EX-13.2 11 ex13_2.htm 2008 ANNUAL REPORT OF REGISTRANT SUBSDIARIES - FES, OE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, MET-ED, PENELEC ex13_2.htm

 
ANNUAL REPORT 2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

 
 
Contents
Page
   
Glossary of Terms
iii-v
   
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.
 
     
 
Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
1-5
 
Management Reports
6
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
7
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
8
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
9
 
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization
10
 
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity
11
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
12
     
Ohio Edison Company
 
     
 
Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
13-15
 
Management Reports
16
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
17
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
18
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
19
 
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization
20
 
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity
21
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
22
 
   
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
 
     
 
Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
23-25
 
Management Reports
26
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
27
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
28
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
29
 
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization
30
 
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity
31
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
32
     
The Toledo Edison Company
 
     
 
Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
33-35
 
Management Reports
36
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
37
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
38
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
39
 
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization
40
 
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity
41
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
42
     
Jersey Central Power & Light Company
 
     
 
Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
43-46
 
Management Reports
47
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
48
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
49
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
50
 
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization
51
 
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity
52
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
53

 
i

 
 
Contents (Cont’d)
Page
   
Metropolitan Edison Company
 
     
 
Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
54-57
 
Management Reports
58
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
59
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
60
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
61
 
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization
62
 
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity
63
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
64
     
Pennsylvania Electric Company
 
 
   
 
Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
65-68
 
Management Reports
69
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
70
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
71
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
72
 
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization
73
 
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity
74
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
75
     
Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries
76-90
   
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
91-145

 
ii

 
 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following abbreviations and acronyms are used in this report to identify FirstEnergy Corp. and its current and former subsidiaries:

ATSI
American Transmission Systems, Inc., owns and operates transmission facilities
CEI
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
Centerior
Centerior Energy Corporation, former parent of CEI and TE, which merged with OE to form FirstEnergy on November 8, 1997
FENOC
FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company, operates nuclear generating facilities
FES
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., provides energy-related products and services
FESC
FirstEnergy Service Company, provides legal, financial and other corporate support services
FGCO
FirstEnergy Generation Corp., owns and operates non-nuclear generating facilities
FirstEnergy
FirstEnergy Corp., a public utility holding company
GPU
GPU, Inc., former parent of JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec, which merged with FirstEnergy on November 7, 2001
JCP&L
Jersey Central Power & Light Company, a New Jersey electric utility operating subsidiary
JCP&L Transition
   Funding
JCP&L Transition Funding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and issuer of transition bonds
JCP&L Transition
   Funding II
JCP&L Transition Funding II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and issuer of transition bonds
Met-Ed
Metropolitan Edison Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary
NGC
FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp., owns nuclear generating facilities
OE
Ohio Edison Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
Ohio Companies
CEI, OE and TE
Pennsylvania Companies
Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn
Penelec
Pennsylvania Electric Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary
Penn
Pennsylvania Power Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary of OE
PNBV
PNBV Capital Trust, a special purpose entity created by OE in 1996
Shippingport
Shippingport Capital Trust, a special purpose entity created by CEI and TE in 1997
TE
The Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
Utilities
OE, CEI, TE, Penn, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec
Waverly
The Waverly Power and Light Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Penelec
   
      The following abbreviations and acronyms are used to identify frequently used terms in this report:
   
ACO
Administrative Consent Order
AEP
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
ALJ
Administrative Law Judge
AMP-Ohio
American Municipal Power - Ohio
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
AOCL
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
AQC
Air Quality Control
ARB
Accounting Research Bulletin
ARO
Asset Retirement Obligation
BGS
Basic Generation Service
CAA
Clean Air Act
CAIR
Clean Air Interstate Rule
CAMR
Clean Air Mercury Rule
CAT
Commercial Activity Tax
CBP
Competitive Bid Process
CO2
Carbon Dioxide
CTC
Competitive Transition Charge
DFI
Demand for Information
DOJ
United States Department of Justice
DRA
Division of Ratepayer Advocate
EIS
Energy Independence Strategy
EITF
Emerging Issues Task Force
EITF 01-8
Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease
EITF 08-6
Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations
EMP
Energy Master Plan

 
iii

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS Cont’d.

EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
EPACT
Energy Policy Act of 2005
ESP
Electric Security Plan
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FIN
FASB Interpretation
FIN 46R
FIN 46 (revised December 2003), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities"
FIN 47
FIN 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143"
FIN 48
FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”
FMB
First Mortgage Bond
FSP
FASB Staff Position
FSP SFAS 115-1
   and SFAS 124-1
FSP SFAS 115-1 and SFAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments”
GAAP
Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States
GHG
Greenhouse Gases
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
ISO
Independent System Operator
kV
Kilovolt
KWH
Kilowatt-hours
LED
Light-emitting Diode
LOC
Letter of Credit
MEW
Mission Energy Westside, Inc.
MISO
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.
Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MRO
Market Rate Offer
MTC
Market Transition Charge
MW
Megawatts
NAAQS
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NERC
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NJBPU
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
NOV
Notice of Violation
NOX
Nitrogen Oxide
NRC
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NSR
New Source Review
NUG
Non-Utility Generation
NUGC
Non-Utility Generation Charge
OCA
Office of Consumer Advocate
OCI
Other Comprehensive Income
OPEB
Other Post-Employment Benefits
OSBA
Office of Small Business Advocate
OTC
Over the Counter
PCRB
Pollution Control Revenue Bond
PJM
PJM Interconnection L. L. C.
PLR
Provider of Last Resort; an electric utility’s obligation to provide generation service to customers whose alternative supplier fails to deliver service
PPUC
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
PRP
Potentially Responsible Party
PSA
Power Supply Agreement
PUCO
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
PUHCA
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
RCP
Rate Certainty Plan
RECB
Regional Expansion Criteria and Benefits
RFP
Request for Proposal
RSP
Rate Stabilization Plan
RTC
Regulatory Transition Charge
RTO
Regional Transmission Organization
S&P
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service
SBC
Societal Benefits Charge
SEC
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SECA
Seams Elimination Cost Adjustment

 
iv

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS Cont’d.

SFAS
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
SFAS 71
SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation"
SFAS 101
SFAS No. 101, "Accounting for Discontinuation of Application of SFAS 71"
SFAS 107
SFAS No. 107, “Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”
SFAS 109
SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”
SFAS 115
SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities"
SFAS 132(R)-1
SFAS No. 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets”
SFAS 133
SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”
SFAS 141(R)
SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations”
SFAS 142
SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets"
SFAS 143
SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations"
SFAS 144
SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets"
SFAS 157
SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”
SFAS 158
SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans-an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)”
SFAS 159
SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”
SFAS 160
SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51”
SFAS 161
SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment  of FASB Statement No. 133”
SIP
State Implementation Plan(s) Under the Clean Air Act
SNCR
Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction
SO2
Sulfur Dioxide
TBC
Transition Bond Charge
TMI-1
Three Mile Island Unit 1
TMI-2
Three Mile Island Unit 2
TSC
Transmission Service Charge
VIE
Variable Interest Entity

 
v

 

This combined Annual Report is separately filed by FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company. Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant is filed by such registrant on its own behalf. No registrant makes any representation as to information relating to any other registrant.
 

 
Forward-Looking Statements: This discussion includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "believe," "estimate" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially due to the speed and nature of increased competition in the electric utility industry and legislative and regulatory changes affecting how generation rates will be determined following the expiration of existing rate plans in Ohio and Pennsylvania, the impact of the PUCO's regulatory process on the Ohio Companies associated with the ESP and MRO filings, including any resultant mechanism under which the Ohio Companies may not fully recover costs (including, but not limited to, the costs of generation supply procured by the Ohio Companies, Regulatory Transition Charges and fuel charges), or the outcome of any competitive generation procurement process in Ohio, economic or weather conditions affecting future sales and margins, changes in markets for energy services, changing energy and commodity market prices and availability, replacement power costs being higher than anticipated or inadequately hedged, the continued ability of the Utilities to collect transition and other charges or to recover increased transmission costs, maintenance costs being higher than anticipated, other legislative and regulatory changes, revised environmental requirements, including possible greenhouse gas emission regulations, the potential impacts of the U.S. Court of Appeals' July 11, 2008 decision requiring revisions to the CAIR rules and the scope of any laws, rules or regulations that may ultimately take their place, the uncertainty of the timing and amounts of the capital expenditures needed to, among other things, implement the AQC Plan (including that such amounts could be higher than anticipated or that certain generating units may need to be shut down) or levels of emission reductions related to the Consent Decree resolving the NSR litigation or other potential regulatory initiatives, adverse regulatory or legal decisions and outcomes (including, but not limited to, the revocation of necessary licenses or operating permits and oversight) by the NRC (including, but not limited to, the Demand for Information issued to FENOC on May 14, 2007), the timing and outcome of various proceedings before the PUCO (including, but not limited to the distribution rate cases and the generation supply plan filing for the Ohio Companies and the successful resolution of the issues remanded to the PUCO by the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the RSP and the RCP, including the recovery of deferred fuel costs), Met-Ed's and Penelec's transmission service charge filings with the PPUC, the continuing availability of generating units and their ability to operate at or near full capacity, the ability to comply with applicable state and federal reliability standards, the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic goals (including employee workforce initiatives), the ability to improve electric commodity margins and to experience growth in the distribution business, the changing market conditions that could affect the value of assets held in nuclear decommissioning trusts, pension trusts and other trust funds, and cause the registrants to make additional contributions sooner, or in an amount that is larger than currently anticipated, the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with FirstEnergy’s financing plan and the cost of such capital, changes in general economic conditions affecting the registrants, the state of the capital and credit markets affecting the registrants, interest rates and any actions taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect the registrants’ access to financing or its costs and increase requirements to post additional collateral to support outstanding commodity positions, LOCs and other financial guarantees, the continuing decline of the national and regional economy and its impact on the registrants’ major industrial and commercial customers, issues concerning the soundness of financial institutions and counterparties with which the registrants do business, and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in the registrant’s SEC filings, and other similar factors. The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on the registrant’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The registrants expressly disclaim any current intention to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
 
 
 

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


FES is a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy. FES provides energy-related products and services primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Maryland, and through its subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC, owns or leases and operates and maintains FirstEnergy’s fossil and hydroelectric generation facilities and owns FirstEnergy’s nuclear generation facilities, respectively. FENOC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy, operates and maintains the nuclear generating facilities.

FES’ revenues are primarily derived from the sale of electricity (provided from FES’ generating facilities and through purchased power arrangements) to affiliated utility companies to meet all or a portion of their PLR and default service requirements. These affiliated power sales included a full-requirements PSA with OE, CEI and TE to supply each of their default service obligations through December 31, 2008, at prices that considered their respective PUCO-authorized billing rates. See Regulatory Matters – Ohio below for a discussion of power supply for 2009 and beyond. FES also has a partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement with its affiliates, Met-Ed and Penelec, to supply a portion of each of their respective default service obligations at fixed prices through 2009. This sales agreement is renewed annually unless cancelled by either party with at least a sixty day written notice prior to the end of the calendar year. The fixed prices under the partial requirements agreement are expected to remain below wholesale market prices during the term of the agreement. FES also supplies a portion of Penn’s default service requirements at market-based rates as a result of Penn’s 2008 competitive solicitations. FES’ revenues also include competitive retail and wholesale sales to non-affiliated customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan and Illinois.

Results of Operations

Net income decreased to $506 million in 2008 from $529 million in 2007 primarily due to higher fuel, depreciation and other operating expenses and lower investment income, partially offset by higher revenues and lower purchased power and interest expenses.

Revenues

Revenues increased by $193 million in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to increases in revenues from wholesale sales, partially offset by lower retail generation sales. The increase in revenues in 2008 from 2007 is summarized below:


Revenues by Type of Service
 
2008
   
2007
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Non-Affiliated Generation Sales:
                 
Retail
  $ 615     $ 712     $ (97 )
Wholesale
    717       603       114  
Total Non-Affiliated Generation Sales
    1,332       1,315       17  
Affiliated Wholesale Generation Sales
    2,968       2,901       67  
Transmission
    150       103       47  
Other
    68       6       62  
Total Revenues
  $ 4,518     $ 4,325     $ 193  

Retail generation sales revenues decreased due to lower contract renewals for commercial and industrial customers in the PJM market and the termination of certain government aggregation programs in the MISO market. Non-affiliated wholesale revenues increased due to higher capacity prices and sales volumes in the PJM market, partially offset by decreased sales volumes in the MISO market.

Increased affiliated company wholesale sales resulted from higher unit prices for the Ohio Companies partially offset by lower unit prices for the Pennsylvania Companies and decreased sales volumes to all affiliates. Higher unit prices on sales to the Ohio Companies were due to the PSA provision that provides for prices to reflect the increase in the Ohio Companies’ retail generation rates (see Regulatory Matters – Ohio). While unit prices for each of the Pennsylvania Companies did not change, the mix of sales among the companies caused the overall composite price to decline. The lower PSA affiliated sales volumes were due to milder weather and reduced default service requirements in Penn’s service territory as a result of its RFP process.

 
1

 


The following tables summarize the price and volume factors contributing to changes in revenues from non-affiliated and affiliated generation sales in 2008 compared to 2007:

   
Increase
 
Source of Change in Non-Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
(Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Retail:
       
Effect of 15.8% decrease in sales volumes
 
$
(113
)
Change in prices
   
16
 
     
(97
)
Wholesale:
       
Effect of 3.8% increase in sales volumes
   
23
 
Change in prices
   
91
 
     
114
 
Net Increase in Non-Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
$
17
 

   
Increase
 
Source of Change in Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
(Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Ohio Companies:
       
Effect of 1.5% decrease in sales volumes
 
$
(34
)
Change in prices
   
129
 
     
95
 
Pennsylvania Companies:
       
Effect of 1.5% decrease in sales volumes
   
(10
)
Change in prices
   
(18
)
     
(28
)
Net Increase in Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
$
67
 

Transmission revenue increased $47 million due primarily to higher rates for transmission service in MISO and PJM. Other revenue increased by $62 million principally due to revenue from affiliated companies for the lessor equity interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2 and Perry that were acquired by NGC during the second quarter of 2008.

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $194 million in 2008 compared to 2007. The following tables summarize the factors contributing to the changes in fuel and purchased power costs in 2008 from 2007:

Source of Change in Fuel Costs
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Fossil Fuel:
       
Change due to volume consumed
 
 $
90
 
Change due to increased unit costs
   
129
 
     
219
 
Nuclear Fuel:
       
Change due to volume consumed
   
8
 
Change due to increased unit costs
   
1
 
     
9
 
Net Increase in Fuel Costs
 
 $
228
 

Source of Change in Purchased Power Costs
 
Increase
 (Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Purchased Power From Affiliates
       
Change due to volume purchased
 
(124
)
Change due to decreased unit costs
   
(9
)
     
(133
)
Purchased Power From Non-affiliates:
       
Change due to volume purchased
   
(215
)
Change due to increased unit costs
   
230
 
     
15
 
Net Decrease in Purchased Power Costs
 
$
(118
)

 
2

 
 
Fossil fuel costs increased $219 million in 2008, primarily as a result of the assignment of CEI’s and TE’s leasehold interest in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO in October 2007 ($66 million) and higher unit prices due to increased coal transportation costs ($112 million), increased prices for existing eastern coal contracts ($32 million) and emission allowance costs ($5 million). Nuclear fuel expense increased $9 million, primarily reflecting higher generation in 2008.

Purchased power costs decreased as a result of reduced purchases from affiliates, partially offset by increased non-affiliated purchased power unit costs. Purchases from affiliated companies decreased as a result of the assignment of CEI’s and TE’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield Plant to FGCO; prior to the assignment, FGCO purchased the associated output from CEI and TE. Purchased power costs from non-affiliates increased primarily as a result of higher spot market prices in MISO and higher capacity prices in PJM, partially offset by reduced volumes reflecting lower retail sales requirements and more generation available from FES’ facilities.

Other operating expenses increased by $44 million in 2008 from 2007, primarily due to expenses associated with the assignment of CEI’s and TE’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield Plant to FGCO ($38 million) and the sale and leaseback of Mansfield Unit 1 ($74 million) completed in the second half of 2007. Transmission expenses decreased as a result of reduced congestion charges ($35 million). Lower fossil operating costs were primarily due to a gain on the sale of a coal contract in the fourth quarter of 2008 ($21 million), reduced scheduled outage activity ($17 million) and increased gains from emission allowance sales ($5 million), partially offset by costs associated with a cancelled electro-catalytic oxidation project ($13 million).

Depreciation expense increased by $39 million in 2008 primarily due to the assignment of the Mansfield Plant to FGCO described above and NGC’s acquisition of certain lessor equity interests in the sale and leaseback of Perry and Beaver Valley Unit 2.

Other Expense

Other expense increased by $33 million in 2008 primarily due to a $49 million additional loss on nuclear decommissioning trust investments as a result of securities impairments during 2008 and reduced investment income from loans to the unregulated money pool ($15 million). Interest expense to affiliates decreased $36 million due to reduced loans from the unregulated money pool and the repayment of notes payable to affiliates since 2007, partially offset by higher other interest expense (net of capitalized interest) of $5 million.

Working Capital

As of December 31, 2008, FES’ net deficit in working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was principally due to short-term borrowings and the classification of certain variable interest rate PCRBs as currently payable long-term debt (see Note 10(C)). As of December 31, 2008, FES had access to $1.3 billion of short-term financing under revolving credit facilities. In addition, FES has the ability to borrow from FirstEnergy under the unregulated money pool to meet its short-term working capital requirements.

Market Risk Information

FES uses various market risk sensitive instruments, including derivative contracts, primarily to manage the risk of price and interest rate fluctuations. FirstEnergy’s Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general oversight to risk management activities.

Commodity Price Risk

FES is exposed to financial and market risks resulting from the fluctuation of interest rates and commodity prices primarily due to fluctuations in electricity, energy transmission, natural gas, coal, nuclear fuel and emission allowance prices. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, FES uses a variety of non-derivative and derivative instruments, including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. The derivatives are used principally for hedging purposes. Derivatives that fall within the scope of SFAS 133 must be recorded at their fair value and marked to market. The majority of FES’ derivative contracts qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception under SFAS 133 and are therefore excluded from the table below. The change in the fair value of commodity derivative contracts related to energy production during 2008 is summarized in the following table:

 
3

 
 
Increase (Decrease) in the Fair Value of Derivative Contracts
 
Non-Hedge
   
Hedge
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Change in the fair value of commodity derivative contracts:
                 
Outstanding net liability as of January 1, 2008
  $ -     $ (26 )   $ (26 )
Additions/change in value of existing contracts
    (1 )     (19 )     (20 )
Settled contracts
    -       4       4  
Outstanding net liability as of December 31, 2008
  $ (1 )   $ (41 )   $ (42 )
                         
Non-commodity net liabilities as of December 31, 2008:
                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
                         
Net liabilities – derivative contacts as of December 31, 2008
  $ (1 )   $ (41 )   $ (42 )
                         
Impact of changes in commodity derivative contracts(*)
                       
Income Statement effects (Pre-Tax)
  $ (1 )   $ -     $ (1 )
Balance Sheet effects:
                       
OCI (Pre-Tax)
  $ -     $ (15 )   $ (15 )

 
(*)
Represents the change in value of existing contracts, settled contracts and changes in techniques/assumptions.

Derivatives are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008 as follows:

Balance Sheet Classification
 
Non-Hedge
   
Hedge
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Current-
                 
Other assets
  $ 1     $ 11     $ 12  
Other liabilities
    (2 )     (43 )     (45 )
                         
Non-Current-
                       
Other deferred charges
    -       -       -  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    -       (9 )     (9 )
Net liabilities
  $ (1 )   $ (41 )   $ (42 )

The valuation of derivative contracts is based on observable market information to the extent that such information is available. FES uses these results to develop estimates of fair value for financial reporting purposes and for internal management decision making. Sources of information for the valuation of commodity derivative contracts by year are summarized in the following table:

Source of Information
                             
- Fair Value by Contract Year
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Prices actively quoted(1)
    $ (16 )   $ (9 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (25 )
Broker quote sheets(2)
      (17 )     -       -       -       -       -       (17 )
Total
    $ (33 )   $ (9 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (42 )

 
(1)
Exchange traded.
 
(2)
Validated by observable market transactions.

FES performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market risk of its commodity positions. A hypothetical 10% adverse shift (an increase or decrease depending on the derivative position) in quoted market prices in the near term on FES’ derivative instruments would not have had a material effect on its consolidated financial position (assets, liabilities and equity) or cash flows as of December 31, 2008. Based on derivative contracts held as of December 31, 2008, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would decrease net income by approximately $2 million for the next 12 months.

FES’ contracts, including power contracts with affiliates awarded through competitive bidding processes, typically contain margining provisions which require the posting of cash or LOCs in amounts determined by future power price movements. Based on FES’ power portfolio as of December 31, 2008, and forward prices as of that date, FES had $103 million outstanding in margining accounts. Under a hypothetical adverse change in forward prices (15% decrease in prices), FES would be required to post an additional $98 million. Depending on the volume of forward contracts entered and future price movements, FES could be required to post significantly higher amounts for margining.

 
4

 
 
Interest Rate Risk

The table below presents principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for FES’ investment portfolio and debt obligations.

Comparison of Carrying Value to Fair Value
 
                                 
There-
         
Fair
 
Year of Maturity
 
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
after
   
Total
   
Value
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Assets
                                               
Investments Other Than Cash
                                               
and Cash Equivalents:
                                               
Fixed Income
  $ 11     74                       $ 653     $ 738     $ 737  
Average interest rate
    2.8 %     5.0 %                       4.4 %     4.4 %        
                                                           
Liabilities
                                                         
Long-term Debt:
                                                         
Fixed rate
  $ 41     $ 53     $ 58     $ 68     $ 75     $ 182     $ 477     $ 453  
Average interest rate
    8.9 %     8.9 %     8.9 %     9.0 %     9.0 %     7.4 %     8.3 %        
Variable rate
                                          $ 2,075     $ 2,075     $ 2,075  
Average interest rate
                                            1.5 %     1.5 %        
Short-term Borrowings:
  $ 1,265                                             $ 1,265     $ 1,265  
Average interest rate
    1.1 %                                             1.1 %        

Fluctuations in the fair value of NGC's decommissioning trust balances will eventually affect earnings (immediately for other-than-temporary impairments and affecting OCI initially for unrealized gains) based on the guidance in SFAS 115, FSP SFAS 115-1 and SFAS 124-1. As of December 31, 2008, NGC’s decommissioning trust balance totaled $1.0 billion, comprised of 37% equity securities and 63% debt instruments.

Equity Price Risk

Included in NGC’s nuclear decommissioning trusts are marketable equity securities carried at their current fair value of approximately $380 million as of December 31, 2008. A hypothetical 10% decrease in prices quoted by stock exchanges would result in an $38 million reduction in fair value as of December 31, 2008 (see Note 5).

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of an obligor's failure to meet the terms of any investment contract, loan agreement or otherwise perform as agreed. Credit risk arises from all activities in which success depends on issuer, borrower or counterparty performance, whether reflected on or off the balance sheet. FES engages in transactions for the purchase and sale of commodities including gas, electricity, coal and emission allowances. These transactions are often with major energy companies within the industry.

FES maintains credit policies with respect to our counterparties to manage overall credit risk. This includes performing independent risk evaluations, actively monitoring portfolio trends and using collateral and contract provisions to mitigate exposure. As part of its credit program, FES aggressively manages the quality of its portfolio of energy contracts, evidenced by a current weighted average risk rating for energy contract counterparties of BBB+ (S&P). As of December 31, 2008, the largest credit concentration was with JP Morgan, which is currently rated investment grade, representing 11.4% of FES’ total approved credit risk.

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to FES.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to FES.

 
5

 
 
MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. (Company) were prepared by management, who takes responsibility for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and are consistent with other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements.

FirstEnergy Corp.’s internal auditors, who are responsible to the Audit Committee of FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors, review the results and performance of the Company for adequacy, effectiveness and reliability of accounting and reporting systems, as well as managerial and operating controls.

FirstEnergy’s Audit Committee consists of four independent directors whose duties include: consideration of the adequacy of the internal controls of the Company and the objectivity of financial reporting; inquiry into the number, extent, adequacy and validity of regular and special audits conducted by independent auditors and the internal auditors; and reporting to the Board of Directors the Committee’s findings and any recommendation for changes in scope, methods or procedures of the auditing functions. The Committee is directly responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and is charged with reviewing and approving all services performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm and for reviewing and approving the related fees. The Committee reviews the independent registered public accounting firm's report on internal quality control and reviews all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company, in order to assess the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee also reviews management’s programs to monitor compliance with the Company’s policies on business ethics and risk management. The Committee establishes procedures to receive and respond to complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and allows for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees. The Audit Committee held ten meetings in 2008.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting under the supervision of the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.

 
6

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 (Note 8) and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 (Note 4).

 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 24, 2009

 
7

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                   
REVENUES:
                 
Electric sales to affiliates (Note 3)
  $ 2,968,323     $ 2,901,154     $ 2,609,299  
Electric sales to non-affiliates
    1,332,364       1,315,141       1,265,604  
Other
    217,666       108,732       136,450  
Total revenues
    4,518,353       4,325,027       4,011,353  
                         
EXPENSES (Note 3):
                       
Fuel
    1,315,293       1,087,010       1,105,657  
Purchased power from affiliates
    101,409       234,090       257,001  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    778,882       764,090       590,491  
Other operating expenses
    1,084,548       1,041,039       1,027,564  
Provision for depreciation
    231,899       192,912       179,163  
General taxes
    88,004       87,098       73,332  
Total expenses
    3,600,035       3,406,239       3,233,208  
                         
OPERATING INCOME
    918,318       918,788       778,145  
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                       
Investment income (loss)
    (22,678 )     41,438       45,937  
Miscellaneous income
    1,698       11,438       8,565  
Interest expense to affiliates (Note 3)
    (29,829 )     (65,501 )     (162,673 )
Interest expense - other
    (111,682 )     (92,199 )     (26,468 )
Capitalized interest
    43,764       19,508       11,495  
Total other expense
    (118,727 )     (85,316 )     (123,144 )
                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    799,591       833,472       655,001  
                         
INCOME TAXES
    293,181       304,608       236,348  
                         
NET INCOME
  $ 506,410     $ 528,864     $ 418,653  
                         
                         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
8

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
             
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 39     $ 2  
Receivables-
               
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $5,899,000 and $8,072,000,
               
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)
    86,123       133,846  
Associated companies
    378,100       376,499  
Other (less accumulated provisions of $6,815,000 and $9,000
               
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)
    24,626       3,823  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    129,175       92,784  
Materials and supplies, at average cost
    521,761       427,015  
Prepayments and other
    112,535       92,340  
      1,252,359       1,126,309  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
               
In service
    9,871,904       8,294,768  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    4,254,721       3,892,013  
      5,617,183       4,402,755  
Construction work in progress
    1,747,435       761,701  
      7,364,618       5,164,456  
INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    1,033,717       1,332,913  
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies
    62,900       62,900  
Other
    61,591       40,004  
      1,158,208       1,435,817  
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Accumulated deferred income tax benefits
    267,762       276,923  
Lease assignment receivable from associated companies (Note 6)
    71,356       215,258  
Goodwill
    24,248       24,248  
Property taxes
    50,104       47,774  
Pension assets (Note 4)
    -       16,723  
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
    69,932       70,803  
Other
    96,434       43,953  
      579,836       695,682  
    $ 10,355,021     $ 8,422,264  
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 2,024,898     $ 1,441,196  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    264,823       264,064  
Other
    1,000,000       300,000  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    472,338       445,264  
Other
    154,593       177,121  
Accrued taxes
    79,766       171,451  
Other
    248,439       237,806  
      4,244,857       3,036,902  
CAPITALIZATION (See Consolidated Statements of Capitalization):
               
Common stockholder's equity
    2,944,423       2,414,231  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    571,448       533,712  
      3,515,871       2,947,943  
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
    1,026,584       1,060,119  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    62,728       61,116  
Asset retirement obligations
    863,085       810,114  
Retirement benefits
    194,177       63,136  
Property taxes
    50,104       48,095  
Lease market valuation liability
    307,705       353,210  
Other
    89,910       41,629  
      2,594,293       2,437,419  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 6 & 13)
               
    $ 10,355,021     $ 8,422,264  
                 
                 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 

 
9

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
 
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
           
Common stock, without par value, authorized 750 shares,
           
7 shares outstanding
  $ 1,464,229     $ 1,164,922  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 2(F))
    (91,871 )     140,654  
Retained earnings (Note 10(A))
    1,572,065       1,108,655  
Total
    2,944,423       2,414,231  
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS (Note 10(C)):
               
Secured notes:
               
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.
               
5.150% due 2009-2015
    22,868       -  
                 
FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp.
               
8.830% due 2009-2016
    5,007       -  
8.890% due 2009-2016
    82,680       -  
9.000% due 2009-2017
    234,635       -  
9.120% due 2009-2016
    68,311       -  
12.000% due 2009-2017
    1,174       -  
      391,807       -  
Total secured notes
    414,675       -  
                 
Unsecured notes:
               
FirstEnergy Generation Corp.
               
*   1.250% due 2017
    28,525       28,525  
*   3.375% due 2018
    2,805       -  
*   3.375% due 2018
    2,985       -  
*   1.050% due 2019
    90,140       90,140  
*   1.100% due 2020
    141,260       141,260  
*   1.250% due 2023
    234,520       234,520  
*   4.350% due 2028
    15,000       15,000  
*   7.125% due 2028
    25,000       -  
*   0.750% due 2029
    6,450       6,450  
*   1.000% due 2029
    100,000       100,000  
*   1.000% due 2040
    43,000       43,000  
*   0.850% due 2041
    129,610       129,610  
*   1.000% due 2041
    26,000       26,000  
*   1.100% due 2041
    56,600       56,600  
*   3.375% due 2047
    46,300       -  
      948,195       871,105  
FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp.
               
