10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_________________________________ 

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

OR

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission file number 001-14206

El Paso Electric Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas	74-0607870
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Stanton Tower, 100 North Stanton, El Paso, Texas	79901
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(915) 543-5711

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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 registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  x    NO  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	o	Smaller reporting company	o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  o    NO  x

As of October 31, 2013, there were 40,257,265 shares of the Company’s no par value common stock outstanding.

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

		Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012		1
Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three Months, Nine Months and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012		3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Operations – Three Months, Nine Months and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012		5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012		6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		7
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		25
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	41
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	41
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	42
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	42
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	42
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	42
Item 5.	Other Information	42
Item 6.	Exhibits	42

( i)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS (In thousands)
Utility plant:
Electric plant in service	$	3,044,963		$	2,857,913
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,204,872		)	(1,162,483		)
Net plant in service	1,840,091			1,695,430
Construction work in progress	251,125			287,358
Nuclear fuel; includes fuel in process of $37,294 and $56,129, respectively	195,317			189,921
Less accumulated amortization	(85,992		)	(70,366		)
Net nuclear fuel	109,325			119,555
Net utility plant	2,200,541			2,102,343
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	61,948			111,057
Accounts receivable, principally trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,799 and $2,906, respectively	97,997			62,900
Accumulated deferred income taxes	14,149			20,292
Inventories, at cost	47,091			42,358
Undercollection of fuel revenues	6,605			—
Prepayments and other	8,990			9,627
Total current assets	236,780			246,234
Deferred charges and other assets:
Decommissioning trust funds	202,907			187,053
Regulatory assets	103,503			101,590
Other	33,661			31,830
Total deferred charges and other assets	340,071			320,473
Total assets	$	2,777,392		$	2,669,050

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

1

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(Unaudited)
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES (In thousands except for share data)
Capitalization:
Common stock, stated value $1 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 65,625,339 and 65,520,551 shares issued, and 121,363 and 84,446 restricted shares, respectively	$	65,747		$	65,605
Capital in excess of stated value	313,616			310,994
Retained earnings	995,144			939,131
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(56,162		)	(66,084		)
	1,318,345			1,249,646
Treasury stock, 25,492,919 shares at cost	(424,647		)	(424,647		)
Common stock equity	893,698			824,999
Long-term debt	999,598			999,535
Total capitalization	1,893,296			1,824,534
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility	15,491			22,155
Accounts payable, principally trade	47,103			61,581
Taxes accrued	31,849			29,248
Interest accrued	14,370			12,127
Overcollection of fuel revenues	2,886			4,643
Other	29,405			21,995
Total current liabilities	141,104			151,749
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes	405,331			358,674
Accrued pension liability	113,842			125,690
Accrued postretirement benefit liability	101,864			99,170
Asset retirement obligation	67,169			62,784
Regulatory liabilities	26,495			22,179
Other	28,291			24,270
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	742,992			692,767
Commitments and contingencies
Total capitalization and liabilities	$	2,777,392		$	2,669,050

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands except for share data)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Operating revenues	$	282,661		$	267,249		$	700,065		$	664,079
Energy expenses:
Fuel	69,268			56,332			175,097			145,132
Purchased and interchanged power	17,395			16,223			46,185			43,304
	86,663			72,555			221,282			188,436
Operating revenues net of energy expenses	195,998			194,694			478,783			475,643
Other operating expenses:
Other operations	58,810			60,906			173,810			174,128
Maintenance	12,723			12,831			41,260			43,605
Depreciation and amortization	20,416			19,208			59,346			59,329
Taxes other than income taxes	18,153			15,353			44,782			43,631
	110,102			108,298			319,198			320,693
Operating income	85,896			86,396			159,585			154,950
Other income (deductions):
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	2,287			2,419			7,465			6,589
Investment and interest income, net	2,086			1,833			5,151			3,711
Miscellaneous non-operating income	12			1,182			14			1,383
Miscellaneous non-operating deductions	(537		)	(591		)	(2,641		)	(1,494		)
	3,848			4,843			9,989			10,189
Interest charges (credits):
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility	14,623			13,659			43,829			40,827
Other interest	153			387			456			865
Capitalized interest	(1,302		)	(1,324		)	(3,911		)	(3,992		)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(1,379		)	(1,431		)	(4,520		)	(3,894		)
	12,095			11,291			35,854			33,806
Income before income taxes	77,649			79,948			133,720			131,333
Income tax expense	27,084			28,159			46,328			45,306
Net income	$	50,565		$	51,789		$	87,392		$	86,027
Basic earnings per share	$	1.26		$	1.29		$	2.17		$	2.15
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.26		$	1.29		$	2.17		$	2.14
Dividends declared per share of common stock	$	0.265		$	0.25		$	0.78		$	0.72
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	40,132,250			40,009,866			40,107,555			39,959,866
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding	40,132,250			40,091,625			40,123,626			40,044,154

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands except for share data)

	Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,
	2013			2012
Operating revenues	$	888,867		$	855,742
Energy expenses:
Fuel	221,041			191,528
Purchased and interchanged power	63,132			57,837
	284,173			249,365
Operating revenues net of energy expenses	604,694			606,377
Other operating expenses:
Other operations	236,240			235,550
Maintenance	57,994			63,937
Depreciation and amortization	78,573			79,885
Taxes other than income taxes	58,594			56,061
	431,401			435,433
Operating income	173,293			170,944
Other income (deductions):
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	10,303			8,309
Investment and interest income, net	6,715			4,782
Miscellaneous non-operating income	46			1,884
Miscellaneous non-operating deductions	(3,160		)	(2,620		)
	13,904			12,355
Interest charges (credits):
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility	57,634			54,347
Other interest	781			1,077
Capitalized interest	(5,231		)	(5,305		)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(6,199		)	(4,905		)
	46,985			45,214
Income before income taxes	140,212			138,085
Income tax expense	48,001			46,605
Net income	$	92,211		$	91,480
Basic earnings per share	$	2.29		$	2.28
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.29		$	2.27
Dividends declared per share of common stock	$	1.03		$	0.94
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	40,084,525			39,959,034
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding	40,114,921			40,085,516

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Net income	$	50,565		$	51,789		$	87,392		$	86,027		$	92,211		$	91,480
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs:
Net loss arising during period	—			—			—			—			(2,109		)	(77,678		)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income for amortization of:
Prior service benefit	(1,369		)	(1,441		)	(4,169		)	(4,321		)	(5,610		)	(5,775		)
Net loss	2,903			2,993			8,323			8,978			11,316			10,605
Net unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities:
Net holding gains arising during period	4,300			6,169			8,861			11,986			6,802			18,470
Reclassification adjustments for net losses (gains) included in net income	(199		)	(318		)	(287		)	916			(161		)	1,193
Net losses on cash flow hedges:
Reclassification adjustment for interest expense included in net income	104			97			306			286			405			378
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	5,739			7,500			13,034			17,845			10,643			(52,807		)
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs	(469		)	(591		)	(1,550		)	(1,687		)	(1,327		)	28,643
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities	(796		)	(1,201		)	(1,433		)	(2,571		)	(1,300		)	(3,788		)
Losses on cash flow hedges	(39		)	(36		)	(129		)	(117		)	(143		)	(219		)
Total income tax benefit (expense)	(1,304		)	(1,828		)	(3,112		)	(4,375		)	(2,770		)	24,636
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4,435			5,672			9,922			13,470			7,873			(28,171		)
Comprehensive income	$	55,000		$	57,461		$	97,314		$	99,497		$	100,084		$	63,309

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2013			2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	87,392		$	86,027
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service	59,346			59,329
Amortization of nuclear fuel	33,621			33,278
Deferred income taxes, net	45,479			43,818
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(7,465		)	(6,589		)
Other amortization and accretion	12,345			10,904
Gain on sale of assets	—			(1,346		)
Other operating activities	(484		)	782
Change in:
Accounts receivable	(35,097		)	(22,107		)
Inventories	(4,772		)	(2,400		)
Net overcollection (undercollection) of fuel revenues	(8,362		)	13,994
Prepayments and other	(5,471		)	(3,443		)
Accounts payable	(3,729		)	(6,757		)
Taxes accrued	6,794			537
Interest accrued	2,244			469
Other current liabilities	7,410			3,199
Deferred charges and credits	(4,340		)	(7,896		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	184,911			201,799
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment	(165,303		)	(144,576		)
Cash additions to nuclear fuel	(19,895		)	(41,747		)
Capitalized interest and AFUDC:
Utility property, plant and equipment	(11,985		)	(10,483		)
Nuclear fuel	(3,911		)	(3,992		)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	7,465			6,589
Decommissioning trust funds:
Purchases, including funding of $3.4 million, respectively	(36,413		)	(80,870		)
Sales and maturities	29,419			74,095
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			1,757
Other investing activities	4,856			1,524
Net cash used for investing activities	(195,767		)	(197,703		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(31,379		)	(28,861		)
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility:
Proceeds	34,167			204,373
Payments	(40,831		)	(176,210		)
Pollution control bonds:
Proceeds	—			92,535
Payments	—			(92,535		)
Other financing activities	(210		)	(2,942		)
Net cash used for financing activities	(38,253		)	(3,640		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(49,109		)	456
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	111,057			8,208
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	61,948		$	8,664

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

A. Principles of Preparation

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Annual Report of El Paso Electric Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”). Capitalized terms used in this report and not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the 2012 Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012; the results of its operations and comprehensive operations for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012; and its cash flows for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012. The results of operations and comprehensive operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the cash flows for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full calendar year.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), certain financial information has been condensed and certain footnote disclosures have been omitted. Such information and disclosures are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenues. Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recorded when service is rendered or electricity is delivered to customers. The billing of electricity sales to retail customers is based on the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue/kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues of $24.9 million at September 30, 2013 and $17.9 million at December 31, 2012. The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its consolidated statements of operations.

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (in thousands)
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013			2012
Cash paid (received) for:
	Interest on long-term debt and borrowing under the revolving credit facility	$	36,975		$	35,922
	Income tax paid (refund), net	(36		)	3,834
Non-cash financing activities:
	Grants of restricted shares of common stock	2,607			2,384
	Issuance of performance shares	849			1,193

7

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

New Accounting Standards. In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance (Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)) to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in its entirety to net income in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under FASB guidance that provide additional detail about those amounts.

Substantially all of the information that ASU 2013-02 requires is already required to be disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements under FASB guidance. However, the new requirement to present information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and their corresponding effect on net income now requires the presentation in one place, information about significant amounts reclassified and, in some cases, cross-references to related footnote disclosures.

ASU 2013-02 became effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company implemented ASU 2013-02 in the first quarter of 2013 and has presented the corresponding effects of components reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) with cross-references to other disclosures or the respective line items in net income in Note B.

In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)) to eliminate the diversity in the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. ASU 2013-11 is effective prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. Retrospective application is also permitted. The Company anticipates implementing ASU 2013-11 in the first quarter of 2014. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this ASU, however it is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated statement of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows.

8

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

B. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

In February 2013, the FASB issued new guidance, ASU 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) as discussed in Note A. This guidance requires disclosures regarding changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (net of tax) by component which are presented below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at June 30, 2013		$	(74,198	)	$	26,030		$	(12,429	)	$	(60,597	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			3,463			—			3,463
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,065			(158		)	65			972
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(75,737	)	$	22,194		$	(12,541	)	$	(66,084	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			7,383			—			7,383
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,604			(242		)	177			2,539
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)
		Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at September 30, 2012		$	(75,403	)	$	23,994		$	(12,626	)	$	(64,035	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,331		)	5,492			—			4,161
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,601			(151		)	262			3,712
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)

9

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows ( in thousands):

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Twelve Months Ended			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Operations
		September 30, 2013
Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit costs:
	Prior service benefit	$	1,369		$	4,169		$	5,610		(a)
	Net loss	(2,903		)	(8,323		)	(11,316		)	(a)
		(1,534		)	(4,154		)	(5,706		)	Total before tax
		469			1,550			2,105			Income tax expense
		(1,065		)	(2,604		)	(3,601		)	Net of tax
Marketable securities:
	Net realized gain on sale of securities	199			287			474			Investment and interest income, net
	Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities included in pre-tax income	—			—			(313		)	Investment and interest income, net
		199			287			161			Total before tax
		(41		)	(45		)	(10		)	Income tax expense
		158			242			151			Net of tax
Loss on cash flow hedge:
	Amortization of loss	(104		)	(306		)	(405		)	Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
		(104		)	(306		)	(405		)	Total before tax
		39			129			143			Income tax expense
		(65		)	(177		)	(262		)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications	$	(972	)	$	(2,539	)	$	(3,712	)	Net of tax

(a) These items are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note H, Employee Benefits, for additional information.

C. Regulation

General

The rates and services of the Company are regulated by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the PUCT, the NMPRC, and the FERC. The PUCT and the NMPRC have jurisdiction to review municipal orders, ordinances and utility agreements regarding rates and services within their respective states and over certain other activities of the Company. The FERC has jurisdiction over the Company's wholesale (sales for resale) transactions, transmission service and compliance with federally-mandated reliability standards. The decisions of the PUCT, NMPRC and the FERC are subject to judicial review.

10

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Texas Regulatory Matters

2012 Texas Retail Rate Case. The Company filed a rate increase request with the PUCT, Docket No. 40094, the City of El Paso, and other Texas cities on February 1, 2012. The rate filing was made in response to a resolution adopted by the El Paso City Council (the "Council") requiring the Company to show cause why its base rates for customers in the El Paso city limits should not be reduced. The filing at the PUCT also included a request to reconcile $356.5 million of fuel expense for the period July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2011.

On April 17, 2012, the Council approved the settlement of the Company's 2012 Texas retail rate case and fuel reconciliation in PUCT Docket No. 40094. The PUCT issued a final order approving the settlement on May 23, 2012.

Under the terms of the settlement, among other things, the Company agreed to:

• A reduction in its non-fuel base rates of $15 million annually, with the decrease being allocated primarily to Texas retail commercial and industrial customer classes. The rate decrease was effective as of May 1, 2012;

• Revised depreciation rates for the Company's gas-fired generating units and for transmission and distribution plant that lower depreciation expense by $4.1 million annually;

• Continuation of the 10.125% return on equity for the purpose of calculating the allowance for funds used during construction; and

• A two-year amortization of rate case expenses, none of which will be included in future regulatory proceedings.

As part of the settlement, the Company agreed to withdraw its request to reconcile fuel costs for the period from July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2011 and submit a future fuel reconciliation request covering the period beginning July 1, 2009 and ending no later than June 30, 2013 by December 31, 2013 or as part of its next rate case, if earlier. The settlement also provides for the continuation of the energy efficiency cost recovery factor and the military base discount recovery factor. Both of these surcharges require annual filings to reconcile and revise the recovery factors.     

Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. The Company's actual fuel costs, including purchased power energy costs, are recoverable from its customers. The PUCT has adopted a fuel cost recovery rule ("Texas Fuel Rule") that allows the Company to seek periodic adjustments to its fixed fuel factor. The Company can seek to revise its fixed fuel factor based upon the approved formula at least four months after its last revision except in the month of December. On September 9, 2013, the Company filed a request, which was assigned Docket No. 41803, to increase its fixed fuel factor by $16.9 million or 12.2% annually, pursuant to its approved formula. The revised fixed fuel factor reflects increases in prices for natural gas. The increase in the fixed fuel factor was approved on September 23, 2013 and was effective with October 2013 billings.

The Texas Fuel Rule requires the Company to request to refund fuel costs in any month when the over-recovery balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel costs to continue to be materially over-recovered. The Texas Fuel Rule also permits the Company to seek to surcharge fuel under-recoveries in any month the balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel cost recovery to continue to be materially under-recovered. Fuel over and under-recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of the previous twelve months' fuel costs. The Company filed on August 3, 2012 a request to refund $6.6 million of over-collected fuel costs, which filing was designated Docket No. 40622. The refund request was approved, and the refund was made during the month of September 2012. All such fuel revenue and expense activities are subject to periodic final review by the PUCT in fuel reconciliation proceedings.

Fuel Reconciliation Proceeding. On September 27, 2013, the Company filed an application with the PUCT, designated as Docket No. 41852, to reconcile $545.3 million of fuel and purchased power expenses incurred during the 45-month period from July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2013. The fuel reconciliation requests to recover $3.4 million of rewards for Palo Verde operations. Hearings in the fuel reconciliation are scheduled to begin March 31, 2014 and a final order must be issued by September 26, 2014.

Montana Power Station Air Permits. The Company filed applications to obtain required air permits for the Montana Power Station ("MPS") from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") and the U.S. Environmental Protection agency ("EPA"). Following a contested hearing on the merits of the TCEQ application, the Administrative Law Judge issued a Proposal for Decision recommending that the TCEQ issue the requested permit. The Company expects a decision by the TCEQ by the end of this year. The EPA has issued a draft greenhouse gas permit and a final decision is expected by the end of this year or early next year, if there is no appeal. If an appeal is taken, the Company anticipates a final permit will be issued by mid-2014. The Company

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(Unaudited)

has received Certificate of Convenience and Necessity ("CCN") authorization to construct the first two units of this facility from both the PUCT and the NMPRC.

Application for a CCN for MPS Units 3 and 4. On September 6, 2013, the Company filed an application with the PUCT for issuance of a CCN to construct, own and operate two additional 88 MW natural gas-fired generating units designated as MPS Units 3 and 4 in El Paso County, Texas. The case has been designated PUCT Docket No. 41763.Attorneys representing the Aligned Protestants in the MPS Air Permits discussion above have also intervened on behalf of landowners in the CCN case for MPS Units 3 and 4. A procedural schedule has not been determined. In accordance with PUCT rules, the final order must be issued by September 5, 2014.

Transmission CCN Filings. The Company filed three transmission line CCN applications with the PUCT as part of the MPS Project:

• MPS to Caliente: a 115-kV transmission line from MPS to the existing Caliente Substation in east El Paso. (PUCT Docket No. 41360)

• MPS In & Out: a 115 -kV transmission line from MPS to intersect with the existing Caliente - Coyote 115-kV transmission line. (PUCT Docket No. 41359)

• MPS to Montwood: a 115-kV transmission line from MPS to the existing Montwood Substation in east El Paso. (PUCT Docket No. 41809)

The transmission CCN filings for both the MPS to Caliente and MPS In & Out were filed on April 15, 2013, and the transmission CCN filing for the MPS to Montwood was filed on September 24, 2013. The Company is requesting to build these transmission lines to connect the new MPS to the electrical grid in order to meet increased customer growth and electric demand and to improve system reliability. A final order in the MPS to Caliente transmission CCN filing is expected no later than June 2014, while final orders in the transmission CCN filings for the MPS In & Out and the MPS to Montwood filings are expected no later than September 2014.

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for recovery of fuel costs through fixed fuel factors, other tariffs and approvals as required by the Public Utility Regulatory Act ("PURA") and the PUCT.

New Mexico Regulatory Matters

2009 New Mexico Stipulation. On December 10, 2009, the NMPRC issued a final order conditionally approving the stipulated rates in NMPRC Case No. 09-00171-UT. The stipulated rates went into effect with January 2010 bills. The stipulated rates provide for an Efficient Use of Energy Factor Rate Rider to recover energy efficiency expenditures which requires an annual filing and approval of the related incentives and adjustments to the recovery factors.

