10-Q 1 form10q1q07.htm FORM 10-Q 1Q2007 10-Q

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
March 31, 2007

OR

[   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

Commission
File Number

 

Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters,
State of organization, address of principal executive offices
and registrants' telephone number

IRS Employer
Identification
Number

     

333-52397

ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.
(a Delaware corporation)

65-0827005

333-52397-01

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP
(a Delaware limited partnership)

65-0811248


c/o FPL Energy, LLC
700 Universe Boulevard
Juno Beach, Florida 33408
(561) 691-7171




Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have 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 and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [   ] No [X]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, or non-accelerated filers. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large accelerated filers [   ]          Accelerated filers [   ]          Non-accelerated filers [X]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes  [   ]    No  [X]

 


APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:


As of April 30, 2007, there were issued and outstanding 20 shares of ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp.'s common stock.



This combined Form 10-Q represents separate filings by ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp. (Acquisition Corp.) and Northeast Energy, LP (NE LP). Information contained herein relating to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf. Each registrant makes representations only as to itself and makes no representations whatsoever as to the other registrant. The registrants make no representations whatsoever as to ESI Tractebel Funding Corp. (Funding Corp.), and Acquisition Corp. makes no representations whatsoever as to Northeast Energy Associates, a limited partnership (NEA) or North Jersey Energy Associates, a limited partnership (NJEA, and collectively with NEA the Partnerships).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS



This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "believe," "could," "estimated," "may," "plan," "potential," "projection," "target," "outlook") are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could have a significant impact on the Acquisition Corp.'s and/or NE LP's (together, the registrants) operations and financial results, and that could cause Acquisition Corp.'s and/or NE LP's actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of either of the registrants in this combined Form 10-Q, in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise.


·


The registrants are subject to complex laws and regulations and to changes in laws and regulations as well as changing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including initiatives regarding deregulation and restructuring of the energy industry and environmental matters.


·


A substantial portion of the output from the Partnerships' power generation facilities is sold under long-term power purchase agreements to a limited number of power purchasers, which creates a concentration of counterparty risk. The remaining output from the power generation facilities is sold in the merchant markets based on market conditions at the time of sale, and the amount and timing of revenues to be received from the merchant markets in the future is uncertain.


·


The operation and maintenance of power generation facilities involves significant risks that could adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition of the registrants.


·


The use of derivative contracts by NE LP and the Partnerships in the normal course of business could result in financial losses that negatively impact the results of operations of the registrants.


·


The competitive energy business is subject to risks, many of which are beyond the control of the registrants, that may reduce the revenues and adversely impact the results of operations and financial condition of the registrants.


·


Weather affects the registrants' results of operations.


·


The registrants are subject to costs and other effects of legal proceedings as well as changes in or additions to applicable tax laws, rates or policies, rates of inflation, accounting standards, securities laws and corporate governance requirements.


·


Threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism may impact the operations of the registrants in unpredictable ways.


·


The registrants' ability to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be affected by national, state or local events and registrant-specific events.


·


The registrants are substantially leveraged and subject to restrictive covenants that limit additional borrowings, and the registrants' ability to fund principal and interest payments as well as capital expenditures depend on the future performance of the Partnerships.


·


All obligations of the Partnerships are non-recourse to the owners of the registrants.


These and other risk factors are included in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the registrants' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (2006 Form 10-K).


Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the registrants undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1. Financial Statements

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (A PARTNERSHIP) AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2007

   

December 31,
2006

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

122,289

   

$

84,125

 
 

Accounts receivable

   

71,154

     

100,636

 
 

Spare parts inventories

   

4,609

     

4,574

 
 

Fuel inventories

   

5,273

     

10,034

 
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

1,045

     

5,290

 

   

Total current assets

   

204,370

     

204,659

 

                 

Non-current assets:

               
 

Deferred debt issuance costs (net of accumulated amortization of $5,425 and $5,307, respectively)

   

1,535

     

1,653

 
 

Land

   

4,712

     

4,712

 
 

Cogeneration facilities and carbon dioxide facility (net of accumulated depreciation of $174,291 and $170,338, respectively)

   

346,656

     

349,592

 
 

Power purchase agreements (net of accumulated amortization of $553,398 and $533,127, respectively)

   

387,959

     

408,229

 
 

Other assets

   

6,561

     

6,213

 

   

Total non-current assets

   

747,423

     

770,399

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

951,793

   

$

975,058

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of notes payable - the Funding Corp.

