10-Q 1 casecnan10q63008.htm CE CASECNAN WATER AND ENERGY COMPANY, INC. FORM 10-Q casecnan10q63008.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[x] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008

or

[  ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ________to_______

Commission File No. 001-12995

CE CASECNAN WATER AND ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Philippines
 
Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
24th Floor, 6750 Building, Ayala Avenue
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
 
Not Applicable
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
011 63 2 892-0276
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  T  No  *

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  *
Accelerated filer  *
Non-accelerated filer  T
Smaller reporting company  *

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  *  No  T

All of the shares of common equity of CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc. are privately held by a limited group of investors. As of July 25, 2008, the number of outstanding shares of $0.038 par value common stock was 767,162.

 
 

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS





 

 


 
Item 1.  Financial Statements

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc.


We have reviewed the accompanying balance sheet of CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc. (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2008, and the related statements of operations for each of the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical review procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related statements of operations, of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 27, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ Isla Lipana & Co.

ISLA LIPANA & CO.
A PricewaterhouseCoopers Member Firm
Makati City, Philippines
July 25, 2008

 
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CE CASECNAN WATER AND ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

   
As of
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
ASSETS
 
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 21,799     $ 31,083  
Restricted cash and investments
    23,068       22,414  
Trade receivable, net
    16,905       20,365  
Other current assets
    6,279       6,653  
Total current assets
    68,051       80,515  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    292,377       303,056  
Other investments
    6,921       7,503  
Long-term restricted cash and investments
    12,826       13,906  
Deferred income taxes
    5,618       5,198  
Bond issue costs, net
    381       539  
Total assets
  $ 386,174     $ 410,717  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
  $ 3,631     $ 5,171  
Dividends payable
    10,825       10,825  
Accrued interest
    3,119       7,801  
Income tax payable
    6,657       3,032  
Payable to affiliates
    2,597       2,480  
Notes payable
    7,115       39,200  
Current portion of long-term debt
    25,725       37,730  
Total current liabilities
    59,669       106,239  
                 
Deferred revenue
    5,529       1,768  
Long-term debt
    24,010       30,870  
Total liabilities
    89,208       138,877  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Common stock – 2,148,000 shares authorized, one Philippine peso
($0.038) par value; 767,162 shares issued and outstanding
    29       29  
Additional paid-in capital
    123,807       123,807  
Retained earnings
    174,211       148,004  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
    (1,081 )     -  
Total shareholders’ equity
    296,966       271,840  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 386,174     $ 410,717  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
4 

 
 
CE CASECNAN WATER AND ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)

   
Three-Month Periods
   
Six-Month Periods
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Revenue:
                       
Lease rentals and service contracts
  $ 28,757     $ 22,014     $ 57,651     $ 46,352  
 
Operating expenses:
                               
Depreciation
    5,440       5,401       10,842       10,807  
Plant operations and other operating expenses
    2,498       2,103       4,717       3,926  
Total operating expenses
    7,938       7,504       15,559       14,733  
                                 
Operating income
    20,819       14,510       42,092       31,619  
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense
    (2,401 )     (4,381 )     (5,503 )     (9,031 )
Interest income
    455       671       1,117       1,532  
Other, net
    1,280       900       2,217       1,880  
Total other income (expense)
    (666 )     (2,810 )     (2,169 )     (5,619 )
                                 
Income before income tax expense
    20,153       11,700       39,923       26,000  
                                 
Income tax expense
    6,807       558       13,716       1,184  
                                 
Net income
  $ 13,346     $ 11,142     $ 26,207     $ 24,816  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

CE CASECNAN WATER AND ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008 AND 2007
(Amounts in thousands)

                     
Accumulated
       
         
Additional
         
Other
       
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Loss, net
   
Total
 
                               
Balance, January 1, 2007
  $ 29     $ 123,807     $ 69,465     $ -     $ 193,301  
Net income
    -       -       24,816       -       24,816  
Balance, June 30, 2007
  $ 29     $ 123,807     $ 94,281     $ -     $ 218,117  
                                         
Balance, January 1, 2008
  $ 29     $ 123,807     $ 148,004     $ -     $ 271,840  
Net income
    -       -       26,207       -       26,207  
Other comprehensive loss
    -       -       -       (1,081 )     (1,081 )
Balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 29     $ 123,807     $ 174,211     $ (1,081 )   $ 296,966  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 

