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Financing
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
FINANCING
FINANCING
Going Concern
As of September 30, 2017, Mississippi Power's current liabilities exceeded current assets by approximately $769 million primarily due to approximately $935 million that will be required through September 30, 2018 to fund maturities of long-term debt and $4 million that will be required to fund maturities of short-term debt. In addition, Mississippi Power has $40 million of tax-exempt variable rate demand obligations that are supported by short-term credit facilities and $50 million of fixed rate pollution control revenue bonds that are required to be remarketed over the next 12 months. Mississippi Power intends to utilize operating cash flows, lines of credit, and bank term loans, as market conditions permit, as well as, under certain circumstances, commercial paper and/or equity contributions and/or loans from Southern Company to fund Mississippi Power's short-term capital needs. Specifically, Mississippi Power has been informed by Southern Company that in the event sufficient funds are not available from external sources, Southern Company intends to provide Mississippi Power with loans and/or equity contributions sufficient to fund the remaining indebtedness scheduled to mature and other cash needs over the next 12 months. Therefore, Mississippi Power's financial statement presentation contemplates continuation of Mississippi Power as a going concern as a result of Southern Company's anticipated ongoing financial support of Mississippi Power. For additional information, see Notes 1 and 6 to the financial statements of Mississippi Power under "Recently Issued Accounting Standards" and "Going Concern," respectively, in Item 8 of the Form 10-K and Note (B) under "Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle."
DOE Loan Guarantee Borrowings
See Note 6 to the financial statements of Southern Company and Georgia Power in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for additional information regarding Georgia Power's Loan Guarantee Agreement with the DOE and related multi-advance term loan facility (FFB Credit Facility) with the FFB.
On July 27, 2017, Georgia Power entered into an amendment to the Loan Guarantee Agreement (LGA Amendment) in connection with the DOE's consent to Georgia Power's entry into the Services Agreement and the related intellectual property licenses (IP Licenses).
Under the terms of the Loan Guarantee Agreement, upon termination of the Vogtle 3 and 4 Agreement, further advances are conditioned upon the DOE's approval of any agreements entered into in replacement of the Vogtle 3 and 4 Agreement. Under the terms of the LGA Amendment, Georgia Power will not request any advances unless and until such time as Georgia Power has (i) completed the cost-to-complete and cancellation cost assessments prepared as a result of the bankruptcy of the EPC Contractor (Cost Assessments) and made a determination to continue construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, (ii) delivered to the DOE an updated project schedule, construction budget, and other information, (iii) entered into one or more agreements with a construction contractor or contractors that will be primarily responsible for construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 and such agreements have been approved by the DOE (together with the Services Agreement and the IP Licenses, the Replacement EPC Arrangements), and (iv) entered into a further amendment to the Loan Guarantee Agreement with the DOE to reflect the Replacement EPC Arrangements.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions described above, advances may be requested under the FFB Credit Facility on a quarterly basis through 2020. The final maturity date for each advance under the FFB Credit Facility is February 20, 2044. Interest is payable quarterly and principal payments will begin on February 20, 2020. Borrowings under the FFB Credit Facility will bear interest at the applicable U.S. Treasury rate plus a spread equal to 0.375%.
In addition to the conditions described above, future advances are subject to satisfaction of customary conditions, as well as certification of compliance with the requirements of the Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program, accuracy of project-related representations and warranties, delivery of updated project-related information, absence of liens on Georgia Power's ownership interest in Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 other than permitted liens, evidence of compliance with the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, as amended, and certification from the DOE's consulting engineer that proceeds of the advances are used to reimburse Eligible Project Costs.
Under the Loan Guarantee Agreement, Georgia Power is subject to customary borrower affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. In addition, Georgia Power is subject to project-related reporting requirements and other project-specific covenants and events of default.
In the event certain mandatory prepayment events occur, the FFB's commitment to make further advances under the FFB Credit Facility will terminate and Georgia Power will be required to prepay the outstanding principal amount of all borrowings under the FFB Credit Facility over a period of five years (with level principal amortization). Among other things, these mandatory prepayment events include (i) the termination of the Services Agreement or rejection of the Services Agreement in bankruptcy if Georgia Power does not maintain access to intellectual property rights under the IP Licenses; (ii) a decision by Georgia Power not to continue construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4; (iii) a failure by Georgia Power to complete the Cost Assessments or enter into Replacement EPC Arrangements by December 31, 2017; (iv) cancellation of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 by the Georgia PSC, or by Georgia Power if authorized by the Georgia PSC; and (v) cost disallowances by the Georgia PSC that could have a material adverse effect on completion of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 or Georgia Power's ability to repay the outstanding borrowings under the FFB Credit Facility. Under certain circumstances, insurance proceeds and any proceeds from an event of taking must be applied to immediately prepay outstanding borrowings under the FFB Credit Facility. In addition, under certain circumstances Georgia Power may be required to make additional prepayments in connection with its receipt of payments under the Guarantee Settlement Agreement or from the EPC Contractor under the Vogtle 3 and 4 Agreement. Georgia Power also may voluntarily prepay outstanding borrowings under the FFB Credit Facility. Under the FFB Credit Facility, any prepayment (whether mandatory or optional) will be made with a make-whole premium or discount, as applicable.
On September 28, 2017, the DOE issued a conditional commitment to Georgia Power for up to approximately $1.67 billion of additional guaranteed loans under the Loan Guarantee Agreement. Final approval and issuance of these additional loan guarantees by the DOE cannot be assured and are subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements, completion of due diligence by the DOE, receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of other conditions.
See Note (B) under "Regulatory MattersGeorgia PowerNuclear Construction" for additional information regarding Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4.
Bank Credit Arrangements
Bank credit arrangements provide liquidity support to the registrants' commercial paper borrowings and the traditional electric operating companies' pollution control revenue bonds. The amount of variable rate pollution control revenue bonds of the traditional electric operating companies outstanding requiring liquidity support as of September 30, 2017 was approximately $1.5 billion (comprised of approximately $854 million at Alabama Power, $550 million at Georgia Power, $82 million at Gulf Power, and $40 million at Mississippi Power). In June 2017, Georgia Power remarketed $318 million of variable rate pollution control bonds in index rate modes, reducing the liquidity support utilized under Georgia Power's bank credit arrangement. In addition, at September 30, 2017, the traditional electric operating companies had approximately $699 million (comprised of approximately $509 million at Georgia Power, $140 million at Gulf Power, and $50 million at Mississippi Power) of pollution control revenue bonds outstanding that were required to be remarketed within the next 12 months. Subsequent to September 30, 2017, $40 million of these pollution control revenue bonds of Georgia Power which were in an index rate mode were remarketed to the public in a long-term fixed rate mode. See Note 6 to the financial statements of each registrant under "Bank Credit Arrangements" in Item 8 of the Form 10-K and "Financing Activities" herein for additional information.
The following table outlines the committed credit arrangements by company as of September 30, 2017:
 
