-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, TyLrkdIED89iA517ZwwZHbk0yK0OiefLf6LatFwsNNIaKSDAV/aorCfCaZ3AR3gT F9O9/jxiXU5MC+cpPZ+pgw== 0001094093-05-000324.txt : 20051114 0001094093-05-000324.hdr.sgml : 20051111 20051114130008 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001094093-05-000324 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050930 ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20051114 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051114 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PROGRESS ENERGY INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001094093 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 562155481 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NC FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15929 FILM NUMBER: 051199104 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 410 S WILMINGTON ST CITY: RALEIGH STATE: NC ZIP: 27601 BUSINESS PHONE: 9195466463 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 410 S WILMINGTON ST CITY: RALEIGH STATE: NC ZIP: 27601 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CP&L ENERGY INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20000314 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CP&L HOLDINGS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990830 8-K 1 cvoq3.htm CURRENT REPORT

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): September 30, 2005

  PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.    

  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


   
  North Carolina   

  (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)


   
1-15929    56-2155481 

(Commission File Number)    (IRS Employer Identification No.) 


410 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, North Carolina
    27601-1748 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)    (Zip Code) 
  919-546-6111   

  (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


   
  None   

  (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)   


        Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

|_|

  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 
|_|

  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 
|_|

  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 
|_|

  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

SECTION 7 – REGULATION FD

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

        The information in this report (including the exhibit) is furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The furnishing of this report is not intended to constitute a determination by Progress Energy, Inc. (“Progress Energy”) that the information is material or that the dissemination of the information is required by Regulation FD.

        On November 14, 2005, Progress Energy completed a Quarterly Report to Holders of Contingent Value Obligations for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005. A copy of the CVO Report is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1. Exhibit 99.1 is incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01.

        Progress Energy regards any information provided in the CVO Report to be current and accurate only as of the date of the CVO Report and specifically disclaims any duty to update such information unless it is necessary to do so in accordance with applicable law.

        This report, including the CVO Report, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Examples of factors that you should consider with respect to any forward-looking statements made throughout this document include but are not limited to, the following: factors affecting the synthetic fuel plants, including cash flows derived from the synthetic fuel plants, market acceptance of synthetic fuel, competition from competing products, impacts of environmental regulations on potential buyers of synthetic fuel, the impact that future crude oil prices may have on the value of Progress Energy’s Section 29 tax credits, and income tax issues related to synthetic fuel tax credits, including a determination from governmental authorities that Progress Energy does not qualify for Section 29 tax credits for its synthetic fuel facilities and the impact of the proposed accounting pronouncement regarding uncertain tax positions. All such factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect actual results, and may be beyond the control of Progress Energy. 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 effect of each such factor on Progress Energy.

        Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and Progress Energy does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.


    (c)        EXHIBITS.

                  99.1      Quarterly Report to Holders of Contingent Value Obligations for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005.


SIGNATURES

        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 hereunto duly authorized.

PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
Registrant



By: /s/ Geoffrey S. Chatas
    Geoffrey S. Chatas
    Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 14, 2005

EX-99 2 ex991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Quarterly Report to Holders of Contingent Value Obligations
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005

November 14, 2005

To Holders of Contingent Value Obligations:

This is the quarterly report for the synthetic fuel facilities owned by Solid Energy LLC, Ceredo Synfuel LLC, Solid Fuel LLC, and Sandy River Synfuel LLC (“the Earthco facilities”) for the quarter ending September 30, 2005.

Overview
There are currently 98.6 million Contingent Value Obligations (CVOs) issued and outstanding. CVOs were issued as a result of the Progress Energy, Inc. (Progress Energy or the Company) and Florida Progress Corporation share exchange, which occurred on November 30, 2000. For every Florida Progress Corporation share owned at that time, one CVO was issued.

Each CVO represents the right to receive contingent payments, based on the net after-tax cash flow generated by the Earthco facilities. Qualifying synthetic fuel facilities entitle their owners to federal income tax credits based on the barrel of oil equivalent of the synthetic fuel produced and sold by these facilities. In the aggregate, holders of CVOs are entitled to payments equal to 50 percent of any net after-tax cash flow generated by the Earthco facilities in excess of $80 million per year for each of the years 2001 through 2007. Payments on the CVOs will not be made until tax audit matters are resolved. Based on past tax audit experience, it is anticipated that payments will not begin any sooner than six years after the first operation year for which the net after-tax cash flow generated by the Earthco facilities exceeds $80 million.