 
 
CE CASECNAN WATER AND ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)

   
Six-Month Periods
 
   
Ended June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 26,207     $ 24,816  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operations:
               
Depreciation
    10,842       10,807  
Amortization of bond issue costs
    158       259  
Provision for deferred income taxes
    161       -  
Changes in other items:
               
Trade receivable, net
    3,460       (500 )
Other current assets
    374       658  
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
    (1,540 )     (416 )
Accrued interest
    (4,682 )     219  
Income tax payable
    3,625       (91 )
Deferred revenue
    3,761       3,761  
Net cash flows from operating activities
    42,366       39,513  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (163 )     (155 )
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    -       (37,500 )
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
    -       30,000  
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments for debt service
obligations and dividends payable
    (654 )     25,576  
Net cash flows from investing activities
    (817 )     17,921  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Increase (decrease) in payable to affiliates
    117       (38,857 )
Repayment of long-term debt
    (18,865 )     (18,865 )
Repayment of notes payable
    (32,085 )     -  
Dividends paid
    -       (21,650 )
Net cash flows from financing activities
    (50,833 )     (79,372 )
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (9,284 )     (21,938 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    31,083       31,946  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 21,799     $ 10,008  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
  7

 
 
CE CASECNAN WATER AND ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

(1)
General

CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc. (“CE Casecnan” or the “Company”) has a contract with the Republic of the Philippines (“ROP”), through the Philippine National Irrigation Administration (“NIA”) (a ROP-owned and controlled corporation), for the development and construction of a hydroelectric power plant and related facilities under a build-own-operate-transfer agreement, as amended by the Supplemental Agreement dated September 29, 2003 (“Project Agreement”), covering a 20-year cooperation period (“Cooperation Period”) commencing December 11, 2001, with “take-or-pay” obligations for water and electricity. At the end of the Cooperation Period, the combined irrigation and 150 megawatt hydroelectric power generation project (the “Casecnan Project”) will be transferred to the ROP at no cost on an “as is” basis. The ROP also signed a Performance Undertaking, which, among others, affirms and guarantees the obligations of NIA under the Project Agreement.

Under the terms of its registration with the Philippine Board of Investments, the Company was entitled to certain incentives which include an income tax holiday for six years from the start of commercial operations. The registration also requires, among others, the maintenance of a debt-to-equity ratio not exceeding 75:25 during commercial operations. The income tax holiday expired on December 11, 2007. The Company’s taxable income from December 11, 2007 forward is subject to income tax at the Philippine statutory rate.

The Casecnan Project is dependent upon sufficient rainfall to generate electricity and deliver water. The seasonality of rainfall patterns and the variability of rainfall from year to year, all of which are outside the control of the Company, have a material impact on the amounts of electricity generated and water delivered by the Casecnan Project. Rainfall has historically been highest from June through December and lowest from January through May. The contractual terms for water delivery fees and variable energy fees can produce significant variability in revenue between reporting periods.

The Company’s operations are in one reportable segment, the water delivery and electricity generation industry.

The unaudited Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. Management believes the unaudited Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements as of June 30, 2008, and for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Gross purchases and sales of available-for-sale securities were presented in the Statement of Cash Flows under investing activities in 2007 to conform to the 2008 presentation. Such revisions in presentation did not impact previously reported net cash flows from investing activities, operating income, net income or retained earnings. The results of operations for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The preparation of the unaudited Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing the unaudited Financial Statements. Note 2 of Notes to Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, describes the most significant accounting estimates and policies used in the preparation of the Financial Statements. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s assumptions regarding significant accounting policies during the first six months of 2008.

 

 
 
(2)   New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to elect to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 159, an entity may elect the fair value option for eligible items that exist at the adoption date. Subsequent to the initial adoption, the election of the fair value option may only be made at initial recognition of the asset or liability or upon a remeasurement event that gives rise to new-basis accounting. The decision about whether to elect the fair value option is applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis, is irrevocable and is applied only to an entire instrument and not only to specified risks, cash flows or portions of that instrument. SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value nor does it eliminate disclosure requirements included in other accounting standards. The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 effective January 1, 2008, and did not elect the fair value option for any existing eligible items.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not impose fair value measurements on items not already accounted for at fair value; rather it applies, with certain exceptions, to other accounting pronouncements that either require or permit fair value measurements. Under SFAS No. 157, fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market. The standard clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP FAS 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on a recurring basis effective January 1, 2008. The partial adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements. Refer to Note 7 for additional discussion.
 
