million, respectively. NOTE 13 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION We have a long-term incentive plan for eligible employees, which provides for the grant of options, performance awards, restricted stock, dividend equivalents and stock appreciation rights. We have not granted any stock options since December 31, 2000, but did grant restricted stock awards in 2002 and 2001 as a component of our compensation programs. We applied APB 25 in accounting for our stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000. Effective January 1, 2003, we adopted SFAS 123. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further information. Restricted Stock Restricted stock awards may be granted under our long-term incentive plan. Upon the achievement of certain performance levels, the restricted stock award vests over a period of seven years, beginning at the date of grant, and includes provisions requiring certain stock ownership levels based on position and salary. An accelerated vesting provision is also included in this plan which reduces the vesting period from seven years to three years. During 2002 and 2001, respectively, 154,678 and 141,788 restricted stock awards were granted. The weighted-average fair value for restricted stock awards granted in 2002 and 2001 was $42.50 and $39.60 per share, respectively. We record unearned compensation (as a component of stockholders' equity) equal to the market value of the restricted stock on the date of grant and charge the unearned compensation to expense over the vesting period. In accordance with SFAS 123, we recorded compensation expense relating to restricted 56 stock awards of approximately $2 million in 2002 (which includes accelerated expense of approximately $1 million related to our voluntary retirement program offered in 2002) and approximately $1 million in 2001. Stock Options Options may be granted at a price not less than the fair market value of the common shares at the date of grant. Granted options vest over a period of five years, beginning at the date of grant, and provide for accelerated exercising upon the occurrence of certain events, including retirement. Outstanding options expire on various dates through 2010. Subject to adjustment, four million shares have been authorized to be issued or delivered under our long-term incentive plan. In accordance with APB 25, no compensation expense was recognized related to our stock options for 2002, 2001 or 2000. The pretax effect of weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted would have been approximately $2 million in each of the years ended 2002, 2001 and 2000 had the fair value method under SFAS 123 been used for options. The fair value method will be used prospectively beginning January 1, 2003. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further information. The following table summarizes stock option activity during 2002, 2001 and 2000:
2002 --------------------- Weighted Average Exercise Shares Price --------- --------- Outstanding at beginning of year 2,241,107 $ 35.23 Granted -- -- Exercised 260,324 36.11 Cancelled or expired 3,330 43.00 --------- --------- OUTSTANDING AT END OF YEAR 1,977,453 $ 35.10 ========= ========= EXERCISABLE AT END OF YEAR 901,187 $ 36.97 ========= =========
2001 2000 --------------------- --------------------- Weighted Weighted Average Average Exercise Exercise Shares Price Shares Price --------- --------- --------- --------- Outstanding at beginning of year 2,430,532 $ 35.38 1,834,108 $ 38.22 Granted -- -- 957,100 31.00 Exercised 106,416 38.31 295,693 38.41 Cancelled or expired 83,009 35.77 64,983 37.38 --------- --------- --------- --------- OUTSTANDING AT END OF YEAR 2,241,107 $ 35.23 2,430,532 $ 35.38 ========= ========= ========= ========= EXERCISABLE AT END OF YEAR 572,092 $ 38.74 312,736 $ 39.58 ========= ========= ========= =========
The following table summarizes additional information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2002:
Outstanding Weighted Average Exercisable Exercise Price Shares Life (Years) Shares -------------- ----------- ---------------- ----------- $31.00 837,400 7.0 189,175 35.50 800 2.6 800 35.875 30,630 2.3 30,630 36.625 547,825 6.0 239,325 38.50 80,233 4.1 80,233 39.25 396,099 5.2 277,883 39.8125 5,300 5.5 3,975 43.00 79,166 3.0 79,166 =========== ================ ===========
The fair values of stock options were estimated using a binomial option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
Grant Risk-free Option Expected Expected Date Interest Rate Term Volatility Dividend Yield ------- ------------- -------- ---------- -------------- 2/11/00 6.81% 10 years 17.39% 6.61% 2/12/99 5.44% 10 years 18.80% 6.51% 6/16/98 5.63% 10 years 17.68% 6.55% 4/28/98 6.01% 10 years 17.63% 6.55% 2/10/97 5.70% 10 years 13.17% 6.53% 2/7/96 5.87% 10 years 13.67% 6.32% ============= ======== ========== ==============