 

$

54,021

   

$

80,342

 
 

Current portion of note payable - the Acquisition Corp.

   

22,000

     

28,600

 
 

Current portion of note payable - affiliate

   

3,375

     

3,375

 
 

Accrued interest payable

   

9,238

     

19,247

 
 

Accounts payable

   

1,546

     

1,830

 
 

Due to related parties

   

31,005

     

23,472

 
 

Other accrued expenses

   

17,898

     

24,641

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

139,083

     

181,507

 

                 

Non-current liabilities:

               
 

Deferred revenue

   

27,560

     

24,100

 
 

Notes payable - the Funding Corp.

   

171,640

     

171,640

 
 

Note payable - the Acquisition Corp.

   

149,600

     

149,600

 
 

Note payable - affiliate

   

14,227

     

14,227

 
 

Energy bank and other liabilities

   

152

     

1,621

 
 

Lease payable

   

554

     

554

 

   

Total non-current liabilities

   

363,733

     

361,742

 

                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Partners' equity:

               
 

General partners

   

8,979

     

8,636

 
 

Limited partners

   

439,998

     

423,173

 

   

Total partners' equity

   

448,977

     

431,809

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

 

$

951,793

   

$

975,058

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for NE LP and Subsidiaries.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (A PARTNERSHIP) AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                     

2007

     

2006

 


REVENUES

                 


$


62,659

   


$


87,226

 

                                   

COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCOME):

                               
 

Fuel (net of fuel sales)

                   

86

     

(9,335

)

 

Operations and maintenance

                   

3,853

     

3,234

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

                   

24,785

     

24,365

 
 

General and administrative

                   

2,395

     

2,542

 

   

Total costs and expenses

                   

31,119

     

20,806

 

                                 

OPERATING INCOME

                   

31,540

     

66,420

 

                                 

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

                               
 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

                   

118

     

129

 
 

Interest expense

                   

9,407

     

11,920

 
 

Interest income

                   

(620

)

   

(515

)

 

Loss on disposal of assets

                   

620

     

-

 

   

Total other expense - net

                   

9,525

     

11,534

 

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

22,015

   

$

54,886

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                     

2007

     

2006

 


NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                 


$

78,078

   


$

76,256

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Capital expenditures

                   

(2,146

)

   

(745

)

   

Net cash used in investing activities

                   

(2,146

)

   

(745

)

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Principal payments on the Funding Corp. notes

                   

(26,321

)

   

-

 
 

Principal payments on the Acquisition Corp. note

                   

(6,600

)

   

-

 
 

Distributions to partners

                   

(4,847

)

   

(45,307

)

   

Net cash used in financing activities

                   

(37,768

)

   

(45,307

)

                                 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

                   

38,164

     

30,204

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

                   

84,125

     

96,055

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

                 

$

122,289

   

$

126,259

 

                                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                         
 

Cash paid for interest

                 

$

19,247

   

$

-

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for NE LP and Subsidiaries.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND
NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2007

   

December 31,
2006

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

102,051

   

$

70,398

 
 

Accounts receivable

   

71,154

     

100,636

 
 

Spare parts inventories

   

4,609

     

4,574

 
 

Fuel inventories

   

5,273

     

10,034

 
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

1,034

     

5,282

 

   

Total current assets

   

184,121

     

190,924

 

                 

Non-current assets:

               
 

Land

   

4,712

     

4,712

 
 

Cogeneration facilities and carbon dioxide facility (net of accumulated depreciation of $174,291 and $170,338, respectively)

   

346,656

     

349,592

 
 

Power purchase agreements (net of accumulated amortization of $553,398 and $533,127, respectively)

   

387,959

     

408,229

 
 

Other assets

   

6,560

     

6,213

 

   

Total non-current assets

   

745,887

     

768,746

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

930,008

   

$

959,670

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of notes payable - the Funding Corp.