(3)  Restricted Cash and Investments and Other Investments
      
Restricted cash and investments consist of the following (in thousands):

   
 June 30,
     December 31,  
   
2008
   
2007
 
Current:
           
Dividend set aside account
  $ 13,204     $ 13,054  
Debt service reserve fund
    9,864       9,360  
    $ 23,068     $ 22,414  
                 
Noncurrent - Debt service reserve fund
  $ 12,826     $ 13,906  

The dividend set aside account and the current debt service reserve fund are invested in U.S. dollar money-market instruments. The noncurrent debt service reserve fund is invested in auction rate securities that had a remaining maturity of 25 years and 26 years at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Other investments consist of auction rate securities with a carrying value of $6.9 million and $7.5 million at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, and had a remaining maturity of 17 years.

With the liquidity issues experienced in global credit and capital markets, the $21.4 million par value of auction rate securities held by the Company at June 30, 2008 have experienced multiple failed auctions as the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. The securities are rated A2 and Aa3 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA by Standard & Poor’s at June 30, 2008.
 
9

 
Although there is no current liquid market for the auction rate securities, the Company believes the underlying creditworthiness of the repayment sources for these securities’ principal and interest has not materially deteriorated. Further, the Company has the intent and ability to hold the auction rate securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery. At June 30, 2008, the pre-tax temporary impairment of the auction rate securities totaled $1.7 million. If the underlying assets and the guarantors of the auction rate securities experience credit deterioration, the Company may not ultimately realize the par value of the investment held at June 30, 2008.
 
Given the failed auctions, it is uncertain if the Company’s auction rate securities will be sold within the next twelve months. Accordingly, the Company’s investments in auction rate securities are classified as non-current on the Balance Sheets.

(4)
Income Taxes

The Company recognized income taxes totaling $6.8 million and $0.6 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $13.7 million and $1.2 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Prior to the December 11, 2007 expiration of the income tax holiday granted to the Company by the Philippine Board of Investments, income taxes were incurred only on interest income earned outside the Philippines and on other income not covered by the income tax holiday. The Company’s taxable income from December 11, 2007 forward is subject to income tax at the Philippine statutory rate. The Company’s deferred income tax asset of $5.6 million and $5.2 million as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, consists mainly of the difference between the financial reporting basis and the tax reporting basis for development and construction costs.
 
(5) Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of business, the Company transacts with its affiliates in the form of advances for operating expenses. The payable to affiliates was $2.6 million and $2.5 million at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Costs incurred by the Company in transactions with related parties amounted to $0.4 million and $0.7 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $0.8 million and $1.6 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and consist primarily of cost allocations.

As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding $7.1 million and $39.2 million, respectively, of unsecured subordinated notes payable to CE Casecnan Ltd., a shareholder. The notes mature on November 1, 2015, and bear an interest rate consisting of the London Interbank Offer Rate plus 5.25%; however, CE Casecnan Ltd. can demand payment of the outstanding principal amount at any time prior to the maturity date. The interest is payable each May 15 and November 15. Interest expense on the notes was $0.6 million and $1.4 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $1.6 million and $2.7 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Any overdue payment of principal or interest payable on the notes shall increase the annual interest rate by two percentage points. At June 30, 2008, the effective interest rate on the notes was 8.08%. The notes may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty but with accrued interest, if any. The notes and any and all payments, whether of principal, interest or otherwise are subject in all respects to the terms of the Subordination Agreement dated November 15, 2001, and as amended on November 1, 2005, between CE Casecnan Ltd. and the Company in favor of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the co-collateral agent, the Depositary, any party that becomes a Permitted Counterparty under an Interest Rate/Currency Protection Agreement, and any party that becomes a working capital facility agent and any other Person that becomes a secured party under the Intercreditor Agreement.

