10-Q 1 clecocorp10q_nov2.htm CLECO CORP. 2005 3RD QUARTER 10-Q Cleco Corp. 3rd Qtr.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 September 30, 2005
Or

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

__________________

Commission file number 1-15759

CLECO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Louisiana
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

72-1445282
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 

 

 

2030 Donahue Ferry Road, Pineville, Louisiana
(Address of principal executive offices)

71360-5226
(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (318) 484-7400

 

__________________

Commission file number 1-05663

CLECO POWER LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Louisiana
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

72-0244480
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

2030 Donahue Ferry Road, Pineville, Louisiana
(Address of principal executive offices)

71360-5226
(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (318) 484-7400


 

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 (or for such shorter period that the Registrants were required to file such reports) and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   x      No __

Indicate by check mark whether Cleco Corporation is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  Yes   x      No ___

Indicate by check mark whether Cleco Power LLC is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  Yes           No   x 

 

Indicate by check mark whether Cleco Corporation is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  Yes           No   x   

 

Indicate by check mark whether Cleco Power LLC is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  Yes           No    x   

Number of shares outstanding of each of Cleco Corporation's classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Registrant

Description of Class

Shares Outstanding at October 31, 2005

Cleco Corporation

Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value

49,949,211

Cleco Power LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cleco Corporation, meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.


This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power.  Information in this filing relating to Cleco Power is filed by Cleco Corporation and separately by Cleco Power on its own behalf.  Cleco Power makes no representation as to information relating to Cleco Corporation (except as it may relate to Cleco Power) or any other affiliate or subsidiary of Cleco Corporation.

This report should be read in its entirety as it pertains to each respective Registrant.  The Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements are combined.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                  PAGE

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

                           3

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 

                           5
 

PART I

Financial Information

ITEM 1.

Cleco Corporation - Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

                           6

Cleco Power - Condensed Financial Statements

                         14

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

                         19

ITEM 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

                         41

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk of Cleco Corporation

                         59

ITEM 4.
 

Controls and Procedures
 

                         60
 

PART II

Other Information

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

                         61

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

                         61

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

                         62

Signatures

                         63


2


References in this filing, including all items in Parts I and II, to "Cleco" mean Cleco Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Cleco Power, and references to "Cleco Power" mean Cleco Power LLC, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.  Additional abbreviations or acronyms used in this filing, including all items in Parts I and II are defined below:

ABBREVIATION OR ACRONYM

DEFINITION

1935 FPA

1935 Federal Power Act

401(k) Plan

Cleco Power 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan

APB

Accounting Principles Board

APB Opinion No. 18

The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock

APB Opinion No. 20

Accounting Changes

APB Opinion No. 25

Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees

APB Opinion No. 29

Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions

APH

Acadia Power Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream

APP

Acadia Power Partners, LLC and its 1,160-MW combined-cycle, natural gas-fired power plant near Eunice, Louisiana, 50% owned by APH and 50% owned by Calpine

Attala

Attala Transmission LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream

Calpine

Calpine Corporation

Calpine Tolling Agreements

Capacity Sale and Tolling Agreements between APP and CES

CES

Calpine Energy Services, L.P.

CAH

Calpine Acadia Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Calpine

Cleco Energy

Cleco Energy LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream

Diversified Lands

Diversified Lands LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cleco Innovations LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cleco Corporation

EITF

Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB

EITF No. 04-10

Applying Paragraph 19 of FASB Statement No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, in Determining Whether to Aggregate Operating Segments That Do Not Meet the Quantitative Thresholds

EITF No. 04-13

Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty

EITF No. 05-6

Determining the Amortization Period for Leasehold Improvements

Entergy

Entergy Corporation

Entergy Gulf States

Entergy Gulf States, Inc.

Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana, Inc.

Entergy Services

Entergy Services, Inc., as agent for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

ESOP

Cleco Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan

ESPP

Cleco Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Evangeline

Cleco Evangeline LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream, and its 775-MW combined-cycle, natural gas-fired power plant located in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana

Evangeline Tolling Agreement

Capacity Sale and Tolling Agreement between Evangeline and Williams

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FIN

FASB Interpretation No.

FIN 45

Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness to Others

FIN 46

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51

FIN 46R

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (revised December 2003)

FIN 46R-5

Implicit Variable Interests under FASB Statement Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

FIN 47

Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143

FSP

FASB Staff Position

FSP APB No. 18-1

Accounting by an Investor for Its Proportionate Share of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income of an Investee Accounted for under the Equity Method in Accordance with APB Opinion No. 18 upon a Loss of Significant Influence

FSP FAS No. 13-1

Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period

FSP FAS No. 106-2

FASB Staff Position Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

GDP-IPD

Gross Domestic Product - Implicit Price Deflator

IRP

Integrated Resource Planning

kWh

Kilowatt-hour(s) as applicable

LIBOR

London Inter-Bank Offer Rate

Lignite Mining Agreement

Dolet Hills Mine Lignite Mining Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2001

LPSC

Louisiana Public Service Commission

LTICP

Cleco Corporation Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

MAEM

Mirant Americas Energy Marketing, LP

 

MAI

Mirant Americas, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mirant

 

3


ABBREVIATION OR ACRONYM DEFINITION

Marketing & Trading

Cleco Marketing & Trading LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream

 

Midstream

Cleco Midstream Resources LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cleco Corporation

 

Mirant

Mirant Corporation

 

Mirant Debtors

Mirant, MAEM, MAI, and certain other Mirant subsidiaries

 

Mirant Debtors Bankruptcy Court

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Ft. Worth Division

 

MW

Megawatt(s) as applicable

 

Not meaningful

A percentage comparison of these items is not statistically meaningful either because the percentage difference is greater than 1,000% or the comparison involves a positive and negative number.

 

NOx

Nitrogen oxides

 

PEH

Perryville Energy Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream

 

Perryville

Perryville Energy Partners, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of PEH

 

Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division

 

Perryville Tolling Agreement

Capacity Sale and Tolling Agreement between Perryville and MAEM

 

Power Purchase Agreement

Power Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2004, between Perryville and Entergy Services

 

PRP

Potentially responsible party

 

PUHCA

Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935

 

PURPA

Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978

 

Registrant(s)

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

 

RFP

Request for Proposal

 

RTO

Regional Transmission Organization

 

Sale Agreement

Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2004, between Perryville and Entergy Louisiana

 

SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission

 

Senior Loan Agreement

Construction and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2001, between Perryville and KBC Bank N.V., as Agent Bank

 

SERP

Cleco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

 

SESCO

San Angelo Electric Service Company

 

SFAS

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards

 

SFAS No. 3

Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements

 

SFAS No. 123

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

 

SFAS No. 123R

Share-Based Payment

 

SFAS No. 131

Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information

 

SFAS No. 133

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

SFAS No. 143

Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

 

SFAS No. 144

Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

 

SFAS No. 149

Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

SFAS No. 154

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections

 

SOP 90-7

Statement of Position issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code

 

SO2

Sulfur dioxide

 

SPP

Southwest Power Pool

 

Subordinated Loan Agreement

Subordinated Loan Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2002, between Perryville and MAI

 

Support Group

Cleco Support Group LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cleco Corporation

 

SWEPCO

Southwestern Electric Power Company

 

VAR

Value-at-risk

 

Westar

Westar Energy, Inc.

 

Williams

Williams Power Company, Inc.

 

4


This report includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, circumstances, and results.  All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report are forward-looking statements.  Although the Registrants believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions (some of which may prove to be incorrect) and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the Registrants' expectations.  In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with these forward-looking statements, the following list identifies some of the factors that could cause the Registrants' actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any of the Registrants' forward-looking statements:

  • Factors affecting utility operations, such as unusual weather conditions or other natural phenomena; catastrophic weather-related damage (such as hurricanes); unscheduled generation outages; unusual maintenance or repairs; unanticipated changes to fuel costs, cost of and reliance on natural gas as a component of Cleco's generation fuel mix and their impact on competition and franchises, fuel supply costs or availability constraints due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments; environmental incidents; or power transmission system constraints;
     

  • Cleco Power's ability to construct, operate, and maintain, within its projected costs (including project financing), a proposed 600-MW solid-fuel power plant in addition to any other self-build projects identified in its RFP and IRP processes;
     

  • Nonperformance by and creditworthiness of counterparties under tolling, power purchase, and energy service agreements, or the restructuring of those agreements, including possible termination;
     

  • Increased competition in power markets, including effects of industry restructuring or deregulation, transmission system operation or administration, transmission reliability standards, retail wheeling, wholesale competition, retail competition, or cogeneration;
     

  • Regulatory factors such as changes in rate-setting policies, recovery of investments made under traditional regulation, the frequency and timing of rate increases or decreases, the results of periodic fuel audits, the results of the RFP and IRP processes, the timely recovery of storm restoration costs, and the formation of RTOs;
     

  • Cleco's ability to develop and execute on a point of view regarding prices of electricity, natural gas, and other energy-related commodities;
     

  • Financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by the FASB, the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the FERC, the LPSC or similar entities with regulatory or accounting oversight;
     

  • Economic conditions, including inflation rates, monetary fluctuations, related growth and/or down-sizing of businesses in Cleco's service area, and ability of customers to continue paying for higher fuel charges;
     

  • Credit ratings of Cleco Corporation, Cleco Power, and Evangeline;
     

  • Changing market conditions and a variety of other factors associated with physical energy, financial transactions, and energy service activities, including, but not limited to, price, basis, credit, liquidity, volatility, capacity, transmission, interest rates, and warranty risks;
     

  • Acts of terrorism;
     

  • Availability or cost of capital resulting from changes in Cleco's business or financial condition, interest rates, and securities ratings or market perceptions of the electric utility industry and energy-related industries;
     

  • Employee work force factors, including work stoppages and changes in key executives;
     

  • Legal, environmental, and regulatory delays and other obstacles associated with mergers, acquisitions, capital projects, reorganizations, or investments in joint ventures;
     

  • Costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations, claims and other matters; and
     

  • Changes in federal, state, or local legislative requirements, such as the adoption of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and changes in tax laws or rates, regulating policies or environmental laws and regulations.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Registrants or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors identified above.

The Registrants undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of changes in actual results, changes in assumptions, or other factors affecting such statements.


5


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cleco Corporation

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Cleco Corporation's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.  For more information on the basis of presentation, see "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Basis of Presentation."





6


CLECO CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                      2005

 

                      2004

Operating revenue

     Electric operations

 $   267,958

   $         219,747

     Other operations

         14,240

                   8,610

     Affiliate revenue

           1,758

                   2,377

          Gross operating revenue

       283,956

              230,734

               Electric customer credits

             (300)

                  (1,344)

          Operating revenue, net

       283,656

              229,390

Operating expenses

     Fuel used for electric generation

         54,665

                 60,380

     Power purchased for utility customers

       125,190

                 79,586

     Other operations

         22,724

                 19,165

     Maintenance

           9,723

                 11,803

     Depreciation

         15,182

                 14,507

     Taxes other than income taxes

         10,938

                 10,587

          Total operating expenses

       238,422

              196,028

Operating income

         45,234

                 33,362

Interest income

           1,136

                       607

Allowance for other funds used during construction

              325

                       976

Equity income from investees

         25,249

                 23,056

Other income

           2,626

                       171

Other expense

             (861)

                  (2,246)

Interest charges

     Interest charges, including amortization of debt expenses, premium and discount, net of capitalized interest

           9,535

                 12,063

     Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction

             (108)

                     (326)

          Total interest charges

           9,427

                 11,737

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

         64,282

                 44,189

Federal and state income tax expense

         21,948

                 16,500

Income from continuing operations

         42,334

                 27,689

Discontinued operations

     Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

               (25)

                        (35)

     Loss on disposal of segment, net of tax

                   -

                     (271)

          Total loss from discontinued operations

               (25)

                     (306)

Net income

         42,309

                 27,383

Preferred dividends requirements, net

              451

                       468

Net income applicable to common stock

 $      41,858

   $              26,915

Average shares of common stock outstanding

     Basic

 49,548,835

        47,114,330

     Diluted

 51,714,320

        49,342,187

Basic earnings (loss) per share

                   

     From continuing operations

 $          0.82

   $                  0.56

     From discontinued operations

 $                -

   $               (0.01)

     Net income applicable to common stock

 $          0.82

   $                  0.55

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

     From continuing operations

 $          0.82

   $                  0.56

     From discontinued operations

 $                -

   $               (0.01)

     Net income applicable to common stock

 $          0.82

   $                  0.55

Cash dividends paid per share of common stock

 $        0.225

   $                0.225

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.


7


CLECO CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                         2005

 

                      2004

Net income

 $       42,309

   $           27,383

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

     Net unrealized (loss) income from limited partnership (net of tax (benefit) expense of $(47) in 2005 and $27 in 2004)

                 (76)

                         44

     Net unrealized income (loss) from available-for-sale securities (net of tax expense (benefit) of $23 in 2005 and $(12) in 2004)

                  37

                       (19)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

                 (39)

                         25

Comprehensive income, net of tax

 $       42,270

   $           27,408

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

8


CLECO CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                      2005

 

                      2004

Operating revenue

     Electric operations

 $   614,670

   $         545,417

     Tolling operations

                   -

                 10,255

     Other operations

         29,493

                 22,505

     Affiliate revenue

           6,488

                   5,361

          Gross operating revenue

       650,651

              583,538

               Electric customer credits

             (771)

               (21,177)

          Operating revenue, net

       649,880

              562,361

Operating expenses

     Fuel used for electric generation

       117,139

              110,230

     Power purchased for utility customers

       268,206

              206,490

     Other operations

         66,215

                 60,389

     Maintenance

         32,848

                 31,306

     Depreciation

         45,059

                 45,150

     Taxes other than income taxes

         30,646

                 30,335

     Gain on sales of assets

         (2,207)

                            -

          Total operating expenses

       557,906

              483,900

Operating income

         91,974

                 78,461

Interest income

           2,987

                   3,012

Allowance for other funds used during construction

           2,104

                   2,702

Equity income from investees

         46,121

                 40,660

Other income

           3,445

                       479

Other expense

         (1,652)

                  (2,869)

Interest charges

     Interest charges, including amortization of debt expenses, premium and discount, net of capitalized interest

         32,584

                 41,077

     Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction

             (702)

                     (896)

          Total interest charges

         31,882

                 40,181

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

       113,097

                 82,264

Federal and state income tax expense

         40,490

                 29,950

Income from continuing operations

         72,607

                 52,314

Discontinued operations

     Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

             (230)

                     (165)

     Loss on disposal of segment, net of tax

                   -

                     (271)

          Total loss from discontinued operations

             (230)

                     (436)

Net income

         72,377

                 51,878

Preferred dividends requirements, net

           1,374

                   1,745

Net income applicable to common stock

 $       71,003

   $              50,133

Average shares of common stock outstanding

     Basic

 49,443,912

        47,031,650

     Diluted

 51,625,000

        47,108,952

Basic earnings (loss) per share

                   

     From continuing operations

 $            1.41

   $                  1.05

     From discontinued operations

 $         (0.01)

   $               (0.01)

     Net income applicable to common stock

 $            1.40

   $                  1.04

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

     From continuing operations

 $            1.41

   $                  1.05

     From discontinued operations

 $         (0.01)

   $               (0.01)

     Net income applicable to common stock

 $            1.40

   $                  1.04

Cash dividends paid per share of common stock

 $          0.675

   $                0.675

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.


9


CLECO CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                      2005

 

                      2004

Net income

 $     72,377

   $           51,878

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

     Net unrealized (loss) income from limited partnership (net of tax (benefit) expense of $(27) in 2005 and $76 in 2004)

              (43)

                      121

     Net unrealized loss from available-for-sale securities (net of tax benefit of $14 in 2005 and $4 in 2004)

              (22)

                          (6)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

              (65)

                      115

Comprehensive income, net of tax

 $     72,312

   $           51,993

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

10


CLECO CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(THOUSANDS)

AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

 

   AT DECEMBER 31, 2004

Assets

     Current assets

          Cash and cash equivalents

    $         37,339

   $              123,787

          Customer accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $750 in 2005 and $506 in 2004)

               55,516

                     34,468

          Accounts receivable - affiliate

                 1,937

                        2,276

          Other accounts receivable

               30,981

                     23,562

          Unbilled revenue

               19,142

                     17,256

          Fuel inventory, at average cost

               16,651

                     21,132

          Material and supplies inventory, at average cost

                 9,761

                     16,609

          Risk management assets

               35,281

                              84

          Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net

                         -

                        4,767

          Accumulated deferred fuel

               14,157

                     13,997

          Cash surrender value of company-/trust-owned life insurance policies

               20,462

                     19,170

          Margin deposits

                         -

                        5,159

          Prepayments

                 9,881

                        4,023

          Other current assets

                 1,619

                        1,476

               Total current assets

             252,727

                   287,766

     Property, plant and equipment

          Property, plant and equipment

         1,801,579

               1,733,970

          Accumulated depreciation

           (791,955)

                 (781,925)

          Net property, plant and equipment

         1,009,624

                   952,045

          Construction work in progress

             174,162

                   108,000

               Total property, plant and equipment, net

         1,183,786

               1,060,045

     Equity investment in investees

             332,027

                   314,284

     Prepayments

                 6,078

                        6,568

     Restricted cash

                      86

                              93

     Regulatory assets and liabilities - deferred taxes, net 

               88,771

                     92,864

     Regulatory assets - other

               45,830

                     26,327

     Other deferred charges

               52,555

                     49,116

          Total assets

    $   1,961,860

   $          1,837,063

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

                      

(Continued on next page)


11


CLECO CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Continued)

(THOUSANDS)

AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

 

   AT DECEMBER 31, 2004

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

   Liabilities

          Current liabilities

               Long-term debt due within one year

    $         40,000

   $              160,000

               Accounts payable

             203,813

                     75,770

               Accrued payroll

                 2,005

                        2,693

               Accounts payable - affiliate

               28,506

                     18,634

               Customer deposits

               23,494

                     22,654

               Provision for rate refund

                 7,927

                     23,951

               Taxes accrued

               45,917

                     16,323

               Interest accrued

                 7,498

                        9,572

               Margin deposits

               17,673

                                 -

               Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net

                 3,991

                                 -

               Other current liabilities

                 8,181

                        8,080

          Total current liabilities

             389,005

                   337,677

     Deferred credits

          Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net

             380,830

                   368,846

          Accumulated deferred investment tax credits

               16,049

                     17,303

          Other deferred credits

             108,940

                   101,621

               Total deferred credits

             505,819

                   487,770

     Long-term debt, net

             460,363

                   450,552

               Total liabilities

         1,355,187

               1,275,999

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)

Shareholders' equity

     Preferred stock

          Not subject to mandatory redemption, $100 par value, authorized 1,491,900 shares, issued 218,420 and 234,160 shares at
          September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively


               21,842

                     23,416

          Deferred compensation related to preferred stock held by ESOP

               (1,862)

                      (4,190)

          Total preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption

               19,980

                     19,226

     Common shareholders' equity

          Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 49,996,049 and 49,667,861 shares at September 30, 2005 and
          December 31, 2004, respectively


               49,996

                     49,668

          Premium on common stock

             200,577

                   194,055

          Retained earnings

             345,375

                   308,003

          Unearned compensation

               (5,184)

                      (5,733)

          Treasury stock, at cost, 37,769 and 44,275 shares at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

                   (738)

                          (887)

          Accumulated other comprehensive loss

               (3,333)

                      (3,268)

               Total common shareholders' equity

             586,693

                   541,838

                   Total shareholders' equity

             606,673

                   561,064

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

    $   1,961,860

   $          1,837,063

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.


12


CLECO CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

   FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                            2005

 

                      2004

Operating activities

     Net income

    $       72,377

   $            51,878

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

          Loss on disposal of segment, net of tax

                       -

                       271

          Depreciation and amortization

             47,091

                 47,859

          Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

             (2,207)

                            -

          Provision for doubtful accounts

               1,342

                       900

          Return on equity investment in investee

             24,451

                 19,603

          Income from equity investments

           (44,475)

               (40,872)

          Unearned/deferred compensation expense

               5,158

                  (1,551)

          Employee stock ownership plan expense

                  693

                       499

          Allowance for other funds used during construction

             (2,104)

                  (2,702)

          Amortization of investment tax credits

             (1,253)

                  (1,284)

          Net deferred income taxes

             24,739

                 18,608

          Deferred fuel costs

           (42,621)

               (17,620)

          Impairment of long-lived assets

                       -

                   1,100

          Cash surrender value of company-/trust-owned life insurance

                (531)

                     (951)

          Changes in assets and liabilities:

               Accounts receivable, net

           (49,057)

               (12,935)

               Accounts and notes receivable, affiliate

                  338

               (15,101)

               Unbilled revenue

             (1,886)

                   1,816

               Fuel, materials and supplies inventory

               6,730

                     (963)

               Prepayments

             (5,317)

                  (1,036)

               Accounts payable

             43,495

               (15,104)

               Accounts and notes payable, affiliate

               9,872

                 29,276

               Accrued payroll

                (689)

                   1,630

               Customer deposits

               4,064

                   3,837

               Long-term receivable

                       -

                  (2,206)

               Regulatory assets and liabilities, net

             (5,160)

                       445

               Other deferred accounts

               2,100

                 37,459

               Retainage payable

                  231

                  (7,625)

               Taxes accrued

             28,549

                 62,262

               Interest accrued

             (1,342)

                  (3,776)

               Margin deposits

             29,527

                       761

               Other, net

                  747

                   1,388

          Net cash provided by operating activities

           144,862

              155,866

Investing activities

     Additions to property, plant and equipment

           (92,315)

               (58,540)

     Allowance for other funds used during construction

               2,104

                   2,702

     Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

               2,792

                       228

     Proceeds from disposal of segment

                       -

                       786

     Return of equity investment in investee

               2,891

                   8,091

     Investment in cost method investments

             (1,385)

                  (4,100)

     Equity investment in investee

                  (20)

                            -

     Cash surrender value of company-/trust-owned life insurance

             (1,545)

                  (3,931)

     Transfer of cash from restricted accounts

                      7

                 10,178

          Net cash used in investing activities

           (87,471)

               (44,586)

Financing activities

     Exercise of options to common stock

               2,157

                       249

     Change in short-term debt, net

                       -

               (67,750)

     Retirement of long-term obligations

         (200,070)

                  (2,489)

     Issuance of long-term debt

             90,000

                            -

     Deferred financing costs

             (2,026)

                  (1,576)

     Change in ESOP trust

               1,636

                   1,753

     Dividends paid on preferred stock

             (1,904)

                  (2,339)

     Dividends paid on common stock

           (33,632)

               (32,059)

          Net cash used in financing activities

         (143,839)

             (104,211)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

           (86,448)

                   7,069

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

           123,787

                 95,381

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

    $       37,339

   $           102,450

Supplementary cash flow information

     Interest paid

    $       31,847

   $             43,544

     Income taxes paid (received)

    $         6,061

   $          (42,056)

Supplementary non-cash investing and financing activities

     Issuance of treasury stock - LTICP and ESOP plans

    $            149

   $              1,784

     Issuance of common stock - LTICP/ESOP/ESPP 1

    $         2,692

   $              4,261

     Accrued additions to property, plant and equipment not reported above

    $       75,853

   $                      -

1  Includes conversion of preferred stock to common stock

    $         1,574

   $              1,905

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

13


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cleco Power

These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with Cleco Power's Financial Statements and Notes included in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.  For more information on the basis of presentation, see "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Basis of Presentation."




 

14


CLECO POWER

Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited)

   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                         2005

 

                      2004

Operating revenue

 

     Electric operations

    $   267,958

   $         219,747

     Other operations

           14,113

                   8,473

     Affiliate revenue

                498

                       463

          Gross operating revenue

         282,569

              228,683

               Electric customer credits

               (300)

                  (1,344)

          Operating revenue, net

         282,269

              227,339

Operating expenses

     Fuel used for electric generation

           54,665

                 60,380

     Power purchased for utility customers

         125,190

                 79,586

     Other operations

           22,264

                 17,669

     Maintenance

             8,948

                 10,697

     Depreciation

           14,765

                 14,201

     Taxes other than income taxes

           10,424

                 10,172

          Total operating expenses

         236,256

              192,705

Operating income

           46,013

                 34,634

Interest income

             1,089

                       587

Allowance for other funds used during construction

                325

                       976

Other income

                161

                         70

Other expense

               (397)

                  (2,657)

Interest charges

     Interest charges, including amortization of debt expenses, premium and discount

             7,274

                   7,694

     Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction

               (108)

                     (326)

          Total interest charges

             7,166

                   7,368

Income before income taxes

           40,025

                 26,242

Federal and state income taxes

           12,842

                   9,450

Net income

    $     27,183

   $            16,792

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

15


CLECO POWER

Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited)

   FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                         2005

 

                      2004

Operating revenue

 

     Electric operations

    $   614,670

   $         545,417

     Other operations

           29,228

                 22,266

     Affiliate revenue

             1,489

                   1,412

          Gross operating revenue

         645,387

              569,095

               Electric customer credits

               (771)

               (21,177)

          Operating revenue, net

         644,616

              547,918

Operating expenses

     Fuel used for electric generation

         117,139

              110,230

     Power purchased for utility customers

         268,206

              206,490

     Other operations

           61,614

                 52,885

     Maintenance

           30,298

                 27,691

     Depreciation

           43,824

                 42,317

     Taxes other than income taxes

           28,666

                 28,644

     Gain on sales of assets

           (2,207)

                            -

          Total operating expenses

         547,540

              468,257

Operating income

           97,076

                 79,661

Interest income

             2,233

                   2,787

Allowance for other funds used during construction

             2,104

                   2,702

Other income

                917

                       213

Other expense

           (1,243)

                  (3,599)

Interest charges

     Interest charges, including amortization of debt expenses, premium and discount

           21,373

                 21,921

     Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction

               (702)

                     (896)

          Total interest charges

           20,671

                 21,025

Income before income taxes

           80,416

                 60,739

Federal and state income taxes

           28,299

                 22,044

Net income

    $     52,117

   $            38,695

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

16


CLECO POWER

Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(THOUSANDS)

AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

 

   AT DECEMBER 31, 2004

Assets

 

     Utility plant and equipment

          Property, plant and equipment

    $   1,787,518

   $            1,721,752

          Accumulated depreciation

           (785,721)

                   (776,925)

          Net property, plant and equipment

         1,001,797

                     944,827

          Construction work in progress

             173,683

                     106,368

               Total utility plant, net

         1,175,480

                 1,051,195

     Current assets

          Cash and cash equivalents

               15,427

                       54,113

          Customer accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $708 in 2005 and $506 in 2004)

               55,558

                       34,468

          Other accounts receivable

               28,786

                       21,460

          Accounts receivable - affiliate

               24,200

                          5,208

          Unbilled revenue

               19,142

                       17,256

          Fuel inventory, at average cost

               16,651

                       21,132

          Material and supplies inventory, at average cost

                 9,761

                       16,609

          Margin deposits

                         -

                          5,159

          Risk management assets

               35,281

                                84

          Prepayments

                 9,165

                          2,897

          Accumulated deferred fuel

               14,157

                       13,997

          Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net

                         -

                          4,247

          Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

                 5,011

                          4,880

          Other current assets

                 1,256

                             464

               Total current assets

             234,395

                     201,974

     Prepayments

                 6,078

                          6,568

     Regulatory assets and liabilities - deferred taxes, net

               88,771

                       92,864

     Regulatory assets - other

               45,830

                       26,327

     Other deferred charges

               49,964

                       46,460

Total assets

    $   1,600,518

   $            1,425,388

Liabilities and member's equity

     Member's equity

    $      452,674

   $               453,457

     Long-term debt

             360,363

                     350,552

          Total capitalization

             813,037

                     804,009

Current liabilities

     Long-term debt due within one year

               40,000

                       60,000

     Accounts payable

             195,853

                       68,630

     Accounts payable - affiliate

                 3,502

                          8,075

     Customer deposits

               23,494

                       22,637

     Provision for rate refund

                 7,927

                       23,951

     Taxes accrued

               22,532

                       20,709

     Interest accrued

                 4,467

                          7,621

     Margin deposits

               17,673

                                   -

     Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net

                 8,814

                                   -

     Other current liabilities

                 5,388

                          6,253

               Total current liabilities

             329,650

                     217,876

Deferred credits

     Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net

             387,535

                     339,060

     Accumulated deferred investment tax credits

               16,049

                       17,303

     Other deferred credits

               54,247

                       47,140

               Total deferred credits

             457,831

                     403,503

Total liabilities and member's equity

    $   1,600,518

   $          1,425,388

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.