For purposes of calculating CVO payments, net after-tax cash flows include the taxable income or loss for the Earthco facilities adjusted for depreciation and other noncash items plus income tax benefits, and minus income tax incurred. The total amount of net after-tax cash flow for any year will depend upon the final determination of the income tax savings realized and the income taxes incurred after completion of the income tax audits. Thus, the estimated after-tax cash flow generated by the Earthco facilities could increase or decrease due to changes in the income tax savings realized for the year.

This is only an overview of the terms of the CVOs. The legal documents governing the CVOs contain significant additional information.

Results of Operations for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005
The estimated net after-tax cash flow for the quarter and year to date for each of the Earthco facilities is as follows:

Third Quarter Year to Date *
Solid Energy LLC
Ceredo Synfuel LLC
Solid Fuel LLC
Sandy River Synfuel LLC
$ 4.0 million
$ 3.3 million
$ 1.5 million
$ (2.6) million
$ 5.3 million
$ (3.4) million
$ (8.6) million
$ (20.7) million

An estimated $147.5 million in synthetic fuel tax credits were generated and $48.6 million were realized and included in the net after-tax cash flow amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

*During 2003, 2004 and the first quarter of 2005, the Company accrued certain royalty obligations that correlate to synthetic fuel production levels; however, no cash payments were made. The Company has exercised its right in the related agreements to escrow those payments if certain conditions in the agreements were met. In May 2005, the Company made an initial payment into escrow of $103.3 million plus interest and fees upon establishment of the necessary escrow accounts. The Company provided adjusted cash flow information for 2004 and 2003 to reflect the allocation of these royalties in the appropriate year in the Quarterly Report to Holders of CVOs for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The royalties allocated to 2005 and paid into escrow in May 2005 are reflected in the net after-tax cash flows for year to date 2005.

Material Developments as of November 14, 2005

During 2001, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2001-30 and Revenue Procedure 2001-34 that outline the conditions that must be met to receive a Private Letter Ruling (PLR) for Section 29 tax credits from the IRS. PLRs represent advance rulings from the IRS applying its interpretation of the tax law to an entity’s facts for Section 29 credits. In December 2001 and January 2002, favorable PLRs were received for all four Earthco facilities.

IRS Proceedings
In September 2002, all four of the Earthco facilities were accepted into the IRS’s Pre-Filing Agreement (“PFA”) program in lieu of the ordinary IRS audit process. The PFA program allows taxpayers to voluntarily accelerate the IRS exam process in order to seek resolution of specific issues.

In July 2004, the Company was notified that the IRS field auditors anticipated taking an adverse position regarding the placed-in-service date of the Earthco facilities. Due to the IRS auditors’ position, the IRS exercised its right to withdraw from the PFA program. With the IRS’s withdrawal from the PFA program, the review of the Earthco facilities is back on the normal procedural audit path of the Company’s tax returns.

On October 29, 2004, the Company received the IRS field auditors’ preliminary report concluding that the Earthco facilities had not been placed in service before July 1, 1998, and proposing that the tax credits generated by those facilities should be disallowed. The Company disagrees with the field audit team’s factual findings and believes that the Earthco facilities were placed in service before July 1, 1998. The Company also believes that the report applies an inappropriate legal standard concerning what constitutes “placed in service.” The Company is currently contesting the field auditors’ findings and the field audit team’s proposed disallowance of the tax credits.

Because of the disagreement between the Company and the field auditors as to the proper legal standard to apply, the Company believes that it is appropriate and helpful to have this issue reviewed by the National Office of the IRS. Therefore, the Company has asked the National Office to review the issue and clarify the legal standard to be applied. The Company believes that the appeals process, including proceedings before the National Office, could take up to two years to complete; however, it cannot control the actual timing of resolution and cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

During October 2005, the Company and the IRS Examination Staff filed briefs with the National Office for the purpose of receiving technical advice on whether its Earthco facilities were placed in service prior to July 1, 1998 for purposes of determining if its synthetic fuel tax credits are allowable under Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS procedures do not provide a specific timeframe for rendering the requested decision following the filing of such briefs. As such, the Company cannot predict when the National Office will provide technical guidance on this matter.