 

$

54,021

   

$

80,342

 
 

Accrued interest payable

   

5,451

     

12,129

 
 

Accounts payable

   

1,546

     

1,830

 
 

Due to related parties

   

31,005

     

23,471

 
 

Other accrued expenses

   

9,252

     

15,995

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

101,275

     

133,767

 

                 

Non-current liabilities:

               
 

Deferred revenue

   

27,560

     

24,100

 
 

Notes payable - the Funding Corp.

   

171,640

     

171,640

 
 

Energy bank and other liabilities

   

-

     

1,471

 
 

Lease payable

   

554

     

554

 

   

Total non-current liabilities

   

199,754

     

197,765

 

                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Partners' equity:

               
 

General partners

   

6,291

     

6,282

 
 

Limited partners

   

622,688

     

621,856

 

   

Total partners' equity

   

628,979

     

628,138

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

 

$

930,008

   

$

959,670

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for NEA and NJEA.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND
NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2007

   

2006

 


REVENUES

                 


$


62,659

   


$


87,226

 

                                   

COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCOME):

                               
 

Fuel (net of fuel sales)

                   

86

     

(9,335

)

 

Operations and maintenance

                   

3,853

     

3,234

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

                   

24,785

     

24,365

 
 

General and administrative

                   

2,395

     

2,536

 

   

Total costs and expenses

                   

31,119

     

20,800

 

                                 

OPERATING INCOME

                   

31,540

     

66,426

 

                                 

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

                               
 

Interest expense

                   

5,620

     

7,805

 
 

Interest income

                   

(609

)

   

(506

)

 

Loss on disposal of assets

                   

620

     

-

 

   

Total other expense - net

                   

5,631

     

7,299

 

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

25,909

   

$

59,127

 

 

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2007

   

2006

 


NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                 


$

85,188

   


$

76,249

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Capital expenditures

                   

(2,146

)

   

(745

)

   

Net cash used in investing activities

                   

(2,146

)

   

(745

)

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Principal payments on notes

                   

(26,321

)

   

-

 
 

Distributions to partners

                   

(25,068

)

   

(61,658

)

   

Net cash used in financing activities

                   

(51,389

)

   

(61,658

)

                                 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

                   

31,653

     

13,846

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

                   

70,398

     

96,047

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

                 

$

102,051

   

$

109,893

 

                                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                         
 

Cash paid for interest

                 

$

12,129

   

$

-

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for NEA and NJEA.

 

ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2007

   

December 31,
2006

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Cash

 

$

1

   

$

1

 
 

Interest receivable from the Partnerships

   

5,451

     

12,129

 
 

Current portion of notes receivable from the Partnerships

   

54,021

     

80,342

 

   

Total current assets

   

59,473

     

92,472

 
                 

Notes receivable from the Partnerships

   

171,640

     

171,640

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

231,113

   

$

264,112

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of debt securities payable

 

$

54,021

   

$

80,342

 
 

Accrued interest payable

   

5,451

     

12,129

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

59,472

     

92,471

 
                 

Debt securities payable

   

171,640

     

171,640

 
                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Stockholders' equity:

               
 

Common stock, no par value, 10,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding

   

1

     

1

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

$

231,113

   

$

264,112

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2007

   

2006

 


Interest income - affiliate

                 


$


5,451

   


$


6,677

 

Interest expense

                   

(5,451

)

   

(6,677

)

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

-

   

$

-

 

These reports should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Financial Statements appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for the Funding Corp.