17


CLECO POWER

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

   FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                         2005

 

                      2004

Operating activities

     Net income

    $     52,117

   $            38,695

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

          Depreciation and amortization

           45,077

                 43,859

          Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

           (2,207)

                            -

          Provision for doubtful accounts

             1,300

                       900

          Unearned/deferred compensation expense

             1,603

                     (558)

          Allowance for other funds used during construction

           (2,104)

                  (2,702)

          Amortization of investment tax credits

           (1,253)

                  (1,284)

          Net deferred income taxes

           66,103

                   5,829

          Deferred fuel costs

         (42,621)

               (17,620)

          Cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance

               (285)

                     (349)

          Changes in assets and liabilities:

               Accounts receivable, net

         (48,964)

               (17,308)

               Accounts and notes receivable, affiliate

         (18,139)

                 12,136

               Unbilled revenue

           (1,886)

                  (1,125)

               Fuel, materials and supplies inventory

             6,730

                     (944)

               Prepayments

           (5,727)

                     (109)

               Accounts payable

           42,193

               (15,602)

               Accounts and notes payable, affiliate

           (6,686)

               (14,743)

               Accrued payroll

               (243)

                   1,112

               Customer deposits

             4,082

                   3,837

               Regulatory assets and liabilities, net

           (5,160)

                       445

               Other deferred accounts

                186

                 30,250

               Retainage payable

                231

                            -

               Taxes accrued

             1,823

                 32,654

               Interest accrued

           (2,423)

                  (3,460)

               Margin deposits

           29,527

                       761

               Other, net

               (358)

                       269

          Net cash provided by operating activities

         112,916

                 94,943

Investing activities

     Additions to property, plant and equipment

         (91,622)

               (57,550)

     Allowance for other funds used during construction

             2,104

                   2,702

     Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

             2,792

                       228

     Cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance

               (629)

                     (493)

          Net cash used in investing activities

         (87,355)

               (55,113)

Financing activities

     Retirement of long-term obligations

       (100,070)

                        (30)

     Issuance of long-term debt

           90,000

                            -

     Deferred financing costs

           (1,277)

                     (719)

     Distribution to parent

         (59,900)

               (27,900)

     Distribution from parent

             7,000

                            -

          Net cash used in financing activities

         (64,247)

               (28,649)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

         (38,686)

                 11,181

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

           54,113

                 70,990

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

    $     15,427

   $            82,171

Supplementary cash flow information

     Interest paid

    $     22,896

   $            25,809

     Income taxes paid

    $       7,143

   $              7,790

Supplementary non-cash investing and financing activities

     Accrued additions to property, plant and equipment not reported above

    $     75,853

     $                     -

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

18


Index to Applicable Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements of Registrants


Note 1


Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 2

Reclassifications

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 3

Disclosures about Segments

Cleco Corporation

Note 4

Restricted Cash

Cleco Corporation

Note 5

Equity Investment in Investees

Cleco Corporation

Note 6

Recent Accounting Standards

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 7

Accrual of Electric Customer Credits

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 8

Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 9

Disclosures about Guarantees

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 10

Debt

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 11

Variable Interest Entities

Cleco Corporation

Note 12

Pension Plan and Employee Benefits

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 13

Perryville

Cleco Corporation

Note 14

Discontinued Operations and Dispositions

Cleco Corporation

Note 15

Income Taxes

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 16

Deferred Fuel and Purchased Power Costs

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 17

Affiliate Transactions

Cleco Corporation

Note 18

Franchise

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 19

Storm Restoration

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power

Note 20

Subsequent Event

Cleco Corporation





19


Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Cleco include the accounts of Cleco and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.

Cleco has adopted the provisions of FIN 46R on its scheduled effective dates.  Through a review of equity interests and other contractual relationships, Cleco has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of Evangeline, which is considered a variable interest entity.  In accordance with FIN 46R, Cleco deconsolidated Evangeline from its condensed consolidated financial statements and began reporting its investment in Evangeline on the equity method of accounting effective March 31, 2004.  As a result, the assets and liabilities of Evangeline no longer are reported on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets but instead are represented by one line item corresponding to Cleco's equity investment in Evangeline.  Effective April 1, 2004, Evangeline's results of operations are reported as equity income from investees on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  For additional information on the deconsolidation of Evangeline, see Note 5 - "Equity Investment in Investees."

The financial results of Perryville and PEH are included in Cleco Corporation's consolidated results through January 27, 2004.  However, generally accepted accounting principles preclude consolidation of majority-owned subsidiaries where control does not rest with the majority owners.  Cleco is utilizing the cost method to account for its investment in Perryville and PEH.  The cost method requires Cleco to present the net assets of Perryville and PEH at January 27, 2004, as an investment and not recognize any income or loss from Perryville or PEH in Cleco's results of operations during the reorganization period.  As of September 30, 2005, this investment had a negative cost basis of approximately $35.9 million, which is included in other deferred credits on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.  For information relating to the bankruptcy of Perryville and PEH and their plan of reorganization, see Note 13 - "Perryville" and Note 20 - "Subsequent Event."

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.  Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted, although Cleco believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.  The unaudited financial information included in the condensed financial statements of Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power reflects all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which are, in the opinion of the management of Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power, as the case may be, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods.  Information for interim periods is affected by seasonal variations in sales, rate changes, timing of fuel expense recovery and other factors, and is not indicative necessarily of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.  For more information on recent accounting standards and their effect on financial results, see Note 6 - "Recent Accounting Standards."

Risk Management

Market risk inherent in Cleco's market risk-sensitive instruments and positions includes the potential change arising from changes in interest rates and the commodity market prices of power and natural gas in the industry on different energy exchanges.  Cleco's Trading Risk Management Policy authorizes the use of various derivative instruments, including exchange traded futures and options contracts, forward purchase and sales contracts, and swap transactions, to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the price of power and natural gas.  Generally, Cleco Power's market risk-sensitive instruments and positions qualify for the normal-purchase, normal-sale exception to mark-to-market accounting of SFAS No. 133, as modified by SFAS No. 149, since Cleco Power generally takes physical delivery and the instruments and positions are used to satisfy customer requirements.  Cleco Power has entered into certain financial hedge transactions it considers economic hedges to mitigate the risk associated with the fixed-price power that will be provided to a new wholesale customer, through December 2010.  The economic hedges cover 97.8% of the estimated daily peak hour power sales to the municipal customer.  These transactions do not meet the criteria of accounting hedge treatment; therefore, the positions are marked-to-market with the resulting gain or loss recorded on the income statement as a component of operating revenue, net.  At September 30, 2005, there was a net mark-to-market gain of $4.4 million related to these economic hedge transactions. 

Cleco Power has entered into other positions to mitigate some of the volatility in fuel costs passed on to customers.  These positions are marked-to-market with the resulting gain or loss recorded on the balance sheet as a component of the accumulated deferred fuel asset or liability and a component of risk management assets or liabilities.  When these positions close, actual gains or losses will be included in fuel expense and reflected on customer bills as a component of the fuel cost adjustment.  Based on market prices at September 30, 2005, the net mark-to-market impact relating to these positions was a gain of $33.6 million. 

Any positions entered into for marketing and trading purposes do not meet the exemptions of SFAS No. 133, and the

20


net mark-to-market of those positions is recorded in income.  There were no speculative positions at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004.  

Cleco maintains a master netting agreement policy and monitors credit risk exposure through review of counterparty credit quality, corporate-wide aggregate counterparty credit exposure and corporate-wide aggregate counterparty concentration levels.  Cleco actively manages these risks by establishing appropriate credit and concentration limits on transactions with counterparties and requiring contractual guarantees, cash deposits or letters of credit from counterparties or their affiliates, as deemed necessary.  Cleco Power has agreements in place with various counterparties that authorize the netting of financial buys and sells and contract payments to mitigate credit risk for transactions entered into for risk management purposes.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per share is calculated utilizing the "two-class" method by dividing earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  The table below shows the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

              2005

              2004


(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


INCOME

               
 SHARES

PER SHARE
     AMOUNT

             
INCOME

           
    SHARES

PER SHARE
        AMOUNT

Net income from continuing operations

 $    42,334

   $        27,689

Deduct:  non-participating stock dividends (4.5% preferred stock)

               11

                      12

Deduct:  participating preferred stock dividends

             451

                   485

Deduct:  amount allocated to participating preferred

          1,193

                   727

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Net income from continuing operations available to common shareholders

 $    40,679

 $    0.82

   $        26,465

   $        0.56

Loss from discontinued operations

             (25)

             -

                  (306)

            (0.01)

Total basic net income applicable to common stock

 $    40,654

   49,548,835

 $    0.82

   $        26,159

      47,114,330

   $        0.55

Effect of Dilutive Securities

Add:  stock option grants

                  -

      149,602

                         -

              24,806

Add:  restricted stock (LTICP)

                  -

        13,577

                         -

              45,206

Add:  Convertible ESOP preferred stock

          1,644

 2,002,306

                1,212

        2,157,845

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Net income from continuing operations available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions

  $    42,323

 

  $    0.82

   $        27,677

 

   $        0.56

Loss from discontinued operations

             (25)

             -

                  (306)

            (0.01)

Total diluted net income applicable to common stock

 $    42,298

   51,714,320

 $    0.82

   $        27,371

      49,342,187

   $        0.55

 

 FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

              2005

              2004


(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                INCOME

                SHARES

 PER SHARE
AMOUNT

              
INCOME

         
      SHARES

   PER SHARE
AMOUNT

Net income from continuing operations

 $    72,607

   $        52,314

Deduct:  non-participating stock dividends (4.5% preferred stock)

               35

                      35

Deduct:  participating preferred stock dividends

          1,386

                1,810

Deduct:  amount allocated to participating preferred

          1,509

                   843

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Net income from continuing operations available to common shareholders

 $    69,677

                  

 $    1.41

   $        49,626

   $        1.05

Loss from discontinued operations

           (230)

      (0.01)

                  (436)

            (0.01)

Total basic net income applicable to common stock

 $    69,447

   49,443,912

 $    1.40

   $        49,190

      47,031,650

   $        1.04

Effect of Dilutive Securities

Add:  stock option grants

      113,518

              32,686

Add:  restricted stock (LTICP)

        13,024

              44,616

Add:  Convertible ESOP preferred stock

          2,895

 2,054,546

                         -

                          -

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Net income from continuing operations available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions

 
$    72,572

 

 
 $    1.41

  
$        49,626


                           

  
 $        1.05

Loss from discontinued operations

           (230)

      (0.01)

                  (436)

            (0.01)

Total diluted net income applicable to common stock

 $    72,342

   51,625,000

 $    1.40

   $        49,190

      47,108,952

   $        1.04


 

21


Stock option grants excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to the strike price being higher than the average market price were as follows:   

 

                  FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

                 2005

                   2004

 

             
STRIKE PRICE

             AVERAGE
    MARKET PRICE

            
 SHARES


               STRIKE PRICE

             AVERAGE
    MARKET PRICE

        
       SHARES

Stock option grants excluded

 $ 22.69 - $24.25

    $    22.66

    136,934

   $  17.75 - $24.25

          $      17.51

            942,869

 

 

                     FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

                 2005

                   2004

 

       
       STRIKE PRICE

        AVERAGE
   MARKET PRICE

       
      SHARES

              
STRIKE PRICE

      AVERAGE
    MARKET PRICE

            
   SHARES

Stock option grants excluded

 $ 21.88 - $24.25

    $    21.35

    331,968

   $  18.13 - $24.25

          $      17.95

            927,869

Convertible ESOP preferred stock shares of 2,217,270 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, because the effects would have been anti-dilutive.

Stock-Based Compensation

At September 30, 2005, Cleco Corporation had two stock-based compensation plans:  the LTICP and the ESPP.  Options or restricted shares of stock, known as non-vested stock as defined by SFAS No. 123, may be granted to certain officers, key employees, or directors of Cleco Corporation and its subsidiaries pursuant to the LTICP.  Substantially all employees, excluding officers and general managers, of Cleco Corporation and its subsidiaries may choose to participate in the ESPP and purchase a limited amount of common stock at a discount through a stock option agreement.  APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations are applied in accounting for Cleco Corporation's stock-based compensation plans.  Therefore, no stock-based employee compensation is reflected in the Cleco Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, or 2004, other than for restricted stock grants, as all compensatory stock options granted had an exercise price equal to the fair market value of common stock on the date of the grant and ESPP options are considered noncompensatory. 

The fair market value of restricted stock as determined on the measurement date is recorded as compensation expense during the service periods, which is generally three years, in which the restrictions lapse and if obtainment of vesting requirements is probable.  Cleco and Cleco Power reported pre-tax compensation expense (reversal of expense) for shares of restricted stock granted under the LTICP and the related income tax gross-up paid on behalf of participants as shown in the following table:

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                     2005

                      2004

                     2005

                       2004

Cleco pre-tax compensation expense (reversal of expense) including related tax gross-up

     $   1,778

         $          (320)

     $   5,044

         $      (1,511)

Cleco Power pre-tax compensation expense (reversal of expense) including related tax gross-up

     $      607

         $          (152)

     $   1,603

         $          (558)


Cleco grants to employees two types of restricted stock with market and performance objectives.  The first type, target shares, can be voted, and employees receive dividends on the shares prior to the lapse of the restrictions.  The second type, opportunity shares, is not issued to employees until the market and performance objectives have been met; therefore, these shares cannot be voted, nor do employees receive dividends on the shares prior to the lapse of the restrictions.  Both types of these grants require the satisfaction of the service requirement, as well as the achievement of one or more market-based or performance-based objectives in order to obtain vesting.  However, if certain events occur, such as retirement after age 55 or termination as part of a plan of reorganization prior to the end of the service period, then employees would vest in a pro-rata number of target and opportunity shares.  At September 30, 2005, the number of target and opportunity restricted shares previously granted for which restrictions had not lapsed totaled 682,340.  Cleco also grants to employees and directors restricted stock with only a service period requirement.  These grants require the satisfaction of a pre-determined service period in order for the shares to vest.  During the vesting period, the employees and directors can vote and receive dividends on the shares.  At September 30, 2005, the number of shares of restricted stock previously granted with only a service period requirement for which the period had not ended was 73,347.

Net income and net income per common share for Cleco and net income for Cleco Power would approximate the pro forma amounts shown in the following tables if the compensation expense for these plans was recognized in compliance with SFAS No. 123.  The income tax gross-up related to the shares of restricted stock granted under the LTICP is not included in the pro forma amounts as shown below since its treatment is the same under APB Opinion No. 25 and SFAS No. 123.


22


Cleco

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                     2005

                      2004

                     2005

                      2004

Net income applicable to common stock, as reported

     $ 41,858

         $     26,915

     $ 71,003

         $     50,133

Add:  stock-based employee compensation expense recognized (reversed) and included in reported net income applicable to common stock, net of related tax effects


827

(198)

2,057

(1,134)

Deduct:  total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method of all awards, net of related tax effects


             238


                       593


          1,188


                   1,744

Pro forma net income applicable to common stock

     $ 42,447

         $     26,124

     $ 71,872

         $     47,255

Earnings per share:

     Basic - as reported

     $      0.82

         $          0.55

     $      1.40

         $          1.04

     Basic - pro forma

     $      0.83

         $          0.54

     $      1.42

         $          0.99

     Diluted - as reported

     $      0.82

         $          0.55

     $      1.40

         $          1.04

     Diluted - pro forma

     $      0.83

         $          0.54

     $      1.41

         $          0.99


Cleco Power

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                     2005

                      2004

                     2005

                      2004

Net income, as reported

     $ 27,183

         $     16,792

     $ 52,117

         $     38,695

Add:  stock-based employee compensation expense (reversed) recognized and included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

 
248

(164)

588

(509)

Deduct:  total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method of all awards, net of related tax effects


             187


                       199


             576


                       597

Pro forma net income

     $ 27,244

         $     16,429

     $ 52,129

         $     37,589


The effects of applying SFAS No. 123 in this pro forma disclosure are not necessarily indicative of future amounts.  SFAS No. 123 is not applicable to awards prior to 1995.  Cleco Corporation anticipates making awards in the future under its stock-based compensation plans.

Note 2 - Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform them to the presentation used in the current year's financial statements.  These reclassifications had no effect on Cleco Corporation's net income applicable to common stock, total common shareholders' equity, or Cleco Power's net income or total member's equity.

On May 19, 2004, the FASB issued FSP SFAS No. 106-2 which requires companies that provide post-retirement prescription drug benefits which are "actuarially equivalent" to Medicare Part D to reflect the federal subsidy in their calculations of the post-retirement liability and current expense.  Cleco adopted this standard effective July 1, 2004, and elected retroactive application to January 1, 2004.  The effect of this retroactive application was a reduction in benefit costs, resulting in an increase of $0.4 million in Cleco Corporation's net income applicable to common stock and in Cleco Power's net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

Note 3 - Disclosures about Segments

Cleco's reportable segments are based on its method of internal reporting, which disaggregates business units by first-tier subsidiary.  Reportable segments were determined by applying SFAS No. 131.  Cleco's reportable segments are Cleco Power, Midstream, and Other.  The Other segment consists of the holding company, a shared services subsidiary, and two investment subsidiaries. 

Each reportable segment engages in business activities from which it earns revenue and incurs expenses.  Segment managers report periodically to Cleco's Chief Executive Officer (the chief operating decision-maker) with discrete financial information and, at least quarterly, present discrete financial information to Cleco's Board of Directors.  Each reportable segment prepared budgets for 2005 that were presented to and approved by Cleco's Board of Directors.  The reportable segments exceeded the quantitative thresholds as defined in SFAS No. 131.

The financial results of Cleco's segments are presented on an accrual basis.  Management evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on segment profit and the requirements to implement new strategic initiatives to meet current business objectives.  Material intercompany transactions occur on a regular basis.

23


SEGMENT INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

               CLECO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 (THOUSANDS)

             POWER

 

        MIDSTREAM

 

               OTHER

 

            ELIMINATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Electric operations

$     267,958

 $                -

 $               -

        $                 -

 $      267,958

     Other operations

      14,113

               53

              76

                    (2)

       14,240

     Electric customer credits

          (300)

                 -

                -

                      -

           (300)

Affiliate revenue

               7

         1,053

            698

                      -

         1,758

Intercompany revenue

           491

               43

      14,023

           (14,557)

                 -

Operating revenue, net

$     282,269

 $       1,149

 $    14,797

        $   (14,559)

 $      283,656

Depreciation expense

$       14,765

 $            78

 $         339

        $                -

 $        15,182

Interest charges

$         7,166

 $       3,938

 $      2,262

        $     (3,939)

 $          9,427

Interest income

$         1,089

 $               -

 $      3,986

        $     (3,939)

 $          1,136

Equity income from investees

$                 -

 $     25,121

 $         128

        $                -

 $        25,249

Federal and state income tax expense

$       12,842

 $       8,612

 $         531

        $           (37)

 $        21,948

Segment profit from continuing operations, net

$       27,183

 $     13,153

 $      1,998

        $                -

 $        42,334

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

                -

             (25)

                -

                      -

             (25)

Segment profit (1)

$       27,183

 $      13,128

 $      1,998

        $                -

 $        42,309

Additions to long-lived assets

$     123,453

 $                -

 $         230

        $                -

 $      123,683

Segment assets

$  1,600,518

 $    349,138

 $  568,643

        $  (556,439)

 $   1,961,860

(1) Reconciliation of segment profit to consolidated profit:

Segment profit

 

 

        $      42,309

 

 

Unallocated items:

 

 

 

   Preferred dividends

 

                (451)

 

 

Net income applicable to common stock

 

        $      41,858

 

 

 

               CLECO

2004 (THOUSANDS)

              POWER

      MIDSTREAM

               OTHER

              ELIMINATIONS

CONSOLIDATED

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Electric operations

   $     219,747

   $                  -

   $                  -

            $                    -

   $       219,747

     Other operations

              8,473

                    70

                       1

                               66

                 8,610

     Electric customer credits

             (1,344)

                       -

                       -

                                  -

               (1,344)

Affiliate revenue

                       7

              1,365

              1,005

                                  -

                 2,377

Intercompany revenue

                  456

                       -

            10,853

                     (11,309)

                          -

Operating revenue, net

   $     227,339

   $          1,435

   $        11,859

            $        (11,243)

   $       229,390

Depreciation expense

   $       14,201

   $               80

   $             226

            $                    -

   $         14,507

Interest charges

   $         7,368

   $          3,207

   $          4,353

            $          (3,191)

   $         11,737

Interest income

   $            587

   $                  -

   $          3,222

            $          (3,202)

   $              607

Equity income from investees

   $                 -

   $        23,061

   $              (5)

            $                    -

   $         23,056

Federal and state income tax expense (benefit)

   $         9,450

   $          7,524

   $          (452)

            $               (22)

   $         16,500

Segment profit (loss) from continuing operations, net

   $       16,792

   $        11,673

   $          (776)

            $                    -

   $         27,689

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

                       -

                (306)

                       -

                                  -

                   (306)

Segment profit (loss) (1)

   $       16,792

   $        11,367

   $          (776)

            $                    -

   $         27,383

Additions to long-lived assets

   $       18,383

   $            (96)

   $             492

            $                    -

   $         18,779

Segment assets

   $  1,417,446

   $      363,563

   $      562,968

            $      (541,658)

   $    1,802,319

(1)  Reconciliation of segment profit (loss) to consolidated profit:

Segment profit

 

            $           27,383

 

 

Unallocated items:

 

 

 

     Preferred dividends

 

                           (468)

 

 

Net income applicable to common stock

 

            $           26,915

 

 

 

24


SEGMENT INFORMATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

               CLECO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 (THOUSANDS)

             POWER

 

        MIDSTREAM

 

               OTHER

 

            ELIMINATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Electric operations

$     614,670

 $                 -

 $               -

        $                  -

 $       614,670

     Other operations

      29,228

               93

            177

                    (5)

       29,493

     Electric customer credits

          (771)

                 -

                -

                      -

           (771)

Affiliate revenue

             22

         4,069

        2,397

                      -

         6,488

Intercompany revenue

        1,467

               42

      36,278

           (37,787)

                 -

Operating revenue, net

$     644,616

 $        4,204

 $    38,852

        $    (37,792)

 $       649,880

Depreciation expense

$       43,824

 $           237

 $         998

        $                -

 $         45,059

Interest charges

$       20,671

 $      11,171

 $    11,112

        $    (11,072)

 $         31,882

Interest income

$         2,233

 $                -

 $    11,811

        $    (11,057)

 $           2,987

Equity income from investees

$                 -

 $      46,088

 $           33

        $                -

 $         46,121

Federal and state income tax expense (benefit)

$       28,299

 $      13,112

 $       (881)

        $           (40)

 $         40,490

Segment profit from continuing operations, net

$       52,117

 $      19,625

 $         865

        $                -

 $         72,607

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

                -

           (230)

                -

                      -

           (230)

Segment profit (1)

$       52,117

 $      19,395

 $         865

        $               -

 $         72,377

Additions to long-lived assets

$     167,474

 $               8

 $         685

        $                 -

 $       168,167

Segment assets

$  1,600,518

 $    349,138

 $  568,643

        $  (556,439)

 $    1,961,860

(1) Reconciliation of segment profit to consolidated profit:

Segment profit

 

        $      72,377

 

 

Unallocated items:

 

 

 

   Preferred dividends

 

             (1,374)

 

 

Net income applicable to common stock

 

        $      71,003

 

 

 

               CLECO

2004 (THOUSANDS)

              POWER

      MIDSTREAM

               OTHER

              ELIMINATIONS

CONSOLIDATED

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Electric operations

   $    545,417

   $                  -

   $                  -

            $                    -

   $       545,417

     Tolling operations

                       -

            10,255

                       -

                                  -

              10,255

     Other operations

            22,266

                    99

                  158

                             (18)

              22,505

     Electric customer credits

          (21,177)

                       -

                       -

                                  -

             (21,177)

Affiliate revenue

                    15

              3,153

              2,193

                                  -

                 5,361

Intercompany revenue

              1,397

                    12

            29,752

                     (31,161)

                          -

Operating revenue, net

   $    547,918

   $       13,519

   $       32,103

            $       (31,179)

   $       562,361

Depreciation expense

   $      42,317

   $         2,117

   $            716

            $                   -

   $         45,150

Interest charges

   $      21,025

   $       14,396

   $       13,935

            $         (9,175)

   $         40,181

Interest income

   $        2,787

   $              49

   $         9,339

            $         (9,163)

   $           3,012

Equity income from investees

   $                -

   $       40,872

   $         (212)

            $                   -

   $         40,660

Federal and state income tax expense (benefit)

   $      22,044

   $       10,979

   $      (2,955)

            $            (118)

   $         29,950

Segment profit (loss) from continuing operations, net

   $      38,695

   $       16,700

   $      (3,081)

            $                   -

   $         52,314

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

                       -

                (436)

                       -

                                  -

                   (436)

Segment profit (loss) (1)

   $      38,695

   $       16,264

   $      (3,081)

            $                   -

   $         51,878

Additions to long-lived assets

   $      57,550

   $         (136)

   $         1,126

            $                   -

   $         58,540

Segment assets

   $ 1,417,446

   $     363,563

   $     562,968

                  (541,658)

   $    1,802,319

(1)  Reconciliation of segment profit (loss) to consolidated profit:

Segment profit

 

            $         51,878

 

 

Unallocated items:

 

 

 

     Preferred dividends

 

                       (1,745)

 

 

Net income applicable to common stock

 

            $         50,133

 

 


25


Note 4 - Restricted Cash

Various agreements to which Cleco is subject contain covenants that restrict its use of cash.  As certain provisions under these agreements are met, cash is transferred out of related escrow accounts and becomes available for general corporate purposes.