5.390% due to associated companies 2025
    62,900       62,900  
*   7.250% due 2032
    23,000       -  
*   7.250% due 2032
    33,000       -  
*   0.950% due 2033
    46,500       46,500  
*   0.950% due 2033
    54,600       54,600  
*   1.000% due 2033
    26,000       26,000  
*   1.200% due 2033
    99,100       99,100  
*   1.300% due 2033
    8,000       8,000  
*   1.350% due 2033
    135,550       135,550  
*   1.380% due 2033
    15,500       15,500  
*   1.450% due 2033
    62,500       62,500  
*   1.450% due 2033
    107,500       107,500  
*   3.375% due 2033
    9,100       -  
*   3.375% due 2033
    20,450       -  
*   0.700% due 2034
    7,200       7,200  
*   0.750% due 2034
    82,800       82,800  
*   0.700% due 2035
    72,650       72,650  
*   0.750% due 2035
    98,900       98,900  
*   1.050% due 2035
    60,000       60,000  
*   1.350% due 2035
    163,965       163,965  
      1,189,215       1,103,665  
Total unsecured notes
    2,137,410       1,974,770  
                 
Capital lease obligations (Note 6)
    44,319       199  
Net unamortized discount on debt
    (58 )     (61 )
Long-term debt due within one year
    (2,024,898 )     (1,441,196 )
Total long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    571,448       533,712  
                 
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
  $ 3,515,871     $ 2,947,943  
   
   
* Denotes variable rate issue with applicable year-end interest rate shown.
 
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
10

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
   
   
                     
Accumulated
       
         
Common Stock
   
Other
       
   
Comprehensive
   
Number
   
Carrying
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
 
   
Income
   
of Shares
   
Value
   
Income (Loss)
   
Earnings
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Balance, January 1, 2006
          8     $ 1,048,734     $ 65,461     $ 287,139  
Net income
  $ 418,653                               418,653  
Net unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net
                                       
of $5,082,000 of income tax benefits
    (8,248 )                     (8,248 )        
Unrealized gain on investments, net of
                                       
$33,698,000 of income taxes
    58,654                       58,654          
Comprehensive income
  $ 469,059                                  
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
                                       
due to the implementation of SFAS 158, net
                                       
of $10,825,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
                            (4,144 )        
Stock options exercised, restricted stock units
                                       
and other adjustments
                    1,568                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (8,454 )
Balance, December 31, 2006
            8       1,050,302       111,723       697,338  
Net income
  $ 528,864                               528,864  
Net unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net
                                       
of $3,337,000 of income tax benefits
    (5,640 )                     (5,640 )        
Unrealized gain on investments, net of
                                       
$26,645,000 of income taxes
    41,707                       41,707          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                       
of $604,000 of income taxes (Note 4)
    (7,136 )                     (7,136 )        
Comprehensive income
  $ 557,795                                  
Repurchase of common stock
            (1 )     (600,000 )                
Equity contribution from parent
                    700,000                  
Stock options exercised, restricted stock units
                                       
and other adjustments
                    4,141                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                    10,479                  
FIN 48 cumulative effect adjustment
                                    (547 )
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (117,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2007
            7       1,164,922       140,654       1,108,655  
Net income
  $ 506,410                               506,410  
Net unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net
                                       
of $5,512,000 of income tax benefits
    (9,200 )                     (9,200 )        
Change in unrealized gain on investments, net of
                                       
$82,014,000 of income tax benefits
    (137,689 )                     (137,689 )        
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                       
of $47,853,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
    (85,636 )                     (85,636 )        
Comprehensive income
  $ 273,885                                  
Equity contribution from parent
                    280,000                  
Stock options exercised, restricted stock units
                                       
and other adjustments
                    13,262                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                    6,045                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (43,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2008
            7     $ 1,464,229     $ (91,871 )   $ 1,572,065  
                                         
                                         
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
11

 


 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net Income
  $ 506,410     $ 528,864     $ 418,653  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from
                       
operating activities-
                       
Provision for depreciation
    231,899       192,912       179,163  
Nuclear fuel and lease amortization
    111,978       100,720       89,178  
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
    (43,263 )     69       -  
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    116,626       (334,545 )     115,878  
Investment impairment (Note 2(E))
    115,207       22,817       10,255  
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    16,011       6,419       25,052  
Commodity derivative transactions, net
    5,100       5,930       24,144  
Gain on asset sales
    (38,858 )     (12,105 )     (37,663 )
Cash collateral, net
    (60,621 )     (31,059 )     40,680  
Pension trust contributions
    -       (64,020 )     -  
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
                       
Receivables
    59,782       (99,048 )     (15,462 )
Materials and supplies
    (59,983 )     56,407       (1,637 )
Prepayments and other current assets
    (12,302 )     (13,812 )     (5,237 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
                       
Accounts payable
    34,467       (104,599 )     19,970  
Accrued taxes
    (90,568 )     61,119       12,235  
Accrued interest
    1,398       1,143       4,101  
Other
    (40,355 )     (22,895 )     (20,469 )
Net cash provided from operating activities
    852,928       294,317       858,841  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
New Financing-
                       
Long-term debt
    618,375       427,210       1,156,910  
Equity contributions from parent
    280,000       700,000       -  
Short-term borrowings, net
    700,759       -       46,402  
Redemptions and Repayments-
                       
Common stock
    -       (600,000 )     -  
Long-term debt
    (462,540 )     (1,536,411 )     (1,130,910 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       (458,321 )     -  
Common stock dividend payments
    (43,000 )     (117,000 )     (8,454 )
Other
    (5,147 )     (5,199 )     (6,899 )
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    1,088,447       (1,589,721 )     57,049  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Property additions
    (1,835,629 )     (738,709 )     (577,287 )
Proceeds from asset sales
    23,077       12,990       34,215  
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction
    -       1,328,919       -  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    950,688       655,541       1,066,271  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (987,304 )     (697,763 )     (1,066,271 )
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies
    (36,391 )     734,862       (333,030 )
Other
    (55,779 )     (436 )     (39,788 )
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    (1,941,338 )     1,295,404       (915,890 )
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    37       -       -  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    2       2       2  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 39     $ 2     $ 2  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                       
Cash Paid During the Year-
                       
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ 92,103     $ 136,121     $ 173,337  
Income taxes
  $ 196,963     $ 613,814     $ 155,771  
   
   
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
12

 
 
OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


OE is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. OE and its wholly owned subsidiary, Penn, conduct business in portions of Ohio and Pennsylvania, providing regulated electric distribution services. They provide generation services to those franchise customers electing to retain OE and Penn as their power supplier. Until December 31, 2008, OE purchased power for delivery and resale from a full requirements power sale agreement with its affiliate FES at a fixed price that was reflected in rates approved by the PUCO. See Regulatory Matters – Ohio below for a discussion of power supply for 2009 and beyond.

Results of Operations

Net income increased to $212 million in 2008 from $197 million in 2007. The increase primarily resulted from higher electric sales revenues and lower purchased power costs, partially offset by a decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets and lower investment income.

Revenues

Revenues increased by $110 million, or 4.4%, in 2008 compared with 2007, primarily due to increases in retail generation revenues ($78 million) and distribution throughput revenues ($21 million).

Retail generation revenues increased primarily due to higher average prices across all customer classes, partially offset by decreased KWH sales. The higher average prices included the 2008 fuel cost recovery rider that became effective January 16, 2008 (see Regulatory Matters – Ohio). Reduced summer usage in 2008 compared to 2007 contributed to the decreased KWH sales to residential and commercial customers (cooling degree days decreased by 27.7% and 26.1% in OE’s and Penn’s service territories, respectively). Commercial and industrial retail KWH sales were also impacted by increased customer shopping in Penn’s service territory in 2008 and weakening economic conditions.

Changes in retail generation sales and revenues in 2008 from 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Retail Generation KWH Sales
 
Decrease
       
Residential
    (0.9 )%
Commercial
    (1.6 )%
Industrial
    (5.7 )%
Decrease in Generation Sales
    (2.7 )%

Retail Generation Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
41
 
Commercial
   
19
 
Industrial
   
18
 
Increase in Generation Revenues
 
$
78
 

Revenues from distribution throughput increased by $21 million in 2008 compared to 2007 due to higher average unit prices for all customer classes, partially offset by lower KWH deliveries. The higher average prices resulted from Ohio transmission rider increases that became effective July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008. The lower KWH deliveries to residential and commercial customers reflected the milder weather conditions described above. Reduced deliveries to industrial customers reflected the downturn in the economy.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in 2008 from 2007 are summarized in the following tables.

Distribution KWH Deliveries
 
Decrease
 
         
Residential
   
(1.4)
%
Commercial
   
(1.7)
%
Industrial
   
(4.8)
%
Other
   
(0.1)
%
Decrease in Distribution Deliveries
   
(2.7)
%

 
13

 
 
Distribution Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
8
 
Commercial
   
6
 
Industrial
   
5
 
Other
   
2
 
Increase in Distribution Revenues
 
$
21
 

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $67 million in 2008 from 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category.

Expenses – Changes
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Purchased power costs
  $ (41 )
Other operating costs
    (2 )
Provision for depreciation
    2  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    24  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    79  
General taxes
    5  
Net Increase in Expenses
  $ 67  

Lower purchased power costs in 2008 reflected the lower retail generation KWH sales, reducing the purchase volumes required. The decrease in other operating costs for 2008 was primarily due to lower employee benefit expenses. Higher depreciation expense in 2008 reflected capital additions since the end of 2007. Higher amortization of regulatory assets in 2008 was principally due to increased amortization of MISO transmission cost deferrals. The decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets for 2008 was primarily due to lower MISO cost deferrals ($25 million) and lower RCP fuel deferrals ($59 million), as more transmission and generation costs were recovered from customers through PUCO-approved riders. The increase in general taxes for 2008 was primarily due to higher Pennsylvania capital stock taxes.

Other Income

Other income decreased $31 million in 2008 compared with 2007 primarily due to reductions in interest income on associated company notes receivable resulting from principal payments made in 2007 and a lower net receivable position from the regulated money pool in 2008 compared to 2007.

Income taxes decreased in 2008, primarily due to the favorable resolution of tax positions taken on federal returns in prior years.

Interest Rate Risk

OE’s exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates is reduced since a significant portion of its debt has fixed interest rates. The table below presents principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for OE’s investment portfolio and debt obligations.

Comparison of Carrying Value to Fair Value
                         
                       
There-
     
Fair
 
Year of Maturity
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
after
 
Total
 
Value
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Assets
                                 
Investments Other Than Cash
                                 
and Cash Equivalents:
                                 
Fixed Income
    $ 25     $ 29     $ 31     $ 34     $ 39     $ 438     $ 596     $ 618  
Average interest rate
      8.5 %     8.6 %     8.6 %     8.7 %     8.7 %     7.0 %     7.4 %        
                                                                   
 
Liabilities
                                                                 
Long-term Debt:
                                                                 
Fixed rate
    $ 1     $ 65     $ 1     $ 1     $ 2     $ 1,062     $ 1,132     $ 1,123  
Average interest rate
      9.2 %     5.5 %     9.7 %     9.7 %     7.5 %     7.0 %     6.9 %        
Variable rate
                                            $ 100     $ 100     $ 100  
Average interest rate
                                              2.3 %     2.3 %        
Short-term Borrowings:
    $ 2                                             $ 2     $ 2  
Average interest rate
      0.0 %                                             0.0 %        

 
14

 
 
Equity Price Risk

Included in OE’s nuclear decommissioning trusts are marketable equity securities carried at their market value of approximately $18 million as of December 31, 2008. A hypothetical 10% decrease in prices quoted by stock exchanges would result in a $2 million reduction in fair value as of December 31, 2008 (see Note 5). As part of the intra-system generation asset transfers in 2005, OE’s nuclear decommissioning trust investments were transferred to NGC with the exception of its retained leasehold interests in nuclear generation assets

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of other legal proceedings applicable to OE.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to OE.

 
15

 

MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of Ohio Edison Company (Company) were prepared by management, who takes responsibility for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and are consistent with other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements.

FirstEnergy Corp.’s internal auditors, who are responsible to the Audit Committee of FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors, review the results and performance of the Company for adequacy, effectiveness and reliability of accounting and reporting systems, as well as managerial and operating controls.

FirstEnergy’s Audit Committee consists of four independent directors whose duties include: consideration of the adequacy of the internal controls of the Company and the objectivity of financial reporting; inquiry into the number, extent, adequacy and validity of regular and special audits conducted by independent auditors and the internal auditors; and reporting to the Board of Directors the Committee’s findings and any recommendation for changes in scope, methods or procedures of the auditing functions. The Committee is directly responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and is charged with reviewing and approving all services performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm and for reviewing and approving the related fees. The Committee reviews the independent registered public accounting firm's report on internal quality control and reviews all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company, in order to assess the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee also reviews management’s programs to monitor compliance with the Company’s policies on business ethics and risk management. The Committee establishes procedures to receive and respond to complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and allows for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees. The Audit Committee held ten meetings in 2008.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting under the supervision of the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.

 
16

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of Ohio Edison Company:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ohio Edison Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 (Note 8) and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 (Note 4).
 
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 24, 2009

 
17

 
 
OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
REVENUES (Note 3):
                 
Electric sales
  $ 2,487,956     $ 2,375,306     $ 2,312,956  
Excise and gross receipts tax collections
    113,805       116,223       114,500  
Total revenues
    2,601,761       2,491,529       2,427,456  
                         
EXPENSES (Note 3):
                       
Purchased power from affiliates
    1,203,314       1,261,439       1,263,805  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    114,972       98,344       12,170  
Other operating costs
    565,893       567,726       576,141  
Provision for depreciation
    79,444       77,405       72,982  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    216,274       191,885       190,245  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    (98,541 )     (177,633 )     (159,465 )
General taxes
    186,396       181,104       180,446  
Total expenses
    2,267,752       2,200,270       2,136,324  
                         
OPERATING INCOME
    334,009       291,259       291,132  
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) (Note 3):
                       
Investment income
    56,103       85,848       130,853  
Miscellaneous income (expense)
    (5,138 )     4,409       1,751  
Interest expense
    (75,058 )     (83,343 )     (90,355 )
Capitalized interest
    414       266       2,198  
Subsidiary's preferred stock dividend requirements
    -       -       (597 )
Total other income (expense)
    (23,679 )     7,180       43,850  
                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    310,330       298,439       334,982  
                         
INCOME TAXES
    98,584       101,273       123,343  
                         
NET INCOME
    211,746       197,166       211,639  
                         
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
                       
AND REDEMPTION PREMIUM
    -       -       4,552  
                         
EARNINGS ON COMMON STOCK
  $ 211,746     $ 197,166     $ 207,087  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
18

 
 
OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 146,343     $ 732  
Receivables-
               
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $6,065,000 and $8,032,000, respectively,
               
for uncollectible accounts)
    277,377       248,990  
Associated companies
    234,960       185,437  
Other (less accumulated provisions of $7,000 and $5,639,000, respectively,
               
for uncollectible accounts)
    14,492       12,395  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    222,861       595,859  
Prepayments and other
    5,452       10,341  
      901,485       1,053,754  
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    2,903,290       2,769,880  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    1,113,357       1,090,862  
      1,789,933       1,679,018  
Construction work in progress
    37,766       50,061  
      1,827,699       1,729,079  
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies
    256,974       258,870  
Investment in lease obligation bonds (Note 6)
    239,625       253,894  
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    116,682       127,252  
Other
    100,792       36,037  
      714,073       676,053  
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Regulatory assets
    575,076       737,326  
Pension assets (Note 4)
    -       228,518  
Property taxes
    60,542       65,520  
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
    40,130       45,133  
Other
    33,710       48,075  
      709,458       1,124,572  
    $ 4,152,715     $ 4,583,458  
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 101,354     $ 333,224  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    -       50,692  
Other
    1,540       2,609  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    131,725       174,088  
Other
    26,410       19,881  
Accrued taxes
    77,592       89,571  
Accrued interest
    25,673       22,378  
Other
    85,209       65,163  
      449,503       757,606  
CAPITALIZATION (See Consolidated Statements of Capitalization):
               
Common stockholder's equity
    1,294,054       1,576,175  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,122,247       840,591  
      2,416,301       2,416,766  
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    653,475       781,012  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    13,065       16,964  
Asset retirement obligations
    80,647       93,571  
Retirement benefits
    308,450       178,343  
Deferred revenues - electric service programs
    4,634       46,849  
Other
    226,640       292,347  
      1,286,911       1,409,086  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 6 and 13)
               
    $ 4,152,715     $ 4,583,458  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 

 
19

 
 
OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
 
   
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
           
Common stock, without par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized,
           
60 shares outstanding
  $ 1,224,416     $ 1,220,512  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 2(F))
    (184,385 )     48,386  
Retained earnings (Note 10(A))
    254,023       307,277  
Total
    1,294,054       1,576,175  
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS (Note 10(C)):
               
Ohio Edison Company-
               
First mortgage bonds:
               
8.250% due 2018
    25,000       -  
8.250% due 2038
    275,000       -  
Total
    300,000       -  
                 
Secured notes:
               
5.375% due 2028
    -       13,522  
6.895% weighted average interest rate due 2008-2010
    1,324       3,900  
Total
    1,324       17,422  
                 
Unsecured notes:
               
4.000% due 2008
    -       175,000  
*   3.000% due 2014
    50,000       50,000  
5.450% due 2015
    150,000       150,000  
6.400% due 2016
    250,000       250,000  
*   3.850% due 2018
    -       33,000  
*   3.800% due 2018
    -       23,000  
*   1.500% due 2023
    50,000       50,000  
6.875% due 2036
    350,000       350,000  
Total
    850,000       1,081,000  
                 
Pennsylvania Power Company-
               
First mortgage bonds:
               
9.740% due 2008-2019
    10,747       11,721  
7.625% due 2023
    6,500       6,500  
Total
    17,247       18,221  
                 
Secured notes:
               
5.400% due 2013
    1,000       1,000  
5.375% due 2028
    -       1,734  
Total
    1,000       2,734  
                 
Unsecured notes:
               
5.390% due 2010 to associated company
    62,900       62,900  
Total
    62,900       62,900  
                 
Capital lease obligations (Note 6)
    4,219       329  
Net unamortized discount on debt
    (13,089 )     (8,791 )
Long-term debt due within one year
    (101,354 )     (333,224 )
Total long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,122,247       840,591  
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
  $ 2,416,301     $ 2,416,766  
                 
                 
* Denotes variable rate issue with applicable year-end interest rate shown.
 
                 
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
20

 
 
OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
   
   
                     
Accumulated
       
         
Common Stock
   
Other
       
   
Comprehensive
   
Number
   
Carrying
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
 
   
Income
   
of Shares
   
Value
   
Income (Loss)
   
Earnings
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance, January 1, 2006
          100     $ 2,297,253     $ 4,094     $ 200,844  
Net income
  $ 211,639                               211,639  
Unrealized gain on investments, net of
                                       
$4,455,000 of income taxes
    7,954                       7,954          
Comprehensive income
  $ 219,593                                  
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
                                       
due to the implementation of SFAS 158, net
                                       
of $22,287,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
                            (8,840 )        
Affiliated company asset transfers
                    (87,893 )                
Restricted stock units
                    58                  
Stock-based compensation
                    82                  
Repurchase of common stock
            (20 )     (500,000 )                
Preferred stock redemption adjustments
                    (1,059 )             604  
Preferred stock redemption premiums
                                    (2,928 )
Cash dividends on preferred stock
                                    (1,423 )
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (148,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2006
            80       1,708,441       3,208       260,736  
Net income
  $ 197,166                               197,166  
Unrealized gain on investments, net of
                                       
$2,784,000 of income taxes
    3,874                       3,874          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                       
of $37,820,000 of income taxes (Note 4)
    41,304                       41,304          
Comprehensive income
  $ 242,344                                  
Restricted stock units
                    129                  
Stock-based compensation
                    17                  
Repurchase of common stock
            (20 )     (500,000 )                
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                    11,925                  
FIN 48 cumulative effect adjustment
                                    (625 )
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (150,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2007
            60       1,220,512       48,386       307,277  
Net income
  $ 211,746                               211,746  
Change in unrealized gain on investments, net of
                                       
$5,702,000 of income tax benefits
    (10,370 )                     (10,370 )        
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                       
of $121,425,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
    (222,401 )                     (222,401 )        
Comprehensive loss
  $ (21,025 )                                
Restricted stock units
                    (16 )                
Stock-based compensation
                    1                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                    3,919                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (265,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2008
            60     $ 1,224,416     $ (184,385 )   $ 254,023  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as the relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
21

 
 
OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income
  $ 211,746     $ 197,166     $ 211,639  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
                       
Provision for depreciation
    79,444       77,405       72,982  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    216,274       191,885       190,245  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    (98,541 )     (177,633 )     (159,465 )
Amortization of lease costs
    (7,702 )     (7,425 )     (7,928 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    16,125       423       (68,259 )
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    17,139       (46,313 )     5,004  
Electric service prepayment programs
    (42,215 )     (39,861 )     (34,983 )
Pension trust contributions
    -       (20,261 )     -  
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
                       
Receivables
    (61,926 )     (57,461 )     103,925  
Prepayments and other current assets
    5,937       3,265       1,275  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
                       
Accounts payable
    14,166       15,649       (53,798 )
Accrued taxes
    (8,983 )     (81,079 )     23,436  
Accrued interest
    3,295       (2,334 )     16,379  
Other
    (247 )     6,129       6,617  
Net cash provided from operating activities
    344,512       59,555       307,069  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
New Financing-
                       
Long-term debt
    292,169       -       593,978  
Redemptions and Repayments-
                       
Common stock
    -       (500,000 )     (500,000 )
Preferred stock
    -       -       (78,480 )
Long-term debt
    (249,897 )     (112,497 )     (613,002 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    (51,761 )     (114,475 )     (186,511 )
Dividend Payments-
                       
Common stock
    (315,000 )     (100,000 )     (148,000 )
Preferred stock
    -       -       (1,423 )
Other
    (3,432 )     -       (1,798 )
Net cash used for financing activities
    (327,921 )     (826,972 )     (935,236 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Property additions
    (182,512 )     (145,311 )     (123,210 )
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    120,744       37,736       39,226  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (127,680 )     (43,758 )     (41,300 )
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net
    373,138       (79,115 )     78,101  
Collection of principal on long-term notes receivable
    1,756       960,327       553,734  
Cash investments
    (57,792 )     37,499       112,584  
Other
    1,366       59       8,815  
Net cash provided from investing activities
    129,020       767,437       627,950  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    145,611       20       (217 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    732       712       929  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 146,343     $ 732     $ 712  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                       
Cash Paid During the Year-
                       
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ 67,508     $ 80,958     $ 57,243  
Income taxes
  $ 118,834     $ 133,170     $ 156,610  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as the relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
22

 
 
THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
 
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


CEI is a wholly owned, electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. CEI conducts business in northeastern Ohio, providing regulated electric distribution services. CEI also provides generation services to those customers electing to retain CEI as their power supplier. Until December 31, 2008, CEI purchased power for delivery and resale from a full requirements power sale agreement with its affiliate FES at a fixed price that was reflected in rates approved by the PUCO. See Regulatory Matters – Ohio below for a discussion of power supply for 2009 and beyond.

Results of Operations

Net income in 2008 increased to $285 million from $276 million in 2007. The increase resulted primarily from the elimination of fuel costs and lower other operating costs, due to the assignment of leasehold interests in generating assets to FGCO, partially offset by lower revenues and regulatory asset deferrals and higher purchased power costs and regulatory asset amortization.

Revenues

Revenues decreased by $7 million, or 0.4%, in 2008 compared to 2007, primarily due to a decrease in wholesale generation revenues ($92 million), partially offset by increases in retail generation revenues ($64 million), distribution revenues ($6 million), and transmission revenues ($16 million).

Wholesale generation revenues decreased due to the assignment of CEI’s leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO in October 2007. Prior to the assignment, CEI sold power from its interests in the plant to FGCO.

Retail generation revenues increased in 2008 due to higher average unit prices across all customer classes, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume compared to 2007. The higher average unit prices were driven by the 2008 fuel cost recovery rider that became effective January 16, 2008 (see Regulatory Matters – Ohio). Milder weather in 2008, compared to 2007, contributed to the decrease in sales volume; a 13.6% decrease in cooling degrees days was partially offset by a 4.5% increase in heating degree days. Weakening economic conditions in CEI’s service territory contributed to reduced generation KWH sales in the industrial sector, primarily to automotive customers.

Changes in retail generation sales and revenues in 2008 compared to 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Retail KWH Sales
 
Decrease
 
         
Residential
   
(0.3
)%
Commercial
   
(0.7
)%
Industrial
   
(2.6
)%
Decrease in Retail Sales
   
(1.4
)%

Retail Generation Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
23
 
Commercial
   
17
 
Industrial
   
24
 
Increase in Generation Revenues
 
$
64
 

Revenues from distribution throughput increased by $6 million in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to higher average unit prices for all customer classes, partially offset by decreases in KWH deliveries. The higher average unit prices resulted from transmission rider increases that became effective July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008. The lower KWH deliveries in 2008 reflected the weather and economic impacts described above.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in 2008 compared to 2007 are summarized in the following tables.

Distribution KWH Deliveries
 
Decrease
 
         
Residential
   
(1.1
)%
Commercial
   
(1.9
)%
Industrial
   
(2.9
)%
Decrease in Distribution Deliveries
   
(2.1
)%

 
23

 
 
Distribution Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
-
 
Commercial
   
3
 
Industrial
   
3
 
Increase in Distribution Revenues
 
$
6
 

Transmission revenues were higher in 2008, compared to 2007, due to increased MISO auction revenue rights. CEI defers the difference between revenue from its transmission rider and net transmission costs incurred, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.

Expenses

Total expenses decreased by $9 million in 2008 compared to 2007. The following table presents the change from the prior year by expense category:

Expenses  - Changes
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Fuel costs
 
$
(40
)
Purchased power costs
   
22
 
Other operating costs
   
(51
)
Provision for depreciation
   
(3
)
Amortization of regulatory assets
   
19
 
Deferral of new regulatory assets
   
42
 
General taxes
   
2
 
Net Decrease in Expenses
 
$
(9
)

The absence of fuel costs in 2008 was due to the assignment of CEI’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield Plant to FGCO in October 2007. Prior to the assignment, CEI incurred fuel expenses and other operating costs related to its leasehold interest in the plant. Higher purchased power costs reflected higher unit prices, as provided for under the PSA with FES, partially offset by a decrease in volume due to lower KWH sales. Other operating costs were lower primarily due to the assignment of CEI’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield plant as described above. Higher amortization of regulatory assets resulted from increased transition cost amortization ($13 million) under the effective interest method and increased amortization of transmission cost deferrals ($6 million). The decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets was primarily due to lower transmission cost deferrals ($16 million) and RCP fuel cost deferrals ($40 million), as more transmission and generation costs were recovered from customers through PUCO-approved riders, partially offset by higher RCP distribution deferrals ($12 million).

Other Expense

Other expense increased by $21 million in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to lower investment income and miscellaneous income, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense. Lower investment income resulted primarily from repayments during 2007 of notes receivable from associated companies. The lower interest expense was primarily due to long-term debt redemptions during 2007. Miscellaneous income decreased primarily due to reduced life insurance investment values and the absence of a make-whole payment in 2007 related to the redemption of lessor notes associated with CEI’s leasehold interest in Mansfield Unit 1, which was subsequently assigned to FGCO.

Income taxes decreased in 2008, primarily due to the favorable resolution of tax positions taken on federal returns in prior years.

Interest Rate Risk

CEI has little exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates because most of its debt has fixed interest rates. The table below presents principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for CEI’s investment portfolio and debt obligations.

 
24

 
 
Comparison of Carrying Value to Fair Value
                         
                       
There-
     
Fair
 
Year of Maturity
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
after
 
Total
 
Value
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Assets
                                 
Investments Other Than Cash
                                                 
and Cash Equivalents:
                                                 
Fixed Income
    $ 37     $ 49     $ 53     $ 66     $ 75     $ 146     $ 426     $ 435  
Average interest rate
      7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %        
 
                                                                   
Liabilities
                                                                 
Long-term Debt:
                                                                 
Fixed rate
    $ 150     $ 18     $ 20     $ 22     $ 324     $ 1,207     $ 1,741     $ 1,618  
Average interest rate
      7.4 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     5.8 %     7.2 %     7.0 %        
Short-term Borrowings:
    $ 228                                             $ 228     $ 228  
Average interest rate
      1.8 %                                             1.8 %        

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to CEI.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to CEI.

 
25

 
 
MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (Company) were prepared by management, who takes responsibility for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and are consistent with other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements.

FirstEnergy Corp.’s internal auditors, who are responsible to the Audit Committee of FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors, review the results and performance of the Company for adequacy, effectiveness and reliability of accounting and reporting systems, as well as managerial and operating controls.

FirstEnergy’s Audit Committee consists of four independent directors whose duties include: consideration of the adequacy of the internal controls of the Company and the objectivity of financial reporting; inquiry into the number, extent, adequacy and validity of regular and special audits conducted by independent auditors and the internal auditors; and reporting to the Board of Directors the Committee’s findings and any recommendation for changes in scope, methods or procedures of the auditing functions. The Committee is directly responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and is charged with reviewing and approving all services performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm and for reviewing and approving the related fees. The Committee reviews the independent registered public accounting firm's report on internal quality control and reviews all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company, in order to assess the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee also reviews management’s programs to monitor compliance with the Company’s policies on business ethics and risk management. The Committee establishes procedures to receive and respond to complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and allows for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees. The Audit Committee held ten meetings in 2008.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting under the supervision of the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.