On May 15, 2007, CE Casecnan Ltd. demanded payment in full of the outstanding principal amount of the notes and accrued interest. To the extent that the Company does not have available cash from distributions from the Distribution Fund under the Depositary Agreement (each, as defined in the Subordination Agreement) to pay such amount in full, the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied this demand by paying, to the extent of such available cash, first accrued but unpaid interest on the outstanding principal amount of the notes, and then the outstanding principal amount of the notes. To the extent that such available cash is insufficient to pay any accrued interest or outstanding principal, the Company shall not be deemed in default and such amounts shall remain outstanding and payable pursuant to the terms of the notes and the Subordination Agreement. CE Casecnan intends to repay the outstanding notes and accrued interest within the next six months. The Company expects to generate sufficient cash from operations, after considering income taxes, to pay the notes and other short-term obligations.
 
10

 
(6)
Commitments and Contingencies

Shareholder Litigation

In February 2002, pursuant to the share ownership adjustment mechanism in the CE Casecnan shareholder agreement, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company’s (“MEHC”) indirect wholly owned subsidiary, CE Casecnan Ltd., advised the minority shareholder of the Company, LaPrairie Group Contractors (International) Ltd. (“LPG”) that MEHC’s indirect ownership interest in CE Casecnan had increased to 100% effective from commencement of commercial operations. On July 8, 2002, LPG filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, City and County of San Francisco, against CE Casecnan Ltd. and MEHC. On January 3, 2006, the Superior Court of the State of California entered a judgment in favor of LPG against CE Casecnan Ltd. Pursuant to the judgment, 15% of the distributions of the Company was deposited into escrow plus interest at 9% per annum. The judgment was appealed, and as a result of the appellate decision, CE Casecnan Ltd. determined that LPG would retain ownership of 10% of the shares of the Company, with the remaining 5% share to be transferred to CE Casecnan Ltd. subject to certain buy-up rights under the shareholder agreement, which are also being litigated. The remaining issues are fully briefed and pending before the court. Exercise of the buy-up rights is a transaction between shareholders and is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s results of operations.

On July 1, 2005, MEHC and CE Casecnan Ltd. commenced an action against San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Inc. (“San Lorenzo”) in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, seeking a declaratory judgment as to San Lorenzo’s right to repurchase shares in the Company. On January 30, 2006, San Lorenzo filed a counterclaim against MEHC and CE Casecnan Ltd. seeking declaratory relief that it has effectively exercised its option to purchase 15% of the shares of the Company, that it is the rightful owner of such shares and that it is due all dividends paid on such shares. Currently, the action is in the discovery phase, and a one-week trial has been set to begin November 3, 2008. The impact, if any, of this litigation on the Company cannot be determined at this time.

Concentration of Risk

NIA’s obligations under the Project Agreement are substantially denominated in U.S. Dollars and are the Company’s sole source of operating revenue. Because of the Company’s dependence on NIA, any material failure of NIA to fulfill its obligations under the Project Agreement and any material failure of the ROP to fulfill its obligations under the Performance Undertaking would significantly impair the ability of the Company to meet its existing and future obligations, including obligations pertaining to its outstanding debt. No shareholders, partners or affiliates of the Company, including MEHC, and no directors, officers or employees of the Company have guaranteed or will be in any way liable for payment of the Company’s obligations. As a result, payment of the Company’s obligations depends upon the availability of sufficient revenue from the Company’s business after the payment of operating expenses.

Franchise Tax

CE Casecnan received franchise tax assessments for the years 2001 to 2006 totaling $2.2 million from the Province of Nueva Vizcaya. CE Casecnan believes that franchise tax is imposed on companies which have a secondary or special franchise from the government. CE Casecnan is an independent power producer and does not have a government franchise. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 provides that independent power generation is not a public utility operation and does not require a franchise. Therefore, the Company has not recognized a liability relating to these assessments. CE Casecnan filed appeals of the assessments with the Regional Trial Court of Nueva Vizcaya. The appeals were referred to the Supreme Court Office of the Court Administrator who assigned the consolidated cases to the Regional Trial Court of Bayombong Vizcaya South Sector.
 
 
  11

 

Real Property Tax

On July 1, 2008, CE Casecnan received a real property tax assessment adjustment totaling $28.6 million from the province of Nueva Ecija and the municipality of Pantabangan for the years 2002 through the second quarter of 2008. On July 2, 2008, CE Casecnan forwarded the tax assessment adjustment to NIA and the Philippine Department of Finance (“DOF”), who must authorize any payment for real property taxes and are obligated to reimburse the Company pursuant to the Project Agreement.