NOTE 14 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES As a result of issues generated in the course of daily business, we are involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies, some of which involve substantial amounts of money. We believe that the final disposition of these proceedings, except as otherwise noted in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements, will not have an adverse material effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Capital Expenditures We estimate our capital expenditures over the next five years will be approximately $3 billion - $3.3 billion, including allowance for funds used during construction and capitalized interest, as well as AmerenCILCO. This estimate includes capital expenditures for the construction of new combustion turbine generating facilities and for the replacement of steam generators at our Callaway nuclear plant. In addition, this estimate includes capital expenditures for transmission, distribution and other generation related activities, as well as for compliance with new NO(x) (nitrogen oxide) control regulations, as discussed later in this Note. Commitments of $2.25 billion to $2.75 billion were agreed upon in relation to AmerenUE's recent Missouri electric rate case settlement WWW.AMEREN.COM 57 and to meet future rate-regulated generating capacity needs from January 1, 2002 through June 30, 2006. Our capital program is subject to periodic review and revision, and actual capital costs may vary from the above estimate because of numerous factors. These factors include changes in business conditions, acquisition of additional generating assets, revised load growth estimates, changes in environmental regulations, changes in our existing nuclear plant to meet new regulatory requirements, increasing costs of labor, equipment and materials, and cost of capital. We intend to transfer at net book value approximately 550 megawatts (approximately $260 million) of generating capacity from our non rate-regulated subsidiary, Generating Company, to our rate-regulated subsidiary, AmerenUE, to comply with AmerenUE's recent Missouri electric rate case settlement and to meet future rate-regulated generating capacity needs. In addition, we intend to replace our retired 343 megawatts of rate-regulated capacity at AmerenUE's Venice, Illinois plant (see Note 9 - Voluntary Retirement and Other Restructuring Charges for further information) with the addition of 117 megawatts of capacity by 2005 and at least 330 megawatts of capacity by 2006 at Venice. Total costs expected to be incurred for these units approximate $175 million of which approximately $100 million was committed as of December 31, 2002. Fuel Purchase Commitments To supply a portion of the fuel requirements of our generating plants, we have entered into various long-term commitments for the procurement of fossil and nuclear fuel. In addition, we have entered into various long-term commitments for the purchase of electricity. Total estimated fuel purchase commitments at December 31, 2002 were as follows:
Electric Coal Gas Nuclear Capacity -------- -------- -------- -------- 2003 $ 590 $ 81 $ 9 $ 35 2004 515 47 1 35 2005 307 44 9 33 2006 178 16 9 33 2007 107 2 1 33 Thereafter 253 4 20 107 -------- -------- -------- -------- TOTAL $ 1,950 $ 194 $ 49 $ 276 ======== ======== ======== ========
Nuclear Plant Insurance Coverage Our insurance coverage at AmerenUE's Callaway nuclear plant at December 31, 2002, was as follows:
Maximum Assessments Maximum for Single Coverages Incidents ----------- ----------- TYPE AND SOURCE OF COVERAGE - PUBLIC LIABILITY: American Nuclear Insurers $ 200 $ -- Pool Participation 9,250 88(a) ----------- ----------- $ 9,450(b) $ 88 NUCLEAR WORKER LIABILITY: American Nuclear Insurers $ 300(c) $ 4 PROPERTY DAMAGE: Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd. $ 2,750(d) $ 21 REPLACEMENT POWER: Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd. $ 490(e) $ 7 =========== ===========
(a) Retrospective premium under the Price-Anderson liability provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (Price-Anderson). This is subject to retrospective assessment with respect to loss from an incident at any U.S. reactor, payable at $10 million per year. Price-Anderson expired in August 2002 and renewal legislation is pending before Congress. Until Price-Anderson is extended, its provisions continue to apply to existing nuclear plants. (b) Limit of liability for each incident under Price-Anderson. (c) Industry limit for potential liability from workers claiming exposure to the hazard of nuclear radiation. (d) Includes premature decommissioning costs. (e) Weekly indemnity of $3.5 million for 52 weeks, which commences after the first 8 weeks of an outage, plus $2.8 million per week for 110 weeks thereafter. Price-Anderson limits the liability for claims from an incident involving any licensed U.S. nuclear facility. The limit is based on the number of licensed reactors and is adjusted at least every five years based on the Consumer Price Index. Utilities owning a nuclear reactor cover this exposure through a combination of private insurance and mandatory participation in a financial protection pool, as established by Price-Anderson. If losses from a nuclear incident at Callaway exceed the limits of, or are not subject to, insurance, or if coverage is not available, we self-insure the risk. Although we have no reason to anticipate a serious nuclear incident, if one did occur, it could have a material, but indeterminable, adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. 58 Leases The following table summarizes our lease obligations at December 31, 2002:
Less After Than 1 1-3 4-5 5 Total Year Years Years Years ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Capital leases(a) $ 216 $ 31 $ 70 $ 30 $ 85 Operating leases(b) 171 22 35 26 88 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ TOTAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS $ 387 $ 53 $ 105 $ 56 $ 173 ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
(a) See Note 5 - Nuclear Fuel Lease and Note 8 - Long-Term Debt and Capitalization for further discussion. (b) Amounts related to certain real estate leases and railroad licenses have indefinite payment periods. The amounts for these items are included in the less than 1 year, 1-3 years and 4-5 years. Amounts for after 5 years are not included in the total amount due to the indefinite periods. The estimated obligation for after 5 years is $1 million annually for both the real estate leases and the railroad licenses. Ameren leases various facilities, office equipment, plant equipment and railcars under operating leases. We also have capital leases relating to nuclear fuel and combustion turbine generators. As of December 31, 2002, rental expense, included in Other Operations and Maintenance expenses, totaled approximately $21 million (2001 - $22 million; 2000 - $34 million). See Note 5 - Nuclear Fuel Lease and Note 8 - Long-Term Debt and Capitalization for further information. Environmental Matters We are subject to various environmental regulations by federal, state, and local authorities. From the beginning phases of siting and development, to the ongoing operation of existing or new electric generating, transmission, and distribution facilities, our activities involve compliance with diverse laws and regulations that address emissions and impacts to air and water, special, protected, and cultural resources (such as wetlands, endangered species, and archeological/historical resources), chemical and waste handling, and noise impacts. Our activities require complex and often lengthy processes to obtain approvals, permits, or licenses for new, existing, or modified facilities. Additionally, the use and handling of various chemicals or hazardous materials (including wastes) requires preparation of release prevention plans and emergency response procedures. As new laws or regulations are promulgated, we assess their applicability and implement the necessary modifications to our facilities or their operations, as required. The more significant matters are discussed below. CLEAN AIR ACT The Clean Air Act affects both existing generating facilities and new projects. The Clean Air Act and many state laws require significant reductions in SO2 (sulfur dioxide) and NO(x) emissions that result from burning fossil fuels. The Clean Air Act also contains other provisions that could materially affect some of our projects. Various provisions require permits, inspections, or installation of additional pollution control technology or may require the purchase of emission allowances. Certain of these provisions are described in more detail below. The Clean Air Act creates a marketable commodity called an SO2 "allowance." All generating facilities over 25 megawatts that emit SO2 must obtain allowances in order to operate after 1999. Each allowance gives the owner the right to emit one ton of SO2. All existing generating facilities have been allocated allowances based on a facility's past production and the statutory emission reduction goals. If additional allowances are needed for new generating facilities, they can be purchased from facilities having excess allowances or from SO2 allowance banks. Our generating facilities comply with the SO2 allowance caps through the purchase of allowances or use of low sulfur fuels. The additional costs of obtaining allowances needed for future generation projects should not materially affect our ability to build, acquire, and operate them. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule in October 1998 requiring 22 Eastern states and the District of Columbia to reduce emissions of NO(x) in order to reduce ozone in the Eastern United States. Among other things, the EPA's rule establishes an ozone season, which runs from May through September, and a NO(x) emission budget for each state, including Illinois. The EPA rule requires states to implement controls sufficient to meet their NO(x) budget by May 31, 2004. As a result of these state requirements, Generating Company estimates spending an additional $40 million for pollution control capital expenditures and NO(x) credits by 2006. In February 2002, the EPA proposed similar rules for Missouri where the majority of AmerenUE's facilities are located. Assuming the Missouri rules are ultimately finalized, AmerenUE estimates spending approximately $170 million to comply with these rules for NO(x) control on the AmerenUE generating system by 2006. In summary, we currently estimate our future capital expenditures to comply with the final NO(x) regulations could range from $200 million to $250 million. This estimate includes the assumption that the regulations will require the installation of Selective Catalytic Reduction technology on some of our units, as well as additional controls. Under both Illinois and Missouri regulatory programs, Generating Company and AmerenUE have applied for Early Reduction NO(x) credits which would allow them to manage compliance strategies by either purchasing WWW.AMEREN.COM 59 NO(x) control equipment or utilizing credits. Generating Company and AmerenUE are eligible for such credits due to the current low NO(x) emission rates achieved on some of their boilers due to past NO(x) control efforts. On December 31, 2002, the EPA published in the Federal Register revisions to the New Source Review (NSR) programs under the Clean Air Act, including changes to the routine maintenance, repair and replacement exclusions. Various Northeastern states have filed a petition with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the legality of the revisions to the NSR programs. It is likely that various industries and environmental groups will seek to intervene in that challenge. At this time, we are unable to predict the impact of this challenge on our future financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS In July 1997, the EPA issued regulations revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and particulate matter. The standards were challenged by industry and some states, and arguments were eventually heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. In February 2001, the Supreme Court upheld the standards in large part, but remanded a number of significant implementation issues back to the EPA for resolution. The EPA is currently working on a new rulemaking to address the issues raised by the Supreme Court. New ambient standards may require significant additional reductions in SO2 and NO(x) emissions from our power plants by 2008. At this time, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact of these revised air quality standards on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity. MERCURY AND REGIONAL HAZE REGULATIONS In December 1999, the EPA issued a decision to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2008. The EPA is scheduled to propose regulations by 2004. These regulations have the potential to add significant capital and/or operating costs to the Ameren generating systems after 2005. The EPA is scheduled to issue Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) guidelines to address visibility impairment (so called "Regional Haze") across the United States from sources of air pollution, including coal-fired power plants. The guidelines are to be used by states to mandate pollution control measures for SO2 and NO(x) emissions. These rules could also add significant pollution control costs to the Ameren generating systems between 2008 and 2012. MULTI-POLLUTANT LEGISLATION The United States Congress has been working on legislation to consolidate the numerous air pollution regulations facing the utility industry. This "multi-pollutant" legislation is expected to be deliberated in Congress in 2003. While the cost to comply with such legislation, if enacted, could be significant, it is anticipated that the costs would be less than the combined impact of the new National Ambient Air Quality Standards, mercury and Regional Haze regulations, discussed above. Pollution control costs under such legislation are expected to be incurred in phases from 2007 through 2015. At this time, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact of the above expected regulations and this legislation on our future financial position, results of operations, or liquidity; however, the impact could be material. Future initiatives regarding greenhouse gas emissions and global warming continue to be the subject of much debate. The related Kyoto Protocol was signed by the United States but has since been rejected by the President, who instead has asked for an 18% decrease in carbon intensity on a voluntary basis. Future initiatives on this issue and the ultimate effects of the Kyoto Protocol and the President's initiatives on us are unknown. As a result of our diverse fuel portfolio, our contribution to