 

 

ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2007

   

2006

 


NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                 


$

-

   


$

-

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Principal payment received from the Partnerships

                   

26,321

     

-

 

   

Net cash provided by investing activities

                   

26,321

     

-

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Principal payment on debt

                   

(26,321

)

   

-

 

   

Net cash used in financing activities

                   

(26,321

)

   

-

 

                                 

Net change in cash

                   

-

     

-

 

Cash at beginning of period

                   

1

     

1

 

Cash at end of period

                 

$

1

   

$

1

 

                                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                         
 

Cash paid for interest

                 

$

12,129

   

$

-

 

These reports should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Financial Statements appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for the Funding Corp.

 

ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2007

   

December 31,
2006

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Interest receivable from NE LP

 

$

3,428

   

$

7,119

 
 

Current portion of note receivable from NE LP

   

22,000

     

28,600

 

   

Total assets

   

25,428

     

35,719

 

                 

Non-current assets:

               
 

Due from NE LP

   

152

     

152

 
 

Note receivable from NE LP

   

149,600

     

149,600

 

   

Total non-current assets

   

149,752

     

149,752

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

175,180

   

$

185,471

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Income taxes payable

 

$

40

   

$

40

 
 

Accrued interest payable

   

3,428

     

7,119

 
 

Current portion of debt securities payable

   

22,000

     

28,600

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

25,468

     

35,759

 

                 

Non-current liabilities:

               
 

Debt securities payable

   

149,600

     

149,600

 
 

Other

   

34

     

36

 

   

Total non-current liabilities

   

149,634

     

149,636

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   

175,102

     

185,395

 
                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Stockholders' equity:

               
 

Common stock, $.10 par value, 100 shares authorized, 20 shares issued and outstanding

   

-

     

-

 
 

Retained earnings

   

78

     

76

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

$

175,180

   

$

185,471

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2007

   

2006

 


Interest income - affiliate

                 


$


3,428

   


$


3,691

 

Interest expense

                   

(3,425

)

   

(3,688

)

Income before income taxes

                   

3

     

3

 

Income tax expense

                   

(1

)

   

(1

)

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

2

   

$

2

 

These reports should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Financial Statements appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for the Acquisition Corp.

 

 

ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2007

   

2006

 


NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                 


$

-

   


$

-

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Principal payment received from NE LP

                   

6,600

     

-

 

   

Net cash provided by investing activities

                   

6,600

     

-

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Principal payment on debt

                   

(6,600

)

   

-

 

   

Net cash used in financing activities

                   

(6,600

)

   

-

 

                                 

Net change in cash

                   

-

     

-

 

Cash at beginning of period

                   

-

     

-

 

Cash at end of period

                 

$

-

   

$

-

 

                                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                         
 

Cash paid for interest

                 

$

7,119

   

$

-

 

These reports should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Financial Statements appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for the Acquisition Corp.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (A PARTNERSHIP) AND SUBSIDIARIES
NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND
NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP.
ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Condensed Combined Financial Statements and Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the 2006 Form 10-K for the registrants. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair financial statement presentation have been made. Prior year's amounts included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the Condensed Combined Financial Statements and the Notes herein have been adjusted to reflect the retrospective application of a Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position related to planned major maintenance activities adopted by NE LP and the Partnerships effective December 31, 2006. The results of operations for an interim period generally will not give a true indication of results for the year.


1. Combined Statement of Partners' Equity


NEA's and NJEA's general partner (GP) and limited partner (LP) equity balances are comprised of the following:

   

NEA

 

NJEA

 

Combined

 

   

GP

 

LP

 

Total

 

GP

 

LP

 

Total

 

GP

 

LP

 

Total

 

   

(Thousands of Dollars)

 
                                                         

Balances, December 31, 2006

 

$

2,442

 

$

241,706

 

$

244,148

 

$

3,840

 

$

380,150

 

$

383,990

 

$

6,282

 

$

621,856

 

$

628,138

 

Balances, March 31, 2007

$

2,410

$

238,504

$

240,914

$

3,881

$

384,184

$

388,065

$

6,291

$

622,688

$

628,979

The Partnerships (NEA and NJEA) paid distributions to NE LP totaling $25.1 million and $61.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. NE LP paid distributions to its partners totaling $4.8 million and $45.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


2. Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities


Derivative instruments are recorded on NE LP's and the Partnerships' consolidated and combined balance sheets as either an asset or liability (in prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets and other accrued expenses) measured at fair value in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," (as amended and interpreted). NE LP and the Partnerships use derivative instruments (primarily forward purchases and sales, swaps and options) to manage the commodity price risk inherent in fuel and electricity contracts. In addition NE LP and the Partnerships use derivatives to optimize the value of power generation assets.