Expires
 
 
 
Executable Term
Loans
 
Expires Within
One Year
Company
2017
2018
2019
2020
2022
 
Total
 
Unused
 
One
Year
 
Two
Years
 
Term
Out
 
No Term
Out
 
(in millions)
Southern Company(a)
$

$

$

$

$
2,000

 
$
2,000

 
$
2,000

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Alabama Power

35


500

800

 
1,335

 
1,335

 

 

 

 
35

Georgia Power




1,750

 
1,750

 
1,732

 

 

 

 

Gulf Power
30

195

25

30


 
280

 
280

 
45

 

 

 
40

Mississippi Power
100





 
100

 
100

 

 

 

 
100

Southern Power Company(b)




750

 
750

 
728

 

 

 

 

Southern Company Gas(c)




1,900

 
1,900

 
1,861

 

 

 

 

Other

30




 
30

 
30

 
20

 

 
20

 
10

Southern Company Consolidated
$
130

$
260

$
25

$
530

$
7,200

 
$
8,145

 
$
8,066

 
$
65

 
$

 
$
20

 
$
185


(a)
Represents the Southern Company parent entity.
(b)
Does not include Southern Power's $120 million continuing letter of credit facility for standby letters of credit expiring in 2019, of which $111 million has been used for letters of credit and $9 million remains unused at September 30, 2017.
(c)
Southern Company Gas, as the parent entity, guarantees the obligations of Southern Company Gas Capital, which is the borrower of $1.2 billion of these arrangements. Southern Company Gas' committed credit arrangements also include $700 million for which Nicor Gas is the borrower and which is restricted for working capital needs of Nicor Gas.
As reflected in the table above, in May 2017, Southern Company, Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Southern Power Company each amended certain of their multi-year credit arrangements, which, among other things, extended the maturity dates from 2020 to 2022. Southern Company and Southern Power Company increased their borrowing ability under these arrangements to $2.0 billion from $1.25 billion and to $750 million from $600 million, respectively. Southern Company also terminated its $1.0 billion facility maturing in 2018. Also in May 2017, Southern Company Gas Capital and Nicor Gas terminated their existing credit arrangements for $1.3 billion and $700 million, respectively, which were to mature in 2017 and 2018, and entered into a new multi-year credit arrangement currently allocated for $1.2 billion and $700 million, respectively, with a maturity date of 2022. Pursuant to the new multi-year credit arrangement, the allocations may be adjusted. In September 2017, Alabama Power amended its $500 million multi-year credit arrangement, which, among other things, extended the maturity date from 2018 to 2020.
Subject to applicable market conditions, Southern Company and its subsidiaries expect to renew or replace their bank credit arrangements as needed, prior to expiration. In connection therewith, Southern Company and its subsidiaries may extend the maturity dates and/or increase or decrease the lending commitments thereunder.
Financing Activities
The following table outlines the long-term debt financing activities for Southern Company and its subsidiaries for the first nine months of 2017:
Company
Senior Note Issuances
 
