-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, V/9s0n1oqxzrLg4bYq0ppLjdlT7TG/Knwx/9AVN7ppHsud3WHkmoUUGJklum6MMv QYWKtS7eb9AAWRtN0URf+g== 0000893220-97-001955.txt : 19971219 0000893220-97-001955.hdr.sgml : 19971219 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000893220-97-001955 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: U-1/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19971218 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000022099 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION [4923] IRS NUMBER: 131594808 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: U-1/A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 070-09129 FILM NUMBER: 97740571 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 12355 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: RESTON STATE: VA ZIP: 20191-3458 BUSINESS PHONE: 7032950394 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 12355 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: RESTON STATE: VA ZIP: 20191-3458 U-1/A 1 COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM, INC. FORM U-1/A 1 File No. 70-9129 U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 --------------------------------------- FORM U-1/A AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO JOINT APPLICATION-DECLARATION UNDER THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935 --------------------------------------- THE COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM, INC. COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM SERVICE CORPORATION COLUMBIA LNG CORPORATION COLUMBIA ATLANTIC TRADING CORPORATION COLUMBIA POWER MARKETING CORPORATION COLUMBIA ENERGY SERVICES CORPORATION COLUMBIA ASSURANCE AGENCY, INC. COLUMBIA ENERGY MARKETING CORPORATION COLUMBIA SERVICE PARTNERS, INC. 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive Suite 300 Reston, VA 20191-3420 TRISTAR VENTURES CORPORATION TRISTAR CAPITAL CORPORATION TRISTAR PEDRICK LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR PEDRICK GENERAL CORPORATION TRISTAR BINGHAMTON LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR BINGHAMTON GENERAL CORPORATION TRISTAR VINELAND LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR VINELAND GENERAL CORPORATION TRISTAR RUMFORD LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR GEORGETOWN GENERAL CORPORATION TRISTAR GEORGETOWN LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR FUEL CELLS CORPORATION TVC NINE CORPORATION TVC TEN CORPORATION 2 TRISTAR SYSTEM, INC. 205 Van Buren Herndon, VA 22070 COLUMBIA NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. ALAMCO, INC. ALAMCO - DELAWARE, INC. HAWG HAULING & DISPOSAL, INC. 900 Pennsylvania Avenue Charleston, WV 25302 COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION 12801 FairLakes Parkway Fairfax, VA 22030-0146 COLUMBIA NETWORK SERVICES CORPORATION CNS MICROWAVE, INC. 1600 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215-1082 COLUMBIA PROPANE CORPORATION 9200 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 140 Richmond, VA 23236 COLUMBIA GULF TRANSMISSION COMPANY 2603 Augusta, Suite 125 Houston, TX 77057 COLUMBIA GAS OF KENTUCKY, INC. COLUMBIA GAS OF OHIO, INC. COLUMBIA GAS OF MARYLAND, INC. COLUMBIA GAS OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC. COMMONWEALTH GAS SERVICES, INC. 200 Civic Center Drive Columbus, OH 43215 ---------------------------------------------------- (Names of company or companies filing this statement and addresses of principal executive offices) 3 THE COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM, INC. ---------------------------------------------------- (Name of top registered holding company parent of each applicant or declarant) J. W. Trost, Vice President COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM SERVICE CORPORATION 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive Suite 300 Reston, VA 20191-3420 ---------------------------------------------------- (Name and address of agent for service) Names and Addresses of Subsidiary Company Agents for Service: M. A. CHANDLER, Treasurer S. T. MACQUEEN, Treasurer Columbia Natural Resources, Inc. Columbia LNG Corporation Alamco, Inc. 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive Alamco-Delaware, Inc. Suite 300 Hawg Hauling & Disposal, Inc. Reston, VA 20191-3420 900 Pennsylvania Avenue Charleston, WV 25302 J. W. TROST, Vice President Columbia Gas System Service Corporation D. P. DETAR, Treasurer 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300 TriStar Ventures Corporation Reston, VA 20191-3420 TriStar Pedrick Limited Corporation TriStar Pedrick General Corporation J. W. GROSSMAN, Treasurer TriStar Binghamton Limited Corporation TriStar Capital Corporation TriStar Binghamton General Corporation Columbia Atlantic TriStar Vineland Limited Corporation Trading Corporation TriStar Vineland General Corporation 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive TriStar Rumford Limited Corporation Suite 300 TriStar Georgetown Limited Corporation Reston, VA 20191-3420 TriStar Georgetown General Corporation TriStar Fuel Cells Corporation S. M. NORDIN, Treasurer TVC Nine Corporation Columbia Propane Corporation TVC Ten Corporation 9200 Arboretum Parkway, Ste 140 TriStar System, Inc. Richmond, VA 23236 205 Van Buren Herndon, VA 22070
