-----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, Ni+zYvfZ72dDQGwWkEeG2e/VYNhXEDVWyebmNjwTOtnPR3pRSRdVAg+HHWvMMMC4 zRq3v1K9aNCwaEnq7Hlb3Q== 0000022606-98-000005.txt : 19980116 0000022606-98-000005.hdr.sgml : 19980116 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000022606-98-000005 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19980114 ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 19980115 SROS: CSX SROS: NYSE SROS: PSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: UNICOM CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000918040 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 363961038 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IL FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-11375 FILM NUMBER: 98507143 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10 SOUTH DEARBORN ST 37TH FLOOR STREET 2: P O BOX A-3005 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60690-3005 BUSINESS PHONE: 3123947399 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P O BOX 767 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60690 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CECO HOLDING CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19940125 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000022606 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 360938600 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IL FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-01839 FILM NUMBER: 98507144 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLZ 37TH FL STREET 2: P O BOX 767 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60690 BUSINESS PHONE: 3123944321 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10 SOUTH DEARBORN STREET STREET 2: 37TH FLOOR CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 606900767 8-K 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 1998 Commission Registrant; State of Incorporation; IRS Employer File Number Address; and Telephone Number Identification No. - ------------ ----------------------------------- ------------------ 1-11375 UNICOM CORPORATION 36-3961038 (an Illinois corporation) 37th Floor, 10 South Dearborn Street Post Office Box A-3005 Chicago, Illinois 60690-3005 312/394-7399 1-1839 COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY 36-0938600 (an Illinois corporation) 37th Floor, 10 South Dearborn Street Post Office Box 767 Chicago, Illinois 60690-0767 312/394-4321 Item 5. OTHER EVENTS. Cessation of Nuclear Generation Operations at Zion Station On January 14, 1998, the Boards of Directors of Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) and Unicom Corporation authorized the permanent cessation of nuclear generation operations and retirement of facilities at ComEd's 2,080 megawatt nuclear generating station located in Zion, Illinois. As explained below, such retirement is expected to result in an after-tax charge to net income of approximately $515 million ($2.38 per Unicom common share). The station was originally placed in service in the early 1970's. Zion Unit 2 has been out of service since September 1996 and Zion Unit 1 has been out of service since February 1997. The decision to close Zion Station is a result of an ongoing analysis which ComEd has been performing regarding the economic value of its generating assets in light of the expected changes in the manner in which electric energy is marketed and sold. On December 16, 1997, legislation was passed into law in Illinois providing for a phased introduction of price-based competition into the supply of electric energy in Illinois under a less regulated structure. The consideration of changes in the electric supply market prompted the analysis, and the passage of legislation in Illinois has provided a clearer basis for evaluating the costs and benefits of alternative courses of action. In reaching the decision to cease nuclear generation operations at Zion Station, the Boards also considered the significant uncertainty associated with continued operation of the station due to the degradation of the steam generators, and the expected operating costs associated with continued station operation. Notwithstanding the closure of the station as a nuclear generating facility, a portion of the station will continue to be used to provide voltage support in the transmission system that serves ComEd's northern region. Such support will require capital expenditures at the station as well as upgrades to the transmission system at various points in order to improve the ability to import and transport power through the system. The closure of Zion enables ComEd to focus its attention on ComEd's other generating facilities and plan for electric reliability this summer. In addition to the previously described steps to reinforce the transmission system, ComEd expects to purchase generating capacity from third parties and is working to increase the availability of owned generating capacity. LaSalle Units 1 and 2 and Quad Cities Units 1 and 2 currently are not operating. ComEd is developing an integrated schedule for restarting the units at LaSalle Station. It currently is expected that LaSalle Unit 1 will restart in the third quarter of 1998 and LaSalle Unit 2 is expected to restart approximately six months later. Both units at Quad Cities are expected to return to service in the Spring of 1998. The additional costs of purchasing power could adversely affect Unicom and ComEd's results of operations for 1998. ComEd's fourth quarter 1997 financial results will reflect an after-tax charge of approximately $400 million representing the undepreciated costs of Zion Station (excluding the portion which will remain in use to provide voltage support), materials and supplies inventories, and nuclear fuel inventories. In addition, a provision for future expenses related to Zion Station, as required by generally accepted accounting principles for costs associated with the retirement of assets, will result in an estimated reduction to net income of $115 million in the fourth quarter of 1997. ComEd presently estimates that decommissioning costs for Zion Station will total $936 million ($1998), including the costs to maintain the plant in a secured mode until decommissioning is completed. ComEd will record a liability of $936 million for the decommissioning obligation in the fourth quarter of 1997. Approximately $356 million has been recovered through rates to meet this obligation. A regulatory asset of $580 million will be recorded representing the unrecovered portion of the liability as of December 31, 1997. ComEd's revenues include an annual provision to recover the estimated costs of decommissioning. The deregulation legislation recently enacted in Illinois provides for continued recovery of decommissioning costs through a separate rider. These collections are deposited in external trusts maintained solely for the purpose of ensuring that adequate funds are available for the ultimate decommissioning of the related nuclear generating plants. Based on preliminary studies, ComEd currently plans to maintain Zion Station in a SAFSTOR, or secured, mode while continuing to make annual contributions to its external decommissioning trusts. Under this approach, decommissioning would commence in 2014. Formation of a Regional Independent System Operator ComEd has joined with eight Midwestern utilities in the formation of a regional Independent System Operator (Midwest ISO). The Midwest ISO is a key element in accommodating the deregulation of the electric industry and will promote enhanced reliability of the transmission system, equal access to the transmission system and increased competition. The Midwest ISO will establish an independent body that will ultimately take over direction of the management of the transmission system for the utilities involved. ComEd will retain ownership of its transmission lines. The formation of Midwest ISO is subject to receipt of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. UNICOM CORPORATION (Registrant) Date: January 14, 1998 By: John C. Bukovski ------------------------ John C. Bukovski Senior Vice President COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY (Registrant) Date: January 14, 1998 By: John C. Bukovski ------------------------ John C. Bukovski Senior Vice President -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----