Long-Term Purchased Power Agreement with Macho Springs. On November 21, 2012, the Company filed an application with the NMPRC requesting approval of a Long-Term Purchase Power Agreement ("LTPPA") with Macho Springs Solar, LLC ("Macho Springs") to purchase energy from a 50 MW solar facility to be constructed by Macho Springs on the Company's New Mexico transmission system. The Company also sought approval of the recovery of costs associated with the LTPPA through the Company's Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Adjustment Clause. A final order approving the LTPPA was received May 1, 2013.

Application for a CCN for MPS Units 3 and 4. On September 6, 2013, the Company filed an application with the NMPRC for issuance of a CCN to construct, own and operate two additional 88 MW natural gas-fired generating units designated as MPS Units 3 and 4 in El Paso County, Texas. The case has been designated NMPRC Case No. 13-00297-UT.

Revolving Credit Facility, Issuance of Long-Term Debt and Guarantee of Debt. On October 30, 2013, the Company received approval in NMPRC Case No. 13-00317-UT to amend its current $300 million revolving credit facility to include an option, subject to lender's approval, to expand the amount of the potential borrowings available under the facility to $400 million and extend the maturity date by up to four years to September 2020; issue up to $300 million in new long-term debt; and to guarantee the issuance of up to $50 million of new debt by Rio Grande Resources Trust to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations.

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for other tariffs, securities transactions, long-term resource plans, recovery of energy efficiency costs through a base rate rider and other approvals as required by the NMPRC.

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(Unaudited)

Federal Regulatory Matters

Public Service Company of New Mexico's (“PNM”) 2010 Transmission Rate Case. On October 27, 2010, PNM filed a Notice of Transmission Rate Change for transmission delivery services provided by PNM. These rates went into effect on June 1, 2011. The Company takes transmission service from PNM. On January 2, 2013, the FERC issued a letter order approving a unanimous stipulation and agreement. Pursuant to the stipulation, on January 31, 2013, PNM refunded $1.9 million, for amounts that PNM collected since June 1, 2011, in excess of settlement rates. This amount was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a reduction of transmission expense.

Revolving Credit Facility, Issuance of Long-Term Debt and Guarantee of Debt. On September 30, 2013, the Company filed an application for approval to amend its current $300 million revolving credit facility to include an option, subject to lender's approval, to expand the amount of the potential borrowings available under the facility to $400 million and extend the maturity date by up to four years to September 2020; issue up to $300 million in new long-term debt; and to guarantee the issuance of up to $50 million of new debt by Rio Grande Resources Trust to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations. FERC approvals, if granted, would be good for two years. The case has been assigned FERC Docket No. ES13-59-000.

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained required approvals for rates and tariffs, securities transactions and other approvals as required by the FERC.

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(Unaudited)

D. Common Stock

Repurchase Program.No shares of common stock were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Dividend Policy. The Company paid $10.7 million and $10.0 million in quarterly cash dividends during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company paid a total of $31.4 million and $41.4 million in cash dividends during the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company paid a total of $28.9 million and $37.7 million in cash dividends during the nine and twelve months ended September 30,2012, respectively.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share. The basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below (in thousands except for share data):
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,132,250			40,009,866
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	—			71,849
Dilutive effect of stock options	—			9,910
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,132,250			40,091,625
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	50,565		$	51,789
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(150		)	(134		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	50,415		$	51,655
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	50,565		$	51,789
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(150		)	(134		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	50,415		$	51,655
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.265		$	0.25
Undistributed earnings	0.995			1.04
Basic net income per common share	$	1.260		$	1.29
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.265		$	0.25
Undistributed earnings	0.995			1.04
Diluted net income per common share	$	1.260		$	1.29

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(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,107,555			39,959,866
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	16,071			67,583
Dilutive effect of stock options	—			16,705
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,123,626			40,044,154
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	87,392		$	86,027
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(249		)	(257		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	87,143		$	85,770
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	87,392		$	86,027
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(249		)	(257		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	87,143		$	85,770
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.78		$	0.72
Undistributed earnings	1.39			1.43
Basic net income per common share	$	2.17		$	2.15
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.78		$	0.72
Undistributed earnings	1.39			1.42
Diluted net income per common share	$	2.17		$	2.14

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(Unaudited)

	Twelve Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,084,525			39,959,034
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	28,122			108,411
Dilutive effect of stock options	2,274			18,071
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,114,921			40,085,516
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	92,211		$	91,480
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(253		)	(304		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	91,958		$	91,176
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	92,211		$	91,480
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(253		)	(304		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	91,958		$	91,176
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	1.03		$	0.94
Undistributed earnings	1.26			1.34
Basic net income per common share	$	2.29		$	2.28
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	1.03		$	0.94
Undistributed earnings	1.26			1.33
Diluted net income per common share	$	2.29		$	2.27

The amount of restricted stock awards and performance shares at 100% performance level excluded from the calculation of the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below:
	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
	2013	2012	2013	2012	2013	2012
Restricted stock awards	54,224	46,632	49,455	46,178	47,636	52,768
Performance shares (a)	124,997	51,133	111,726	48,439	105,090	36,329

____________________

(a) Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of the corresponding periods.

E. Income Taxes

The Company files income tax returns in the United States ("U.S.") federal jurisdiction and in the states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The Company is no longer subject to tax examination by the taxing authorities in the federal jurisdiction for years prior to 2009 and in New Mexico for years prior to 2009. The Company is currently under audit in Texas for tax years 2007 through 2011. A deficiency notice relating to the Company’s 1998 through 2003 and 2006 and 2007 income tax returns in Arizona challenges a pollution control credit, a research and development credit and the payroll, sales and property apportionment factors. The Company is contesting these adjustments.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate was 34.9% and 35.2%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's consolidated effective tax rate was 34.6% and 34.5%, respectively. For the twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's consolidated effective

16

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

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(Unaudited)

tax rate was 34.2% and 33.8%, respectively. The Company's consolidated effective tax rate for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35.0% primarily due to the allowance for equity funds used during construction and state income taxes.

FASB guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In the three months ended September 30, 2013, a $4.1 million decrease was made to the reserve related to units of property for capitalized assets. The decrease is primarily the result of progress on portions of IRS audits for tax years 2009 to 2012. Further changes to the unrecognized tax position may be recognized as the IRS releases additional guidance as it pertains to the repair allowance for generation assets. A reconciliation of the September 30, 2013 and 2012 amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2013			2012
Balance at January 1	$	9,800		$	9,500
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—			400
Additions for tax positions of prior years	800			—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(4,100		)	(1,800		)
Balance at September 30	$	6,500		$	8,100

F. Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties

For a full discussion of commitments and contingencies, see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K. In addition, see Note C above and Notes C and E of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K regarding matters related to wholesale power sales contracts and transmission contracts subject to regulation and Palo Verde, including decommissioning, spent nuclear fuel and waste disposal, and liability and insurance matters.

Power Purchase and Sale Contracts

To supplement its own generation and operating reserves, and to meet required renewable portfolio standards, the Company engages in firm power purchase arrangements which may vary in duration and amount based on evaluation of the Company’s resource needs, the economics of the transactions, and specific renewable portfolio requirements. For a full discussion of power purchase and sale contracts that the Company has entered into with various counterparties, see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K. In addition to the contracts disclosed in the 2012 Form 10-K, in May 2013, the NMPRC approved the Company's agreement with Macho Springs Solar, LLC to purchase the entire generation output delivered from the 50 MW Macho Springs solar photovoltaic project located in Luna County, New Mexico. The term of the purchase is 20 years from the commercial operation date of the Macho Springs project which is projected to be May 1, 2014. In addition, on September 5, 2013, the Company entered into a purchased power agreement with Newman Solar LLC to purchase, for a term of 30 years, the total output from a solar photovoltaic generation facility of approximately 10 MW that Newman Solar LLC will construct, own and operate on land subleased from the Company in proximity to its Newman Generation Station. This solar project is expected to be online at the end of 2014.

Environmental Matters

General. The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations and permit requirements with respect to air, soil and water quality, waste management and disposal, natural resources and other environmental matters by federal, state, regional, tribal and local authorities. Failure to comply with such laws, regulations and requirements can result in actions by authorities or other third parties that might seek to impose on the Company administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties or other sanctions. In addition, releases of pollutants or contaminants into the environment can result in costly cleanup liabilities. These laws, regulations and requirements are subject to change through modification or reinterpretation, or the introduction of new laws and regulations and, as a result, the Company may face additional capital and operating costs to comply. For a full discussion of certain key environmental issues, laws and regulations facing the Company see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K.

Clean Air Interstate Rule/Cross State Air Pollution Rule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ("EPA") Clean Air Interstate Rule ("CAIR"), as applied to the Company, involves requirements to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides ("NOx") and

17

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

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(Unaudited)

sulfur dioxide ("SO2") from certain of the Company's power plants in Texas and/or purchase allowances representing other parties' emissions reductions since 2009. While the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit voided CAIR in 2008, on appeal the rule was reinstated until such time as the EPA promulgates a replacement rule. Because the appellate court in August of 2012 also vacated the EPA's proposed replacement, which is called the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (“CSAPR”), CAIR remains in effect. On March 29, 2013, the U.S. Solicitor General petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the D.C. Circuit's decision to vacate CSAPR, and on June 24, 2013, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. The timing and outcome of the Supreme Court decision is unknown, and in the meantime, the Company remains subject to CAIR. The annual reconciliation to comply with CAIR is due by March 31 of the following year.

Climate Change. On June 25, 2013, President Obama set forth his plan to address climate change. He reiterated a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions "in the range of 17 percent" below 2005 levels by 2020. The plan included a variety of executive actions including future regulatory measures to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. In a White House memorandum of the same date, the President directed the EPA to issue a new proposal for greenhouse gas rulemaking addressing new power plants by September 20, 2013, and a rule for existing power plants by June 1, 2014. The EPA released a draft re-proposed carbon pollution rule for new power plants on September 20, 2013. The Company continues its review of the new proposal and plans to participate in the 60-day comment period after publication in the Federal Register. Given the very significant remaining uncertainties regarding when and how these rules will become effective, the Company believes it is impossible to meaningfully quantify the costs of these potential requirements at present.

Environmental Litigation and Investigations. Since 2009, the EPA and certain environmental organizations have been scrutinizing, and in some cases, have filed lawsuits, relating to certain air emissions and air permitting matters related to Four Corners Generating Station ("Four Corners"). Since July 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ"), on behalf of the EPA, and Arizona Public Service Company ("APS") have been engaged in substantive settlement negotiations in an effort to resolve the pending matters. The allegations being addressed through settlement negotiations are that APS failed to obtain the necessary permits and install the controls necessary under the U.S. Clean Air Act ("CAA") to reduce SO2, NOx, and particular matter ("PM"), and that defendants failed to obtain an operating permit under Title V of the CAA that reflects applicable requirements imposed by law. In March 2012, the DOJ provided APS with a draft consent decree to settle the EPA matter, which decree contains specific provisions for the reduction and control of NOx, SO2, and PM, as well as provisions for a civil penalty, and expenditures on environmental mitigation projects with an emphasis on projects that address alleged harm to the Navajo Nation. Settlement discussions are on-going and the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these settlement negotiations. The Company has accrued a total of $0.5 million as a loss contingency related to this matter.

Similar to other utilities in the western half of the U.S., the Company received notice that Earthjustice filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for New Mexico on October 4, 2011 for alleged violations of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration ("PSD") provisions of the CAA related to Four Corners. On January 6, 2012, Earthjustice filed a First Amended Complaint adding claims for violations of the CAA's New Source Performance Standards ("NSPS") program. Among other things, the plaintiffs seek to have the court enjoin operations at Four Corners until APS applies for and obtains any required PSD permits and complies with the referenced NSPS program. The plaintiffs further request the court to order the payment of civil penalties, including a beneficial mitigation project. On April 2, 2012, APS and the other Four Corners' participants filed motions to dismiss with the court. Earthjustice filed their response briefs on May 16, 2012.  APS filed reply briefs on June 22, 2012.  Utility Air Regulatory Group filed an amicus brief, and plaintiffs were allowed until July 23, 2012 to respond to that amicus brief. In October 2013, a motion was filed to stay the case until December 1, 2013 in order to allow settlement discussions. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this litigation.

New Mexico Tax Matter Related to Coal Supplied to Four Corners

On May 23, 2013, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department issued a notice of assessment for coal severance surtax, penalty, and interest totaling approximately $30 million related to coal supplied under the coal supply agreement for Four Corners (the "Assessment"). The Company's share of the assessment is approximately $1.5 million. On behalf of the Four Corners participants, the coal supplier made a partial payment of the Assessment and immediately filed a refund claim with respect to that partial payment in August 2013. The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department denied the refund claim. Prior to year end, the coal supplier and APS, on its own behalf and as operating agent for Four Corners, intend to file a complaint with the New Mexico District Court contesting both the validity of the Assessment and the refund claim denial. APS believes the Assessment and the refund claim denial are without merit. The Company cannot predict the timing, results, or potential impacts of the outcome of this litigation.

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(Unaudited)

Union Matters

The Company has approximately 1,000 employees, about 40% of whom are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 960 (“Local 960”) represents the Company’s employees working primarily in the power plants, substations, line crews, meter reading and collection, facilities services, and customer service. The Company entered into a new collective bargaining agreement effective September 3, 2013, with Local 960 for a three-year term ending September 2, 2016. The agreement provides for pay increases of 3% on September 3, 2013, 3% on September 3, 2014 and 2.25% on September 3, 2015.

G. Litigation

The Company is a party to various legal actions. In many of these matters, the Company has excess casualty liability insurance that covers the various claims, actions and complaints. Based on a review of these claims and applicable insurance coverage, the Company believes that none of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. See Note C above and Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K for discussion of the effects of government legislation and regulation on the Company.

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(Unaudited)

H. Employee Benefits

Retirement Plans

The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 is made up of the components listed below as determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	2,166		$	2,207		$	6,996		$	6,621		$	9,204		$	8,334
Interest cost	3,410			3,389			10,210			10,167			13,600			13,663
Expected return on plan assets	(4,281		)	(3,611		)	(12,831		)	(10,832		)	(16,442		)	(14,356		)
Amortization of:
Net loss	2,903			2,839			8,323			8,517			11,162			10,153
Prior service cost	23			29			73			87			101			115
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,221		$	4,853		$	12,771		$	14,560		$	17,625		$	17,909

During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013, the Company contributed $16.4 million of its projected $16.8 million2013 annual contribution to its retirement plans.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 is made up of the components listed below (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	972		$	1,095		$	3,172		$	3,284		$	4,266		$	4,031
Interest cost	1,292			1,413			4,042			4,238			5,455			5,583
Expected return on plan assets	(485		)	(397		)	(1,435		)	(1,285		)	(1,864		)	(1,741		)
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit	(1,392		)	(1,470		)	(4,242		)	(4,408		)	(5,711		)	(5,890		)
Net loss	—			154			—			461			154			452
Net periodic benefit cost	$	387		$	795		$	1,537		$	2,290		$	2,300		$	2,435

During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013, the Company contributed $3.1 million of its projected $3.1 million2013 annual contribution to its other postretirement benefits plan.

On October 3, 2013, the Company's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Company's Other Postretirement Benefits Plan to limit the Company's exposure to increases in retiree medical costs associated with current and future retirees. In accordance with FASB guidance, the Company anticipates remeasuring the assets and liabilities of the plan during the fourth quarter of 2013.

20

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

I. Financial Instruments and Investments

FASB guidance requires the Company to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. The Company has determined that cash and temporary investments, investment in debt securities, accounts receivable, decommissioning trust funds, long-term debt, short-term borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF"), accounts payable and customer deposits meet the definition of financial instruments. The carrying amounts of cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and customer deposits approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items. Investments in debt securities and decommissioning trust funds are carried at fair value.

Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt and short-term borrowings under the RCF are based on estimated market prices for similar issues and are presented below (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Pollution Control Bonds	$	193,135	$	195,519	$	193,135	$	215,228
Senior Notes	696,463		758,150		696,400		823,497
RGRT Senior Notes (1)	110,000		116,955		110,000		120,985
RCF (1)	15,491		15,491		22,155		22,155
Total	$	1,015,089	$	1,086,115	$	1,021,690	$	1,181,865

_______________

(1) Nuclear fuel financing as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is funded through the $110 million RGRT Senior Notes and $15.5 million and $22.2 million, respectively under the RCF. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no amount was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company’s borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting current market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value.

Marketable Securities. The Company’s marketable securities, included in decommissioning trust funds in the balance sheets, are reported at fair value which was $202.9 million and $187.1 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These securities are classified as available for sale under FASB guidance for certain investments in debt and equity securities and are valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The reported fair values include gross unrealized losses on marketable securities whose impairment the Company has deemed to be temporary. The tables below present the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Description of Securities (1):
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	1,909	$	(100	)	$	729	$	(50	)	$	2,638	$	(150	)
U.S. Government Bonds	10,664		(477		)	7,086		(344		)	17,750		(821		)
Municipal Obligations	15,360		(455		)	5,316		(328		)	20,676		(783		)
Corporate Obligations	3,264		(127		)	400		(5		)	3,664		(132		)
Total Debt Securities	31,197		(1,159		)	13,531		(727		)	44,728		(1,886		)
Common Stock	1,007		(96		)	217		(18		)	1,224		(114		)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities	$	32,204	$	(1,255	)	$	13,748	$	(745	)	$	45,952	$	(2,000	)

_________________

(1) Includes approximately 112 securities.

21

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

	December 31, 2012
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Description of Securities (2):
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	1,792	$	(5	)	$	416	$	(9	)	$	2,208	$	(14	)
U.S. Government Bonds	6,633		(79		)	4,457		(114		)	11,090		(193		)
Municipal Obligations	5,306		(39		)	5,760		(241		)	11,066		(280		)
Corporate Obligations	452		(11		)	—		—			452		(11		)
Total Debt Securities	14,183		(134		)	10,633		(364		)	24,816		(498		)
Common Stock	3,603		(409		)	—		—			3,603		(409		)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities	$	17,786	$	(543	)	$	10,633	$	(364	)	$	28,419	$	(907	)

_________________

(2) Includes approximately 65 securities.

The Company monitors the length of time the security trades below its cost basis along with the amount and percentage of the unrealized loss in determining if a decline in fair value of marketable securities below recorded cost is considered to be other than temporary. In addition, the Company will research the future prospects of individual securities as necessary. As a result of these factors, as well as the Company’s intent and ability to hold these securities until their market price recovers, these securities are considered temporarily impaired. The Company does not anticipate expending monies held in trust before 2044 or a later period when the Company begins to decommission Palo Verde.