4 A. J. SONDERMAN, Corporate Secretary Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. Commonwealth Gas Services, Inc. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc. Columbia Gas of Maryland, Inc. 200 Civic Center Drive Columbus, OH 43215 G. A. BARNARD, Assistant Controller Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation Columbia Gulf Transmission Company 1700 MacCorkle Avenue, S.E. Charleston, WV 25314 D. FURLANO, Treasurer Columbia Network Services Corporation CNS Microwave, Inc. 1600 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215-1082 R. S. GUSTAFSON, Controller Columbia Assurance Agency, Inc. Columbia Energy Services Corporation Columbia Energy Marketing Corporation Columbia Power Marketing Corporation Columbia Service Partners, Inc. 121 Hill Pointe Drive Suite 100 Canonsburg, PA 15317 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- (Names and Addresses of Other Agents for Service) 5 The Columbia Gas System, Inc. ("Columbia"), a registered holding company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (the "Act"), hereby submits for filing this Amendment No. 4 to the Joint Application-Declaration on Form U-1 in File No. 70-9129 to amend and restate the Joint Application-Declaration in its entirety. ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRANSACTION (a) Furnish a reasonably detailed and precise description of the proposed transaction, including a statement of the reasons why it is desired to consummate the transaction and the anticipated effect thereof. If the transaction is part of a general program, describe the program and its relation to the proposed transaction. The Columbia Gas System, Inc. ("Columbia"), a Delaware corporation, and a holding company registered with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended ("the Act"), is requesting Commission approval to update and expand its existing short-term financing authority. Specifically, Columbia asks the Commission to increase its short-term financing authority to $2 billion and to extend the related short-term intrasystem financing authority through December 31, 2003. By order dated December 23, 1996 in File No. 70-8925 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 26634) (the "Omnibus Financing Order"), Columbia was authorized to engage in a wide range of financing transactions through December 31, 2001, subject to certain conditions and parameters. Among the conditions was the following: "The aggregate amount of external, long-term debt and equity financing issued by Columbia, through December 31, 2001, will not exceed $5 billion of long-term debt and equity financing or more than $1 billion of short-term borrowing outstanding at any one time." Under the terms of the Omnibus Financing Order, Columbia and its nonutility subsidiaries were authorized to enter guarantee arrangements, obtain letters of credit and otherwise provide credit support with respect to obligations of their respective subsidiaries as may be needed and appropriate to enable them to carry on in the ordinary course of their respective businesses through December 31, 2001, subject to an aggregate limit on such credit support of $500 million at any one time. The guarantees were in addition to any other financing authorization requested in that file. Columbia was also authorized to utilize the proceeds of any of the above financing for investments in exempt wholesale generators ("EWGs") and foreign utility companies ("FUCOs"), subject to the requirements of Sections 32 and 33 of the Act and Rules 53 and 54 thereunder, which restrict Columbia's aggregate investment in EWGs and FUCOs to an amount equal to 50% of its consolidated retained earnings as defined in Rule 53(a)(1)(ii). By order dated November 18, 1997 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 26780), the guarantee authority was increased to $2 billion. 