greenhouse gases varies. Coal-fired power plants, however, are significant sources of carbon dioxide emissions, a principal greenhouse gas. Therefore, our compliance costs with any mandated federal greenhouse gas reductions in the future could be material. CLEAN WATER ACT In April 2002, the EPA proposed rules under the Clean Water Act that require that cooling water intake structures reflect the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impacts. These rules pertain to existing generating facilities that currently employ a cooling water intake structure whose flow exceeds 50 million gallons per day. A final action on the proposed rules is expected by August 2003. The proposed rule may require us to install additional intake screens or other protective measures, as well as extensive site specific study and monitoring requirements. There is also the possibility that the proposed rules may lead to the installation of cooling towers on some of our facilities. Our compliance costs associated with the final rules are unknown, but could be material. REMEDIATION We are involved in a number of remediation actions to clean up hazardous waste sites as required by federal and state law. Such statutes require that responsible parties fund remediation actions regardless of fault, legality of original disposal, or ownership of a disposal site. AmerenUE and AmerenCIPS have been identified 60 by the federal or state governments as a potentially responsible party (PRP) at several contaminated sites. We own or are otherwise responsible for 14 former manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites in Illinois. The ICC permits the recovery of remediation and litigation costs associated with certain former MGP sites located in Illinois from our Illinois electric and natural gas utility customers through environmental adjustment rate riders. To be recoverable, such costs must be prudently and properly incurred and are subject to annual reconciliation review by the ICC. Through December 31, 2002, the total costs deferred, net of recoveries from insurers and through environmental adjustment rate riders, were $26 million. In addition, we own or are otherwise responsible for 10 MGP sites in Missouri and one in Iowa. Unlike Illinois, we do not have in effect in Missouri a rate rider mechanism which permits remediation costs associated with MGP sites to be recovered from utility customers, and we do not have any retail utility operations in Iowa. In June 2000, the EPA notified AmerenUE and numerous other companies that former landfills and lagoons in Sauget, Illinois, may contain soil and groundwater contamination. These sites are known as Sauget Area 1 and Sauget Area 2. From approximately 1926 until 1976, AmerenUE operated a power generating facility adjacent to Sauget Area 2 and currently owns and operates electric transmission and distribution facilities in or near Sauget Areas 1 and 2. In September 2000, the United States Department of Justice was granted leave by the United States District Court - Southern District of Illinois to add numerous additional parties, including AmerenUE, to a preexisting lawsuit between the government and others. The government seeks recovery of response costs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA or Superfund), incurred in connection with the remediation of Sauget Area 1. We believe the final resolution of this lawsuit and the remediation of Sauget Area 1 will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In September 2001, the EPA proposed in the Federal Register that Sauget Area 1 and Sauget Area 2 be listed on the National Priorities List (NPL). The inclusion of a site on the NPL allows the EPA to access Superfund trust monies to fund site remediations. With respect to Sauget Area 2, AmerenUE has joined with other PRPs to evaluate the extent of potential contamination. We are unable to predict the ultimate impact of the Sauget Area 2 site on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In October 2002, AmerenUE was included in a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) list of potentially liable parties for groundwater contamination for a portion of the Sauget Area 2 site. The UAO encompasses the groundwater contamination releasing to the Mississippi River adjacent to a chemical company's former chemical waste landfill and the resulting impact area in the Mississippi River. AmerenUE is being asked to participate in response activities that involve the installation of a barrier wall with three recovery wells. The projected cost for this remedy method is $26 million. In November 2002, AmerenUE sent a letter to the EPA asserting its defenses to the UAO and requested its removal from the list of potentially responsible parties under the UAO. In addition, our operations, or that of our predecessor companies, involve the use, disposal and, in appropriate circumstances, the cleanup of substances regulated under environmental