-----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, PSU8Ijy+uXMrdlwfbVFBnz8TUS9JFB4XFnfOY//zF+m7D6IpQjON+3mOW52Trrpu 2rN+yJpTLQNdMwh5kt7NlA== 0001096385-03-000089.txt : 20030711 0001096385-03-000089.hdr.sgml : 20030711 20030710180036 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001096385-03-000089 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20030709 ITEM INFORMATION: Other events FILED AS OF DATE: 20030711 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VECTREN UTILITY HOLDINGS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001129542 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: GAS & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4932] IRS NUMBER: 352104850 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-16739 FILM NUMBER: 03782627 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 20 NW 4TH ST CITY: EVANSVILLE STATE: IN ZIP: 47708 BUSINESS PHONE: 8124914000 8-K 1 vuhi8k_expect-update.txt VECTREN UTILITY HOLDINGS 8K FOR PRESS RELEASE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 of 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 9, 2003 VECTREN UTILITY HOLDINGS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Indiana 1-16739 35-2104850 ------- ------- ---------- (State of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 20 N.W. Fourth Street, Evansville, Indiana 47708 ------------------------------------------ ----- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (812) 491-4000 N/A (Former name or address, if changed since last report.) Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure On July 9, 2003, Vectren Corporation (the Company) issued a press release to adjust 2003 earnings guidance and to address recent announcements related to the production of synthetic fuel. Vectren Corporation is the parent company of Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc. The following excerpts from that press release should be considered filed with Securities and Exchange Commission. "Vectren commented on its investment in synthetic fuel operations in light of recent announcements related to activity in the industry. As background, Vectren's Coal Mining operations is comprised of Vectren Fuels (Fuels), which includes its coal mines and related operations and Vectren Synfuels, Inc. (Synfuels). Synfuels holds one limited partnership unit (an 8.3% interest) in Pace Carbon Synfuels Investors, LP (Pace Carbon), a Delaware limited partnership formed to develop, own and operate four projects to produce and sell coal-based synthetic fuel utilizing Covol technology. Under Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code, manufacturers receive a tax credit for every ton of synthetic fuel sold. To qualify for the credits, the synthetic fuel must meet three primary conditions: 1) there must be a significant chemical change in the coal feedstock, 2) the product must be sold to an unrelated person, and 3) the production facility must have been placed in service before July 1, 1998. In past rulings, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has concluded that the synthetic fuel produced at the Pace Carbon facilities should qualify for Section 29 tax credits. The IRS issued a private letter ruling with respect to the four projects on November 11, 1997, and subsequently issued an updated private letter ruling on September 23, 2002. During June 2001, the IRS began a tax audit of Pace Carbon for the 1998 tax year and later expanded the audit to include tax years 1999 and 2000. The IRS has requested numerous extensions to the statute of limitations for the years under audit, but has not advised Pace Carbon of any intention to disallow credits. As a partner in Pace Carbon, Vectren has reflected total tax credits under Section 29 in its consolidated results through March 31, 2003 of approximately $25 million. Vectren has been in a position to fully utilize the credits generated and continues to project full utilization. In addition, Fuels receives synfuel related fees from synfuel producers unrelated to Pace Carbon for a portion of its coal production. On June 27, 2003, the IRS announced that it has reason to question the scientific validity of certain test procedures and results that have been presented to it by certain taxpayers with an interest in synfuel operations. Accordingly, the IRS has suspended the issuance of private letter rulings concerning whether a significant chemical change has occurred. In addition, the IRS indicated that it may revoke existing private letter rulings that relied on the procedures and results under review if it determines that those test procedures and results do not demonstrate that a significant chemical change has occurred. Vectren does not know the specific nature of the synfuel production procedures and results that are being reviewed by the IRS. At this time, Vectren cannot predict the outcome of the IRS's review, when the review will be completed or the ultimate impact, if any, of the review relative to Vectren's investments in Pace Carbon. Vectren believes that it is justified in its reliance on the private letter rulings for the Pace Carbon facilities, that the test results that Pace Carbon presented to the IRS in connection with its private letter rulings are scientifically valid, and that Pace Carbon has operated its facilities in compliance with its private letter rulings and Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code." The full press release is included herein at exhibit 99-1. In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company is hereby filing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results of the Company and its subsidiaries, including Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc., Indiana Gas