The reported fair values also include gross unrealized gains on marketable securities which have not been recognized in the Company’s net income. The table below presents the unrecognized gross unrealized gains and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Unrealized Gains		Fair Value		Unrealized Gains
Description of Securities:
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	13,753	$	531	$	17,289	$	1,036
U.S. Government Bonds	7,023		251		13,295		678
Municipal Obligations	14,296		728		22,797		1,531
Corporate Obligations	10,081		501		12,378		1,134
Total Debt Securities	45,153		2,011		65,759		4,379
Common Stock	89,534		34,116		73,210		22,839
Equity Mutual Funds	16,207		2,582		15,194		1,821
Cash and Cash Equivalents	6,061		—		4,471		—
Total	$	156,955	$	38,709	$	158,634	$	29,039

The Company’s marketable securities include investments in municipal, corporate and federal debt obligations. Substantially all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities, based on contractual maturity, are due in ten years or more. The mortgage-backed securities have an estimated weighted average maturity which generally range from three years to seven years and reflects anticipated future prepayments. The contractual year for maturity of these available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

	Total		2013		2014 through 2017		2018 through 2022		2023 and Beyond
Municipal Debt Obligations	$	34,972	$	555	$	12,200	$	17,498	$	4,719
Corporate Debt Obligations	13,745		—		4,144		5,533		4,068
U.S. Government Bonds	24,773		804		9,638		11,574		2,757

22

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The Company recognizes impairment losses on certain of its securities deemed to be other than temporary. In accordance with FASB guidance, these impairment losses are recognized in net income, and a lower cost basis is established for these securities. For the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized other than temporary impairment losses on its available-for-sale securities as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended					Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,					September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012			2013			2012
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(166	)	$	(313	)	$	(536	)

The Company’s marketable securities in its decommissioning trust funds are sold from time to time and the Company uses the specific identification basis to determine the amount to reclassify out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income. The proceeds from the sale of these securities and the related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	7,057		$	14,582		$	29,419		$	74,095		$	53,866		$	89,180
Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income	$	212		$	447		$	593		$	1,526		$	814		$	1,757
Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income	(13		)	(129		)	(306		)	(2,276		)	(340		)	(2,414		)
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	—			—			—			(166		)	(313		)	(536		)
Net gains (losses) in pre-tax income	$	199		$	318		$	287		$	(916	)	$	161		$	(1,193	)
Net unrealized holding gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,300		$	6,169		$	8,861		$	11,986		$	6,802		$	18,470
Net (gains) losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	(199		)	(318		)	(287		)	916			(161		)	1,193
Net gains in other comprehensive income	$	4,101		$	5,851		$	8,574		$	12,902		$	6,641		$	19,663

Fair Value Measurements. FASB guidance requires the Company to provide expanded quantitative disclosures for financial assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Financial assets carried at fair value include the Company’s decommissioning trust investments and investment in debt securities which are included in deferred charges and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has no liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:

• Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in active exchange-traded equity securities and U.S. treasury securities that are in a highly liquid and active market.

• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in fixed income securities. The fair value of these financial instruments is based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information of similar securities, adjusted for observable differences.

• Level 3 – Unobservable inputs using data that is not corroborated by market data and primarily based on internal Company analysis using models and various other analyses. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs include the Company’s investment in debt securities.

The securities in the Company’s decommissioning trust funds are valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. FASB guidance identifies this valuation technique as the

23

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

“market approach” with observable inputs. The Company analyzes available-for-sale securities to determine if losses are other than temporary.

The fair value of the Company’s decommissioning trust funds and investment in debt securities, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the level within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by FASB guidance are presented in the table below (in thousands):

Description of Securities	Fair Value as of September 30, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Trading Securities:
Investment in Debt Securities	$	1,493	$	—	$	—	$	1,493
Available for sale:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	24,773	$	24,773	$	—	$	—
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	16,391		—		16,391		—
Municipal Bonds	34,972		—		34,972		—
Corporate Asset Backed Obligations	13,745		—		13,745		—
Subtotal Debt Securities	89,881		24,773		65,108		—
Common Stock	90,758		90,758		—		—
Equity Mutual Funds	16,207		16,207		—		—
Cash and Cash Equivalents	6,061		6,061		—		—
Total available for sale	$	202,907	$	137,799	$	65,108	$	—

Description of Securities	Fair Value as of December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Trading Securities:
Investment in Debt Securities	$	1,295	$	—	$	—	$	1,295
Available for sale:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	24,385	$	24,385	$	—	$	—
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	19,497		—		19,497		—
Municipal Bonds	33,863		—		33,863		—
Corporate Asset Backed Obligations	12,830		—		12,830		—
Subtotal Debt Securities	90,575		24,385		66,190		—
Common Stock	76,813		76,813		—		—
Equity Mutual Funds	15,194		15,194		—		—
Cash and Cash Equivalents	4,471		4,471		—		—
Total available for sale	$	187,053	$	120,863	$	66,190	$	—

There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories during the three, nine and twelve month periods ending September 30, 2013 and 2012. There were no purchases, sales, issuances, or settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurement category during the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013.

The Company realized in the consolidated statement of operations as investment and interest income a gain on the sale of a debt security of $0.4 million during the twelve month period ending September 30, 2012. There were no other purchases, issuances, or settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurements category during the three, nine and twelve month periods ending September 30, 2012.

24

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

El Paso Electric Company:

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of El Paso Electric Company and subsidiary as of September 30, 2013, the related consolidated statements of operations, and comprehensive operations, for the three-month, nine-month and twelve-month periods endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of El Paso Electric Company and subsidiary as of December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive operations, changes in common stock equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 25, 2013, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

November 6, 2013

25

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The information contained in this Item 2 updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the information set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q other than statements of historical information are “forward-looking statements.” The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like we “believe”, “anticipate”, “target”, “expect”, “pro forma”, “estimate”, “intend”, “will”, “is designed to”, “plan” and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe our future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Such statements address future events and conditions concerning and include, but are not limited to, such things as:

• capital expenditures,

• earnings,

• liquidity and capital resources,

• ratemaking/regulatory matters,

• litigation,

• accounting matters,

• possible corporate restructurings, acquisitions and dispositions,

• compliance with debt and other restrictive covenants,

• interest rates and dividends,

• environmental matters,

• nuclear operations, and

• the overall economy of our service area.

These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, such things as:

• our ability to recover our costs and earn a reasonable rate of return on our invested capital through the rates that we charge,

• the ability of our operating partners to maintain plant operations and manage operation and maintenance costs at the Palo Verde and Four Corners plants, including costs to comply with any potential new or expanded regulatory or environmental requirements,

• reductions in output at generation plants operated by us,

• unscheduled outages of generating units including outages at Palo Verde,

• the size of our construction program and our ability to complete construction on budget,

• potential delays in our construction schedule due to legal challenges or other reasons,

• disruptions in our transmission system, and in particular the lines that deliver power from our remote generating facilities,

• electric utility deregulation or re-regulation,

• regulated and competitive markets,

• ongoing municipal, state and federal activities,

• economic and capital market conditions,

• changes in accounting requirements and other accounting matters,

• changing weather trends and the impact of severe weather conditions,

• rates, cost recovery mechanisms and other regulatory matters including the ability to recover fuel costs on a timely basis,

• changes in environmental laws and regulations and the enforcement or interpretation thereof, including those related to air, water or greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental matters,

• cuts in military spending that reduce demand for our services from military customers,

• political, legislative, judicial and regulatory developments,

• the impact of lawsuits filed against us,

• the impact of changes in interest rates,

• changes in, and the assumptions used for, pension and other post-retirement and post-employment benefit liability calculations, as well as actual and assumed investment returns on pension plan and other post-retirement plan assets,

• the impact of U.S. health care reform legislation,

26

• the impact of changing cost escalation and other assumptions on our nuclear decommissioning liability for Palo Verde,

• Texas, New Mexico and electric industry utility service reliability standards,

• homeland security considerations, including those associated with the U.S./Mexico border region,

• coal, uranium, natural gas, oil and wholesale electricity prices and availability,

• possible income tax and interest payments as a result of audit adjustments proposed by the IRS or state taxing authorities, and

• other circumstances affecting anticipated operations, sales and costs.

These lists are not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. A discussion of some of these factors is included in the 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management's Discussion and Analysis” “-Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and “-Liquidity and Capital Resources.” This report should be read in its entirety. No one section of this report deals with all aspects of the subject matter. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and we are not obligated to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made, except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented and actual results could differ in future periods from those estimates. Critical accounting policies and estimates are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require complex, subjective judgments and are more fully described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Summary

The following is an overview of our results of operations for the three, nine and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Net income and basic earnings per share for the three, nine and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are shown below:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended				Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
Net income (in thousands)	$	50,565	$	51,789	$	87,392	$	86,027	$	92,211	$	91,480
Basic earnings per share	1.26		1.29		2.17		2.15		2.29		2.28

The following table and accompanying explanations show the primary factors affecting the after-tax change in net income between the 2013 and 2012 periods presented (in thousands):

27

	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Twelve Months Ended
September 30, 2012 net income	$	51,789		$	86,027		$	91,480
Change in (net of tax):
Decreased Palo Verde operations and maintenance expense (a)	775			1,008			1,317
Decreased transmission and distribution operations and maintenance expense (b)	647			375			1,948
Decreased operations and maintenance expense at fossil-fuel generating plants (c)	459			1,847			3,295
Increased deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues (d)	304			1,430			1,152
Increased taxes other than income taxes (e)	(1,847		)	(759		)	(1,671		)
Increased interest on long-term debt (f)	(637		)	(1,982		)	(2,170		)
Decreased retail non-fuel base revenues (g)	(392		)	(841		)	(3,312		)
Increased administrative and general expense (h)	(272		)	(1,692		)	(4,401		)
Increased (decreased) allowance for funds used during construction (i)	(167		)	1,289			2,848
Other	(94		)	690			1,725
September 30, 2013 net income	$	50,565		$	87,392		$	92,211

______________

(a) Palo Verde operations and maintenance expense decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012 primarily due to reduced employee benefit costs and other operations expense. For the nine and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period last year, Palo Verde operations and maintenance expense decreased primarily due to reduced operations expense related to Unit 3.

(b) Transmission and distribution operations and maintenance expense decreased for the three, nine, and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to decreased wheeling expenses. Transmission and distribution operations and maintenance expense also decreased for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the twelve months ended September 30, 2012 due to a refund from Public Service Company of New Mexico for the transmission of energy recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012 which included $0.7 million related to 2011 expenses.

(c) Operations and maintenance expense at our fossil-fuel generating plants decreased for the three, nine, and twelve months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to the timing of planned maintenance at our fossil-fuel generating units.

(d) Revenues from retail sales of deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 power increased for the three, nine, and twelve months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year due to higher power prices in 2013 and an increase in generation at Palo Verde Unit 3. The increase in generation for the nine and twelve month periods also reflects the 2012 spring refueling outage with no comparable outage in 2013.

(e) Taxes other than income taxes increased for the three, nine, and twelve months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012, primarily due to increased property tax accruals reflecting both increased property values and higher estimated assessment rates.

(f) Interest on long-term debt increased for the three, nine and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year due to interest on $150 million of 3.3% senior notes issued in December 2012 partially offset by the refunding and remarketing of two series of pollution control bonds at lower interest rates in August 2012.

(g) Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to a 1.9% and 0.5% decrease in kWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers, and to residential customers, respectively. The decrease in kWh sales reflects slightly cooler weather in 2013 compared to 2012. Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased for the nine and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 primarily due to decreased revenues from sales to our commercial and industrial customers reflecting the reduction in our non-fuel base rates in Texas effective on May 1, 2012 and increased use of lower off-peak and interruptible rates by several customers. Retail non-fuel base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates. For a complete discussion of non-fuel base revenues, see page 30.

(h) Administrative and general expense increased for the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year due to increased outside services. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the

28

same period last year, administrative and general expense also increased due to increased administrative and general salaries and increased pensions and benefits expense due to medical expenses. In addition, lower employee stock compensation expense was recognized in the first quarter of 2012 due to the forfeiture of stock compensation by former executives.

(i) Allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") increased in the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to higher balances of construction work in progress subject to AFUDC.

29

Historical Results of Operations

The following discussion includes detailed descriptions of factors affecting individual line items in the results of operations. The amounts presented below are presented on a pre-tax basis.

Operating revenues

We realize revenue from the sale of electricity to retail customers at regulated rates and the sale of energy in the wholesale power market generally at market-based prices. Sales for resale (which are FERC regulated cost-based wholesale sales within our service territory) accounted for less than 1% of revenues.

Revenues from the sale of electricity include fuel costs that are recovered from our customers through fuel adjustment mechanisms. A significant portion of fuel costs are also recovered through base rates in New Mexico. We record deferred fuel revenues for the difference between actual fuel costs and recoverable fuel revenues until such amounts are collected from or refunded to customers. “Non-fuel base revenues” refers to our revenues from the sale of electricity excluding such fuel costs.    

No retail customer accounted for more than 4% of our non-fuel base revenues. Residential and small commercial customers comprise 75% or more of our non-fuel base revenues. While this customer base is more stable, it is also more sensitive to changes in weather conditions. The current rate structures in New Mexico and Texas reflect higher base rates during the peak summer season of May through October and lower base rates during November through April for our residential and small commercial and industrial customers. As a result, our business is seasonal, with higher kWh sales and revenues during the summer cooling season.

Weather significantly impacts our residential, small commercial and industrial customers, and to a lesser extent, our sales to public authorities. Heating and cooling degree days can be used to evaluate the effect of weather on energy use. For each degree that the average outdoor temperature varies from a standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit a degree day is recorded. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, retail non-fuel base revenues were negatively impacted by slightly cooler weather when compared to the same period in 2012. Cooling degree days decreased 3.5% when compared to the same period in 2012 and were slightly lower than the 10-year average. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, retail non-fuel base revenues were positively impacted by colder winter weather when compared to the same period in 2012. Heating degree days increased 16.8% when compared to the same period in 2012 and were 9.7% over the 10-year average. The positive impact of the colder winter weather was partially offset by a 3.6% decrease in cooling degree days for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period last year. Cooling degree days for the current nine month period are 3.7% over the 10-year average. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, retail non-fuel base revenues were negatively impacted by cooler summer weather and milder winter weather when compared to the prior period. Cooling degree days decreased 2.5% and heating degree days decreased by 4.3% when compared to the same period last year. The table below shows heating and cooling degree days compared to a 10-year average.

	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			10-Year			10-Year			10-Year
	2013	2012	Average	2013	2012	Average	2013	2012	Average*
Heating degree days	—	6	1	1,419	1,215	1,293	2,213	2,312	2,228
Cooling degree days	1,444	1,497	1,461	2,615	2,712	2,522	2,779	2,850	2,633

______________

* Calendar year basis.

Customer growth is a key driver of the growth of retail sales. The average number of retail customers grew 1.3%, 1.3%, and 1.4% for the three, nine, and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013 when compared to the same periods last year. See the tables presented on pages 33, 34 and 35 which provide detail on the average number of retail customers and the related revenues and kWh sales.

Retail non-fuel base revenues. The rate structure effective July 1, 2010 through April 30, 2012 in Texas was based on the final order in PUCT Docket No. 37690. On April 17, 2012, the El Paso City Council (the “Council”) approved the settlement of our 2012 Texas retail rate case and fuel reconciliation in PUCT Docket No. 40094 and on April 26, 2012, the administrative law judge issued an order implementing the settlement rates as temporary rates effective May 1, 2012. The PUCT approved the settlement on May 18, 2012. Under the terms of the settlement, among other things, we agreed to a reduction in our non-fuel base rates of $15 million annually, with the decrease being allocated primarily to Texas retail commercial and industrial customer classes.

30

Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased $0.6 million, or 0.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year. The decrease in retail non-fuel base revenues was primarily due to a 1.9% and 0.5% decrease in kWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers, and residential customers, respectively, reflecting slightly cooler weather in 2013 as compared to 2012. The decreases in kWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers, and residential customers were partially offset by a 1.0% increase in the average number of small commercial and industrial customers served and a 1.3% increase in the average number of residential customers served. While kWh sales increased 6.0%, non-fuel base revenues from sales to large commercial and industrial customers decreased 1.3% which reflected increased use of lower off-peak and interruptible rates by several customers. The decrease in retail non-fuel base revenues was partially offset by increased non-fuel base revenues from sales to public authorities of 1.3%. KWh sales to public authorities increased by 1.4% primarily due to increased sales related to municipal water pumping.

Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased $1.3 million, or 0.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year. The decrease in retail non-fuel base revenues was primarily due to decreased revenues from our commercial and industrial customers which reflects the impact of the reduction in non-fuel base rates for our Texas customers which became effective May 1, 2012 and primarily impacted commercial and industrial customers. Non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial customers and large commercial and industrial customers decreased 1.7% and 4.2%, respectively. KWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers decreased 0.7% while kWh sales to large commercial and industrial customers increased 2.3%. The decrease in retail non-fuel base revenues was partially offset by an increase of 1.3% in non-fuel base revenues from sales to residential customers reflecting a 1.2% increase in kWh sales to our residential customer class. The increase in kWh sales to our residential customers reflects a 1.3% increase in the average number of residential customers served. Retail non-fuel base revenues from sales to public authorities remained relatively unchanged.

Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased by $5.0 million, or 0.9%, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a reduction in non-fuel base rates to Texas customers which primarily impacted small and large commercial and industrial customers. In addition, several of our large commercial and industrial customers increased their use of lower off-peak and interruptible rates which more than offset the overall 2.6% increase in kWh sales to this customer class. KWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers decreased 0.4% for the twelve month period. KWh sales to residential customers increased 0.2% primarily due to a 1.4% increase in the average number of residential customers served. The decrease in retail non-fuel base revenues was partially offset by a 0.9% increase in non-fuel base revenues from sales to public authorities reflecting an increase in kWh sales to public authorities of 1.9% primarily due to increased sales related to municipal water pumping.

Fuel revenues. Fuel revenues consist of (i) revenues collected from customers under fuel recovery mechanisms approved by the state commissions and the FERC, (ii) deferred fuel revenues which are comprised of the difference between fuel costs and fuel revenues collected from customers, and (iii) fuel costs recovered in base rates in New Mexico. In New Mexico and with our sales for resale customer, the fuel adjustment clause allows us to recover under-recoveries or refund over-recoveries of current fuel costs above the amount recovered in base rates with a two-month lag. In Texas, fuel costs are recovered through a fixed fuel factor. We can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor based upon an approved formula at least four months after our last revision except in the month of December. In addition, if we materially over-recover fuel costs, we must seek to refund the over-recovery, and if we materially under-recover fuel costs, we may seek a surcharge to recover those costs. Fuel over and under recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of the previous twelve months' fuel costs.

In the three months ended September 30, 2013, we over-recovered our fuel costs by $0.6 million. In the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013, we under-recovered our fuel costs by $8.4 million and $10.7 million, respectively. In October 2013, we implemented an increased fixed fuel factor in Texas. In the three, nine, and twelve months ended September 30, 2012, we over-recovered our fuel costs by $5.2 million, $20.8 million, and $24.4 million, respectively. Refunds of $6.8 million were made to our Texas customers in the third quarter of 2012. At September 30, 2013, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $3.7 million, including an under-recovery balance of $6.6 million in Texas and an over-recovery balance of $2.9 million in New Mexico.

Off-system sales. Off-system sales are wholesale sales into markets outside our service territory. Off-system sales are primarily made in off-peak periods when we have competitive generation capacity available after meeting our regulated service obligations. We share 90% of off-system sales margins with our Texas and New Mexico customers, and we retain 10% of off-system sales margins. We are sharing 25% of our off-system sales margins with our sales for resale customer under the terms of their contract.

Typically, we realize a significant portion of our off-system sales margins in the first quarter of each calendar year when our native load is lower than at other times of the year, allowing for the sale in the wholesale market of relatively larger amounts of off-system energy generated from lower cost generating resources. Palo Verde's availability is an important factor in realizing these off-system sales margins.