Senior
Note Maturities and Redemptions
 
Revenue
Bond
Maturities, Redemptions, and
Repurchases
 
Other
Long-Term
Debt
Issuances
 
Other
Long-Term Debt Redemptions
and
Maturities(a)
 
(in millions)
Southern Company(b)
$
300

 
$
400

 
$

 
$
500

 
$
400

Alabama Power
550

 
200

 
36

 

 

Georgia Power
1,350

 
450

 
65

 
370

 
13

Gulf Power
300

 
85

 

 
6

 

Mississippi Power

 

 

 
40

 
893

Southern Power

 

 

 
43

 
4

Southern Company Gas(c)
450

 

 

 
200

 
22

Other

 

 

 

 
12

Elimination(d)

 

 

 
(40
)
 
(599
)
Southern Company Consolidated
$
2,950

 
$
1,135

 
$
101

 
$
1,119

 
$
745


(a)
Includes reductions in capital lease obligations resulting from cash payments under capital leases.
(b)
Represents the Southern Company parent entity.
(c)
The senior notes were issued by Southern Company Gas Capital and guaranteed by the Southern Company Gas parent entity. Other long-term debt issued represents first mortgage bonds issued by Nicor Gas.
(d)
Includes intercompany loans from Southern Company to Mississippi Power and reductions in affiliate capital lease obligations at Georgia Power. These transactions are eliminated in Southern Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
Southern Company
In June 2017, Southern Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017A 5.325% Junior Subordinated Notes due June 21, 2057 and $300 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017A Floating Rate Senior Notes due September 30, 2020, which bear interest at a floating rate based on three-month LIBOR. The proceeds were used to repay short-term indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.
Also in June 2017, Southern Company entered into two $100 million aggregate principal amount floating rate bank term loan agreements, which mature on June 21, 2018 and June 29, 2018 and bear interest based on one-month LIBOR. The proceeds were used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
In August 2017, Southern Company borrowed $250 million pursuant to an uncommitted bank credit arrangement, which bears interest at a rate agreed upon by Southern Company and the bank from time to time and is payable on no less than 30 days' demand by the bank. The proceeds were used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
Alabama Power
In March 2017, Alabama Power issued $550 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017A 2.45% Senior Notes due March 30, 2022. The proceeds were used to repay Alabama Power's short-term indebtedness and for general corporate purposes, including Alabama Power's continuous construction program.
In September 2017, Alabama Power issued 10 million shares ($250 million aggregate stated capital) of 5.00% Class A Preferred Stock, Cumulative, Par Value $1 Per Share (Stated Capital $25 Per Share). The proceeds were used in October 2017 to redeem all 2 million shares ($50 million aggregate stated capital) of Alabama Power's 6.50% Series Preference Stock, 6 million shares ($150 million aggregate stated capital) of Alabama Power's 6.45% Series Preference Stock, and 1.52 million shares ($38 million aggregate stated capital) of Alabama Power's 5.83% Class A Preferred Stock and for other general corporate purposes, including Alabama Power's continuous construction program.
Georgia Power
In March 2017, Georgia Power issued $450 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017A 2.00% Senior Notes due March 30, 2020 and $400 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017B 3.25% Senior Notes due March 30, 2027. The proceeds were used to repay a portion of Georgia Power's short-term indebtedness and for general corporate purposes, including Georgia Power's continuous construction program.
In April 2017, Georgia Power purchased and held $27 million aggregate principal amount of Development Authority of Burke County (Georgia) Pollution Control Revenue Bonds (Georgia Power Company Plant Vogtle Project), Fifth Series 1995. Subsequent to September 30, 2017, Georgia Power remarketed these bonds to the public.
In June 2017, Georgia Power entered into three floating rate bank loans in aggregate principal amounts of $50 million, $150 million, and $100 million, with maturity dates of December 1, 2017, May 31, 2018, and June 28, 2018, respectively, which bear interest based on one-month LIBOR. Also in June 2017, Georgia Power borrowed $500 million pursuant to an uncommitted bank credit arrangement, which bears interest at a rate agreed upon by Georgia Power and the bank from time to time and is payable on no less than 30 days' demand by the bank. The proceeds from these bank loans were used to repay a portion of Georgia Power's existing indebtedness and for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including Georgia Power's continuous construction program.
In August 2017, Georgia Power repaid $250 million of the $500 million aggregate principal amount outstanding pursuant to its uncommitted bank credit arrangement. Also in August 2017, Georgia Power amended its $100 million floating rate bank loan to extend the maturity date from June 28, 2018 to October 26, 2018.