All changes in the derivatives' fair value (unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses) for power purchases and sales are recognized net in revenues, and fuel purchases and sales are recognized net in fuel expense unless hedge accounting is applied. While substantially all of NE LP's and the Partnerships' derivative transactions are entered into for the purposes described above, hedge accounting is only applied where specific criteria are met and it is practicable to do so. In order to apply hedge accounting, the transaction must be designated as a hedge at inception and it must be highly effective in offsetting the hedged risk. Additionally, for hedges of commodity price risk, physical delivery for forecasted commodity transactions must be probable. NE LP and the Partnerships believe that where offsetting positions exist at the same location for the same time, the transactions are considered to have been netted and therefore physical delivery has not occurred. Generally, the hedging instrument's effectiveness is assessed utilizing regression analysis at the inception of the hedge and on at least a quarterly basis throughout its life. At March 31, 2007, no cash flow hedges existed at NE LP and the Partnerships. The effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (OCI) and is reclassified into earnings in the period(s) during which the transaction being hedged affects earnings. The ineffective portion of these hedges flows through earnings in the current period. Settlement gains and losses are included within the line items in the statements of operations to which they relate. There were no net gains/losses on cash flow hedges in comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. As a result, there were no differences between comprehensive income and net income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


Unrealized mark-to-market (losses)/gains on derivative transactions were $(5.3) million and $1.3 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and are included in fuel expense (net of fuel sales) on the condensed consolidated and combined statements of operations. The current portion of the derivative liability was $0.6 million at March 31, 2007 and is included in the condensed consolidated and combined balance sheets under other accrued expenses. There were no non-current derivative liabilities at March 31, 2007. There were no derivative assets at March 31, 2007.


3. Commitments and Contingencies


The long-term contractual obligations of NE LP and the Partnerships at March 31, 2007 are as follows:

NE LP AND THE PARTNERSHIPS
March 31, 2007
(Thousands of Dollars)

 

Total

 

2007

 

2008 - 09

 

2010 - 11

 

Thereafter

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

                   

The Partnerships:

                           
 

Funding Corp. debt(a)

$

276,864

 

$

74,566

 

$

132,295

 

$

70,003

 

$

-

 

Operating leases

 

1,618

   

223

   

630

   

678

   

87

 

Other long-term obligations:

                           
 

  Administrative agreement(b)

 

7,050

   

450

   

1,200

   

1,200

   

4,200

 

  O&M agreement(b)

 

14,625

   

1,125

   

3,000

   

3,000

   

7,500

 

  Fuel management agreement(b)

 

15,075

   

675

   

1,800

   

1,800

   

10,800

 

  Steam sales termination agreement(c)

 

3,113

   

3,113

   

-

   

-

   

-

 

  Natural gas, including transportation and storage

 

52,457

   

7,122

   

19,340

   

17,772

   

8,223

Total Partnerships

 

370,802

   

87,274

   

158,265

   

94,453

   

30,810

                             

NE LP:

                           
 

Acquisition Corp. debt(a)

 

217,391

   

35,271

   

69,582

   

112,538

   

-

 

Affiliate debt(a)

 

21,442

   

4,765

   

9,530

   

7,147

   

-

Total NE LP

 

238,833

   

40,036

   

79,112

   

119,685

   

-

                             

Total contractual obligations

$

609,635

 

$

127,310

 

$

237,377

 

$

214,138

 

$

30,810

                     

(a)

Includes principal and interest.