 
26

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholder and Board of Directors of
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 (Note 8) and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 (Note 4).
 
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 24, 2009

 
27

 
 
THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
   
(In thousands)
 
REVENUES (Note 3):
                 
Electric sales
  $ 1,746,309     $ 1,753,385     $ 1,702,089  
Excise tax collections
    69,578       69,465       67,619  
Total revenues
    1,815,887       1,822,850       1,769,708  
                         
EXPENSES (Note 3):
                       
Fuel
    -       40,551       50,291  
Purchased power (primarily from affiliates)
    770,480       748,214       704,517  
Other operating costs
    259,438       310,274       290,904  
Provision for depreciation
    72,383       75,238       63,589  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    163,534       144,370       127,403  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    (107,571 )     (149,556 )     (128,220 )
General taxes
    143,058       141,551       134,663  
Total expenses
    1,301,322       1,310,642       1,243,147  
                         
OPERATING INCOME
    514,565       512,208       526,561  
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) (Note 3):
                       
Investment income
    34,392       57,724       100,816  
Miscellaneous income (expense)
    (2,455 )     7,902       6,428  
Interest expense
    (125,976 )     (138,977 )     (141,710 )
Capitalized interest
    786       918       2,618  
Total other expense
    (93,253 )     (72,433 )     (31,848 )
                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    421,312       439,775       494,713  
                         
INCOME TAXES
    136,786       163,363       188,662  
                         
NET INCOME
  $ 284,526     $ 276,412     $ 306,051  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
 
are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
28

 


THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 226     $ 232  
Receivables-
               
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $5,916,000 and
               
$7,540,000, respectively, for uncollectible accounts)
    276,400       251,000  
Associated companies
    113,182       166,587  
Other
    13,834       12,184  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    19,060       52,306  
Prepayments and other
    2,787       2,327  
      425,489       484,636  
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    2,221,660       2,256,956  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    846,233       872,801  
      1,375,427       1,384,155  
Construction work in progress
    40,651       41,163  
      1,416,078       1,425,318  
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Investment in lessor notes (Note 7)
    425,715       463,431  
Other
    10,249       10,285  
      435,964       473,716  
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    1,688,521       1,688,521  
Regulatory assets
    783,964       870,695  
Pension assets (Note 4)
    -       62,471  
Property taxes
    71,500       76,000  
Other
    10,818       32,987  
      2,554,803       2,730,674  
    $ 4,832,334     $ 5,114,344  
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 150,688     $ 207,266  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    227,949       531,943  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    106,074       169,187  
Other
    7,195       5,295  
Accrued taxes
    87,810       94,991  
Accrued interest
    13,932       13,895  
Other
    40,095       34,350  
      633,743       1,056,927  
CAPITALIZATION (See Consolidated Statements of Capitalization):
               
Common stockholder's equity
    1,603,882       1,489,835  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,591,586       1,459,939  
      3,195,468       2,949,774  
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    704,270       725,523  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    13,030       18,567  
Retirement benefits
    128,738       93,456  
Deferred revenues - electric service programs
    3,510       27,145  
Lease assignment payable to associated companies (Note 6)
    40,827       131,773  
Other
    112,748       111,179  
      1,003,123       1,107,643  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 6 and 13)
               
    $ 4,832,334     $ 5,114,344  
                 
                 
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 

 
29

 
 
THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
 
   
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
             
COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
           
Common stock, without par value, 105,000,000 shares authorized,
           
67,930,743 shares outstanding
  $ 878,785     $ 873,536  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 2(F))
    (134,857 )     (69,129 )
Retained earnings (Note 10(A))
    859,954       685,428  
Total
    1,603,882       1,489,835  
                 
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS (Note 10(C)):
               
First mortgage bonds-
               
6.860% due 2008
    -       125,000  
8.875% due 2018
    300,000       -  
Total
    300,000       125,000  
                 
Secured notes-
               
7.430% due 2009
    150,000       150,000  
7.880% due 2017
    300,000       300,000  
5.375% due 2028
    -       5,993  
*   3.750% due 2030
    -       81,640  
Total
    450,000       537,633  
                 
Unsecured notes-
               
5.650% due 2013
    300,000       300,000  
5.700% due 2017
    250,000       250,000  
5.950% due 2036
    300,000       300,000  
7.664% due to associated companies 2009-2016 (Note 7)
    141,210       153,044  
Total
    991,210       1,003,044  
                 
                 
Capital lease obligations (Note 6)
    3,062       3,748  
Net unamortized discount on debt
    (1,998 )     (2,220 )
Long-term debt due within one year
    (150,688 )     (207,266 )
Total long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,591,586       1,459,939  
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
  $ 3,195,468     $ 2,949,774  
   
   
* Denotes variable rate issue with applicable year-end interest rate shown.
 
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
30

 
 
THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
   
   
                     
Accumulated
       
         
Common Stock
   
Other
       
   
Comprehensive
   
Number
   
Carrying
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
 
   
Income
   
of Shares
   
Value
   
Income (Loss)
   
Earnings
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Balance, January 1, 2006
          79,590,689     $ 1,354,924     $ -     $ 587,150  
Net income and comprehensive income
  $ 306,051                               306,051  
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
                                       
due to the implementation of SFAS 158, net
                                       
of $69,609,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
                            (104,431 )        
Repurchase of common stock
            (11,659,946 )     (300,000 )                
Affiliated company asset transfers
                    (194,910 )                
Restricted stock units
                    86                  
Stock-based compensation
                    33                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (180,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2006
            67,930,743       860,133       (104,431 )     713,201  
Net income
  $ 276,412                               276,412  
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                       
of $30,705,000 of income taxes (Note 4)
    35,302                       35,302          
Comprehensive income
  $ 311,714                                  
Restricted stock units
                    184                  
Stock-based compensation
                    10                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                    13,209                  
FIN 48 cumulative effect adjustment
                                    (185 )
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (304,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2007
            67,930,743       873,536       (69,129 )     685,428  
Net income
  $ 284,526                               284,526  
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                       
of $33,136,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
    (65,728 )                     (65,728 )        
Comprehensive income
  $ 218,798                                  
Restricted stock units
                    (1 )                
Stock-based compensation
                    1                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                    5,249                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (110,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2008
            67,930,743     $ 878,785     $ (134,857 )   $ 859,954  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
31

 
 
THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
                   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income
  $ 284,526     $ 276,412     $ 306,051  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
                       
Provision for depreciation
    72,383       75,238       63,589  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    163,534       144,370       127,403  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    (107,571 )     (149,556 )     (128,220 )
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
            (357,679 )     (71,943 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    11,918       (22,767 )     (17,093 )
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    1,563       3,196       2,367  
Electric service prepayment programs
    (23,634 )     (24,443 )     (19,673 )
Pension trust contributions
    -       (24,800 )     -  
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
                       
Receivables
    66,963       209,426       (137,711 )
Prepayments and other current assets
    (450 )     (152 )     160  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
                       
Accounts payable
    13,787       (316,638 )     293,214  
Accrued taxes
    (3,149 )     (33,659 )     7,342  
Accrued interest
    37       (5,138 )     147  
Other
    6,290       706       (6,387 )
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities
    486,197       (225,484 )     419,246  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
New Financing-
                       
Long-term debt
    300,000       249,602       298,416  
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       277,581       -  
Redemptions and Repayments-
                       
Common stock
    -       -       (300,000 )
Long-term debt
    (213,319 )     (492,825 )     (376,702 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    (315,827 )     -       (143,272 )
Dividend Payments-
                       
Common stock
    (185,000 )     (204,000 )     (180,000 )
Other
    (2,568 )     (2,709 )     (2,754 )
Net cash used for financing activities
    (416,714 )     (172,351 )     (704,312 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Property additions
    (137,265 )     (149,131 )     (119,795 )
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net
    33,246       6,714       (7,813 )
Collection of principal on long-term notes receivable
    -       486,634       376,135  
Investments in lessor notes
    37,707       56,179       44,556  
Other
    (3,177 )     (2,550 )     (8,003 )
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    (69,489 )     397,846       285,080  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (6 )     11       14  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    232       221       207  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 226     $ 232     $ 221  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                       
Cash Paid During the Year-
                       
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ 122,834     $ 141,390     $ 135,276  
Income taxes
  $ 153,042     $ 186,874     $ 180,941  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
32

 
 
THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
 
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


TE is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. TE conducts business in northwestern Ohio, providing regulated electric distribution services. TE also provides generation services to those customers electing to retain TE as their power supplier. Until December 31, 2008, TE purchased power for delivery and resale from a full requirements power sale agreement with its affiliate FES at a fixed price that was reflected in rates approved by the PUCO. See Regulatory Matters – Ohio below for a discussion of power supply for 2009 and beyond.

Results of Operations

Net income in 2008 decreased to $75 million from $91 million in 2007. The decrease resulted primarily from lower electric sales revenues, higher purchased power costs and a decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets, partially offset by lower other operating costs.

Revenues

Revenues decreased $68 million, or 7.1%, in 2008 compared to 2007 due to lower wholesale generation revenues ($133 million), partially offset by increased retail generation revenues ($49 million), distribution revenues ($7 million) and transmission revenues ($9 million).

The decrease in wholesale revenues was primarily due to lower associated company sales of KWH from TE’s leasehold interests in generating plants. Revenues from TE’s leasehold interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2 decreased by $68 million due to the unit’s 39-day refueling outage in the second quarter of 2008 and the incremental pricing impacts related to the termination of TE’s sale agreement with CEI. At the end of 2007, TE terminated its Beaver Valley Unit 2 output sale agreement with CEI. During 2008, TE sold the 158 MW entitlement from its 18.26% leasehold interest in the unit to NGC. Revenues from PSA sales decreased by $69 million in 2008 due to the assignment of TE’s leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO in October 2007. Prior to the assignment, TE sold power from its interests in the plant to FGCO.

Retail generation revenues increased in 2008 due to higher average prices across all customer classes and increased KWH sales to residential and commercial customers compared to 2007. The higher average prices were driven by the 2008 fuel cost recovery rider that became effective January 16, 2008 (see Regulatory Matters – Ohio). The increase in sales to residential and commercial customers was due primarily to less customer shopping; generation services provided by alternative suppliers as a percentage of total sales delivered in TE’s franchise area to residential and commercial customers decreased by one and five percentage points, respectively. Reduced industrial KWH sales, principally to the automotive and steel sectors, reflected weakening economic conditions.

Changes in retail electric generation KWH sales and revenues in 2008 from 2007 are summarized in the following tables.

   
Increase
 
Retail KWH Sales
 
(Decrease)
 
         
Residential
   
0.5
%
Commercial
   
6.4
%
Industrial
   
(6.8
)%
Net Decrease in Retail KWH Sales
   
(2.4
)%

Retail Generation Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
11
 
Commercial
   
16
 
Industrial
   
22
 
Increase in Retail Generation Revenues
 
$
49
 

 
33

 
 
Revenues from distribution throughput increased by $7 million in 2008 compared to 2007 due to higher average unit prices for all customer classes, partially offset by lower KWH deliveries. The higher average prices resulted from PUCO-approved transmission rider increases that became effective July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008. The reduction in commercial and industrial KWH deliveries reflected the economic downturn.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in 2008 from 2007 are summarized in the following tables.

Distribution KWH Deliveries
 
Decrease
 
         
Residential
   
(0.6
)%
Commercial
   
(1.3
)%
Industrial
   
(6.8
)%
Decrease in Distribution Deliveries
   
(3.8
)%

Distribution Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
4
 
Commercial
   
2
 
Industrial
   
1
 
Increase in Distribution Revenues
 
$
7
 

Expenses

Total expenses decreased $24 million in 2008 from 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category.

Expenses – Changes
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Purchased power costs
 
$
15
 
Other operating costs
   
(89
)
Provision for depreciation
   
(4
)
Amortization of regulatory assets
   
5
 
Deferral of new regulatory assets
   
48
 
General taxes
   
1
 
Net Decrease in Expenses
 
$
(24
)

Higher purchased power costs primarily reflected higher unit prices as provided for under the PSA with FES, partially offset by a decrease in volume due to lower retail generation KWH sales. Other operating costs decreased primarily due to the reversal of the above-market lease liability ($31 million) associated with TE’s leasehold interest in Beaver Valley Unit 2, as a result of the termination of the CEI sale agreement described above, and lower fuel costs ($26 million) and other operating costs ($30 million) due to the assignment of TE’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield Plant in October 2007. These decreases were partially offset by increased costs ($8 million) associated with TE’s leasehold interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2, due to a refueling outage in the second quarter of 2008. Depreciation expense decreased primarily due to the transfer of leasehold improvements for the Mansfield Plant and Beaver Valley Unit 2 to FGCO and NGC, respectively, during 2008.

The increase in the amortization of regulatory assets was primarily due to increased amortization of transmission cost deferrals ($7 million), partially offset by lower amortization of transition cost deferrals ($3 million). The change in the deferral of new regulatory assets was primarily due to lower RCP distribution cost deferrals ($24 million) due to the application of overrecovered RTC revenues to the deferred balance, and lower deferred fuel costs ($19 million) and MISO transmission expenses ($5 million), as more generation and transmission costs were recovered from customers through PUCO-approved riders. Higher general taxes primarily reflected increased KWH taxes, property taxes and Ohio commercial activity taxes.

Other Expense

Other expense decreased $4 million in 2008 compared to 2007, primarily due to lower interest expense, partially offset by lower investment income. The lower interest expense resulted from lower money pool borrowings from associated companies in 2008 and the redemption of long-term debt ($89 million aggregate principal amount in 2008 and the second half of 2007). The decrease in investment income resulted primarily from repayments in 2007 of notes receivable from associated companies, customer accounts receivable financing activity and redemptions of lessor notes.

 
34

 

Interest Rate Risk

TE has little exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates because most of its debt has fixed interest rates. The table below presents principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for TE’s investment portfolio and debt obligations.

Comparison of Carrying Value to Fair Value
 
                       
There-
     
Fair
 
Year of Maturity
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
after
 
Total
 
Value
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Assets
                                 
Investments Other Than Cash
and Cash Equivalents:
                                 
Fixed Income
    $ 12     $ 18     $ 21     $ 22     $ 25     $ 165     $ 263     $ 274  
Average interest rate
      7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     6.2 %     6.8 %        
                                                                   
Liabilities
                                                                 
Long-term Debt:
                                                                 
Fixed rate
                                            $ 300     $ 300     $ 244  
Average interest rate
                                              6.2 %     6.2 %        
Short-term Borrowings:
    $ 111                                             $ 111     $ 111  
Average interest rate
      1.5 %                                             1.5 %        

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to TE.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to TE.

 
35

 

MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of The Toledo Edison Company (Company) were prepared by management, who takes responsibility for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and are consistent with other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements.

FirstEnergy Corp.’s internal auditors, who are responsible to the Audit Committee of FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors, review the results and performance of the Company for adequacy, effectiveness and reliability of accounting and reporting systems, as well as managerial and operating controls.

FirstEnergy’s Audit Committee consists of four independent directors whose duties include: consideration of the adequacy of the internal controls of the Company and the objectivity of financial reporting; inquiry into the number, extent, adequacy and validity of regular and special audits conducted by independent auditors and the internal auditors; and reporting to the Board of Directors the Committee’s findings and any recommendation for changes in scope, methods or procedures of the auditing functions. The Committee is directly responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and is charged with reviewing and approving all services performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm and for reviewing and approving the related fees. The Committee reviews the independent registered public accounting firm's report on internal quality control and reviews all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company, in order to assess the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee also reviews management’s programs to monitor compliance with the Company’s policies on business ethics and risk management. The Committee establishes procedures to receive and respond to complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and allows for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees. The Audit Committee held ten meetings in 2008.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting under the supervision of the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.


 
36

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of The Toledo Edison Company:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Toledo Edison Company and its subsidiary at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 (Note 8) and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 (Note 4).
 
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 24, 2009

 
37

 
 
THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
REVENUES (Note 3):
                 
Electric sales
  $ 865,016     $ 934,772     $ 899,930  
Excise tax collections
    30,489       29,173       28,071  
Total revenues
    895,505       963,945       928,001  
                         
EXPENSES (Note 3):
                       
Purchased power (primarily from affiliates)
    413,344       398,423       368,654  
Other operating costs
    190,441       279,047       284,561  
Provision for depreciation
    32,422       36,743       33,310  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    109,201       104,348       95,032  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    (15,097 )     (62,664 )     (54,946 )
General taxes
    52,324       50,640       50,869  
Total expenses
    782,635       806,537       777,480  
                         
OPERATING INCOME
    112,870       157,408       150,521  
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) (Note 3):
                       
Investment income
    22,823       27,713       38,187  
Miscellaneous expense
    (7,832 )     (6,651 )     (7,379 )
Interest expense
    (23,286 )     (34,135 )     (23,179 )
Capitalized interest
    164       640       1,123  
Total other income (expense)
    (8,131 )     (12,433 )     8,752  
                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    104,739       144,975       159,273  
                         
INCOME TAXES
    29,824       53,736       59,869  
                         
NET INCOME
    74,915       91,239       99,404  
                         
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
    -       -       9,409  
                         
EARNINGS ON COMMON STOCK
  $ 74,915     $ 91,239     $ 89,995  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
38

 


 
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 14     $ 22  
Receivables-
               
Customers
    751       449  
Associated companies
    61,854       88,796  
Other (less accumulated provisions of $203,000 and $615,000,
               
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)
    23,336       3,116  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    111,579       154,380  
Prepayments and other
    1,213       865  
      198,747       247,628  
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    870,911       931,263  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    407,859       420,445  
      463,052       510,818  
Construction work in progress
    9,007       19,740  
      472,059       530,558  
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Investment in lessor notes (Note 6)
    142,687       154,646  
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies
    37,233       37,530  
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    73,500       66,759  
Other
    1,668       1,756  
      255,088       260,691  
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    500,576       500,576  
Regulatory assets
    109,364       203,719  
Pension assets (Note 4)
    -       28,601  
Property taxes
    22,970       21,010  
Other
    48,706       20,496  
      681,616       774,402  
    $ 1,607,510     $ 1,813,279  
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 34     $ 34  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    70,455       245,215  
Other
    4,812       4,449  
Notes payable to associated companies
    111,242       13,396  
Accrued taxes
    24,433       30,245  
Lease market valuation liability
    36,900       36,900  
Other
    23,183       22,747  
      271,059       352,986  
CAPITALIZATION (See Statements of Capitalization):
               
Common stockholder's equity
    480,050       485,191  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    299,626       303,397  
      779,676       788,588  
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    78,905       103,463  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    6,804       10,180  
Lease market valuation liability (Note 6)
    273,100       310,000  
Retirement benefits
    73,106       63,215  
Asset retirement obligations
    30,213       28,366  
Deferred revenues - electric service programs
    1,458       12,639  
Lease assignment payable to associated companies
    30,529       83,485  
Other
    62,660       60,357  
      556,775       671,705  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 6 and 13)
               
    $ 1,607,510     $ 1,813,279  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 

 
39

 
 
THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
 
   
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
           
Common stock, $5 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized,
           
29,402,054 shares outstanding
  $ 147,010     $ 147,010  
Other paid-in capital
    175,879       173,169  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 2(F))
    (33,372 )     (10,606 )
Retained earnings (Note 10(A))
    190,533       175,618  
Total
    480,050       485,191  
                 
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS (Note 10(C)):
               
Secured notes-
               
5.375% due 2028
    -       3,751  
                 
                 
Unsecured notes-
               
6.150% due 2037
    300,000       300,000  
                 
                 
Capital lease obligations (Note 6)
    80       114  
Net unamortized discount on debt
    (420 )     (434 )
Long-term debt due within one year
    (34 )     (34 )
Total long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    299,626       303,397  
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
  $ 779,676     $ 788,588  
                 
                 
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
40

 
 
THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
   
   
                     
Accumulated
       
         
Common Stock
   
Other
   
Other
       
   
Comprehensive
   
Number
   
Par
   
Paid-In
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
 
   
Income
   
of Shares
   
Value
   
Capital
   
Income (Loss)
   
Earnings
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                     
Balance, January 1, 2006
          39,133,887     $ 195,670     $ 473,638     $ 4,690     $ 189,428  
Net income
  $ 99,404                                       99,404  
Unrealized gain on investments, net
                                               
of $211,000 of income taxes
    462                               462          
Comprehensive income
  $ 99,866                                          
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
                                               
due to the implementation of SFAS 158, net
                                               
of $26,929,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
                                    (41,956 )        
Affiliated company asset transfers
                            (130,571 )                
Repurchase of common stock
            (9,731,833 )     (48,660 )     (176,341 )                
Preferred stock redemption premiums
                                            (4,840 )
Restricted stock units
                            38                  
Stock-based compensation
                            22                  
Cash dividends on preferred stock
                                            (4,569 )
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (75,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2006
            29,402,054       147,010       166,786       (36,804 )     204,423  
Net income
  $ 91,239                                       91,239  
Unrealized gain on investments, net
                                               
of $1,089,000 of income taxes
    1,901                               1,901          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                               
of $15,077,000 of income taxes (Note 4)
    24,297                               24,297          
Comprehensive income
  $ 117,437                                          
Restricted stock units
                            53                  
Stock-based compensation
                            2                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                            6,328                  
FIN 48 cumulative effect adjustment
                                            (44 )
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (120,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2007
            29,402,054       147,010       173,169       (10,606 )     175,618  
Net income
  $ 74,915                                       74,915  
Unrealized gain on investments, net
                                               
of $1,421,000 of income taxes
    2,372                               2,372          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                               
of $11,630,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
    (25,138 )                             (25,138 )        
Comprehensive income
  $ 52,149                                          
Restricted stock units
                            47                  
Stock-based compensation
                            1                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                            2,662                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (60,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2008
            29,402,054     $ 147,010     $ 175,879     $ (33,372 )   $ 190,533  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
41

 
 
THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income
  $ 74,915     $ 91,239     $ 99,404  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
                       
Provision for depreciation
    32,422       36,743       33,310  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    109,201       104,348       95,032  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    (15,097 )     (62,664 )     (54,946 )
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
    (37,938 )     265,981       (32,925 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    (16,869 )     (26,318 )     (37,133 )
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    1,483       5,276       4,415  
Electric service prepayment programs
    (11,181 )     (10,907 )     (9,060 )
Pension trust contribution
    -       (7,659 )     -  
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
                       
Receivables
    20,186       (64,489 )     6,387  
Prepayments and other current assets
    (348 )     (13 )     208  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
                       
Accounts payable
    (164,397 )     8,722       39,847  
Accrued taxes
    (5,812 )     (14,954 )     (2,026 )
Accrued interest
    (17 )     (1,350 )     1,899  
Other
    (3,289 )     5,188       4,640  
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities
    (16,741 )     329,143       149,052  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
New Financing-
                       
Long-term debt
    -       -       299,550  
Short-term borrowings, net
    97,846       -       62,909  
Redemptions and Repayments-
                       
Common stock
    -       -       (225,000 )
Preferred stock
    -       -       (100,840 )
Long-term debt
    (3,860 )     (85,797 )     (202,550 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       (153,567 )     -  
Dividend Payments-
                       
Common stock
    (70,000 )     (85,000 )     (75,000 )
Preferred stock
    -       -       (4,569 )
Other
    (131 )     -       (2,887 )
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    23,855       (324,364 )     (248,387 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Property additions
    (57,385 )     (58,871 )     (61,232 )
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net
    42,822       (51,002 )     (52,178 )
Collection of principal on long-term notes receivable
    276       91,308       202,787  
Redemption of lessor notes (Note 6)
    11,959       14,847       9,305  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    37,931       44,682       53,458  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (40,960 )     (47,853 )     (53,724 )
Other
    (1,765 )     2,110       926  
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    (7,122 )     (4,779 )     99,342  
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (8 )     -       7  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    22       22       15  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 14     $ 22     $ 22  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                       
Cash Paid During the Year-
                       
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ 22,203     $ 33,841     $ 17,785  
Income taxes
  $ 62,879     $ 73,845     $ 95,753  
                         
                         
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
42

 
 
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


JCP&L is a wholly owned, electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. JCP&L conducts business in New Jersey, providing regulated electric transmission and distribution services. JCP&L also provides generation services to franchise customers electing to retain JCP&L as their power supplier. JCP&L procures electric supply to serve its BGS customers through a statewide auction process approved by the NJBPU.

Results of Operations

Net income increased to $187 million in 2008 from $186 million in 2007. The increase was primarily due to higher operating revenues, lower other operating costs and lower amortization of regulatory assets, partially offset by higher purchased power costs and other expenses.

Revenues

Revenues increased $228 million, or 7%, in 2008 compared with 2007 due to higher retail generation revenues ($182 million) and higher wholesale revenues ($62 million), partially offset by a decrease in distribution throughput ($7 million).

Retail generation revenues from all customer classes increased due to higher unit prices resulting from the BGS auctions effective June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, partially offset by decreased retail generation KWH sales. Residential and commercial sales volumes decreased primarily as a result of milder weather (heating degree days and cooling degree days decreased by 2.3% and 6.4%, respectively, in 2008 compared to 2007). Customer shopping also contributed to the decreased sales volumes in the commercial sector (shopping increased by 3.5 percentage points in 2008 compared to 2007). Industrial sales volumes decreased primarily due to weakening economic conditions and increased customer shopping.

Changes in retail generation KWH sales and revenues by customer class in 2008 compared to 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Retail Generation KWH Sales
 
Decrease
 
         
Residential
   
(1.7)
%
Commercial
   
(6.1)
%
Industrial
   
(6.3)
%
Decrease in Generation Sales
   
(3.7)
%

Retail Generation Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
124
 
Commercial
   
52
 
Industrial
   
6
 
Increase in Generation Revenues
 
$
182
 

Wholesale generation revenues increased $62 million in 2008 primarily due to higher market prices for NUG sales in PJM, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume compared to 2007.

JCP&L defers amounts by which the costs of supplying BGS and costs incurred under NUG agreements exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUGC rates from retail customers and revenues from the sale of NUG power.

Distribution revenues decreased $7 million in 2008 compared to 2007 due to lower KWH deliveries, reflecting the weather and economic impacts described above, partially offset by a slight increase in composite unit prices.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues by customer class in 2008 compared to 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Distribution KWH Deliveries
 
Decrease
 
         
Residential
   
(1.7)
%
Commercial
   
(1.6)
%
Industrial
   
(3.9)
%
Decrease in Distribution Deliveries
   
(2.0)
%

 
43

 
 
Distribution Revenues
 
Decrease
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
(1
)
Commercial
   
(5
)
Industrial
   
(1
)
Decrease in Distribution Revenues
 
$
(7
)

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $214 million in 2008 compared to 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year period by expense category:

Expenses  - Changes
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Purchased power costs
 
$
248
 
Other operating costs
   
(23
)
Provision for depreciation
   
11
 
Amortization of regulatory assets
   
(23
)
General taxes
   
1
 
Net increase in expenses
 
$
214
 

Purchased power costs increased in 2008 primarily due to higher unit prices resulting from the BGS auctions effective June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, partially offset by a decrease in purchases due to the lower generation KWH sales discussed above. Other operating costs decreased primarily as a result of lower professional and contractor costs charged to expense (more costs were dedicated to capital projects in 2008) and lower employee benefit expenses. Depreciation expense increased primarily due to an increase in depreciable property during 2007. Amortization of regulatory assets decreased in 2008 primarily due to the completion in December 2007 of regulatory asset recovery associated with TMI-2 and lower transition cost amortization due to the lower KWH deliveries discussed above.

Other Expenses

Other expenses increased by $15 million in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to interest expense associated with JCP&L’s $550 million issuance of senior notes in May 2007, reduced life insurance investment values and lower interest income on regulatory asset balances.

Sale of Investment

On April 17, 2008, JCP&L closed the sale of its 86-MW Forked River Power Plant to Maxim Power Corp. for $20 million. In conjunction with this sale, FES entered into a 10-year tolling agreement with Maxim for the entire capacity of the plant. The sale is subject to regulatory accounting and did not have a material impact on JCP&L’s earnings in 2008. The New Jersey Rate Counsel has appealed the NJBPU’s approval of the sale to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, where it is currently pending.

Market Risk Information

JCP&L uses various market risk sensitive instruments, including derivative contracts, primarily to manage the risk of price and interest rate fluctuations. FirstEnergy’s Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general oversight to risk management activities.

Commodity Price Risk

JCP&L is exposed to market risk primarily due to fluctuations in electricity, energy transmission and natural gas prices. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, JCP&L uses a variety of non-derivative and derivative instruments, including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. The derivatives are used principally for hedging purposes. Derivatives that fall within the scope of SFAS 133 must be recorded at their fair value and marked to market. Certain of JCP&L’s derivative hedging contracts qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception under SFAS 133 and are therefore excluded from the table below. Contracts that are not exempt from such treatment include power purchase agreements with NUG entities that were structured pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. These non-trading contracts are adjusted to fair value at the end of each quarter, with a corresponding regulatory asset recognized for above-market costs or regulatory liability for below-market costs. The change in the fair value of commodity derivative contracts related to energy production during 2008 is summarized in the following table:

 
44

 
 
Decrease in the Fair Value of Derivative Contracts
 
Non-Hedge
   
Hedge
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Change in the fair value of commodity derivative contracts:
                 
Outstanding net liabilities as of January 1, 2008
  $ (740 )   $ -     $ (740 )
Additions/Changes in value of existing contracts
    1       -       1  
Settled contracts
    229       -       229  
                         
Net Liabilities - Derivatives Contracts as of December 31, 2008(1)
  $ (510 )   $ -     $ (510 )
                         
Impact of Changes in Commodity Derivative Contracts(2)
                       
Income Statement Effects (Pre-Tax)
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
Balance Sheet Effects:
                       
Regulatory Asset (Net)
  $ (230 )   $ -     $ (230 )

 
(1)
Includes $510 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs) that are offset by a regulatory asset, with no impact to earnings.
 