Also in August 2017, Georgia Power issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017C 2.00% Senior Notes due September 8, 2020. The proceeds were used to repay Georgia Power's $50 million floating rate bank loan due December 1, 2017 and outstanding commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes.
Also in August 2017, Georgia Power purchased and held $38 million aggregate principal amount of Development Authority of Bartow County (Georgia) Pollution Control Revenue Bonds (Georgia Power Company Plant Bowen Project), First Series 1997. Subsequent to September 30, 2017, Georgia Power remarketed these bonds to the public.
In September 2017, Georgia Power issued $270 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017A 5.00% Junior Subordinated Notes due October 1, 2077. The proceeds were used in October 2017 to redeem all 1.8 million shares ($45 million aggregate liquidation amount) of Georgia Power's 6.125% Series Class A Preferred Stock and 2.25 million shares ($225 million aggregate liquidation amount) of Georgia Power's 6.50% Series 2007A Preference Stock.
Gulf Power
In March 2017, Gulf Power extended the maturity of a $100 million short-term floating rate bank loan bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR from April 2017 to October 2017 and subsequently repaid the loan in May 2017.
In May 2017, Gulf Power issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017A 3.30% Senior Notes due May 30, 2027. The proceeds, together with other funds, were used to repay at maturity $85 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2007A 5.90% Senior Notes due June 15, 2017; to repay outstanding commercial paper borrowings; to repay a $100 million short-term floating rate bank loan, as discussed above; and to redeem, in June 2017, 550,000 shares ($55 million aggregate liquidation amount) of Gulf Power's 6.00% Series Preference Stock, 450,000 shares ($45 million aggregate liquidation amount) of Gulf Power's Series 2007A 6.45% Preference Stock, and 500,000 shares ($50 million aggregate liquidation amount) of Gulf Power's Series 2013A 5.60% Preference Stock.
Mississippi Power
In March 2017, Mississippi Power issued a $9 million short-term bank note bearing interest at 5% per annum, which was repaid in April 2017.
In February 2017, Mississippi Power amended $551 million in promissory notes to Southern Company extending the maturity dates of the notes from December 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018. In the second quarter 2017, Mississippi Power borrowed an additional $40 million under a promissory note issued to Southern Company.
In June 2017, Southern Company made equity contributions totaling $1.0 billion to Mississippi Power. Mississippi Power used a portion of the proceeds to (i) prepay $300 million of the outstanding principal amount under its $1.2 billion unsecured term loan, which matures on March 30, 2018; (ii) repay all of the $591 million outstanding principal amount of promissory notes to Southern Company; and (iii) repay a $10 million short-term bank loan.
In August 2017, Mississippi Power repaid a $12.5 million short-term bank note.
In September 2017, Mississippi Power issued a floating rate promissory note to Southern Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150 million bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR. Mississippi Power borrowed $109 million under this promissory note primarily to satisfy its federal income tax obligations for the quarter ending September 30, 2017 and subsequently repaid the promissory note upon receipt of its income tax refund from the U.S. federal government related to the settlement concerning deductible R&E expenditures. See Note (G) under "Section 174 Research and Experimental Deduction" for additional information.
Southern Power
In September 2017, Southern Power amended its $60 million aggregate principal amount floating rate bank loan to, among other things, increase the aggregate principal amount to $100 million and extend the maturity date from September 2017 to October 2018. The additional $40 million of proceeds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.
Southern Company Gas
In May 2017, Southern Company Gas Capital issued $450 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2017A 4.40% Senior Notes due May 30, 2047. The proceeds were used to repay Southern Company Gas' short-term indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
In July 2017, Nicor Gas agreed to issue $400 million aggregate principal amount of first mortgage bonds in a private placement. On August 10, 2017, Nicor Gas issued $100 million aggregate principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds 3.03% Series due August 10, 2027 and $100 million aggregate principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds 3.62% Series due August 10, 2037. The proceeds were used to repay short-term indebtedness incurred under the Nicor Gas commercial paper program and for other working capital needs. The remaining $200 million is expected to be issued in November 2017.