In management’s opinion, the Company is complying with all the necessary requirements to be allowed such credits under Section 29, and, although it cannot provide certainty, it believes that it will prevail in these matters. The Company has no current plans to alter its synthetic fuel production schedule for 2005 or future years as a result of the IRS field auditors’ report. However, should the Company fail to prevail in these matters, there could be a material impact for previously used or carried forward Section 29 credits, with a material adverse impact on net after-tax cash flows. If any of the tax credits generated by Earthco facilities in operation years 2001-2007 were disallowed, net after-tax cash flow for each operation year would be reduced by the amount of the lost income tax benefits for that year. Such reduction in net after-tax cash flow would reduce any payment holders of CVOs otherwise would have received for the affected operation year. In the event of a total disallowance of Section 29 credits generated by the Earthco facilities, no payments would be made to holders of CVOs.

As discussed in Note 8F of the Progress Energy annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company implemented changes in its capitalization policies for its Energy Delivery business units in Progress Energy Carolinas (PEC) and Progress Energy Florida (PEF) effective January 1, 2005. As a result of the changes in accounting estimates for the outage and emergency work and indirect costs, a lesser proportion of PEC’s and PEF’s costs will be capitalized on a prospective basis. The Company has requested a method change from the IRS that was granted in October 2005, and therefore the application of the method change is not expected to have a material impact on synthetic fuel production at the Earthco facilities.

Proposed Accounting Rules for Uncertain Tax Positions
On July 14, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an exposure draft of a proposed interpretation of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (SFAS No. 109), that would address the accounting for uncertain tax positions. The proposed interpretation would require that uncertain tax benefits be probable of being sustained in order to record such benefits in the financial statements. The Company currently accounts for uncertain tax benefits in accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (SFAS No. 5). Under SFAS No. 5, contingent losses are recorded when it is probable that the tax position will not be sustained and the amount of the disallowance can be reasonably estimated. As currently drafted, the proposed interpretation would apply to all uncertain tax positions and be effective for the Company on December 31, 2005. However, the FASB has publicly stated that it expects to issue the final interpretation in the first quarter of 2006, which is expected to delay the effective date of the interpretation past 2005.

As discussed above, the IRS field auditors have recommended that the Section 29 tax credits by the Earthco facilities, totaling $1.2 billion through September 30, 2005, be disallowed. The Company disagrees with the field audit team’s findings and has requested that the National Office of the IRS review this issue. The Company has not yet determined how the proposed interpretation would impact its various income tax positions, including the status of the Earthco tax credits. Depending on the provisions of the FASB’s final interpretation and the Company’s facts and circumstances that exist at the date of the implementation, including the Company’s assessment of the probability of sustaining any currently recorded and future tax benefits, the proposed interpretation could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations, including the Company’s evaluation and recognition of Section 29 tax credits and could result in a reduction in planned production or suspension of production at some or all Earthco facilities.

Permanent Subcommittee
In October 2003, the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations began a general investigation concerning synthetic fuel tax credits claimed under Section 29. The investigation is examining the utilization of the credits, the nature of the technologies and fuels created, the use of the synthetic fuel and other aspects of Section 29 and is not specific to the Company’s synthetic fuel operations. The Company provided information in connection with this investigation. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Impact of Crude Oil Prices
Although the Section 29 tax credit program is expected to continue through 2007, recent market conditions and catastrophic weather events have increased the volatility and level of oil prices that could limit the amount of those credits or eliminate them entirely for one or more of the years following 2004. This possibility is due to a provision of Section 29 that provides that if the average wellhead price per barrel for unregulated domestic crude oil for the year (the Annual Average Price) exceeds a certain threshold value (the Threshold Price), the amount of Section 29 tax credits are reduced for that year. Also, if the Annual Average Price increases high enough (the Phase-out Price), the Section 29 tax credits are eliminated for that year. For 2004, the Threshold Price was $51.35 per barrel and the Phase-out Price was $64.47 per barrel. The Threshold Price and the Phase-out Price are adjusted annually for inflation.

If the Annual Average Price falls between the Threshold Price and the Phase-out Price for a year, the amount by which Section 29 tax credits are reduced will depend on where the Annual Average Price falls in that continuum. For example, for 2004, if the Annual Average Price had been $57.91 per barrel, there would have been a 50 percent reduction in the amount of Section 29 tax credits for that year.

The Secretary of the Treasury calculates the Annual Average Price based on the Domestic Crude Oil First Purchases Prices published by the Energy Information Agency (EIA). Because the EIA publishes its information on a three-month lag, the Secretary of the Treasury finalizes its calculations three months after the year in question ends. Thus, the Annual Average Price for calendar year 2004 was published on April 6, 2005, and the Annual Average Price for 2004 did not reach the Threshold Price for 2004. Consequently, the amount of the Company’s 2004 Section 29 tax credits was not adversely affected by oil prices.