(2)
Represents the change in value of existing contracts, settled contracts and changes in techniques/assumptions.

Derivatives are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008 as follows:

Balance Sheet Classification
 
Non-Hedge
   
Hedge
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Non-Current-
                 
Other deferred charges
  $ 22     $ -     $ 22  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (532 )     -       (532 )
Net liabilities
  $ (510 )   $ -     $ (510 )

The valuation of derivative contracts is based on observable market information to the extent that such information is available. In cases where such information is not available, JCP&L relies on model-based information. The model provides estimates of future regional prices for electricity and an estimate of related price volatility. JCP&L uses these results to develop estimates of fair value for financial reporting purposes and for internal management decision making. Sources of information for the valuation of commodity derivative contracts as of December 31, 2008 are summarized by year in the following table:

Source of Information
                             
- Fair Value by Contract Year
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Broker quote sheets(1)
    $ (161 )   $ (149 )   $ (109 )   $ (41 )   $ -     $ -     $ (460 )
Prices based on models
      -       -       -       -       (25 )     (25 )     (50 )
Total(2)
    $ (161 )   $ (149 )   $ (109 )   $ (41 )   $ (25 )   $ (25 )   $ (510 )

(1)
Validated by observable market transactions.
(2)
Includes $510 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs) that are offset by a regulatory asset, with no impact to earnings.

JCP&L performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market risk of its commodity positions. A hypothetical 10% adverse shift in quoted market prices in the near term on derivative instruments would not have had a material effect on JCP&L’s consolidated financial position or cash flows as of December 31, 2008. Based on derivative contracts held as of December 31, 2008, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would not have a material effect on JCP&L’s net income for the next 12 months.

Interest Rate Risk

JCP&L’s exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates is reduced since a significant portion of its debt has fixed interest rates. The table below presents principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for JCP&L’s investment portfolio and debt obligations.

 
45

 
 
Comparison of Carrying Value to Fair Value
                       
There-
       
Fair
 
Year of Maturity
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
after
 
Total
 
Value
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Assets
 
Investments Other Than Cash
and Cash Equivalents:
                                 
Fixed Income
          $ 1                       $ 258     $ 259     $ 259  
Average interest rate
            4.0 %                       4.6 %     4.6 %        
 
                                                           
Liabilities
Long-term Debt:
                                                         
Fixed rate
    $ 29     $ 31     $ 32     $ 34     $ 36     $ 1,407     $ 1,569     $ 1,520  
Average interest rate
      5.3 %     5.4 %     5.6 %     5.7 %     5.7 %     5.8 %     5.8 %        
Short-term Borrowings:
    $ 121                                             $ 121     $ 121  
Average interest rate
      1.5 %                                             1.5 %        

Equity Price Risk

Included in JCP&L’s nuclear decommissioning trusts are marketable equity securities carried at their market value of approximately $66 million as of December 31, 2008. A hypothetical 10% decrease in prices quoted by stock exchanges would result in a $7 million reduction in fair value as of December 31, 2008 (see Note 5).

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of other legal proceedings applicable to JCP&L.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to JCP&L.

 
46

 

MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of Jersey Central Power & Light Company (Company) were prepared by management, who takes responsibility for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and are consistent with other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements.

FirstEnergy Corp.’s internal auditors, who are responsible to the Audit Committee of FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors, review the results and performance of the Company for adequacy, effectiveness and reliability of accounting and reporting systems, as well as managerial and operating controls.

FirstEnergy’s Audit Committee consists of four independent directors whose duties include: consideration of the adequacy of the internal controls of the Company and the objectivity of financial reporting; inquiry into the number, extent, adequacy and validity of regular and special audits conducted by independent auditors and the internal auditors; and reporting to the Board of Directors the Committee’s findings and any recommendation for changes in scope, methods or procedures of the auditing functions. The Committee is directly responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and is charged with reviewing and approving all services performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm and for reviewing and approving the related fees. The Committee reviews the independent registered public accounting firm's report on internal quality control and reviews all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company, in order to assess the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee also reviews management’s programs to monitor compliance with the Company’s policies on business ethics and risk management. The Committee establishes procedures to receive and respond to complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and allows for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees. The Audit Committee held ten meetings in 2008.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting under the supervision of the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.

 
47

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholder and Board of Directors of
Jersey Central Power & Light Company:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Jersey Central Power & Light Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 (Note 8) and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 (Note 4).
 
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 24, 2009

 
48

 
 
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                   
REVENUES (Note 3):
                 
Electric sales
  $ 3,420,772     $ 3,191,999     $ 2,617,390  
Excise tax collections
    51,481       51,848       50,255  
Total revenues
    3,472,253       3,243,847       2,667,645  
                         
EXPENSES (Note 3):
                       
Purchased power from affiliates
    -       -       25,102  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    2,206,251       1,957,975       1,496,227  
Other operating costs
    302,894       325,814       320,847  
Provision for depreciation
    96,482       85,459       83,172  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    364,816       388,581       274,704  
General taxes
    67,340       66,225       63,925  
Total expenses
    3,037,783       2,824,054       2,263,977  
                         
OPERATING INCOME
    434,470       419,793       403,668  
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                       
Miscellaneous income (expense)
    (1,037 )     8,570       13,323  
Interest expense (Note 3)
    (99,459 )     (96,988 )     (83,411 )
Capitalized interest
    1,245       3,789       3,758  
Total other expense
    (99,251 )     (84,629 )     (66,330 )
                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    335,219       335,164       337,338  
                         
INCOME TAXES
    148,231       149,056       146,731  
                         
NET INCOME
    186,988       186,108       190,607  
                         
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
    -       -       1,018  
                         
EARNINGS ON COMMON STOCK
  $ 186,988     $ 186,108     $ 189,589  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
49

 


JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 66     $ 94  
Receivables-
               
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $3,230,000 and $3,691,000,
               
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)
    340,485       321,026  
Associated companies
    265       21,297  
Other
    37,534       59,244  
Notes receivable - associated companies
    16,254       18,428  
Prepaid taxes
    10,492       1,012  
Other
    18,066       17,603  
      423,162       438,704  
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    4,307,556       4,175,125  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    1,551,290       1,516,997  
      2,756,266       2,658,128  
Construction work in progress
    77,317       90,508  
      2,833,583       2,748,636  
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear fuel disposal trust
    181,468       176,512  
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    143,027       175,869  
Other
    2,145       2,083  
      326,640       354,464  
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Regulatory assets
    1,228,061       1,595,662  
Goodwill
    1,810,936       1,826,190  
Pension assets (Note 4)
    -       100,615  
Other
    29,946       29,809  
      3,068,943       3,552,276  
    $ 6,652,328     $ 7,094,080  
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 29,094     $ 27,206  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    121,380       130,381  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    12,821       7,541  
Other
    198,742       193,848  
Accrued taxes
    20,561       3,124  
Accrued interest
    9,197       9,318  
Other
    133,091       103,286  
      524,886       474,704  
CAPITALIZATION (See Consolidated Statements of Capitalization):
               
Common stockholder's equity
    2,729,010       3,017,864  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,531,840       1,560,310  
      4,260,850       4,578,174  
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Power purchase contract liability
    531,686       763,173  
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    689,065       800,214  
Nuclear fuel disposal costs
    196,235       192,402  
Asset retirement obligations
    95,216       89,669  
Retirement benefits
    190,182       2,468  
Other
    164,208       193,276  
      1,866,592       2,041,202  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 6 and 13)
               
    $ 6,652,328     $ 7,094,080  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 

 
50

 
 
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
 
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
           
Common stock, $10 par value, 16,000,000 shares authorized,
           
14,421,637 shares outstanding
  $ 144,216     $ 144,216  
Other paid-in capital
    2,644,756       2,655,941  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 2(F))
    (216,538 )     (19,881 )
Retained earnings (Note 10(A))
    156,576       237,588  
Total
    2,729,010       3,017,864  
                 
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 10(C)):
               
Secured notes-
               
5.390% due 2008-2010
    33,469       52,273  
5.250% due 2008-2012
    33,229       41,631  
5.810% due 2010-2013
    77,075       77,075  
5.410% due 2012-2014
    25,693       25,693  
6.160% due 2013-2017
    99,517       99,517  
5.520% due 2014-2018
    49,220       49,220  
5.610% due 2018-2021
    51,139       51,139  
Total
    369,342       396,548  
                 
Unsecured notes-
               
5.625% due 2016
    300,000       300,000  
5.650% due 2017
    250,000       250,000  
4.800% due 2018
    150,000       150,000  
6.400% due 2036
    200,000       200,000  
6.150% due 2037
    300,000       300,000  
Total
    1,200,000       1,200,000  
                 
                 
Net unamortized discount on debt
    (8,408 )     (9,032 )
Long-term debt due within one year
    (29,094 )     (27,206 )
Total long-term debt
    1,531,840       1,560,310  
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
  $ 4,260,850     $ 4,578,174  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
51

 
 
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
   
   
                           
Accumulated
       
         
Common Stock
   
Other
   
Other
       
   
Comprehensive
   
Number
   
Par
   
Paid-In
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
 
   
Income
   
of Shares
   
Value
   
Capital
   
Income (Loss)
   
Earnings
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                     
Balance, January 1, 2006
          15,371,270     $ 153,713     $ 3,003,190     $ (2,030 )   $ 55,890  
Net income
  $ 190,607                                       190,607  
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments,
                                               
net of $101,000 of income taxes
    147                               147          
Comprehensive income
  $ 190,754                                          
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
                                               
due to the implementation of SFAS 158, net
                                               
of $42,233,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
                                    (42,371 )        
Repurchase of common stock
            (361,935 )     (3,620 )     (73,381 )                
Preferred stock redemption premium
                                            (663 )
Restricted stock units
                            101                  
Stock-based compensation
                            48                  
Cash dividends on preferred stock
                                            (354 )
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (100,000 )
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                            (21,679 )                
Balance, December 31, 2006
            15,009,335       150,093       2,908,279       (44,254 )     145,480  
Net income
  $ 186,108                                       186,108  
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments,
                                               
net of $11,000 of income taxes
    293                               293          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                               
of $23,644,000 of income taxes (Note 4)
    24,080                               24,080          
Comprehensive income
  $ 210,481                                          
Restricted stock units
                            198                  
Stock-based compensation
                            3                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                            4,637                  
Repurchase of common stock
            (587,698 )     (5,877 )     (119,123 )                
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (94,000 )
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                            (138,053 )                
Balance, December 31, 2007
            14,421,637       144,216       2,655,941       (19,881 )     237,588  
Net income
  $ 186,988                                       186,988  
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments
    276                               276          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                               
of $131,317,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
    (196,933 )                             (196,933 )        
Comprehensive loss
  $ (9,669 )                                        
Restricted stock units
                            3                  
Stock-based compensation
                            1                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                            4,065                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (268,000 )
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                            (15,254 )                
Balance, December 31, 2008
            14,421,637     $ 144,216     $ 2,644,756     $ (216,538 )   $ 156,576  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
52

 
 
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income
  $ 186,988     $ 186,108     $ 190,607  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
                       
Provision for depreciation
    96,482       85,459       83,172  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    364,816       388,581       274,704  
Deferred purchased power and other costs
    (165,071 )     (203,157 )     (281,498 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    12,834       (30,791 )     43,896  
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    (35,791 )     (23,441 )     (12,670 )
Cash collateral from (returned to) suppliers
    23,106       (31,938 )     (109,108 )
Pension trust contributions
    -       (17,800 )     -  
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
                       
Receivables
    8,042       (73,259 )     1,103  
Materials and supplies
    348       (364 )     61  
Prepaid taxes
    (9,562 )     12,321       5,385  
Other current assets
    (38 )     2,096       (2,134 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
                       
Accounts payable
    10,174       (39,396 )     53,330  
Accrued taxes
    2,582       11,658       (52,905 )
Accrued interest
    (121 )     (5,140 )     (5,458 )
Other
    (13,002 )     5,369       1,272  
Net cash provided from operating activities
    481,787       266,306       189,757  
 
                       
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
New Financing-
                       
Long-term debt
    -       543,807       382,400  
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       -       5,194  
Redemptions and Repayments-
                       
Long-term debt
    (27,206 )     (325,337 )     (207,231 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    (9,001 )     (56,159 )     -  
Common stock
    -       (125,000 )     (77,000 )
Preferred stock
    -       -       (13,312 )
Dividend Payments-
                       
Common stock
    (268,000 )     (94,000 )     (100,000 )
Preferred stock
    -       -       (354 )
Other
    (80 )     (609 )     -  
Net cash used for financing activities
    (304,287 )     (57,298 )     (10,303 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Property additions
    (178,358 )     (199,856 )     (160,264 )
Proceeds from asset sales
    20,000       -       -  
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net
    2,173       6,029       (6,037 )
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    248,185       195,973       216,521  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (265,441 )     (212,263 )     (219,416 )
Other
    (4,087 )     1,162       (10,319 )
Net cash used for investing activities
    (177,528 )     (208,955 )     (179,515 )
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (28 )     53       (61 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    94       41       102  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 66     $ 94     $ 41  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                       
Cash Paid During the Year-
                       
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ 99,731     $ 102,492     $ 80,101  
Income taxes
  $ 145,943     $ 156,073     $ 134,279  
                         
                         
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
53

 
 
METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
 
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Met-Ed is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. Met-Ed conducts business in eastern Pennsylvania, providing regulated electric transmission and distribution services. Met-Ed also provides generation service to those customers electing to retain Met-Ed as their power supplier. Met-Ed has a partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement with FES, to supply a portion of each of its default service obligations at fixed prices through 2009. This sales agreement is renewed annually unless cancelled by either party with at least a sixty day written notice prior to the end of the calendar year.

Results of Operations

In 2008, Met-Ed reported net income of $88 million compared to $95 million 2007. The decrease was primarily due to higher purchased power costs, net amortization of regulatory assets and other operating costs, partially offset by higher revenues.

Revenues

Revenues increased by $142 million, or 9.4%, in 2008 compared to 2007 principally due to higher wholesale generation revenues and distribution throughput revenues. Wholesale revenues increased by $111 million in 2008 compared to 2007, primarily reflecting higher PJM spot market prices. Increased distribution throughput revenues were partially offset by decreases in retail generation revenues and PJM transmission revenues.

In 2008, retail generation revenues decreased $3 million primarily due to lower KWH sales to industrial customers due to the weakening economy, partially offset by higher KWH sales to commercial customers and higher composite unit prices in all customer classes.

Changes in retail generation sales and revenues in 2008 compared to 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

   
Increase
 
Retail Generation KWH Sales
 
(Decrease)
 
         
Residential
   
-
 
Commercial
   
1.3
 %
Industrial
   
(4.0
)%
Net Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
   
(0.7
)%

   
Increase
 
Retail Generation Revenues
 
(Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
 $
1
 
Commercial
   
3
 
Industrial
   
(7
)
Net Decrease in Retail Generation Revenues
 
 $
(3
)

Revenues from distribution throughput increased $47 million in 2008 compared to 2007. Higher rates received for transmission services, resulting from the annual update of Met-Ed’s TSC rider effective June 1, 2008 (see Regulatory Matters). Decreased KWH deliveries in the industrial customer class were partially offset by increased KWH deliveries to commercial customers.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in 2008 compared to 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

   
Increase
 
Distribution KWH Deliveries
 
(Decrease)
 
         
Residential
   
-
 
Commercial
   
1.3
 %
Industrial
   
(4.0
)%
Net Decrease in Distribution Deliveries
   
(0.7
)%

 
54

 
 
Distribution Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
 $
21
 
Commercial
   
17
 
Industrial
   
9
 
Increase in Distribution Revenues
 
 $
47
 

Transmission revenues decreased by $15 million in 2008 compared to 2007, primarily due to decreased auction revenue rights in PJM. Met-Ed defers the difference between transmission revenues and net transmission costs incurred, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.

Expenses

Total operating expenses increased by $153 million in 2008 compared to 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category:

Expenses – Changes
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
 
Purchased power costs
 
$
112
 
Other operating costs
   
10
 
Provision for depreciation
   
2
 
Amortization of regulatory assets
   
8
 
Deferral of new regulatory assets
   
15
 
General taxes
   
6
 
Increase in expenses
 
$
153
 

Purchased power costs increased by $112 million in 2008 due to higher composite unit prices paid to non-affiliates in the PJM market. Other operating costs increased by $10 million in 2008 primarily due to higher transmission expenses resulting from higher transmission losses and congestion costs, partially offset by the absence of costs associated with an ice storm in Met-Ed’s service territory in the fourth quarter of 2007 that caused widespread damage to its electrical system.

Amortization of regulatory assets increased in 2008 due to higher CTC revenues applied to non-NUG costs. The deferral of new regulatory assets decreased in 2008 primarily due to the absence of the 2007 deferral of previously expensed decommissioning costs ($15 million) for the Saxton nuclear research facility and decreased transmission cost deferrals ($6 million) partially offset by higher universal service charge deferrals ($6 million).

In 2008, general taxes increased primarily due to higher gross receipts taxes resulting from increased sales revenues.

Other Expense

Other expense increased $4 million in 2008 primarily due to a $10 million decrease in interest earned on stranded regulatory assets, reflecting lower regulatory asset balances, partially offset by lower interest expense of $7 million due to decreased borrowings from the regulated money pool.

Market Risk Information

Met-Ed uses various market risk sensitive instruments, including derivative contracts, to manage the risk of price and interest rate fluctuations. FirstEnergy’s Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general oversight to risk management activities.

 
55

 
 
Commodity Price Risk

Met-Ed is exposed to market risk primarily due to fluctuations in electricity, energy transmission and natural gas prices. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, Met-Ed uses a variety of non-derivative and derivative instruments, including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. The derivatives are used principally for hedging purposes. Derivatives that fall within the scope of SFAS 133 must be recorded at their fair value and marked to market. Certain of Met-Ed’s derivative hedging contracts qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception under SFAS 133 and are therefore excluded from the table below. Contracts that are not exempt from such treatment include power purchase agreements with NUG entities that were structured pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. These non-trading contracts are adjusted to fair value at the end of each quarter, with a corresponding regulatory asset recognized for above-market costs or regulatory liability for below-market costs. The change in the fair value of commodity derivative contracts related to energy production during 2008 is summarized in the following table:

Increase (Decrease) in the Fair Value of Derivative Contracts
 
Non-Hedge
   
Hedge
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Change in the Fair Value of Commodity Derivative Contracts
                 
Outstanding net liabilities as of January 1, 2008
  $ (9 )   $ -     $ (9 )
Additions/Changes in value of existing contracts
    144       -       144  
Settled contracts
    29       -       29  
Net Assets - Derivatives Contracts as of December 31, 2008(1)
  $ 164     $ -     $ 164  
                         
Impact of Changes in Commodity Derivative Contracts(2)
                       
Income Statement Effects (Pre-Tax)
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
Balance Sheet Effects:
                       
Regulatory Liability (net)
  $ (173 )   $ -     $ (173 )

 
(1)
Includes $164 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs) that are offset by a regulatory liability with no impact to earnings.
 
(2)
Represents the change in value of existing contracts, settled contracts and changes in techniques/assumptions.

Derivatives are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008 as follows:

   
Non-Hedge
   
Hedge
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Non-Current-
                 
Other deferred charges
  $ 314     $ -     $ 314  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (150 )     -       (150 )
                         
Net assets
  $ 164     $ -     $ 164  

The valuation of derivative contracts is based on observable market information to the extent that such information is available. In cases where such information is not available, Met-Ed relies on model-based information. The model provides estimates of future regional prices for electricity and an estimate of related price volatility. Met-Ed uses these results to develop estimates of fair value for financial reporting purposes and for internal management decision making. Sources of information for the valuation of commodity derivative contracts as of December 31, 2008 are summarized by year in the following table:

Source of Information
                             
- Fair Value by Contract Year
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Broker quote sheets(1)
    $ (39 )   $ (29 )   $ (28 )   $ (23 )   $ -     $ -     $ (119 )
Prices based on models
      -       -       -       -       42       241       283  
Total(2)
    $ (39 )   $ (29 )   $ (28 )   $ (23 )   $ 42     $ 241     $ 164  

 
(1)
Validated by observable market transactions.
 
(2)
Includes $164 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs) that are offset by a regulatory liability with no impact to earnings.

Met-Ed performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market risk of its commodity positions. A hypothetical 10% adverse shift in quoted market prices in the near term on derivative instruments would not have had a material effect on Met-Ed’s consolidated financial position or cash flows as of December 31, 2008. Based on derivative contracts held as of December 31, 2008, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would not have a material effect on Met-Ed’s net income for the next 12 months.

 
56

 
 
Interest Rate Risk

Met-Ed’s exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates is reduced since a significant portion of its debt has fixed interest rates. The table below presents principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for Met-Ed’s investment portfolio and debt obligations.

Comparison of Carrying Value to Fair Value
 
                                 
There-
         
Fair
 
Year of Maturity
 
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
after
   
Total
   
Value
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Assets
     
Investments Other Than Cash
and Cash Equivalents:
                                                 
Fixed Income
                                      $ 116     $ 116     $ 116  
Average interest rate
                                        4.4 %     4.4 %        
                                                             
                                                             
Liabilities
                                                           
Long-term Debt:
                                                           
Fixed rate
          $ 100                     $ 150     $ 263     $ 513     $ 490  
Average interest rate
            4.5 %                     5.0 %     4.9 %     4.8 %        
Variable rate
                                          $ 29     $ 29     $ 29  
Average interest rate
                                            1.1 %     1.1 %        
Short-term Borrowings:
  $
265
                                            $ 265     $ 265  
Average interest rate
   
0.9
%                                             0.9 %        
 
Equity Price Risk

Included in Met-Ed’s nuclear decommissioning trusts are marketable equity securities carried at their market value of approximately $110 million as of December 31, 2008. A hypothetical 10% decrease in prices quoted by stock exchanges would result in an $11 million reduction in fair value as of December 31, 2008 (see Note 5).

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to Met-Ed.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to Met-Ed.

 
57

 

MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of Metropolitan Edison Company (Company) were prepared by management, who takes responsibility for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and are consistent with other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements.

FirstEnergy Corp.’s internal auditors, who are responsible to the Audit Committee of FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors, review the results and performance of the Company for adequacy, effectiveness and reliability of accounting and reporting systems, as well as managerial and operating controls.

FirstEnergy’s Audit Committee consists of four independent directors whose duties include: consideration of the adequacy of the internal controls of the Company and the objectivity of financial reporting; inquiry into the number, extent, adequacy and validity of regular and special audits conducted by independent auditors and the internal auditors; and reporting to the Board of Directors the Committee’s findings and any recommendation for changes in scope, methods or procedures of the auditing functions. The Committee is directly responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and is charged with reviewing and approving all services performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm and for reviewing and approving the related fees. The Committee reviews the independent registered public accounting firm's report on internal quality control and reviews all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company, in order to assess the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee also reviews management’s programs to monitor compliance with the Company’s policies on business ethics and risk management. The Committee establishes procedures to receive and respond to complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and allows for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees. The Audit Committee held ten meetings in 2008.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting under the supervision of the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.

 
58

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of Metropolitan Edison Company:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Metropolitan Edison Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 (Note 8) and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 (Note 4).

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 24, 2009

 
59

 
 
METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                   
REVENUES:
                 
Electric sales
  $ 1,573,781     $ 1,437,498     $ 1,175,655  
Gross receipts tax collections
    79,221       73,012       67,403  
Total revenues
    1,653,002       1,510,510       1,243,058  
                         
EXPENSES:
                       
Purchased power from affiliates (Note 3)
    303,779       290,205       177,836  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    593,203       494,284       456,597  
Other operating costs (Note 3)
    429,745       419,512       304,243  
Provision for depreciation
    44,556       42,798       41,715  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    131,542       123,410       115,672  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    (110,038 )     (124,821 )     (126,571 )
Goodwill impairment (Note 2(E))
    -       -       355,100  
General taxes
    85,643       80,135       77,411  
Total expenses
    1,478,430       1,325,523       1,402,003  
                         
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    174,572       184,987       (158,945 )
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                       
Interest income
    17,647       28,953       34,402  
Miscellaneous income (expense)
    105       (339 )     8,042  
Interest expense (Note 3)
    (43,651 )     (51,022 )     (47,385 )
Capitalized interest
    258       1,154       1,017  
Total other expense
    (25,641 )     (21,254 )     (3,924 )
                         
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    148,931       163,733       (162,869 )
                         
INCOME TAXES
    60,898       68,270       77,326  
                         
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 88,033     $ 95,463     $ (240,195 )
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
60

 
 
METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 144     $ 135  
Receivables-
               
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $3,616,000 and $4,327,000,
               
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)
    159,975       142,872  
Associated companies
    17,034       27,693  
Other
    19,828       18,909  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    11,446       12,574  
Prepaid taxes
    6,121       14,615  
Other
    1,621       1,348  
      216,169       218,146  
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    2,065,847       1,972,388  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    779,692       751,795  
      1,286,155       1,220,593  
Construction work in progress
    32,305       30,594  
      1,318,460       1,251,187  
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    226,139       286,831  
Other
    976       1,360  
      227,115       288,191  
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    416,499       424,313  
Regulatory assets
    412,994       522,767  
Pension assets (Note 4)
    -       51,427  
Power purchase contract asset
    300,141       141,356  
Other
    31,031       36,411  
      1,160,665       1,176,274  
    $ 2,922,409     $ 2,933,798  
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 28,500     $ -  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    15,003       185,327  
Other
    250,000       100,000  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    28,707       29,855  
Other
    55,330       66,694  
Accrued taxes
    16,238       16,020  
Accrued interest
    6,755       6,778  
Other
    30,647       27,393  
      431,180       432,067  
CAPITALIZATION (See Consolidated Statements of Capitalization):
               
Common stockholder's equity
    1,004,064       1,048,632  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    513,752       542,130  
      1,517,816       1,590,762  
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    387,757       438,890  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    7,767       8,390  
Nuclear fuel disposal costs
    44,328       43,462  
Asset retirement obligations
    170,999       160,726  
Retirement benefits
    145,218       8,681  
Power purchase contract liability
    150,324       169,176  
Other
    67,020       81,644  
      973,413       910,969  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 6 and 13)
               
    $ 2,922,409     $ 2,933,798  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 

 
61

 
 
METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
 
   
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
           
Common stock, without par value, 900,000 shares authorized,
           
859,500 shares outstanding
  $ 1,196,172     $ 1,203,186  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 2(F))
    (140,984 )     (15,397 )
Accumulated deficit (Note 10(A))
    (51,124 )     (139,157 )
Total
    1,004,064       1,048,632  
                 
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 10(C)):
               
First mortgage bonds-
               
5.950% due 2027
    13,690       13,690  
Total
    13,690       13,690  
                 
Unsecured notes-
               
4.450% due 2010
    100,000       100,000  
4.950% due 2013
    150,000       150,000  
4.875% due 2014
    250,000       250,000  
*   1.100% due 2021
    28,500       28,500  
Total
    528,500       528,500  
                 
                 
Net unamortized premium (discount) on debt
    62       (60 )
Long-term debt due within one year
    (28,500 )     -  
Total long-term debt
    513,752       542,130  
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
  $ 1,517,816     $ 1,590,762  
                 
                 
* Denotes variable rate issue with applicable year-end interest rate shown.
               
                 
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
62

 
METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
   
   
                     
Accumulated
   
Retained
 
         
Common Stock
   
Other
   
Earnings
 
   
Comprehensive
   
Number
   
Carrying
   
Comprehensive
   
(Accumulated
 
   
Income (Loss)
   
of Shares
   
Value
   
Income (Loss)
   
Deficit)
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Balance, January 1, 2006
          859,500     $ 1,287,093     $ (1,569 )   $ 30,575  
Net loss
  $ (240,195 )                             (240,195 )
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments,
                                       
net of $139,000 of income taxes
    196                       196          
Comprehensive loss
  $ (239,999 )                                
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
                                       
due to the implementation of SFAS 158, net
                                       
of $26,715,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
                            (25,143 )        
Restricted stock units
                    50                  
Stock-based compensation
                    38                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                    (25,000 )
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                    (11,106 )                
Balance, December 31, 2006
            859,500       1,276,075       (26,516 )     (234,620 )
Net Income
  $ 95,463                               95,463  
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments
    335                       335          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                       
of $11,666,000 of income taxes (Note 4)
    10,784                       10,784          
Comprehensive income
  $ 106,582                                  
Restricted stock units
                    104                  
Stock-based compensation
                    7                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                    1,237                  
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                    (74,237 )                
Balance, December 31, 2007
            859,500       1,203,186       (15,397 )     (139,157 )
Net Income
  $ 88,033                               88,033  
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments
    335                       335          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                       
of $86,030,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
    (125,922 )                     (125,922 )        
Comprehensive loss
  $ (37,554 )                                
Restricted stock units
                    9                  
Stock-based compensation
                    1                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                    791                  
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                    (7,815 )                
Balance, December 31, 2008
            859,500     $ 1,196,172     $ (140,984 )   $ (51,124 )
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
63

 
 
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 88,033     $ 95,463     $ (240,195 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities-
                       
Provision for depreciation
    44,556       42,798       41,715  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    131,542       123,410       115,672  
Deferred costs recoverable as regulatory assets
    (25,132 )     (70,778 )     (82,674 )
Deferral of new regulatory assets
    (110,038 )     (124,821 )     (126,571 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    49,939       35,502       50,278  
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    (23,244 )     (18,852 )     (6,876 )
Goodwill impairment
    -       -       355,100  
Loss on sale of investment
    -       5,432       -  
Cash collateral from (to) suppliers
    -       1,600       (1,580 )
Pension trust contributions
    -       (11,012 )     -  
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
                       
Receivables
    (24,282 )     (38,220 )     37,107  
Prepayments and other current assets
    8,223       (926 )     (4,385 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
                       
Accounts payable
    (12,512 )     (62,760 )     94,582  
Accrued taxes
    470       10,128       (5,647 )
Accrued interest
    (23 )     (718 )     (1,804 )
Other
    15,629       12,870       (2,633 )
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities
    143,161       (884 )     222,089  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
New Financing-
                       
Long-term debt
    28,500       -       -  
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       143,826       1,260  
Redemptions and Repayments-
                       
Long-term debt
    (28,568 )     (50,000 )     (100,000 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    (20,324 )     -       -  
Dividend Payments-
                       
Common stock
    -       -       (25,000 )
Other
    (266 )     (35 )     (7 )
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    (20,658 )     93,791       (123,747 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Property additions
    (110,301 )     (103,711 )     (84,817 )
Proceeds from sale of investment
    -       4,953       -  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    181,007       184,619       176,460  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (193,061 )     (196,140 )     (185,943 )
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net
    1,128       18,535       (3,242 )
Other
    (1,267 )     (1,158 )     (790 )
Net cash used for investing activities
    (122,494 )     (92,902 )     (98,332 )
                         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    9       5       10  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    135       130       120  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 144     $ 135     $ 130  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                       
Cash Paid During the Year-
                       
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ 38,627     $ 44,501     $ 44,597  
Income taxes
  $ 16,872     $ 30,741     $ 42,173  
                         
                         
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
64

 
 
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Penelec is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. Penelec conducts business in northern and south central Pennsylvania, providing regulated transmission and distribution services. Penelec also provides generation services to those customers electing to retain Penelec as their power supplier. Penelec has a partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement with FES, to supply a portion of each of its default service obligations at fixed prices through 2009. This sales agreement is renewed annually unless cancelled by either party with at least a sixty day written notice prior to the end of the calendar year.