(b)

Represents the minimum obligation under the terms of the agreement. The minimum obligation is subject to an annual inflation factor adjustment, which is excluded from the minimum obligation included in the table.

(c)

Represents the gross amount due under the agreement. Approximately $0.8 million is reimbursed by the New Jersey utility annually under the terms of an amended and restated power purchase agreement.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements and Notes to Condensed Financial Statements contained herein (the Notes) and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in the 2006 Form 10-K for the registrants. The results of operations for an interim period generally will not give a true indication of results for the year. In the following discussion, all comparisons are with the corresponding items in the prior year.


Results of Operations


NE LP Consolidated and the Partnerships - NE LP's net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $22.0 million compared to $54.9 million for the same period in 2006, and the Partnerships' net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $25.9 million compared to $59.1 million for the same period in 2006. The first quarter 2006 net income of NE LP and the Partnerships has been adjusted to reflect the retrospective application of a FASB Staff Position related to planned major maintenance activities adopted by NE LP and the Partnerships effective December 31, 2006. Net income decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, due primarily to lower revenues net of purchased power of $17.4 million resulting from unfavorable pricing under the power purchase agreements during the quarter, higher purchased power costs of $1.2 million due primarily to supplying power from the market rather than the facilities, lower utility energy bank amortization of $9.6 million due to NEA's satisfaction of the energy bank liability balance in January 2007, higher fuel expense of $3.2 million due to lower margin on gas sales, and unrealized mark-to-market losses on derivatives of approximately $5.3 million compared to gains of approximately $1.3 million in the same period in 2006. These decreases were partially offset by increased capacity revenues of $2.9 million and lower interest expense of $2.5 million due to lower outstanding debt balances.


Revenue decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to unfavorable pricing under the power purchase agreements of $17.4 million, higher purchased power costs of $1.2 million due to market sourcing of power to fulfill the Partnerships' obligations under the power purchase agreements, and lower utility energy bank amortization of $9.6 million, partially offset by an increase of $2.9 million in capacity revenue. NE LP's revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were comprised of $62.7 million and $87.2 million of power sales to utilities, net of purchased power, respectively.


Fuel expense, net of fuel sales, increased for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 by $3.2 million due to lower margin on gas sales and $6.6 million due to lower unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivatives primarily associated with gas storage supply. These increases in fuel expense, net of fuel sales, were partially offset by $0.4 million due to supplying power from the market rather than the NJEA and NEA facilities.


Operations and maintenance expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily as a result of scheduled maintenance outages at the NJEA and NEA facilities and repair work performed on one of NEA's combustion turbines.


Depreciation and amortization expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 due primarily to increased amortization of the 2005 addition of an intangible asset of $29.9 million related to the NEA amended and restated power purchase agreement.


NE LP and the Partnerships make scheduled interest and principal payments on their outstanding debt. NE LP and the Partnerships are scheduled to make semi-annual principal and interest payments on June 30 and December 30. Under the terms of the trust indentures, the December 30, 2006 debt service payment was made on January 2, 2007, and included $19.2 million of accrued interest at December 31, 2006. Interest expense for NE LP and the Partnerships decreased in the first three months of 2007 due to decreasing principal balances on their outstanding debt and NEA's satisfaction of the energy bank liability balance in January 2007.


Interest income increased for the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 due to higher cash balances and interest rates.


In connection with repair work performed on one of NEA's combustion turbines, NE LP and the Partnerships recognized a loss on disposal of assets of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007.


Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corporation (Transco) filed a new general rate case on August 31, 2006 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The rate case proposed rate increases for most services, fueled largely by a proposed increase of approximately $250 million in the cost of service. NEA currently holds 50,508 MMBtu/day of capacity on Transco's system, and the proposed rates would result in an annual increase of approximately $0.7 million in transportation costs for NEA. FPL Energy, LLC (FPL Energy) on behalf of NEA and other plants operated by FPL Energy, filed a protest of the rate increase with FERC on September 12, 2006. FERC has issued an order setting this proceeding for a hearing on September 5, 2007. The filed rates went into effect on March 1, 2007. If FPL Energy's protest on behalf of NEA is successful, a portion of the increased rates would be refunded. Settlement conferences were held in February, April and May 2007, with no resolutions reached. Additional settlement conferences will be held in the second quarter of 2007.


The Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp. - Both the Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp. use interest income and principal payments received from the notes receivable from the Partnerships and NE LP, respectively, to make scheduled interest and principal payments on their outstanding debt. Both entities are scheduled to make semi-annual principal and interest payments on June 30 and December 30. Under the terms of the trust indentures, the December 30, 2006 debt service payment was made on January 2, 2007 and included $12.1 million and $7.1 million of accrued interest at December 31, 2006 for the Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp., respectively. Interest expense for both the Funding Corp. and Acquisition Corp. decreased in the first three months of 2007 as a result of decreasing principal balances on their outstanding debt.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


NE LP and the Partnerships - The increases in net cash provided by operating activities for NE LP and the Partnerships for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006 were primarily due to increased capacity revenues in 2007, partially offset by higher purchased power as a result of sourcing power from the market rather than the NJEA and NEA facilities.


Capital expenditures for the Partnerships were $2.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase relates to various upgrades of equipment at the two generating facilities.


NE LP and each of the Partnerships make scheduled interest and principal payments on their outstanding debt. Each is scheduled to make semi-annual principal and interest payments on June 30 and December 30. Under the terms of the trust indentures, the December 30, 2006 debt service payment was made on January 2, 2007, and included $19.2 million of accrued interest at December 31, 2006.


The Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp. - Both the Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp. use interest income and principal payments received from the notes receivable from the Partnerships and NE LP, respectively, to make scheduled interest and principal payments on their outstanding debt on June 30 and December 30. Under the terms of the trust indentures, the December 30, 2006 debt service payment was made on January 2, 2007, and included $12.1 million and $7.1 million of accrued interest at December 31, 2006 for the Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp., respectively.


NE LP's and the Partnerships' long-term contractual obligations at March 31, 2007 are shown in Note 3.


Market Risk Sensitivity


Commodity price risk - The prices received by the Partnerships for power sales under their long-term contracts do not move precisely in tandem with the prices paid by the Partnerships for natural gas. To manage the price risk associated with purchases of natural gas and purchases of power, the Partnerships may, from time to time, enter into certain transactions either through public exchanges or by means of over-the-counter transactions with specific counterparties. The Partnerships manage their risk associated with purchases of natural gas and power through the use of natural gas and power swap agreements. The swap agreements require the Partnerships to pay a fixed price (absolutely or within a specified range) in return for a variable price on specified notional quantities of natural gas and power.


NE LP and the Partnerships use a value-at-risk (VaR) model to measure market risk in their trading and mark-to-market portfolios. The VaR is the estimated nominal loss of market value based on a one-day holding period at a 95% confidence level using historical simulation methodology. As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the VaR figures (in thousands) are as follows:

   

Trading and Managed Hedges(a)

 

Non-Qualifying Hedges and Hedges in
OCI(b)

 

Total


December 31, 2006

 


$


-

 


$


15

 


$


15

March 31, 2007

 

$

-

 

$

10

 

$

10

Average for the period ended March 31, 2007

 

$

-

 

$

11

 

$

11

 

(a)

Trading and managed hedges are essentially all changes in the derivatives' fair value for power purchases and sales and trading activities, which are recognized on a net basis in operating revenues and for fuel purchases and sales which are recognized on a net basis in fuel expense.

(b)

Non-managed hedges are employed to reduce the market risk exposure to physical assets which are not marked to market. The VaR figures for the non-managed hedges and hedges in OCI category do not represent the economic exposure to commodity price movements.