The Company estimates that the 2005 Threshold Price will be approximately $52 per barrel and the Phase-out Price will be approximately $65 per barrel, based on an estimated 2005 inflation adjustment. The monthly Domestic Crude Oil First Purchases Price published by the EIA has recently averaged approximately $5 lower than the corresponding monthly New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) settlement price for light sweet crude oil. Through October 17, 2005, the average NYMEX contract settlement price for light sweet crude oil was $55 per barrel and the average futures price for the remainder of 2005 was $64 per barrel. The Company estimates that NYMEX settlement prices would have to average approximately $70 per barrel for the remainder of 2005 for the Threshold Price to be reached.

The Company cannot predict with any certainty the Annual Average Price of oil for 2005 or beyond. However, the Company does not currently believe that the 2005 Average Annual Price will trigger a phase out of the Section 29 tax credits in 2005.

The Company estimates that the 2006 Threshold Price will be approximately $52 per barrel and the Phase-out Price will be approximately $66 per barrel, based on estimated inflation adjustments for 2005 and 2006. The monthly Domestic Crude Oil First Purchases Price published by the EIA has recently averaged approximately $5 lower than the corresponding monthly NYMEX settlement price for light sweet crude oil. As of October 17, 2005, the average NYMEX futures price for light sweet crude oil for calendar year 2006 was $63 per barrel. Based upon the estimated 2006 Threshold Price and Phase-out Price, if oil prices for 2006 remained at the October 17, 2005 average futures price level of $63 per barrel for the entire year in 2006, the Company currently estimates that the Section 29 tax credit amount for 2006 would be reduced by approximately 35 percent to 40 percent.

The Company’s future synthetic fuel production levels for 2006 and beyond remain uncertain because it cannot predict with any certainty the Annual Average Price of oil for 2006 or beyond. If oil prices for 2006 remained at the October 17, 2005 average futures price level of $63 per barrel for the entire year in 2006, it is unlikely that the Company would produce any synthetic fuel in 2006. This could have a material adverse impact on the net after-tax cash flows. The Company will continue to monitor the level of oil prices and retains the ability to adjust production based on future oil price levels.

Energy Policy Act
On August 8, 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) was signed into law. This new federal law contains key provisions affecting the electric power industry, including the redesignation of the Section 29 tax credit as a Section 45K general business credit. The amount of Section 29 tax credits that the Company is currently allowed to claim in any calendar year is limited by the amount of the Company’s regular federal income tax liability. Synthetic fuel tax credit amounts allowed but not utilized are currently carried forward indefinitely as deferred alternative minimum tax credits. The redesignation is effective on January 1, 2006, and removes the regular federal income tax liability limit on synthetic fuel production and subjects the credits to a 20-year carry forward period. This provision would allow the Company to produce synthetic fuel at a higher level, without regard to the level of its federal income tax liability, should it choose to do so. The Company cannot currently predict what impact the new law will have on the Earthco facilities’ synthetic fuels production or net after-tax cash flows.

Supplemental Information

Where can I find a current market value of the CVOs?
CVOs are traded on the Over The Counter “pink sheets.” To obtain a value contact your broker or visit pinksheets.com. Click on the “symbol lookup” and type “Progress Energy” in the “Search for a security” site, click “go” then click on “quote” to obtain the latest quote.

How can I purchase or sell CVOs?
You will need to contact a broker to purchase or sell CVOs.

What is the cost basis in the CVOs?
For federal income tax reporting purposes, the Company will treat 54.5 cents as the fair market value of each CVO that was issued on November 30, 2000, the effective date of the share exchange. That amount is the average of the reported high and low trading prices of the CVOs on the NASDAQ Over The Counter Market on November 30, 2000. If you received your CVOs in the share exchange your tax basis for your CVOs is 54.5 cents. If you acquired your CVOs after the share exchange, please consult your tax advisor for your tax basis.

Who is the Securities Registrar and Transfer Agent for the CVOs?
Effective January 1, 2005, Wachovia Bank, N.A. became the Securities Registrar and Transfer Agent.

Wachovia Bank, N.A.
Shareholder Services
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., NC 1153
Charlotte, NC 28262-8522
Call toll-free 1 877.711.4092

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