6 In the rapidly growing energy industry, a higher level of short-term authorization is required to provide the type of flexibility needed to compete effectively. Columbia therefore requests an increase in the limit on external short-term debt at any one time outstanding through December 31, 2003 to $2 billion. Such short-term financing could include, without limitation, a revolving credit agreement, the issuance of commercial paper, bid notes issued to individual banks, bank borrowing, or medium-term notes issued under its Indenture dated November 28, 1995, between Columbia and Marine Midland Bank, Trustee, as amended. As initially set forth in the Omnibus Financing Order, the authorization sought herein is subject to the following general conditions: (1) Columbia will maintain its long-term debt rating at an investment grade level as established by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as that term is used in rule c-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (2) its common equity, as reflected in its most recent Form 10-K or Form 10-Q and as adjusted to reflect subsequent events that affect capitalization, does not fall below 30% of its consolidated capitalization; (3) the effective cost of money on debt borrowing occurring pursuant to this authorization will not exceed 300 basis points over comparable term U.S. Treasury securities; (4) the maturity of short-term indebtedness will not exceed one year; (5) the underwriting fees, commissions, or other similar remuneration paid in connection with the non-competitive bid issue, sale or distribution of a security in this matter will not exceed 5% of the principal or total amount of the financing; (6) with respect to any Bid Notes, they will bear interest rates comparable to, or lower than, those available through other proposed forms of short-term borrowing with similar terms and have maturities not exceeding 270 days; (7) the proceeds from the sale of securities by Columbia in external financing transactions will be added to Columbia's treasury and used for general and corporate purposes including: (a) the financing, in part, of the capital expenditures of Columbia and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the "System"); (b) in the case of short-term debt, the financing of gas storage inventories, other working capital requirements and capital spending of the System; (c) the acquisition of interests in EWGs and FUCOs; (d) the acquisition, retirement, or redemption of securities of which Columbia is an issuer without the need for prior Commission approval pursuant to rule 42 or a successor rule; and/or (e) the acquisition of the securities of nonutility companies as permitted under any final rule of the Commission permitting such acquisitions. Any short-term borrowings by nonutility subsidiaries or Commonwealth Gas Services, Inc. from Columbia would involve the issue of a note or other form of indebtedness within the meaning of Rule 52. Columbia's subsidiaries require short-term debt financing to finance gas storage inventories until sale in the winter months, to meet other short-term working capital requirements and to finance construction spending until long-term financing can be arranged. Further, Columbia has an established goal of increasing its investment in generally non-rate regulated businesses. As Columbia's operations grow, the needs of the subsidiaries for short-term capital will also increase. Commission authorization is therefore requested to extend the Money Pool authority through December 31, 2003 (except for borrowing participation by 2 7 EWGs, FUCOs and exempt telecommunications companies) and to authorize internal borrowings for Columbia's utility subsidiaries from Columbia for that period. The Maryland, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania utility commissions do not exercise jurisdiction over the issuance of short-term debt. Commission authorization is therefore requested for the issuance of short-term securities in the form of a note or other form of indebtedness within the meaning of Rule 52, from time to time, through December 31, 2003, by Columbia Gas of Maryland, Inc. ("Columbia Maryland"), Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. ("Columbia Kentucky"), Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. ("Columbia Ohio"), and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc. ("Columbia Pennsylvania"), and the acquisition of such securities by Columbia. The short-term funding needs of the System subsidiaries will be met with borrowings from Columbia or through the Money Pool with Columbia Gas System Service Corporation ("Service") as agent.(1) Any borrowings through the Money Pool would be subject to the terms and conditions imposed on Money Pool transactions under the Omnibus Financing Order. All borrowings from Columbia would bear an interest rate equal to borrowings from the Money Pool and would mature within one year of borrowing. The maximum amount of short-term debt to be outstanding at any one time for each of Columbia Maryland, Columbia Kentucky, Columbia Ohio and Columbia Pennsylvania will not exceed 40% of the issuer's total capitalization, regardless of whether the short-term borrowing occurs through the Money Pool or directly from Columbia. This application does not affect the reservation of jurisdiction over participation in the Money Pool by subsidiaries engaged in new lines of business after the date of the Omnibus Financing Order. * * * * * Rule 24(c)(1), in pertinent part, provides that, unless otherwise designated in an application or declaration, every order is