Off-system sales revenues increased $8.6 million, or 53.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year, as a result of a 27.3% increase in kWh sales and higher average market prices for power which were

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impacted by higher costs of natural gas. Retained margins from off-system sales increased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year. Off-system sales revenues increased $9.6 million, or 17.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year, as a result of higher average market prices for power which were impacted by higher costs of natural gas partially offset by a 3.8% decline in kWh sales. Retained margins from off-system sales increased $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year. Off-system sales revenues increased $13.8 million, or 20.1% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the same period last year, as a result of higher average market prices for power and a 1.9% increase in kWh sales. Retained margins from off-system sales increased $0.5 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year.

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Comparisons of kWh sales and operating revenues are shown below (in thousands):
							Increase (Decrease)
Quarter Ended September 30:	2013			2012			Amount			Percent
kWh sales:
Retail:
Residential	880,105			884,809			(4,704		)	(0.5	)%
Commercial and industrial, small	680,380			693,774			(13,394		)	(1.9	)
Commercial and industrial, large	276,232			260,567			15,665			6.0
Sales to public authorities	449,469			443,418			6,051			1.4
Total retail sales	2,286,186			2,282,568			3,618			0.2
Wholesale:
Sales for resale	20,173			20,565			(392		)	(1.9	)
Off-system sales	683,600			537,071			146,529			27.3
Total wholesale sales	703,773			557,636			146,137			26.2
Total kWh sales	2,989,959			2,840,204			149,755			5.3
Operating revenues:
Non-fuel base revenues:
Retail:
Residential	$	80,003		$	80,325		$	(322	)	(0.4	)%
Commercial and industrial, small	60,259			60,776			(517		)	(0.9	)
Commercial and industrial, large	12,426			12,587			(161		)	(1.3	)
Sales to public authorities	31,222			30,815			407			1.3
Total retail non-fuel base revenues	183,910			184,503			(593		)	(0.3	)
Wholesale:
Sales for resale	777			718			59			8.2
Total non-fuel base revenues	184,687			185,221			(534		)	(0.3	)
Fuel revenues:
Recovered from customers during the period (1)	42,962			39,222			3,740			9.5
Over collection of fuel	(577		)	(5,238		)	4,661			(89.0	)
New Mexico fuel in base rates	22,662			23,174			(512		)	(2.2	)
Total fuel revenues (2)	65,047			57,158			7,889			13.8
Off-system sales:
Fuel cost	20,223			13,640			6,583			48.3
Shared margins	4,007			2,222			1,785			80.3
Retained margins	478			265			213			80.4
Total off-system sales	24,708			16,127			8,581			53.2
Other (3)	8,219			8,743			(524		)	(6.0	)
Total operating revenues	$	282,661		$	267,249		$	15,412		5.8
Average number of retail customers (4):
Residential	348,557			344,188			4,369			1.3	%
Commercial and industrial, small	38,971			38,577			394			1.0
Commercial and industrial, large	51			51			—			—
Sales to public authorities	5,009			4,813			196			4.1
Total	392,588			387,629			4,959			1.3

(1) Excludes $6.8 million of refunds in 2012 related to Texas deferred fuel revenues from prior periods.

(2) Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $3.0 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

(3) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.

(4) The number of retail customers presented for both the current and prior periods are based on the number of service locations. Previous presentations of the number of retail customers in 2012 were based on the number of bills rendered including consolidated bills for customers operating multiple facilities. Management believes that the number of service locations provides a more accurate indicator of customers served than the number of bills rendered.

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						Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30:	2013		2012			Amount			Percent
kWh sales:
Retail:
Residential	2,138,436		2,113,071			25,365			1.2	%
Commercial and industrial, small	1,813,330		1,826,463			(13,133		)	(0.7	)
Commercial and industrial, large	813,099		794,727			18,372			2.3
Sales to public authorities	1,245,801		1,226,886			18,915			1.5
Total retail sales	6,010,666		5,961,147			49,519			0.8
Wholesale:
Sales for resale	52,313		53,062			(749		)	(1.4	)
Off-system sales	1,891,861		1,966,560			(74,699		)	(3.8	)
Total wholesale sales	1,944,174		2,019,622			(75,448		)	(3.7	)
Total kWh sales	7,954,840		7,980,769			(25,929		)	(0.3	)
Operating revenues:
Non-fuel base revenues:
Retail:
Residential	$	190,242	$	187,738		$	2,504		1.3	%
Commercial and industrial, small	146,763		149,296			(2,533		)	(1.7	)
Commercial and industrial, large	30,995		32,340			(1,345		)	(4.2	)
Sales to public authorities	75,666		75,566			100			0.1
Total retail non-fuel base revenues	443,666		444,940			(1,274		)	(0.3	)
Wholesale:
Sales for resale	1,867		1,892			(25		)	(1.3	)
Total non-fuel base revenues	445,533		446,832			(1,299		)	(0.3	)
Fuel revenues:
Recovered from customers during the period (1)	102,057		102,725			(668		)	(0.7	)
Under (over) collection of fuel	8,369		(20,828		)	29,197			—
New Mexico fuel in base rates	57,213		57,881			(668		)	(1.2	)
Total fuel revenues (2)	167,639		139,778			27,861			19.9
Off-system sales:
Fuel cost	51,379		45,612			5,767			12.6
Shared margins	10,254		6,865			3,389			49.4
Retained margins	1,227		824			403			48.9
Total off-system sales	62,860		53,301			9,559			17.9
Other (3)	24,033		24,168			(135		)	(0.6	)
Total operating revenues	$	700,065	$	664,079		$	35,986		5.4
Average number of retail customers (4):
Residential	347,357		342,770			4,587			1.3	%
Commercial and industrial, small	38,704		38,591			113			0.3
Commercial and industrial, large	50		50			—			—
Sales to public authorities	4,980		4,798			182			3.8
Total	391,091		386,209			4,882			1.3

(1)Excludes $6.8 million of refunds in 2012 related to Texas deferred fuel revenues from prior periods.

(2) Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $9.3 million and $7.1 million, respectively.

(3) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.

(4) The number of retail customers presented for both the current and prior periods are based on the number of service locations. Previous presentations of the number of retail customers in 2012 were based on the number of bills rendered including consolidated bills for customers operating multiple facilities. Management believes that the number of service locations provides a more accurate indicator of customers served than the number of bills rendered.

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						Increase (Decrease)
Twelve Months Ended September 30:	2013		2012			Amount			Percent
kWh sales:
Retail:
Residential	2,673,713		2,668,214			5,499			0.2	%
Commercial and industrial, small	2,353,408		2,362,600			(9,192		)	(0.4	)
Commercial and industrial, large	1,101,345		1,073,218			28,127			2.6
Sales to public authorities	1,636,521		1,605,854			30,667			1.9
Total retail sales	7,764,987		7,709,886			55,101			0.7
Wholesale:
Sales for resale	63,517		63,673			(156		)	(0.2	)
Off-system sales	2,539,433		2,491,398			48,035			1.9
Total wholesale sales	2,602,950		2,555,071			47,879			1.9
Total kWh sales	10,367,937		10,264,957			102,980			1.0
Operating revenues:
Non-fuel base revenues:
Retail:
Residential	$	236,599	$	235,448		$	1,151		0.5	%
Commercial and industrial, small	185,481		190,186			(4,705		)	(2.5	)
Commercial and industrial, large	40,696		43,044			(2,348		)	(5.5	)
Sales to public authorities	96,232		95,348			884			0.9
Total retail non-fuel base revenues	559,008		564,026			(5,018		)	(0.9	)
Wholesale:
Sales for resale	2,293		2,292			1			—
Total non-fuel base revenues	561,301		566,318			(5,017		)	(0.9	)
Fuel revenues:
Recovered from customers during the period (1)	129,525		138,684			(9,159		)	(6.6	)
Under (over) collection of fuel	10,658		(24,435		)	35,093			—
New Mexico fuel in base rates	73,486		74,184			(698		)	(0.9	)
Total fuel revenues (2)	213,669		188,433			25,236			13.4
Off-system sales:
Fuel cost	68,248		59,571			8,677			14.6
Shared margins	12,580		8,026			4,554			56.7
Retained margins	1,501		961			540			56.2
Total off-system sales	82,329		68,558			13,771			20.1
Other (3)	31,568		32,433			(865		)	(2.7	)
Total operating revenues	$	888,867	$	855,742		$	33,125		3.9
Average number of retail customers (4):
Residential	346,849		341,928			4,921			1.4	%
Commercial and industrial, small	38,686		38,612			74			0.2
Commercial and industrial, large	50		50			—			—
Sales to public authorities	4,966		4,747			219			4.6
Total	390,551		385,337			5,214			1.4

(1) Excludes $6.8 million of refunds in 2012 related to Texas deferred fuel revenues from prior periods.

(2) Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $12.0 million and $10.3 million, respectively.

(3) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.

(4) The number of retail customers presented for both the current and prior periods are based on the number of service locations. Previous presentations of the number of retail customers in 2012 were based on the number of bills rendered including consolidated bills for customers operating multiple facilities. Management believes that the number of service locations provides a more accurate indicator of customers served than the number of bills rendered.

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Energy expenses

Our sources of energy include electricity generated from our nuclear, natural gas and coal generating plants and purchased power. Palo Verde represents approximately 34% of our available net generating capacity and approximately 49%, 54% and 55% of our Company-generated energy for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Fluctuations in the price of natural gas, which also is the primary factor influencing the price of purchased power, have had a significant impact on our cost of energy.

Energy expenses increased $14.1 million or 19.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to increased natural gas costs of $12.6 million due to a 23.6% increase in the average price of natural gas and a 6.5% increase in MWhs generated with natural gas, and increased purchased power costs of $1.2 million due to a 12.1% increase in MWhs purchased. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2013					2012
Fuel Type	Cost		MWh	Cost per MWh		Cost		MWh	Cost per MWh
	(in thousands)					(in thousands)
Natural gas	$	52,319	1,235,419	$	42.35	$	39,744	1,159,970	$	34.26
Coal	3,552		162,474	21.86		3,433		158,858	21.61
Nuclear	13,397		1,369,267	9.78		13,155		1,348,586	9.75
Total	69,268		2,767,160	25.03		56,332		2,667,414	21.12
Purchased power	17,395		421,295	41.29		16,223		375,703	43.18
Total energy	$	86,663	3,188,455	27.18		$	72,555	3,043,117	23.84

Our energy expenses increased $32.8 million or 17.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to 2012, primarily due to increased natural gas costs of $29.1 million due to a 30.5% increase in the average price of natural gas and increased purchased power costs of $2.9 million due to an 18.7% increase in the average cost of purchased power partially offset by a 10.1% decrease in the MWhs purchased. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013					2012
Fuel Type	Cost		MWh	Cost per MWh		Cost		MWh	Cost per MWh
	(in thousands)					(in thousands)
Natural gas	$	125,920	2,846,345	$	44.24	$	96,778	2,854,338	$	33.91
Coal	10,561		486,544	21.71		9,921		480,555	20.64
Nuclear	38,616		3,922,200	9.85		38,433		3,898,862	9.86
Total	175,097		7,255,089	24.13		145,132		7,233,755	20.06
Purchased power	46,185		1,143,382	40.39		43,304		1,272,110	34.04
Total energy	$	221,282	8,398,471	26.35		$	188,436	8,505,865	22.15

Our energy expenses increased $34.8 million or 14.0% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to 2012, primarily due to increased natural gas costs of $27.6 million due to a 20.8% increase in the average price of natural gas and increased purchased power costs of $5.3 million due to a 14.5% increase in the average cost of purchased power partially offset by a 4.7% decrease in the MWhs purchased. The table below details the sources and costs of energy for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

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	Twelve Months Ended September 30,
	2013					2012
Fuel Type	Cost		MWh	Cost per MWh		Cost		MWh	Cost per MWh
	(in thousands)					(in thousands)
Natural gas	$	156,975	3,553,260	$	44.18	$	129,330	3,537,300	$	36.56
Coal	14,244		661,097	21.55		13,164		641,880	20.51
Nuclear	49,822		5,069,110	9.83		49,034		5,006,266	9.79
Total	221,041		9,283,467	23.81		191,528		9,185,446	20.85
Purchased power	63,132		1,640,082	38.49		57,837		1,720,090	33.62
Total energy	$	284,173	10,923,549	26.01		$	249,365	10,905,536	22.87

Other operations expense

Other operations expense decreased $2.1 million, or 3.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to decreased operations expense at Palo Verde of $1.7 million partially due to reduced employee benefit costs and decreased transmission and distribution operations expense of $0.9 million primarily due to decreased transmission wheeling expense.

Other operations expense decreased $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to (i) decreased transmission and distribution operations expense of $1.4 million primarily due to decreased transmission wheeling expense, (ii) decreased operations expense at Palo Verde of $1.3 million, and (iii) a $0.8 million decrease in customer care expenses primarily due to a decrease in our uncollectible customer accounts expense reflecting improved collection efforts. These decreases were offset by increased administrative and general expense of $2.7 million due to increased outside services.

Other operations expense increased $0.7 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to increased administrative and general expense of $6.9 million due to increased outside services, administrative and general salaries, and employee pension and benefits costs as a result of changes in actuarial assumptions used to calculate expenses for our pension and other post-retirement employee benefit plans. These increases were partially offset by (i) decreased transmission wheeling expense of $3.1 million which includes a $1.9 million refund associated with transmission delivery services provided by the Public Service Company of New Mexico recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012, (ii) a $2.6 million decrease in customer care expenses primarily related to a decrease in our uncollectible customer accounts expense reflecting improved collection efforts, and (iii) decreased operations expense at Palo Verde of $1.1 million.

Maintenance expense

Maintenance expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was comparable to the corresponding period last year. Maintenance expense decreased $2.3 million and $5.9 million, or 5.4% and 9.3%, for the nine and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods last year primarily due to the timing of planned maintenance at our gas-fired generating plants. In the nine and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2012, we performed scheduled major maintenance at Rio Grande Unit 8 and Newman Unit 1 and Unit 4 with a reduced level of maintenance activity in the current periods.

Depreciation and amortization expense

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.2 million, or 6.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year primarily due to the increase in depreciable plant balances. Depreciation and amortization expense was relatively unchanged for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period last year as the increase in depreciable plant balances was offset by the reduced depreciation rates for our gas-fired generation plant and our transmission and distribution plant as a result of the Texas rate case settlement effective May 1, 2012. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.3 million, or 1.6% for the twelve month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to reduced depreciation rates for our gas-fired generation plant and our transmission and distribution plant due to the Texas rate case settlement discussed above.

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Taxes other than income taxes

Taxes other than income taxes increased $2.8 million, $1.2 million, and $2.5 million or 18.2%, 2.6%, and 4.5%, for the three, nine, and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods last year, respectively, primarily due to increased property tax valuations and higher estimated assessment rates.

Other income (deductions)

Other income (deductions) decreased $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to gains recognized on the sale of assets in 2012 with no comparable amounts in 2013. Other income (deductions) decreased $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to (i) gains recognized on the sale of assets in 2012 with no comparable amounts in 2013, and (ii) increased miscellaneous deductions in 2013 due to the timing and amount of charitable donations. The decrease was partially offset by increased investment income due to a decrease in investment losses and increased allowance for equity funds used during construction (“AEFUDC”) resulting from higher balances of construction work in progress. Other income (deductions) increased $1.5 million, or 12.5% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the twelve months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to increased AEFUDC resulting from higher balances of construction work in progress and net unrealized and realized losses on equity investments in our decommissioning trust recorded in 2012 with no comparable activity in the current period. The increase was partially offset by gains recognized on the sale of assets in 2012 with no comparable amounts in 2013 and increased miscellaneous deductions in 2013 due to the timing and amount of charitable donations.

Interest charges (credits)

Interest charges (credits) increased $0.8 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to interest on $150 million of 3.3% senior notes issued in December 2012 partially offset by a decrease in interest on short-term borrowings for working capital purposes. Interest charges (credits) increased $2.0 million and $1.8 million for the nine and twelve month periods ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods last year, respectively, primarily due to interest on $150 million of 3.3% senior notes issued in December 2012 partially offset by increased allowance for borrowed funds used during construction ("ABFUDC") as a result of higher balances of construction work in progress and the refunding and remarketing of two series of pollution control bonds at lower interest rates in August 2012.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense decreased $1.1 million, or 3.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to decreased pre-tax income. Income tax expense increased $1.0 million, or 2.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to increased pre-tax income. Income tax expense increased $1.4 million, or 3.0% for the twelve month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to increased pre-tax income.

New Accounting Standards

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance (Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)) to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in its entirety to net income in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under FASB guidance that provide additional detail about those amounts.

Substantially all of the information that ASU 2013-02 requires is already required to be disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements under FASB guidance. However, the new requirement to present information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and their corresponding effect on net income now requires the presentation in one place, information about significant amounts reclassified and, in some cases, cross-references to related footnote disclosures. ASU 2013-02 became effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We implemented ASU 2013-02 in the first quarter of 2013 and we have presented the corresponding effects of components reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) with cross-references to other disclosures or the respective line items in net income in Note B.

In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)) to eliminate the diversity in the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax

38

credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. ASU 2013-11 is effective prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. Retrospective application is also permitted. We anticipate implementing ASU 2013-11 in the first quarter of 2014. We are currently assessing the future impact of this ASU, however it is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated statement of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows.

Inflation

For the last several years, inflation has been relatively low and, therefore, has had minimal impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

39

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We continue to maintain a strong balance of common stock equity in our capital structure which supports our bond ratings, allowing us to obtain financing from the capital markets at a reasonable cost. At September 30, 2013, our capital structure, including common stock, long-term debt, and short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility ("RCF"), consisted of 46.8% common stock equity and 53.2% debt. At September 30, 2013, we had on hand $61.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. Based on current projections, we believe that we will have adequate liquidity through our current cash balances, cash from operations, and available borrowings under the RCF to meet all of our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months. We may issue long-term debt in the capital markets to finance capital requirements in 2014.

Our principal liquidity requirements in the near-term are expected to consist of capital expenditures to expand and support electric service obligations, expenditures for nuclear fuel inventory, interest payments on our indebtedness, cash dividend payments, and operating expenses including fuel costs, maintenance costs and taxes.

Capital Requirements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our capital requirements primarily consisted of expenditures for the construction and purchase of electric utility plant, funding of employee pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, purchases of nuclear fuel, and payment of common stock dividends. Projected utility construction expenditures are to expand and update our transmission and distribution systems, add new generation, and make capital improvements and replacements at Palo Verde and other generating facilities. Rio Grande Unit 9, an aeroderivative gas turbine unit with a net dependable generating capacity of 87 MW, has been completed and reached commercial operation on May 13, 2013. The total cost for this unit, including AFUDC, was approximately $95 million, of which approximately $12.4 million was incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Estimated cash construction expenditures for all capital projects for 2013 are expected to be approximately $237 million. See Part I, Item 1, “Business - Construction Program” in our 2012 Form 10-K. Cash capital expenditures for new electric plant were $165.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $144.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Capital requirements for purchases of nuclear fuel were $19.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $41.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

On September 30, 2013, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.265 per share or $10.7 million to shareholders of record on September 13, 2013. We have paid a total of $31.4 million in cash dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. At the current dividend rate, we would expect to pay cash dividends of approximately $42.1 million during 2013. In addition, while we do not currently anticipate repurchasing shares in 2013, we may repurchase common stock in the future. Under our common stock repurchase program, purchases can be made at open market prices or in private transactions, and repurchased shares are available for issuance under employee benefit and stock incentive plans, or may be retired. No shares of common stock were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, a total of 393,816 shares remain eligible for repurchase. With the initiation of a dividend in 2011, we are moving toward primarily utilizing the distribution of dividends to maintain a balanced capital structure, supplemented by share repurchases when appropriate.