protection laws. We are unable to determine the impact these actions may have on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Labor Agreements Certain employees of Ameren are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). These employees comprise approximately 63% of our workforce. Labor agreements covering 7% of the employees extend through 2006. Labor agreements covering most of the remaining employees represented by IBEW and IUOE expire by June 2003. We cannot predict what issues may be raised by the collective bargaining units and, if raised, whether negotiations concerning such issues will be successfully concluded. Asbestos-Related Litigation Ameren, AmerenCIPS and AmerenUE have been named, along with numerous other parties, in a number of lawsuits which have been filed by certain plaintiffs claiming varying degrees of injury from asbestos exposure. Most have been filed in the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois. The number of total defendants named in each case is significant with as many as 110 parties named in a case to as few as six. However, the average number of parties is 54 in the cases that are currently pending. The claims filed against Ameren, AmerenCIPS and AmerenUE allege injury from asbestos exposure during the plaintiffs' activities at our electric generating plants (in the case of AmerenCIPS, its former plants are now owned by Generating Company). In each lawsuit, the plaintiff seeks unspecified damages in excess of WWW.AMEREN.COM 61 $50,000, which typically would be shared among the named defendants. A total of 121 such lawsuits have been filed against Ameren, AmerenCIPS and AmerenUE of which 45 are pending, 14 have been settled and 62 have been dismissed. Regulation Regulatory changes enacted and being considered at the federal and state levels continue to change the structure of the utility industry and utility regulation, as well as encourage increased competition. At this time, we are unable to predict the impact of these changes on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity. See Note 2 - Rate and Regulatory Matters for further information. NOTE 15 - CALLAWAY NUCLEAR PLANT Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for the permanent storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. The DOE currently charges one mill, or 1/10 of one cent, per nuclear-generated kilowatthour sold for future disposal of spent fuel. Pursuant to this Act, AmerenUE collects one mill from its customers for each kilowatthour of electricity that it generates from Callaway. Electric utility rates charged to customers provide for recovery of such costs. The DOE is not expected to have its permanent storage facility for spent fuel available until at least 2015. We have sufficient storage capacity at Callaway until 2020 and have the capability for additional storage capacity through the licensed life of the plant. The delayed availability of the DOE's disposal facility is not expected to adversely affect the continued operation of Callaway through its currently licensed life. Electric utility rates charged to customers provide for recovery of Callaway decommissioning costs over the life of the plant, based on an assumed 40-year life, ending with expiration of the plant's operating license in 2024. The Callaway site is assumed to be decommissioned based on immediate dismantlement method and removal from service. Decommissioning costs, including decontamination, dismantling and site restoration, are estimated to be $515 million in current year dollars and are expected to escalate approximately 4% per year through the end of decommissioning activity in 2033. Decommissioning costs are charged to depreciation expense over Callaway's service life and amounted to approximately $7 million in each of the years 2002, 2001 and 2000. Every three years, the MoPSC and ICC require AmerenUE to file updated cost studies for decommissioning Callaway, and electric rates may be adjusted at such times to reflect changed estimates. The latest studies were filed in 2002. Costs collected from customers are deposited in an external trust fund to provide for Callaway's decommissioning. Fund earnings are expected to average approximately 9.5% annually through the date of decommissioning. If the assumed return on trust assets is not earned, we believe it is probable that any such earnings deficiency will be recovered in rates. Trust fund earnings, net of expenses, appear on the consolidated balance sheet as increases in the nuclear decommissioning trust fund and in the accumulated provision for nuclear decommissioning. The FASB issued SFAS 143 (see Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further information), which will result in a change to Ameren's recognition, measurement, and classification of nuclear decommissioning costs. NOTE 16 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value: Cash and Temporary Investments/ Short-Term Borrowings The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. Marketable Securities The fair value is based on quoted market prices obtained from dealers or investment managers. Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund The fair value is estimated based on quoted market prices for securities. Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries The fair value is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. Long-Term Debt The fair value is estimated based on the quoted market prices for same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to Ameren for debt of comparable maturities. Derivative Financial Instruments Market prices used to determine fair value are based on management's estimates, which take into consideration factors like closing exchange prices, over-the-counter prices, and time value of money and volatility factors. All derivative financial instruments are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. 62 Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:
2002 2001 ------------------- ------------------- Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Amount Value Amount Value -------- -------- -------- -------- Long-term debt (including current portion) $ 3,772 $ 4,014 $ 2,974 $ 3,052 Preferred stock 193 170 235 207 ======== ======== ======== ========
We have investments in debt and equity securities that are held in trust funds for the purpose of funding the nuclear decommissioning of our Callaway site. See Note 15 - Callaway Nuclear Plant for further information. We have classified these investments in debt and equity securities as available for sale and have recorded all such investments at their fair market value at December 31, 2002 and 2001. Investments by the nuclear decommissioning trust funds are allocated 60% to 65% to equity securities with the balance invested in fixed income securities. Fixed income investments are limited to U.S. government or agency securities, municipal bonds or investment-grade corporate securities. The proceeds from the sale of investments were $141 million in 2002 (2001 - $230 million; 2000 - $61 million). Using the specific identification method to determine cost, the gross realized gains on those sales were approximately $35 million for 2002 (2001 - $4 million; 2000 - $1 million). Net realized and unrealized gains and losses are reflected in the accumulated provision for nuclear decommissioning on the consolidated balance sheet, which is consistent with the method we use to account for the decommissioning costs recovered in rates. Gains or losses on assets in the trusts could result in lower or higher funding requirements for decommissioning costs, which we believe would be reflected in electric rates paid by customers. Costs and fair values of investments in debt and equity securities in the nuclear decommissioning trust fund at December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:
2002 Gross Unrealized ------------- ------------------------------------------------- Security Type Cost Gain (Loss) Fair Value ------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Debt securities $ 57 $ 4 $ -- $ 61 Equity securities 89 17 -- 106 Cash equivalents 5 -- -- 5 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 151 $ 21 $ -- $ 172 ========== ========== ========== ==========
2001 Gross Unrealized ------------- ------------------------------------------------- Security Type Cost Gain (Loss) Fair Value ------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Debt securities $ 57 $ 2 $ -- $ 59 Equity securities 78 44 -- 122 Cash equivalents 6 -- -- 6 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 141 $ 46 $ -- $ 187 ========== ========== ========== ==========
The contractual maturities of investments in debt securities at December 31, 2002 were as follows:
Cost Fair Value ---------- ---------- Less than 5 years $ 22 $ 23 5 years to 10 years 20 21 Due after 10 years 15 17 ---------- ---------- $ 57 $ 61 ========== ==========
NOTE 17 - SEGMENT INFORMATION Ameren's principal business segment is comprised of the utility operating companies that provide electric and gas service in portions of Missouri and Illinois. The other reportable segment includes the nonutility subsidiaries, as well as our 60% interest in EEI. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Segment data includes intersegment revenues, as well as a charge allocating costs of administrative support services to each of the operating companies. These costs are accumulated in a separate subsidiary, Ameren Services Company, which provides a variety of support services to Ameren and its subsidiaries. We evaluate the performance of our segments and allocate resources to them, based on revenues, operating income and net income. The table below summarizes information about the reported revenues, net income, and total assets of Ameren for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000:
Utility Reconciling Operations Other Items Total ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- 2002 Revenues $ 4,279 $ 320 $ (758)(a) $ 3,841 Net income 364 18 -- 382 Total assets 11,476 224 (201) 11,499 =========== =========== =========== =========== 2001 Revenues $ 4,415 $ 248 $ (805)(a) $ 3,858 Net income 467 2 -- 469 Total assets 11,171 240 (1,010) 10,401 =========== =========== =========== =========== 2000 Revenues $ 4,119 $ 294 $ (557)(a) $ 3,856 Net income 457 -- -- 457 Total assets 10,777 287 (1,350) 9,714 =========== =========== =========== ===========
(a) Elimination of intercompany revenues. WWW.AMEREN.COM 63 Specified items included in segment profit/loss for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000:
Utility Reconciling Operations Other Items Total ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- 2002 Interest expense $ 239 $ 12 $ (32)(b) $ 219 Depreciation and amortization expense 401 14 16 431 Income tax expense 224 19 (6) 237 =========== =========== =========== =========== 2001 Interest expense $ 231 $ 11 $ (43)(b) $ 199 Depreciation and amortization expense 382 12 12 406 Income tax expense 299 7 (1) 305 =========== =========== =========== =========== 2000 Interest expense $ 205 $ 12 $ (37)(b) $ 180 Depreciation and amortization expense 360 13 10 383 Income tax expense 294 4 -- 298 =========== =========== =========== ===========
(b) Elimination of intercompany interest charges. Specified item related to segment assets as of December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000:
Utility Reconciling Operations Other Items Total ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- 2002 Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets $ 758 $ 3 $ 26 $ 787 =========== =========== =========== =========== 2001 Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets $ 1,058 $ 10 $ 34 $ 1,102 =========== =========== =========== =========== 2000 Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets $ 872 $ 45 $ 12 $ 929 =========== =========== =========== ===========
NOTE 18 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT On January 31, 2003, after receipt of the necessary regulatory agency approvals and clearance from the Department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, we completed our acquisition of all of the outstanding common stock of CILCORP Inc. from AES. CILCORP is the parent company of Peoria, Illinois-based Central Illinois Light Company, which operated as CILCO. With the acquisition, CILCO became an Ameren subsidiary, but remains a separate utility company, operating as AmerenCILCO. On February 4, 2003, we also completed our acquisition of AES Medina Valley Cogen (No. 4), LLC (Medina Valley) which indirectly owns a 40 megawatt, gas-fired electric generation plant. With the acquisition, Medina Valley became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resources Company, which we renamed as AmerenEnergy Medina Valley Cogen (No. 4), LLC. The CILCORP and AmerenEnergy Medina Valley Cogen (No. 4), LLC financial statements will be included in our consolidated financial statements effective with the January and February 2003 acquisition dates. We acquired CILCORP to complement our existing Illinois gas and electric operations. The purchase includes CILCO's rate-regulated electric and natural gas businesses in Illinois serving approximately 200,000 and 205,000 customers, respectively, of which approximately 150,000 are combination electric and gas customers. CILCO's service territory is contiguous to our service territory. In addition, the purchase includes approximately 1,200 megawatts of largely coal-fired generating capacity, most of which is expected to become non rate-regulated in 2003. The total purchase price was approximately $1.4 billion and included the assumption of CILCORP and Medina Valley debt and preferred stock at closing of approximately $900 million, with the balance of the purchase price of approximately $500 million paid with cash on hand. The purchase price is subject to certain adjustments for working capital and other changes pending the finalization of CILCORP's closing balance sheet. The cash component of the purchase price came from Ameren's issuances in September 2002 of 8.05 million common shares and in early 2003 of 6.325 million shares of common stock which generated aggregate net proceeds of $575 million. For the year ended December 31, 2002, CILCORP had revenues of $782 million, operating income of $109 million, and net income from continuing operations of $31 million, and as of December 31, 2002, had total assets of $1.9 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2001, CILCORP had revenues of $815 million, operating income of $126 million, and net income from continuing operations of $28 million, and as of December 31, 2001 had total assets of $1.8 billion. These results may not be the same when consolidated with Ameren. (All amounts in this paragraph are unaudited.) 64