subject to a requirement that the transaction proposed be carried out within 60 days of the date of such order. As a practical matter, the failure to designate an alternative period has lead to a number of lapsed orders in the past, necessitating the filing of post-effective amendments and the issuance of supplemental orders. To avoid this - ---------------------------------- 1. Authorization for direct borrowings from Columbia, other than through the Money Pool, is requested only with respect to the System subsidiary public-utility companies that cannot rely on Rule 52. Commonwealth Gas Services, Inc. and the System's nonutility subsidiaries will rely on Rule 52 for any borrowings from Columbia outside of the Money Pool. 3 8 situation in the future, Columbia hereby designates a period from the date of the order in this matter to the expiration of the authority under this order as the period in which it will carry out transactions authorized in this order, or previously authorized by Commission order, in accordance with the terms and conditions of, and for the purposes as authorized by the relevant orders. * * * * * The conditions of Rule 54 are satisfied: At present, Columbia has no "aggregate investment" within the meaning of Rule 53(a)(1)(i) in exempt wholesale generators or foreign utility companies. None of the disabling conditions under Rule 53(b) exist with respect to Columbia and so Rule 53(c) is inapplicable. (b) Describe briefly, and where practicable state the approximate amount of, any material interest in the proposed transaction, direct or indirect, of any associate or affiliate of the applicant or declarant company or any affiliate of any such associate company. Not applicable. (c) If the proposed transaction involves the acquisition of securities not issued by a registered holding company or subsidiary thereof, describe briefly the business and property, present or proposed, of the issuer of such securities. Not applicable. (d) If the proposed transaction involves the acquisition or disposition of assets, describe briefly such assets, setting forth original cost, vendor's book cost (including the basis of determination) and applicable valuation and qualifying reserves. Not applicable. ITEM 2. FEES, COMMISSIONS AND EXPENSES (a) State (1) the fees, commissions and expenses paid or incurred, or to be paid or incurred, directly or indirectly, in connection with the proposed transaction by the applicant or declarant or any associate company thereof, and (2) if the proposed transaction involves the sale of securities at competitive bidding, the fees and expenses to be paid to counsel selected by applicant or declarant to act for the successful bidder. 4 9 Legal fees in connection with the preparation of the Application- Declaration . . . . $7,500.00 --------- Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,500.00 ---------
(b) If any person to whom fees or commissions have been or are to be paid in connection with the proposed transaction is an associate company or an affiliate of the applicant or declarant, or is an affiliate of an associate company, set forth the facts with respect thereto. The Service Corporation will render certain legal services at cost. ITEM 3. APPLICABLE STATUTORY PROVISIONS (a) State the section of the Act and the rules thereunder believed to be applicable to the proposed transaction. If any section or rule would be applicable in the absence of a specific exemption, state the basis of exemption. The proposed transactions are jurisdictional under Sections 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12 of the Act and rules thereunder, and Rule 54. (b) If an applicant is not a registered holding company or a subsidiary thereof, state the name of each public utility company of which it is an affiliate, or of which it will become an affiliate as a result of the proposed transaction, and the reasons why it is or will become such an affiliate. Not applicable. ITEM 4. REGULATORY APPROVAL (a) State the nature and extent of the jurisdiction of any State commission or any Federal commission (other than the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission) over the proposed transaction. The State Corporation Commission of Virginia has jurisdiction over the acquisition by Columbia and the sale by Commonwealth Gas Services, Inc. of short-term debt securities. (b) Describe the action taken or proposed to be taken before any commission named in answer to paragraph (a) of this item in connection with the proposed transaction. 