National Wealth Tax

On July 17, 2008, CE Casecnan received an assessment totaling $4.1 million from the municipality of Alfonso Castaneda for a share of national wealth tax it claims is owed by the Company for the years from 2002 through 2007.  On July 22, 2008, CE Casecnan forwarded the assessment to NIA and the DOF, who are obligated to reimburse the Company pursuant to the Project Agreement.
 
(7)  Fair Value Measurements

The Company has auction rate securities that are measured at fair value in the Financial Statements. The Company uses a three level hierarchy for determining fair value and a financial asset or liability classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The auction rate securities were valued using Level 3 inputs that reflect the Company’s judgment about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset. The fair value of these securities was determined using broker quotes, which the Company considers to be Level 3 inputs due to the limited market data that exists. The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance of the Company’s auction rate securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 (in thousands):

       
Balance, January 1, 2008
  $ 21,409  
Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive loss
    (1,662 )
Balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 19,747  
 
(8)  Comprehensive Income and Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net

The components of comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):

   
Three-Month Periods
   
Six-Month Periods
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Net income
  $ 13,346     $ 11,142     $ 26,207     $ 24,816  
Other comprehensive income (loss) – unrealized gains
(losses) on marketable securities, net of tax of $55;
$-; $(581); and $-
    100       -       (1,081 )     -  
                                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 13,446     $ 11,142     $ 25,126     $ 24,816  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net is included in the Balance Sheets in the shareholders’ equity section, and consists of unrealized losses on marketable securities totaling $1.1 million, net of tax of $0.6 million, as of June 30, 2008.
 
 
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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors that have affected the financial condition and results of operations of CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc. (“CE Casecnan” or the “Company”) during the periods included herein. Explanations include management’s best estimate of the impact of weather and other factors. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s historical unaudited Financial Statements and the related notes included elsewhere in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. The Company’s actual results in the future could differ significantly from the historical results.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This report contains statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can typically be identified by the use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “could,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “intend,” “potential,” “plan,” “forecast” and similar terms. These statements are based upon the Company’s current intentions, assumptions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors. Many of these factors are outside the Company’s control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others:
 
  • changes in weather conditions that could affect operating revenue;
 
  • general economic, political and business conditions in the Philippines;
 
  • changes in governmental, legislative or regulatory requirements affecting the Company or the power generation industry;
 
  • availability of qualified personnel;
 
  • changes in financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and similar entities with regulatory oversight; and
 
  • other business or investment considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in filings with the SEC or in other publicly disseminated written documents.
 
Further details of the potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Company are described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including Item 1A and other discussions contained in this Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as exclusive.
 
Business
 
The Company has a contract with the Republic of the Philippines (“ROP”), through the Philippine National Irrigation Administration (“NIA”) (a ROP-owned and controlled corporation), for the development and construction of a hydroelectric power plant and related facilities under a build-own-operate-transfer agreement, as amended by the Supplemental Agreement dated September 29, 2003 (the “Project Agreement”), covering a 20-year cooperation period (“Cooperation Period”) commencing December 11, 2001, with “take-or-pay” obligations for water and electricity. On December 11, 2021, the end of the Cooperation Period, the combined irrigation and 150 megawatt hydroelectric power generation project (the “Casecnan Project”) will be transferred to the ROP at no cost on an “as is” basis. The ROP also signed a Performance Undertaking, which, among others, affirms and guarantees the obligations of NIA under the Project Agreement. Under the terms of its registration with the Philippine Board of Investments, CE Casecnan is entitled to certain incentives which include an income tax holiday for six years from the start of commercial operations. The Casecnan Project Cooperation Period began upon commencement of commercial operations on December 11, 2001. The income tax holiday expired on December 11, 2007. The Company’s taxable income from December 11, 2007 forward is subject to income tax at the Philippine statutory rate.
 
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Seasonality

The Casecnan Project is dependent upon sufficient rainfall to generate electricity and deliver water. The seasonality of rainfall patterns and the variability of rainfall from year to year, all of which are outside the control of the Company, have a material impact on the amounts of electricity generated and water delivered by the Casecnan Project. Rainfall has historically been highest from June through December and lowest from January through May. The contractual terms for water delivery fees and variable energy fees (described below) can produce significant variability in revenue between reporting periods.