Note 5 - Equity Investment in Investees

Equity investment in investees represents Midstream's $254.5 million investment in APP, owned 50% by APH and 50% by Calpine; its $78.9 million investment in Evangeline, owned 100% by Midstream; and $0.2 million of minimal other Cleco equity investments.  Midstream's portion of earnings from APP and Evangeline is included in the equity investments of each company.  APP earned $13.6 million and $38.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.  APH receives priority cash distributions and earnings as its consideration for the restructuring of one of the Calpine Tolling Agreements in May 2003.  APH also receives cash payments from APP's tolling counterparty, subject to certain conditions, in relation to the restructuring of one of the Calpine Tolling Agreements in August 2005.  These cash payments are recorded as a component of other income on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  For more information about this restructuring, see the discussion below.  Midstream's equity investment earnings from APP were $8.5 million and $24.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.  In accordance with FIN 46R, Cleco deconsolidated Evangeline from its consolidated financial statements effective April 1, 2004.  Equity investment earnings from Evangeline were $16.6 million and $21.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, no significant earnings or losses were recorded for the other equity investments.

Significant terms of the August 2005 restructuring of one of the Calpine Tolling Agreements are summarized below:

  • APH terminated $25.0 million in letters of credit posted by Calpine in favor of APH pursuant to the tolling agreements, which letters of credit were due to expire by the end of 2006.  A $15.0 million letter of credit will remain in place for the life of the Calpine Tolling Agreements through 2022.

  • CES will pay reduced prices to APP under one of the Calpine Tolling Agreements.

  • APH will receive cash payments from CES through 2022.  These payments enhance the cash distributions available to APH.  In addition, in the event of a CES default under the Calpine Tolling Agreements, these payments are guaranteed by CAH and APP.  Under the current arrangement, in the event that CES defaults in making such cash payments and CAH defaults under its guarantee, APH will receive guaranteed and priority annual cash payments from APP totaling $19.0 million through 2011 and $21.0 million thereafter through 2022.  The current arrangement was effective as of July 1, 2005 and prorated for years 2005 and 2022.

APP

The following table presents the components of Midstream's equity investment in APP.

AT SEPTEMBER 30,

 

   AT DECEMBER 31,

(THOUSANDS)

                      2005

 

                       2004

Contributed assets (cash and land)

   $  250,612

     $       250,612

Net income (inception to date)

         98,586

                 74,135

Capitalized interest and other (inception to date)

         19,469

                 19,469

     Less: Cash distributions (inception to date)

       114,128

                 87,232

          Total equity investment in investee

   $  254,539

     $       256,984

Midstream's equity, as reported on the balance sheet of APP at September 30, 2005, was $285.2 million.  The difference of $30.7 million between the equity investment in investee of $254.5 million as shown in the table above and Midstream's equity includes $19.5 million of interest capitalized on funds contributed to APP.  It also includes other miscellaneous charges related to the construction of the APP facility, offset by $50.2 million which represents the difference between the accounting treatments used by the partnership entities to record the allocation of termination agreement income.  Cash distributions to date of $114.1 million were used to pay interest and repay principal on debt issued by Cleco Corporation relating to this investment.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, APH had received all of its $14.0 million annual priority cash distributions and its $1.3 million annual 2005 prorated cash payment.

The following tables contain summarized financial information for APP.

AT SEPTEMBER 30,

   AT DECEMBER 31,

(THOUSANDS)

                       2005

                       2004

Current assets

$      11,803

   $            13,929

Property, plant and equipment, net

       453,354

               462,654

Other assets

           9,930

                    7,632

     Total assets

$    475,087

   $          484,215

Current liabilities

$        1,329

   $              9,070

Partners' capital

       473,758

               475,145

     Total liabilities and partners' capital

$    475,087

   $          484,215

 

            FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                    SEPTEMBER 30,

               FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                   SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                    2005

                   2004

                    2005

                  2004

Total revenue

 $   17,790

   $        16,041

 $   54,342

   $        54,883

Total operating expenses

         4,239

                7,697

       15,984

             26,156

Other income

              25

                         -

              47

                        -

     Net income

 $   13,576

   $          8,344

 $   38,405

   $        28,727

 Income tax expense and interest charges recorded on APH's financial statements related to Midstream's 50% ownership interest in APP were $2.2 million and $4.0 million, and $5.3 million and $11.4 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.

Income tax expense and interest charges recorded on APH's financial statements related to Midstream's 50% ownership interest in APP were $0.6 million and $3.3 million, and

26


$3.7 million and $9.7 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.

Evangeline

The table below presents the components of Midstream's equity investment in Evangeline.

AT SEPTEMBER 30,

 

   AT DECEMBER 31,

(THOUSANDS)

                      2005

 

                      2004

Contributed assets (cash)

   $    43,580

     $          43,580

Net income (inception to date)

       125,153

               103,527

     Less:  Cash distributions (inception to date)

         89,843

                 89,843

          Total equity investment in investee

   $    78,890

     $          57,264

 The following tables contain summarized financial information for Evangeline.

AT SEPTEMBER 30,

   AT DECEMBER 31,

(THOUSANDS)

                       2005

                       2004

Current assets

$      19,598

   $            17,721

Accounts receivable - affiliate

         14,775

                    5,819

Property, plant and equipment, net

       194,891

               198,053

Other assets

         43,831

                 42,502

     Total assets

$    273,095

   $          264,095

Current liabilities

$      14,211

   $            13,334

Accounts payable - affiliate

              654

                    2,624

Long-term debt

       184,716

               191,820

Other liabilities

         57,517

                 53,018

Member's equity

         15,997

                    3,299

     Total liabilities and member's equity

$    273,095

   $          264,095

 

            FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                    SEPTEMBER 30,

               FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                   SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                    2005

                   2004

                   2005

                  2004

Operating revenue

 $   26,538

   $        27,084

 $   48,243

   $        49,135

Operating expenses

         4,559

                3,022

       10,118

               9,058

Depreciation

         1,298

                1,404

         3,887

               4,217

Interest charges

         4,313

                4,484

       13,061

             13,399

Other income

            233

                      69

            532

                   165

Other expense

              17

                        7

              73

                     21

Federal and state income taxes

                 -

                         -

                 -

                   528

Net income

 $   16,584

   $        18,236

 $   21,636

   $        22,077

Income tax expense recorded on Midstream's financial statements related to Midstream's 100% ownership interest in Evangeline was $6.6 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.

Income tax expense, not reflected in the chart above, recorded on Midstream's financial statements related to Midstream's 100% ownership interest in Evangeline was $7.2 million and $8.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.

Note 6 - Recent Accounting Standards

Cleco and Cleco Power adopted, or will adopt, the recent accounting standards listed below on their respective effective dates.

On September 30, 2004, EITF No. 04-10 was issued which clarifies the aggregation of segments which do not meet the quantitative thresholds contained in SFAS No. 131.  This consensus allows companies to aggregate segments which do not meet quantitative thresholds if the aggregation is consistent with the objective of SFAS No. 131; the segments have similar economic characteristics; and the segments have a majority of several operational and regulatory characteristics.  In June 2005, the FASB ratified a modification to the effective date of the consensus.  EITF No. 04-10 is effective for the first fiscal year ending after September 15, 2005.  Cleco currently is evaluating the impact of EITF No. 04-10 on its SFAS No. 131 disclosures. 

On December 16, 2004, SFAS No. 123R was issued, which provides expensing and disclosure requirements for stock-based compensation.  This statement will require all equity instruments, including stock options, to be expensed at their fair value and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25 and SFAS No. 123 which allowed companies to use the intrinsic value method.  Currently, Cleco utilizes the intrinsic value method as described in APB Opinion No. 25.  SFAS No. 123R also prohibits reversing previously recognized stock-based compensation expense, if the forfeiture of the instruments was due to the failure of a market-based performance measure.  Most of Cleco's stock-based compensation contains market-based performance measures.  On April 14, 2005, the SEC extended the effective date of this statement from interim periods beginning after June 15, 2005, to the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005.  For Cleco, the extension means that SFAS No. 123R will be implemented effective January 1, 2006.  Cleco currently expects to choose the modified prospective method of transition which requires a company to prospectively recognize compensation expense calculated pursuant to SFAS No. 123R for all non-vested stock-based compensation outstanding on the date of adoption.  Cleco expects to record pre-tax compensation expense of approximately $2.3 million annually upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R.  See Note 1 - "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Stock-Based Compensation," for additional information concerning Cleco's stock-based compensation.

On March 3, 2005, the FASB issued FIN 46R-5 which provides a clarification to FIN 46R.  FIN 46R-5 provides that, when assessing the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, a company must consider implicit variable interests along with explicit variable interests.  An implicit variable interest is similar to an explicit interest, except the variability is indirectly absorbed or received, for instance through a third party, rather than directly from the variable interest entity.  FIN 46R-5 is effective in the first reporting period beginning after March 3, 2005.  The implementation of FIN 46R-5 had no impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Registrants.

On March 30, 2005, the FASB issued FIN 47 which is an interpretation of SFAS No. 143.  FIN 47 requires an asset retirement obligation which is conditional on a future event, to be recorded, even if the event has not yet occurred.  The obligation to perform the asset retirement is unconditional even though uncertainty exists as to the timing and method of settlement due to the existence of a conditional event.  This interpretation is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005.  Retrospective application for the year 2005 interim

27


periods is permitted but not required.  Additional recognition of the obligation caused by the adoption of FIN 47 will be recorded as a cumulative effect due to a change in accounting principle.  Cleco currently is evaluating the impact of FIN 47.

On June 1, 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154 which describes the reporting and disclosures of accounting changes and error corrections by replacing APB Opinion No. 20 and SFAS No. 3.  A change from one accounting principle to another, unless otherwise stated in a specific accounting pronouncement, will require retrospective application.  Retrospective application will require all periods presented to be restated as if the new principle had been in effect during the respective time period and reflect a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of the appropriate balance sheet accounts for prior periods which are not presented.  Changes in accounting estimates should be accounted for in the period of change and subsequent periods affected by the change.  Errors in financial statements of a prior period shall be reported as prior-period adjustments.  SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005; therefore, management is unable to estimate the impact this statement will have on the financial condition or results of operations of the Registrants.

On June 29, 2005, the FASB ratified the consensus in EITF No. 05-6 which specifies the amortization period of leasehold improvements.  EITF No. 05-6 states that leasehold improvements should be amortized over the lesser of (i) the leasehold improvements' useful life or (ii) a period that reflects renewals that are reasonably assured upon acquisition of the leasehold improvements.  This EITF is effective on a prospective basis for leasehold improvements acquired in periods beginning after June 29, 2005.  Cleco has not acquired any leasehold improvements since the EITF's effective date.

On July 12, 2005, the FASB issued FSP APB No. 18-1 that requires, for investments accounted for using the equity method, an investor's proportionate share of an investee's equity adjustments for other comprehensive income to be offset against the carrying value of the investment at the time significant influence is lost.  Any accumulated other comprehensive income adjustment that would cause the investment account to drop below zero should be recorded in income.  This FSP is effective in the first reporting period beginning after July 12, 2005.  Currently, management does not expect the adoption of this FSP to have an impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Registrants.

On September 15, 2005, the FASB ratified EITF No. 04-13 which provides guidance on accounting for purchases and sales of inventory with the same counterparty.  If certain criteria are met, purchases and sales of inventory with the same counterparty should be accounted for at fair value as required by APB Opinion No. 29.  Entities are required to apply this EITF to new arrangements entered into during reporting periods beginning after March 15, 2006.  Management currently is evaluating the impact this EITF could have on the financial condition or results of operations of the Registrants.

On October 6, 2005, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 13-1 which provides guidance on the accounting treatment of land and building leases during periods of construction.  Land and building operating lease costs incurred during a construction period shall be recognized as rental expense and not capitalized as a cost of the constructed asset.  This FSP is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005, and applies to all rental costs incurred after the effective date.  The adoption of this FSP is not anticipated to significantly impact the financial condition or the results of operations of the Registrants.

Note 7 - Accrual of Electric Customer Credits

Cleco's reported earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2005, and 2004, reflect accruals of $0.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, within Cleco Power for electric customer credits that are expected to be refunded to customers under terms of an earnings review settlement reached with the LPSC in 1996.  Reported earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, and 2004, include accruals of $0.8 million and $21.2 million, respectively.  The amount recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2004, also includes the accrual of credits relating to Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit settlement.

The 1996 LPSC settlement, subsequent amendments, and an approved one-year extension, set Cleco Power's rates until September 30, 2005.  On September 14, 2005, the LPSC approved an additional one-year extension of Cleco Power's rate stabilization plan to September 30, 2006.  The subsequent amendments and one-year extensions have not changed the terms of the original 1996 settlement.  As part of the settlement, Cleco Power is allowed to retain all regulated earnings up to a 12.25% return on equity and to share equally with customers, as credits on their bills, all regulated earnings between 12.25% and 13% return on equity.  All regulated earnings above a 13% return on equity are credited to customers.  This effectively allows Cleco Power the opportunity to realize a regulatory rate of return up to 12.625%.  The amount of credits due customers, if any, is determined by Cleco Power and the LPSC annually, based on results for each 12-month period ended September 30.  The 1996 LPSC settlement provides for such credits to be made on customers' bills the following summer.

Credits due to customers relating to Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit settlement were included on customer bills in the first quarter of 2005.  The LPSC has not yet issued its preliminary report for the cycles ended September 30, 2002, 2003, or 2004, for which Cleco Power has made the requisite filings.  Cleco Power anticipated the completion of the reviews for the cycles ended September 30, 2002, 2003, and 2004 by the end of 2005.  However, due to the current focus on issues relating to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the related impact on the LPSC's schedule, completion of these reviews now are expected to extend into 2006.

Cleco Power's Balance Sheets at September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, reflect the following accruals for

28


estimated customer credits relating to the 12-month cycles ended September 30, 2002 through September 30, 2005.

AT SEPTEMBER 30,

   AT DECEMBER 31,

(THOUSANDS)

                       2005

                       2004

Provision for rate refund

$         7,927

   $            23,951

Other deferred credits

           2,933

                    1,962

     Total customer credits

$       10,860

   $            25,913

The balance at December 31, 2004, includes $16.0 million relating to the 2001-2002 fuel audit settlement.  The $16.0 million was refunded to customers in the first quarter of 2005.  Other amounts reported under the line item provision for rate refund relate to the 12-month cycles ended September 30, 2002, through September 30, 2004, and reflect amounts due currently.  The amounts reported under the line item other deferred credits are not currently due.

All customer credits relating to Cleco Power's rate stabilization plan were recorded as a reduction in revenue due to the nature of the credits.  The accruals are based upon the original 1996 settlement, the resolution of the 2001-2002 fuel audit which was settled in 2004, annual issues as agreed to between Cleco and the LPSC, and Cleco's assessment of issues that remain outstanding.

As stated above, Cleco Power's current rate stabilization plan was extended to September 30, 2006.  The extension of the current rate stabilization plan allows Cleco Power additional time to evaluate different rate design options relating to its solid-fuel power plant construction proposal.  Cleco Power expects to file a proposed rate plan with the LPSC by the first quarter of 2006 to replace the extended rate stabilization plan.

Note 8 - Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies

Securities Litigation

On April 18, 2003, a Shareholder's Derivative Complaint was filed by a shareholder of Westar, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.  The defendants named in the complaint were Westar, its Board of Directors, its former Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, and Cleco Corporation.  The complaint alleged violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder, and, in addition, breaches of fiduciary duties owed to Westar, and/or for aiding and abetting such breaches.  The complaint asserted that Cleco Corporation aided and abetted the director defendants' breaches of fiduciary duties by engaging in round-trip trades with Westar.  The complaint sought the award of unspecified compensatory damages against the defendants and the plaintiff's costs and disbursements of the lawsuit.  The complaint was amended, but the claims against Cleco Corporation did not change substantively.  On May 31, 2005, a settlement agreement was finalized between the parties.  The settlement was approved by the court on September 1, 2005, despite an objection by one shareholder to provisions in the settlement releasing Westar's outside counsel and investment advisors.  Subsequent to the aforementioned hearing, the same objecting shareholder filed a motion requesting that the court reconsider its approval.  The court has not yet conducted a hearing regarding this motion.  If approved in its current form, the final settlement is not expected to have a material impact on Cleco's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, due to the settlement releasing Cleco from any liability.

Other Litigation

On June 22, 2005, the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, a current municipal customer of Cleco Power and referred to in this note as (the City), filed a lawsuit, in Ninth Judicial District Court, against Cleco Corporation, Cleco Power and certain other subsidiaries alleging unspecified damages as a result of certain sales made to the City, revenue derived by Cleco using the City's power generating facilities under contracts with the City, and other alleged improper conduct, including, without limitation, allegations that Cleco fraudulently mishandled the management of the City's power requirements under the contracts.  The lawsuit was removed to, and currently is pending in the U.S. District Court Western District, Louisiana.  Cleco previously was in discussions with the City to perform an audit of these disputed transactions; however, the City and Cleco could not agree on the process by which the audit would be conducted.  Management believes that the dispute will not have a material adverse effect on the Registrants' financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Cleco is involved in regulatory, environmental, and legal proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions, and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  Some of these proceedings, such as fuel review and environmental issues, could involve substantial amounts.  In several lawsuits, Cleco has been named as a defendant by individuals who claim injury due to exposure to asbestos while working at sites in central Louisiana.  Most of the claimants were workers who participated in the construction of various industrial facilities, including power plants, and some of the claimants have worked at locations owned by Cleco.  Cleco's management regularly analyzes current information and, as necessary, provides accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters.  Cleco's management believes that the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Registrants' financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power have entered into various off-balance sheet commitments, in the form of guarantees and standby letters of credit, in order to facilitate their activities and the activities of Cleco Corporation's subsidiaries and equity investees (affiliates).  Cleco Corporation entered into these off-balance sheet commitments in order to entice desired counterparties to contract with its affiliates by providing some measure of credit assurance to the counterparty in the event Cleco's affiliates do not fulfill certain contractual obligations.  If Cleco Corporation had not provided the off-balance sheet commitments, the desired counterparties may not have

29


contracted with Cleco's affiliates, or may have contracted with them at terms less favorable to its affiliates.

The off-balance sheet commitments are not recognized on Cleco's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets because it has been determined that Cleco's affiliates are able to perform these obligations under their contracts and that it is not probable that payments by Cleco will be required.  Some of these commitments reduce the amount of the credit facility available to Cleco Corporation by an amount defined by the credit facility.  Cleco's off-balance sheet commitments as of September 30, 2005, are summarized in the following table, and a discussion of the off-balance sheet commitments is detailed in the explanations following the table.  The discussion should be read in conjunction with the table to understand the impact of the off-balance sheet commitments on Cleco's financial condition.

   AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

       REDUCTIONS TO THE

       AMOUNT AVAILABLE

           TO BE DRAWN ON

              FACE

 

NET

CLECO CORPORATION'S

(THOUSANDS)

         AMOUNT

REDUCTIONS

AMOUNT

            CREDIT FACILITY

Cleco Corporation guarantee issued to Entergy companies for performance obligations of Perryville

            $ 277,400

 $  135,000

            $ 142,400

         $        328

Cleco Corporation guarantees issued to purchasers of the assets of Cleco Energy

                   1,400

             

                   1,400

                1,400

Cleco Corporation obligations under standby letter of credit issued to Evangeline Tolling Agreement counterparty

                 15,000

             

                 15,000

              15,000

Cleco Corporation guarantee issued to Central Mississippi Generating Co. on behalf of Attala

                   6,688

             

                   6,688

                6,688

Cleco Power obligations under standby letter of credit issued to Louisiana Department of Labor

                      525

             

                      525

                        -

Cleco Power obligations under Lignite Mining Agreement

                 17,148

             

                 17,148

                        -

     Total

            $ 318,161

 $  135,000

            $ 183,161

         $   23,416


Cleco Corporation provided a limited guarantee to Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States for Perryville's performance, indemnity, representation, and warranty obligations under the Sale Agreement, the Power Purchase Agreement, and other ancillary agreements related to the sale.  As of September 30, 2005, the aggregate guarantee of $277.4 million is limited to $142.4 million (other than with respect to the indemnification of environmental matters to which there is no limit) due to the performance of some of the underlying obligations that were guaranteed.  The $0.3 million reduction in the available credit under Cleco's credit facility was determined in accordance with the facility's definition of a contingent obligation.  The contingent obligation reduces the amount available under the credit agreements by an amount equal to the reasonably anticipated liability in respect of the contingent obligation as determined in good faith if the total amount of indebtedness outstanding, including such contingent obligations, exceeds certain thresholds.  This required an estimate of the probability, amount and timing of a payment by Cleco pursuant to this guarantee.  For additional information on this guarantee, see Note 9 - "Disclosures about Guarantees."

Previously, if Perryville was unable to make principal payments to its lenders, Cleco Corporation would be required to pay amounts on behalf of Perryville under a cash collateral order issued by the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court.  As of September 30, 2005, Perryville had paid all outstanding amounts under its Senior Loan Agreement; accordingly, Cleco Corporation has no remaining obligation under the guarantee.  This guarantee terminated in September 2005 upon termination of Perryville's cash collateral order.  For information on the cash collateral order, bankruptcy filings of the Mirant Debtors, Perryville and PEH, and their related impacts on the Senior Loan Agreement, see Note 13 - "Perryville."

In November 2004, Cleco completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of Cleco Energy.  Cleco Corporation provided guarantees to the buyers of Cleco Energy's assets for the payment and performance of the indemnity obligations of Cleco Energy.  The aggregate amount of the guarantees is $1.4 million.  The purchaser of Cleco Energy's assets has invoked its indemnification provisions pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement that Cleco guaranteed, as a result of a recently filed lawsuit against the purchaser and Cleco Energy (related to the price charged for certain natural gas sales by Cleco Energy).  After an initial investigation, management believes this matter will not have a material impact on Cleco's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.  For information on the sale of Cleco Energy's assets, see Note 14 - "Discontinued Operations and Dispositions."

If Evangeline fails to perform certain obligations under its tolling agreement, Cleco Corporation will be required to make payments to the Evangeline Tolling Agreement counterparty.  Cleco Corporation's obligation under the Evangeline commitment is in the form of a standby letter of credit from investment grade banks and is limited to $15.0 million.  Ratings triggers do not exist in the Evangeline Tolling Agreement.  Cleco expects Evangeline to be able to meet its obligations under the tolling agreement and does not expect Cleco Corporation to be required to make payments to the counterparty.  However, under the covenants associated with Cleco Corporation's credit facility, the entire net amount of the Evangeline commitment reduces the amount that can be borrowed under the credit facility.  The letter of credit for Evangeline is expected to be renewed annually until 2020.

On March 16, 2005, Cleco Corporation issued a guarantee to Central Mississippi Generating Company, LLC for Attala's obligations and liabilities under the purchase and sale agreement between Central Mississippi Generating Company, LLC and Attala.  This agreement provides for the acquisition of transmission assets by Attala, including Attala's obligations to pay the purchase price for the assets and to indemnify the seller.  The maximum amount payable under the guarantee is $6.7 million (subject to certain purchase price adjustments).

30


The State of Louisiana allows employers of certain financial net worth to self-insure their workers' compensation benefits. Cleco Power applied to the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation for a certificate of self-insurance.  The State of Louisiana required Cleco Power to post a $0.5 million letter of credit as surety in an amount equal to 110 percent of the average losses over the previous three years.

As part of the Lignite Mining Agreement entered into in 2001, Cleco Power and SWEPCO, joint owners of Dolet Hills, have agreed to pay the lignite miner's loan and lease principal obligations when due, if the lignite miner does not have sufficient funds or credit to pay.  Any amounts paid on behalf of the miner would be credited by the lignite miner against the next invoice for lignite delivered.  At September 30, 2005, Cleco Power's 50% exposure for this obligation was approximately $17.1 million.  The lignite mining contract is in place until 2011 and does not affect the amount Cleco Corporation can borrow under its credit facility.

The following table summarizes the expected termination date of the guarantees and standby letters of credit discussed above:

           AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

                              AMOUNT OF COMMITMENT EXPIRATION PER PERIOD

                NET

             MORE

         AMOUNT

     LESS THAN

             THAN

(THOUSANDS)

   COMMITTED

       ONE YEAR

      1-3 YEARS

      4-5 YEARS

         5 YEARS

Guarantees

   $ 167,636

   $      6,688

   $               -

   $ 101,400

   $   59,548

Standby letters of credit

        15,525

              525

                    -

                    -

        15,000

     Total commercial commitments

   $ 183,161

   $      7,213

   $               -

   $ 101,400

   $   74,548

CES

On August 9, 2005, APP and Calpine executed agreements with CES to settle their dispute over the availability of transmission capacity at the Acadia plant under the Calpine Tolling Agreements.

Significant terms of the settlement are summarized below:

  • APP and CES have agreed to release all claims related to electric transmission constraints external to the APP power project.  CES also has agreed that the Calpine Tolling Agreements allocate all risks of transmission constraints external to the APP power project to CES.

  • APH terminated $25.0 million in letters of credit posted by Calpine in favor of APH pursuant to the Calpine Tolling Agreements, which letters of credit were due to expire by the end of 2006.  A $15.0 million letter of credit will remain in place for the life of the Calpine Tolling Agreements through 2022.

  • CES will pay reduced prices to APP under one of the Calpine Tolling Agreements.