Company, Inc. and Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company, to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements of the Company and its subsidiaries made by, or on behalf of, the Company and its subsidiaries. Item 7. Exhibits 99-1 Press Release - Vectren Corporation adjusts 2003 earnings guidance and addresses recent announcements related to the production of synthetic fuel 99-2 Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure and Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition The following information is furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission under Item 12. On July 9, 2003, Vectren Corporation issued a press release to adjust 2003 earnings guidance and to address recent announcements related to the production of synthetic fuel. Vectren Corporation is the parent company of Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc. The press release is included herein as exhibit 99.1. 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. VECTREN UTILITY HOLDINGS, INC. July 9, 2003 By: /s/ M. Susan Hardwick ---------------------------------------- M. Susan Hardwick Vice President and Controller EX-99.1 PRESS RELEAS 3 vvc-pressrelease99_1.txt PRESS RELEASE EX 99-1 Vectren Corporation P.O. Box 209 Evansville, IN 47702-0209 July 9, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Vectren Corporation adjusts 2003 earnings guidance and addresses recent announcements related to the production of synthetic fuel Evansville, Indiana - Vectren Corporation (NYSE:VVC) today said it expects its 2003 consolidated earnings to be below previously announced expectations primarily due to the complete write-off of two investments, totaling approximately $4.5 million after tax. Those investments were in an entity that processes fly ash into building material and a small broadband entity unrelated to the company's investment in Utilicom Networks. Vectren's current expectation for 2003 is in the range of $1.65 to $1.75 per share, including the potential impact of any permanent financing to be completed in 2003. This guidance is down $0.10 per share from previous announcements due primarily to the investment write-offs and the impact of the economy, which has rebounded more slowly than expected. Results for the second quarter of 2003 are to be released July 22, 2003, and are expected to be below street estimates due to milder weather in the second quarter and the additional second quarter charges associated with the investment write-offs. A detailed discussion of the second quarter results and guidance for the year will be held in Vectren's scheduled web-cast and teleconference on July 23. Synthetic Fuel In other news, Vectren commented on its investment in synthetic fuel operations in light of recent announcements related to activity in the industry. As background, Vectren's Coal Mining operations is comprised of Vectren Fuels (Fuels), which includes its coal mines and related operations and Vectren Synfuels, Inc. (Synfuels). Synfuels holds one limited partnership unit (an 8.3% interest) in Pace Carbon Synfuels Investors, LP (Pace Carbon), a Delaware limited partnership formed to develop, own and operate four projects to produce and sell coal-based synthetic fuel utilizing Covol technology. Under Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code, manufacturers receive a tax credit for every ton of synthetic fuel sold. To qualify for the credits, the synthetic fuel must meet three primary conditions: 1) there must be a significant chemical change in the coal feedstock, 2) the product must be sold to an unrelated person, and 3) the production facility must have been placed in service before July 1, 1998. In past rulings, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has concluded that the synthetic fuel produced at the Pace Carbon facilities should qualify for Section 29 tax credits. The IRS issued a private letter ruling with respect to the four projects on November 11, 1997, and subsequently issued an updated private letter ruling on September 23, 2002. During June 2001, the IRS began a tax audit of Pace Carbon for the 1998 tax year and later expanded the audit to include tax years 1999 and 2000. The IRS has requested numerous extensions to the statute of limitations for the years under audit, but has not advised Pace Carbon of any intention to disallow credits. As a partner in Pace Carbon, Vectren has reflected total tax credits under Section 29 in its consolidated results through March 31, 2003 of approximately $25 million. Vectren has been in a position to fully utilize the credits generated and continues to project full utilization. In addition, Fuels receives synfuel related fees from synfuel producers unrelated to Pace Carbon for a portion of its coal production. For fiscal years 2003 and 2004, Vectren has forecast the net income contribution from synfuels to be approximately $11 to $13 million. This reflects results from the investment in Pace Carbon as well as synfuel fees, which are expected to be 20-30% of the total synfuel contribution. The increased contribution in 2003 over prior years is primarily due to the relocation and restart of the fourth plant owned by Pace Carbon and increased synfuel fees at Fuels. On June 27, 2003, the IRS announced that it has reason to question the scientific validity of certain test procedures and results that have been presented to it by certain taxpayers with an interest in synfuel operations. Accordingly, the IRS has suspended the issuance of private letter rulings concerning whether a significant chemical change has occurred. In addition, the IRS indicated that it may revoke existing private letter rulings that relied on the procedures and results under review if it determines that those test procedures and results do not demonstrate that a significant