Results of Operations

Net income decreased to $88 million in 2008, compared to $93 million in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to increased purchased power costs and net amortization of regulatory assets, partially offset by higher revenues and decreased other operating costs.

Revenues

Revenues increased by $112 million, or 8.0%, in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to higher retail and wholesale generation revenues, distribution throughput revenues and transmission revenues. Wholesale revenues increased $91 million in 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, primarily reflecting higher PJM spot market prices.

In 2008, retail generation revenues increased $4 million primarily due to higher composite unit prices in all customer classes and higher KWH sales to residential and commercial customers, partially offset by a decrease in KWH sales to industrial customers due to the weakening economy.

Changes in retail generation sales and revenues in 2008 as compared to 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Retail Generation KWH Sales
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
       
Residential
   
1.4
%
Commercial
   
0.9
%
Industrial
   
(1.9
)%
Net Increase in Retail Generation Sales
   
0.2
%

Retail Generation Revenues
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Residential
 
$
4
 
Commercial
   
2
 
Industrial
   
(2
)
Net Increase in Retail Generation Revenues
 
$
4
 

Revenues from distribution throughput increased $15 million in 2008 compared to 2007. Higher usage in the residential and commercial sectors along with an increase in transmission rates, resulting from the annual update of Penelec’s TSC rider effective June 1, 2008 (see Regulatory Matters) and a slight decrease in usage in the industrial sector.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in 2008 as compared to 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Distribution KWH Deliveries
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
       
Residential
   
1.4
%
Commercial
   
0.9
%
Industrial
   
(0.3
)%
Net Increase in Distribution Deliveries
   
0.6
%

 
65

 
 
Distribution Revenues
 
Increase
 
   
(In millions)
Residential
  $ 11  
Commercial
    3  
Industrial
    1  
Increase in Distribution Revenues
  $ 15  

Transmission revenues increased by $5 million in 2008 compared to 2007, primarily due to higher financial transmission rights revenue in PJM. Penelec defers the difference between transmission revenues and net transmission costs incurred in PJM, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.

Expenses

Total operating expenses increased by $111 million in 2008 compared to 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category:

Expenses - Changes
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Purchased power costs
  $ 85  
Other operating costs
    (7 )
Provision for depreciation
    5  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    24  
General taxes
    4  
Net Increase in expenses
  $ 111  

Purchased power costs increased by $85 million, or 10.8%, in 2008 compared to 2007, primarily due to higher composite unit prices paid to non-affiliates in the PJM market. Other operating costs decreased by $7 million in 2008, principally due to lower labor and contractor costs charged to operating expense, reflecting a higher level of capital-related projects in 2008, and reduced billings from FESC for employee benefits. Depreciation expense increased primarily due to an increase in depreciable property since December 31, 2007.

Amortization of regulatory assets (net of deferrals) increased in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to the absence of the 2007 deferral of previously expensed decommissioning costs ($12 million) for the Saxton nuclear research facility and decreased transmission cost deferrals ($20 million), partially offset by an increase in universal service charge deferrals ($8 million).

General taxes increased in 2008 primarily due to higher gross receipts taxes resulting from increased sales revenues.

Other Expense

In 2008, other expense increased primarily due to higher interest expense associated with Penelec’s $300 million senior note issuance in August 2007 and reduced life insurance investment values.

Market Risk Information

Penelec uses various market risk sensitive instruments, including derivative contracts, to manage the risk of price and interest rate fluctuations. FirstEnergy’s Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general oversight to risk management activities.

 
66

 
 
Commodity Price Risk

Penelec is exposed to market risk primarily due to fluctuations in electricity, energy transmission and natural gas prices. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, Penelec uses a variety of non-derivative and derivative instruments, including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. The derivatives are used principally for hedging purposes. Derivatives that fall within the scope of SFAS 133 must be recorded at their fair value and marked to market. Certain of Penelec’s derivative hedging contracts qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception under SFAS 133 and are therefore excluded from the table below. Contracts that are not exempt from such treatment include power purchase agreements with NUG entities that were structured pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. These non-trading contracts are adjusted to fair value at the end of each quarter, with a corresponding regulatory asset recognized for above-market costs or regulatory liability for below-market costs. The change in the fair value of commodity derivative contracts related to energy production during 2008 is summarized in the following table:

Increase (Decrease) in the Fair Value of Derivative Contracts
 
Non-Hedge
   
Hedge
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Change in the Fair Value of Commodity Derivative Contracts
                 
Outstanding net liabilities as of January 1, 2008
  $ (16 )   $ -     $ (16 )
Additions/Changes in value of existing contracts
    50       -       50  
Settled contracts
    9       -       9  
Net Assets - Derivatives Contracts as of December 31, 2008(1)
  $ 43     $ -     $ 43  
                         
Impact of Changes in Commodity Derivative Contracts(2)
                       
Income Statement Effects (Pre-Tax)
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
Balance Sheet Effects:
                       
Regulatory Liability (net)
  $ (59 )   $ -     $ (59 )

 
(1)
Includes $43 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs) that are offset by a regulatory liability with no impact to earnings.
 
(2)
Represents the change in value of existing contracts, settled contracts and changes in techniques/assumptions.

Derivatives are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008 as follows:

   
Non-Hedge
   
Hedge
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Non-Current-
                 
Other deferred charges
  $ 127     $ -     $ 127  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (84 )     -       (84 )
                         
Net assets
  $ 43     $ -     $ 43  

The valuation of derivative contracts is based on observable market information to the extent that such information is available. In cases where such information is not available, Penelec relies on model-based information. The model provides estimates of future regional prices for electricity and an estimate of related price volatility. Penelec uses these results to develop estimates of fair value for financial reporting purposes and for internal management decision making. Sources of information for the valuation of commodity derivative contracts as of December 31, 2008 are summarized by year in the following table:

Source of Information
                             
- Fair Value by Contract Year
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Broker quote sheets(1)
    $ (31 )   $ (22 )   $ (35 )   $ (36 )   $ -     $ -     $ (124 )
Prices based on models
      -       -       -       -       28       139       167  
Total(2)
    $ (31 )   $ (22 )   $ (35 )   $ (36 )   $ 28     $ 139     $ 43  

 
(1)
Validated by observable market transactions.
 
(2)
Includes $43 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs) that are offset by a regulatory liability with no impact to earnings.

Penelec performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market risk of its commodity positions. A hypothetical 10% adverse shift in quoted market prices in the near term on derivative instruments would not have had a material effect on Penelec’s consolidated financial position or cash flows as of December 31, 2008. Based on derivative contracts held as of December 31, 2008, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would not have a material effect on Penelec’s net income for the next 12 months.

 
67

 
 
Interest Rate Risk

Penelec’s exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates is reduced since a significant portion of its debt has fixed interest rates. The table below presents principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for Penelec’s investment portfolio and debt obligations.


Comparison of Carrying Value to Fair Value
 
                           
There-
     
Fair
 
Year of Maturity
 
2009
 
2010
   
2011
 
2012
   
2013
 
after
 
Total
 
Value
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Assets
 
Investments Other Than Cash
and Cash Equivalents:
                                     
Fixed Income
                                      $ 179     $ 179     $ 179  
Average interest rate
                                          3.9 %     3.9 %        
   
 
                                                             
Liabilities
 
Long-term Debt:
                                                             
Fixed rate
    $ 100     $ 59                             $ 575     $ 734     $ 676  
Average interest rate
      6.1 %     6.8 %                             5.9 %     6.0 %        
Variable rate
                                            $ 45     $ 45     $ 45  
Average interest rate
                                              1.2 %     1.2 %        
Short-term Borrowings:
    $ 281                                             $ 281     $ 281  
Average interest rate
      0.9 %                                             0.9 %        

Equity Price Risk

Included in Penelec’s nuclear decommissioning trusts are marketable equity securities carried at their market value of approximately $53 million as of December 31, 2008. A hypothetical 10% decrease in prices quoted by stock exchanges would result in a $5 million reduction in fair value as of December 31, 2008 (see Note 5).

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to Penelec.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to Penelec.

 
68

 

MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of Pennsylvania Electric Company (Company) were prepared by management, who takes responsibility for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and are consistent with other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements.

FirstEnergy Corp.’s internal auditors, who are responsible to the Audit Committee of FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors, review the results and performance of the Company for adequacy, effectiveness and reliability of accounting and reporting systems, as well as managerial and operating controls.

FirstEnergy’s Audit Committee consists of four independent directors whose duties include: consideration of the adequacy of the internal controls of the Company and the objectivity of financial reporting; inquiry into the number, extent, adequacy and validity of regular and special audits conducted by independent auditors and the internal auditors; and reporting to the Board of Directors the Committee’s findings and any recommendation for changes in scope, methods or procedures of the auditing functions. The Committee is directly responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and is charged with reviewing and approving all services performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm and for reviewing and approving the related fees. The Committee reviews the independent registered public accounting firm's report on internal quality control and reviews all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company, in order to assess the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee also reviews management’s programs to monitor compliance with the Company’s policies on business ethics and risk management. The Committee establishes procedures to receive and respond to complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and allows for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees. The Audit Committee held ten meetings in 2008.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting under the supervision of the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.

 
69

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of Pennsylvania Electric Company:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pennsylvania Electric Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 (Note 8) and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 (Note 4).
 
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 24, 2009

 
70

 
 
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                   
REVENUES:
                 
Electric sales
  $ 1,443,461     $ 1,336,517     $ 1,086,781  
Gross receipts tax collections
    70,168       65,508       61,679  
Total revenues
    1,513,629       1,402,025       1,148,460  
                         
EXPENSES (Note 3):
                       
Purchased power from affiliates
    284,074       284,826       154,420  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    591,487       505,528       471,947  
Other operating costs
    228,257       234,949       203,868  
Provision for depreciation
    54,643       49,558       48,003  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    71,091       46,761       21,887  
General taxes
    79,604       76,050       72,612  
Total expenses
    1,309,156       1,197,672       972,737  
                         
OPERATING INCOME
    204,473       204,353       175,723  
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                       
Miscellaneous income
    1,359       6,501       8,986  
Interest expense (Note 3)
    (59,424 )     (54,840 )     (45,278 )
Capitalized interest
    (591 )     939       1,290  
Total other expense
    (58,656 )     (47,400 )     (35,002 )
                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    145,817       156,953       140,721  
                         
INCOME TAXES
    57,647       64,015       56,539  
                         
NET INCOME
  $ 88,170     $ 92,938     $ 84,182  
                         
                         
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
71

 
 
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 23     $ 46  
Receivables-
               
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $3,121,000 and $3,905,000,
               
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)
    146,831       137,455  
Associated companies
    65,610       22,014  
Other
    26,766       19,529  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    14,833       16,313  
Prepaid taxes
    16,310       1,796  
Other
    1,517       1,281  
      271,890       198,434  
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    2,324,879       2,219,002  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    868,639       838,621  
      1,456,240       1,380,381  
Construction work in progress
    25,146       24,251  
      1,481,386       1,404,632  
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    115,292       137,859  
Non-utility generation trusts
    116,687       112,670  
Other
    293       531  
      232,272       251,060  
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    768,628       777,904  
Pension assets (Note 4)
    -       66,111  
Power purchase contract asset
    119,748       60,514  
Other
    18,658       33,893  
      907,034       938,422  
    $ 2,892,582     $ 2,792,548  
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 145,000     $ -  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    31,402       214,893  
Other
    250,000       -  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    63,692       83,359  
Other
    48,633       51,777  
Accrued taxes
    13,264       15,111  
Accrued interest
    13,131       13,167  
Other
    31,730       25,311  
      596,852       403,618  
CAPITALIZATION (See Consolidated Statements of Capitalization):
               
Common stockholder's equity
    949,109       1,072,057  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    633,132       777,243  
      1,582,241       1,849,300  
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Regulatory liabilities
    136,579       48,718  
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    169,807       210,776  
Retirement benefits
    172,718       41,298  
Asset retirement obligations
    87,089       81,849  
Power purchase contract liability
    83,600       85,355  
Other
    63,696       71,634  
      713,489       539,630  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 6 and 13)
               
    $ 2,892,582     $ 2,792,548  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 

 
72

 
 
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
 
             
As of December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
           
Common stock, $20 par value, 5,400,000 shares authorized,
           
4,427,577 shares outstanding
  $ 88,552     $ 88,552  
Other paid-in capital
    912,441       920,616  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 2(F))
    (127,997 )     4,946  
Retained earnings (Note 10(A))
    76,113       57,943  
Total
    949,109       1,072,057  
 
               
                 
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 10(C)):
               
First mortgage bonds-
               
5.350% due 2010
    12,310       12,310  
5.350% due 2010
    12,000       12,000  
Total
    24,310       24,310  
                 
Unsecured notes-
               
6.125% due 2009
    100,000       100,000  
7.770% due 2010
    35,000       35,000  
5.125% due 2014
    150,000       150,000  
6.050% due 2017
    300,000       300,000  
6.625% due 2019
    125,000       125,000  
*  1.130% due 2020
    20,000       20,000  
*  1.210% due 2025
    25,000       25,000  
Total
    755,000       755,000  
                 
                 
Net unamortized discount on debt
    (1,178 )     (2,067 )
Long-term debt due within one year
    (145,000 )     -  
Total long-term debt
    633,132       777,243  
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
  $ 1,582,241     $ 1,849,300  
                 
                 
* Denotes variable rate issue with applicable year-end interest rate shown.
               
                 
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
73

 
 
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
   
   
                           
Accumulated
       
         
Common Stock
   
Other
   
Other
       
   
Comprehensive
   
Number
   
Par
   
Paid-In
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
 
   
Income (Loss)
   
of Shares
   
Value
   
Capital
   
Income (Loss)
   
Earnings
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                     
Balance, January 1, 2006
          5,290,596     $ 105,812     $ 1,202,551     $ (309 )   $ 25,823  
Net income
  $ 84,182                                       84,182  
Net unrealized gain on investments, net
                                               
of $4,000 of income taxes
    2                               2          
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net
                                               
of $27,000 of income taxes
    38                               38          
Comprehensive income
  $ 84,222                                          
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
                                               
due to the implementation of SFAS 158, net
                                               
of $17,340,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
                                    (6,924 )        
Restricted stock units
                            46                  
Stock-based compensation
                            21                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (20,000 )
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                            (13,184 )                
Balance, December 31, 2006
            5,290,596       105,812       1,189,434       (7,193 )     90,005  
Net income
  $ 92,938                                       92,938  
Net unrealized gain on investments, net
                                               
 of $12,000 of income tax benefits
    21                               21          
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net
                                               
of $16,000 of income taxes
    49                               49          
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                               
of $15,413,000 of income taxes (Note 4)
    12,069                               12,069          
Comprehensive income
  $ 105,077                                          
Restricted stock units
                            107                  
Stock-based compensation
                            7                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                            1,261                  
Repurchase of common stock
            (863,019 )     (17,260 )     (182,740 )                
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (125,000 )
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                            (87,453 )                
Balance, December 31, 2007
            4,427,577       88,552       920,616       4,946       57,943  
Net income
  $ 88,170                                       88,170  
Net unrealized gain on investments, net
    9                               9          
of $13,000 of income taxes
                                               
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net
    69                               69          
of $4,000 of income tax benefits
                                               
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net
                                               
of $90,822,000 of income tax benefits (Note 4)
    (133,021 )                             (133,021 )        
Comprehensive loss
  $ (44,773 )                                        
Restricted stock units
                            35                  
Stock-based compensation
                            1                  
Consolidated tax benefit allocation
                            1,066                  
Cash dividends declared on common stock
                                            (70,000 )
Purchase accounting fair value adjustment
                            (9,277 )                
Balance, December 31, 2008
            4,427,577     $ 88,552     $ 912,441     $ (127,997 )   $ 76,113  
   
   
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
74

 
 
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income
  $ 88,170     $ 92,938     $ 84,182  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
                       
Provision for depreciation
    54,643       49,558       48,003  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    71,091       46,761       21,887  
Deferred costs recoverable as regulatory assets
    (35,898 )     (71,939 )     (80,942 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    95,227       10,713       28,568  
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    (25,661 )     (20,830 )     5,125  
Pension trust contribution
    -       (13,436 )     -  
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
                       
Receivables
    (74,338 )     18,771       14,299  
Prepayments and other current assets
    (16,313 )     1,159       683  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
                       
Accounts payable
    (1,966 )     (59,513 )     67,602  
Accrued taxes
    (2,181 )     4,743       (1,524 )
Accrued interest
    (36 )     5,943       (638 )
Other
    17,815       13,125       8,363  
Net cash provided from operating activities
    170,553       77,993       195,608  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
New Financing-
                       
Long-term debt
    45,000       299,109       -  
Short-term borrowings, net
    66,509       15,662       -  
Redemptions and Repayments-
                       
Common Stock
    -       (200,000 )     -  
Long-term debt
    (45,556 )     -       -  
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       -       (61,928 )
Dividend Payments-
                       
Common stock
    (90,000 )     (70,000 )     (20,000 )
Other     -       (2,210 )     -  
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    (24,047 )     42,561       (81,928 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Property additions
    (126,672 )     (94,991 )     (106,980 )
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net
    1,480       3,235       (1,924 )
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    117,751       175,222       99,469  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (134,621 )     (199,375 )     (99,469 )
Other, net
    (4,467 )     (4,643 )     (4,767 )
Net cash used for investing activities
    (146,529 )     (120,552 )     (113,671 )
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (23 )     2       9  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    46       44       35  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 23     $ 46     $ 44  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                       
Cash Paid During the Year-
                       
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ 56,972     $ 44,503     $ 41,976  
Income taxes
  $ 44,197     $ 2,996     $ 29,189  
                         
                         
The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
75

 

COMBINED MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF REGISTRANT SUBSIDIARIES


The following is a combined presentation of certain disclosures referenced in Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations of FES and the Utilities. This information should be read in conjunction with FES’ and the Utilities’ respective Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations and the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Regulatory Matters (Applicable to each of the Utilities)

In Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, laws applicable to electric industry restructuring contain similar provisions that are reflected in the Utilities' respective state regulatory plans. These provisions include:

 
·
restructuring the electric generation business and allowing the Utilities' customers to select a competitive electric generation supplier other than the Utilities;

 
·
establishing or defining the PLR obligations to customers in the Utilities' service areas;

 
·
providing the Utilities with the opportunity to recover potentially stranded investment (or transition costs) not otherwise recoverable in a competitive generation market;

 
·
itemizing (unbundling) the price of electricity into its component elements – including generation, transmission, distribution and stranded costs recovery charges;

 
·
continuing regulation of the Utilities' transmission and distribution systems; and

 
·
requiring corporate separation of regulated and unregulated business activities.

The Utilities recognize, as regulatory assets, costs which the FERC, PUCO, PPUC and NJBPU have authorized for recovery from customers in future periods or for which authorization is probable. Without the probability of such authorization, costs currently recorded as regulatory assets would have been charged to income as incurred. As of December 31, 2008, regulatory assets that did not earn a current return totaled approximately $61 million for JCP&L and $72 million for Met-Ed. Regulatory assets not earning a current return (primarily for certain regulatory transition costs and employee postretirement benefits) will be recovered by 2014 for JCP&L and by 2020 for Met-Ed and Penelec. The following table discloses regulatory assets by company:

   
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets*
 
2008
 
2007
 
Decrease
 
   
(In millions)
 
OE
    $ 575     $ 737     $ (162 )
CEI
      784       871       (87 )
TE
      109       204       (95 )
JCP&L
      1,228       1,596       (368 )
Met-Ed
      413       523       (110 )

 
 
*
Penelec had net regulatory liabilities of approximately $137 million and $49 million as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
 

 
76

 
 
Ohio (Applicable to OE, CEI, TE and FES)

On January 4, 2006, the PUCO issued an order authorizing the Ohio Companies to recover certain increased fuel costs through a fuel rider and to defer certain other increased fuel costs to be incurred from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, including interest on the deferred balances. The order also provided for recovery of the deferred costs over a twenty-five-year period through distribution rates. On August 29, 2007, the Supreme Court of Ohio concluded that the PUCO violated a provision of the Ohio Revised Code by permitting the Ohio Companies “to collect deferred increased fuel costs through future distribution rate cases, or to alternatively use excess fuel-cost recovery to reduce deferred distribution-related expenses” and remanded the matter to the PUCO for further consideration. On September 10, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO that requested the implementation of two generation-related fuel cost riders to collect the increased fuel costs that were previously authorized to be deferred. On January 9, 2008, the PUCO approved the Ohio Companies’ proposed fuel cost rider to recover increased fuel costs incurred during 2008, which was approximately $185 million. In addition, the PUCO ordered the Ohio Companies to file a separate application for an alternate recovery mechanism to collect the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs. On February 8, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed an application proposing to recover $226 million of deferred fuel costs and carrying charges for 2006 and 2007 pursuant to a separate fuel rider. Recovery of the deferred fuel costs was also addressed in the Ohio Companies’ comprehensive ESP filing, which was subsequently withdrawn on December 22, 2008, and also as a part of the stipulation and recommendation which was attached to the amended application for an ESP, both as described below.

On June 7, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application for an increase in electric distribution rates with the PUCO and, on August 6, 2007, updated their filing to support a distribution rate increase of $332 million. On December 4, 2007, the PUCO Staff issued its Staff Reports containing the results of its investigation into the distribution rate request. In its reports, the PUCO Staff recommended a distribution rate increase in the range of $161 million to $180 million, with $108 million to $127 million for distribution revenue increases and $53 million for recovery of costs deferred under prior cases. During the evidentiary hearings and filing of briefs, the PUCO Staff decreased their recommended revenue increase to a range of $117 million to $135 million. On January 21, 2009, the PUCO granted the Ohio Companies’ application to increase electric distribution rates by $136.6 million (OE - $68.9 million, CEI - $29.2 million and TE - $38.5 million).  These increases went into effect for OE and TE on January 23, 2009, and will go into effect for CEI on May 1, 2009. Applications for rehearing of this order were filed by the Ohio Companies and one other party on February 20, 2009.

On May 1, 2008, Governor Strickland signed SB221, which became effective on July 31, 2008. The bill requires all utilities to file an ESP with the PUCO, which must contain a proposal for the supply and pricing of retail generation. A utility may also file an MRO with the PUCO, in which it would have to prove the following objective market criteria: 1) the utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC approved RTO, or there is comparable and nondiscriminatory access to the electric transmission grid; 2) the RTO has a market-monitor function and the ability to mitigate market power or the utility’s market conduct, or a similar market monitoring function exists with the ability to identify and monitor market conditions and conduct; and 3) a published source of information is available publicly or through subscription that identifies pricing information for traded electricity products, both on- and off-peak, scheduled for delivery two years into the future.

On July 31, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed with the PUCO a comprehensive ESP and MRO. The MRO filing outlined a CBP for providing retail generation supply if the ESP is not approved and implemented. The CBP would use a “slice-of-system” approach where suppliers bid on tranches (approximately 100 MW) of the Ohio Companies’ total customer load. If the Ohio Companies proceed with the MRO option, successful bidders (including affiliates) would be required to post independent credit requirements and could be subject to significant collateral calls depending upon power price movement. The PUCO denied the MRO application on November 26, 2008.  The Ohio Companies filed an application for rehearing on December 23, 2008, which the PUCO granted on January 21, 2009, for the purpose of further consideration of the matter.

The ESP proposed to phase in new generation rates for customers beginning in 2009 for up to a three-year period and resolve the Ohio Companies’ collection of fuel costs deferred in 2006 and 2007, and the distribution rate request described above. On December 19, 2008, the PUCO significantly modified and approved the ESP as modified.  On December 22, 2008, the Ohio Companies notified the PUCO that they were withdrawing and terminating the ESP application as allowed by the terms of SB221.  The Ohio Companies further notified the PUCO that, pursuant to SB221, the Ohio Companies would continue their current rate plan in effect and filed tariffs to continue those rates.

On December 31, 2008, the Ohio Companies conducted a CBP, using an RFP format administered by an independent third party, for the procurement of electric generation for retail customers from January 5, 2009 through March 31, 2009. Four qualified wholesale bidders were selected, including FES, for 97% of the tranches offered in the RFP. The average winning bid price was equivalent to a retail rate of 6.98 cents per kilowatt-hour. Subsequent to the RFP, the remaining 3% of the Ohio Companies’ wholesale energy and capacity needs were obtained through a bilateral contract with the lowest bidder in the RFP procurement. The power supply obtained through the foregoing processes provides generation service to the Ohio Companies’ retail customers who choose not to shop with alternative suppliers.

 
77

 

Following comments by other parties on the Ohio Companies’ December 22, 2008, filing which continued the current rate plan, the PUCO issued an Order on January 7, 2009, that prevented OE and TE from collecting RTC and discontinued the collection of two fuel riders for the Ohio Companies.  The Ohio Companies filed an application for rehearing on January 9, 2009, and also filed an application for a new fuel rider to recover the increased costs for purchasing power during the period January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009. On January 14, 2009, the PUCO approved the Ohio Companies’ request for the new fuel rider, subject to further review, allowed current recovery of those costs for OE and TE, and allowed CEI to collect a portion of those costs currently and defer the remainder. The PUCO also ordered the Ohio Companies to file additional information in order for it to determine that the costs incurred are prudent and whether the recovery of such costs is necessary to avoid a confiscatory result.  The Ohio Companies filed an application for rehearing on that order on January 26, 2009. The applications for rehearing remain pending and the Ohio Companies are unable to predict the ultimate resolution of these issues.

On January 29, 2009, the PUCO ordered its Staff to develop a proposal to establish an ESP for the Ohio Companies and further ordered that a conference be held on February 5, 2009 to discuss the Staff’s proposal. The Ohio Companies, PUCO Staff, and other parties participated in that conference, and in a subsequent conference held on February 17, 2009. Following discussions with the Staff and other parties regarding the Staff’s proposal, on February 19, 2009, the Ohio Companies filed an amended ESP application, including an attached Stipulation and Recommendation that was signed by the Ohio Companies, the Staff of the PUCO, and many of the intervening parties representing a diverse range of interests, which substantially reflected the terms as proposed by the Staff as modified through the negotiations of the parties. Specifically, the stipulated ESP provides that generation will be provided by FES at the average wholesale rate of the RFP process described above for April and May 2009 to the Ohio Companies for their non-shopping customers and that for the period of June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2011, retail generation prices will be based upon the outcome of a descending clock CBP on a slice-of-system basis. The PUCO may, at its discretion, phase-in a portion of any increase resulting from this CBP process by authorizing deferral of related purchased power costs, subject to specified limits. The proposed ESP further provides that the Ohio Companies will not seek a base distribution rate increase with an effective date before January 1, 2012, that CEI will agree to write-off approximately $215 million of its Extended RTC balance, and that the Ohio Companies will collect a delivery service improvement rider at an overall average rate of $.002 per kWh for the period of April 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. If the Stipulated ESP is approved, one-time after-tax charges associated with implementing the ESP would be approximately $11.3 million for OE, $145.7 million for CEI (including the CEI Extended RTC balance) and $3.5 million for TE. The proposed ESP also addresses a number of other issues, including but not limited to, rate design for various customer classes, resolution of the prudence review described above and the collection of deferred costs that were approved in prior proceedings. On February 19, 2009, the PUCO attorney examiner issued an order setting this matter for hearing to begin on February 25, 2009.
 
Pennsylvania (Applicable to FES, Met-Ed, Penelec, OE and Penn)

Met-Ed and Penelec purchase a portion of their PLR and default service requirements from FES through a fixed-price partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement. The agreement allows Met-Ed and Penelec to sell the output of NUG energy to the market and requires FES to provide energy at fixed prices to replace any NUG energy sold to the extent needed for Met-Ed and Penelec to satisfy their PLR and default service obligations. The fixed price under the agreement is expected to remain below wholesale market prices during the term of the agreement. If Met-Ed and Penelec were to replace the entire FES supply at current market power prices without corresponding regulatory authorization to increase their generation prices to customers, each company would likely incur a significant increase in operating expenses and experience a material deterioration in credit quality metrics. Under such a scenario, each company's credit profile would no longer be expected to support an investment grade rating for their fixed income securities. If FES ultimately determines to terminate, reduce, or significantly modify the agreement prior to the expiration of Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s generation rate caps in 2010, timely regulatory relief is not likely to be granted by the PPUC. See FERC Matters below for a description of the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, executed by the parties on October 31, 2008, that limits the amount of energy and capacity FES must supply to Met-Ed and Penelec. In the event of a third party supplier default, the increased costs to Met-Ed and Penelec could be material.