Our cash requirements for federal and state income taxes vary from year to year based on taxable income, which is influenced by the timing of revenues and expenses recognized for income tax purposes. Accelerated tax deductions including bonus depreciation resulted in net operating loss carryforwards in 2011 and 2012 and as a result income tax payments are expected to be minimal in 2013.

We continually evaluate our funding requirements related to our retirement plans, other postretirement benefit plans, and decommissioning trust funds. We contributed $16.4 million of the projected $16.8 million 2013 annual contribution to our retirement plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we contributed $3.1 million of the projected $3.1 million 2013 annual contribution to our other postretirement benefits plan, and $3.4 million of the projected $4.5 million 2013 annual contribution to our decommissioning trust funds. We are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal government for our benefit plans. In addition, we are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal law and the Arizona Nuclear Power Project Participation Agreement for our decommissioning trust.

Capital Resources. Cash from operations has been our primary source for funding capital requirements. Cash from operations was $184.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and $201.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Cash from operations has been impacted by the timing of the recovery of fuel costs through fuel recovery mechanisms in Texas and New Mexico and our sales for resale customer. We recover actual fuel costs from customers through fuel adjustment mechanisms in Texas, New Mexico, and from our sales for resale customer. We record deferred fuel revenues for the under-recovery or over-recovery of fuel costs until they can be recovered from or refunded to customers. In Texas, fuel costs are recovered through a fixed fuel factor. We can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor at least four months after the last revision except in the month of December based upon our approved formula which allows us to adjust fuel rates to reflect changes in costs of natural gas. On October 1, 2013, we implemented an increased fixed fuel factor charged to our Texas retail customers which was based upon a formula that reflects projected prices for natural gas. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had an under-recovery of fuel costs of $8.4 million, compared to an over-recovery of $14.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. At September 30, 2013, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $3.7 million, including an under-recovery balance

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of $6.6 million in Texas and an over-recovery balance of $2.9 million in New Mexico.

Our liquidity needs can fluctuate quickly based on fuel prices and other factors including investments in new electric plant and other assets in order to reliably serve our customers. We maintain a revolving credit facility (“RCF”) for working capital and general corporate purposes and the financing of nuclear fuel through the Rio Grande Resources Trust (“RGRT”). RGRT is the trust through which we finance our portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde and is consolidated in our financial statements. The RCF has a term ending in September 2016. The aggregate unsecured borrowing available under the RCF is $300 million and the amounts we borrow under the RCF may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT was $125.5 million at September 30, 2013, of which $15.5 million had been borrowed under the RCF and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. At September 30, 2012, the total amounts borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT was $139.5 million of which $29.5 million was borrowed under the RCF and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. Interest costs on borrowings to finance nuclear fuel are accumulated by RGRT and charged to us as fuel is consumed and recovered from customers through fuel recovery charges. No borrowings were outstanding at September 30, 2013, under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. At September 30, 2012, $32.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes.    

We have received approval from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission and have filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to amend our existing $300 million revolving credit facility to include an option, subject to lender's approval, to expand the amount of the potential borrowings available under the facility to $400 million and extend the maturity date by up to four years to September 2020. The applications also included requests for authorization to issue up to $300 million in new long-term debt and to guarantee the issuance of up to $50 million of new debt by the RGRT to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk due to changes in interest rates, equity prices and commodity prices. See our 2012 Form 10-K, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” for a complete discussion of the market risks we face and our market risk sensitive assets and liabilities. As of September 30, 2013, there have been no material changes in the market risks we face or the fair values of assets and liabilities disclosed in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in our 2012 Annual Report Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2013, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, that materially affected, or that were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We hereby incorporate by reference the information set forth in Part I of this report under Notes C and G of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our 2012 Form 10-K includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share (Including Commissions)		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 1 to July 31, 2013	—	$	—	—	393,816
August 1 to August 31, 2013	—	—		—	393,816
September 1 to September 30, 2013	—	—		—	393,816

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5.        Other Information

Investors should note that we announce material financial information in SEC filings, press releases and public conference calls. Based on new guidance from the SEC, we may also use the Investor Relations section of our website (www.epelectric.com) to communicate with investors about our company. It is possible that the financial and other information we post there could be deemed to be material information. The information on our website is not part of this document.

Item 6. Exhibits

See Index to Exhibits incorporated herein by reference.

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SIGNATURES

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

	EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:	/s/ NATHAN T. HIRSCHI
	Nathan T. Hirschi
	Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
	(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: November 6, 2013

43

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Exhibit
†10.04	Form of Directors' Restricted Stock Award Agreement between the Company and certain directors of the Company. (Identical in all material respects to Exhibit 10.07 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999).
15	Letter re Unaudited Interim Financial Information
31.01	Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.01	Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

† In lieu of non-employee director cash compensation, six agreements, dated as of October 1, 2013 substantially identical in all material respects to this Exhibit, have been entered into with Catherine A. Allen; Edward Escudero; Patricia Z. Holland-Branch; Woodley L. Hunt; Michael K. Parks; and Stephen N. Wertheimer; directors of the Company.

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EX-15

Exhibit 15

November 6, 2013

El Paso Electric Company El Paso, Texas

Re: Registration Statement Nos. 333‑17971, 333‑82129, 333‑142557, and 333‑178319

With respect to the subject registration statements, we acknowledge our awareness of the use therein of our report dated November 6, 2013 related to our review of interim financial information.

Pursuant to Rule 436 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Act), such report is not considered part of a registration statement prepared or certified by an independent registered public accounting firm, or a report prepared or certified by an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

EX-31.01

EXHIBIT 31.01

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Thomas V. Shockley III, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of El Paso Electric Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The Company's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter (the Company's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Company's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company's

auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: November 6, 2013

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:	/s/ Thomas V. Shockley III
	Thomas V. Shockley III
	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)

I, Nathan T. Hirschi, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of El Paso Electric Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The Company's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter (the Company's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Company's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company's auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: November 6, 2013

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:	/s/ Nathan T. Hirschi
	Nathan T. Hirschi
	Senior Vice President -
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.01

EXHIBIT 32.01

November 6, 2013

The certification set forth below is being submitted in connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 (the “Report”) of El Paso Electric Company (the “Company”) for the purpose of complying with Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

Thomas V. Shockley III and Nathan T. Hirschi, each certifies that, to the best of his knowledge:

1.such Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act; and

2. the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 /s/ Thomas V. Shockley III

Thomas V. Shockley III

Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Nathan T. Hirschi

Nathan T. Hirschi

Senior Vice President -

Chief Financial Officer

XML

Principles Of Preparation (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of Estimates, Policy

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition, Policy

Revenues. Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recorded when service is rendered or electricity is delivered to customers. The billing of electricity sales to retail customers is based on the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue/kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues of $24.9 million at September 30, 2013 and $17.9 million at December 31, 2012. The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its consolidated statements of operations.

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating revenues	$ 282,661	$ 267,249	$ 700,065	$ 664,079	$ 888,867	$ 855,742
Energy expenses:
Fuel	69,268	56,332	175,097	145,132	221,041	191,528
Purchased and interchanged power	17,395	16,223	46,185	43,304	63,132	57,837
Cost of services, energy services	86,663	72,555	221,282	188,436	284,173	249,365
Operating revenues net of energy expenses	195,998	194,694	478,783	475,643	604,694	606,377
Other operating expenses:
Other operations	58,810	60,906	173,810	174,128	236,240	235,550
Maintenance	12,723	12,831	41,260	43,605	57,994	63,937
Depreciation and amortization	20,416	19,208	59,346	59,329	78,573	79,885
Taxes other than income taxes	18,153	15,353	44,782	43,631	58,594	56,061
Utilities operating expense	110,102	108,298	319,198	320,693	431,401	435,433
Operating income	85,896	86,396	159,585	154,950	173,293	170,944
Other income (deductions):
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	2,287	2,419	7,465	6,589	10,303	8,309
Investment and interest income, net	2,086	1,833	5,151	3,711	6,715	4,782
Miscellaneous non-operating income	12	1,182	14	1,383	46	1,884
Miscellaneous non-operating deductions	(537)	(591)	(2,641)	(1,494)	(3,160)	(2,620)
Nonoperating income (expense)	3,848	4,843	9,989	10,189	13,904	12,355
Interest charges (credits):
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility	14,623	13,659	43,829	40,827	57,634	54,347
Other interest	153	387	456	865	781	1,077
Capitalized interest	(1,302)	(1,324)	(3,911)	(3,992)	(5,231)	(5,305)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(1,379)	(1,431)	(4,520)	(3,894)	(6,199)	(4,905)
Interest expense	12,095	11,291	35,854	33,806	46,985	45,214
Income before income taxes	77,649	79,948	133,720	131,333	140,212	138,085
Income tax expense	27,084	28,159	46,328	45,306	48,001	46,605
Net income	$ 50,565	$ 51,789	$ 87,392	$ 86,027	$ 92,211	$ 91,480
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.260	$ 1.290	$ 2.170	$ 2.150	$ 2.290	$ 2.280
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.260	$ 1.290	$ 2.170	$ 2.140	$ 2.290	$ 2.270
Dividends declared per share of common stock	$ 0.265	$ 0.250	$ 0.780	$ 0.720	$ 1.030	$ 0.940
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	40,132,250	40,009,866	40,107,555	39,959,866	40,084,525	39,959,034
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding	40,132,250	40,091,625	40,123,626	40,044,154	40,114,921	40,085,516

XML

Regulation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Abstract]

Regulation

Regulation

General

The rates and services of the Company are regulated by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the PUCT, the NMPRC, and the FERC. The PUCT and the NMPRC have jurisdiction to review municipal orders, ordinances and utility agreements regarding rates and services within their respective states and over certain other activities of the Company. The FERC has jurisdiction over the Company's wholesale (sales for resale) transactions, transmission service and compliance with federally-mandated reliability standards. The decisions of the PUCT, NMPRC and the FERC are subject to judicial review.

Texas Regulatory Matters

2012 Texas Retail Rate Case. The Company filed a rate increase request with the PUCT, Docket No. 40094, the City of El Paso, and other Texas cities on February 1, 2012. The rate filing was made in response to a resolution adopted by the El Paso City Council (the "Council") requiring the Company to show cause why its base rates for customers in the El Paso city limits should not be reduced. The filing at the PUCT also included a request to reconcile $356.5 million of fuel expense for the period July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2011.

On April 17, 2012, the Council approved the settlement of the Company's 2012 Texas retail rate case and fuel reconciliation in PUCT Docket No. 40094. The PUCT issued a final order approving the settlement on May 23, 2012.

Under the terms of the settlement, among other things, the Company agreed to:

• A reduction in its non-fuel base rates of $15 million annually, with the decrease being allocated primarily to Texas retail commercial and industrial customer classes. The rate decrease was effective as of May 1, 2012;

• Revised depreciation rates for the Company's gas-fired generating units and for transmission and distribution plant that lower depreciation expense by $4.1 million annually;

• Continuation of the 10.125% return on equity for the purpose of calculating the allowance for funds used during construction; and

• A two-year amortization of rate case expenses, none of which will be included in future regulatory proceedings.

As part of the settlement, the Company agreed to withdraw its request to reconcile fuel costs for the period from July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2011 and submit a future fuel reconciliation request covering the period beginning July 1, 2009 and ending no later than June 30, 2013 by December 31, 2013 or as part of its next rate case, if earlier. The settlement also provides for the continuation of the energy efficiency cost recovery factor and the military base discount recovery factor. Both of these surcharges require annual filings to reconcile and revise the recovery factors.     

Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. The Company's actual fuel costs, including purchased power energy costs, are recoverable from its customers. The PUCT has adopted a fuel cost recovery rule ("Texas Fuel Rule") that allows the Company to seek periodic adjustments to its fixed fuel factor. The Company can seek to revise its fixed fuel factor based upon the approved formula at least four months after its last revision except in the month of December. On September 9, 2013, the Company filed a request, which was assigned Docket No. 41803, to increase its fixed fuel factor by $16.9 million or 12.2% annually, pursuant to its approved formula. The revised fixed fuel factor reflects increases in prices for natural gas. The increase in the fixed fuel factor was approved on September 23, 2013 and was effective with October 2013 billings.

The Texas Fuel Rule requires the Company to request to refund fuel costs in any month when the over-recovery balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel costs to continue to be materially over-recovered. The Texas Fuel Rule also permits the Company to seek to surcharge fuel under-recoveries in any month the balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel cost recovery to continue to be materially under-recovered. Fuel over and under-recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of the previous twelve months' fuel costs. The Company filed on August 3, 2012 a request to refund $6.6 million of over-collected fuel costs, which filing was designated Docket No. 40622. The refund request was approved, and the refund was made during the month of September 2012. All such fuel revenue and expense activities are subject to periodic final review by the PUCT in fuel reconciliation proceedings.

Fuel Reconciliation Proceeding. On September 27, 2013, the Company filed an application with the PUCT, designated as Docket No. 41852, to reconcile $545.3 million of fuel and purchased power expenses incurred during the 45-month period from July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2013. The fuel reconciliation requests to recover $3.4 million of rewards for Palo Verde operations. Hearings in the fuel reconciliation are scheduled to begin March 31, 2014 and a final order must be issued by September 26, 2014.

Montana Power Station Air Permits. The Company filed applications to obtain required air permits for the Montana Power Station ("MPS") from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") and the U.S. Environmental Protection agency ("EPA"). Following a contested hearing on the merits of the TCEQ application, the Administrative Law Judge issued a Proposal for Decision recommending that the TCEQ issue the requested permit. The Company expects a decision by the TCEQ by the end of this year. The EPA has issued a draft greenhouse gas permit and a final decision is expected by the end of this year or early next year, if there is no appeal. If an appeal is taken, the Company anticipates a final permit will be issued by mid-2014. The Company has received Certificate of Convenience and Necessity ("CCN") authorization to construct the first two units of this facility from both the PUCT and the NMPRC.

Application for a CCN for MPS Units 3 and 4. On September 6, 2013, the Company filed an application with the PUCT for issuance of a CCN to construct, own and operate two additional 88 MW natural gas-fired generating units designated as MPS Units 3 and 4 in El Paso County, Texas. The case has been designated PUCT Docket No. 41763.Attorneys representing the Aligned Protestants in the MPS Air Permits discussion above have also intervened on behalf of landowners in the CCN case for MPS Units 3 and 4. A procedural schedule has not been determined. In accordance with PUCT rules, the final order must be issued by September 5, 2014.

Transmission CCN Filings. The Company filed three transmission line CCN applications with the PUCT as part of the MPS Project:

• MPS to Caliente: a 115-kV transmission line from MPS to the existing Caliente Substation in east El Paso. (PUCT Docket No. 41360)

• MPS In & Out: a 115 -kV transmission line from MPS to intersect with the existing Caliente - Coyote 115-kV transmission line. (PUCT Docket No. 41359)

• MPS to Montwood: a 115-kV transmission line from MPS to the existing Montwood Substation in east El Paso. (PUCT Docket No. 41809)

The transmission CCN filings for both the MPS to Caliente and MPS In & Out were filed on April 15, 2013, and the transmission CCN filing for the MPS to Montwood was filed on September 24, 2013. The Company is requesting to build these transmission lines to connect the new MPS to the electrical grid in order to meet increased customer growth and electric demand and to improve system reliability. A final order in the MPS to Caliente transmission CCN filing is expected no later than June 2014, while final orders in the transmission CCN filings for the MPS In & Out and the MPS to Montwood filings are expected no later than September 2014.

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for recovery of fuel costs through fixed fuel factors, other tariffs and approvals as required by the Public Utility Regulatory Act ("PURA") and the PUCT.

New Mexico Regulatory Matters

2009 New Mexico Stipulation. On December 10, 2009, the NMPRC issued a final order conditionally approving the stipulated rates in NMPRC Case No. 09-00171-UT. The stipulated rates went into effect with January 2010 bills. The stipulated rates provide for an Efficient Use of Energy Factor Rate Rider to recover energy efficiency expenditures which requires an annual filing and approval of the related incentives and adjustments to the recovery factors.

Long-Term Purchased Power Agreement with Macho Springs. On November 21, 2012, the Company filed an application with the NMPRC requesting approval of a Long-Term Purchase Power Agreement ("LTPPA") with Macho Springs Solar, LLC ("Macho Springs") to purchase energy from a 50 MW solar facility to be constructed by Macho Springs on the Company's New Mexico transmission system. The Company also sought approval of the recovery of costs associated with the LTPPA through the Company's Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Adjustment Clause. A final order approving the LTPPA was received May 1, 2013.

Application for a CCN for MPS Units 3 and 4. On September 6, 2013, the Company filed an application with the NMPRC for issuance of a CCN to construct, own and operate two additional 88 MW natural gas-fired generating units designated as MPS Units 3 and 4 in El Paso County, Texas. The case has been designated NMPRC Case No. 13-00297-UT.

Revolving Credit Facility, Issuance of Long-Term Debt and Guarantee of Debt. On October 30, 2013, the Company received approval in NMPRC Case No. 13-00317-UT to amend its current $300 million revolving credit facility to include an option, subject to lender's approval, to expand the amount of the potential borrowings available under the facility to $400 million and extend the maturity date by up to four years to September 2020; issue up to $300 million in new long-term debt; and to guarantee the issuance of up to $50 million of new debt by Rio Grande Resources Trust to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations.

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for other tariffs, securities transactions, long-term resource plans, recovery of energy efficiency costs through a base rate rider and other approvals as required by the NMPRC.

Federal Regulatory Matters

Public Service Company of New Mexico's (“PNM”) 2010 Transmission Rate Case. On October 27, 2010, PNM filed a Notice of Transmission Rate Change for transmission delivery services provided by PNM. These rates went into effect on June 1, 2011. The Company takes transmission service from PNM. On January 2, 2013, the FERC issued a letter order approving a unanimous stipulation and agreement. Pursuant to the stipulation, on January 31, 2013, PNM refunded $1.9 million, for amounts that PNM collected since June 1, 2011, in excess of settlement rates. This amount was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a reduction of transmission expense.

Revolving Credit Facility, Issuance of Long-Term Debt and Guarantee of Debt. On September 30, 2013, the Company filed an application for approval to amend its current $300 million revolving credit facility to include an option, subject to lender's approval, to expand the amount of the potential borrowings available under the facility to $400 million and extend the maturity date by up to four years to September 2020; issue up to $300 million in new long-term debt; and to guarantee the issuance of up to $50 million of new debt by Rio Grande Resources Trust to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations. FERC approvals, if granted, would be good for two years. The case has been assigned FERC Docket No. ES13-59-000.

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained required approvals for rates and tariffs, securities transactions and other approvals as required by the FERC.

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Principles Of Preparation (Accrued Unbilled Revenues) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accrued unbilled revenues	$ 24.9	$ 17.9

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Principles Of Preparation Principles Of Preparation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures

The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its consolidated statements of operations.