  • APH will receive cash payments from CES through 2022.  These payments enhance the cash distributions available to APH and are recorded as a component of other income on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  In addition, in the event of a CES default under the Calpine Tolling Agreements, these payments are guaranteed by CAH and APP.  A $14.0 million priority distribution to APH was established when CES entered into the second APP tolling agreement in May 2003. Under the current arrangement, in the event that CES defaults in making such cash payments and CAH defaults under its guarantee, APH will receive guaranteed and priority annual cash payments from APP totaling $19.0 million through 2011 and $21.0 million thereafter through 2022.  The current arrangement was effective as of July 1, 2005 and prorated for years 2005 and 2022.

  • The net effect of the settlement agreement will be to reduce Cleco's pre-tax cash distributions from APP by approximately $0.5 million annually as long as CES performs under the Calpine Tolling Agreements. 

APP

During a detailed review of the gas and electric metering at the Acadia plant, a potential electric metering error was discovered whereby, APP unknowingly generated excess power to its electric interconnections.  APP has made a claim against Cleco Power for the delivery of the excess generation for which it has not received compensation.  Cleco Power has evaluated the claim and communicated to APP that to the extent any unmetered power was generated, Entergy received the predominant benefit of that power, and therefore APP's claim, if any, is primarily against Entergy rather than Cleco Power.  Cleco Power has not yet received a response from APP or Entergy.

SESCO

In October 2003, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality notified Cleco Power that it had been identified as a PRP for the SESCO facility in San Angelo, Texas.  The facility operated as a transformer repair and recycling facility from the 1930s until 2003, and both soil and groundwater contamination exist at the site and in surrounding areas.  Based on initial available information, Cleco Power accrued a minimal amount for its potential liability for the site in November 2003.  The investigation of SESCO's historical records is still ongoing.  Additional work is being conducted by a group of PRPs, including Cleco Power, at the direction of the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, to maintain the site and to identify additional PRPs.  It is likely that Cleco Power, together with other PRPs, will be required to contribute to the past and future cost of the investigation and remediation of the site.  The ultimate cost of remediation of the site, Cleco Power's share of such cost, and the timing of any additional accrual that Cleco Power may be required to make in connection with this matter cannot be estimated at this time.  However, management believes that the outcome of the site remediation will not have a

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material adverse impact on the Registrants' financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

EPA

In February 2005, Cleco Power received notices from the EPA requesting certain information relating to the Rodemacher and Dolet Hills Power Stations as authorized by Section 114 of the Clean Air Act.  The apparent purpose of the investigation is to determine whether Cleco Power has complied with applicable New Source Review and New Source Performance Standards requirements under the Clean Air Act in connection with capital expenditures, modifications, or operational changes made at these facilities.  Cleco Power has completed its response to the initial data request.  It is unknown at this time whether the EPA will take further action as a result of the information provided by Cleco Power and if any such action would have a material adverse impact on the Registrants' financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Other Contingencies

On June 6, 2005, the Louisiana Environmental Action Network and the Austin Civil War Roundtable filed a notice of intent to sue Dolet Hills Lignite Company.  Dolet Hills Lignite Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of SWEPCO and operates the mine which supplies the lignite used in the Dolet Hills power plant, which is 50% owned by Cleco Power.  The two groups claim that Dolet Hills Lignite Company is violating certain sections of the Clean Water Act.  While no suit has been filed to date, on August 4, 2005, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality issued a compliance order and notice of potential penalty to Dolet Hills Lignite Company for excursions of their wastewater discharge permit issued pursuant to the Clean Water Act.

The capacity and energy contract between Cleco Power and Williams stipulates that Cleco Power must provide additional security in the event of certain Cleco Power ratings triggers.  These Cleco Power triggers include: ratings downgrade below investment grade, negative credit watch for possible downgrade below investment grade, failure to make required payments, and failure to maintain a certain debt-to-equity ratio.  The amount of the additional security required to be provided by Cleco Power to Williams in the event of a Cleco Power ratings trigger is $5.0 million under this contract.  The capacity and energy contract between Cleco Power and Williams expires on December 31, 2005.

Cleco has accrued for liabilities to third parties, employee medical benefits, storm damages, and deductibles under insurance policies that it maintains on major properties, primarily generation stations and transmission substations.

Consistent with regulatory treatment, annual charges to operating expenses to provide a reserve for future storm damages are based upon the average amount of noncapital, uninsured storm damages experienced by Cleco Power during the previous six years.

Risks and Uncertainties

Cleco

Cleco Corporation could be subject to possible adverse consequences if any of Cleco's remaining counterparties fail to perform their obligation under their respective tolling agreements or if Cleco Corporation or its affiliates are not in compliance with loan agreements or bond indentures.  Cleco's remaining tolling counterparties are Williams and CES.  The following list is not all-inclusive, but represents examples of possible adverse consequences resulting from the nonperformance of Cleco's Tolling Agreement counterparties and certain defaults resulting from noncompliance with debt covenant agreements or bond indentures:

  • Cleco's financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by the tolling counterparties' failure to pay amounts due to Cleco and may not be consistent with historical and projected results.

  • Cleco may not be able to enter into agreements in replacement of its existing tolling agreements on terms as favorable as its existing agreements or at all.

  • Cleco would be required to test any long-lived generation asset for impairment.  If Cleco determined that an impairment existed, the asset would be written down to its fair market value, which could materially adversely affect Cleco's results of operations and financial condition.

  • Possible acceleration of Cleco's project-level debt; in particular, under provisions of the bonds issued by Evangeline, the bondholders have the right to demand the entire outstanding principal amount ($191.8 million at September 30, 2005) and interest to be immediately due and payable upon a default under the Evangeline Tolling Agreement.  As of September 30, 2005, Cleco was not aware of any such default by Williams.  If the bondholders were to exercise this right, Evangeline might, among other things, refinance the bonds, pay off the bonds with other borrowings or the proceeds of issuances of additional debt, or cause Evangeline to seek protection under federal bankruptcy laws.  In addition, the trustee of the bonds could foreclose on the mortgage and assume ownership of the plant.  Any alternative financing would likely be on less favorable terms than the existing terms.  The bonds issued by Evangeline are nonrecourse to Cleco Corporation.

Financing for operational needs and construction requirements is dependent upon the cost and availability of external funds from capital markets and financial institutions.  Access to funds is dependent upon factors such as general economic conditions, regulatory authorizations and policies, Cleco Corporation's credit rating, the credit rating of Cleco Corporation's subsidiaries, the cash flows from routine operations and the credit ratings of project counterparties.  If Cleco Corporation's credit rating were to be downgraded by Moody's or by Standard & Poor's, Cleco Corporation would be required to pay additional fees and higher interest rates under its bank credit and other debt agreements.

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Cleco Power

Cleco Power supplies a portion of its customers' electric power requirements from its own generation facilities.  In addition to power obtained from power purchase agreements, Cleco Power purchases power from other utilities and marketers to supplement its generation at times of relatively high demand or when the purchase price of power is less than its own cost of generation.  Because of its location on the transmission grid, Cleco Power relies on one main supplier of electric transmission, and at times constraints limit the amount of purchased power it can deliver into and/or through its system.

Financing for operational needs and construction requirements is dependent upon the cost and availability of external funds from capital markets and financial institutions.  Access to funds is dependent upon factors such as general economic conditions, regulatory authorizations and policies, Cleco Corporation's credit rating, Cleco Power's credit rating, the cash flows from routine operations and the credit ratings of project counterparties.  If Cleco Power's credit rating were to be downgraded by Moody's or by Standard & Poor's, Cleco Power would be required to pay additional fees and higher interest rates under its bank credit and other debt agreements.

Note 9 - Disclosures about Guarantees

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power have agreed to contractual terms that require them to pay third parties if certain triggering events occur.  These contractual terms generally are defined as guarantees in FIN 45.  Guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002, that fall within the initial recognition scope of FIN 45 are required to be recorded as a liability.  Outstanding guarantees that fall within the disclosure scope of FIN 45 are required to be disclosed for all accounting periods ending after December 15, 2002.

Guarantees and indemnifications were issued in connection with the sale of the generation assets to Entergy Louisiana by Perryville.  These guarantees and indemnifications fall within the recognition scope of FIN 45 because they relate to the past performance, indemnity, representation, and warranty obligations of the disposed assets and also contain provisions requiring payment for potential damages.  The potential length of these liabilities range from a five-year life to an indefinite life.  Each indemnification and guarantee was assigned a probability and an estimate of potential damages.  The maximum aggregate potential damages under the guarantees and indemnifications are $42.4 million (excluding maximum aggregate potential damages of $100.0 million for discharge of project debt discussed in more detail below and the indemnification of environmental matters to which there is no limit).  On June 30, 2005, Perryville paid all interest and principal owed under the Senior Loan Agreement, and on July 19, 2005, it exercised offset rights against MAI to satisfy its obligations of $98.7 million under the Subordinated Loan Agreement.  As a result, it is unlikely that Cleco Corporation will have any other liabilities which would give rise to indemnity claims against Perryville and trigger any actual obligation under the $100.0 million portion of the guarantee which terminates on June 30, 2010.  The discounted probability-weighted liability under the guarantees and indemnifications as of September 30, 2005, was $0.3 million.  For additional information on the sale of the generation assets of Perryville, see Note 13 - "Perryville."

Guarantees and indemnifications were issued in connection with the asset sales of Cleco Energy's oil and gas properties and natural gas pipelines.  These guarantees and indemnifications fall within the recognition scope of FIN 45, because they relate to the past performance obligations of the disposed assets and also contain provisions requiring payment for potential damages.  The potential liabilities expire either after a two- or five-year life.  Each indemnification and guarantee was assigned probabilities and estimates of potential damages.  The maximum aggregate potential payment under the guarantees and indemnifications is $1.2 million.  The discounted probability-weighted liability under the guarantees and indemnifications as of September 30, 2005, was $0.1 million.  The buyers of the Cleco Energy assets would be entitled to amounts under the guarantees and indemnifications due to breach or default of performance of Cleco Energy under their respective sale agreements.  Cleco Corporation has guaranteed Cleco Energy's indemnification obligations under the sale agreements.  Maximum potential payments under the Cleco Corporation guarantees are $1.4 million but are not within the recognition scope of FIN 45.  The purchaser of Cleco Energy's assets has invoked its indemnification provisions pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement that Cleco guaranteed, as a result of a recently filed lawsuit against the purchaser and Cleco Energy (related to the price charged for certain natural gas sales by Cleco Energy).  After an initial investigation, management believes that this matter will not have a material impact on Cleco's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.  For additional information on the sales of Cleco Energy assets, see Note 14 - "Discontinued Operations and Dispositions."

In its bylaws, Cleco Corporation has agreed to indemnify directors, officers, agents and employees who are made a party to a pending or completed suit, arbitration, investigation, or other proceeding whether civil, criminal, investigative or administrative, if the basis of inclusion arises as the result of acts conducted in the discharge of their official capacity.  Cleco Corporation has purchased various insurance policies to reduce the risks associated with the indemnification.  In its Operating Agreement (Operating Agreement of Cleco Power LLC, dated December 13, 2000, amended October 24, 2003), Cleco Power provides for the same indemnifications as described above with respect to its managers, officers, agents and employees.

Cleco Corporation has issued guarantees and a letter of credit to support the activities of Perryville, Attala and Evangeline.  These commitments are not within the scope of FIN 45, since these are guarantees of performance by wholly owned subsidiaries.  For information regarding these commitments, see Note 8 - "Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - Off-Balance Sheet Commitments."

For information on the Lignite Mining Agreement entered into by Cleco Power and SWEPCO, see Note 8 - "Litigation

 

33


and Other Commitments and Contingencies - Off-Balance Sheet Commitments."

Generally, neither Cleco Corporation nor Cleco Power has recourse that would enable them to recover amounts paid under the guarantees.  The one exception is the insurance contracts associated with the indemnifications issued to directors,

managers, officers, agents and employees.  There are no assets held as collateral for third parties that either Cleco Corporation or Cleco Power could obtain and liquidate to recover amounts paid pursuant to the guarantees.

Note 10 - Debt

Cleco

At September 30, 2005, Cleco's long-term debt outstanding was $460.4 million, compared to $450.6 million at December 31, 2004.  The $9.8 million increase was primarily the result of the issuance by Cleco Power of $50.0 million of 4.95% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2015, offset partially by the classification of $40.0 million of medium-term notes as short-term debt (long-term debt due within one year) based on their maturity dates.

During the first nine months of 2005, Cleco also repaid $100.0 million of Cleco Corporation's 8.75% Senior Notes and $60.0 million of Cleco Power's Series X, 9.5% First Mortgage Bonds, both at maturity.  These two issues were classified as long-term debt due within one year; therefore, the repayment did not affect the total amount of long-term debt recorded.  The repayments were funded by available cash and new borrowings, aided by interim borrowings from credit facilities.

Cleco had no short-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2005, or December 31, 2004.

Cash and cash equivalents available at September 30, 2005, were $37.3 million combined with $251.6 million total facility capacity for total liquidity of $288.9 million.  Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2005, decreased $86.4 million, when compared to December 31, 2004, due to repayment of long-term debt, payment of dividends, expenditures for capital additions to property, plant and equipment, both routine and for storm restoration.  These payments were partially offset by cash received from the issuance of long-term debt, from on-going operations, and from routine working capital fluctuations.

Evangeline, deconsolidated and no longer reported in Cleco Corporation's consolidated results, had no short-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2005.  Evangeline had $184.7 million and $191.8 million of long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, respectively, in the form of 8.82% Senior Secured Bonds due in 2019.  In addition, Evangeline had $7.1 million and $6.0 million of long-term debt due within one year at September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, respectively, relating to these bonds.  The bonds issued by Evangeline are non-recourse to Cleco Corporation.

Cleco Power

At September 30, 2005, Cleco Power's long-term debt outstanding was $360.4 million, compared to $350.6 million at December 31, 2004.  The $9.8 million increase was primarily the result of the issuance by Cleco Power of $50.0 million of 4.95% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2015, offset partially by the classification of $40.0 million of medium-term notes as short-term debt (long-term debt due within one year) based on their maturity dates.

During the first nine months of 2005, Cleco Power also repaid $60.0 million of Series X, 9.5% First Mortgage Bonds, at maturity.  This issue was classified as long-term debt due within one year; therefore, the repayment did not affect the total amount of long-term debt recorded.  The repayment was funded by available cash and the new borrowings by Cleco Power mentioned above, aided by interim borrowings from Cleco Power's credit facility.

At September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, Cleco Power had no short-term debt outstanding.

Cash and cash equivalents available at September 30, 2005, were $15.4 million, which when combined with $125.0 million remaining facility capacity totaled $140.4 million.  Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2005, decreased $38.7 million, when compared to December 31, 2004, due to repayment of long-term debt, payment of dividends to Cleco Corporation, and expenditures for capital additions to property, plant and equipment, both routine and for storm restoration.  These payments were partially offset by cash received from the issuance of long-term debt, from on-going operations, and from routine working capital fluctuations.

Credit Facilities

Cleco has two separate revolving credit facilities, one for Cleco Corporation and one for Cleco Power, totaling $275.0 million.

On April 25, 2005, Cleco Corporation replaced its then existing $150.0 million, three-year credit facility with a $150.0 million, five-year facility.  This facility provides for working capital and other needs.  Cleco Corporation's borrowing costs under this facility are equal to LIBOR plus 0.875%, including facility fees.  At September 30, 2005, there was no debt outstanding under the facility.  Cleco Corporation's borrowing costs under the prior facility were equal to LIBOR plus 1.225%.

On April 25, 2005, Cleco Power replaced its existing $125.0 million, 364-day credit facility with a $125.0 million, five-year facility.  This facility provides for working capital and other needs.  Cleco Power's initial borrowing cost under this facility is equal to LIBOR plus 0.600%, including facility fees.  At September 30, 2005, there was no debt outstanding under this facility.  Cleco Power's borrowing costs under the prior facility were equal to LIBOR plus 1.0%, including facility fees.

On May 10, 2005, Cleco renewed an uncommitted line of credit.  The line of credit was increased from $5.0 million to $10.0 million and is available to support the working capital needs of Cleco and Cleco Power.

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Note 11 - Variable Interest Entities

Cleco has adopted the provisions of FIN 46R on its scheduled effective dates.  Through a review of contracts, equity interests and other contractual relationships, Cleco has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of Evangeline, which is considered a variable interest entity.

In accordance with FIN 46R, Cleco was required to deconsolidate Evangeline from its condensed consolidated financial statements and begin reporting its investment in Evangeline on the equity method of accounting.  As a result, effective March 31, 2004, the assets and liabilities of Evangeline are no longer reported on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, but instead are represented by one line item corresponding to Cleco's equity investment in Evangeline.  Effective April 1, 2004, Evangeline's results of operations are reported as equity income from investees on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Since its inception, Cleco has had 100% ownership and voting interest of Evangeline.  All of the capacity and output of the power plant has been tolled to Williams which pays Evangeline certain fixed and variable amounts.  At September 30, 2005, Evangeline had assets with a book value of approximately $273.1 million and liabilities of $257.1 million.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, Evangeline had operating revenue of $26.5 million and $48.2 million, respectively and operating expenses (including depreciation) of $5.9 million and $14.0 million, respectively.  Cleco's current assessment of its maximum exposure to loss at September 30, 2005, consists of its equity investment of $78.9 million.

Note 12 - Pension Plan and Employee Benefits

Most employees are covered by a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan.  Benefits under the plan reflect an employee's years of service, age at retirement, and highest total average compensation for any consecutive five calendar years during the last 10 years of employment with Cleco Corporation.  Cleco Corporation's policy is to base its contributions to the employee pension plan upon actuarial computations utilizing the projected unit credit method, subject to the Internal Revenue Service's full funding limitation.  No contributions to the pension plan were made for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  During 2005, a contribution is not expected to be required by funding regulations.  A discretionary contribution may be made during the fourth quarter of 2005; however, the decision by management to make a contribution and the amount, if any, has not been determined.  Cleco Power is considered the plan sponsor, and Support Group is considered the plan administrator.

Cleco Corporation's retirees and their dependents are eligible to receive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other benefits).  Cleco Corporation recognizes the expected cost of these benefits during the periods in which the benefits are earned.

The components of net periodic pension and other benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, and 2004 are as follows:

                   PENSION BENEFITS

                    OTHER BENEFITS

                     FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

             2005

               2004

              2005

             2004

Components of periodic benefit costs

 

     Service cost

            $    1,718

 

   $       1,368

 $     654

   $         533

     Interest cost

    3,339

 

            3,045

         594

              620

     Expected return on plan assets

   (4,593)

 

          (4,345)

             -

                   -

     Amortization of transition obligation (asset)

            -

 

                   (9)

             -

                97

     Prior period service cost amortization

        246

 

               246

       (188)

                   -

     Net loss amortization

        265

 

                (87)

         304

              248

     Net periodic benefit cost

$     975

 

   $          218

 $  1,364

   $     1,498

 

                   PENSION BENEFITS

                    OTHER BENEFITS

                      FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

             2005

               2004

              2005

             2004

Components of periodic benefit costs

 

     Service cost

            $    5,115

 

   $       4,564

 $  1,962

   $     1,725

     Interest cost

    9,993

 

            9,482

     1,783

          1,799

     Expected return on plan assets

(13,776)

 

        (13,057)

             -

                   -

     Amortization of transition obligation (asset)

            -

 

                (27)

             -

              292

     Prior period service cost amortization

        739

 

               739

       (567)

                   -

     Net loss amortization

        773

 

                  48

         913

              630

     Net periodic benefit cost

$  2,844

 

   $       1,749

 $  4,091

   $     4,446

Since Cleco Power is the plan sponsor and the related trust holds the assets, the prepaid benefit cost of the pension plan is reflected at Cleco Power.  The liability of Cleco Corporation's other subsidiaries is transferred, with a like amount of assets, to Cleco Power monthly.  The expense of the pension plan related to Cleco Corporation's other subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, was $0.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively.  The expense of the pension plan related to Cleco Corporation's other subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, was $0.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Cleco Corporation is the plan sponsor for the other benefits.  There are no assets set aside in a trust, and the liabilities are reported on the individual subsidiaries' financial statements.  The expense related to other benefits reflected on Cleco Power's statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, was $1.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively.  The expense related to other benefits reflected on Cleco Power's statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, was $1.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

Certain key executives and key managers are covered by a SERP.  The SERP is a non-qualified, non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan.  Benefits under the plan reflect an employee's years of service, age at retirement, and the sum of the highest base salary paid out of the last five calendar years and the average of the three highest bonuses paid during the last 60 months prior to retirement, reduced by benefits

35


received from any other defined benefit pension plan.  Cleco Corporation does not fund the SERP liability, but instead pays for current benefits out of the general funds available.  Cleco Power has formed a Rabbi Trust designated as the beneficiary for life insurance policies issued on the SERP participants.  Proceeds from the life insurance policies are expected to be used to pay SERP participants' life insurance benefits, as well as future SERP payments.  However, since this is a non-qualified plan, the assets of the trust could be used to satisfy general creditors of Cleco Power in the event of insolvency.  No contributions to the SERP were made during the nine months ended September 30, 2005, and 2004.  Cleco Power is considered the plan sponsor and Support Group is considered the plan administrator.

The components of the net SERP cost are as follows:

            FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                    SEPTEMBER 30,

               FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                   SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                    2005

                   2004

                   2005

                  2004

Components of periodic benefit costs

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 $         320

   $              272

 $        961

   $              693

Interest cost

            348

                   222

         1,042

                   873

Prior period service cost amortization

              13

                      13

              40

                     40

Net loss amortization

            174

                      46

            522

                   353

Net periodic benefit cost

  $         855

   $              553

  $     2,565

   $          1,959

The SERP has no assets, and liabilities are reported on the individual subsidiaries' financial statements.  The expense related to the SERP reflected on Cleco Power's statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, was $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.  The expense related to the SERP reflected on Cleco Power's statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, was $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. 

Most employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) savings and investment plan.  Cleco Corporation makes matching contributions to 401(k) Plan participants by allocating shares of convertible preferred stock held by the ESOP.  Compensation expense related to the 401(k) Plan is based upon the value of shares of preferred stock allocated to ESOP participants and the amount of interest incurred by the ESOP, less dividends on unallocated shares held by the ESOP.  At September 30, 2005, and 2004, the ESOP had allocated to employees 182,799 and 175,995 preferred shares, respectively.

The table below contains information about the 401(k) Plan and the ESOP:

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                            2005

                       2004

401(k) Plan expense

        $        227

$            191

Dividend requirements to ESOP on convertible preferred stock

        $        451

$            486

Interest incurred by ESOP on its indebtedness

        $          43

$              86

Company contributions to ESOP

        $             -

$                 -

 

  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                            2005

                       2004

401(k) Plan expense

        $        983

          $           541

Dividend requirements to ESOP on convertible preferred stock

        $     1,386

          $        1,810

Interest incurred by ESOP on its indebtedness

        $        128

          $           258

Company contributions to ESOP

        $             -

          $                -

Cleco Power is the plan sponsor for the 401(k) Plan.  The expense of the 401(k) Plan related to Cleco Corporation's other subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, was less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.  The expense of the 401(k) Plan related to Cleco Corporation's other subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, was less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.  The expense related to the dividend requirements of the ESOP on convertible preferred stock is reflected on Cleco Corporation's income statement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

Note 13 - Perryville

Background

Perryville owned and operated a 718-MW natural gas-fired power plant near Perryville, Louisiana.  The Perryville facility consisted of approximately 562 MW of combined-cycle capacity and approximately 156 MW of peaking capacity.  In July 2001, Perryville began operating under the Perryville Tolling Agreement, a 21-year capacity and energy sale agreement for use of Perryville's entire capacity, with MAEM, a subsidiary of Mirant.  Under the terms of the Perryville Tolling Agreement, MAEM had the right to supply natural gas to fuel the Perryville facility, and it was exclusively entitled to all of the capacity and energy output from the facility.  Perryville was obligated to provide energy conversion services, within specified performance parameters, when requested by MAEM.  The agreement required MAEM to pay Perryville various capacity reservation and fixed operations and maintenance fees, the amounts of which depended upon the type of capacity and ultimate performance achieved by the facility.  In addition to the capacity reservation and fixed operating and maintenance payments from MAEM, Perryville was entitled to collect and MAEM was obligated to pay amounts associated with variable operating and maintenance expenses based on MAEM's dispatch of the facility under the Perryville Tolling Agreement.  Payments received from MAEM under the Perryville Tolling Agreement were Perryville's only source of revenue.  Mirant and MAI provided limited guarantees that supported MAEM's obligations under the Perryville Tolling Agreement.

Mirant Bankruptcy and MAEM's Rejection of the Perryville Tolling Agreement

On July 14, 2003, the Mirant Debtors filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the Mirant Debtors Bankruptcy Court.  The Perryville Tolling Agreement was rejected pursuant to section 365 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as of September 15, 2003, in accordance with a motion by the Mirant Debtors that was granted by the Mirant Debtors

36


Bankruptcy Court.  Upon the rejection of the Perryville Tolling Agreement, MAEM's rights and obligations under such agreement were terminated.

Perryville Tolling Agreement Administrative Expense and Damage Claims

Perryville asserted an administrative expense claim against MAEM arising out of post-petition services performed by Perryville under the Perryville Tolling Agreement prior to its rejection.  In addition, Perryville filed damage claims against MAEM due to the rejection of the Perryville Tolling Agreement and against Mirant and MAI under their respective limited guarantees.  The Mirant Debtors filed various objections to Perryville's claims.  The parties participated in mediation and engaged in extensive discovery.  On May 27, 2005, Perryville and PEH and the Mirant Debtors executed a settlement agreement (the Mirant Settlement Agreement) resolving Perryville's claims against the Mirant Debtors, as well as MAI's $98.7 million claims against Perryville and PEH related to the Subordinated Loan Agreement (the MAI Claim).  The Mirant Settlement Agreement was approved by the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court on June 24, 2005, and by the Mirant Debtors Bankruptcy Court on June 28, 2005.  The Mirant Settlement Agreement became effective on July 8, 2005.

Subject to the terms and conditions therein, the Mirant Settlement Agreement provides that Perryville's claims in Mirant's bankruptcy cases are allowed in the amount of $207.0 million.  On July 19, 2005, this amount was reduced, pursuant to the Mirant Settlement Agreement, to $108.3 million when Perryville elected to offset its $98.7 million claim (the Subordinated Debt Claim) against MAI with MAI's $98.7 million claim against Perryville.  The $98.7 million claim is reflected in other income in "- Financial Results" below. 