On May 22, 2008, the PPUC approved the Met-Ed and Penelec annual updates to the TSC rider for the period June 1, 2008, through May 31, 2009. Various intervenors filed complaints against those filings. In addition, the PPUC ordered an investigation to review the reasonableness of Met-Ed’s TSC, while at the same time allowing Met-Ed to implement the rider June 1, 2008, subject to refund. On July 15, 2008, the PPUC directed the ALJ to consolidate the complaints against Met-Ed with its investigation and a litigation schedule was adopted. Hearings and briefing for both companies are expected to conclude by the end of February 2009. The TSCs include a component from under-recovery of actual transmission costs incurred during the prior period (Met-Ed - $144 million and Penelec - $4 million) and future transmission cost projections for June 2008 through May 2009 (Met-Ed - $258 million and Penelec - $92 million). Met-Ed received PPUC approval for a transition approach that would recover past under-recovered costs plus carrying charges through the new TSC over thirty-one months and defer a portion of the projected costs ($92 million) plus carrying charges for recovery through future TSCs by December 31, 2010.

 
78

 

On February 1, 2007, the Governor of Pennsylvania proposed an EIS. The EIS includes four pieces of proposed legislation that, according to the Governor, is designed to reduce energy costs, promote energy independence and stimulate the economy. Elements of the EIS include the installation of smart meters, funding for solar panels on residences and small businesses, conservation and demand reduction programs to meet energy growth, a requirement that electric distribution companies acquire power that results in the “lowest reasonable rate on a long-term basis,” the utilization of micro-grids and a three year phase-in of rate increases. On July 17, 2007 the Governor signed into law two pieces of energy legislation. The first amended the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 to, among other things, increase the percentage of solar energy that must be supplied at the conclusion of an electric distribution company’s transition period. The second law allows electric distribution companies, at their sole discretion, to enter into long term contracts with large customers and to build or acquire interests in electric generation facilities specifically to supply long-term contracts with such customers. A special legislative session on energy was convened in mid-September 2007 to consider other aspects of the EIS. As part of the 2008 state budget negotiations, the Alternative Energy Investment Act was enacted in July 2008 creating a $650 million alternative energy fund to increase the development and use of alternative and renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

On October 15, 2008, the Governor of Pennsylvania signed House Bill 2200 into law which became effective on November 14, 2008 as Act 129 of 2008. The bill addresses issues such as: energy efficiency and peak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters and alternative energy. Act 129 requires utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan by July 1, 2009 and a smart meter procurement and installation plan by August 14, 2009. On January 15, 2009, in compliance with Act 129, the PPUC issued its guidelines for the filing of utilities’ energy efficiency and peak load reduction plans.

Major provisions of the legislation include:

 
·
power acquired by utilities to serve customers after rate caps expire will be procured through a competitive procurement process that must include a mix of long-term and short-term contracts and spot market purchases;

 
·
the competitive procurement process must be approved by the PPUC and may include auctions, RFPs, and/or bilateral agreements;

 
·
utilities must provide for the installation of smart meter technology within 15 years;

 
·
a minimum reduction in peak demand of 4.5% by May 31, 2013;

 
·
minimum reductions in energy consumption of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively; and

 
·
an expanded definition of alternative energy to include additional types of hydroelectric and biomass facilities.

Legislation addressing rate mitigation and the expiration of rate caps was not enacted in 2008 but may be considered in the legislative session which began in January 2009. While the form and impact of such legislation is uncertain, several legislators and the Governor have indicated their intent to address these issues in 2009.

On September 25, 2008, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Voluntary Prepayment Plan with the PPUC that would provide an opportunity for residential and small commercial customers to prepay an amount on their monthly electric bills during 2009 and 2010 that would earn interest at 7.5% and be used to reduce electric rates in 2011 and 2012. Met-Ed, Penelec, OCA and OSBA have reached a settlement agreement on the Voluntary Prepayment Plan and have jointly requested that the PPUC approve the settlement. The ALJ issued a decision on January 29, 2009, recommending approval and adoption of the settlement without modification.

On February 20, 2009, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a generation procurement plan covering the period January 1, 2011 through May 31, 2013, with the PPUC. The companies’ plan is designed to provide adequate and reliable service via a prudent mix of long-term, short-term and spot market generation supply, as required by Act 129. The plan proposes a staggered procurement schedule, which varies by customer class, through the use of a descending clock auction. Met-Ed and Penelec have requested PPUC approval of their plan by October 2009.

New Jersey (Applicable to JCP&L)

JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers, costs incurred under NUG agreements, and certain other stranded costs, exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUGC rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. As of December 31, 2008, the accumulated deferred cost balance totaled approximately $220 million.

 
79

 
 
In accordance with an April 28, 2004 NJBPU order, JCP&L filed testimony on June 7, 2004, supporting continuation of the current level and duration of the funding of TMI-2 decommissioning costs by New Jersey customers without a reduction, termination or capping of the funding. On September 30, 2004, JCP&L filed an updated TMI-2 decommissioning study. This study resulted in an updated total decommissioning cost estimate of $729 million (in 2003 dollars) compared to the estimated $528 million (in 2003 dollars) from the prior 1995 decommissioning study. The DRA filed comments on February 28, 2005 requesting that decommissioning funding be suspended. On March 18, 2005, JCP&L filed a response to those comments. JCP&L responded to additional NJBPU staff discovery requests in May and November 2007 and also submitted comments in the proceeding in November 2007. A schedule for further NJBPU proceedings has not yet been set.

On August 1, 2005, the NJBPU established a proceeding to determine whether additional ratepayer protections are required at the state level in light of the repeal of the PUHCA pursuant to the EPACT. The NJBPU approved regulations effective October 2, 2006 that prevent a holding company that owns a gas or electric public utility from investing more than 25% of the combined assets of its utility and utility-related subsidiaries into businesses unrelated to the utility industry. These regulations are not expected to materially impact JCP&L. Also, in the same proceeding, the NJBPU Staff issued an additional draft proposal on March 31, 2006 addressing various issues including access to books and records, ring-fencing, cross subsidization, corporate governance and related matters. With the approval of the NJBPU Staff, the affected utilities jointly submitted an alternative proposal on June 1, 2006. The NJBPU Staff circulated revised drafts of the proposal to interested stakeholders in November 2006 and again in February 2007. On February 1, 2008, the NJBPU accepted proposed rules for publication in the New Jersey Register on March 17, 2008. A public hearing on these proposed rules was held on April 23, 2008 and comments from interested parties were submitted by May 19, 2008.

New Jersey statutes require that the state periodically undertake a planning process, known as the EMP, to address energy related issues including energy security, economic growth, and environmental impact. The EMP is to be developed with involvement of the Governor’s Office and the Governor’s Office of Economic Growth, and is to be prepared by a Master Plan Committee, which is chaired by the NJBPU President and includes representatives of several State departments.

The EMP was issued on October 22, 2008, establishing five major goals:

 
·
maximize energy efficiency to achieve a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2020;

 
·
reduce peak demand for electricity by 5,700 MW by 2020;

 
·
meet 30% of the state’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2020;

 
·
examine smart grid technology and develop additional cogeneration and other generation resources consistent with the state’s greenhouse gas targets; and

 
·
invest in innovative clean energy technologies and businesses to stimulate the industry’s growth in New Jersey.

The EMP will be followed by appropriate legislation and regulation as necessary. At this time, JCP&L cannot determine the impact, if any, the EMP may have on its operations.

In support of the New Jersey Governor’s Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan, JCP&L announced its intent to spend approximately $98 million on infrastructure and energy efficiency projects in 2009. An estimated $40 million will be spent on infrastructure projects, including substation upgrades, new transformers, distribution line re-closers and automated breaker operations. Approximately $34 million will be spent implementing new demand response programs as well as expanding on existing programs. Another $11 million will be spent on energy efficiency, specifically replacing transformers and capacitor control systems and installing new LED street lights. The remaining $13 million will be spent on energy efficiency programs that will complement those currently being offered. Completion of the projects is dependent upon regulatory approval for full recovery of the costs associated with plan implementation.

 
80

 

FERC Matters (Applicable to FES and each of the Utilities)

Transmission Service between MISO and PJM

On November 18, 2004, the FERC issued an order eliminating the through and out rate for transmission service between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC’s intent was to eliminate multiple transmission charges for a single transaction between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC also ordered MISO, PJM and the transmission owners within MISO and PJM to submit compliance filings containing a rate mechanism to recover lost transmission revenues created by elimination of this charge (referred to as the Seams Elimination Cost Adjustment or “SECA”) during a 16-month transition period. The FERC issued orders in 2005 setting the SECA for hearing. The presiding judge issued an initial decision on August 10, 2006, rejecting the compliance filings made by MISO, PJM, and the transmission owners, and directing new compliance filings. This decision is subject to review and approval by the FERC. Briefs addressing the initial decision were filed on September 11, 2006 and October 20, 2006. A final order is pending before the FERC, and in the meantime, FirstEnergy affiliates have been negotiating and entering into settlement agreements with other parties in the docket to mitigate the risk of lower transmission revenue collection associated with an adverse order. On September 26, 2008, the MISO and PJM transmission owners filed a motion requesting that the FERC approve the pending settlements and act on the initial decision. On November 20, 2008, FERC issued an order approving uncontested settlements, but did not rule on the initial decision. On December 19, 2008, an additional order was issued approving two contested settlements.

PJM Transmission Rate Design

On January 31, 2005, certain PJM transmission owners made filings with the FERC pursuant to a settlement agreement previously approved by the FERC. JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec were parties to that proceeding and joined in two of the filings. In the first filing, the settling transmission owners submitted a filing justifying continuation of their existing rate design within the PJM RTO. Hearings were held and numerous parties appeared and litigated various issues concerning PJM rate design; notably AEP, which proposed to create a "postage stamp", or average rate for all high voltage transmission facilities across PJM and a zonal transmission rate for facilities below 345 kV. This proposal would have the effect of shifting recovery of the costs of high voltage transmission lines to other transmission zones, including those where JCP&L, Met-Ed, and Penelec serve load. On April 19, 2007, the FERC issued an order finding that the PJM transmission owners’ existing “license plate” or zonal rate design was just and reasonable and ordered that the current license plate rates for existing transmission facilities be retained. On the issue of rates for new transmission facilities, the FERC directed that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate. Costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at less than 500 kV, however, are to be allocated on a “beneficiary pays” basis. The FERC found that PJM’s current beneficiary-pays cost allocation methodology is not sufficiently detailed and, in a related order that also was issued on April 19, 2007, directed that hearings be held for the purpose of establishing a just and reasonable cost allocation methodology for inclusion in PJM’s tariff.

On May 18, 2007, certain parties filed for rehearing of the FERC’s April 19, 2007 order. On January 31, 2008, the requests for rehearing were denied. On February 11, 2008, AEP appealed the FERC’s April 19, 2007, and January 31, 2008, orders to the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Illinois Commerce Commission, the PUCO and Dayton Power & Light have also appealed these orders to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals of these parties and others have been consolidated for argument in the Seventh Circuit.

The FERC’s orders on PJM rate design will prevent the allocation of a portion of the revenue requirement of existing transmission facilities of other utilities to JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec. In addition, the FERC’s decision to allocate the cost of new 500 kV and above transmission facilities on a PJM-wide basis will reduce the costs of future transmission to be recovered from the JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec zones. A partial settlement agreement addressing the “beneficiary pays” methodology for below 500 kV facilities, but excluding the issue of allocating new facilities costs to merchant transmission entities, was filed on September 14, 2007. The agreement was supported by the FERC’s Trial Staff, and was certified by the Presiding Judge to the FERC. On July 29, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally approving the settlement subject to the submission of a compliance filing. The compliance filing was submitted on August 29, 2008, and the FERC issued an order accepting the compliance filing on October 15, 2008. The remaining merchant transmission cost allocation issues were the subject of a hearing at the FERC in May 2008. An initial decision was issued by the Presiding Judge on September 18, 2008. PJM and FERC trial staff each filed a Brief on Exceptions to the initial decision on October 20, 2008. Briefs Opposing Exceptions were filed on November 10, 2008.

 
81

 

Post Transition Period Rate Design

The FERC had directed MISO, PJM, and the respective transmission owners to make filings on or before August 1, 2007 to reevaluate transmission rate design within MISO, and between MISO and PJM. On August 1, 2007, filings were made by MISO, PJM, and the vast majority of transmission owners, including FirstEnergy affiliates, which proposed to retain the existing transmission rate design. These filings were approved by the FERC on January 31, 2008. As a result of the FERC’s approval, the rates charged to FirstEnergy’s load-serving affiliates for transmission service over existing transmission facilities in MISO and PJM are unchanged. In a related filing, MISO and MISO transmission owners requested that the current MISO pricing for new transmission facilities that spreads 20% of the cost of new 345 kV and higher transmission facilities across the entire MISO footprint (known as the RECB methodology) be retained.

On September 17, 2007, AEP filed a complaint under Sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act seeking to have the entire transmission rate design and cost allocation methods used by MISO and PJM declared unjust, unreasonable, and unduly discriminatory, and to have the FERC fix a uniform regional transmission rate design and cost allocation method for the entire MISO and PJM “Super Region” that recovers the average cost of new and existing transmission facilities operated at voltages of 345 kV and above from all transmission customers. Lower voltage facilities would continue to be recovered in the local utility transmission rate zone through a license plate rate. AEP requested a refund effective October 1, 2007, or alternatively, February 1, 2008. On January 31, 2008, the FERC issued an order denying the complaint. The effect of this order is to prevent the shift of significant costs to the FirstEnergy zones in MISO and PJM. A rehearing request by AEP was denied by the FERC on December 19, 2008. On February 17, 2009, AEP appealed the FERC’s January 31, 2008, and December 19, 2008, orders to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio

On May 29, 2008, TE filed with the FERC a proposed Notice of Cancellation effective midnight December 31, 2008, of the Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio. AMP-Ohio protested this filing. TE also filed a Petition for Declaratory Order seeking a FERC ruling, in the alternative if cancellation is not accepted, of TE's right to file for an increase in rates effective January 1, 2009, for power provided to AMP-Ohio under the Interconnection Agreement. AMP-Ohio filed a pleading agreeing that TE may seek an increase in rates, but arguing that any increase is limited to the cost of generation owned by TE affiliates. On August 18, 2008, the FERC issued an order that suspended the cancellation of the Agreement for five months, to become effective on June 1, 2009, and established expedited hearing procedures on issues raised in the filing and TE’s Petition for Declaratory Order. On October 14, 2008, the parties filed a settlement agreement and mutual notice of cancellation of the Interconnection Agreement effective midnight December 31, 2008. On October 24, 2008 the presiding judge certified the settlement agreement as uncontested and on December 22, 2008, the FERC issued an order approving the uncontested settlement agreement. This latest action terminates the litigation and the Interconnection Agreement.

Duquesne’s Request to Withdraw from PJM

On November 8, 2007, Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne) filed a request with the FERC to exit PJM and to join MISO. Duquesne’s proposed move would affect numerous FirstEnergy interests, including but not limited to the terms under which FirstEnergy’s Beaver Valley Plant would continue to participate in PJM’s energy markets.  FirstEnergy, therefore, intervened and participated fully in all of the FERC dockets that were related to Duquesne’s proposed move.

In November, 2008, Duquesne and other parties, including FirstEnergy, negotiated a settlement that would, among other things, allow for Duquesne to remain in PJM and provide for a methodology for Duquesne to meet the PJM capacity obligations for the 2011-2012 auction that excluded the Duquesne load.  The settlement agreement was filed on December 10, 2008 and approved by the FERC in an order issued on January 29, 2009.  The MISO opposed the settlement agreement pending resolution of exit fees alleged to be owed by Duquesne.  The FERC did not resolve this issue in its order.

Complaint against PJM RPM Auction

On May 30, 2008, a group of PJM load-serving entities, state commissions, consumer advocates, and trade associations (referred to collectively as the RPM Buyers) filed a complaint at the FERC against PJM alleging that three of the four transitional RPM auctions yielded prices that are unjust and unreasonable under the Federal Power Act.  On September 19, 2008, the FERC denied the RPM Buyers’ complaint. However, the FERC did grant the RPM Buyers’ request for a technical conference to review aspects of the RPM. The FERC also ordered PJM to file on or before December 15, 2008, a report on potential adjustments to the RPM program as suggested in a Brattle Group report.  On December 12, 2008, PJM filed proposed tariff amendments that would adjust slightly the RPM program.  PJM also requested that the FERC conduct a settlement hearing to address changes to the RPM and suggested that the FERC should rule on the tariff amendments only if settlement could not be reached in January, 2009. The request for settlement hearings was granted.  Settlement had not been reached by January 9, 2009 and, accordingly, FirstEnergy and other parties submitted comments on PJM’s proposed tariff amendments.  On January 15, 2009, the Chief Judge issued an order terminating settlement talks. On February 9, 2009, PJM and a group of stakeholders submitted an offer of settlement.

 
82

 
 
On October 20, 2008, the RPM Buyers filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s September 19, 2008 order. The FERC has not yet ruled on the rehearing request.

MISO Resource Adequacy Proposal

MISO made a filing on December 28, 2007 that would create an enforceable planning reserve requirement in the MISO tariff for load-serving entities such as the Ohio Companies, Penn Power, and FES. This requirement is proposed to become effective for the planning year beginning June 1, 2009. The filing would permit MISO to establish the reserve margin requirement for load-serving entities based upon a one day loss of load in ten years standard, unless the state utility regulatory agency establishes a different planning reserve for load-serving entities in its state. FirstEnergy believes the proposal promotes a mechanism that will result in commitments from both load-serving entities and resources, including both generation and demand side resources that are necessary for reliable resource adequacy and planning in the MISO footprint. Comments on the filing were filed on January 28, 2008. The FERC conditionally approved MISO’s Resource Adequacy proposal on March 26, 2008, requiring MISO to submit to further compliance filings. Rehearing requests are pending on the FERC’s March 26 Order. On May 27, 2008, MISO submitted a compliance filing to address issues associated with planning reserve margins. On June 17, 2008, various parties submitted comments and protests to MISO’s compliance filing. FirstEnergy submitted comments identifying specific issues that must be clarified and addressed. On June 25, 2008, MISO submitted a second compliance filing establishing the enforcement mechanism for the reserve margin requirement which establishes deficiency payments for load-serving entities that do not meet the resource adequacy requirements. Numerous parties, including FirstEnergy, protested this filing.

On October 20, 2008, the FERC issued three orders essentially permitting the MISO Resource Adequacy program to proceed with some modifications. First, the FERC accepted MISO's financial settlement approach for enforcement of Resource Adequacy subject to a compliance filing modifying the cost of new entry penalty. Second, the FERC conditionally accepted MISO's compliance filing on the qualifications for purchased power agreements to be capacity resources, load forecasting, loss of load expectation, and planning reserve zones. Additional compliance filings were directed on accreditation of load modifying resources and price responsive demand. Finally, the FERC largely denied rehearing of its March 26 order with the exception of issues related to behind the meter resources and certain ministerial matters. On November 19, 2008, MISO made various compliance filings pursuant to these orders. Issuance of orders on these compliance filings is not expected to delay the June 1, 2009, start date for MISO Resource Adequacy.

FES Sales to Affiliates

On October 24, 2008, FES, on its own behalf and on behalf of its generation-controlling subsidiaries, filed an application with the FERC seeking a waiver of the affiliate sales restrictions between FES and the Ohio Companies. The purpose of the waiver is to ensure that FES will be able to continue supplying a material portion of the electric load requirements of the Ohio Companies in January 2009 pursuant to either an ESP or MRO as filed with the PUCO. FES previously obtained a similar waiver for electricity sales to its affiliates in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. On December 23, 2008, the FERC issued an order granting the waiver request and the Ohio Companies made the required compliance filing on December 30, 2008.

On October 31, 2008, FES executed a Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement with Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly effective November 1, 2008. The Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement limits the amount of capacity and energy required to be supplied by FES in 2009 and 2010 to roughly two-thirds of these affiliates’ power supply requirements. Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly have committed resources in place for the balance of their expected power supply during 2009 and 2010. Under the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly are responsible for obtaining additional power supply requirements created by the default or failure of supply of their committed resources. Prices for the power provided by FES were not changed in the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement.

Environmental Matters

Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FES and the Utilities with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. The effects of compliance on FES and the Utilities with regard to environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on their earnings and competitive position to the extent that they compete with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations.

FES and the Utilities accrue environmental liabilities only when they conclude that it is probable that they have an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. Unasserted claims are reflected in FES’ and the Utilities’ determination of environmental liabilities and are accrued in the period that they become both probable and reasonably estimable.

 
83

 
 
Clean Air Act Compliance (Applicable to FES, OE, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec)

FES is required to meet federally-approved SO2 emissions regulations. Violations of such regulations can result in the shutdown of the generating unit involved and/or civil or criminal penalties of up to $37,500 for each day the unit is in violation. The EPA has an interim enforcement policy for SO2 regulations in Ohio that allows for compliance based on a 30-day averaging period. FES believes it is currently in compliance with this policy, but cannot predict what action the EPA may take in the future with respect to the interim enforcement policy.

The EPA Region 5 issued a Finding of Violation and NOV to the Bay Shore Power Plant dated June 15, 2006, alleging violations to various sections of the CAA. FES has disputed those alleged violations based on its CAA permit, the Ohio SIP and other information provided to the EPA at an August 2006 meeting with the EPA. The EPA has several enforcement options (administrative compliance order, administrative penalty order, and/or judicial, civil or criminal action) and has indicated that such option may depend on the time needed to achieve and demonstrate compliance with the rules alleged to have been violated. On June 5, 2007, the EPA requested another meeting to discuss “an appropriate compliance program” and a disagreement regarding emission limits applicable to the common stack for Bay Shore Units 2, 3 and 4.

FES complies with SO2 reduction requirements under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 by burning lower-sulfur fuel, generating more electricity from lower-emitting plants, and/or using emission allowances. NOX reductions required by the 1990 Amendments are being achieved through combustion controls and the generation of more electricity at lower-emitting plants. In September 1998, the EPA finalized regulations requiring additional NOX reductions at FES' facilities. The EPA's NOX Transport Rule imposes uniform reductions of NOX emissions (an approximate 85% reduction in utility plant NOX emissions from projected 2007 emissions) across a region of nineteen states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on a conclusion that such NOX emissions are contributing significantly to ozone levels in the eastern United States. FES believes its facilities are also complying with the NOX budgets established under SIPs through combustion controls and post-combustion controls, including Selective Catalytic Reduction and SNCR systems, and/or using emission allowances.

In 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued an NOV and the DOJ filed a civil complaint against OE and Penn based on operation and maintenance of the W. H. Sammis Plant (Sammis NSR Litigation) and filed similar complaints involving 44 other U.S. power plants. This case and seven other similar cases are referred to as the NSR cases. OE’s and Penn’s settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and three states (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) that resolved all issues related to the Sammis NSR litigation was approved by the Court on July 11, 2005. This settlement agreement, in the form of a consent decree, requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions at the Sammis, Burger, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants through the installation of pollution control devices and provides for stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement. Capital expenditures necessary to complete requirements of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree are currently estimated to be $506 million for 2009-2010 (with $414 million expected to be spent in 2009). This amount excludes the potential AQC expenditures related to Burger Units 4 and 5 described below. On September 8, 2008, the Environmental Enforcement Section of the DOJ sent a letter to OE regarding its view that the company was not in compliance with the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because the installation of an SNCR at Eastlake Unit 5 was not completed by December 31, 2006. However, the DOJ acknowledged that stipulated penalties could not apply under the terms of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because Eastlake Unit 5 was idled on December 31, 2006 pending installation of the SNCR and advised that it had exercised its discretion not to seek any other penalties for this alleged non-compliance. OE disputed the DOJ's interpretation of the consent decree in a letter dated September 22, 2008. Although the Eastlake Unit 5 issue is no longer active, OE filed a dispute resolution petition on October 23, 2008, with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, due to potential impacts on its compliance decisions with respect to Burger Units 4 and 5. On December 23, 2008, OE withdrew its dispute resolution petition and subsequently filed a motion to extend the date (from December 31, 2008 to April 15, 2009), under the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree, to elect for Burger Units 4 and 5 to permanently shut down those units by December 31, 2010, or to repower them or to install flue gas desulfurization (FGD) by later dates. On January 30, 2009, the Court issued an order extending the election date from December 31, 2008 to March 31, 2009.  

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled that changes in annual emissions (in tons/year) rather than changes in hourly emissions rate (in kilograms/hour) must be used to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. Subsequently, on May 8, 2007, the EPA proposed to revise the NSR regulations to utilize changes in the hourly emission rate (in kilograms/hour) to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR.  On December 10, 2008, the EPA announced it would not finalize this proposed change to the NSR regulations.

 
84

 
 
On May 22, 2007, FirstEnergy and FGCO received a notice letter, required 60 days prior to the filing of a citizen suit under the federal CAA, alleging violations of air pollution laws at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, including opacity limitations. Prior to the receipt of this notice, the Plant was subject to a Consent Order and Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection concerning opacity emissions under which efforts to achieve compliance with the applicable laws will continue. On October 18, 2007, PennFuture filed a complaint, joined by three of its members, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. On January 11, 2008, FirstEnergy filed a motion to dismiss claims alleging a public nuisance. On April 24, 2008, the Court denied the motion to dismiss, but also ruled that monetary damages could not be recovered under the public nuisance claim. In July 2008, three additional complaints were filed against FGCO in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on Bruce Mansfield Plant air emissions. In addition to seeking damages, two of the complaints seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner”, one being a complaint filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other being a class action complaint, seeking certification as a class action with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. On October 14, 2008, the Court granted FGCO’s motion to consolidate discovery for all four complaints pending against the Bruce Mansfield Plant. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints.

On December 18, 2007, the state of New Jersey filed a CAA citizen suit alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station against Reliant (the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from Met-Ed in 1999), GPU, Inc. and Met-Ed. Specifically, New Jersey alleges that "modifications" at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 1995 without preconstruction NSR or permitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program, and seeks injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. On March 14, 2008, Met-Ed filed a motion to dismiss the citizen suit claims against it and a stipulation in which the parties agreed that GPU, Inc. should be dismissed from this case. On March 26, 2008, GPU, Inc. was dismissed by the United States District Court. The scope of Met-Ed’s indemnity obligation to and from Sithe Energy is disputed. On October 30, 2008, the state of Connecticut filed a Motion to Intervene, but the Court has yet to rule on Connecticut’s Motion. On December 5, 2008, New Jersey filed an amended complaint, adding claims with respect to alleged modifications that occurred after GPU’s sale of the plant. On January 14, 2009, the EPA issued a NOV to Reliant alleging new source review violations at the Portland Generation Station based on “modifications” dating back to 1986.  Met-Ed is unable to predict the outcome of this matter. The EPA’s January 14, 2009, NOV also alleged new source review violations at the Keystone and Shawville Stations based on “modifications” dating back to 1984. JCP&L, as the former owner of 16.67% of Keystone Station and Penelec, as former owner and operator of the Shawville Station, are unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On June 11, 2008, the EPA issued a Notice and Finding of Violation to MEW alleging that "modifications" at the Homer City Power Station occurred since 1988 to the present without preconstruction NSR or permitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program. MEW is seeking indemnification from Penelec, the co-owner (along with New York State Electric and Gas Company) and operator of the Homer City Power Station prior to its sale in 1999. The scope of Penelec’s indemnity obligation to and from MEW is disputed. Penelec is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On May 16, 2008, FGCO received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants to allow the EPA to determine whether these generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of the CAA. On July 10, 2008, FGCO and the EPA entered into an ACO modifying that request and setting forth a schedule for FGCO’s response. On October 27, 2008, FGCO received a second request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for additional operating and maintenance information regarding the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants. FGCO intends to fully comply with the EPA’s information requests, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On August 18, 2008, FirstEnergy received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Avon Lake and Niles generating plants, as well as a copy of a nearly identical request directed to the current owner, Reliant Energy, to allow the EPA to determine whether these generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of the CAA. FirstEnergy intends to fully comply with the EPA’s information request, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

 
85

 
 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards  (Applicable to FES)

In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAIR covering a total of 28 states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on proposed findings that air emissions from 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia significantly contribute to non-attainment of the NAAQS for fine particles and/or the "8-hour" ozone NAAQS in other states. CAIR requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions in two phases (Phase I in 2009 for NOX, 2010 for SO2 and Phase II in 2015 for both NOX and SO2), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to just 2.5 million tons annually and NOX emissions to just 1.3 million tons annually. CAIR was challenged in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and on July 11, 2008, the Court vacated CAIR “in its entirety” and directed the EPA to “redo its analysis from the ground up.” On September 24, 2008, the EPA, utility, mining and certain environmental advocacy organizations petitioned the Court for a rehearing to reconsider its ruling vacating CAIR.  On December 23, 2008, the Court reconsidered its prior ruling and allowed CAIR to remain in effect to “temporarily preserve its environmental values” until the EPA replaces CAIR with a new rule consistent with the Court’s July 11, 2008 opinion. The future cost of compliance with these regulations may be substantial and will depend, in part, on the action taken by the EPA in response to the Court’s ruling.

