Regulation

General

The rates and services of the Company are regulated by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("PUCT"), the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission ("NMPRC"), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("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 Settlement. On April 17, 2012, the El Paso City 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 and the rates were effective as of May 1, 2012. As part of the 2012 Texas retail rate settlement, the Company agreed to 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 Company filed a fuel reconciliation request covering the period July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2013, as later discussed. The 2012 Texas retail rate settlement also provided 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.

Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor. The Company made its annual filing to establish its energy efficiency cost recovery factor for 2015 on May 1, 2014. In addition to projected energy efficiency costs for 2015 and true-up to prior year actual costs, the Company requested approval of a $2.0 million bonus for 2013 energy efficiency program results in accordance with PUCT rules. In a proposal for decision issued on October 7, 2014, the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") recommended approval of the Company's requested cost recovery including the requested bonus. The PUCT is scheduled to consider a final order at its November 14, 2014 open meeting.

Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. The Company's actual fuel costs, including purchased power energy costs, are recovered from customers through a fixed fuel factor. The PUCT has adopted a fuel cost recovery rule (the "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 April 15, 2014, the Company filed a request, which was assigned Docket No. 42384, to increase its fixed fuel factor by $10.7 million or 6.9% annually, pursuant to its approved formula. The revised fixed fuel factor reflects expected increases in prices for natural gas over the twelve month period beginning March 2014. The increase in the fixed fuel factor received final approval on May 28, 2014 and was effective with May 2014 billings. On August 26, 2014, the Company filed a request with the PUCT, which was designated Docket No. 42779, to surcharge under-recovered fuel costs of $19.9 million to customers over a twelve month period to begin in October 2014. However, on October 3, 2014, the Company withdrew its surcharge request as the Company believes that, as a result of declining natural gas prices and the reimbursement by the United States Department of Energy ("DOE") of amounts spent by the Company on spent nuclear fuel storage (see Note D), under-recovered costs, which as of September 30, 2014 have been reduced to $10.7 million, can be recovered through the current fuel factor.

Fuel Reconciliation Proceeding. Pursuant to the 2012 Texas retail rate settlement discussed above, 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. A settlement was reached and a final order was issued by the PUCT on July 11, 2014. The nine months ended September 30, 2014 financial results includes a $2.1 million, pre-tax increase to income reflecting the settlement of the Texas fuel reconciliation proceeding. The settlement included the recognition of $3.4 million of Palo Verde performance rewards associated with the 2009 to 2012 performance periods net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs of $1.75 million of which $0.5 million had been reserved. Palo Verde performance rewards are not recorded on the Company's books until the PUCT has ordered a final determination in a fuel proceeding or comparable evidence of collectability is obtained. In addition, the Company reimbursed the City of El Paso approximately $0.1 million in incurred expenses. The settlement provided for the current mine reclamation costs related to the Four Corners generating units to continue in the amount of approximately $70 thousand per month. The Company also agreed to file a request in a separate proceeding for a PUCT finding on the reasonableness of its decision to not continue participation in Four Corners Units 4 & 5 after July 2016 after the Company enters into an agreement containing the terms of the disposition. The settlement provides that 100% of margins on non-arbitrage sales (as defined by the settlement) and 50% of margins on arbitrage sales be shared with its Texas customers beginning April 1, 2014. For the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, the Company's total share of margins assignable to Texas retail jurisdiction, on arbitrage and non-arbitrage off-system sales, may not exceed 10% of the total margins assignable to the Texas retail jurisdiction on all off-system sales. The PUCT's final order completes the regulatory review and reconciliation of the Company's fuel expenses for the period through March 31, 2013.

Montana Power Station Approvals. As discussed further below, the Company has received a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity ("CCN") from the PUCT to construct all four units of the Montana Power Station ("MPS") in El Paso County, Texas. The Company also obtained air permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ"), and Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA").

On June 23, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in the Utility Air Regulatory Group vs EPA regarding EPA's authority to require greenhouse gas emissions ("GHG") Prevention of Significant Deterioration ("PSD") permits for stationary sources. The opinion concluded that EPA erred in making applicability of the Clean Air Act ("CAA") permitting requirements based on GHG emissions. As a result, the Company believes its EPA air permit is no longer required and could be rescinded, and it is eligible for a standard air permit to replace the new source review permit issued by the TCEQ. Accordingly, on August 1, 2014, the Company submitted a request to EPA to rescind the EPA air permit which request remains pending. Also, on September 16, 2014, the Company applied for a standard air permit, which TCEQ issued on October 2, 2014.

On December 13, 2012, in PUCT Docket No. 40301, the Company received CCN approval from the PUCT for MPS Units 1 and 2. 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 the MPS Units 3 and 4. The case was designated PUCT Docket No. 41763. Hearings in this case were held before an ALJ in February 2014. On July 11, 2014, the PUCT approved the CCN to construct MPS Units 3 and 4.

In 2013 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 the MPS to the existing Caliente Substation in east El Paso. (PUCT Docket No. 41360)


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

The Company is requesting to build these transmission lines to connect the new MPS to the electrical grid in order to meet expected customer growth and electric demand and to improve system reliability. On March 10, 2014, the PUCT issued a final order approving a unanimous settlement in the MPS to Caliente transmission CCN filing. On August 18, 2014, the PUCT issued final orders approving unanimous settlements of the MPS In & Out transmission CCN filing and the MPS to Montwood transmission CCN filing.

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 (the "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 costs and incentives and any necessary adjustments to the recovery factors.

Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Recovery. Fuel and purchased power costs are recovered through a Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Adjustment Clause (the "FPPCAC"). On January 8, 2014, the NMPRC approved the continuation of the FPPCAC without modification in NMPRC Case No. 13-00380-UT. Fuel and purchased power costs are reconciled to actual costs on a monthly basis and recovered or refunded to customers the second succeeding month. The Company recovers its investment in Palo Verde Unit 3 in New Mexico through the FPPCAC as purchased power using a proxy market price approved in the 2009 New Mexico rate stipulation.

Montana Power Station Approvals. The Company has received a CCN from the NMPRC to construct all four units of the MPS. The Company obtained air permits from the TCEQ and EPA as explained above. 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 the MPS Units 3 and 4. The case was designated NMPRC Case No. 13-00297-UT. A final order approving the Company's application was issued on June 11, 2014.

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 ("RCF") 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; 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 ("RGRT") to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing debt obligations related to the financing of purchases of nuclear fuel.

On January 14, 2014, the Company and RGRT entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement related to the RCF with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and issuing bank, and Union Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and various lending banks party thereto. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has available $300 million and the ability to increase the RCF by up to $100 million (up to a total of $400 million) upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, more fully set forth in the agreement, including obtaining commitments from lenders or third party financial institutions. The RCF has a term ending January 2019. The Company may extend the maturity date up to two times, in each case for an additional one year period upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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 November 15, 2013, the FERC issued an order in Docket No. ES13-59-000 approving the Company's filing to amend its current $300 million RCF 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; issue up to $300 million in new long-term debt; and to guarantee the issuance of up to $50 million of new debt by RGRT to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing debt obligations related to the purchase of nuclear fuel. As noted above, on January 14, 2014, the Company and RGRT entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement related to the RCF.

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