Under the Project Agreement, the water delivery fee is a fixed monthly payment based upon an assumed annual water delivery of 801.9 million cubic meters, pro-rated to approximately 66.8 million cubic meters per month, multiplied by the water delivery fee rate of $0.07381 per cubic meter. For each contract year starting from December 25, 2003 and ending on December 25, 2008, a water delivery fee credit (deferred revenue) is computed equal to 801.9 million cubic meters minus the greater of actual water deliveries or 700.0 million cubic meters - the minimum threshold. The water delivery fee credit at the end of each contract year is available to be earned in the succeeding contract year through December 25, 2008. The cumulative water delivery fee credit at December 25, 2008, if any, shall be amortized on a straight-line basis from December 25, 2008 through December 25, 2013, as a reduction from billings to NIA. Accordingly, in recognizing revenue, the water delivery fees are recorded each month pro-rated to approximately 58.3 million cubic meters per month until the minimum threshold has been reached for the current contract year. Subsequent water delivery fees within the contract year are based on actual water delivered. For contract years starting from December 25, 2008 through the end of the Cooperation Period, guaranteed water delivery fees will be $51.7 million (the 700.0 million cubic meter minimum threshold multiplied by the water delivery fee rate of $0.07381).

For contract years starting from December 25, 2008 through the end of the Cooperation Period, variable water delivery fees will be earned for all water deliveries, if any, exceeding the 700.0 million cubic meter annual minimum threshold until a cumulative 1.324 billion cubic meters of water subject to variable water delivery fees have been delivered.

The Company earns guaranteed energy fees based upon an assumed delivery of 19.0 gigawatt hours (“GWh”) per month, at a rate of $0.1596 per kilowatt hour (“kWh”).

The Company earns variable energy fees based upon actual energy delivered in each month in excess of 19.0 GWh, currently payable at a rate of $0.1509 per kWh. On December 25, 2008, the kWh rate for energy deliveries in excess of 19.0 GWh per month is reduced to $0.1132, escalating at 1% per annum thereafter. Any deliveries of energy in excess of 490.0 GWh, but less than 550.0 GWh per year are paid at a rate of 1.3 pesos per kWh, reduced to 0.98 pesos starting in 2009 and escalated at 1% per annum thereafter. Deliveries in excess of 550.0 GWh per year are at no cost to NIA. Within each contract year, no variable energy fees are payable until energy in excess of the cumulative 19.0 GWh per month for the contract year to date has been delivered.

Results of Operations for the Three- and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

The following table provides certain operating data of the Casecnan Project:

   
Second Quarter
   
First Six Months
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Electricity produced (GWh)
    106.2       40.1       205.6       99.1  
Water delivered (million cubic meters)
    178.0       65.5       350.3       168.0  
 
 
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The Company’s water and energy fees are as follows (in millions):

   
Second Quarter
   
First Six Months
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Water delivery fees
  $ 14.8     $ 14.8     $ 29.7     $ 29.7  
Guaranteed energy fees
    9.1       9.1       18.2       18.2  
Variable energy fees
    6.8       -       13.6       2.3  
Deferred water delivery fees
    (1.9 )     (1.9 )     (3.8 )     (3.8 )
    $ 28.8     $ 22.0     $ 57.7     $ 46.4  

Revenue for the second quarter and the first six months of 2008 increased $6.8 million and $11.3 million, respectively, from the comparable periods in 2007. The increase in variable energy fees was due to the higher rainfall which resulted in higher electricity production in 2008 compared to 2007. Deferred water delivery fees represent the difference between the actual water delivery fees earned and the water delivery fees invoiced pursuant to the Project Agreement.

Plant operations and other operating expenses for the second quarter and the first six months of 2008 increased $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, from the comparable periods in 2007, due to higher general and administrative cost allocations in 2008.

Interest expense for the second quarter and the first six months of 2008 decreased $2.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively, from the comparable periods in 2007.  The lower interest expense was due to lower outstanding debt balances resulting from the scheduled repayment of Series B bonds and the repayment of notes payable.