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (in thousands)
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013			2012
Cash paid (received) for:
	Interest on long-term debt and borrowing under the revolving credit facility	$	36,975		$	35,922
	Income tax paid (refund), net	(36		)	3,834
Non-cash financing activities:
	Grants of restricted shares of common stock	2,607			2,384
	Issuance of performance shares	849			1,193

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Employee Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Retirement Income Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company contribution	$ 16.4
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	16.8
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company contribution	3.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	$ 3.1

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Amounts Reclassified (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization on Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benenfit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	$ 1,369		$ 1,441	$ 4,169		$ 4,321	$ 5,610		$ 5,775
Unrealized Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities included in Pre-Tax Income	0		0	0		166	313		536
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility	(12,095)		(11,291)	(35,854)		(33,806)	(46,985)		(45,214)
Income tax expense	27,084		28,159	46,328		45,306	48,001		46,605
Net income (loss)	50,415		51,655	87,143		85,770	91,958		91,176
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(972)			(2,539)			(3,712)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization on Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benenfit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	1,369	[1]		4,169	[1]		5,610	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	(2,903)	[1]		(8,323)	[1]		(11,316)	[1]
Income (Loss) before income tax	(1,534)			(4,154)			(5,706)
Income tax expense	469			1,550			2,105
Net income (loss)	(1,065)			(2,604)			(3,601)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Gain on Sale of Securities	199			287			474
Unrealized Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities included in Pre-Tax Income	0			0			(313)
Income (Loss) before income tax	199			287			161
Income tax expense	(41)			(45)			(10)
Net income (loss)	158			242			151
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility	(104)			(306)			(405)
Income (Loss) before income tax	(104)			(306)			(405)
Income tax expense	39			129			143
Net income (loss)	$ (65)			$ (177)			$ (262)

[1] These items are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note H, Employee Benefits, for additional information.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	$ (60,597)	$ (66,084)	$ (64,035)
Other Comprehensive Income Loss before Reclassifications	3,463	7,383	4,161
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	972	2,539	3,712
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	(56,162)	(56,162)	(56,162)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	(74,198)	(75,737)	(75,403)
Other Comprehensive Income Loss before Reclassifications	0	0	(1,331)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	1,065	2,604	3,601
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	(73,133)	(73,133)	(73,133)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	26,030	22,194	23,994
Other Comprehensive Income Loss before Reclassifications	3,463	7,383	5,492
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(158)	(242)	(151)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	29,335	29,335	29,335
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	(12,429)	(12,541)	(12,626)
Other Comprehensive Income Loss before Reclassifications	0	0	0
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	65	177	262
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	$ (12,364)	$ (12,364)	$ (12,364)

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Financial Instruments And Investments (Company's Decommissioning Trust Funds And Investments In Debt Securities) (Details) (Decommissioning Fund Investments [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 202,907	$ 187,053
Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	137,799	120,863
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	65,108	66,190
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments in Debt Securities	1,493	1,295
Available-for-sale Securities	89,881	90,575
Debt Securities [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments in Debt Securities	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities	24,773	24,385
Debt Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments in Debt Securities	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities	65,108	66,190
Debt Securities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments in Debt Securities	1,493	1,295
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
U.S. Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	24,773	24,385
U.S. Government Bonds [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	24,773	24,385
U.S. Government Bonds [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
U.S. Government Bonds [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	16,391	19,497
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	16,391	19,497
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	34,972	33,863
Municipal Bonds [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Municipal Bonds [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	34,972	33,863
Municipal Bonds [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	13,745	12,830
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	13,745	12,830
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	90,758	76,813
Equity Securities [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	90,758	76,813
Equity Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Equity Securities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Mutual Funds - Equity [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	16,207	15,194
Mutual Funds - Equity [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	16,207	15,194
Mutual Funds - Equity [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Mutual Funds - Equity [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	6,061	4,471
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	6,061	4,471
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 0	$ 0

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Commitments, Contingencies And Uncertainties (Power Purchase and Sale Contracts) (Details)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013 Macho Springs Solar MW	Sep. 30, 2013 Macho Springs Solar	Sep. 05, 2013 Newman Solar MW	Sep. 30, 2013 Newman Solar
Long-term Contract for Purchase of Electric Power [Line Items]
Plant Capacity	50		10
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Time Period		P20Y		P30Y
Projected Plant Commercial Operation Date		May 01, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014

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Financial Instruments And Investments (Long-Term and Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF - Narratives) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013 Nuclear Fuel Financing	Dec. 31, 2012 Nuclear Fuel Financing	Sep. 30, 2013 Working Capital and General Purpose	Dec. 31, 2012 Working Capital and General Purpose	Aug. 18, 2010 Rgrt Senior Notes [Member]
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 110
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 15.5	$ 22.2	$ 0	$ 0

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Common Stock (Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share) (Details)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Performance shares payout based upon performance	0		0		0		0		0		0
Performance shares level payout	100.00%		100.00%		100.00%		100.00%		100.00%		100.00%
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from the Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share, Amount	54,224		46,632		49,455		46,178		47,636		52,768
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from the Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share, Amount	124,997	[1]	51,133	[1]	111,726	[1]	48,439	[1]	105,090	[1]	36,329	[1]

[1] Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of the corresponding periods.

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Financial Instruments And Investments (Contractual Year For Maturity Of Available-For-Sale Securities ) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Contractual Maturity Due For, Mortgaged Backed Securities	10 years
Municipal Debt Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total	$ 34,972
2013	555
2014 through 2017	12,200
2018 through 2022	17,498
2023 and Beyond	4,719
Corporate Debt Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total	13,745
2013	0
2014 through 2017	4,144
2018 through 2022	5,533
2023 and Beyond	4,068
U.S. Government Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total	24,773
2013	804
2014 through 2017	9,638
2018 through 2022	11,574
2023 and Beyond	$ 2,757
Maximum
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Expected Weighted Average Maturity Year	7 years
Minimum
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Expected Weighted Average Maturity Year	3 years

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Principles Of Preparation (Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest on long-term debt and borrowing under the revolving credit facility	$ 36,975	$ 35,922
Income taxes paid (refund), net	(36)	3,834
Grants of restricted shares of common stock	2,607	2,384
Issuance of performance shares	$ 849	$ 1,193

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 87,392	$ 86,027
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service	59,346	59,329
Amortization of Nuclear Fuel	33,621	33,278
Deferred income taxes, net	45,479	43,818
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(7,465)	(6,589)
Other amortization and accretion	12,345	10,904
Gain on sale of assets	0	(1,346)
Other operating activities	(484)	782
Change in:
Accounts receivable	(35,097)	(22,107)
Inventories	(4,772)	(2,400)
Net overcollection (undercollection) of fuel revenues	(8,362)	13,994
Prepayments and other	(5,471)	(3,443)
Accounts payable	(3,729)	(6,757)
Taxes accrued	6,794	537
Interest accrued	2,244	469
Other current liabilities	7,410	3,199
Deferred charges and credits	(4,340)	(7,896)
Net cash provided by operating activities	184,911	201,799
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment	(165,303)	(144,576)
Cash additions to nuclear fuel	(19,895)	(41,747)
Capitalized interest and AFUDC:
Utility property, plant and equipment	(11,985)	(10,483)
Nuclear fuel	(3,911)	(3,992)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	7,465	6,589
Decommissioning trust funds:
Purchases, including funding of $3.4 million, respectively	(36,413)	(80,870)
Sales and maturities	29,419	74,095
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	1,757
Other investing activities	4,856	1,524
Net cash used for investing activities	(195,767)	(197,703)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(31,379)	(28,861)
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility:
Proceeds	34,167	204,373
Payments	(40,831)	(176,210)
Pollution control bonds:
Proceeds	0	92,535
Payments	0	(92,535)
Other financing activities	(210)	(2,942)
Net cash used for fnancing activities	(38,253)	(3,640)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(49,109)	456
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	111,057	8,208
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 61,948	$ 8,664

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Principles Of Preparation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles Of Preparation

Principles of Preparation

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Annual Report of El Paso Electric Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”). Capitalized terms used in this report and not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the 2012 Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012; the results of its operations and comprehensive operations for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012; and its cash flows for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012. The results of operations and comprehensive operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the cash flows for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full calendar year.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), certain financial information has been condensed and certain footnote disclosures have been omitted. Such information and disclosures are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenues. Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recorded when service is rendered or electricity is delivered to customers. The billing of electricity sales to retail customers is based on the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue/kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues of $24.9 million at September 30, 2013 and $17.9 million at December 31, 2012. The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its consolidated statements of operations.

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (in thousands)
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013			2012
Cash paid (received) for:
	Interest on long-term debt and borrowing under the revolving credit facility	$	36,975		$	35,922
	Income tax paid (refund), net	(36		)	3,834
Non-cash financing activities:
	Grants of restricted shares of common stock	2,607			2,384
	Issuance of performance shares	849			1,193

New Accounting Standards. In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance (Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)) to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in its entirety to net income in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under FASB guidance to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under FASB guidance that provide additional detail about those amounts.

Substantially all of the information that ASU 2013-02 requires is already required to be disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements under FASB guidance. However, the new requirement to present information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and their corresponding effect on net income now requires the presentation in one place, information about significant amounts reclassified and, in some cases, cross-references to related footnote disclosures.

ASU 2013-02 became effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company implemented ASU 2013-02 in the first quarter of 2013 and has presented the corresponding effects of components reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) with cross-references to other disclosures or the respective line items in net income in Note B.

In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)) to eliminate the diversity in the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. ASU 2013-11 is effective prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. Retrospective application is also permitted. The Company anticipates implementing ASU 2013-11 in the first quarter of 2014. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this ASU, however it is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated statement of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows.

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Common Stock

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity and Share-based Payments, Including Earnings Per Share Information

Common Stock

Repurchase Program.No shares of common stock were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Dividend Policy. The Company paid $10.7 million and $10.0 million in quarterly cash dividends during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company paid a total of $31.4 million and $41.4 million in cash dividends during the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company paid a total of $28.9 million and $37.7 million in cash dividends during the nine and twelve months ended September 30,2012, respectively.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share. The basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below (in thousands except for share data):
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,132,250			40,009,866
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	—			71,849
Dilutive effect of stock options	—			9,910
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,132,250			40,091,625
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	50,565		$	51,789
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(150		)	(134		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	50,415		$	51,655
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	50,565		$	51,789
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(150		)	(134		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	50,415		$	51,655
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.265		$	0.25
Undistributed earnings	0.995			1.04
Basic net income per common share	$	1.260		$	1.29
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.265		$	0.25
Undistributed earnings	0.995			1.04
Diluted net income per common share	$	1.260		$	1.29

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,107,555			39,959,866
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	16,071			67,583
Dilutive effect of stock options	—			16,705
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,123,626			40,044,154
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	87,392		$	86,027
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(249		)	(257		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	87,143		$	85,770
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	87,392		$	86,027
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(249		)	(257		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	87,143		$	85,770
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.78		$	0.72
Undistributed earnings	1.39			1.43
Basic net income per common share	$	2.17		$	2.15
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.78		$	0.72
Undistributed earnings	1.39			1.42
Diluted net income per common share	$	2.17		$	2.14

	Twelve Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,084,525			39,959,034
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	28,122			108,411
Dilutive effect of stock options	2,274			18,071
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,114,921			40,085,516
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	92,211		$	91,480
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(253		)	(304		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	91,958		$	91,176
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	92,211		$	91,480
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(253		)	(304		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	91,958		$	91,176
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	1.03		$	0.94
Undistributed earnings	1.26			1.34
Basic net income per common share	$	2.29		$	2.28
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	1.03		$	0.94
Undistributed earnings	1.26			1.33
Diluted net income per common share	$	2.29		$	2.27

The amount of restricted stock awards and performance shares at 100% performance level excluded from the calculation of the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below:
	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
	2013	2012	2013	2012	2013	2012
Restricted stock awards	54,224	46,632	49,455	46,178	47,636	52,768
Performance shares (a)	124,997	51,133	111,726	48,439	105,090	36,329

____________________

(a) Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of the corresponding periods.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

In February 2013, the FASB issued new guidance, ASU 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) as discussed in Note A. This guidance requires disclosures regarding changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (net of tax) by component which are presented below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at June 30, 2013		$	(74,198	)	$	26,030		$	(12,429	)	$	(60,597	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			3,463			—			3,463
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,065			(158		)	65			972
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(75,737	)	$	22,194		$	(12,541	)	$	(66,084	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			7,383			—			7,383
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,604			(242		)	177			2,539
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)
		Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at September 30, 2012		$	(75,403	)	$	23,994		$	(12,626	)	$	(64,035	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,331		)	5,492			—			4,161
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,601			(151		)	262			3,712
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows ( in thousands):

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Twelve Months Ended			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Operations
		September 30, 2013
Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit costs:
	Prior service benefit	$	1,369		$	4,169		$	5,610		(a)
	Net loss	(2,903		)	(8,323		)	(11,316		)	(a)
		(1,534		)	(4,154		)	(5,706		)	Total before tax
		469			1,550			2,105			Income tax expense
		(1,065		)	(2,604		)	(3,601		)	Net of tax
Marketable securities:
	Net realized gain on sale of securities	199			287			474			Investment and interest income, net
	Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities included in pre-tax income	—			—			(313		)	Investment and interest income, net
		199			287			161			Total before tax
		(41		)	(45		)	(10		)	Income tax expense
		158			242			151			Net of tax
Loss on cash flow hedge:
	Amortization of loss	(104		)	(306		)	(405		)	Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
		(104		)	(306		)	(405		)	Total before tax
		39			129			143			Income tax expense
		(65		)	(177		)	(262		)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications	$	(972	)	$	(2,539	)	$	(3,712	)	Net of tax

(a) These items are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note H, Employee Benefits, for additional information.

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Financial Instruments And Investments (Marketable Securities Fair Value And Unrealized Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 securities		Dec. 31, 2012 securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments	$ 202,907		$ 187,053
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	32,204	[1]	17,786	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	(1,255)	[1]	(543)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	13,748	[1]	10,633	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	(745)	[1]	(364)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	45,952	[1]	28,419	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	(2,000)	[1]	(907)	[2]
Number of investable securities	112		65
Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	31,197	[1]	14,183	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	(1,159)	[1]	(134)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	13,531	[1]	10,633	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	(727)	[1]	(364)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	44,728	[1]	24,816	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	(1,886)	[1]	(498)	[2]
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	1,909	[1]	1,792	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	(100)	[1]	(5)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	729	[1]	416	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	(50)	[1]	(9)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	2,638	[1]	2,208	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	(150)	[1]	(14)	[2]
U.S. Government Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	10,664	[1]	6,633	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	(477)	[1]	(79)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	7,086	[1]	4,457	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	(344)	[1]	(114)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	17,750	[1]	11,090	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	(821)	[1]	(193)	[2]
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	15,360	[1]	5,306	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	(455)	[1]	(39)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	5,316	[1]	5,760	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	(328)	[1]	(241)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	20,676	[1]	11,066	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	(783)	[1]	(280)	[2]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	3,264	[1]	452	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	(127)	[1]	(11)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	400	[1]	0	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	(5)	[1]	0	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	3,664	[1]	452	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	(132)	[1]	(11)	[2]
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	1,007	[1]	3,603	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	(96)	[1]	(409)	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	217	[1]	0	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	(18)	[1]	0	[2]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	1,224	[1]	3,603	[2]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	$ (114)	[1]	$ (409)	[2]

[1] Includes approximately 112 securities.

[2] Includes approximately 65 securities.

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Regulation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	27 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended						0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	May 01, 2012 2012 Texas Retail Rate Case	Sep. 30, 2011 2012 Texas Retail Rate Case	Sep. 07, 2013 PUCT MW	Sep. 30, 2013 PUCT	Oct. 30, 2013 NMPRC	Sep. 07, 2013 NMPRC MW	Nov. 21, 2012 NMPRC MW	Sep. 30, 2013 NMPRC	Oct. 29, 2013 NMPRC	Oct. 01, 2013 FERC	Sep. 30, 2013 FERC	Sep. 28, 2013 FERC	Jan. 31, 2013 FERC	Aug. 03, 2012 PUCT Docket No. 40622	Sep. 23, 2013 PUCT Docket No. 41803	Sep. 27, 2013 PUCT Docket No. 41852	Sep. 07, 2013 MPS To Caliente Transmission Line PUCT Docket No. 41360 kV	Sep. 07, 2013 MPS In & Out Transmission Line PUCT Docket No. 41359 kV	Sep. 07, 2013 Caliente - Coyote Transmission Line PUCT Docket No. 41359 kV	Sep. 07, 2013 MPS To Montwood Transmission Line PUCT Docket No. 41809 kV	Oct. 30, 2013 Nuclear Fuel Financing NMPRC	Sep. 30, 2013 Nuclear Fuel Financing FERC
Reconcilable Fuel Expense				$ 356.5
Reduction in Annual Nonfuel Base Rate			15
Reduction in Depreciation Expense			4.1
Return on Equity			10.125%
Number of years rate case expenses amortized			2 years
Increase (Decrease) In Fixed Fuel Factor																	16.9
Percent Increase (Decrease) In Fixed Fuel Factor																	12.20%
Fuel over and under materiality threshold percentage						4.00%
Refund Payments Authorized																6.6
Cost of Purchased Power																		545.3
Fuel Reconciliation Period																		45 months
Rewards Authorized By Regulator For Operations																		3.4
Number of Power Generation Units		2				2				2
Electric Capacity					88			88	50										115	115	115	115
Number Of Transmission Lines	3
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity							400				300		400	300
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Period							4 years					4 years
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							300						300										50	50
Refund Related to Dispute															$ 1.9
Effective FERC Approval Period												2 years

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Income Taxes (Effective Income Tax Rates) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidated effective tax rate	34.90%	35.20%	34.60%	34.50%	34.20%	33.80%
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%

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Employee Benefits (Retirement Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Retirement Income Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 2,166	$ 2,207	$ 6,996	$ 6,621	$ 9,204	$ 8,334
Interest cost	3,410	3,389	10,210	10,167	13,600	13,663
Expected return on plan assets	(4,281)	(3,611)	(12,831)	(10,832)	(16,442)	(14,356)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	2,903	2,839	8,323	8,517	11,162	10,153
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	23	29	73	87	101	115
Net periodic benefit cost	4,221	4,853	12,771	14,560	17,625	17,909
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	972	1,095	3,172	3,284	4,266	4,031
Interest cost	1,292	1,413	4,042	4,238	5,455	5,583
Expected return on plan assets	(485)	(397)	(1,435)	(1,285)	(1,864)	(1,741)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	0	154	0	461	154	452
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	(1,392)	(1,470)	(4,242)	(4,408)	(5,711)	(5,890)
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 387	$ 795	$ 1,537	$ 2,290	$ 2,300	$ 2,435

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Financial Instruments And Investments (Sale Of Securities And The Related Effects On Pre-Tax Income ) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Financial Instruments And Investments [Abstract]
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 7,057	$ 14,582	$ 29,419	$ 74,095	$ 53,866	$ 89,180
Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income	212	447	593	1,526	814	1,757
Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income	(13)	(129)	(306)	(2,276)	(340)	(2,414)
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	0	0	0	(166)	(313)	(536)
Net gains (losses) in pre-tax income	199	318	287	(916)	161	(1,193)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income	4,300	6,169	8,861	11,986	6,802	18,470
Net gains (losses) in other comprehensive income	$ 4,101	$ 5,851	$ 8,574	$ 12,902	$ 6,641	$ 19,663

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Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Nuclear fuel; fuel in process	$ 37,294	$ 56,129
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 2,799	$ 2,906
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	65,625,339	65,520,551
Common stock, restricted shares	121,363	84,446
Treasury Stock, Shares	25,492,919	25,492,919

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Litigation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Litigation [Abstract]

Litigation Matters Disclosure

Litigation

The Company is a party to various legal actions. In many of these matters, the Company has excess casualty liability insurance that covers the various claims, actions and complaints. Based on a review of these claims and applicable insurance coverage, the Company believes that none of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. See Note C above and Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K for discussion of the effects of government legislation and regulation on the Company.