Mercury Emissions  (Applicable to FES)

In December 2000, the EPA announced it would proceed with the development of regulations regarding hazardous air pollutants from electric power plants, identifying mercury as the hazardous air pollutant of greatest concern. In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAMR, which provides a cap-and-trade program to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants in two phases; initially, capping national mercury emissions at 38 tons by 2010 (as a "co-benefit" from implementation of SO2 and NOX emission caps under the EPA's CAIR program) and 15 tons per year by 2018. Several states and environmental groups appealed the CAMR to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. On February 8, 2008, the Court vacated the CAMR, ruling that the EPA failed to take the necessary steps to “de-list” coal-fired power plants from its hazardous air pollutant program and, therefore, could not promulgate a cap-and-trade program. The EPA petitioned for rehearing by the entire Court, which denied the petition on May 20, 2008. On October 17, 2008, the EPA (and an industry group) petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review of the Court’s ruling vacating CAMR. On February 6, 2009, the United States moved to dismiss its petition for certiorari. On February 23, 2009, the Supreme Court dismissed the United States’ petition and denied the industry group’s petition. Accordingly, the EPA could take regulatory action to promulgate new mercury emission standards for coal-fired power plants. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with mercury regulations may be substantial and will depend on the action taken by the EPA and on how they are ultimately implemented.

Pennsylvania has submitted a new mercury rule for EPA approval that does not provide a cap-and-trade approach as in the CAMR, but rather follows a command-and-control approach imposing emission limits on individual sources. On January 30, 2009, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania declared Pennsylvania’s mercury rule “unlawful, invalid and unenforceable” and enjoined the Commonwealth from continued implementation or enforcement of that rule.  It is anticipated that compliance with these regulations, if the Commonwealth Court’s rulings were reversed on appeal and Pennsylvania’s mercury rule was implemented, would not require the addition of mercury controls at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, FES’ only Pennsylvania coal-fired power plant, until 2015, if at all.

Climate Change  (Applicable to FES)

In December 1997, delegates to the United Nations' climate summit in Japan adopted an agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG, including CO2, emitted by developed countries by 2012. The United States signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 but it was never submitted for ratification by the United States Senate. However, the Bush administration had committed the United States to a voluntary climate change strategy to reduce domestic GHG intensity – the ratio of emissions to economic output – by 18% through 2012. Also, in an April 16, 2008 speech, former President Bush set a policy goal of stopping the growth of GHG emissions by 2025, as the next step beyond the 2012 strategy. In addition, the EPACT established a Committee on Climate Change Technology to coordinate federal climate change activities and promote the development and deployment of GHG reducing technologies. President Obama has announced his Administration’s “New Energy for America Plan” that includes, among other provisions, ensuring that 10% of electricity in the United States comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25% by 2025; and implementing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2050.

There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level. At the international level, efforts to reach a new global agreement to reduce GHG emissions post-2012 have begun with the Bali Roadmap, which outlines a two-year process designed to lead to an agreement in 2009. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has passed one such bill. State activities, primarily the northeastern states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and western states led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.

 
86

 

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court found that the EPA has the authority to regulate CO2 emissions from automobiles as “air pollutants” under the CAA. Although this decision did not address CO2 emissions from electric generating plants, the EPA has similar authority under the CAA to regulate “air pollutants” from those and other facilities. On July 11, 2008, the EPA released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, soliciting input from the public on the effects of climate change and the potential ramifications of regulation of CO2 under the CAA.

FES cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions could require significant capital and other expenditures. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FES is lower than many regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.

Clean Water Act  (Applicable to FES)

Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal Clean Water Act and its amendments, apply to FES' plants. In addition, Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have water quality standards applicable to FES' operations. As provided in the Clean Water Act, authority to grant federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System water discharge permits can be assumed by a state. Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have assumed such authority.

On September 7, 2004, the EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing large electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility's cooling water system). On January 26, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit remanded portions of the rulemaking dealing with impingement mortality and entrainment back to the EPA for further rulemaking and eliminated the restoration option from the EPA’s regulations. On July 9, 2007, the EPA suspended this rule, noting that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. On April 14, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States granted a petition for a writ of certiorari to review one significant aspect of the Second Circuit Court’s opinion which is whether Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures.  Oral argument before the Supreme Court occurred on December 2, 2008 and a decision is anticipated during the first half of 2009. FES is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness. Depending on the results of such studies, the outcome of the Supreme Court’s review of the Second Circuit’s decision, the EPA’s further rulemaking and any action taken by the states exercising best professional judgment, the future costs of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.
 
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Cleveland, Ohio has advised FGCO that it is considering prosecution under the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for three petroleum spills at the Edgewater, Lakeshore and Bay Shore plants which occurred on November 1, 2005, January 26, 2007 and February 27, 2007.  FGCO is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

Regulation of Hazardous Waste  (Applicable to FES and each of the Utilities)

As a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated. Certain fossil-fuel combustion waste products, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA's evaluation of the need for future regulation. The EPA subsequently determined that regulation of coal ash as a hazardous waste is unnecessary. In April 2000, the EPA announced that it will develop national standards regulating disposal of coal ash under its authority to regulate non-hazardous waste.

Under NRC regulations, FirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities. As of December 31, 2008, FirstEnergy had approximately $1.7 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. As part of the application to the NRC to transfer the ownership of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley and Perry to NGC in 2005, FirstEnergy agreed to contribute another $80 million to these trusts by 2010. Consistent with NRC guidance, utilizing a “real” rate of return on these funds of approximately 2% over inflation, these trusts are expected to exceed the minimum decommissioning funding requirements set by the NRC. Conservatively, these estimates do not include any rate of return that the trusts may earn over the 20-year plant useful life extensions that FirstEnergy (and Exelon for TMI-1 as it relates to the timing of the decommissioning of TMI-2) seeks for these facilities.


 
87

 
 
The Utilities have been named as PRPs at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all PRPs for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Therefore, environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, the Utilities' proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $90 million (JCP&L - $64 million, CEI - $1 million, TE - $1 million and FirstEnergy Corp. - $24 million) have been accrued through December 31, 2008. Included in the total are accrued liabilities of approximately $56 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants in New Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC.
 
Other Legal Proceedings

Power Outages and Related Litigation  (Applicable to JCP&L)

In July 1999, the Mid-Atlantic States experienced a severe heat wave, which resulted in power outages throughout the service territories of many electric utilities, including JCP&L's territory. In an investigation into the causes of the outages and the reliability of the transmission and distribution systems of all four of New Jersey’s electric utilities, the NJBPU concluded that there was not a prima facie case demonstrating that, overall, JCP&L provided unsafe, inadequate or improper service to its customers. Two class action lawsuits (subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding) were filed in New Jersey Superior Court in July 1999 against JCP&L, GPU and other GPU companies, seeking compensatory and punitive damages arising from the July 1999 service interruptions in the JCP&L territory.

In August 2002, the trial Court granted partial summary judgment to JCP&L and dismissed the plaintiffs' claims for consumer fraud, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and strict product liability. In November 2003, the trial Court granted JCP&L's motion to decertify the class and denied plaintiffs' motion to permit into evidence their class-wide damage model indicating damages in excess of $50 million. These class decertification and damage rulings were appealed to the Appellate Division. The Appellate Division issued a decision in July 2004, affirming the decertification of the originally certified class, but remanding for certification of a class limited to those customers directly impacted by the outages of JCP&L transformers in Red Bank, NJ, based on a common incident involving the failure of the bushings of two large transformers in the Red Bank substation resulting in planned and unplanned outages in the area during a 2-3 day period. In 2005, JCP&L renewed its motion to decertify the class based on a very limited number of class members who incurred damages and also filed a motion for summary judgment on the remaining plaintiffs’ claims for negligence, breach of contract and punitive damages. In July 2006, the New Jersey Superior Court dismissed the punitive damage claim and again decertified the class based on the fact that a vast majority of the class members did not suffer damages and those that did would be more appropriately addressed in individual actions. Plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the New Jersey Appellate Division which, in March 2007, reversed the decertification of the Red Bank class and remanded this matter back to the Trial Court to allow plaintiffs sufficient time to establish a damage model or individual proof of damages. JCP&L filed a petition for allowance of an appeal of the Appellate Division ruling to the New Jersey Supreme Court which was denied in May 2007. Proceedings are continuing in the Superior Court and a case management conference with the presiding Judge was held on June 13, 2008. At that conference, the plaintiffs stated their intent to drop their efforts to create a class-wide damage model and, instead of dismissing the class action, expressed their desire for a bifurcated trial on liability and damages. The judge directed the plaintiffs to indicate, on or before August 22, 2008, how they intend to proceed under this scenario. Thereafter, the judge expects to hold another pretrial conference to address plaintiffs' proposed procedure. JCP&L has received the plaintiffs’ proposed plan of action, and intends to file its objection to the proposed plan, and also file a renewed motion to decertify the class. JCP&L is defending this action but is unable to predict the outcome. No liability has been accrued as of December 31, 2008.

On December 9, 2008, a transformer at JCP&L’s Oceanview substation failed, resulting in an outage on certain bulk electric system (transmission voltage) lines out of the Oceanview and Atlantic substations, with customers in the affected area losing power. Power was restored to most customers within a few hours, and to all customers within eleven hours. On December 16, 2008, JCP&L provided preliminary information about the event to certain regulatory agencies, including the NERC. In a letter dated January 30, 2009, the NERC submitted a written “Notice of Request for Information” (NOI) to JCP&L. The NOI asked for additional factual details about the December 9 event, which JCP&L provided in its response. JCP&L is not able to predict what actions, if any, the NERC may take in response to JCP&L's NOI submittal.

 
88

 
 

Nuclear Plant Matters  (Applicable to FES)

On May 14, 2007, the Office of Enforcement of the NRC issued a DFI to FENOC, following FENOC’s reply to an April 2, 2007 NRC request for information about two reports prepared by expert witnesses for an insurance arbitration (the insurance claim was subsequently withdrawn by FirstEnergy in December 2007) related to Davis-Besse. The NRC indicated that this information was needed for the NRC “to determine whether an Order or other action should be taken pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202, to provide reasonable assurance that FENOC will continue to operate its licensed facilities in accordance with the terms of its licenses and the Commission’s regulations.” FENOC was directed to submit the information to the NRC within 30 days. On June 13, 2007, FENOC filed a response to the NRC’s DFI reaffirming that it accepts full responsibility for the mistakes and omissions leading up to the damage to the reactor vessel head and that it remains committed to operating Davis-Besse and FirstEnergy’s other nuclear plants safely and responsibly. FENOC submitted a supplemental response clarifying certain aspects of the DFI response to the NRC on July 16, 2007. On August 15, 2007, the NRC issued a confirmatory order imposing these commitments. FENOC must inform the NRC’s Office of Enforcement after it completes the key commitments embodied in the NRC’s order. FENOC has conducted the employee training required by the confirmatory order and a consultant has performed follow-up reviews to ensure the effectiveness of that training. The NRC continues to monitor FENOC’s compliance with all the commitments made in the confirmatory order.
 
In August 2007, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC to renew the operating licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station (Units 1 and 2) for an additional 20 years. The NRC is required by statute to provide an opportunity for members of the public to request a hearing on the application. No members of the public, however, requested a hearing on the Beaver Valley license renewal application. On September 24, 2008, the NRC issued a draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Beaver Valley. FENOC will continue to work with the NRC Staff as it completes its environmental and technical reviews of the license renewal application, and expects to obtain renewed licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station in 2009. If renewed licenses are issued by the NRC, the Beaver Valley Power Station’s licenses would be extended until 2036 and 2047 for Units 1 and 2, respectively.

Other Legal Matters  (Applicable to FES and each of the Utilities)

There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FES' and the Utilities’ normal business operations pending against them. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described below.

On August 22, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against OE in Jefferson County, Ohio Common Pleas Court, seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial based on claims of negligence and eight other tort counts alleging damages from W.H. Sammis Plant air emissions. The two named plaintiffs also sought injunctive relief to eliminate harmful emissions and repair property damage and the institution of a medical monitoring program for class members. On April 5, 2007, the Court rejected the plaintiffs’ request to certify this case as a class action and, accordingly, did not appoint the plaintiffs as class representatives or their counsel as class counsel. On July 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ counsel voluntarily withdrew their request for reconsideration of the April 5, 2007 Court order denying class certification and the Court heard oral argument on the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint, which OE opposed. On August 2, 2007, the Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint. Plaintiffs appealed the Court’s denial of the motion for certification as a class action which the Ohio Court of Appeals (7th District) denied on December 11, 2008. The period to file a notice of appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court has expired.

JCP&L's bargaining unit employees filed a grievance challenging JCP&L's 2002 call-out procedure that required bargaining unit employees to respond to emergency power outages. On May 20, 2004, an arbitration panel concluded that the call-out procedure violated the parties' collective bargaining agreement. At the conclusion of the June 1, 2005 hearing, the arbitration panel decided not to hear testimony on damages and closed the proceedings. On September 9, 2005, the arbitration panel issued an opinion to award approximately $16 million to the bargaining unit employees. On February 6, 2006, a federal district Court granted a union motion to dismiss, as premature, a JCP&L appeal of the award filed on October 18, 2005. A final order identifying the individual damage amounts was issued on October 31, 2007. The award appeal process was initiated. The union filed a motion with the federal Court to confirm the award and JCP&L filed its answer and counterclaim to vacate the award on December 31, 2007. JCP&L and the union filed briefs in June and July of 2008 and oral arguments were held in the fall. The Court has yet to render its decision. JCP&L recognized a liability for the potential $16 million award in 2005.

The union employees at the Bruce Mansfield Plant have been working without a labor contract since February 15, 2008. The parties are continuing to bargain with the assistance of a federal mediator. FES has a strike mitigation plan ready in the event of a strike.

FES and the Utilities accrue legal liabilities only when they conclude that it is probable that they have an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. If it were ultimately determined that FES and the Utilities have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on the above matters, it could have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
 
89

 
 

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations (Applicable to FES and each of the Utilities)

SFAS 141(R) – “Business Combinations”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), which: (i) requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; (ii) establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and (iii) requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. The Standard includes both core principles and pertinent application guidance, eliminating the need for numerous EITF issues and other interpretative guidance. SFAS 141(R) will affect business combinations entered into by FES and the Utilities that close after January 1, 2009. In addition, the Standard also affects the accounting for changes in deferred tax valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties made after January 1, 2009, that were established as part of a business combination prior to the implementation of this Standard. Under SFAS 141(R), adjustments to the acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax position balances occurring outside the measurement period will be recorded as a component of income tax expense, rather than goodwill. The impact of the application of this Standard in periods after implementation will be dependent upon the nature of acquisitions at that time.
 
SFAS 160 - “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment ofARB No. 51”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on financial statements of FES or the Utilities.

SFAS 161 - “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161 that enhances the current disclosure framework for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Statement requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation. The FASB believes that additional required disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format will provide a more complete picture of the location in an entity’s financial statements of both the derivative positions existing at period end and the effect of using derivatives during the reporting period. Disclosing information about credit-risk-related contingent features is designed to provide information on the potential effect on an entity’s liquidity from using derivatives. This Statement also requires cross-referencing within the footnotes to help users of financial statements locate important information about derivative instruments. The Statement is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FES expects this Standard to increase its disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities.

EITF Issue No. 08-6 – “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations”

In November 2008, the FASB issued EITF 08-6, which clarifies how to account for certain transactions involving equity method investments. It provides guidance in determining the initial carrying value of an equity method investment, accounting for a change in an investment from equity method to cost method, assessing the impairment of underlying assets of an equity method investment, and accounting for an equity method investee’s issuance of shares. This statement is effective for transactions occurring in fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is not permitted. The impact of the application of this Standard in periods after implementation will be dependent upon the nature of future investments accounted for under the equity method.

FSP SFAS 132 (R)-1 – “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets”

In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) SFAS 132(R)-1, which provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. Requirements of this FSP include disclosures about investment policies and strategies, categories of plan assets, fair value measurements of plan assets, and significant categories of risk. This FSP is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. FES and the Utilities expect this Staff Position to increase their disclosure requirements for postretirement benefit plan assets.

 
90

 

COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

FES and the Utilities are wholly owned subsidiaries of FirstEnergy. FES’ consolidated financial statements include its wholly owned subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC. OE’s consolidated financial statements include its wholly owned subsidiary, Penn.

On December 28, 2006, the NRC approved the transfer of ownership in NGC from FirstEnergy to FES. Effective December 31, 2006, NGC is a wholly owned subsidiary of FES. FENOC continues to operate and maintain the nuclear generation assets. FES’ consolidated financial statements assume that this corporate restructuring occurred as of December 31, 2003, with FES’ and NGC’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows combined at the end of 2003 and associated company transactions and balances eliminated in consolidation.

FES and the Utilities follow GAAP and comply with the regulations, orders, policies and practices prescribed by the SEC, FERC and, as applicable, the PUCO, PPUC and NJBPU. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make periodic estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The reported results of operations are not indicative of results of operations for any future period.

FES and the Utilities consolidate all majority-owned subsidiaries over which they exercise control and, when applicable, entities for which they have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. FES and the Utilities consolidate a VIE (see Note 7) when they are determined to be the VIE's primary beneficiary. Investments in non-consolidated affiliates over which FES and the Utilities have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control (20-50% owned companies, joint ventures and partnerships) are accounted for under the equity method. Under the equity method, the interest in the entity is reported as an investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the percentage share of the entity’s earnings is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. In the fourth quarter of 2008, Met-Ed and Penelec determined that certain NUG contracts should be reflected at fair value, with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The December 31, 2007, balance sheet has been revised for Met-Ed and Penelec to record derivative assets of $141 million and $61 million, respectively, offset by a regulatory liability. Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the accompanying Glossary of Terms.

2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(A)
ACCOUNTING FOR THE EFFECTS OF REGULATION

The Utilities account for the effects of regulation through the application of SFAS 71 since their rates:

 
·
are established by a third-party regulator with the authority to set rates that bind customers;

 
·
are cost-based; and

 
·
can be charged to and collected from customers.

An enterprise meeting all of these criteria capitalizes costs that would otherwise be charged to expense if the rate actions of its regulator make it probable that those costs will be recovered in future revenue. SFAS 71 is applied only to the parts of the business that meet the above criteria. If a portion of the business applying SFAS 71 no longer meets those requirements, previously recorded net regulatory assets are removed from the balance sheet in accordance with the guidance in SFAS 101.

In Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, laws applicable to electric industry restructuring contain similar provisions that are reflected in the Utilities' respective state regulatory plans. These provisions include:

 
·
restructuring the electric generation business and allowing the Utilities' customers to select a competitive electric generation supplier other than the Utilities;

 
·
establishing or defining the PLR obligations to customers in the Utilities' service areas;

 
·
providing the Utilities with the opportunity to recover potentially stranded investment (or transition costs) not otherwise recoverable in a competitive generation market;

 
·
itemizing (unbundling) the price of electricity into its component elements – including generation, transmission, distribution and stranded costs recovery charges;

 
91

 
 
 
·
continuing regulation of the Utilities' transmission and distribution systems; and

 
·
requiring corporate separation of regulated and unregulated business activities.

Regulatory Assets

The Utilities recognize, as regulatory assets, costs which the FERC, PUCO, PPUC and NJBPU have authorized for recovery from customers in future periods or for which authorization is probable. Without the probability of such authorization, costs currently recorded as regulatory assets would have been charged to expense as incurred. Regulatory assets that do not earn a current return as of December 31, 2008 (primarily for certain regulatory transition costs and employee postretirement benefits) totaled approximately $61 million for JCP&L and $72 million for Met-Ed, which will be recovered by 2014 and 2020, respectively.

Regulatory assets on the Utilities’ Consolidated Balance Sheets are comprised of the following:

Regulatory Assets *
 
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
 
December 31, 2008
 
(In millions)
 
Regulatory transition costs
  $ 112     $ 80     $ 12     $ 1,236     $ 12  
Customer shopping incentives
    -       420       -       -       -  
Customer receivables for future income taxes
    68       4       1       59       113  
Loss (Gain) on reacquired debt
    20       1       (3 )     24       9  
Employee postretirement benefit costs
    -       7       3       13       8  
Nuclear decommissioning, decontamination
                                       
and spent fuel disposal costs
    -       -       -       (2 )     (55 )
Asset removal costs
    (15 )     (36 )     (16 )     (148 )     -  
Property losses and unrecovered plant costs
    -       -       -       8       -  
MISO/PJM transmission costs
    31       19       20       -       319  
Fuel costs – RCP
    109       75       30       -       -  
Distribution costs – RCP
    222       198       55       -       -  
Other
    28       16       7       38       7  
Total
  $ 575     $ 784     $ 109     $ 1,228     $ 413  
                                         
December 31, 2007
                                       
Regulatory transition costs
  $ 197     $ 227     $ 71     $ 1,630     $ 279  
Customer shopping incentives
    91       393       32       -       -  
Customer receivables (payables) for future income taxes
    101       18       (1 )     51       126  
Loss (Gain) on reacquired debt
    23       2       (3 )     25       10  
Employee postretirement benefit costs
    -       8       4       17       10  
Nuclear decommissioning, decontamination
                                       
and spent fuel disposal costs
    -       -       -       -       (129 )
Asset removal costs
    (6 )     (18 )     (11 )     (148 )     -  
Property losses and unrecovered plant costs
    -       -       -       9       -  
MISO/PJM transmission costs
    56       34       24       -       226  
Fuel costs – RCP
    111       77       33       -       -  
Distribution costs – RCP
    148       122       51       -       -  
Other
    16       8       4       12       1  
Total
  $ 737     $ 871     $ 204     $ 1,596     $ 523  
 
 
*
Penn had net regulatory liabilities of approximately $11 million and $67 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Penelec had net regulatory liabilities of approximately $137 million and $49 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
In accordance with the Ohio Companies’ RCP, recovery of the aggregate of the regulatory transition costs and the Extended RTC (deferred customer shopping incentives and interest costs) amounts were completed by OE and TE as of December 31, 2008. CEI's recovery of regulatory transition costs is projected to be complete by April 2009, at which time recovery of its Extended RTC will begin, with recovery estimated to be complete as of December 31, 2010. At the end of its recovery period, any of CEI’s remaining unamortized Extended RTC balances will be reduced by applying any remaining cost of removal regulatory liability balances; any further remaining Extended RTC balances will be written off. The RCP allowed the Ohio Companies to defer and capitalize certain distribution costs during the period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, not to exceed $150 million in each of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. In addition, the Ohio Companies deferred certain fuel costs through December 31, 2007 that were incurred above the amount collected through a fuel recovery mechanism in accordance with the RCP (see Note 9(B)).

 
92

 
 
Transition Cost Amortization

CEI amortizes transition costs using the effective interest method. Extended RTC amortization, beginning in mid-2009, will be equal to the related revenue recovery that is recognized. CEI’s estimated net amortization of regulatory transition costs and Extended RTC amounts (including associated carrying charges) under the RCP is expected to be $216 million in 2009 and $273 million in 2010.

JCP&L’s and Met-Ed’s regulatory transition costs include the deferral of above-market costs for power supplied from NUGs of $555 million for JCP&L (recovered through BGS and NUGC revenues) and $67 million for Met-Ed (recovered through CTC revenues). Projected above-market NUG costs are adjusted to fair value at the end of each quarter, with a corresponding offset to regulatory assets. Recovery of the remaining regulatory transition costs is expected to continue pursuant to various regulatory proceedings in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (See Note 9).

(B)
REVENUES AND RECEIVABLES

Electric service provided to FES’ and the Utilities' retail customers is metered on a cycle basis. Electric revenues are recorded based on energy delivered through the end of the calendar month. An estimate of unbilled revenues is calculated to recognize electric service provided between the last meter reading and the end of the month. This estimate includes many factors including historical customer usage, load profiles, estimated weather impacts, customer shopping activity and prices in effect for each class of customer. In each accounting period, FES and the Utilities accrue the estimated unbilled amount receivable as revenue and reverse the related prior period estimate.

Receivables from customers include sales to residential, commercial and industrial customers and sales to wholesale customers. There was no material concentration of receivables as of December 31, 2008 with respect to any particular segment of customers. Billed and unbilled customer receivables for FES and the Utilities as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 are shown below.

Customer Receivables
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE(1)
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
December 31, 2008
 
(In millions)
 
Billed
  $ 84     $ 143     $ 150     $ 1     $ 179     $ 93     $ 86  
Unbilled
    2       134       126       -       161       67       61  
Total
  $ 86     $ 277     $ 276     $ 1     $ 340     $ 160     $ 147  
December 31, 2007
                                                       
Billed
  $ 107     $ 143     $ 144     $ -     $ 162     $ 80     $ 75  
Unbilled
    27       106       107       -       159       63       62  
Total
  $ 134     $ 249     $ 251     $ -     $ 321     $ 143     $ 137  
                                                         
(1)  See Note 12 for a discussion of TE’s accounts receivable financing arrangement with Centerior Funding Corporation.
 


(C)
EMISSION ALLOWANCES

FES holds emission allowances for SO2 and NOX in order to comply with programs implemented by the EPA designed to regulate emissions of SO2 and NOX produced by power plants. Emission allowances are either granted by the EPA at zero cost or are purchased at fair value as needed to meet emission requirements.  Emission allowances are not purchased with the intent of resale. Emission allowances eligible to be used in the current year are recorded in materials and supplies inventory at the lesser of weighted average cost or market value. Emission allowances eligible for use in future years are recorded as other investments. FES recognizes emission allowance costs as fuel expense during the periods that emissions are produced by its generating facilities. Excess emission allowances that are not needed to meet emission requirements may be sold, with any pre-tax gain or loss included in other operating expenses.

(D)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment reflects original cost (except for nuclear generating assets which were adjusted to fair value in accordance with SFAS 144), including payroll and related costs such as taxes, employee benefits, administrative and general costs, and interest costs incurred to place the assets in service. The costs of normal maintenance, repairs and minor replacements are expensed as incurred. FES' accounting policy for planned major maintenance projects is to recognize liabilities as they are incurred.

FES and the Utilities provide for depreciation on a straight-line basis at various rates over the estimated lives of property included in plant in service. The respective annual composite rates for FES’ and the Utilities’ electric plant in 2008, 2007 and 2006 are shown in the following table:

 
93

 
 
   
Annual Composite
 
   
Depreciation Rate
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
OE
    3.1 %     2.9 %     2.8 %
CEI
    3.5       3.6       3.2  
TE
    3.6       3.9       3.8  
Penn
    2.4       2.3       2.6  
JCP&L
    2.3       2.1       2.1  
Met-Ed
    2.3       2.3       2.3  
Penelec
    2.5       2.3       2.3  
FGCO
    4.7       4.0       4.1  
NGC
    2.8       2.8       2.7  

Jointly-Owned Generating Stations

JCP&L holds a 50% ownership interest in Yards Creek Pumped Storage Facility having a net book value of approximately $18.9 million as of December 31, 2008.

Asset Retirement Obligations

FES and the Utilities recognize liabilities for retirement obligations associated with tangible assets in accordance with SFAS 143 and FIN 47. These standards require recognition of the fair value of a liability for an ARO in the period in which it is incurred. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying value of the long-lived asset and depreciated over time, as described further in Note 11.

Nuclear Fuel

FES’ property, plant and equipment includes nuclear fuel recorded at original cost, which includes material, enrichment, fabrication and interest costs incurred prior to reactor load. Nuclear fuel is amortized based on the units of production method.

(E)
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS

Long-Lived Assets

FES and the Utilities evaluate the carrying value of their long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In accordance with SFAS 144, the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If an impairment exists, a loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its estimated fair value. Fair value is estimated by using available market valuations or the long-lived asset's expected future net discounted cash flows. The calculation of expected cash flows is based on estimates and assumptions about future events.

Goodwill

In a business combination, the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Based on the guidance provided by SFAS 142, FES and the Utilities evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually and more frequently as indicators of impairment arise. In accordance with the accounting standard, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value (including goodwill), the goodwill is tested for impairment. If impairment is indicated, FES and the Utilities recognize a loss – calculated as the difference between the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill and the carrying value of the goodwill.

The forecasts used in FES’ and the Utilities’ evaluation of goodwill reflect operations consistent with their general business assumptions. Unanticipated changes in those assumptions could have a significant effect on future evaluations of goodwill. The impairment analysis includes a significant source of cash representing the Utilities' recovery of transition costs as described in Note 9.

FES’ and the Utilities’ 2008 annual review was completed in the third quarter of 2008 with no impairment indicated. Due to the significant downturn in the U.S. economy during the fourth quarter of 2008, goodwill was tested for impairment as of an interim date (December 31, 2008). No impairment was indicated for Penelec, Met-Ed and JCP&L. As discussed in Note 10(B) on February 19, 2009, the Ohio Companies filed an application for an amended ESP, which substantially reflects terms proposed by the PUCO Staff on February 2, 2009. Goodwill for CEI and TE was tested as of December 31, 2008, reflecting the projected results associated with the amended ESP. No impairment was indicated for CEI or TE. If the PUCO’s final decision authorizes less revenue recovery than the amounts assumed, an additional impairment analysis will be performed at that time that could result in future goodwill impairment. During 2008, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec adjusted goodwill due to the realization of tax benefits that had been reserved under purchase accounting.

 
94

 
 
FES’ and the Utilities’ 2007 annual review was completed in the third quarter of 2007, with no impairment indicated. In the third quarter of 2007, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec adjusted goodwill due to the realization of tax benefits that had been reserved in purchase accounting.

FES’ and the Utilities’ 2006 annual review was completed in the third quarter of 2006 with no impairment indicated. On January 11, 2007, the PPUC issued its order related to the comprehensive rate filing made by Met-Ed and Penelec on April 10, 2006. Prior to issuing the order, the PPUC conducted an informal, nonbinding polling of Commissioners at its public meeting on December 21, 2006 that indicated the rate increase ultimately granted would be substantially below the amounts requested.  As a result of the polling, Met-Ed and Penelec determined that an interim review of goodwill would be required.  As a result, Met-Ed recognized an impairment charge of $355 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. No impairment was indicated for Penelec.

