EX-12.B 7 exhibit12b_3q2002.htm EXHIBIT 12B EXHIBIT 12b

Exhibit 12(b) 
               
               
CLECO POWER
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(UNAUDITED)
               
    For the   For the   For the  
    three   nine   twelve  
    months   months   months  
    ended   ended   ended  
    September 30, 2002  
    (Thousands, except ratios)  
               
Earnings from continuing operations  $     19,719   $     49,198   $     66,077  
Income taxes  $       9,547   $     26,950   $     35,796  
               
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes  $     29,266   $     76,148   $   101,873  
    ======   ======   ======  
               
Fixed charges:             
      Interest, long-term debt $       6,169   $     18,729   $    24,452  
      Interest, other (including interest on short-term debt) $          851   $       1,873   $      2,230  
      Amortization of debt expense, premium, net $          257   $          683   $         895  
      Portion of rentals representative of an interest factor $          128   $          414   $         540  
               
Total fixed charges  $       7,405   $     21,699   $    28,117  
    ======   ======   ======  
               
Earnings from continuing operations before income              
      taxes and fixed charges $     36,671   $     97,847   $   129,990  
    ======   ======   ======  
               
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges  4.95 x 4.51 x 4.62 x
    ======   ======   ======