Concentration of Credit Risk - At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, a majority of NE LP's and the Partnerships' trade receivables were derived from electricity sales to three utilities under long-term power purchase agreements. If any one or more of these customers' receivable balances should be deemed uncollectible, it could have a material adverse effect on NE LP's and the Partnerships' results of operations and financial condition.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk Sensitivity.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures


(a)


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 


As of March 31, 2007, the Acquisition Corp. and NE LP had performed an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Acquisition Corp. and NE LP or their equivalent (Principal Officers), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Acquisition Corp.'s and NE LP's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)). Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Officers concluded the Acquisition Corp.'s and NE LP's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Acquisition Corp. and NE LP and its consolidated subsidiaries required to be included in the Acquisition Corp.'s and NE LP's reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act and ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the Acquisition Corp.'s and NE LP's reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including its Principal Officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Acquisition Corp. and NE LP have a Disclosure Committee, which is made up of several key management employees and reports directly to the Principal Officers of each of the Acquisition Corp. and NE LP, to monitor and evaluate these disclosure controls and procedures. Due to the inherent limitations of the effectiveness of any established disclosure controls and procedures, management of the Acquisition Corp. and NE LP cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of their disclosure controls and procedures will be met.


(b)


Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

 


The Acquisition Corp. and NE LP are continuously seeking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations and of their internal controls. This results in refinements to processes. However, there has been no change in the Acquisition Corp.'s or NE LP's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Acquisition Corp.'s and NE LP's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Acquisition Corp.'s and NE LP's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1A. Risk Factors


There were no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the registrants' 2006 Form 10-K. The factors discussed in Part 1, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Acquisition Corp.'s and NE LP's 2006 Form 10-K, as well as other information set forth in this report, which could materially affect the Acquisition Corp.'s and NE LP's business, financial condition and/or future operating results should be carefully considered. The risks described in the registrants' 2006 Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the registrants. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the registrants, or that are currently deemed to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the registrants' business, financial condition and/or future operating results.


Item 6. Exhibits


Exhibit
Number

 

Description


3.1(1)


Certificate of Incorporation of the Funding Corp.


3.1.1(2)


Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Funding Corp. as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 3, 1998


3.1.2(3)


Certificate of Incorporation of the Acquisition Corp. as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 12, 1998


3.2(2)


By-laws of the Funding Corp.


3.2.1(3)


By-laws of the Acquisition Corp.


3.3(2)


Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of NEA as filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on March 31, 1986, as amended and restated on January 9, 1987 and November 6, 1987, as further amended on July 6, 1989 and as amended and restated on February 16, 1998


3.4(2)


Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of NJEA as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey on November 3, 1986, as amended and restated on January 14, 1987, June 25, 1987, March 4, 1988 and February 16, 1998


3.5(2)


Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NEA dated as of November 21, 1997


3.6(2)


Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NJEA dated as of November 21, 1997


3.7(2)


Certificate of Limited Partnership of NE LP, a Delaware limited partnership, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 21, 1997


3.8(2)


Agreement of Limited Partnership of NE LP, a Delaware limited partnership, dated as of November 21, 1997


31(a)


Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of President (equivalent to the Chief Executive Officer) of Acquisition Corp.


31(b)


Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Treasurer (equivalent to the Chief Financial Officer) of Acquisition Corp.


31(c)


Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of President (equivalent to the Chief Executive Officer) of ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner of NE LP


31(d)


Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Vice President and Treasurer (equivalent to the Chief Financial Officer) of ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner of NE LP


32(a)


Section 1350 Certification of Acquisition Corp.


32(b)


Section 1350 Certification of NE LP

(1)

Incorporated herein by reference from the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Funding Corp. on February 9, 1995 (file no. 33-87902).

(2)

Incorporated herein by reference from the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Funding Corp. and the Partnerships on March 27, 1998 (file nos. 33-87902, 33-87902-01 and 33-87902-02).

(3)

Incorporated herein by reference from the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Acquisition Corp. and NE LP on May 12, 1998 (file nos. 333-52397 and 333-52397-01).

 

 

 

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP
(ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner)
ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.
(Registrants)

 
     

Date: May 14, 2007

     
     
     
 

MARK R. SORENSEN

 

 

Mark R. Sorensen
Vice President and Treasurer of ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc.
Treasurer of ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp.
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer of the Registrants)