As allowed by the Mirant Settlement Agreement, Perryville sold its claims of $108.3 million against MAEM and Mirant in August 2005 to various parties at 76.5% of the face amount of these claims.  The pre-tax net proceeds from this sale were $81.2 million.  These amounts are reflected in other income and other expense, as applicable, in "- Financial Results" below.  For information concerning cash distributions made to Cleco Corporation, see Note 20 - "Subsequent Event."

Perryville Bankruptcy

On January 28, 2004, to facilitate an orderly sales process, Perryville and PEH filed voluntary petitions in the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.  Neither Cleco Corporation nor any of its other subsidiaries were included in the filings.

On July 29, 2005, Perryville and PEH filed a disclosure statement for a joint plan of reorganization to the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court.  An amended disclosure statement was filed by Perryville and PEH on August 25, 2005.  The Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court approved the First Amended Disclosure Statement on August 30, 2005.

On September 28, 2005, the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court confirmed the First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (the Plan) proposed by Perryville and PEH.  For information concerning the effective date of the Plan, see Note 20 - "Subsequent Event."

Sale of the Perryville Facility

On January 28, 2004, Perryville entered into the Sale Agreement to sell its 718-MW power plant to Entergy Louisiana.  The Sale Agreement was approved by the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court by orders dated April 23, 2004, December 8, 2004, and June 24, 2005.  The sale was consummated on June 30, 2005, and Perryville received $162.0 million in cash proceeds.  The assets sold to Entergy Louisiana did not include Perryville's claims against the Mirant Debtors, transmission assets or any other cash-related assets of Perryville.  Perryville recorded a pre-tax gain on the sale of the generating assets of $10.1 million, as reflected in "- Financial Results" below.

On June 30, 2005, Perryville used $131.0 million of the proceeds from the sale of the generating assets to Entergy Louisiana to repay all principal and interest owed under the Senior Loan Agreement.

Cleco Corporation provided a limited guarantee to Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States for Perryville's performance, indemnity, representation, and warranty obligations under the Sale Agreement, the Power Purchase Agreement, and other ancillary agreements related to the sale.  As of September 30, 2005, the aggregate guarantee of $277.4 million is limited to $142.4 million.  For additional information on this guarantee, see Note 9 - "Disclosures about Guarantees."

Perryville Operations

Perryville has retained ownership of its transmission interconnection equipment, which had a net investment value of $7.8 million as of September 30, 2005.  The transmission assets, comprised primarily of transformers and interconnection equipment, provide transmission service for Entergy Louisiana to interconnect and deliver the output of the Perryville generating assets to the Entergy transmission grid.  Perryville will provide transmission and interconnection service to Entergy Louisiana under a cost of service based tariff accepted for filing by the FERC, subject to hearing and refund by order issued on March 22, 2005.  On May 25, 2005, Perryville and Entergy Louisiana jointly filed an offer of settlement to reflect the settlement in principle negotiated with the FERC Staff.  The settlement, approved by the FERC on August 3, 2005, resolved all issues which concern the Perryville cost-of-service transmission rate.  Under the terms of the settlement, Perryville will charge Entergy Louisiana a monthly interconnect service charge of approximately $1.0 million annually.  The settlement also required Perryville to make an informational filing with the FERC showing the actual operation and maintenance, general and administrative costs, and the actual property taxes incurred during the calendar year periods 2006 through 2008 to operate the Interconnect Facilities and to provide Interconnect Services to Entergy Louisiana.

37


Financial Results

The financial results of Perryville and PEH are included in Cleco Corporation's condensed consolidated results through January 27, 2004.  However, generally accepted accounting principles preclude consolidation of majority-owned subsidiaries where control does not rest with the majority owners.  Cleco is utilizing the cost method to account for its investment in Perryville and PEH.  The cost method requires Cleco to present the net assets of Perryville and PEH at January 27, 2004, as an investment and not recognize any income or loss from Perryville or PEH in Cleco Corporation's results of operations during the reorganization period.  As of September 30, 2005, this investment had a negative cost basis of approximately $35.9 million, which is included in other deferred credits on Cleco Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheet.  For information concerning the effective date of the plan of reorganization of Perryville and PEH, see Note 20 - "Subsequent Event."

The following tables contain the consolidated summarized financial information for Perryville and PEH which has been prepared in conformity with SOP 90-7.  This statement requires a segregation of liabilities subject to compromise by the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court as of the bankruptcy filing date and identification of all transactions and events that are associated directly with the reorganization.  Liabilities subject to compromise include pre-petition unsecured claims, which may be settled at amounts which differ from those recorded in the Perryville and PEH consolidated financial statements.

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                         2005

 

                      2004

Operating revenue

      $         264

      $             4,416

Operating expenses

            1,041

                   4,243

Interest charges

                    -

                   2,096

Interest income

                601

                         44

Other income

        206,950

                            -

Other expense

          27,129

                            6

Federal and state income tax expense (benefit)

          69,123

                  (1,023)

Net income (loss)

      $ 110,522

      $             (862)

 

FOR THE NINE
 MONTHS ENDED
 SEPTEMBER 30,



FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

               2005

 

PRE-PETITION(1)

POST-PETITION(2)

             2004

Operating revenue

$ 10,052

 

   $           72

   $    11,099

 $    11,171

Operating expenses

    11,779

 

          2,373

         11,215

        13,588

Interest charges

      5,460

 

             458

            5,500

          5,958

Gain on disposal of generating assets

    10,110

 

                   -

                     -

                   -

Interest income

         728

 

                10

                  99

              109

Other income

  206,950

 

                   -

                     -

                   -

Other expense

    27,135

 

                  4

                  19

                23

Federal and state income tax expense (benefit)

    70,594

 

        (1,058)

          (2,425)

         (3,483)

Net income (loss)

$ 112,872

 

   $   (1,695)

   $     (3,111)

 $     (4,806)

(1)  January 1, 2004 - January 27, 2004

(2)  January 28, 2004 - September 30, 2004

 

AT SEPTEMBER 30,

   AT DECEMBER 31,

(THOUSANDS)

                       2005

                       2004

Current assets

$     121,824

   $            18,462

Accounts receivable-affiliate

         13,731

                 12,815

Property, plant and equipment, net

                   -

               161,748

Net investment in direct financing lease

           7,796

                             -

Other assets

           5,328

                 29,920

     Total assets

$     148,679

   $          222,945

Current liabilities

$       39,817

   $              2,052

Pre-petition secured liability

                   -

               127,552

Accounts payable-affiliate

                 17

                       377

Liabilities subject to compromise (1)

           3,328

               102,008

Deferred credits

               328

                          24

Member's equity

       105,189

                  (9,068)

     Total liabilities and member's equity

$     148,679

   $          222,945

(1)  Liabilities subject to compromise consist of the following:

               Unsecured debt

$                  -

   $            98,650

               Accounts payable-affiliate

           1,266

                       960

               Accounts payable

           1,129

                    1,435

               Current deferred taxes

               165

                       208

               Long-term deferred taxes

               768

                       755

                        Total

$         3,328

   $          102,008

Perryville and PEH routinely engage in affiliate transactions with other entities within Cleco in the ordinary course of business.  As a result of its bankruptcy filings, Perryville and PEH are precluded from paying dividends to equity holders and making payments on any pre-bankruptcy filing accounts or notes payable that are due and owing to any other entity within Cleco (pre-petition accounts payable-affiliate, which was $1.3 million as of September 30, 2005) and other creditors during the pendency of the bankruptcy case.  For information concerning the effective date of the plan of reorganization of Perryville and PEH and cash distributions made to Cleco Corporation, see Note 20 - "Subsequent Event."

Note 14 - Discontinued Operations and Dispositions

Cleco Energy

Management formed two disposal groups comprised of the assets of Cleco Energy and worked to find buyers for those assets through a solicitation process.  One disposal group consisted of the natural gas pipeline and marketing operations of Cleco Energy.  The second disposal group consisted of the oil and gas production properties of Cleco Energy.  After reviewing the preliminary bids received in June 2004, management committed to a plan to sell the two disposal groups.

On September 15, 2004, Cleco Energy completed the sale of the second disposal group for a gross sales price of $0.8 million (subject to certain adjustments).  On November 16, 2004, Cleco Energy completed the sale of its first disposal group consisting of the natural gas pipeline and marketing operations for a gross sales price of $9.1 million (subject to certain adjustments). 

For information on guarantees entered into related to the sale of the disposal groups, see Note 8 - "Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - Off-Balance Sheet Commitments."

38


The following table summarizes the operating results and settlement adjustments that have been classified as discontinued operations on Cleco Corporation's Consolidated Statements of Income and are reported in the Midstream segment in Note 3 - "Disclosures about Segments."  Prior period results have been reclassified from income from continuing operations to discontinued operations.

           FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                    SEPTEMBER 30,

               FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                   SEPTEMBER 30,

(THOUSANDS)

                    2005

                   2004

                   2005

                  2004

Operating revenue, net

  $             -

   $        13,037

  $               -

   $          44,270

Pre-tax loss

             (37)

                    (41)

           (344)

                 (187)

Federal and state income tax benefit

             (12)

                       (6)

           (114)

                    (22)

Operating loss, net of tax

             (25)

                    (35)

           (230)

                 (165)

Loss on disposal, net of tax benefit of $146

                 -

                  (271)

                 -

                 (271)

Total

 $        (25)

   $          (306)

 $       (230)

   $            (436)

Note 15 - Income Taxes

Cleco Corporation's effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2005, was 34.1% compared to 37.3% for the same period in 2004.  Cleco Power's effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2005, was 32.1% compared to 36.0% for the same period in 2004.  The decreases in the effective income tax rates are mainly due to the LPSC requirement to flow through to current earnings the state tax benefit derived from the casualty losses related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the recognition of the qualified production activities tax deduction in 2005 under The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, and a non-taxable benefit related to company-owned life insurance policies on certain officers and/or key managers.  Also contributing to the lower rates for the third quarter is the flow through of reduced state income tax expense from amended returns for Cleco Power.  Tax rates also were affected by the relative size of pre-tax income related to these items.

Cleco Corporation's effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2005 was 35.8% compared to 36.4% for the same period in 2004.  Cleco Power's effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2005 was 35.2% compared to 36.3% for the same period in 2004.  The decreases in the effective income tax rates are mainly due to the LPSC requirement to flow through to current earnings the state tax benefit derived from the casualty losses related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The decrease in state tax expense was partially offset by a 2004 true-up of estimated taxes based on the 2003 tax return and a 2005 increase in the accrual of tax contingency reserves.  Tax rates also were affected by the relative size of pre-tax income related to these items. 

Note 16 - Deferred Fuel and Purchased Power Costs

The cost of fuel used for electric generation and the cost of power purchased for utility customers are recovered through the LPSC-established fuel adjustment clause which enables Cleco Power to pass on to its customers substantially all such charges.  Approximately 92% of Cleco Power's total fuel cost is regulated by the LPSC, while the remainder is regulated by the FERC.  Deferred fuel and purchased power costs recorded at September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, were under-recoveries of $14.2 million and $14.0 million, respectively, and are scheduled to be collected from customers in future months.  Under-recovery of fuel and purchased power costs through the summer months is typical.  Increased fuel and purchased power costs incurred to meet additional seasonal demand generally are recovered from customers in subsequent months.  The $14.0 million under-recovered amount reported at December 31, 2004, included favorable surcharge adjustments representing fuel costs not collected in prior periods and the reversal of gas transportation charges recorded in 2002 as a result of the settlement of Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit.  The $14.2 million under-recovered costs reported at September 30, 2005, would have been higher due to increased natural gas and purchased power costs but were reduced by a $33.6 million favorable increase in the market value of open gas hedge positions and $6.7 million of realized gains on gas hedge positions.  Recovery of these increased costs have resulted in higher customer bills.

Note 17 - Affiliate Transactions

Cleco has affiliate balances that were not eliminated as of September 30, 2005.  The balances were not eliminated due to the deconsolidation of Evangeline and Perryville.  For information on these deconsolidations, see Note 1 - "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Principles of Consolidation."  At September 30, 2005, Cleco Corporation had an affiliate payable to Evangeline of $14.8 million and a payable to Perryville of $6.0 million.  These amounts represent the balances over 30 days old and bearing interest.

Note 18 - Franchise

Cleco Power's franchise with the town of Franklinton, and its approximately 1,850 customers, was up for renewal in April 2003.  Franklinton voted not to renew its franchise agreement with Cleco Power, electing to take service from another provider.  As a result, a ten-year franchise was granted to a competing cooperative in December 2003.  On February 23, 2005, the LPSC reviewed an independent third party appraisal of these assets and ordered that the distribution system's fair market value was $2.3 million.  On May 26, 2005, Cleco Power completed the sale and transferred service to the cooperative.  Cleco Power received $2.3 million from the sale and recorded a gain of $1.9 million on the disposition of these distribution assets.  The gain is included in the gain on sales of assets line on the Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power nine months ended income statements.

39


Note 19 - Storm Restoration

In late August and September, 2005, Cleco Power's distribution and transmission systems sustained substantial damage from two separate hurricanes.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southeastern Louisiana as a Category 4 storm, knocking out power to approximately 87,000 of Cleco Power's electric customers located primarily in St. Tammany and Washington parishes on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

Work continues to restore the system to the condition it was in prior to Hurricane Katrina.  Cleco Power's current estimate of the cost of restoration for Hurricane Katrina is $115.0 million.

On September 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita made landfall in southwestern Louisiana as a Category 3 storm, affecting power delivery to approximately 136,000 of Cleco Power's electric customers in all of Cleco Power's service territory, including the area north of Lake Pontchartrain, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina just 27 days earlier.  The current estimate of the cost of restoration for Hurricane Rita is $50.0 million. 

The damage to equipment from Hurricane Katrina required extensive replacement, rather than repair, of existing assets.  Therefore, the balance sheets of Cleco and Cleco Power reflect the capitalization of approximately 82% of the $105.3 million in restoration costs recorded at September 30, 2005, or $86.7 million. Approximately $3.9 million of the repair-related restoration cost was offset against a reserve for storm damage, and the remaining $14.7 million was recorded as a regulatory asset, with the approval of the LPSC.

The restoration effort for Hurricane Rita resulted in the capitalization of approximately 83% of the $25.2 million in restoration costs recorded at September 30, 2005, or $20.8 million.  The balance of the costs, $4.4 million, also was recorded as a regulatory asset, with the approval of the LPSC.  All storm-related amounts deferred as a regulatory asset will be amortized over a ten-year period beginning in October 2005.

Based on provisions of proposed legislation currently being debated by the U.S. Senate, there is the potential for reimbursement of a portion of Hurricane Katrina-related costs by the U.S. government.  Cleco Power cannot predict the likelihood that any reimbursement from the U.S. government ultimately will be approved.  Other recovery options are being analyzed including a customer surcharge.  Absent any direct recovery, expenses are expected to be approximately $13.0 million higher per year beginning in 2006, because of higher financing costs, increased depreciation, and amortization of deferred restoration costs.

On September 28, 2005, the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court confirmed the First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (the Plan) proposed by Perryville and PEH.  An order confirming the Plan was entered by the Bankruptcy Court on September 28, 2005, and the order became final on October 10, 2005.  The conditions to the effectiveness of the Plan were satisfied, and the Plan became effective as of October 11, 2005 (the Effective Date).  Perryville and PEH anticipate completing their bankruptcy process in the fourth quarter of 2005.

As of October 18, 2005, all allowed pre-petition claims ($2.2 million) against Perryville and PEH were paid in full in accordance with the Plan.  In addition, cash distributions of $90.0 million were dividended to Cleco Corporation following the reorganization of Perryville and PEH.  These payments to Cleco Corporation represented a net settlement of intercompany payables, resulting primarily from income tax allocations and dividends.  Except for distributions made to creditors and equity holders under the Plan, the title to all assets of Perryville and PEH will vest with the reorganized Perryville and PEH free and clear of all liens, claims, causes of action, interests, security interests and other encumbrances and without further order of the Bankruptcy Court as of the Effective Date.  In addition, the reorganized Perryville and PEH may operate their businesses and use, acquire and dispose of their assets free of any restrictions of the Bankruptcy Code.

The financial results of Perryville and PEH were included in Cleco's consolidated financial results through January 27, 2004.  From that date, Cleco has been utilizing the cost method to account for its investment in Perryville and PEH.  The cost method requires Cleco to present the net assets of Perryville and PEH at January 27, 2004, as an investment and not recognize any income or loss from Perryville or PEH in Cleco's results of operations during the reorganization period.  On the Effective Date, the financial results of Perryville and PEH will be reintegrated with Cleco's consolidated financial results. 

40


The following discussion and analysis should be read in combination with the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, and Cleco Corporation's and Cleco Power's Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q.  The information included therein is essential to understanding the following discussion and analysis.  Below is information concerning the consolidated results of operations of Cleco for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, and September 30, 2004.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Cleco is a regional energy services holding company that conducts substantially all of its business operations through its two principal operating business segments:

  • Cleco Power, an integrated electric utility services subsidiary regulated by the LPSC and the FERC, among other regulators, which also engages in energy management activities, and

  • Midstream, a merchant energy subsidiary that owns and operates merchant generation stations, invests in joint ventures that own and operate merchant generation stations, and owns and operates transmission interconnection facilities.

While management believes that Cleco remains a fundamentally strong company, Cleco continues to focus on several near-term challenges.  An overview of factors affecting Cleco Power and Midstream are more fully described below.

Cleco Power

Many factors affect the opportunities, challenges, and risks of Cleco Power's primary business of selling electricity.  These factors include the ability to maintain a stable regulatory environment, which includes maintaining a favorable return on equity, to achieve energy sales growth while containing costs, and to recover costs related to growing demand and increasingly more stringent environmental standards.  In addition, Cleco Power continues to focus on resolving its long-term capacity needs and obtaining LPSC approval of the construction of a new solid-fuel generating unit which should help stabilize customer costs.

In June 2005, Cleco Power made selections from its long-term and short-term RFPs.  Cleco Power's selections included plans to construct a solid-fuel power plant and negotiate two power purchase agreements with third party suppliers.  The two power purchase agreements were executed on August 1, 2005.  LPSC approval of the two power purchase agreements is expected during the fourth quarter of 2005.  However, Cleco Power continues to evaluate a range of generation supply options for 2006 and beyond.  As such, Cleco has begun to update its IRP to look at future sources of supply along with transmission projects.  Possible sources of supply could include long-term power purchases, acquisition of additional generation facilities, self-build proposals, and reconfiguration of its existing generation facilities.  Cleco Power may not be able to obtain purchased power or generation facilities on terms comparable to those in its current power purchase agreements.  In addition, recovery of any additional amounts it may pay under new power purchase agreements, in obtaining new generation facilities, in reconfiguring existing generation facilities or otherwise as a result of the expiration of its existing power purchase agreements would require LPSC approval.  Such additional amounts could be substantial.  For additional information on Cleco Power's IRP process and its preliminary selections from its RFPs, see "- Financial Condition - Regulatory Matters - Generation RFP."

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of Louisiana and Mississippi, causing catastrophic damage to the Gulf South region, including portions of Cleco Power's service territory.  Cleco Power sustained significant damage to its distribution and transmission facilities.  Cleco Power had approximately 87,000 customers (out of approximately 265,000 customers) without power immediately following the hurricane.  Four weeks after the storm, power had been restored to all who could receive service.  On September 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita made landfall and hit all of Cleco's service territory, including the area north of Lake Pontchartrain, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina 27 days earlier.  Cleco Power had approximately 136,000 customers without power immediately following this hurricane.  Within two weeks, service was restored to almost all customers, with the exception of customers in remote areas of Cleco Power's rural service territory.  Cleco Power requested and has received regulatory approval from the LPSC to create a regulatory asset that represents incremental, non-capitalized restoration costs incurred as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  This regulatory asset will be amortized over a ten-year period beginning in October 2005.  Cleco Power believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet its current obligations and to fund restoration efforts from a combination of cash on hand and available capacity under its revolving credit facilities.  For additional information on the financial impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 19 - Storm Restoration."

Cleco Power's 1996 earnings review settlement with the LPSC, subsequent amendments, and an approved one-year extension, set Cleco Power's rates until September 30, 2005.  On September 14, 2005, the LPSC approved an additional one-year extension of Cleco Power's rate stabilization plan to September 30, 2006.  This recently approved extension of the rate stabilization plan will allow Cleco Power additional time to evaluate different rate design options relating to its solid-fuel power plant construction proposal.  Upon expiration of the existing plan, possible rate stabilization plan options include seeking another extension, combining an extension request with a generation certificate of public convenience and

41


necessity application, seeking a new rate case, or allowing the current plan to expire and continue under current rates until the LPSC orders a review of Cleco Power's rates.  For additional information on the current rate stabilization plan, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 7 - Accrual of Electric Customer Credits."

Cleco Power's customer costs are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future due to the increased cost of natural gas used as fuel for generation and the increased cost of purchased power, driven by natural gas prices, both recovered through a fuel cost adjustment to customer bills.  Although the cost of fuel and purchased power is recovered from customers through the fuel adjustment billing mechanism, Cleco Power expects to incur higher expenses in the future relating to the charge-off of uncollectible customer utility bills, as long as higher natural gas prices persist.

Cleco is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment.  Violations of these laws and regulations may result in substantial fines and penalties.  Environmental requirements continue to increase as a result of new legislation, administrative actions, and judicial interpretations.  Therefore, precise future effects of existing and potential requirements are difficult to determine.  For additional information on environmental standards, see "- Financial Condition - Regulatory Matters - Environmental Matters."

Midstream

While Cleco Power has always been Cleco's core business and primary source of revenue, Cleco began to expand its merchant energy business in the late 1990s.  As a result of a perceived near-term surplus of generating capacity, Cleco re-evaluated its merchant energy business strategy, scaled back the expansion of this business and focused on maximizing the value of its existing merchant energy assets.  Cleco has made substantial progress on these efforts.  On June 30, 2005, Cleco completed the sale of the Perryville facility and on October 11, 2005, Perryville and PEH received approval to emerge from bankruptcy.  For additional information on Perryville, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 13 - Perryville" and Note 20 - "Subsequent Event."

In addition to the opportunities and challenges mentioned above, Cleco currently is assessing the ongoing credit condition of APP and Evangeline Tolling Agreement counterparties, as its merchant energy business is heavily dependent on the performance of the APP and Evangeline tolling agreements.  The credit ratings of the parent companies of the tolling agreement counterparties, The Williams Companies, Inc. and Calpine, which provide guarantees of their affiliates' performance obligations, are below investment grade.  Failure of the counterparties to perform under their respective tolling agreements likely would have a material adverse impact on Cleco's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.  On August 9, 2005, APP and Calpine executed agreements with CES to settle their dispute over the availability of transmission capacity at the Acadia plant under the Calpine Tolling Agreements.  For additional information on the significant terms of this settlement, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 8 - Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - CES."

Deconsolidation of Evangeline

In accordance with FIN 46R, Cleco was required to deconsolidate Evangeline from its condensed consolidated financial statements and begin reporting its investment in Evangeline on the equity method of accounting.  As a result, effective March 31, 2004, the assets and liabilities of Evangeline no longer are reported on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, but instead are represented by one line item corresponding to Cleco's equity investment in Evangeline.  Effective April 1, 2004, Evangeline revenue and expenses are netted and reported as equity income from investees on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  For additional information on FIN 46R and the deconsolidation of Evangeline, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 5 - Equity Investment in Investees" and Note 11 - "Variable Interest Entities."

Discontinued Operations and Dispositions

In June 2004, management decided to sell substantially all of Cleco Energy's assets and discontinue Cleco Energy's natural gas marketing, pipeline, and production operations after the sale.  On September 15, 2004, Cleco Energy completed the sale of its oil and gas production properties and on November 16, 2004, completed the sale of its natural gas pipeline and marketing operations.  Prior to the sale of Cleco Energy's assets, and in accordance with SFAS No. 144, the property, plant and equipment of Cleco Energy were classified as held for sale on Cleco Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the related operations were classified as discontinued on Cleco Corporation's Consolidated Statements of Income.  For additional information on SFAS No. 144 and the discontinued operations and sale of Cleco Energy's assets, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 14 - Discontinued Operations and Dispositions."

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

Cleco Consolidated

 

    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

 

        FAVORABLE/(UNFAVORABLE)

(THOUSANDS)

              2005

              2004

       VARIANCE

          CHANGE

Operating revenue, net

$ 283,656

   $  229,390

   $    54,266

      23.66 %

Operating expenses

238,422

      196,028

       (42,394)

    (21.63)%

Operating income

$   45,234

   $    33,362

   $    11,872

      35.59 %

Equity income from investees

$   25,249

   $    23,056

   $      2,193

        9.51 %

Other income

$     2,626

   $         171

   $      2,455

                   *

Other expense

$        861

   $      2,246

   $      1,385

      61.67 %

Interest charges

$     9,427

   $    11,738

   $      2,311

      19.69 %

Net income applicable to common stock

$   41,858

   $    26,915

   $    14,943

      55.52 %

*    Not meaningful

42


Consolidated net income applicable to common stock increased $14.9 million, or 55.5%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004 primarily due to increased earnings from Cleco Power and Midstream.

Operating revenue increased $54.3 million, or 23.7%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 largely as a result of higher base and fuel cost recovery revenue at Cleco Power.  Also contributing to the increase in operating revenue was a $4.4 million net mark-to-market gain from wholesale hedging transactions at Cleco Power.

Operating expenses increased $42.4 million, or 21.6%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004 primarily due to increased costs of power purchased for utility customers and higher other operations expense at Cleco Power.

Equity income from investees increased $2.2 million, or 9.5%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 due to increased equity earnings at APH, partially offset by decreased equity earnings at Evangeline.

Other income increased $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to benefits related to life insurance policies on certain officers and/or key managers and payments received by APH as a result of the settlement agreement between APP and CES.

Other expense decreased $1.4 million, or 61.7%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to the 2004 reclassification of expenses at Cleco Power related to the 2001-2002 fuel audit.

Interest charges decreased $2.3 million, or 19.7%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to the repayment of Senior Notes in June 2005.

Results of operations for Cleco Power and Midstream are more fully described below.

Cleco Power

Cleco Power's net income applicable to member's equity in the third quarter of 2005 increased $10.4 million, or 61.9%, compared to the third quarter of 2004.  Contributing factors include:

  • higher base revenue,

  • lower customer refund credits,

  • higher other operations revenue,

  • lower capacity payments,

  • lower maintenance expense, and

  • lower other expense.

These were partially offset by higher other operations expense.

      FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

          FAVORABLE/(UNFAVORABLE)

(THOUSANDS)

              2005

              2004

       VARIANCE

           CHANGE

Operating revenue

     Base

 $    95,070

   $     91,125

   $          3,945

          4.33 %

     Fuel cost recovery

 172,888

      128,622

        44,266

        34.42 %

     Electric customer credits

       (300)

         (1,344)

           1,044

        77.68 %

     Other operations

   14,113

           8,473

           5,640

        66.56 %

     Affiliate revenue

            7

                   7

                    -

                      -

     Intercompany revenue

        491

              456

                 35

          7.68 %

          Operating revenue, net

 282,269

      227,339

        54,930

        24.16 %

Operating expenses

     Fuel used for electric generation - recoverable

   53,982

        59,856

           5,874

           9.81%

     Power purchased for utility customers - recoverable

  118,654

        68,772

       (49,882)

      (72.53)%

     Non-recoverable fuel and power purchased

     7,219

        11,338

           4,119

        36.33 %

     Other operations

   22,264

        17,669

         (4,595)

      (26.01)%

     Maintenance

     8,948

        10,697

           1,749

        16.35 %

     Depreciation

   14,765

        14,201

             (564)

        (3.97)%

     Taxes other than income taxes

   10,424

        10,172

             (252)

        (2.48)%

               Total operating expenses

  236,256

      192,705

       (43,551)

      (22.60)%

Operating income

 $   46,013

   $    34,634

   $      11,379

        32.85 %

Other expense

 $        397

   $      2,657

   $        2,260

        85.06 %

Federal and state income taxes

 $   12,842

   $      9,450

   $     (3,392)

      (35.89)%

Net income

 $   27,183

   $    16,792

   $     10,391

        61.88 %

*    Not meaningful

 

          FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,


(MILLION  kWh)

             
 2005

 
             2004

         FAVORABLE/
    (UNFAVORABLE)

Electric sales

     Residential

     1,155

           1,107

               4.34 %

     Commercial

        540

              537

               0.56 %

     Industrial

        760

              736

               3.26 %

     Other retail

        174

              169

               2.96 %

     Unbilled

         (74)

               (16)

        (362.50)%

               Total retail

     2,555

           2,533

               0.87 %

     Sales for resale

        203

              139

             46.04 %

Total retail and wholesale customer sales

     2,758

           2,672

               3.22 %

 

          FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,


(THOUSANDS)

            
  2005

         
     2004

         FAVORABLE/
    (UNFAVORABLE)

Electric sales

     Residential

 $ 52,287

   $   50,411

               3.72 %

     Commercial

   18,720

        18,740

             (0.11)%

     Industrial

   13,903

        13,653

               1.83 %

     Other retail

     6,082

           6,031

               0.85 %

     Unbilled

    (2,493)

             (519)

        (380.35)%

               Total retail

   88,499

        88,316

               0.21 %

     Sales for resale

     6,571

           2,809

          133.93 %

Total retail and wholesale customer sales

 $ 95,070

   $   91,125

               4.33 %

 Cleco Power's residential customers' demand for electricity largely is affected by weather.  Weather generally is measured in cooling degree-days and heating degree-days.  A cooling degree-day is an indication of the likelihood that a consumer will use air conditioning, while a heating degree-day is an indication of the likelihood that a consumer will use heating.  An increase in heating degree-days does not produce

43


the same increase in revenue as an increase in cooling degree-days, because alternative heating sources are more available.  Normal heating degree-days and cooling degree-days are calculated for a month by separately calculating the average actual heating and cooling degree-days for that month over a period of 30 years.

The following chart shows how cooling degree-days varied from normal conditions and from the prior period.  Cleco Power uses temperature data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to determine cooling degree-days.

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

                            2005

                         2004

Cooling degree-days

     Increase (decrease) from normal

            17.23%

                  (6.58)%

     Increase (decrease) from prior year

            21.18%

                  (0.07)%

Base

Base revenue during the third quarter of 2005 increased $3.9 million, or 4.3%, compared to the same period in 2004.  The increase was primarily due to higher retail and wholesale customer kWh sales, largely from unusually warm weather and higher sales to two municipal customers.  Partially offsetting this increase was lost revenue due to extended storm outages.

Cleco Power currently is providing service or will begin providing service to expansions of current customers' operations, as well as services to new commercial and new industrial customers.  The new services and expansions are expected to increase base revenue in years 2005, 2006, and 2007.

During the first quarter of 2006, Cleco Power is expected to begin providing services to sell fixed-priced power to a new wholesale customer.  As a result of the fixed-price contract, the new customer is expected to increase base revenue while potentially diluting earnings in years 2006, 2007, and 2008.  In years 2009 through 2012, Cleco Power anticipates earnings accretion related to this contract.

Cleco Power's commercial and industrial customers' demand for electricity is affected less by the weather and primarily is dependent upon the strength of the economy and by the demand for the customers' products compared to their ability to produce the products economically.  Three of Cleco Power's customers who manufacture paper products, such as newsprint and corrugated packaging, are experiencing a downturn in their markets.  Cleco Power expects decreased base revenue from these customers, which currently contribute $19.8 million to Cleco Power's base revenue annually, as a result of the downturn.

Fuel Cost Recovery

Fuel cost recovery revenue billed to customers during the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 increased $44.3 million, or 34.4%, primarily due to higher costs of power purchased and fuel used for electric generation.  In addition, increased volumes of fuel used for electric generation increased fuel cost recovery revenue.  Changes in fuel costs historically have not significantly affected Cleco Power's net income.  Generally, fuel and purchased power expenses are recovered through the LPSC-established fuel adjustment clause, which enables Cleco Power to pass on to its customers substantially all such charges.  Approximately 92% of Cleco Power's total fuel cost is regulated by the LPSC, while the remainder is regulated by the FERC.  Recovery of fuel adjustment clause costs is subject to refund until monthly approval is received from the LPSC; however, all amounts are subject to a periodic fuel audit by the LPSC.  A fuel audit is required to be performed not less than every other year.  Cleco Power anticipates the next fuel audit to cover 2003 and 2004; however, any future audit could include prior periods with the exception of January 2001 through December 2002, which were periods covered in Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit.

Electric Customer Credits

Electric customer credits during the third quarter of 2005 decreased $1.0 million, or 77.7%, compared to the same period in 2004.  This decrease in electric customer credits is primarily due to lower accruals for the current rate stabilization plan filing period.  Lower accruals were primarily the result of higher operating expenses.  The potential refunds associated with the rate stabilization plan are based on results for each 12-month period ended September 30.  For additional information on the accrual of electric customer credits, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 7 - Accrual of Electric Customer Credits."

Other Operations

Other operations revenue increased $5.6 million, or 66.6%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004 primarily due to a $4.4 million net mark-to-market gain from economic hedge transactions related to fixed-price power that will be provided to a new wholesale customer in January 2006 and $1.2 million from higher transmission service revenue.  Cleco Power anticipates that a large portion of these mark-to-market gains will be offset by losses in future periods.  These timing differences relate to the fixed-price wholesale contract that will commence in January 2006, as discussed above.  In light of these economic hedge transactions, volatility in natural gas prices will likely cause fluctuation in Cleco Power's future earnings.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses increased $43.6 million, or 22.6%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.  Fuel used for electric generation decreased $5.9 million, or 9.8%, primarily due to deferred fuel costs, partially offset by an increase in the cost and volumes of fuel used as compared to the same period of 2004.  Power purchased for utility customers increased $49.9 million, or 72.5%, largely due to higher costs of purchased power.  Fuel used for electric generation and power purchased for utility customers generally are influenced by natural gas prices.  However, other factors such as unscheduled outages, unusual maintenance or

44


repairs, or other developments may affect fuel used for electric generation and power purchased for utility customers.  Non-recoverable fuel and power purchased decreased $4.1 million, or 36.3%, primarily due to lower capacity payments made during 2005 as a result of the expiration of certain power purchase agreements.  Other operations expense increased $4.6 million, or 26.0%, due to $3.8 million of higher incentive compensation and payroll expense and $1.8 million in higher professional fees.  Partially offsetting these increases in other operations expense was $1.0 million of lower property and liability insurance costs.  Maintenance expenses during the third quarter of 2005 decreased $1.7 million, or 16.4%, compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to less generating station and transmission substation maintenance work performed during the third quarter of 2005.

On July 6, 2005, Cleco Power received a letter from Union Pacific Corporation (Union Pacific) notifying it that a force majeure event requiring maintenance on Union Pacific's rail lines is expected to result in a 15% to 20% reduction in the amount of contracted deliveries of Powder River Basin coal to Cleco Power's Rodemacher coal generating facility from June 2005 through November 2005.  As a result of this notification, and its potential impact on Cleco Power's current coal inventory levels and forecasted generation for the duration of this delivery reduction, Cleco Power initiated an evaluation of methods for minimizing any reduction in energy output due to reduced coal deliveries by Union Pacific.  Thus far, Cleco Power has been able to minimize the adverse impact to its fuel and purchased power costs by obtaining coal from other sources, and believes that it will be able to continue to minimize any adverse impact to its fuel and purchased power costs.  However, the amount of generation capability supplied by the Rodemacher facility could be reduced, thereby requiring Cleco Power to obtain additional power purchases from other potentially higher cost generation resources in the market.

Management anticipates other operations expense to be higher in 2006 due to a change in Cleco's matching contribution to the 401(k) Plan.  The increased costs will result from plan participants being allocated shares of common stock in lieu of convertible preferred stock.  The remaining unallocated ESOP preferred shares are expected to be expended in early 2006.

Other Expense

Other expense decreased $2.3 million, or 85.1%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004 primarily due to the 2004 reclassification of legal fees associated with the settlement of Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $3.4 million, or 35.9%, during the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.  Cleco Power's effective income tax rate decreased from 36.0% to 32.1% during the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004, largely due to the LPSC requirement to flow through to current earnings the state tax benefit derived from the casualty losses related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Also contributing to the lower rate for the third quarter of 2005 is recognition of the qualified production activities tax deduction in 2005 under The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  Tax rates also were affected by the relative size of pre-tax income related to these items.  Pre-tax income during the third quarter of 2005 increased $13.8 million compared to the same period of 2004.

Midstream

Midstream's net income applicable to member's equity for the third quarter of 2005 increased $1.8 million, or 15.5%, compared to the third quarter of 2004.  Factors affecting Midstream during the third quarter of 2005 are described below.

                                    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

           FAVORABLE/(UNFAVORABLE)

(THOUSANDS)

              2005

              2004

        VARIANCE

              CHANGE

Operating revenue

     Other operations

 $          53

   $            70

   $          (17)

        (24.29)%

     Affiliate revenue

     1,053

           1,365

             (312)

        (22.86)%

     Intercompany revenue

          43

                    -

                 43

                        *

          Operating revenue

     1,149

           1,435

             (286)

        (19.93)%

Operating expenses

     Other operations

     1,226

   

           1,336

              110

             8.23 %

     Maintenance

        429

               620

              191

          30.81 %

     Depreciation

          78

                 80

                   2

             2.50 %

     Taxes other than income taxes

          62

                 49

               (13)

        (26.53)%

               Total operating expenses

     1,795

           2,085

              290

          13.91 %

Operating loss

 $     (646)

   $        (650)

   $               4

             0.62 %

Equity income from investees

 $  25,121

   $      23,061

   $        2,060

             8.93 %

Other income

 $    1,250

   $               -

   $        1,250

                        *

Interest charges

 $    3,938

   $        3,207

   $        (731)

        (22.79)%

Federal and state income tax expense

  $    8,612

   $        7,524

   $     (1,088)

        (14.46)%

Loss from discontinued operations

  $       (25)

   $        (306)

   $           281

          91.83 %

Net income

 $  13,128

   $      11,367

   $        1,761

          15.49 %

*    Not meaningful

Equity Income from Investees

Equity income from investees increased $2.1 million, or 8.9%, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004.  The increase was largely due to a $3.7 million increase from equity earnings at APH partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease at Evangeline.  The decrease at Evangeline was primarily due to higher gas and turbine maintenance expenses and lower revenue due to lower plant capacity, as well as increased heat rate penalties.  The increase in earnings at APH was primarily due to lower outage expenses during the third quarter of 2005.  For additional information on Evangeline and APP, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 5 - Equity Investment in Investees."

Other Income

Other income increased $1.3 million during the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to cash payments received by APH from CES as a result of the settlement of a dispute over the availability of transmission

45


capacity at APP.  For additional information on the significant terms of this settlement, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 8 - Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - CES."

Interest Charges

Interest charges increased $0.7 million, or 22.8%, during the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to higher interest rates at APH.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $1.1 million, or 14.5%, during the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.  Midstream's effective income tax rate increased from 39.2% to 39.6% during the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to a 2005 increase in the accrual of tax contingency reserves.  Tax rates also were affected by the relative size of pre-tax income related to this item.  Pre-tax income during the third quarter of 2005 increased $2.6 million compared to the same period of 2004.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

Cleco Consolidated

 

       FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

 

        FAVORABLE/(UNFAVORABLE)

(THOUSANDS)

              2005

              2004

       VARIANCE

          CHANGE

Operating revenue, net

$ 649,880

   $ 562,361

   $   87,519

      15.56 %

Operating expenses

557,906

      483,900

       (74,006)

     (15.29)%

Operating income

$   91,974

   $   78,461

   $   13,513

      17.22 %

Equity income from investees

$   46,121

   $   40,660

   $     5,461

      13.43 %

Other income

$     3,445

   $        479

   $     2,966

   619.21 %

Other expense

$     1,652

   $     2,869

   $     1,217

      42.42 %

Interest charges

$   31,882

   $   40,181

   $     8,299

      20.65 %

Net income applicable to common stock

$   71,003

   $   50,133

   $   20,870

      41.63 %

Consolidated net income applicable to common stock increased $20.9 million, or 41.6%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to increased earnings from Cleco Power and Midstream.  Also contributing to the increase was the absence in 2005 of corporate legal and consulting fees associated with Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit.

Operating revenue increased $87.5 million, or 15.6%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 largely as a result of higher fuel cost recovery revenue at Cleco Power and the absence in 2005 of the effects of the settlement of Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit.  Partially offsetting these increases was the change in the reporting of tolling operations revenue at Evangeline beginning in the second quarter of 2004 in accordance with FIN 46R.

Operating expenses increased $74.0 million, or 15.3%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to increased costs of fuel used for electric generation and power purchased for utility customers, increased volumes of fuel used for electric generation, and higher other operations and maintenance expenses at Cleco Power.  Partially offsetting these increases were the effects of the deconsolidation of Evangeline from Cleco and the sale of certain distribution assets at Cleco Power.

Equity income from investees increased $5.5 million, or 13.4%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to the change in reporting for Evangeline effective April 1, 2004, in accordance with FIN 46R.  Also contributing to the increase were higher equity earnings at APH and Evangeline.

Other income increased $3.0 million, or 619.2%, compared to the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to benefits related to life insurance policies on certain officers and/or key managers and payments received by APH as a result of the settlement agreement between APP and CES.

Other expense decreased $1.2 million, or 42.4%, compared to the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to expenses at Cleco Power related to the 2001-2002 fuel audit.

Interest charges decreased $8.3 million, or 20.7%, compared to the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to the effects of the deconsolidation of Evangeline from Cleco's consolidated results effective April 1, 2004.

Results of operations for Cleco Power and Midstream are more fully described below.

Cleco Power

Cleco Power's net income applicable to member's equity in the first nine months of 2005 increased $13.4 million, or 34.7%, compared to the first nine months of 2004.  Contributing factors include:

  • lower customer refund credits,

  • higher other operations revenue,

  • lower capacity payments,

  • gain on the sale of certain distribution assets,

  • higher other income, and

  • lower other expense.

These were partially offset by:

  • net unfavorable fuel surcharge adjustments,

  • higher other operations and maintenance expenses, and

  • higher depreciation expense.

46


 

         FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

          FAVORABLE/(UNFAVORABLE)

(THOUSANDS)

              2005

              2004

       VARIANCE

           CHANGE

Operating revenue

     Base

$   244,514

   $ 244,812

   $        (298)

        (0.12)%

     Fuel cost recovery

370,156

      300,605

        69,551

        23.14 %

     Electric customer credits

       (771)

       (21,177)

        20,406

        96.36 %

     Other operations

   29,228

        22,266

           6,962

        31.27 %

     Affiliate revenue

          22

                 15

                   7

        46.67 %

     Intercompany revenue

     1,467

           1,397

                 70

          5.01 %

          Operating revenue, net

644,616

      547,918

        96,698

        17.65 %

Operating expenses

     Fuel used for electric generation - recoverable

115,333

      108,546

         (6,787)

        (6.25)%

     Power purchased for utility customers - recoverable

252,514

      185,215

       (67,299)

      (36.34)%

     Non-recoverable fuel and power purchased

   17,498

        22,959

           5,461

        23.79 %

     Other operations

   61,614

        52,885

         (8,729)

      (16.51)%

     Maintenance

   30,298

        27,691

         (2,607)

        (9.41)%

     Depreciation

   43,824

        42,317

         (1,507)

        (3.56)%

     Taxes other than income taxes

   28,666

        28,644

               (22)

        (0.08)%

     Gain on sales of assets

    (2,207)

                    -

           2,207

                      *

               Total operating expenses

547,540

      468,257

       (79,283)

      (16.93)%

Operating income

$   97,076

   $    79,661

   $     17,415

        21.86 %

Other income

$        917

   $         213

   $          704

     330.52 %

Other expense

$     1,243

   $      3,599

   $       2,356

        65.46 %

Federal and state income taxes

$   28,299

   $    22,044

   $    (6,255)

      (28.38)%

Net income

$   52,117

   $    38,695

   $     13,422

        34.69 %

*    Not meaningful

 

             FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,


(Million kWh)


              2005


              2004

         FAVORABLE/
 (UNFAVORABLE)

Electric sales

     Residential

     2,696

           2,696

                           -

     Commercial

     1,383

           1,392

             (0.65)%

     Industrial

     2,146

           2,157

             (0.51)%

     Other retail

        454

              445

               2.02 %

     Unbilled

          56

                 34

             64.71 %

               Total retail

     6,735

           6,724

               0.16 %

     Sales for resale

        409

              502

           (18.53)%

Total retail and wholesale customer sales

     7,144

           7,226

             (1.13)%

 

             FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,


(THOUSANDS)


  
           2005


              2004

         FAVORABLE/
    (UNFAVORABLE)

Electric sales

     Residential

$ 118,865

   $ 118,915

             (0.04)%

     Commercial

   52,553

        52,730

             (0.34)%

     Industrial

   40,526

        41,077

             (1.34)%

     Other retail

   17,436

        17,260

               1.02 %

     Unbilled

     1,886

           1,125

             67.64 %

               Total retail

231,266

      231,107

               0.07 %

     Sales for resale

   13,248

        13,705

             (3.34)%

Total retail and wholesale customer sales

$244,514

   $ 244,812

             (0.12)%

The following chart shows how cooling and heating degree-days varied from normal conditions and from the prior period.  Cleco Power uses temperature data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to determine cooling and heating degree-days.

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

                         2005

                         2004

Cooling degree-days

     Increase (decrease) from normal

         14.16 %

                  (3.07)%

     Increase (decrease) from prior year

         14.82 %

                  (0.59)%

Heating degree-days

     Decrease from normal

       (30.21)%

                  (7.22)%

     Decrease from prior year

       (21.32)%

               (20.34)%

Base

Base revenue during the first nine months of 2005 decreased $0.3 million, or 0.1%, compared to the same period in 2004.  The decrease was primarily due to lost revenue from extended storm-related outages.  In addition, the absence in 2005 of favorable fuel surcharge adjustments that were included in the Fuel Adjustment Clause Report filed by Cleco Power in June 2004, the May 2004 expiration of a contract with a municipal customer, and unusually warm winter weather also decreased base revenue.  Partially offsetting these decreases were higher sales to two municipal customers and warmer summer weather.  For information on the anticipated effects of changes in revenue from industrial and wholesale customers, see "- Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 - Cleco Power - Base."

Fuel Cost Recovery

Fuel cost recovery revenue billed to customers during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 increased $69.6 million, or 23.1%, primarily due to higher costs of power purchased and fuel used for electric generation.  In addition, higher volumes of fuel used for electric generation and favorable fuel surcharge adjustments from rate orders received related to fuel transportation charges during 2005 also increased fuel cost recovery revenue.  Also contributing to the increase was the absence in 2005 of a 2004 reversal of estimates recorded in conjunction with Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit settlement.  For information on Cleco Power's ability to recover fuel and purchase power costs, see "- Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 - Cleco Power - Fuel Cost Recovery."

Electric Customer Credits

Electric customer credits during the first nine months of 2005 decreased $20.4 million, or 96.4%, compared to the same period in 2004.  This decrease in electric customer credits is primarily due to the absence in 2005 of a $16.0 million accrual made in June 2004 related to Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit, a $1.7 million accrual made in June 2004 related to a surcharge adjustment that was included in the Fuel Adjustment Clause report filed by Cleco Power in June 2004, and $2.7 million of lower accruals for the current rate stabilization plan filing period.  Lower accruals were primarily the result of higher operating expenses.  The potential refunds associated

47


with the rate stabilization plan are based on results for each 12-month period ended September 30.  For additional information on the accrual of electric customer credits, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 7 - Accrual of Electric Customer Credits."

Other Operations

Other operations revenue increased $7.0 million, or 31.3%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to a $4.4 million net mark-to-market gain from economic hedge transactions related to fixed-price power that will be provided to a new wholesale customer in January 2006, a $1.8 million increase in transmission service revenue, and a $0.8 million increase from customer fees, timber sales, and SO2 emission allowance proceeds.  For additional information on the anticipated effects of changes in other operations revenue related to economic hedge positions, see "- Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 - Cleco Power - Other Operations."

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses increased $79.3 million, or 16.9%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.  Fuel used for electric generation increased $6.8 million, or 6.3%, primarily as a result of higher cost and volumes of fuel used for electric generation.  Also contributing to this increase were the absences in 2005 of a 2004 reversal of fuel expenses related to gas transportation charges recorded as a result of Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit and favorable surcharge adjustments that were included in the Fuel Adjustment Clause Report filed by Cleco Power in June 2004.  Power purchased for utility customers increased $67.3 million, or 36.3%, largely due to increased costs of purchased power.  Fuel used for electric generation and power purchased for utility customers generally are influenced by natural gas prices.  However, other factors such as unscheduled outages, unusual maintenance or repairs, or other developments may affect fuel used for electric generation and power purchased for utility customers.  Non-recoverable fuel and power purchased decreased $5.5 million, or 23.8%, primarily due to lower capacity payments made during 2005 as a result of the expiration of certain power purchase agreements.  Other operations expense increased $8.7 million, or 16.5%, primarily due to higher incentive compensation and payroll expense.  Maintenance expenses during the first nine months of 2005 increased $2.6 million, or 9.4%, compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to a scheduled major outage on one of Cleco Power's gas units during the spring of 2005.  Depreciation expense increased $1.5 million, or 3.6%, as a result of normal recurring additions to fixed assets.  Gain on sales of assets increased $2.2 million during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 largely as a result of the sale of distribution assets resulting from the town of Franklinton's election not to renew its franchise agreement with Cleco Power.  For additional information, see "- Financial Condition - Regulatory Matters - Franchises."  For information on Union Pacific's reduction of coal deliveries to Cleco Power during June 2005 through November 2005, see "- Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 - Cleco Power - Operating Expenses."  For additional information on the anticipated effects of changes in other operations expense as a result of Cleco's matching contribution to the 401(k) Plan, see "- Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 - Cleco Power - Operating Expenses."

Other Income

Other income increased $0.7 million, or 330.5%, during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to a $0.4 benefit related to life insurance policies on certain officers and/or key managers and $0.3 million of other miscellaneous income.

Other Expense

Other expense decreased $2.4 million, or 65.5%, during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to legal fees associated with the settlement of Cleco Power's 2001-2002 fuel audit.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $6.3 million, or 28.4%, during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.  Cleco Power's effective income tax rate decreased from 36.3% to 35.2% during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 largely due to the LPSC requirement to flow through to current earnings the state tax benefit derived from the casualty losses related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The decrease in state tax expense was partially offset by a 2004 true-up of estimated taxes based on the 2003 tax return and a 2005 increase in the accrual of tax contingency reserves.  Tax rates also were affected by the relative size of pre-tax income related to these items.  Pre-tax income during the first nine months of 2005 increased $19.7 million compared to the same period of 2004.  Cleco Power is expected to maintain a reduced effective income tax rate for the remainder of 2005, assuming the FASB exposure draft related to accounting for uncertain tax positions does not require an increase in tax contingency reserves prior to year end.

Midstream

Midstream's net income applicable to member's equity for the first nine months of 2005 increased $3.1 million, or 19.3%, compared to the first nine months of 2004.  Factors affecting Midstream during the first nine months of 2005 are described below.

Perryville

The deconsolidation of Perryville and PEH from Cleco in connection with their bankruptcy filings affected Midstream's earnings for the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months of 2004, since no income or loss was recognized in Midstream's consolidated financial statements subsequent to the bankruptcy filing on January 28, 2004.  Consequently,

48


the chart below does not reflect operating results for Perryville and PEH for the first nine months of 2005 as compared to operating results through January 27, 2004, for the first nine months of 2004.  On October 11, 2005, the First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code became effective and the financial results of Perryville and PEH will be reintegrated with Cleco's consolidated financial results as of that date.  For financial results and additional information on Perryville, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 13 - Perryville" and Note 20 - "Subsequent Event."

Evangeline

In accordance with FIN 46R, Cleco was required to deconsolidate Evangeline from its condensed consolidated financial statements and begin reporting its investment in Evangeline on the equity method of accounting.  As a result, effective March 31, 2004, the assets and liabilities of Evangeline no longer are reported on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, but instead are represented by one line item corresponding to Cleco's equity investment in Evangeline.  Effective April 1, 2004, Evangeline revenue and expenses are netted and reported as equity income from investees on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Consequently, the following chart reflects net operating results for Evangeline for the first nine months of 2005 on the equity income from investees' line as compared to being reported on various line items for the first three months of 2004.  For additional information on FIN 46R and the deconsolidation of Evangeline, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Principles of Consolidation" and Note 11 - "Variable Interest Entities."

Cleco Energy

In June 2004, management decided to sell substantially all of Cleco Energy's assets and discontinue Cleco Energy's natural gas marketing, pipeline, and production operations after the sale.  On September 15, 2004, Cleco Energy completed the sale of its oil and gas production properties and on November 16, 2004, completed the sale of its natural gas pipeline and marketing operations.  Prior to the sale of Cleco Energy's assets and in accordance with SFAS No. 144, the property, plant and equipment of Cleco Energy were classified as held for sale on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the related operations were classified as discontinued on Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Consequently, the net operating results for Cleco Energy for the first nine months of both 2005 and 2004 are reported as discontinued operations in the following chart.  For additional information on SFAS No. 144 and the discontinued operations and sale of Cleco Energy's assets, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 14 - Discontinued Operations and Dispositions."