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Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income	$ 50,565	$ 51,789	$ 87,392	$ 86,027	$ 92,211	$ 91,480
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs:
Net loss arising during period	0	0	0	0	(2,109)	(77,678)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income for amortization of:
Prior service benefit	(1,369)	(1,441)	(4,169)	(4,321)	(5,610)	(5,775)
Net loss	2,903	2,993	8,323	8,978	11,316	10,605
Net unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities:
Net holding gains arising during period	4,300	6,169	8,861	11,986	6,802	18,470
Reclassification adjustments for net (gains) losses included in net income	(199)	(318)	(287)	916	(161)	1,193
Net losses on cash flow hedges:
Reclassification adjustment for interest expense included in net income	104	97	306	286	405	378
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	5,739	7,500	13,034	17,845	10,643	(52,807)
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs	(469)	(591)	(1,550)	(1,687)	(1,327)	28,643
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities	(796)	(1,201)	(1,433)	(2,571)	(1,300)	(3,788)
Losses on cash flow hedges	(39)	(36)	(129)	(117)	(143)	(219)
Total income tax benefit (expense)	(1,304)	(1,828)	(3,112)	(4,375)	(2,770)	24,636
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4,435	5,672	9,922	13,470	7,873	(28,171)
Comprehensive income	$ 55,000	$ 57,461	$ 97,314	$ 99,497	$ 100,084	$ 63,309

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Utility plant:
Electric plant in service	$ 3,044,963	$ 2,857,913
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,204,872)	(1,162,483)
Net plant in service	1,840,091	1,695,430
Construction work in progress	251,125	287,358
Nuclear fuel; includes fuel in process of $37,294 and $56,129, respectively	195,317	189,921
Less accumulated amortization	(85,992)	(70,366)
Net nuclear fuel	109,325	119,555
Net utility plant	2,200,541	2,102,343
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	61,948	111,057
Accounts receivable, principally trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,799 and $2,906, respectively	97,997	62,900
Accumulated deferred income taxes	14,149	20,292
Inventories, at cost	47,091	42,358
Undercollection of fuel revenues	6,605	0
Prepayments and other	8,990	9,627
Total current assets	236,780	246,234
Deferred charges and other assets:
Decommissioning trust funds	202,907	187,053
Regulatory assets	103,503	101,590
Other	33,661	31,830
Total deferred charges and other assets	340,071	320,473
Total assets	2,777,392	2,669,050
Capitalization:
Common stock, stated value $1 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 65,625,339 and 65,520,551 shares issued, and 121,363 and 84,446 restricted shares, respectively	65,747	65,605
Capital in excess of stated value	313,616	310,994
Retained earnings	995,144	939,131
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(56,162)	(66,084)
Total stockholders equity subtotal before treasury stock	1,318,345	1,249,646
Treasury stock, 25,492,919 shares at cost	(424,647)	(424,647)
Common stock equity	893,698	824,999
Long-term debt	999,598	999,535
Total capitalization	1,893,296	1,824,534
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility	15,491	22,155
Accounts payable, principally trade	47,103	61,581
Taxes accrued	31,849	29,248
Interest accrued	14,370	12,127
Overcollection of fuel revenues	2,886	4,643
Other	29,405	21,995
Total current liabilities	141,104	151,749
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes	405,331	358,674
Accrued pension liability	113,842	125,690
Accrued postretirement benefit liability	101,864	99,170
Asset retirement obligation	67,169	62,784
Regulatory liabilities	26,495	22,179
Other	28,291	24,270
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	742,992	692,767
Commitments and contingencies
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 2,777,392	$ 2,669,050

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Common Stock (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Shares repurchased			0	0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 10.7	$ 10.0	$ 31.4	$ 28.9	$ 41.4	$ 37.7

XML

Financial Instruments And Investments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Financial Instruments And Investments [Abstract]

Fair Values Of Long-Term Debt And Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF

Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt and short-term borrowings under the RCF are based on estimated market prices for similar issues and are presented below (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Pollution Control Bonds	$	193,135	$	195,519	$	193,135	$	215,228
Senior Notes	696,463		758,150		696,400		823,497
RGRT Senior Notes (1)	110,000		116,955		110,000		120,985
RCF (1)	15,491		15,491		22,155		22,155
Total	$	1,015,089	$	1,086,115	$	1,021,690	$	1,181,865

_______________

(1) Nuclear fuel financing as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is funded through the $110 million RGRT Senior Notes and $15.5 million and $22.2 million, respectively under the RCF. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no amount was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company’s borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting current market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value.

Marketable Securities Fair Value And Unrealized Losses

The tables below present the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Description of Securities (1):
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	1,909	$	(100	)	$	729	$	(50	)	$	2,638	$	(150	)
U.S. Government Bonds	10,664		(477		)	7,086		(344		)	17,750		(821		)
Municipal Obligations	15,360		(455		)	5,316		(328		)	20,676		(783		)
Corporate Obligations	3,264		(127		)	400		(5		)	3,664		(132		)
Total Debt Securities	31,197		(1,159		)	13,531		(727		)	44,728		(1,886		)
Common Stock	1,007		(96		)	217		(18		)	1,224		(114		)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities	$	32,204	$	(1,255	)	$	13,748	$	(745	)	$	45,952	$	(2,000	)

_________________

(1) Includes approximately 112 securities.

	December 31, 2012
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Description of Securities (2):
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	1,792	$	(5	)	$	416	$	(9	)	$	2,208	$	(14	)
U.S. Government Bonds	6,633		(79		)	4,457		(114		)	11,090		(193		)
Municipal Obligations	5,306		(39		)	5,760		(241		)	11,066		(280		)
Corporate Obligations	452		(11		)	—		—			452		(11		)
Total Debt Securities	14,183		(134		)	10,633		(364		)	24,816		(498		)
Common Stock	3,603		(409		)	—		—			3,603		(409		)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities	$	17,786	$	(543	)	$	10,633	$	(364	)	$	28,419	$	(907	)

_________________

(2) Includes approximately 65 securities.

Unrecognized Gross Unrealized Gains And the Fair Value

The table below presents the unrecognized gross unrealized gains and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Unrealized Gains		Fair Value		Unrealized Gains
Description of Securities:
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	13,753	$	531	$	17,289	$	1,036
U.S. Government Bonds	7,023		251		13,295		678
Municipal Obligations	14,296		728		22,797		1,531
Corporate Obligations	10,081		501		12,378		1,134
Total Debt Securities	45,153		2,011		65,759		4,379
Common Stock	89,534		34,116		73,210		22,839
Equity Mutual Funds	16,207		2,582		15,194		1,821
Cash and Cash Equivalents	6,061		—		4,471		—
Total	$	156,955	$	38,709	$	158,634	$	29,039

Contractual Year For Maturity Of Available-For-Sale Securities

The contractual year for maturity of these available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

	Total		2013		2014 through 2017		2018 through 2022		2023 and Beyond
Municipal Debt Obligations	$	34,972	$	555	$	12,200	$	17,498	$	4,719
Corporate Debt Obligations	13,745		—		4,144		5,533		4,068
U.S. Government Bonds	24,773		804		9,638		11,574		2,757

Unrealized Holding Losses Included In Pre-Tax Income

For the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized other than temporary impairment losses on its available-for-sale securities as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended					Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,					September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012			2013			2012
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(166	)	$	(313	)	$	(536	)

Sale of Securities And The Related Effects On Pre-Tax Income

The proceeds from the sale of these securities and the related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	7,057		$	14,582		$	29,419		$	74,095		$	53,866		$	89,180
Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income	$	212		$	447		$	593		$	1,526		$	814		$	1,757
Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income	(13		)	(129		)	(306		)	(2,276		)	(340		)	(2,414		)
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	—			—			—			(166		)	(313		)	(536		)
Net gains (losses) in pre-tax income	$	199		$	318		$	287		$	(916	)	$	161		$	(1,193	)
Net unrealized holding gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,300		$	6,169		$	8,861		$	11,986		$	6,802		$	18,470
Net (gains) losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	(199		)	(318		)	(287		)	916			(161		)	1,193
Net gains in other comprehensive income	$	4,101		$	5,851		$	8,574		$	12,902		$	6,641		$	19,663

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure

The fair value of the Company’s decommissioning trust funds and investment in debt securities, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the level within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by FASB guidance are presented in the table below (in thousands):

Description of Securities	Fair Value as of September 30, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Trading Securities:
Investment in Debt Securities	$	1,493	$	—	$	—	$	1,493
Available for sale:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	24,773	$	24,773	$	—	$	—
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	16,391		—		16,391		—
Municipal Bonds	34,972		—		34,972		—
Corporate Asset Backed Obligations	13,745		—		13,745		—
Subtotal Debt Securities	89,881		24,773		65,108		—
Common Stock	90,758		90,758		—		—
Equity Mutual Funds	16,207		16,207		—		—
Cash and Cash Equivalents	6,061		6,061		—		—
Total available for sale	$	202,907	$	137,799	$	65,108	$	—

Description of Securities	Fair Value as of December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Trading Securities:
Investment in Debt Securities	$	1,295	$	—	$	—	$	1,295
Available for sale:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	24,385	$	24,385	$	—	$	—
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	19,497		—		19,497		—
Municipal Bonds	33,863		—		33,863		—
Corporate Asset Backed Obligations	12,830		—		12,830		—
Subtotal Debt Securities	90,575		24,385		66,190		—
Common Stock	76,813		76,813		—		—
Equity Mutual Funds	15,194		15,194		—		—
Cash and Cash Equivalents	4,471		4,471		—		—
Total available for sale	$	187,053	$	120,863	$	66,190	$	—

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Financial Instruments And Investments (Unrealized Holding Losses Included In Pre-Tax Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Financial Instruments And Investments [Abstract]
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (166)	$ (313)	$ (536)

XML

Financial Instruments and Investments (Carrying Amount and Fair Value Amounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,015,089		$ 1,021,690
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	1,086,115		1,181,865
Pollution Control Bonds [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	193,135		193,135
Pollution Control Bonds [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	195,519		215,228
Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	696,463		696,400
Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	758,150		823,497
Rgrt Senior Notes | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	110,000	[1]	110,000	[1]
Rgrt Senior Notes | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	116,955	[1]	120,985	[1]
Revolving Credit Facility | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	15,491	[1]	22,155	[1]
Revolving Credit Facility | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 15,491	[1]	$ 22,155	[1]

[1] Nuclear fuel financing as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is funded through the $110 million RGRT Senior Notes and $15.5 million and $22.2 million, respectively under the RCF. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no amount was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company’s borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting current market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value.

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Commitments, Contingencies And Uncertainties (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
GHG Emission Level, Percentage	17.00%
Public Utilities, Assessed Coal Severance Surtax Penalty and Interest	$ 1.5
Comment period	60 days
Four Corners Coal Plant Participants
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Public Utilities, Assessed Coal Severance Surtax Penalty and Interest	30.0
Four Corners Generating Station [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	$ 0.5

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Commitments, Contingencies And Uncertainties (Union Matters) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 employees	Sep. 03, 2015	Sep. 03, 2014	Sep. 03, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Entity Number of Employees	1,000
Number of Employees Cover by Collective Bargaining Agreement, Percentage	40.00%
Collective Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date	Sep. 02, 2016
Term of Collective Bargaining Agreement, Year	P3Y
Collective Bargaining Agreement Effective Date	Sep. 03, 2013
Pay increase, percentage		2.25%	3.00%	3.00%

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Commitments, Contingencies And Uncertainties

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments, Contingencies And Uncertainties

Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties

For a full discussion of commitments and contingencies, see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K. In addition, see Note C above and Notes C and E of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K regarding matters related to wholesale power sales contracts and transmission contracts subject to regulation and Palo Verde, including decommissioning, spent nuclear fuel and waste disposal, and liability and insurance matters.

Power Purchase and Sale Contracts

To supplement its own generation and operating reserves, and to meet required renewable portfolio standards, the Company engages in firm power purchase arrangements which may vary in duration and amount based on evaluation of the Company’s resource needs, the economics of the transactions, and specific renewable portfolio requirements. For a full discussion of power purchase and sale contracts that the Company has entered into with various counterparties, see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K. In addition to the contracts disclosed in the 2012 Form 10-K, in May 2013, the NMPRC approved the Company's agreement with Macho Springs Solar, LLC to purchase the entire generation output delivered from the 50 MW Macho Springs solar photovoltaic project located in Luna County, New Mexico. The term of the purchase is 20 years from the commercial operation date of the Macho Springs project which is projected to be May 1, 2014. In addition, on September 5, 2013, the Company entered into a purchased power agreement with Newman Solar LLC to purchase, for a term of 30 years, the total output from a solar photovoltaic generation facility of approximately 10 MW that Newman Solar LLC will construct, own and operate on land subleased from the Company in proximity to its Newman Generation Station. This solar project is expected to be online at the end of 2014.

Environmental Matters

General. The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations and permit requirements with respect to air, soil and water quality, waste management and disposal, natural resources and other environmental matters by federal, state, regional, tribal and local authorities. Failure to comply with such laws, regulations and requirements can result in actions by authorities or other third parties that might seek to impose on the Company administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties or other sanctions. In addition, releases of pollutants or contaminants into the environment can result in costly cleanup liabilities. These laws, regulations and requirements are subject to change through modification or reinterpretation, or the introduction of new laws and regulations and, as a result, the Company may face additional capital and operating costs to comply. For a full discussion of certain key environmental issues, laws and regulations facing the Company see Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2012 Form 10-K.

Clean Air Interstate Rule/Cross State Air Pollution Rule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ("EPA") Clean Air Interstate Rule ("CAIR"), as applied to the Company, involves requirements to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides ("NOx") and sulfur dioxide ("SO2") from certain of the Company's power plants in Texas and/or purchase allowances representing other parties' emissions reductions since 2009. While the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit voided CAIR in 2008, on appeal the rule was reinstated until such time as the EPA promulgates a replacement rule. Because the appellate court in August of 2012 also vacated the EPA's proposed replacement, which is called the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (“CSAPR”), CAIR remains in effect. On March 29, 2013, the U.S. Solicitor General petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the D.C. Circuit's decision to vacate CSAPR, and on June 24, 2013, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. The timing and outcome of the Supreme Court decision is unknown, and in the meantime, the Company remains subject to CAIR. The annual reconciliation to comply with CAIR is due by March 31 of the following year.

Climate Change. On June 25, 2013, President Obama set forth his plan to address climate change. He reiterated a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions "in the range of 17 percent" below 2005 levels by 2020. The plan included a variety of executive actions including future regulatory measures to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. In a White House memorandum of the same date, the President directed the EPA to issue a new proposal for greenhouse gas rulemaking addressing new power plants by September 20, 2013, and a rule for existing power plants by June 1, 2014. The EPA released a draft re-proposed carbon pollution rule for new power plants on September 20, 2013. The Company continues its review of the new proposal and plans to participate in the 60-day comment period after publication in the Federal Register. Given the very significant remaining uncertainties regarding when and how these rules will become effective, the Company believes it is impossible to meaningfully quantify the costs of these potential requirements at present.

Environmental Litigation and Investigations. Since 2009, the EPA and certain environmental organizations have been scrutinizing, and in some cases, have filed lawsuits, relating to certain air emissions and air permitting matters related to Four Corners Generating Station ("Four Corners"). Since July 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ"), on behalf of the EPA, and Arizona Public Service Company ("APS") have been engaged in substantive settlement negotiations in an effort to resolve the pending matters. The allegations being addressed through settlement negotiations are that APS failed to obtain the necessary permits and install the controls necessary under the U.S. Clean Air Act ("CAA") to reduce SO2, NOx, and particular matter ("PM"), and that defendants failed to obtain an operating permit under Title V of the CAA that reflects applicable requirements imposed by law. In March 2012, the DOJ provided APS with a draft consent decree to settle the EPA matter, which decree contains specific provisions for the reduction and control of NOx, SO2, and PM, as well as provisions for a civil penalty, and expenditures on environmental mitigation projects with an emphasis on projects that address alleged harm to the Navajo Nation. Settlement discussions are on-going and the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these settlement negotiations. The Company has accrued a total of $0.5 million as a loss contingency related to this matter.

Similar to other utilities in the western half of the U.S., the Company received notice that Earthjustice filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for New Mexico on October 4, 2011 for alleged violations of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration ("PSD") provisions of the CAA related to Four Corners. On January 6, 2012, Earthjustice filed a First Amended Complaint adding claims for violations of the CAA's New Source Performance Standards ("NSPS") program. Among other things, the plaintiffs seek to have the court enjoin operations at Four Corners until APS applies for and obtains any required PSD permits and complies with the referenced NSPS program. The plaintiffs further request the court to order the payment of civil penalties, including a beneficial mitigation project. On April 2, 2012, APS and the other Four Corners' participants filed motions to dismiss with the court. Earthjustice filed their response briefs on May 16, 2012.  APS filed reply briefs on June 22, 2012.  Utility Air Regulatory Group filed an amicus brief, and plaintiffs were allowed until July 23, 2012 to respond to that amicus brief. In October 2013, a motion was filed to stay the case until December 1, 2013 in order to allow settlement discussions. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this litigation.

New Mexico Tax Matter Related to Coal Supplied to Four Corners

On May 23, 2013, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department issued a notice of assessment for coal severance surtax, penalty, and interest totaling approximately $30 million related to coal supplied under the coal supply agreement for Four Corners (the "Assessment"). The Company's share of the assessment is approximately $1.5 million. On behalf of the Four Corners participants, the coal supplier made a partial payment of the Assessment and immediately filed a refund claim with respect to that partial payment in August 2013. The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department denied the refund claim. Prior to year end, the coal supplier and APS, on its own behalf and as operating agent for Four Corners, intend to file a complaint with the New Mexico District Court contesting both the validity of the Assessment and the refund claim denial. APS believes the Assessment and the refund claim denial are without merit. The Company cannot predict the timing, results, or potential impacts of the outcome of this litigation.

Union Matters

The Company has approximately 1,000 employees, about 40% of whom are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 960 (“Local 960”) represents the Company’s employees working primarily in the power plants, substations, line crews, meter reading and collection, facilities services, and customer service. The Company entered into a new collective bargaining agreement effective September 3, 2013, with Local 960 for a three-year term ending September 2, 2016. The agreement provides for pay increases of 3% on September 3, 2013, 3% on September 3, 2014 and 2.25% on September 3, 2015.