5 10 We will obtain other regulatory approval as required. Copies of relevant filings with and orders obtained from any state commission will be provided to this Commission. ITEM 5. PROCEDURE (a) State the date when Commission action is requested. If the date is less than 40 days from the date of the original filing, set forth the reasons for acceleration. It is requested that the Commission issue its Notice by November 14, 1997 and its order on or before December 14, 1997. (b) State (i) whether there should be a recommended decision by a hearing officer, (ii) whether there should be a recommended decision by any other responsible officer of the Commission, (iii) whether the Division of Investment Management may assist in the preparation of the Commission's decision, and (iv) whether there should be a 30-day waiting period between the issuance of the Commission's order and the date on which it is to become effective. Applicants hereby (i) waive a recommended decision by a hearing officer, (ii) waive a recommended decision by any other responsible officer or the Commission, (iii) consent that the Division of Investment Management may assist in the preparation of the Commission's decision, and (iv) waive a 30-day waiting period between the issuance of the Commission's order and the date on which it is to become effective. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (a) Exhibits F Opinion of Counsel for Columbia and Subsidiaries (previously filed) G Proposed Notice. (previously filed) (b) Financial Statements The Columbia Gas System, Inc. and Subsidiaries: (1) Condensed Statements of Income and Capitalization as of June 30, 1997. Actual and Pro Forma (previously filed) (2) Condensed Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1997. Actual and Pro Forma (previously filed) 6 11 (3) Financial Data Schedules. (previously filed) There have been no material changes, not in the ordinary course of business, since the date of the financial statements filed herewith. ITEM 7. INFORMATION AS TO ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS (a) Describe briefly the environmental effects of the proposed transaction in terms of the standards set forth in Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act [42 U.S.C. 4232(2)(C)]. If the response to this term is a negative statement as to the applicability of Section 102(2)(C) in connection with the proposed transaction, also briefly state the reasons for that response. The proposed transactions subject to the jurisdiction of this Commission have no environmental impact in and of themselves. (b) State whether any other federal agency has prepared or is preparing an environmental impact statement ("EIS") with respect to the proposed transaction. If any other federal agency has prepared or is preparing an EIS, state which agency or agencies and indicate the status of that EIS preparation. No federal agency has prepared or, to Columbia's knowledge, is preparing an EIS with respect to the proposed transaction. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the undersigned companies have duly caused this Application-Declaration to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signatures of the applicants and of the persons signing on their behalf are restricted to the information contained in this application which is pertinent to the application of the respective companies. THE COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM, INC. DATE: December 18, 1997 by://s//M. W. O'Donnell ------------------------------------ M. W. O'Donnell, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer 7 12 COLUMBIA NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. ALAMCO, INC. ALAMCO-DELAWARE, INC. HAWG HAULING & DISPOSAL, INC. DATE: December 18, 1997 by://s//M. A. Chandler ---------------------------------------------- M. A. Chandler, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer COLUMBIA GAS OF OHIO, INC. COLUMBIA GAS OF KENTUCKY, INC. COLUMBIA GAS OF MARYLAND, INC. COLUMBIA GAS OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC. COMMONWEALTH GAS SERVICES, INC. COLUMBIA NETWORK SERVICES CORPORATION CNS MICROWAVE, INC. COLUMBIA GULF TRANSMISSION COMPANY COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION COLUMBIA PROPANE CORPORATION COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM SERVICE CORPORATION COLUMBIA LNG CORPORATION COLUMBIA ATLANTIC TRADING CORPORATION COLUMBIA ENERGY SERVICES CORPORATION COLUMBIA ASSURANCE AGENCY, INC. COLUMBIA ENERGY MARKETING CORPORATION COLUMBIA POWER MARKETING CORPORATION COLUMBIA SERVICE PARTNERS, INC. TRISTAR CAPITAL CORPORATION TRISTAR VENTURES CORPORATION TRISTAR PEDRICK LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR PEDRICK GENERAL CORPORATION TRISTAR BINGHAMTON LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR BINGHAMTON GENERAL CORPORATION TRISTAR VINELAND LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR VINELAND GENERAL CORPORATION TRISTAR RUMFORD LIMITED CORPORATION TRISTAR GEORGETOWN GENERAL CORPORATION TRISTAR GEORGETOWN LIMITED CORPORATION 8 13 TRISTAR FUEL CELLS CORPORATION TVC NINE CORPORATION TVC TEN CORPORATION TRISTAR SYSTEM, INC. DATE: December 18, 1997 by://s//J. W. Trost ---------------------------------------------- J. W. Trost, Vice President 9 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----