 

                                       FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

           FAVORABLE/(UNFAVORALBE)

(THOUSANDS)

              2005

              2004

        VARIANCE

              CHANGE

Operating revenue

     Tolling operations

 $            -

   $    10,255

  $    (10,255)

                        *

     Other operations

          93

                 99

                  (6)

           (6.06)%

     Affiliate revenue

     4,069

           3,153

              916

          29.05 %

     Intercompany revenue

          42

                 12

                 30

        250.00 %

          Operating revenue

     4,204

         13,519

         (9,315)

        (68.90)%

Operating expenses

     Other operations

     5,349

   

           7,314

           1,965

          26.87 %

     Maintenance

     1,765

           2,705

              940

          34.75 %

     Depreciation

        237

           2,117

           1,880

          88.80 %

     Taxes other than income taxes

        253

               202

               (51)

        (25.25)%

               Total operating expenses

     7,604

         12,338

           4,734

          38.37 %

Operating (loss) income

 $ (3,400)

   $      1,181

   $   (4,581)

                        *

Equity income from investees

 $ 46,088

   $    40,872

   $      5,216

          12.76 %

Other income

 $   1,250

   $              -

   $      1,250

                        *

Interest charges

 $ 11,171

   $    14,396

   $      3,225

          22.40 %

Federal and state income tax expense

  $ 13,112

   $    10,979

   $   (2,133)

        (19.43)%

Loss from discontinued operations

  $    (230)

   $      (436)

   $         206

          47.25 %

Net income

 $ 19,395

   $    16,264

    $      3,131

          19.25 %

*    Not meaningful

Tolling Operations

Tolling operations revenue decreased $10.3 million in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months of 2004.  The decrease was due to a $10.2 million decrease as a result of Cleco's accounting for Evangeline on the equity method in accordance with FIN 46R and a $0.1 million decrease as a result of the bankruptcy filings of the Mirant Debtors, MAEM's rejection of the Perryville Tolling Agreement, the subsequent bankruptcy filings of Perryville and PEH, and their subsequent deconsolidation from Cleco's consolidated results.

Affiliate Revenue

Affiliate revenue increased $0.9 million, or 29.1%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months of 2004.  The increase was primarily due to affiliate transactions with Evangeline, Perryville, and PEH that no longer are eliminated as a result of those companies' deconsolidation from Cleco.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses decreased $4.7 million, or 38.4%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.  The decrease was largely due to a $3.7 million decrease at Evangeline and a $2.2 million decrease at Perryville and PEH as a result of their deconsolidation from Cleco's consolidated results.  These decreases were partially offset by $0.8 million of higher incentive compensation benefits and $0.4 million of higher other miscellaneous expenses.

Equity Income from Investees

Equity income from investees increased $5.2 million, or 12.8%, for the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first

49


nine months of 2004.  The increase was largely due to a $0.4 million increase at Evangeline as a result of the change in reporting for Evangeline effective April 1, 2004, and a $4.8 million increase in equity earnings at APH primarily due to fewer outages during 2005.  These increases were partially offset by APP's heat rate settlement with CES.  For additional information on Evangeline and APP, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 5 - Equity Investment in Investees" and for additional information on APP's heat rate settlement, see "Note 8 - Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - CES."

Other Income

Other income increased $1.3 million during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to cash payments received by APH from CES as a result of the settlement of a dispute over the availability of transmission capacity at APP.  For additional information on the significant terms of this settlement, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 8 - Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - CES."

Interest Charges

Interest charges decreased $3.2 million, or 22.4%, during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.  The decrease was primarily due to a $4.4 million decrease at Evangeline and a $0.5 million decrease at Perryville and PEH as a result of their deconsolidation from Cleco's consolidated results.  This decrease was partially offset by a $1.7 million increase at APH as a result of higher interest rates.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $2.1 million, or 19.4%, during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.  Midstream's effective income tax rate increased from 39.7% to 40.1% during the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to a 2005 increase in the accrual of tax contingency reserves.  Tax rates also were affected by the relative size of pre-tax income related to this item.  Pre-tax income during the first nine months of 2005 increased $5.1 million compared to the same period of 2004.

Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

Discontinued operations, net of tax increased $0.2 million, or 47.3%, in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months of 2004.  The increase was primarily due to the 2005 absences of an impairment charge recorded at Cleco Energy during the second quarter of 2004 and a loss on disposal from the sale of Cleco Energy's oil and gas production properties in the third quarter of 2004.  Partially offsetting these increases were the 2005 absence of income from the 2004 sale of substantially all of Cleco Energy's assets and miscellaneous expenses incurred in 2005 related to the sale of those assets.  For additional information on the discontinued operations and sale of Cleco Energy's assets, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 14 - Discontinued Operations and Dispositions."

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General Considerations and Credit-Related Risks

Credit Ratings and Counterparties

On October 10, 2005, Moody's Investors Service changed the rating outlook for Cleco Corporation from negative to stable.  According to Moody's, the change in the rating outlook primarily reflects the improved financial profile of the consolidated company, a modestly lower business risk profile associated with its merchant generation investments, including the completed exit from the Perryville facility and sale of related claims.  For a discussion of certain factors affecting Cleco's financial condition relating to its credit ratings, the credit ratings of its counterparties, and other credit-related risks, please read "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources - General Considerations and Credit-Related Risks - Credit Ratings and Counterparties" in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

As more fully described in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, with respect to any open power or gas hedging positions that Cleco may initiate in the future, Cleco Corporation may be required to provide credit support (or pay liquidated damages).  The amount Cleco Corporation may be required to pay at any point in the future is dependent on changes in the market price of power and gas, the changes in the open power and gas positions, and changes in the amount counterparties owe Cleco Corporation.  Changes in any of these factors could cause the amount of requested credit support to increase or decrease.

Debt

As discussed below, Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power entered into new credit facilities in April 2005.  If Cleco Corporation were to default under covenants in its credit facility, it would be unable to borrow additional funds under the credit facility.  If Cleco Corporation's credit rating, as determined by outside rating agencies, were to be downgraded one level below investment grade, fees and interest under the facility would increase by 0.375% from the current levels.  The same downgrade at Cleco Power would result in a 0.65% increase in fees and interest from current levels under its facility.  At September 30, 2005, Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power were in compliance with the covenants in their credit facilities.

Cleco

At September 30, 2005, Cleco's long-term debt outstanding was $460.4 million, compared to $450.6 million at December 31, 2004.  The $9.8 million increase was primarily the result of the issuance by Cleco Power of $50.0 million of 4.95% Senior

50


 Notes, due July 15, 2015, offset partially by the classification of $40.0 million of medium-term notes as short-term debt (long-term debt due within one year) based on their maturity dates.

During the first nine months of 2005, Cleco also repaid $100.0 million of Cleco Corporation's 8.75% Senior Notes and $60.0 million of Cleco Power's Series X, 9.5% First Mortgage Bonds, both at maturity. These two issues were classified as long-term debt due within one year; therefore, the repayment did not affect the total amount of long-term debt recorded.  The repayments were funded by available cash and new borrowings by Cleco Power.

Cleco had no short-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2005, or December 31, 2004.  For additional information, see "- Cleco Corporation (Holding Company Level)," "- Cleco Power," and "- Midstream" below.

At September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, Cleco had working capital deficits of $136.3 million and $49.9 million, respectively.  The $86.4 million increase in the deficit during the first nine months of 2005 was due to an increase in current liabilities of $51.3 million, along with a decrease in current assets of $35.1 million.  The decrease in current assets was largely due to a decrease in cash, which was partially offset by increases in accounts receivable and risk management assets.  The decrease in cash was due to the paydown of corporate debt, as well as storm restoration costs related to Hurricane Katrina.  The accounts receivable and risk management asset increases were attributable to higher utility bills and the mark-to-market gain related to economic wholesale hedging transactions for a new wholesale customer.  The increase in current liabilities was primarily due to increases in the accruals for storm restoration and for power and gas purchases, an increase in income taxes mainly resulting from the gain on the sale of the Mirant claims, and lower margin requirements due to an increase in value of Cleco Power's open futures contracts.  Partially offsetting the increases were a decrease in long-term debt due within one year due to repayment of $160.0 million of debt at maturity, a decrease in the rate refund provision, mainly due to the absence of the fuel audit settlement from 2004, and a decrease in income taxes due to the deduction of storm restoration costs.

Cash and cash equivalents available at September 30, 2005, were $37.3 million combined with $251.6 million total facility capacity for total liquidity of $288.9 million.  Cash and cash equivalents decreased $86.4 million, when compared to December 31, 2004, due to repayment of long-term debt, payment of dividends, and expenditures for capital additions to property, plant and equipment, both routine and for storm restoration.  These payments were partially offset by cash received from the issuance of long-term debt, from on-going operations, and from routine working capital fluctuations.

Cleco has developed a plan for payment of storm restoration costs related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as for initial development costs of its solid-fuel power plant self-build proposal.  For information on the current plan, see "- Cleco Power" below.

Cleco believes that its cash and cash equivalents on hand, together with cash generated from its operations, borrowings from credit facilities, and the net proceeds of any issuances of securities under Cleco's shelf registration statements, will be adequate to fund normal ongoing capital expenditures, working capital, and debt service requirements for the foreseeable future.

Cleco Corporation (Holding Company Level)

Cleco Corporation had no short-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2005, or December 31, 2004.  Cleco Corporation repaid $100.0 million of its 8.75% Senior Notes on June 1, 2005, with cash on hand and cash from new borrowings. 

On April 25, 2005, Cleco Corporation replaced its then existing $150.0 million, three-year credit facility with a $150.0 million, five-year facility.  This facility provides for working capital and other needs.  Cleco Corporation's borrowing costs under this facility are equal to LIBOR plus 0.875%, including facility fees.  Cleco Corporation's borrowing costs under the prior facility were equal to LIBOR plus 1.225%, and the weighted average cost of borrowings was 3.795%.  As of September 30, 2005, the $150.0 million facility was reduced by $23.4 million in off-balance sheet commitments, leaving approximately $126.6 million available for borrowing.  For more information about these commitments, see "- Off-Balance Sheet Commitments" below.  On May 10, 2005, Cleco renewed an uncommitted line of credit.  The line of credit was increased from $5.0 million to $10.0 million and is available to support Cleco's working capital needs.  This line of credit is available to either Cleco Corporation or Cleco Power.

Cash and cash equivalents available at September 30, 2005, were $21.9 million, which combined with $126.6 million facility capacity, for total liquidity at Cleco Corporation of $148.5 million.  Cash and cash equivalents decreased $47.8 million, when compared to December 31, 2004, largely due to the repayment of the 8.75% Senior Notes discussed above.

If Cleco Power were in default under its credit facility, Cleco Corporation would be considered in default under its credit facility.  However, the 8.82% Senior Secured Bonds due 2019 issued by Evangeline are non-recourse to Cleco Corporation, and a default on these bonds would not be considered a default under Cleco Corporation's credit facility.

Cleco Power

At September 30, 2005, Cleco Power's long-term debt outstanding was $360.4 million, compared to $350.6 million at December 31, 2004. The $9.8 million increase was primarily the result of the issuance by Cleco Power in July 2005 of $50.0 million of 4.95% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2015, offset partially by the classification of $40.0 million of medium-term notes as short-term debt (long-term debt due within one year) based on their maturity dates.

During the first nine months of 2005, Cleco Power also repaid $60.0 million of Series X, 9.5% First Mortgage Bonds, at maturity.  This issue was classified as long-term debt due in one year; therefore, the repayment did not affect the total amount of long-term debt recorded.  The repayment was

51


funded by available cash and the new borrowings by Cleco Power mentioned above, aided by interim borrowings from Cleco Power's credit facility.

At September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, Cleco Power had no short-term debt outstanding.

On April 25, 2005, Cleco Power replaced its existing $125.0 million, 364-day credit facility with a $125.0 million, five-year facility.  This facility provides for working capital and other needs.  Cleco Power's initial borrowing cost under this facility is equal to LIBOR plus 0.600%, including facility fees.  At September 30, 2005, there was no debt outstanding under Cleco Power's $125.0 million, five-year facility.  Cleco Power's borrowing costs under the prior facility were equal to LIBOR plus 1.0%, including facility fees.  On May 10, 2005, Cleco renewed an uncommitted line of credit.  The line of credit was increased from $5.0 million to $10.0 million and is available to support Cleco Power's working capital needs.  This line of credit is available to either Cleco Power or Cleco Corporation.

Cash and cash equivalents available at September 30, 2005, were $15.4 million, which when combined with $125.0 million remaining facility capacity totaled $140.4 million.  Cash and cash equivalents decreased $38.7 million, when compared to December 31, 2004, due to repayment of long-term debt, payment of dividends to Cleco Corporation, and expenditures for capital additions to property, plant and equipment, both routine and for storm restoration.  These payments were partially offset by cash received from the issuance of long-term debt, from on-going operations, and from routine working capital fluctuations.

Cleco Power is exploring U.S. Government reimbursement and customer surcharges to fund storm restoration costs.  Absent such cost recovery, Cleco Power plans to fund storm costs as well as ongoing development work related to the self-build proposal by utilizing cash on hand, available funds from its credit facility, the issuance of long-term debt, and equity contributions from Cleco Corporation.

Midstream

There was no short-term debt at Midstream at September 30, 2005, or December 31, 2004. 

As a result of the deconsolidation of Perryville and PEH, the assets and liabilities of Perryville and PEH no longer are reported in Cleco Corporation's consolidated results.  At September 30, 2005, Perryville had no short-term or long-term debt outstanding.  On June 30, 2005, Perryville paid the outstanding principal and interest of $131.0 million under the Senior Loan Agreement.  On July 19, 2005, Perryville elected to offset its $98.7 million Subordinated Debt Claim against MAI with MAI's $98.7 million claim against Perryville. 

Evangeline, also deconsolidated and no longer reported in Cleco Corporation's consolidated results, had no short-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2005.  Evangeline had $184.7 million and $191.8 million of long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, respectively, in the form of 8.82% Senior Secured Bonds due in 2019.  In addition, Evangeline had $7.1 million and $6.0 million of long-term debt due within one year at September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, respectively, relating to these bonds.  The bonds issued by Evangeline are non-recourse to Cleco Corporation.  For information on the deconsolidation of Evangeline, see "Results of Operations - Deconsolidation of Evangeline."

Restricted Cash

Various agreements to which Cleco is subject contain covenants that restrict its use of cash.  As certain provisions under these agreements are met, cash is transferred out of related escrow accounts and becomes available for general corporate purposes.  At September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004, $33.6 million and $35.8 million of cash, respectively, was restricted under various agreements.  For additional information on restricted cash, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 4 - Restricted Cash."

At September 30, 2005, the $33.6 million of restricted cash consisted of $0.1 million under the Diversified Lands mitigation escrow agreement and $33.5 million under the Evangeline senior secured bond indenture.  On July 8, 2005, approximately $1.8 million of the $2.1 million of restricted cash for Perryville was released by the Perryville lenders, and on September 28, 2005, the remaining cash was released.  The restricted cash at Evangeline is not included in Cleco Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2005, due to the deconsolidation of Evangeline in 2004.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

For information regarding Cleco's Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments, please read "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Generation and Cash Requirements - Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments" in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

Cleco Corporation and Cleco Power have entered into various off-balance sheet commitments, in the form of guarantees and standby letters of credit, in order to facilitate their activities and the activities of Cleco Corporation's subsidiaries and equity investees (affiliates).  Cleco Corporation entered into these off-balance sheet commitments in order to entice desired counterparties to contract with its affiliates by providing some measure of credit assurance to the counterparty in the event Cleco's affiliates do not fulfill certain contractual obligations.  If Cleco Corporation had not provided the off-balance sheet commitments, the desired counterparties may not have contracted with Cleco's affiliates, or may have contracted with them at terms less favorable to its affiliates.

The off-balance sheet commitments are not recognized on Cleco's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets because it has been determined that Cleco's affiliates are able to perform these obligations under their contracts and that it is not

52


probable that payments by Cleco will be required.  Some of these commitments reduce the amount of the credit facility available to Cleco Corporation by an amount defined by the credit facility.  Cleco's off-balance sheet commitments as of September 30, 2005 are summarized in the following table and a discussion of the off-balance sheet commitments is detailed in the explanations following the table.  The discussion should be read in conjunction with the table to understand the impact of the off-balance sheet commitments on Cleco's financial condition.

   AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

       REDUCTIONS TO THE

       AMOUNT AVAILABLE

            TO BE DRAWN ON

              FACE

 

                NET

CLECO CORPORATION'S

(THOUSANDS)

         AMOUNT

REDUCTIONS

        AMOUNT

           CREDIT FACILITY

Cleco Corporation guarantee issued to Entergy companies for performance obligations of Perryville

            $ 277,400

 $  135,000

            $ 142,400

         $        328

Cleco Corporation guarantees issued to purchasers of the assets of Cleco Energy

                   1,400

             

                   1,400

                1,400

Cleco Corporation obligations under standby letter of credit issued to Evangeline Tolling Agreement counterparty

                 15,000

             

                 15,000

              15,000

Cleco Corporation guarantee issued to Central Mississippi Generating Co. on behalf of Attala

                   6,688

             

                   6,688

                6,688

Cleco Power obligations under standby letter of credit issued to Louisiana Department of Labor

                      525

             

                      525

                        -

Cleco Power obligations under Lignite Mining Agreement

                 17,148

             

                 17,148

                        -

     Total

            $ 318,161

 $  135,000

            $ 183,161

         $   23,416

Cleco Corporation provided a limited guarantee to Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States for Perryville's performance indemnity, representation, and warranty obligations under the Sale Agreement, the Power Purchase Agreement, and other ancillary agreements related to the sale.  As of September 30, 2005, the aggregate guarantee of $277.4 million is limited to $142.4 million (other than with respect to the indemnification of environmental matters to which there is no limit) due to the performance of some of the underlying obligations that were guaranteed.  The $0.3 million reduction in the available credit under Cleco's credit facility was determined in accordance with the facility's definition of a contingent obligation.  The contingent obligation reduces the amount available under the credit agreements by an amount equal to the reasonably anticipated liability in respect of the contingent obligation as determined in good faith if the total amount of indebtedness outstanding, including such contingent obligations, exceeds certain thresholds.  This required an estimate of the probability, amount and timing of a payment by Cleco pursuant to this guarantee.  For additional information on this guarantee, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 9 - Disclosures about Guarantees."

Previously, if Perryville was unable to make principal payments to its lenders, Cleco Corporation would be required to pay amounts on behalf of Perryville under a cash collateral order issued by the Perryville and PEH Bankruptcy Court.  As of September 30, 2005, Perryville had paid all outstanding amounts under its Senior Loan Agreement; accordingly, Cleco Corporation has no remaining obligation under the guarantee.  This guarantee terminated in September 2005 upon termination of Perryville's cash collateral order.  For information on the cash collateral order, bankruptcy filings of the Mirant Debtors, Perryville and PEH, and their related impacts on the Senior Loan Agreement, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 13 - Perryville."

In November 2004, Cleco completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of Cleco Energy.  Cleco Corporation provided guarantees to the buyers of Cleco Energy's assets for the payment and performance of the indemnity obligations of Cleco Energy.  The aggregate amount of the guarantees is $1.4 million.  The purchaser of Cleco Energy's assets has invoked its indemnification provisions pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement that Cleco guaranteed, as a result of a recently filed lawsuit against the purchaser and Cleco Energy (related to the price charged for certain natural gas sales by Cleco Energy).  After an initial investigation, management believes that this matter will not have a material impact on Cleco's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.  For information on the sale of Cleco Energy's assets, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 14 - Discontinued Operations and Dispositions."

If Evangeline fails to perform certain obligations under its tolling agreement, Cleco Corporation will be required to make payments to the Evangeline Tolling Agreement counterparty.  Cleco Corporation's obligation under the Evangeline commitment is in the form of a standby letter of credit from investment grade banks and is limited to $15.0 million.  Ratings triggers do not exist in the Evangeline Tolling Agreement.  Cleco expects Evangeline to be able to meet its obligations under the tolling agreement and does not expect Cleco Corporation to be required to make payments to the counterparty.  However, under the covenants associated with Cleco Corporation's credit facility, the entire net amount of the Evangeline commitment reduces the amount that can be borrowed under the credit facility.  The letter of credit for Evangeline is expected to be renewed annually until 2020.

On March 16, 2005, Cleco Corporation issued a guarantee to Central Mississippi Generating Company, LLC for Attala's obligations and liabilities under the purchase and sale agreement between Central Mississippi Generating Company, LLC and Attala.  This agreement provides for the acquisition of transmission assets by Attala, including Attala's obligations to pay the purchase price for the assets and to indemnify the seller.  The maximum amount payable under the guarantee is $6.7 million (subject to certain purchase price adjustments).

The State of Louisiana allows employers of certain financial net worth to self-insure their workers' compensation benefits.  Cleco Power applied to the Louisiana Office of Workers'

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Compensation for a certificate of self-insurance.  The State of Louisiana required Cleco Power to post a $0.5 million letter of credit as surety in an amount equal to 110 percent of the average losses over the previous three years.

As part of the Lignite Mining Agreement entered into in 2001, Cleco Power and SWEPCO, joint owners of Dolet Hills, have agreed to pay the lignite miner's loan and lease principal obligations when due, if the lignite miner does not have sufficient funds or credit to pay.  Any amounts paid on behalf of the miner would be credited by the lignite miner against the next invoice for lignite delivered.  At September 30, 2005, Cleco Power's 50% exposure for this obligation was approximately $17.1 million.  The lignite mining contract is in place until 2011 and does not affect the amount Cleco Corporation can borrow under its credit facility.

The following table summarizes the expected termination date of the guarantees and standby letters of credit discussed above:

                                                                      AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

                              AMOUNT OF COMMITMENT EXPIRATION PER PERIOD

                NET

             MORE

         AMOUNT

     LESS THAN

              THAN

(THOUSANDS)

   COMMITTED

       ONE YEAR

      1-3 YEARS

      4-5 YEARS

         5 YEARS

Guarantees

 $  167,636

 $ 6,688

 $         -

 $  101,400

 $ 59,548

Standby letters of credit

    15,525

        525

             -

             -

   15,000

     Total commercial commitments

 $  183,161

 $ 7,213

 $         -

 $  101,400

 $ 74,548

Regulatory Matters

Wholesale Rates of Cleco

Cleco Power's wholesale sales are regulated by the FERC via cost-based and market-based tariffs.  Both Evangeline and APP have received approval by FERC to use market-based rates based on Cleco Power's initial request to FERC in 1999 for market-based rates and Cleco Power's demonstration of its lack of market power.  Cleco Power updates its filing every three years to demonstrate its lack of market power.  These tariffs including the associated codes of conduct accompanying them are updated periodically to comply with FERC directives.  Such an update was completed in December 2003 for each entity to comply with FERC's requirement to amend market-based rates to add "market behavior rules" to the codes of conduct.  Contracts utilizing market-based tariffs do not require prior approval by FERC, but are reported each quarter pursuant to FERC's requirement for reporting of sales by authorized power marketers.

The FERC issued an order in April 2004 revising the methodology to be used in assessing whether a jurisdictional electric utility has generation market power.  The revised methodology requires a utility to pass two screening tests.  The Pivotal Supplier test assesses available market capacity during peak conditions, and the Market Share test assesses available market capacity during off-peak seasonal conditions.  Such determinations are required of all FERC-jurisdictional electric utilities as a condition for securing and/or retaining approval to sell electricity in wholesale markets at market-based rates.  Among other things, the April 2004 Order required Cleco, on behalf of each of its authorized power marketing entities, Cleco Power, Evangeline, Marketing & Trading, and APP to file an updated generation market power study using the revised methodology.  For companies that fail either screening test, evidence may then be presented to FERC to rebut the market power presumption, including (i) performing a third and more rigorous test (the Delivered Price Test or DPT); (ii) filing a mitigation proposal to eliminate the presumed market power; or (iii) voluntarily adopting cost-based rates for wholesale sales.  Cleco Power submitted its compliance filing under the revised methodology on December 21, 2004, indicating it passed all the revised tests except for the Market Share test in Cleco Power's control area for three of the four seasonal periods.  On May 25, 2005, the FERC issued an order stating that it will institute a proceeding under Section 206 of the Federal Power Act to determine whether Cleco Power, Evangeline, and APP may continue to charge market-based rates for wholesale power in specified geographic areas.  The FERC authorizes wholesale power sales at market-based rates if, among other things, the seller and its energy affiliates do not have, or have adequately mitigated, market power in generation.  The agency states in its order that a Section 206 proceeding will be instituted because a market power analysis filed by Cleco indicates that certain "screens" implemented by the agency were not satisfied in specified geographic markets, creating a rebuttable presumption that Cleco Power, Evangeline, and APP may possess market power.  The order, among other things, directed that within 60 days Cleco must (i) file a DPT analysis, which is a detailed economic evaluation of market power; (ii) file a mitigation proposal to eliminate Cleco's ability to exercise market power; or (iii) inform the agency that Cleco will adopt cost-based rates for power sales within Cleco Power's control area.  All filing deadlines associated with the FERC Order of May 25, 2005, regarding Cleco's market-based sale tariff were met.  As a result of the Section 206 proceeding, Cleco could be subject to refunds on wholesale sales as of 60 days following the publishing of the agency's order in the Federal Register.  

On October 21, 2005, the FERC terminated the Section 206 investigation initiated on May 25, 2005, determining that Cleco had demonstrated a lack of market power in Cleco Power's control area, thus permitting Cleco Power, Evangeline, and APP to continue to use market-based rates for wholesale sales.  In the same Order, and without changing its previous conditional determination that Cleco Power lacks market-power in the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) and Lafayette control areas, the FERC instituted a new proceeding under Section 206.  The FERC initiated this new Section 206 proceeding due to an oversight by Cleco Power in filing previously requested information supporting Cleco

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Power's lack of market power in the Lafayette and LEPA control areas.  On October 27, 2005, the FERC requested information that was filed along with Cleco Power's position supporting termination by the FERC of this new Section 206 proceeding. 