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Common Stock (Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,132,250	40,009,866	40,107,555	39,959,866	40,084,525	39,959,034
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	0	71,849	16,071	67,583	28,122	108,411
Dilutive effect of stock options	0	9,910	0	16,705	2,274	18,071
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,132,250	40,091,625	40,123,626	40,044,154	40,114,921	40,085,516
Net income	$ 50,565	$ 51,789	$ 87,392	$ 86,027	$ 92,211	$ 91,480
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(150)	(134)	(249)	(257)	(253)	(304)
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	50,415	51,655	87,143	85,770	91,958	91,176
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(150)	(134)	(249)	(257)	(253)	(304)
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$ 50,415	$ 51,655	$ 87,143	$ 85,770	$ 91,958	$ 91,176
Earnings Per Share, Basic, Distributed	$ 0.265	$ 0.250	$ 0.780	$ 0.720	$ 1.030	$ 0.940
Earnings Per Share, Basic, Undistributed	$ 0.995	$ 1.040	$ 1.390	$ 1.430	$ 1.260	$ 1.340
Basic net income per common share	$ 1.260	$ 1.290	$ 2.170	$ 2.150	$ 2.290	$ 2.280
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Distributed	$ 0.265	$ 0.250	$ 0.780	$ 0.720	$ 1.030	$ 0.940
Earnings Per Sare, Diluted, Undistributed	$ 0.995	$ 1.040	$ 1.390	$ 1.420	$ 1.260	$ 1.330
Diluted net income per common share	$ 1.260	$ 1.290	$ 2.170	$ 2.140	$ 2.290	$ 2.270

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Financial Instruments And Investments (Unrecognized Gross Unrealized Gains And The Fair Value) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	$ 156,955	$ 158,634
Unrealized Gains	38,709	29,039
Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	45,153	65,759
Unrealized Gains	2,011	4,379
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	13,753	17,289
Unrealized Gains	531	1,036
U.S. Government Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	7,023	13,295
Unrealized Gains	251	678
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	14,296	22,797
Unrealized Gains	728	1,531
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	10,081	12,378
Unrealized Gains	501	1,134
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	89,534	73,210
Unrealized Gains	34,116	22,839
Mutual Funds - Equity [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	16,207	15,194
Unrealized Gains	2,582	1,821
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	6,061	4,471
Unrealized Gains	$ 0	$ 0

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Financial Instruments And Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Financial Instruments And Investments [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

Financial Instruments and Investments

FASB guidance requires the Company to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. The Company has determined that cash and temporary investments, investment in debt securities, accounts receivable, decommissioning trust funds, long-term debt, short-term borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF"), accounts payable and customer deposits meet the definition of financial instruments. The carrying amounts of cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and customer deposits approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items. Investments in debt securities and decommissioning trust funds are carried at fair value.

Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt and short-term borrowings under the RCF are based on estimated market prices for similar issues and are presented below (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Pollution Control Bonds	$	193,135	$	195,519	$	193,135	$	215,228
Senior Notes	696,463		758,150		696,400		823,497
RGRT Senior Notes (1)	110,000		116,955		110,000		120,985
RCF (1)	15,491		15,491		22,155		22,155
Total	$	1,015,089	$	1,086,115	$	1,021,690	$	1,181,865

_______________

(1) Nuclear fuel financing as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is funded through the $110 million RGRT Senior Notes and $15.5 million and $22.2 million, respectively under the RCF. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no amount was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company’s borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting current market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value.

Marketable Securities. The Company’s marketable securities, included in decommissioning trust funds in the balance sheets, are reported at fair value which was $202.9 million and $187.1 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These securities are classified as available for sale under FASB guidance for certain investments in debt and equity securities and are valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The reported fair values include gross unrealized losses on marketable securities whose impairment the Company has deemed to be temporary. The tables below present the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Description of Securities (1):
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	1,909	$	(100	)	$	729	$	(50	)	$	2,638	$	(150	)
U.S. Government Bonds	10,664		(477		)	7,086		(344		)	17,750		(821		)
Municipal Obligations	15,360		(455		)	5,316		(328		)	20,676		(783		)
Corporate Obligations	3,264		(127		)	400		(5		)	3,664		(132		)
Total Debt Securities	31,197		(1,159		)	13,531		(727		)	44,728		(1,886		)
Common Stock	1,007		(96		)	217		(18		)	1,224		(114		)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities	$	32,204	$	(1,255	)	$	13,748	$	(745	)	$	45,952	$	(2,000	)

_________________

(1) Includes approximately 112 securities.

	December 31, 2012
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Description of Securities (2):
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	1,792	$	(5	)	$	416	$	(9	)	$	2,208	$	(14	)
U.S. Government Bonds	6,633		(79		)	4,457		(114		)	11,090		(193		)
Municipal Obligations	5,306		(39		)	5,760		(241		)	11,066		(280		)
Corporate Obligations	452		(11		)	—		—			452		(11		)
Total Debt Securities	14,183		(134		)	10,633		(364		)	24,816		(498		)
Common Stock	3,603		(409		)	—		—			3,603		(409		)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities	$	17,786	$	(543	)	$	10,633	$	(364	)	$	28,419	$	(907	)

_________________

(2) Includes approximately 65 securities.

The Company monitors the length of time the security trades below its cost basis along with the amount and percentage of the unrealized loss in determining if a decline in fair value of marketable securities below recorded cost is considered to be other than temporary. In addition, the Company will research the future prospects of individual securities as necessary. As a result of these factors, as well as the Company’s intent and ability to hold these securities until their market price recovers, these securities are considered temporarily impaired. The Company does not anticipate expending monies held in trust before 2044 or a later period when the Company begins to decommission Palo Verde.

The reported fair values also include gross unrealized gains on marketable securities which have not been recognized in the Company’s net income. The table below presents the unrecognized gross unrealized gains and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category (in thousands):

	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Unrealized Gains		Fair Value		Unrealized Gains
Description of Securities:
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	$	13,753	$	531	$	17,289	$	1,036
U.S. Government Bonds	7,023		251		13,295		678
Municipal Obligations	14,296		728		22,797		1,531
Corporate Obligations	10,081		501		12,378		1,134
Total Debt Securities	45,153		2,011		65,759		4,379
Common Stock	89,534		34,116		73,210		22,839
Equity Mutual Funds	16,207		2,582		15,194		1,821
Cash and Cash Equivalents	6,061		—		4,471		—
Total	$	156,955	$	38,709	$	158,634	$	29,039

The Company’s marketable securities include investments in municipal, corporate and federal debt obligations. Substantially all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities, based on contractual maturity, are due in ten years or more. The mortgage-backed securities have an estimated weighted average maturity which generally range from three years to seven years and reflects anticipated future prepayments. The contractual year for maturity of these available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

	Total		2013		2014 through 2017		2018 through 2022		2023 and Beyond
Municipal Debt Obligations	$	34,972	$	555	$	12,200	$	17,498	$	4,719
Corporate Debt Obligations	13,745		—		4,144		5,533		4,068
U.S. Government Bonds	24,773		804		9,638		11,574		2,757

The Company recognizes impairment losses on certain of its securities deemed to be other than temporary. In accordance with FASB guidance, these impairment losses are recognized in net income, and a lower cost basis is established for these securities. For the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized other than temporary impairment losses on its available-for-sale securities as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended					Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,					September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012			2013			2012
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(166	)	$	(313	)	$	(536	)

The Company’s marketable securities in its decommissioning trust funds are sold from time to time and the Company uses the specific identification basis to determine the amount to reclassify out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income. The proceeds from the sale of these securities and the related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	7,057		$	14,582		$	29,419		$	74,095		$	53,866		$	89,180
Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income	$	212		$	447		$	593		$	1,526		$	814		$	1,757
Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income	(13		)	(129		)	(306		)	(2,276		)	(340		)	(2,414		)
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	—			—			—			(166		)	(313		)	(536		)
Net gains (losses) in pre-tax income	$	199		$	318		$	287		$	(916	)	$	161		$	(1,193	)
Net unrealized holding gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,300		$	6,169		$	8,861		$	11,986		$	6,802		$	18,470
Net (gains) losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	(199		)	(318		)	(287		)	916			(161		)	1,193
Net gains in other comprehensive income	$	4,101		$	5,851		$	8,574		$	12,902		$	6,641		$	19,663

Fair Value Measurements. FASB guidance requires the Company to provide expanded quantitative disclosures for financial assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Financial assets carried at fair value include the Company’s decommissioning trust investments and investment in debt securities which are included in deferred charges and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has no liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:

• Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in active exchange-traded equity securities and U.S. treasury securities that are in a highly liquid and active market.

• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in fixed income securities. The fair value of these financial instruments is based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information of similar securities, adjusted for observable differences.

• Level 3 – Unobservable inputs using data that is not corroborated by market data and primarily based on internal Company analysis using models and various other analyses. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs include the Company’s investment in debt securities.

The securities in the Company’s decommissioning trust funds are valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. FASB guidance identifies this valuation technique as the “market approach” with observable inputs. The Company analyzes available-for-sale securities to determine if losses are other than temporary.

The fair value of the Company’s decommissioning trust funds and investment in debt securities, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the level within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by FASB guidance are presented in the table below (in thousands):

Description of Securities	Fair Value as of September 30, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Trading Securities:
Investment in Debt Securities	$	1,493	$	—	$	—	$	1,493
Available for sale:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	24,773	$	24,773	$	—	$	—
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	16,391		—		16,391		—
Municipal Bonds	34,972		—		34,972		—
Corporate Asset Backed Obligations	13,745		—		13,745		—
Subtotal Debt Securities	89,881		24,773		65,108		—
Common Stock	90,758		90,758		—		—
Equity Mutual Funds	16,207		16,207		—		—
Cash and Cash Equivalents	6,061		6,061		—		—
Total available for sale	$	202,907	$	137,799	$	65,108	$	—

Description of Securities	Fair Value as of December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Trading Securities:
Investment in Debt Securities	$	1,295	$	—	$	—	$	1,295
Available for sale:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	24,385	$	24,385	$	—	$	—
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities	19,497		—		19,497		—
Municipal Bonds	33,863		—		33,863		—
Corporate Asset Backed Obligations	12,830		—		12,830		—
Subtotal Debt Securities	90,575		24,385		66,190		—
Common Stock	76,813		76,813		—		—
Equity Mutual Funds	15,194		15,194		—		—
Cash and Cash Equivalents	4,471		4,471		—		—
Total available for sale	$	187,053	$	120,863	$	66,190	$	—

There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories during the three, nine and twelve month periods ending September 30, 2013 and 2012. There were no purchases, sales, issuances, or settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurement category during the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013.

The Company realized in the consolidated statement of operations as investment and interest income a gain on the sale of a debt security of $0.4 million during the twelve month period ending September 30, 2012. There were no other purchases, issuances, or settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurements category during the three, nine and twelve month periods ending September 30, 2012.

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company files income tax returns in the United States ("U.S.") federal jurisdiction and in the states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The Company is no longer subject to tax examination by the taxing authorities in the federal jurisdiction for years prior to 2009 and in New Mexico for years prior to 2009. The Company is currently under audit in Texas for tax years 2007 through 2011. A deficiency notice relating to the Company’s 1998 through 2003 and 2006 and 2007 income tax returns in Arizona challenges a pollution control credit, a research and development credit and the payroll, sales and property apportionment factors. The Company is contesting these adjustments.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate was 34.9% and 35.2%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's consolidated effective tax rate was 34.6% and 34.5%, respectively. For the twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's consolidated effective tax rate was 34.2% and 33.8%, respectively. The Company's consolidated effective tax rate for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35.0% primarily due to the allowance for equity funds used during construction and state income taxes.

FASB guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In the three months ended September 30, 2013, a $4.1 million decrease was made to the reserve related to units of property for capitalized assets. The decrease is primarily the result of progress on portions of IRS audits for tax years 2009 to 2012. Further changes to the unrecognized tax position may be recognized as the IRS releases additional guidance as it pertains to the repair allowance for generation assets. A reconciliation of the September 30, 2013 and 2012 amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2013			2012
Balance at January 1	$	9,800		$	9,500
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—			400
Additions for tax positions of prior years	800			—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(4,100		)	(1,800		)
Balance at September 30	$	6,500		$	8,100

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows Parenthetical (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Payments To Fund Decommissioning Fund	$ 3.4	$ 3.4

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Financial Instruments And Investments (Sales of debt security) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Trading Securities Held-for-investment [Abstract]
Trading Securities, Realized Gain	$ 0.4

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Income Taxes Income Taxes Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	$ 4,100	$ 4,100	$ 1,800
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1		9,800	9,500
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		0	400
Additions for tax positions of prior years		800	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(4,100)	(4,100)	(1,800)
Balance at September 30	$ 6,500	$ 6,500	$ 8,100

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

In February 2013, the FASB issued new guidance, ASU 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) as discussed in Note A. This guidance requires disclosures regarding changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (net of tax) by component which are presented below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at June 30, 2013		$	(74,198	)	$	26,030		$	(12,429	)	$	(60,597	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			3,463			—			3,463
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,065			(158		)	65			972
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(75,737	)	$	22,194		$	(12,541	)	$	(66,084	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			7,383			—			7,383
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,604			(242		)	177			2,539
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)
		Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs			Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at September 30, 2012		$	(75,403	)	$	23,994		$	(12,626	)	$	(64,035	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,331		)	5,492			—			4,161
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,601			(151		)	262			3,712
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(73,133	)	$	29,335		$	(12,364	)	$	(56,162	)

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows ( in thousands):

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Twelve Months Ended			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Operations
		September 30, 2013
Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit costs:
	Prior service benefit	$	1,369		$	4,169		$	5,610		(a)
	Net loss	(2,903		)	(8,323		)	(11,316		)	(a)
		(1,534		)	(4,154		)	(5,706		)	Total before tax
		469			1,550			2,105			Income tax expense
		(1,065		)	(2,604		)	(3,601		)	Net of tax
Marketable securities:
	Net realized gain on sale of securities	199			287			474			Investment and interest income, net
	Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities included in pre-tax income	—			—			(313		)	Investment and interest income, net
		199			287			161			Total before tax
		(41		)	(45		)	(10		)	Income tax expense
		158			242			151			Net of tax
Loss on cash flow hedge:
	Amortization of loss	(104		)	(306		)	(405		)	Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
		(104		)	(306		)	(405		)	Total before tax
		39			129			143			Income tax expense
		(65		)	(177		)	(262		)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications	$	(972	)	$	(2,539	)	$	(3,712	)	Net of tax

(a) These items are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note H, Employee Benefits, for additional information.

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Employee Benefits

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

General Discussion of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits

Retirement Plans

The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 is made up of the components listed below as determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	2,166		$	2,207		$	6,996		$	6,621		$	9,204		$	8,334
Interest cost	3,410			3,389			10,210			10,167			13,600			13,663
Expected return on plan assets	(4,281		)	(3,611		)	(12,831		)	(10,832		)	(16,442		)	(14,356		)
Amortization of:
Net loss	2,903			2,839			8,323			8,517			11,162			10,153
Prior service cost	23			29			73			87			101			115
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,221		$	4,853		$	12,771		$	14,560		$	17,625		$	17,909

During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013, the Company contributed $16.4 million of its projected $16.8 million2013 annual contribution to its retirement plans.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 is made up of the components listed below (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	972		$	1,095		$	3,172		$	3,284		$	4,266		$	4,031
Interest cost	1,292			1,413			4,042			4,238			5,455			5,583
Expected return on plan assets	(485		)	(397		)	(1,435		)	(1,285		)	(1,864		)	(1,741		)
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit	(1,392		)	(1,470		)	(4,242		)	(4,408		)	(5,711		)	(5,890		)
Net loss	—			154			—			461			154			452
Net periodic benefit cost	$	387		$	795		$	1,537		$	2,290		$	2,300		$	2,435

During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013, the Company contributed $3.1 million of its projected $3.1 million2013 annual contribution to its other postretirement benefits plan.

On October 3, 2013, the Company's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Company's Other Postretirement Benefits Plan to limit the Company's exposure to increases in retiree medical costs associated with current and future retirees. In accordance with FASB guidance, the Company anticipates remeasuring the assets and liabilities of the plan during the fourth quarter of 2013.

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Employee Benefits (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Retirement Income Plan

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 is made up of the components listed below as determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	2,166		$	2,207		$	6,996		$	6,621		$	9,204		$	8,334
Interest cost	3,410			3,389			10,210			10,167			13,600			13,663
Expected return on plan assets	(4,281		)	(3,611		)	(12,831		)	(10,832		)	(16,442		)	(14,356		)
Amortization of:
Net loss	2,903			2,839			8,323			8,517			11,162			10,153
Prior service cost	23			29			73			87			101			115
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,221		$	4,853		$	12,771		$	14,560		$	17,625		$	17,909

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, nine and twelve months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 is made up of the components listed below (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	972		$	1,095		$	3,172		$	3,284		$	4,266		$	4,031
Interest cost	1,292			1,413			4,042			4,238			5,455			5,583
Expected return on plan assets	(485		)	(397		)	(1,435		)	(1,285		)	(1,864		)	(1,741		)
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit	(1,392		)	(1,470		)	(4,242		)	(4,408		)	(5,711		)	(5,890		)
Net loss	—			154			—			461			154			452
Net periodic benefit cost	$	387		$	795		$	1,537		$	2,290		$	2,300		$	2,435

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Common Stock (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share. The basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below (in thousands except for share data):
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,132,250			40,009,866
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	—			71,849
Dilutive effect of stock options	—			9,910
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,132,250			40,091,625
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	50,565		$	51,789
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(150		)	(134		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	50,415		$	51,655
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	50,565		$	51,789
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(150		)	(134		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	50,415		$	51,655
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.265		$	0.25
Undistributed earnings	0.995			1.04
Basic net income per common share	$	1.260		$	1.29
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.265		$	0.25
Undistributed earnings	0.995			1.04
Diluted net income per common share	$	1.260		$	1.29

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,107,555			39,959,866
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	16,071			67,583
Dilutive effect of stock options	—			16,705
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,123,626			40,044,154
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	87,392		$	86,027
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(249		)	(257		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	87,143		$	85,770
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	87,392		$	86,027
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(249		)	(257		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	87,143		$	85,770
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.78		$	0.72
Undistributed earnings	1.39			1.43
Basic net income per common share	$	2.17		$	2.15
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	0.78		$	0.72
Undistributed earnings	1.39			1.42
Diluted net income per common share	$	2.17		$	2.14

	Twelve Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,084,525			39,959,034
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	28,122			108,411
Dilutive effect of stock options	2,274			18,071
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,114,921			40,085,516
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	92,211		$	91,480
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(253		)	(304		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	91,958		$	91,176
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	92,211		$	91,480
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(253		)	(304		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	91,958		$	91,176
Basic net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	1.03		$	0.94
Undistributed earnings	1.26			1.34
Basic net income per common share	$	2.29		$	2.28
Diluted net income per common share:
Distributed earnings	$	1.03		$	0.94
Undistributed earnings	1.26			1.33
Diluted net income per common share	$	2.29		$	2.27

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share

The amount of restricted stock awards and performance shares at 100% performance level excluded from the calculation of the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below:
	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Twelve Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
	2013	2012	2013	2012	2013	2012
Restricted stock awards	54,224	46,632	49,455	46,178	47,636	52,768
Performance shares (a)	124,997	51,133	111,726	48,439	105,090	36,329

____________________

(a) Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of the corresponding periods.

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Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	ee
Entity Registrant Name	EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/
Entity Central Index Key	0000031978
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,257,265

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Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Income Tax [Abstract]

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation of the September 30, 2013 and 2012 amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2013			2012
Balance at January 1	$	9,800		$	9,500
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	—			400
Additions for tax positions of prior years	800			—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(4,100		)	(1,800		)
Balance at September 30	$	6,500		$	8,100