Income tax expense for the second quarter and the first six months of 2008 increased $6.2 million and $12.5 million, respectively, from the comparable periods in 2007, due to the expiration of the income tax holiday on December 11, 2007.  From December 11, 2007 forward, the Company’s taxable income is subject to income tax at the Philippine statutory rate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

CE Casecnan developed, financed, constructed and owns and operates the Casecnan Project for the term of the Cooperation Period, which commenced on December 11, 2001. During the Cooperation Period, NIA is obligated to accept all deliveries of water and energy, and so long as the Casecnan Project is physically capable of operating and delivering in accordance with agreed levels set forth in the Project Agreement, NIA is obligated to pay CE Casecnan a fixed fee for the delivery of a threshold volume of water and a fixed fee for the delivery of a threshold amount of electricity. In addition, NIA is obligated to pay a fee for all electricity delivered in excess of the threshold amount up to a specified amount and will be obligated to pay a fee for all water delivered in excess of the threshold amount up to a specified amount beginning after December 25, 2008.

The ROP has provided a Performance Undertaking under which NIA’s obligations under the Project Agreement are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the ROP. The Project Agreement and the Performance Undertaking provide for the resolution of disputes by binding arbitration in Singapore under international arbitration rules.

NIA’s obligations under the Project Agreement are substantially denominated in U.S. Dollars and are the Company’s sole source of operating revenue. Because of the Company’s dependence on NIA, any material failure of NIA to fulfill its obligations under the Project Agreement and any material failure of the ROP to fulfill its obligations under the Performance Undertaking would significantly impair the ability of the Company to meet its existing and future obligations, including obligations pertaining to its outstanding debt. No shareholders or affiliates of the Company, including MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MEHC”), and no directors, officers or employees of the Company have guaranteed or will be in any way liable for payment of the Company’s obligations. As a result, payment of the Company’s obligations depends upon the availability of sufficient revenue from the Company’s business after the payment of operating expenses.
 
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The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $21.8 million and $31.1 million at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Cash flows from operations were $42.4 million and $39.5 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in cash from operations in 2008 was primarily due to collection of higher variable energy revenue resulting from higher water flow and related energy generation in 2008.

Cash flows from investing activities were ($0.8) million and $17.9 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company decreased its restricted cash and investments related to obligations for debt service and unpaid dividends in 2007 by paying $25.6 million of dividends and accrued interest held in escrow. This was partially offset by net purchases of available-for-sale securities totaling $7.5 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2007.

Cash flows from financing activities were ($50.8) million and ($79.4) million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company repaid $18.9 million of its outstanding project financing debt and $32.1 million of its notes payable during the six-month period ended June 30, 2008. The Company repaid $38.9 million of advances received from its affiliates and $18.9 million of its outstanding project financing debt and also released $21.7 million of dividends held in escrow during the six-month period ended June 30, 2007.

Auction Rate Securities

With the liquidity issues experienced in global credit and capital markets, the $21.4 million par value of auction rate securities held by the Company at June 30, 2008 have experienced multiple failed auctions as the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. The securities are rated A2 and Aa3 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA by Standard & Poor’s at June 30, 2008.

Although there is no current liquid market for the auction rate securities, the Company believes the underlying creditworthiness of the repayment sources for these securities’ principal and interest has not materially deteriorated. Further, the Company has the intent and ability to hold the auction rate securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery. At June 30, 2008, the Company’s pre-tax temporary impairment of the auction rate securities totaled $1.7 million. If the underlying assets and the guarantors of the auction rate securities experience credit deterioration, the Company may not ultimately realize the par value of the investment at June 30, 2008.

Given the failed auctions, it is uncertain if the Company’s auction rate securities will be sold within the next twelve months. Accordingly, the Company’s investments in auction rate securities are classified as non-current on the Balance Sheets.