chemical change has occurred. Vectren does not know the specific nature of the synfuel production procedures and results that are being reviewed by the IRS. At this time, Vectren cannot predict the outcome of the IRS's review, when the review will be completed or the ultimate impact, if any, of the review relative to Vectren's investments in Pace Carbon. Vectren believes that it is justified in its reliance on the private letter rulings for the Pace Carbon facilities, that the test results that Pace Carbon presented to the IRS in connection with its private letter rulings are scientifically valid, and that Pace Carbon has operated its facilities in compliance with its private letter rulings and Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code. About Vectren Vectren Corporation is an energy and applied technology holding company headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to over one million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren's non-regulated subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the surrounding region. These services include energy marketing; coal mining; utility infrastructure services; and broadband communication services. To learn more about Vectren, visit www.vectren.com. Safe Harbor for Forward Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements, which are based on management's beliefs and assumptions that derive from information currently known by management. Vectren wishes to caution readers that actual results could differ materially from those contained in this document. Additional detailed information concerning a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the information that is provided to you is readily available in our report Form 10-K as amended on Form 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2003. Investor Contact Steven M. Schein, (812) 491-4209, sschein@vectren.com Media Contact Jeffrey W. Whiteside, (812) 491-4205, jwhiteside@vectren.com ### EX-99.2 SAFE HARBOR 4 vuhi-safeharbor99_2.txt SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT EX 99-2 Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements is provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act of 1995). The Reform Act of 1995 was adopted to encourage such forward-looking statements without the threat of litigation, provided those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statement. Forward-looking statements have been and will be made in written documents and oral presentations of Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Such statements are based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc.' and its subsidiaries' documents or oral presentations, the words "believe," "anticipate," "endeavor," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "goal," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements, factors that could cause Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries' actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements included, among others, the following: |X| Factors affecting utility operations such as unusual weather conditions; catastrophic weather-related damage; unusual maintenance or repairs; unanticipated changes to fossil fuel costs; unanticipated changes to gas supply costs, or availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments; environmental or pipeline incidents; transmission or distribution incidents; unanticipated changes to electric energy supply costs, or availability due to demand, shortages, transmission problems or other developments; or electric transmission or gas pipeline system constraints. |X| Increased competition in the energy environment including effects of industry restructuring and unbundling. |X| Regulatory factors such as unanticipated changes in rate-setting policies or procedures, recovery of investments and costs made under traditional regulation, and the frequency and timing of rate increases. |X| Financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, state public utility commissions, state entities which regulate natural gas transmission, gathering and processing, and similar entities with regulatory oversight. |X| Economic conditions including the effects of an economic downturn or recession, inflation rates, and monetary fluctuations. |X| Changing market conditions and a variety of other factors associated with physical energy and financial trading activities including, but not limited to, price, basis, credit, liquidity, volatility, capacity, interest rate, and warranty risks. |X| Availability or cost of capital, resulting from changes in Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including its securities ratings, changes in interest rates, and/or market perceptions of the utility industry and energy-related industries. |X| Employee workforce factors including changes in key executives, collective bargaining agreements with union employees, or work stoppages. |X| Legal and regulatory delays and other obstacles associated with mergers, acquisitions, and investments in joint ventures. |X| Costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations, claims, and other matters, including, but not limited to, those described in periodic filings made with the Commission by Vectren Corporation and its subsidiaries, Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc., Indiana Gas Company, Inc. and Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company. |X| Changes in federal, state or local legislature requirements, such as changes in tax laws or rates, environmental laws and regulations. Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of changes in actual results, changes in assumptions, other factors affecting such statements. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----