On September 16, 2005, the FERC issued a Notice of Inquiry inviting comments on reforming FERC's pro forma open access transmission tariff (OATT) to ensure the provision of transmission service is reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.  The FERC is seeking responses to a series of specific questions which could be incorporated into the revised OATT.  The FERC's potential changes to the OATT could have a material effect on the revenue and methodology implementing transmission service offered and received by Cleco's retail and wholesale transmission and energy customers.  The magnitude of the impact on revenue and offered service will not be known until the FERC issues a final order, which is expected in 2006.

Retail Rates of Cleco Power

For a discussion of regulatory aspects of retail rates concerning Cleco Power, please read "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Regulatory Matters - Retail Rates of Cleco Power" in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

Wholesale Electric Markets

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (1992 Act) significantly changed U.S. energy policy, including rules and regulations governing the electric utility industry.  The 1992 Act allows the FERC, on a case-by-case basis and with certain restrictions, to order wholesale transmission access and to order electric utilities to expand their transmission systems.  The 1992 Act prohibits FERC-ordered retail wheeling, such as opening up electric utility transmission systems to allow customer choice of energy suppliers at the retail level, including "sham" wholesale transactions.  Further, under the 1992 Act, any FERC transmission order requiring a transmitting utility to provide wholesale transmission services must include provisions that permit the utility to recover from the FERC applicant all of the costs incurred in connection with the transmission services, including any enlargement of the transmission system and any associated services.

In addition, the 1992 Act revised the 1935 FPA to permit utilities, including registered holding companies, as well as non-utilities, to form "exempt wholesale generators" without the principal restrictions of the 1935 FPA.  Under prior law, independent power producers generally were required to adopt inefficient and complex ownership structures to avoid pervasive regulation under the 1935 FPA.

The newly enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005 (2005 Act) made important changes to improve reliability, promote investment in electric facilities, streamline electric generation, and improve wholesale competition, in addition to other changes.  Some of the most significant changes affecting the electric industry include tax incentives for improving energy efficiency, developing innovative technologies, and climate change.  This 2005 Act will provide a comprehensive platform of reforms to achieve a foundation for competitive wholesale markets which will be implemented over the next year with effects on the electric industry that are yet to be identified.  Cleco is in the process of identifying the impact of the 2005 Act on its operations.

In 1999, the FERC issued Order No. 2000, which established a general framework for all transmission-owning entities in the nation to voluntarily place their transmission facilities under the control of an appropriate RTO.  Although participation is voluntary, the FERC has made it clear that any jurisdictional entity not participating in an RTO likely will be subject to further regulatory directives.  These directives could take the form of review and/or denial of market-based rates for wholesale power sales.  In July 2001, the FERC issued orders stating its intention to form four regional RTOs covering the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and West.  The FERC later relaxed its mandate to form the four RTOs, but continued to insist upon the large regional RTO model.  Since 2001, many transmission-owning entities and system operators have been trying to interpret and implement FERC's directives by attempting to organize and/or join acceptable RTOs.  On February 10, 2004, FERC gave its approval of SPP's application for RTO recognition with a number of conditions that SPP must meet before it would receive final FERC-approved RTO status.  On October 1, 2004, FERC granted SPP status as an RTO.

Cleco Power continues to monitor and/or participate in the development of SPP's RTO activities.  Entergy filed at FERC to make potentially significant modifications to its Open Access Transmission Tariff.  The modifications would incorporate an independent third-party entity, the Independent Coordinator of Transmission (ICT), into its transmission operations having access to pertinent information regarding the Entergy transmission system.  In March 2005, FERC conditionally accepted Entergy's ICT proposal and indicated its preference for SPP to function as the ICT and perform specific functions to increase transparency across Entergy's service territory.  By order, Entergy had 60 days to confirm ICT authority over handling transmission service requests, calculating Available Transmission Capacity, administering Entergy's Open Access Same Time Information System and performing transmission planning and must make a Section 205 filing with FERC with more detailed description of the ICT duties and responsibilities.  On May 27, 2005, Entergy made the required Section 205 filing with FERC.  Entergy has requested the FERC to act on this filing no later than October 31, 2005. Cleco will continue monitoring developments in this proceeding.  Both the SPP and Entergy proceedings could impact the ability to transport power into and out of the Cleco control area.  Cleco plans to be a participant in these and all other proceedings affecting availability and sale of power in and around Louisiana.  As with RTO developments at large, other various parties, including several state commissions, utilities, and other industry participants, are participants in the RTO and Entergy proceedings described above.

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For additional information on other regulatory aspects of wholesale electric markets affecting Cleco, please read "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Regulatory Matters - Market Restructuring - Wholesale Electric Markets" in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

National Energy Policy

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed into law on August 8, 2005.  Some of the areas addressed in the new energy legislation that could affect Cleco include:

  • accelerated tax depreciation for transmission and distribution lines and pollution control facilities,

  • extension of tax credits for renewable energy resources,

  • investment credit for projects using advanced coal-based electricity generation technologies,

  • provisions to create a mandatory reliability organization,

  • provisions to make electric reliability rules mandatory on all users, owners, and operators of the nation's transmission system,

  • provisions to encourage investment in transmission infrastructure,

  • provisions to streamline the federal permitting process for transmission projects,

  • provisions that would defer the recognition of gains on the sale of transmission assets to a FERC-approved RTO or Independent System Operator,

  • provisions to offer all customer classes the option of a time-based rate schedule (time of use metering),

  • FERC's actions concerning integrated utility market power,

  • limited backstop transmission citing authority for FERC,

  • reform of PURPA's mandatory purchase obligation, and

  • repeal of PUHCA, which eliminates significant federal restrictions on the scope, structure, and ownership of electric and gas utility companies.

Cleco cannot predict what future legislation may be proposed and/or passed and what impact, if any, it may have upon the Registrants' results of operations or financial condition.

Generation RFP

Cleco Power made an informational filing with the LPSC on April 15, 2004, seeking proposals for up to 1,000 MW of capacity and energy to replace existing contracts and to accommodate load growth, as well as up to 800 MW of capacity to replace older natural gas-fired units.  Cleco Power issued the final RFP on August 31, 2004.  Indicative bid proposals were received on October 29, 2004, and a short list of bidders was selected in February 2005.  Cleco Power selected winning bidders in April 2005.  Evaluation of the bids was completed with oversight from the LPSC Staff and the RFP independent monitor.

In January 2005, Cleco Power issued a one-year (2006 requirements) alternate solicitation for short-term resources that is not subject to the LPSC's General Order U-26172 that requires acquisitions of generating capacity to be subject to a "market test" in the form of an RFP.  The bids from this solicitation were assessed both as separate alternatives to the long-term RFP and in combination with the RFP.  The evaluation and selection timeline for the 2006 solicitation was parallel to that of the 2004 RFP. 

In June 2005, Cleco Power made selections from its long-term and short-term RFPs and announced plans to (i)  construct a proposed 600-MW solid-fuel power plant at its Rodemacher power station near Boyce, Louisiana; (ii)  negotiate a one-year power purchase agreement with CES providing 200 MW of capacity in 2006; and (iii)  negotiate a four-year power purchase agreement with Williams providing 500 MW of capacity from 2006 through 2009.  Cleco Power filed an application seeking approval and certification of its plan with the LPSC in July 2005 (the CCN filing).  The two power purchase agreements were executed on August 1, 2005.  LPSC approval of the two power purchase agreements is expected during the fourth quarter of 2005, while approval and certification to construct the solid-fuel power plant is expected during the first quarter of 2006.  The approval and certification process also will address cost recovery aspects of the solid-fuel plant, as well as financing approvals for the estimated $1.0 billion cost of the project.  As of September 30, 2005, Cleco Power has spent approximately $6.6 million on preliminary project development.  If LPSC approval of the project is not received, the $6.6 million and any amounts incurred subsequent to September 30, 2005 will be expensed.  For additional information on Cleco Power's self-build option, see "- Self-Build Proposal" below.  During the intervention filing period, ten interested parties have intervened in Cleco Power's CCN filing.  The CCN filing requested that the LPSC issue Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity which will find Cleco Power's selections from its RFPs to be in the public interest and authorize it to construct and contract for such generation resources or self-build options.  On August 3, 2005, the LPSC established a procedural schedule related to the self-build option with a March 15, 2006 date for the LPSC to take action.  Consistent with the provision of the LPSC's General Order of September 1983 and as it relates to the above-mentioned selection to construct a solid-fuel power plant, Cleco Power recently completed the feasibility, engineering and environmental studies, and other related activities required to fully develop its self-build option.

On September 14, 2005, Cleco Power received LPSC approval of a one-year extension of its current rate stabilization plan to September 30, 2006.  The extension is part of Cleco Power's overall strategy to secure lower, more stable, fuel costs for its customers, while seeking approval and certification of its selections from its long-term and short-term RFPs.  Cleco Power expects to file a proposed rate plan in the first quarter of 2006 to replace the extended rate stabilization plan.

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Self-Build Proposal

Cleco Power's self-build proposal, as discussed above, provides for construction and operation of a proposed 600-MW solid-fuel power plant at Cleco Power's existing Rodemacher power plant site.  The solid-fuel unit will utilize circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology and primarily will be fueled by petroleum coke, but also will be capable of burning other fuels including lignite and coal.  If constructed, the unit is expected to be on-line by mid-2009.  On September 21, 2005, after completion of the evaluation of potential construction contractors, Cleco Power entered into an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Shaw Constructors, Inc. (Shaw) to construct the CFB power plant.  The EPC contract was effective August 1, 2005, and allows for termination at Cleco Power's sole discretion, or otherwise if certain milestones or approvals are not met, as well as other typical commercial terms and conditions.  Under the terms of the EPC contract, in the event Cleco Power does not maintain a senior unsecured credit rating of either:  (i)  Baa3 or better from Moody's Investors Service or BBB- or better from Standard & Poor's, Cleco Power will be required to provide a letter of credit to Shaw in the amount of $20.0 million.  In the event of further downgrade to both of its credit ratings to:  (i)  Ba2 or below from Moody's Investors Service, and (ii)  BB or below from Standard & Poor's, Cleco Power will be required to provide an additional $15.0 million letter of credit to Shaw for a total of $35.0 million.  Under additional terms of the EPC contract, Shaw provided a letter of credit to Cleco Power upon execution of the contract in an amount equal to 2.5% of the target price of the contract.  Upon issuance of the notice to start construction, this letter of credit will be increased to 7.5%.  Cleco Power will retain 7.5% of all payments made to Shaw as retainage until substantial completion of the project is performed.  The cost of the EPC contract will be finalized after negotiations with major equipment suppliers to the project are completed.  Shaw expects to enter into several of these major equipment subcontracts throughout the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006.  The total project cost including carrying costs during construction is estimated at $1.0 billion.  The tentative schedule calls for construction to begin in the first quarter of 2006 pending approval of the CCN filing and certain environmental permit applications.  Applications for all of the environmental permits have been filed, and those necessary to be received prior to beginning the construction of the facility are expected to be received during the first quarter of 2006.  The remaining other environmental permits are expected to be received during the second quarter of 2006.

Lignite Deferral

For a discussion of Cleco Power's deferred lignite mining expenditures, please read "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Regulatory Matters - Lignite Deferral" in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

As more fully described in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, Cleco Power defers lignite mining costs above 98% of the previous mining contract's projected costs (the benchmark price).  The benchmark price uses the GDP-IPD index as a proxy for the numerous escalators in the previous contract.  The GDP-IPD index does not appropriately reflect the increase in mining costs caused by the sharp increase in diesel fuel and electricity used in the mining operation.  If mitigating strategies to correct the disconnect between the GDP-IPD index and actual mining costs are not implemented, then Cleco Power could be required to recognize an expense for future amounts instead of deferring them.  Cleco Power also could be required to expense a portion of the currently deferred amount.  Mitigating strategies include, but are not limited to, obtaining regulatory approval for replacing the current GDP-IPD index with a more representative benchmark price escalation.  Management anticipates filing for regulatory approval by the end of the fourth quarter of 2005.  Currently, management is expecting the mitigating strategies to be implemented and current and future deferrals are expected to be collected.  As of September 30, 2005, Cleco Power had remaining deferred costs and interest of $13.1 million relating to its lignite mining contract.  Cleco Power recorded a deferral of $0.5 million and $1.7 million of these mining costs for the three and nine months periods ending September 30, 2005, respectively, including $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively in interest.

Franchises

For a discussion of Cleco Power's electric service franchises, please read "Business - Regulatory Matters, Industry Developments, and Franchises - Franchises" in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

Cleco Power's franchise with the town of Franklinton, and its approximately 1,850 customers, was up for renewal in April 2003.  Franklinton elected not to renew its franchise agreement with Cleco Power, and a ten-year franchise was granted to a competing cooperative in December 2003.  On February 23, 2005, the LPSC reviewed an independent third party appraisal of these assets and ordered that the distribution system's fair market value was $2.3 million.  On May 26, 2005, Cleco Power completed the sale and transferred service to the cooperative.  Cleco Power received $2.3 million for these assets. 

Cleco Power's next municipal franchise expires in 2008.  In August 2005, the municipality's council published a request for proposal to provide electric service.  Cleco Power was the only utility company that met the proposal deadline.  Cleco Power will begin negotiations in November 2005 with a fully executed agreement expected to follow by the end of the first quarter of 2006.  Competing power cooperatives actively are attempting to gain dual franchises in several municipalities currently served by Cleco Power.  A dual franchise arrangement would limit a new provider from providing service to Cleco Power's existing customers; however, the existing and new power provider could compete for new customers.  In

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March 2005, one such cooperative did obtain a limited dual franchise.  The granting of a dual municipal franchise to a competing power cooperative does not reduce current Cleco Power earnings, since existing customers do not have an option to change electric service providers under existing LPSC regulations.  However, it could reduce future customer and load growth.

Environmental Matters

Cleco is subject to extensive environmental regulation by federal, state and local authorities and is required to comply with numerous environmental laws and regulations, and to obtain and to comply with numerous governmental permits, in operating its facilities.  In addition, existing environmental laws, regulations and permits could be revised or reinterpreted; new laws and regulations could be adopted or become applicable to Cleco or its facilities; and future changes in environmental laws and regulations could occur, including potential regulatory and enforcement developments related to air emissions.  Cleco may incur significant additional costs to comply with these revisions, reinterpretations and requirements.  If Cleco fails to comply with these revisions, reinterpretations and requirements, it could be subject to civil or criminal liabilities and fines. 

On March 10, 2005, the EPA Administrator signed the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) which obligates certain states to address the interstate transport of certain pollutants.  CAIR covers 28 eastern states, including Louisiana, and the District of Columbia.  CAIR provides a federal framework requiring the states to reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx.  The EPA anticipates that the states will achieve this primarily by reducing emissions from the power generation sector.  Louisiana must evaluate the provisions of CAIR and make changes to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) to incorporate these requirements within 18 months of promulgation.  Cleco has begun the process of evaluating the potential impacts to its generating resources. 

On March 15, 2005, the EPA issued final rules regulating mercury emissions from electric utility boilers.  The Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) establishes "standards of performance" limiting mercury emissions from new and existing coal-fired power plants and creates a market-based cap-and-trade program that will reduce utility emissions of mercury.  Louisiana must evaluate the provisions of CAMR and make changes to the SIP by September 2006 to incorporate these requirements.  Cleco has begun the process of evaluating the potential impacts to its generating resources.

For a discussion of Cleco's environmental matters, please read "Business - Environmental Matters" in the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

Recent Accounting Standards

For a discussion of recent accounting standards, see Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 6 - Recent Accounting Standards" of this form 10-Q, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cleco's critical accounting policies include those accounting policies that are both important to Cleco's financial condition and results of operations and those that require management to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments about future events, which could result in a material impact to the financial statements of Cleco Corporation's segments or to Cleco as a consolidated entity.  The financial statements contained in this report are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require Cleco to make estimates and assumptions.  Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be made with certainty.  Management bases its current estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  On an ongoing basis, these estimates and assumptions are evaluated and, if necessary, adjustments are made when warranted by new or updated information or by a change in circumstances or environment.  Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  For a discussion of critical accounting policies, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies" in the Registrant's Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

CLECO POWER - NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Set forth below is information concerning the results of operations of Cleco Power for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, and September 30, 2004.  The following narrative analysis should be read in combination with Cleco Power's Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements and the Notes contained in this Form 10-Q.

Cleco Power meets the conditions specified in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) to Form 10-Q and is therefore permitted to use the reduced disclosure format for wholly owned subsidiaries of reporting companies.  Accordingly, Cleco Power has omitted from this report the information called for by Item 2 (Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) and Item 3 (Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk) of Part I of Form 10-Q and the following Part II items of Form 10-Q: Item 2 (Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds), Item 3 (Defaults Upon Senior Securities), and Item 4 (Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders).  Pursuant to the General Instructions, Cleco Power has included an explanation of the reasons for material changes in the amount of revenue and expense items of Cleco Power between the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005, and the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004.  Reference is made to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of the Registrants' Combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

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For an explanation of material changes in the amount of revenue and expense items of Cleco Power between the third quarter of 2005 and the third quarter of 2004, see "- Results of Operations - Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 - Cleco Power" of this Form 10-Q, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference.

For an explanation of material changes in the amount of revenue and expense items of Cleco Power between the first nine months of 2005 and the first nine months of 2004, see "- Results of Operations - Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 - Cleco Power" of this Form 10-Q, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 3.       QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK OF CLECO CORPORATION

Cleco

Market risk inherent in Cleco's market risk-sensitive instruments and positions includes potential changes arising from changes in interest rates and the commodity market prices of power and natural gas in the industry on different energy exchanges.  Cleco Power uses SFAS No. 133 to determine whether the market risk-sensitive instruments and positions are required to be marked-to-market.  Generally, Cleco Power's market risk-sensitive instruments and positions qualify for the normal-purchase, normal-sale exception to mark-to-market accounting of SFAS No. 133, as modified by SFAS No. 149, since Cleco Power generally takes physical delivery and the instruments and positions are used to satisfy customer requirements.  From time to time, Cleco Power could have positions that are required to be marked-to-market, because they do not meet the exceptions of SFAS No. 133 and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.  Cleco Power has entered into certain transactions it considers economic hedges to mitigate the risk associated with a new wholesale customer that do not meet the criteria of accounting hedge treatment.  These positions are marked-to-market with those results recorded in income.  Cleco Power has entered into other positions to mitigate some of the volatility in fuel costs passed on to customers.  These positions are marked-to-market, with the resulting gain or loss recorded on the balance sheet as a component of the accumulated deferred fuel asset or liability and a component of risk management assets or liabilities.  When these positions close, actual gains or losses will be included in the fuel adjustment clause and reflected on customers' bills.  Any positions for marketing and trading purposes that do not meet the exemptions of SFAS No. 133 are marked-to-market and the results are recorded in income. 

Cleco also is subject to market risk associated with its remaining tolling agreement counterparties.  For additional information concerning Cleco's market risk associated with its remaining counterparties, see Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources - General Considerations and Credit Related Risks" and Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 5 - Equity Investment in Investees" and - Note 8 - "Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - Risks and Uncertainties."

Cleco's exposure to market risk, as discussed below, represents an estimate of possible changes in the fair value or future earnings that would occur, assuming possible future movements in the interest rates and commodity prices of power and natural gas.  Management's views on market risk are not necessarily indicative of actual results, nor do they represent the maximum possible gains or losses.  The views do represent, within the parameters disclosed, what management estimates may happen.

Cleco monitors credit risk exposure through review of counterparty credit quality, corporate-wide aggregate counterparty credit exposure and corporate-wide aggregate counterparty concentration levels.  Cleco actively manages these risks by establishing appropriate credit and concentration limits on transactions with counterparties and requiring contractual guarantees, cash deposits or letters of credit from counterparties or their affiliates, as deemed necessary.  Cleco Power has agreements in place with various counterparties that authorize the netting of financial buys and sells and contract payments to mitigate credit risk for transactions entered into for risk management purposes.

Interest Rate Risks

Cleco monitors its mix of fixed- and variable-rate debt obligations in light of changing market conditions and from time to time may alter that mix by, for example, refinancing balances outstanding under its variable-rate credit facility with fixed-rate debt.  The calculations of the changes in fair market value and interest expense of the debt securities are made over a one-year period.

Sensitivity to changes in interest rates for fixed-rate obligations is computed by calculating the current fair market value using a net present value model based upon a 1% change in the average interest rate applicable to such debt.  Sensitivity to changes in interest rates for variable-rate obligations is computed by assuming a 1% change in the current interest rate applicable to such debt.

As of September 30, 2005, there was no variable-rate debt at Cleco or Cleco Power.

Commodity Price Risks

Management believes Cleco has controls in place to minimize the risks involved in financial and energy commodity activities.  Independent controls over energy commodity functions consist of a back office (accounting), a middle office (risk management), regulatory compliance staff, as well as, oversight by a risk management committee comprised of officers and managers, and a daily risk report that shows VAR and current market conditions.  Cleco's Board of Directors appoints the members of the Risk Management Committee.  VAR limits are

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established and monitored by the Risk Management Committee.

Cleco Power's financial positions that are not used to meet the power demands of customers are marked-to-market as required by SFAS No. 133 with the resulting gain or loss recorded on the income statement as a component of operating revenue, net.  There were no speculative positions at September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004; therefore, no mark-to-market amounts related to such positions were recorded on the income statement or balance sheet.

During June 2005, Cleco Power entered into certain financial hedge transactions it considers economic hedges to mitigate the risk associated with the fixed-price power that will be provided to a new wholesale customer, through December 2010.  At September 30, 2005, there was a net mark-to-market gain of $4.4 million related to these economic hedge transactions.  This gain was recorded on the income statement as a component of operating revenue, net.  Cleco Power anticipates that a large portion of these mark-to-market gains will be offset by losses in future periods.  These timing differences relate to a fixed-price wholesale contract that will commence in January 2006.  In light of these economic hedge transactions, volatility in natural gas prices will likely cause fluctuation in Cleco Power's future earnings.

Cleco Power provides fuel for generation and purchases power to meet the power demands of customers.  Cleco Power has entered into positions to mitigate some of the volatility in fuel costs passed on to customers as encouraged by an LPSC order.  In December 2004, Cleco Power implemented a fuel stabilization policy (which was filed with the LPSC) to target higher levels of minimum hedging percentages.  This LPSC order could result in larger volatility in the marked-to-market amounts for the financial positions to
mitigate fuel cost volatility for Cleco Power customers.  These positions are marked-to-market with the resulting gain or loss recorded on the balance sheet as a component of the accumulated deferred fuel asset or liability and a component of risk management assets or liabilities.  Based on market prices at September 30, 2005, the net mark-to-market impact related to these positions was a gain of $33.6 million.

Cleco Power utilizes a VAR model to assess the market risk of its financial instruments.  VAR represents the potential loss in fair value of an instrument from adverse changes in market factors for a specified period of time and confidence level.  The VAR is estimated using a historical simulation calculated daily assuming a holding period of one day, with a 95% confidence level for natural gas and power positions.  Total volatility is based on historical cash, implied market, and current cash volatility assessments.

As a result of the financial economic hedge transactions, VAR at September 30, 2005 was $0.4 million.

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
 SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

(THOUSANDS)

             HIGH

 

       LOW

 

   AVERAGE

Cleco Power

     $ 448.8

 $ 403.2

 $ 437.5

Consolidated

     $ 448.8

 $ 403.2

 $ 437.5

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
 SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

(THOUSANDS)

             HIGH

 

       LOW

 

   AVERAGE

Cleco Power

     $ 448.8

 $       -

 $ 150.5

Consolidated

     $ 448.8

 $       -

 $ 150.5

 

AT SEPTEMBER 30,

 

   AT DECEMBER 31,

(THOUSANDS)

                      2005

 

                       2004

Cleco Power

        $  448.8

             $              -

Consolidated

        $  448.8

             $              -

ITEM 4.       CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Quarterly Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants' management has evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, with the supervision and participation of the Registrants' chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of the Registrants' disclosure controls and procedures as defined by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Disclosure Controls).  Based on that evaluation, such officers concluded that the Registrants' Disclosure Controls were effective as of the date of that evaluation.

During the third fiscal quarter of 2005, there have been no changes in the Registrants' internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrants' internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

CLECO

For information on legal proceedings affecting Cleco, see Part I, Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 8 - Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - Securities Litigation," "- Other Litigation," and "- SESCO", Note 13 - "Perryville - Mirant Bankruptcy and MAEM's Rejection of the Perryville Tolling Agreement," "- Perryville Tolling Agreement Administrative Expense and Damage Claims," "- Perryville Bankruptcy," "- Sale of the Perryville Facility," and Note 20 - "Subsequent Event."

CLECO POWER

For information on legal proceedings affecting Cleco Power, see Part I, Item 1, "Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements - Note 8 - Litigation and Other Commitments and Contingencies - Other Litigation" and "-SESCO."

ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Cleco Purchases of Equity Securities

During the quarter ended September 30, 2005, none of Cleco Corporation's equity securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was purchased by or on behalf of Cleco Corporation or any of its "affiliated purchasers," as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


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ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS


Cleco Corporation

10(a)

Acadia Power Partners, LLC - First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated August 9, 2005
 

10(c)

Notice and Acceptance of Grant of Restricted Stock and Allocation of Opportunity Shares
 

10(d)

Summary of Director Compensation, Benefits and Policies (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K (file no. 1-15754), filed July 28, 2005)
 

12(a)

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends for the three-, nine-, and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 2005, for Cleco Corporation
 

31(a)

CEO Certification in accordance with section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
CFO Certification in accordance with section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 

32(a)

CEO and CFO Certification pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

99(a)

Perryville Energy Partners, L.L.C. and Perryville Energy Holdings LLC - Debtors' First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code effective October 11, 2005


Cleco Power

4(a)

Form of Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 6, 2005, between Cleco Power LLC and the Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K (file no. 1-05663), filed July 6, 2005)
 

10(b)

401(k) Savings and Investment Plan, Amended and Restated, effective October 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of Form S-8 (registration statement no. 333-127496), filed August 12, 2005)
 

10(e)

401(k) Savings and Investment Plan, Stock Trust Agreement, Amendment Number 3, effective October 1, 2005
 

12(b)

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the three-, nine-, and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 2005, for Cleco Power
 

31(b)

CEO Certification in accordance with section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
CFO Certification in accordance with section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 

32(b)

CEO and CFO Certification pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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SIGNATURE

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

         




CLECO CORPORATION

(Registrant)



 

By:   /s/ R. Russell Davis                                           

          R. Russell Davis

          Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer





Date:  November 2, 2005

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SIGNATURE

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






CLECO POWER LLC

(Registrant)



 

By:   /s/ R. Russell Davis                                                

          R. Russell Davis

          Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer





Date:  November 2, 2005

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