Shareholder Litigation

In February 2002, pursuant to the share ownership adjustment mechanism in the CE Casecnan shareholder agreement, MEHC’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary, CE Casecnan Ltd., advised the minority shareholder of the Company, LaPrairie Group Contractors (International) Ltd. (“LPG”) that MEHC’s indirect ownership interest in CE Casecnan had increased to 100% effective from commencement of commercial operations. On July 8, 2002, LPG filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, City and County of San Francisco, against CE Casecnan Ltd. and MEHC. On January 3, 2006, the Superior Court of the State of California entered a judgment in favor of LPG against CE Casecnan Ltd. Pursuant to the judgment, 15% of the distributions of the Company was deposited into escrow plus interest at 9% per annum. The judgment was appealed, and as a result of the appellate decision, CE Casecnan Ltd. determined that LPG would retain ownership of 10% of the shares of the Company, with the remaining 5% share to be transferred to CE Casecnan Ltd. subject to certain buy-up rights under the shareholder agreement, which are also being litigated. The remaining issues are fully briefed and pending before the court. Exercise of the buy-up rights is a transaction between shareholders and is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s results of operations.
 
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On July 1, 2005, MEHC and CE Casecnan Ltd. commenced an action against San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Inc. (“San Lorenzo”) in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, seeking a declaratory judgment as to San Lorenzo’s right to repurchase shares in the Company. On January 30, 2006, San Lorenzo filed a counterclaim against MEHC and CE Casecnan Ltd. seeking declaratory relief that it has effectively exercised its option to purchase 15% of the shares of the company, that it is the rightful owner of such shares and that it is due all dividends paid on such shares. Currently, the action is in the discovery phase, and a one-week trial has been set to begin November 3, 2008. The impact, if any, of this litigation on the Company cannot be determined at this time.

Franchise Tax

CE Casecnan received franchise tax assessments for the years 2001 to 2006 totaling $2.2 million from the Province of Nueva Vizcaya. CE Casecnan believes that franchise tax is imposed on companies which have a secondary or special franchise from the government. CE Casecnan is an independent power producer and does not have a government franchise. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 provides that independent power generation is not a public utility operation and does not require a franchise. Therefore, the Company has not recognized a liability relating to these assessments. CE Casecnan filed appeals of the assessments with the Regional Trial Court of Nueva Vizcaya. The appeals were referred to the Supreme Court Office of the Court Administrator who assigned the consolidated cases to the Regional Trial Court of Bayombong Vizcaya South Sector.

Real Property Tax

On July 1, 2008, CE Casecnan received a real property tax assessment adjustment totaling $28.6 million from the province of Nueva Ecija and the municipality of Pantabangan for the years 2002 through the second quarter of 2008. On July 2, 2008, CE Casecnan forwarded the tax assessment adjustment to NIA and the Philippine Department of Finance (“DOF”), who must authorize any payment for real property taxes and are obligated to reimburse the Company pursuant to the Project Agreement.

National Wealth Tax

On July 17, 2008, CE Casecnan received an assessment totaling $4.1 million from the municipality of Alfonso Castaneda for a share of national wealth tax it claims is owed by the Company for the years from 2002 through 2007.  On July 22, 2008, CE Casecnan forwarded the assessment to NIA and the DOF, who are obligated to reimburse the Company pursuant to the Project Agreement.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Subsequent to December 31, 2007, there were no material changes outside the normal course of business in the contractual obligations and commercial commitments from the information provided in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting the Company, refer to Note 2 of Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
 
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Critical Accounting Policies

Certain accounting policies require management to make estimates and judgments concerning transactions that will be settled in the future. Amounts recognized in the Financial Statements from such estimates are necessarily based on numerous assumptions involving varying and potentially significant degrees of judgment and uncertainty. Accordingly, the amounts currently reflected in the Financial Statements will likely increase or decrease in the future as additional information becomes available. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts and revenue. For additional discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies, see Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company’s critical accounting policies have not changed materially since December 31, 2007.
 
 
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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk affecting the Company, see Item 7A of CE Casecnan’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company’s exposure to market risk and its management of such risk has not changed materially since December 31, 2007.


At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the President (principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the President (principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time frames specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s President  (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
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None.

Item 1A.

There has been no material change to the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.


Not applicable.


Not applicable.


Not applicable.


Not applicable.

Item 6.

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Quarterly Report.

 
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



   
CE CASECNAN WATER AND ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
   
(Registrant)
     
     
     
     
     
Date: July 25, 2008
 
/s/ Patrick J. Goodman
   
Patrick J. Goodman
   
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
(principal financial and accounting officer)

 
21 

 


Exhibit No.
Description
   
31.1
Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2
Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1
Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.2
Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
   


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