A summary of the changes in FES’ and the Utilities’ goodwill for the three years ended December 31, 2008 is shown below.

Goodwill
 
FES
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
Balance as of January 1, 2006
  $ 24     $ 1,689     $ 501     $ 1,986     $ 864     $ 882  
Impairment charges
    -       -       -       -       (355 )     -  
Adjustments related to GPU acquisition
    -       -       -       (24 )     (13 )     (21 )
Balance as of December 31, 2006
    24       1,689       501       1,962       496       861  
Adjustments related to GPU acquisition
    -       -       -       (136 )     (72 )     (83 )
Balance as of December 31, 2007
    24       1,689       501       1,826       424       778  
Adjustments related to GPU acquisition
    -       -       -       (15 )     (8 )     (9 )
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ 24     $ 1,689     $ 501     $ 1,811     $ 416     $ 769  
 
Investments

At the end of each reporting period, FES and the Utilities evaluate their investments for impairment. In accordance with SFAS 115, FSP SFAS 115-1 and SFAS 124-1, investments classified as available-for-sale securities are evaluated to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other than temporary. FES and the Utilities first consider their intent and ability to hold the investment until recovery and then consider, among other factors, the duration and the extent to which the security's fair value has been less than cost and the near-term financial prospects of the security issuer when evaluating investments for impairment. If the decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the investment is written down to fair value. Upon adoption of FSP SFAS 115-1 and SFAS 124-1, FES, OE and TE began recognizing in earnings the unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities held in their nuclear decommissioning trusts since the trust arrangements, as they are currently defined, do not meet the required ability and intent to hold criteria in consideration of other-than-temporary impairment. The fair value and unrealized gains and losses of FES’ and the Utilities’ investments are disclosed in Note 5.

(F)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income includes net income as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income and all other changes in common stockholder’s equity except those resulting from transactions with stockholders and from the adoption of SFAS 158 in December 2006.  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, included on FES’ and the Utilities’ Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 is comprised of the following components:

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
    including the implementation of SFAS 158
  $ (97 )   $ (190 )   $ (135 )   $ (43 )   $ (215 )   $ (140 )   $ (128 )
Unrealized gain on investments
    30       6       -       10       -       -       -  
Unrealized loss on derivative hedges
    (25 )     -       -       -       (2 )     (1 )     -  
AOCI (AOCL) Balance, December 31, 2008
  $ (92 )   $ (184 )   $ (135 )   $ (33 )   $ (217 )   $ (141 )   $ (128 )
                                                         
Net liability for unfunded retirement benefits
    including the implementation of SFAS 158
  $ (11 )   $ 32     $ (69 )   $ (18 )   $ (18 )   $ (14 )   $ 5  
Unrealized gain on investments
    168       16       -       7       -       -       -  
Unrealized loss on derivative hedges
    (16 )     -       -       -       (2 )     (1 )     -  
AOCI (AOCL) Balance, December 31, 2007
  $ 141     $ 48     $ (69 )   $ (11 )   $ (20 )   $ (15 )   $ 5  

 
95

 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) reclassified to net income in the three years ended December 31, 2008 is as follows:

2008
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
Pension and other postretirement
     benefits
  $ 7     $ 16     $ 1     $ -     $ 14     $ 9     $ 14  
Gain on investments
    31       9       -       1       -       -       -  
Loss on derivative hedges
    (3 )     -       -       -       -       -       -  
    Reclassification to net income
    35       25       1       1       14       9       14  
Income taxes related to
    reclassification to net income
    14       10       -       -       6       4       6  
Reclassification to net income, net of
     income taxes
  $ 21       15       1       1       8       5       8  
                                                         
2007
                                                       
Pension and other postretirement
     benefits
  $ 5     $ 14     $ (5 )   $ (2 )   $ 8     $ 6     $ 11  
Gain on investments
    10       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Loss on derivative hedges
    (12 )     -       -       -       -       -       -  
    Reclassification to net income
    3       14       (5 )     (2 )     8       6       11  
Income taxes (benefits) related to
    reclassification to net income
    1       6       (2 )     (1 )     4       3       5  
Reclassification to net income, net of
     income taxes (benefits)
  $ 2     $ 8     $ (3 )   $ (1 )   $ 4     $ 3     $ 6  
                                                         
2006
                                                       
Gain (loss) on investments
  $ 28     $ -     $ -     $ (1 )   $ -     $ -     $ -  
Loss on derivative hedges
    (9 )     -       -       -       -       -       -  
    Reclassification to net income
    19       -       -       (1 )     -       -       -  
Income taxes related to
    reclassification to net income
    7       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Reclassification to net income, net of
     income taxes
  $ 12     $ -     $ -     $ (1 )   $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
3.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED COMPANIES

FES’ and the Utilities’ operating revenues, operating expenses, investment income and interest expense include transactions with affiliated companies.  These affiliated company transactions include PSAs between FES and the Utilities, support service billings from FESC and FENOC, and interest on associated company notes.

Effective October 16, 2007 CEI and TE assigned their leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO and FGCO assumed all of CEI’s and TE’s obligations arising under those leases. FGCO subsequently transferred the Unit 1 portion of these leasehold interests, as well as FGCO’s leasehold interests under its July 13, 2007 Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction, to a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary on December 17, 2007.  The subsidiary assumed all of the lessee obligations associated with the assigned interests. However, CEI and TE remain primarily liable on the 1987 leases and related agreements. FGCO remains primarily liable on the 2007 leases and related agreements, and FES remains primarily liable as a guarantor under the related 2007 guarantees, as to the lessors and other parties to the respective agreements.

During the second quarter of 2008, NGC purchased 56.8 MW of lessor equity interests in the OE 1987 sale and leaseback of the Perry Plant and approximately 43.5 MW of lessor equity interests in the OE 1987 sale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2. In addition, NGC purchased 158.5 MW of lessor equity interests in the TE and CEI 1987 sale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2. The Ohio Companies continue to lease these MW under their respective sale and leaseback arrangements and the related lease debt remains outstanding.

The Ohio Companies had a PSA with FES through December 31, 2008 to meet their PLR and default service obligations. Met-Ed and Penelec have a partial requirements PSA with FES to meet a portion of their PLR and default service obligations (see Note 9). FES is incurring interest expense through FGCO and NGC on associated company notes payable to the Ohio Companies and Penn related to the 2005 intra-system generation asset transfers. The primary affiliated company transactions for FES and the Utilities for the three years ended December 31, 2008 are as follows:

 
96

 
 
Affiliated Company Transactions - 2008
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
Revenues:
                                         
Electric sales to affiliates
  $ 2,968     $ 70     $ -     $ 30     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Ground lease with ATSI
    -       12       7       2       -       -       -  
                                                         
Expenses:
                                                       
Purchased power from affiliates
    101       1,203       766       411       -       304       284  
Support services
    552       145       67       62       90       57       56  
                                                         
Investment Income:
                                                       
Interest income from affiliates
    -       15       1       20       1       -       1  
Interest income from FirstEnergy
    13       13       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Interest Expense:
                                                       
Interest expense to affiliates
    4       3       19       1       3       2       2  
Interest expense to FirstEnergy
    26       -       7       2       5       4       5  

Affiliated Company Transactions - 2007
                                         
       
Revenues:
                                         
Electric sales to affiliates
  $ 2,901     $ 73     $ 92     $ 167     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Ground lease with ATSI
    -       12       7       2       -       -       -  
                                                         
Expenses:
                                                       
Purchased power from affiliates
    234       1,261       770       392       -       290       285  
Support services
    560       146       70       55       100       54       58  
                                                         
Investment Income:
                                                       
Interest income from affiliates
    -       30       17       18       1       1       1  
Interest income from FirstEnergy
    28       29       2       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Interest Expense:
                                                       
Interest expense to affiliates
    31       1       1       -       1       1       1  
Interest expense to FirstEnergy
    34       -       1       10       11       10       11  

Affiliated Company Transactions - 2006
                                         
       
Revenues:
                                         
Electric sales to affiliates
  $ 2,609     $ 80     $ 95     $ 170     $ 14     $ -     $ -  
Ground lease with ATSI
    -       12       7       2       -       -       -  
                                                         
Expenses:
                                                       
Purchased power from affiliates
    257       1,264       727       363       25       178       154  
Support services
    602       143       63       63       93       51       55  
                                                         
Investment Income:
                                                       
Interest income from affiliates
    -       75       58       32       1       1       1  
Interest income from FirstEnergy
    12       25       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Interest Expense:
                                                       
Interest expense to affiliates
    109       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Interest expense to FirstEnergy
    53       -       7       7       11       5       11  

 
97

 
 
FirstEnergy does not bill directly or allocate any of its costs to any subsidiary company. Costs are allocated to FES and the Utilities from FESC and FENOC. The majority of costs are directly billed or assigned at no more than cost. The remaining costs are for services that are provided on behalf of more than one company, or costs that cannot be precisely identified and are allocated using formulas developed by FESC and FENOC. The current allocation or assignment formulas used and their bases include multiple factor formulas: each company's proportionate amount of FirstEnergy's aggregate direct payroll, number of employees, asset balances, revenues, number of customers, other factors and specific departmental charge ratios. Management believes that these allocation methods are reasonable. Intercompany transactions with FirstEnergy and its other subsidiaries are generally settled under commercial terms within thirty days.

In 2007 and 2006, TE sold 150 MW of its Beaver Valley Unit 2 leased capacity entitlement to CEI ($98 million in 2007 and $102 million in 2006). This sale agreement was terminated at the end of 2007.

4.
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

FirstEnergy provides a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all of its employees and non-qualified pension plans that cover certain employees. The plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and compensation levels. FirstEnergy's funding policy is based on actuarial computations using the projected unit credit method. On January 2, 2007, FirstEnergy made a $300 million voluntary cash contribution to its qualified pension plan. In December 2008, The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 (WRERA) was enacted. Among other provisions, the WRERA provides temporary funding relief to defined benefit plans in light of the current economic crisis. It is expected that the WRERA will have a favorable impact on the level of minimum required contributions for years after 2009. The Company estimates that additional cash contributions will not be required before 2011.

FirstEnergy provides a minimum amount of noncontributory life insurance to retired employees in addition to optional contributory insurance. Health care benefits, which include certain employee contributions, deductibles and co-payments, are also available upon retirement to employees hired prior to January 1, 2005, their dependents and, under certain circumstances, their survivors. FirstEnergy recognizes the expected cost of providing other postretirement benefits to employees and their beneficiaries and covered dependents from the time employees are hired until they become eligible to receive those benefits. During 2006, FirstEnergy amended the OPEB plan effective in 2008 to cap the monthly contribution for many of the retirees and their spouses receiving subsidized health care coverage. During 2008, FirstEnergy further amended the OPEB plan effective in 2010 to limit the monthly contribution for pre-1990 retirees. In addition, FirstEnergy has obligations to former or inactive employees after employment, but before retirement, for disability-related benefits.

Pension and OPEB costs are affected by employee demographics (including age, compensation levels, and employment periods), the level of contributions made to the plans and earnings on plan assets. Pension and OPEB costs may also be affected by changes in key assumptions, including anticipated rates of return on plan assets, the discount rates and health care trend rates used in determining the projected benefit obligations for pension and OPEB costs. FirstEnergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and OPEB plans. The fair value of the plan assets represents the actual market value as of December 31, 2008.

 
98

 
 
   
FirstEnergy
   
FirstEnergy
 
Obligations and Funded Status
 
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
As of December 31
 
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In millions)
 
Change in benefit obligation
                       
Benefit obligation as of January 1
  $ 4,750     $ 5,031     $ 1,182     $ 1,201  
Service cost
    87       88       19       21  
Interest cost
    299       294       74       69  
Plan participants’ contributions
    -       -       25       23  
Plan amendments
    6       -       (20 )     -  
Medicare retiree drug subsidy
    -       -       2       -  
Actuarial (gain) loss
    (152 )     (381 )     12       (30 )
Benefits paid
    (289 )     (282 )     (105 )     (102 )
Benefit obligation as of December 31
  $ 4,701     $ 4,750     $ 1,189     $ 1,182  
                                 
Change in fair value of plan assets
                               
Fair value of plan assets as of January 1
  $ 5,285     $ 4,818     $ 618     $ 607  
Actual return on plan assets
    (1,251 )     438       (152 )     43  
Company contribution
    8       311       54       47  
Plan participants’ contribution
    -       -       25       23  
Benefits paid
    (289 )     (282 )     (105 )     (102 )
Fair value of plan assets as of December 31
  $ 3,753     $ 5,285     $ 440     $ 618  
                                 
Qualified plan
  $ (774 )   $ 700                  
Non-qualified plans
    (174 )     (165 )                
Funded status
  $ (948 )   $ 535     $ (749 )   $ (564 )
                                 
Accumulated benefit obligation
  $ 4,367     $ 4,397                  
                                 
Amounts Recognized in the Statement of
                               
Financial Position
                               
Noncurrent assets
  $ -     $ 700     $ -     $ -  
Current liabilities
    (8 )     (7 )     -       -  
Noncurrent liabilities
    (940 )     (158 )     (749 )     (564 )
Net asset (liability) as of December 31
  $ (948 )   $ 535     $ (749 )   $ (564 )
                                 
Amounts Recognized in
                               
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
                               
Prior service cost (credit)
  $ 80     $ 83     $ (912 )   $ (1,041 )
Actuarial loss
    2,182       623       801       635  
Net amount recognized
  $ 2,262     $ 706     $ (111 )   $ (406 )
                                 
Assumptions Used to Determine
                               
Benefit Obligations As of December 31
                               
Discount rate
    7.00 %     6.50 %     7.00 %     6.50 %
Rate of compensation increase
    5.20 %     5.20 %                
                                 
Allocation of Plan Assets
                               
As of December 31
                               
Asset Category
                               
Equity securities
    47 %     61 %     56 %     69 %
Debt securities
    38       30       38       27  
Real estate
    9       7       2       2  
Private equities
    3       1       1       -  
Cash
    3       1       3       2  
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %

FES’ and the Utilities’ shares of the net pension and OPEB asset (liability) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
Net Pension and OPEB Asset (Liability)
 
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In millions)
 
FES
  $ (193 )   $ 42     $ (124 )   $ (102 )
OE
    (38 )     229       (167 )     (178 )
CEI
    (27 )     62       (93 )     (93 )
TE
    (12 )     29       (59 )     (63 )
JCP&L
    (128 )     93       (58 )     8  
Met-Ed
    (89 )     51       (52 )     (8 )
Penelec
    (64 )     66       (103 )     (40 )

 
99

 
 
Estimated Items to be Amortized in 2009
Net Periodic Pension Cost from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
FirstEnergy
Pension
Benefits
   
FirstEnergy
Other
Benefits
 
   
(In millions)
 
Prior service cost (credit)
  $ 13     $ (151 )
Actuarial loss
  $ 170     $ 63  


 
FirstEnergy
 
FirstEnergy
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
 
(In millions)
 
Service cost
  $ 87     $ 88     $ 87     $ 19     $ 21     $ 34  
Interest cost
    299       294       276       74       69       105  
Expected return on plan assets
    (463 )     (449 )     (396 )     (51 )     (50 )     (46 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    13       13       13       (149 )     (149 )     (76 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
    8       45       62       47       45       56  
Net periodic cost
  $ (56 )   $ (9 )   $ 42     $ (60 )   $ (64 )   $ 73  
                                                 
         
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used
to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost
FirstEnergy
Pension Benefits
   
FirstEnergy
Other Benefits
 
for Years Ended December 31
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Discount rate
    6.50 %     6.00 %     5.75 %     6.50 %     6.00 %     5.75 %
Expected long-term return on plan assets
    9.00 %     9.00 %     9.00 %     9.00 %     9.00 %     9.00 %
Rate of compensation increase
    5.20 %     3.50 %     3.50 %                        

FES’ and the Utilities’ shares of the net periodic pension and OPEB costs for the three years ended December 31, 2008 are as follows:
 
   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
Net Periodic Pension and OPEB Costs
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(In millions)
 
FES
  $ 15     $ 21     $ 40     $ (7 )   $ (10 )   $ 14  
OE
    (26 )     (16 )     (6 )     (7 )     (11 )     17  
CEI
    (5 )     1       4       2       4       11  
TE
    (3 )     -       1       4       5       8  
JCP&L
    (15 )     (9 )     (5 )     (16 )     (16 )     2  
Met-Ed
    (10 )     (7 )     (7 )     (10 )     (10 )     3  
Penelec
    (13 )     (10 )     (5 )     (13 )     (13 )     7  

In selecting an assumed discount rate, FirstEnergy considers currently available rates of return on high-quality fixed income investments expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. The assumed rates of return on pension plan assets consider historical market returns and economic forecasts for the types of investments held by FirstEnergy's pension trusts. The long-term rate of return is developed considering the portfolio’s asset allocation strategy.

FirstEnergy generally employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return on plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed-income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, as well as growth, value, and small and large capitalization funds. Other assets such as real estate and private equity are used to enhance long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification. Derivatives may be used to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner; however, derivatives are not used to leverage the portfolio beyond the market value of the underlying investments. Investment risk is measured and monitored on a continuing basis through periodic investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements, and periodic asset/liability studies.

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
         
As of December 31
2008
   
2007
 
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next
         
year (pre/post-Medicare)
    8.5-10 %     9-11 %
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to
               
decline (the ultimate trend rate)
    5 %     5 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend
               
rate (pre/post-Medicare)
    2015-2017       2015-2017  

 
100

 
 
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects to FirstEnergy:

   
1-Percentage-
   
1-Percentage-
 
   
Point Increase
   
Point Decrease
 
   
(In millions)
 
Effect on total of service and interest cost
  $ 4     $ (3 )
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
  $ 36     $ (32 )

Taking into account estimated employee future service, FirstEnergy expects to make the following pension benefit payments from plan assets and other benefit payments, net of the Medicare subsidy and participant contributions:

   
Pension
   
Other
 
Year
 
Benefits
   
Benefits
 
   
(In millions)
 
2009
  $ 302     $ 85  
2010
    309       89  
2011
    314       94  
2012
    325       96  
2013
    338       99  
2014- 2018
    1,906       524  

5.      FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

(A)
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

All borrowings with initial maturities of less than one year are defined as short-term financial instruments under GAAP and are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates their fair market value, in the caption "short-term borrowings." The following table provides the approximate fair value and related carrying amounts of long-term debt and other long-term obligations as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Capitalization as of December 31:

 
2008
 
2007
 
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
FES
  $ 2,552     $ 2,528     $ 1,975     $ 1,971  
OE
    1,232       1,223       1,182       1,197  
CEI
    1,741       1,618       1,666       1,706  
TE
    300       244       304       283  
JCP&L
    1,569       1,520       1,597       1,560  
Met-Ed
    542       519       542       535  
Penelec
    779       721       779       779  

The fair values of long-term debt and other long-term obligations reflect the present value of the cash outflows relating to those securities based on the current call price, the yield to maturity or the yield to call, as deemed appropriate at the end of each respective year. The yields assumed were based on securities with similar characteristics offered by corporations with credit ratings similar to those of FES and the Utilities.

(B)
INVESTMENTS

All temporary cash investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less are reported as cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates their fair market value. Investments other than cash and cash equivalents include held-to-maturity securities and available-for-sale securities. FES and the Utilities periodically evaluate their investments for other-than-temporary impairment. They first consider their intent and ability to hold the investment until recovery and then consider, among other factors, the duration and the extent to which the security’s fair value has been less than cost and the near-term financial prospects of the security issuer when evaluating investments for impairment.

Available-For-Sale Securities

FES and the Utilities hold debt and equity securities within their nuclear decommissioning trusts, nuclear fuel disposal trusts and NUG trusts. These trust investments are classified as available-for-sale with the fair value representing quoted market prices. FES and the Utilities have no securities held for trading purposes.

 
101

 
 
The following table provides the fair value of investments in available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. The fair value was determined using the specific identification method.

 
2008(1)
 
2007(2)
 
 
Debt
 
Equity
 
Debt
 
Equity
 
 
Securities
 
Securities
 
Securities
 
Securities
 
 
(In millions)
 
FES
  $ 429     $ 380     $ 417     $ 916  
OE
    95       18       45       82  
TE
    74       -       67       -  
JCP&L
    258       66       248       102  
Met-Ed
    115       110       115       172  
Penelec
    167       53       167       83  
                                 
(1)
Excludes cash balances of $225 million at FES, $12 million at Penelec, $4 million at OE and $1 million at Met-Ed.
(2)
Excludes cash balances of $2 million at JCP&L and $1 million at Penelec.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost basis, unrealized gains and losses and fair values of investments in available-for-sale securities as of December 31:

   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Cost
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Cost
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Basis
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Basis
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Debt securities
 
(In millions)
 
FES
  $ 401     $ 28     $ -     $ 429     $ 402     $ 15     $ -     $ 417  
OE
    86       9       -       95       43       2       -       45  
TE
    66       8       -       74       63       4       -       67  
JCP&L
    253       9       4       258       249       3       4       248  
Met-Ed
    111       4       -       115       112       3       -       115  
Penelec
    164       3       -       167       166       1       -       167  
                                                                 
Equity securities
                                                               
FES
  $ 355     $ 25     $ -     $ 380     $ 631     $ 285     $ -     $ 916  
OE
    17       1       -       18       59       23       -       82  
JCP&L
    64       2       -       66       89       13       -       102  
Met-Ed
    101       9       -       110       136       36       -       172  
Penelec
    51       2       -       53       80       3       -       83  

Proceeds from the sale of investments in available-for-sale securities, realized gains and losses on those sales, and interest and dividend income for the three years ended December 31, 2008 were as follows:

   
FES
   
OE
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2008
                                   
Proceeds from sales
  $ 951     $ 121     $ 38     $ 248     $ 181     $ 118  
Realized gains
    99       11       1       1       2       1  
Realized losses
    184       9       -       17       17       10  
Interest and dividend income
    37       5       3       14       9       8  
                                                 
2007
                                               
Proceeds from sales
  $ 656     $ 38     $ 45     $ 196     $ 185     $ 175  
Realized gains
    29       1       1       23       30       19  
Realized losses
    42       4       1       3       2       1  
Interest and dividend income
    42       4       3       13       8       10  
                                                 
2006
                                               
Proceeds from sales
  $ 1,066     $ 39     $ 53     $ 217     $ 176     $ 99  
Realized gains
    118       1       -       1       1       -  
Realized losses
    90       1       1       5       4       4  
Interest and dividend income
    36       3       3       13       7       7  

 
102

 
 
Unrealized gains applicable to the decommissioning trusts of OE, TE and FES (except for those formerly owned by Penn) are recognized in OCI in accordance with SFAS 115, as fluctuations in fair value will eventually impact earnings. The decommissioning trusts of JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec are subject to regulatory accounting in accordance with SFAS 71. Net unrealized gains and losses are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities since the difference between investments held in trust and the decommissioning liabilities will be recovered from or refunded to customers.

The investment policy for the nuclear decommissioning trust funds restricts or limits the ability to hold certain types of assets including private or direct placements, warrants, securities of FirstEnergy, investments in companies owning nuclear power plants, financial derivatives, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stock and securities of the trust fund's custodian or managers and their parents or subsidiaries.

Held-To-Maturity Securities

The following table provides the amortized cost basis (carrying value), unrealized gains and losses and fair values of investments in held-to-maturity securities with maturity dates ranging from 2009 to 2017 excluding: restricted funds, whose carrying values are assumed to approximate market value, notes receivable, whose fair value represents the present value of the cash inflows based on the yield to maturity, and other investments of $161 million and $87 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively, excluded by SFAS 107, “Disclosures about Fair Values of Financial Instruments,” as of December 31:

 
2008
 
2007
 
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
 
Basis
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Value
 
Basis
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Value
 
Debt securities
(In millions)
 
OE
  $ 240     $ -     $ 13     $ 227     $ 254     $ 28     $ -     $ 282  
CEI
    426       9       -       435       463       68       -       531  
JCP&L
    1       -       -       1       1       -       -       1  
                                                                 
Equity securities
                                                               
OE
  $ 2     $ -     $ -     $ 2     $ 2     $ -     $ -     $ 2  

The following table provides the approximate fair value and related carrying amounts of notes receivable as of December 31:

 
2008
 
2007
 
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Notes receivable
(In millions)
 
FES
  $ 75     $ 74     $ 65     $ 63  
OE
    257       294       259       299  
CEI
    -       -       1       1  
TE
    180       189       192       223  

The fair value of notes receivable represents the present value of the cash inflows based on the yield to maturity.  The yields assumed were based on financial instruments with similar characteristics and terms.  The maturity dates range from 2009 to 2040.

(C)
SFAS 157 ADOPTION

Effective January 1, 2008, FES and the Utilities adopted SFAS 157, which provides a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and, among other things, requires enhanced disclosures about assets and liabilities recognized at fair value. FES and the Utilities also adopted SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008, which provides the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. FES and the Utilities have analyzed their financial assets and financial liabilities within the scope of SFAS 159 and, as of December 31, 2008, have elected not to record eligible assets and liabilities at fair value.

As defined in SFAS 157, fair value is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants on the measurement date. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by SFAS 157 are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those where transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. FES’ and the Utilities’ Level 1 assets and liabilities primarily consist of exchange-traded derivatives and equity securities listed on active exchanges that are held in various trusts.

 
103

 

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are either directly or indirectly observable in the market as of the reporting date, other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1. FES’ and the Utilities’ Level 2 assets and liabilities consist primarily of investments in debt securities held in various trusts and commodity forwards. Additionally, Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies based on assumptions that are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Instruments in this category include non-exchange-traded derivatives such as forwards and certain interest rate swaps.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. FES and the Utilities develop their view of the future market price of key commodities through a combination of market observation and assessment (generally for the short term) and fundamental modeling (generally for the longer term). Key fundamental electricity model inputs are generally directly observable in the market or derived from publicly available historic and forecast data. Some key inputs reflect forecasts published by industry leading consultants who generally employ similar fundamental modeling approaches. Fundamental model inputs and results, as well as the selection of consultants, reflect the consensus of appropriate management. Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to customers’ needs. The Level 3 instruments of JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec consist of NUG contracts.

FES and the Utilities utilize market data and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. FES and the Utilities primarily apply the market approach for recurring fair value measurements using the best information available. Accordingly, FES and the Utilities maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The following table sets forth FES’ and the Utilities’ financial assets and financial liabilities that are accounted for at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2008. As required by SFAS 157, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. FES’ and the Utilities’ assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

   
Level 1 - Assets
   
Level 1 - Liabilities
 
   
(In millions)
   
(In millions)
 
   
Derivatives
   
Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts(1)
   
Other
Investments
   
Total
   
Derivatives
   
NUG
Contracts(2)
   
Total
 
FES
  $ -     $ 290     $ -     $ 290     $ 25     $ -     $ 25  
OE
    -       18       -       18       -       -       -  
JCP&L
    -       67       -       67       -       -       -  
Met-Ed
    -       104       -       104       -       -       -  
Penelec
    -       58       -       58       -       -       -  
                                                         
   
Level 2 - Assets
   
Level 2 - Liabilities
 
   
(In millions)
   
(In millions)
 
   
Derivatives
   
Nuclear
Decommissioning
Trusts(1)
   
Other
Investments
   
Total
   
Derivatives
   
NUG
Contracts(2)
   
Total
 
FES
  $ 12     $ 744     $ -     $ 756     $ 28     $ -     $ 28  
OE
    -       98       -       98       -       -       -  
TE
    -       73       -       73       -       -       -  
JCP&L
    7       74       181       262       -       -       -  
Met-Ed
    14       121       -       135       -       -       -  
Penelec
    7       57       117       181       -       -       -  
                                                         
   
Level 3 - Assets
   
Level 3 - Liabilities
 
   
(In millions)
   
(In millions)
 
   
Derivatives
   
Nuclear
Decommissioning
Trusts(1)
   
NUG
Contracts(2)
   
Total
   
Derivatives
   
NUG
Contracts(2)
   
Total
 
JCP&L
  $ -     $ -     $ 14     $ 14     $ -     $ 532     $ 532  
Met-Ed
    -       -       300       300       -       150       150  
Penelec
    -       -       120       120       -       84       84  

(1)
Balance excludes $4 million of net receivables, payables and accrued income.
(2)
NUG contract assets and liabilities are subject to regulatory accounting.

 
104

 
 
The determination of the above fair value measures takes into consideration various factors required under SFAS 157. These factors include nonperformance risk, including counterparty credit risk and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits, LOCs and priority interests). The impact of nonperformance risk was immaterial in the fair value measurements.

Exchange-traded derivative contracts, which include some futures and options, are generally based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. Forwards, options and swap contracts that are not exchange-traded are classified as Level 2 as the fair values of these items are based on Intercontinental Exchange quotes or market transactions in the OTC markets. In addition, complex or longer-term structured transactions can introduce the need for internally-developed model inputs that may not be observable in or corroborated by the market. When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instrument is classified as Level 3.

Nuclear decommissioning trusts consist of equity securities listed on active exchanges classified as Level 1 and various debt securities and collective trusts classified as Level 2. Other investments represent the NUG trusts, spent nuclear fuel trusts and rabbi trust investments, which primarily consist of various debt securities and collective trusts classified as Level 2.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of NUG contracts classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy during 2008 (in millions):

   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
                   
Balance as of January 1, 2008
  $ (750 )   $ (28 )   $ (25 )
Settlements(1)
    232       34       12  
Unrealized gains (losses)(1)
    -       144       49  
Net transfers to (from) Level 3
    -       -       -  
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ (518 )   $ 150     $ 36  
                         
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to
                       
instruments held as of December 31, 2008
  $ -     $ 144     $ 49  
                         
(1)   Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are completely offset by regulatory assets and do not impact earnings
 

Under FSP FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, FES and the Utilities deferred until January 1, 2009, the election of SFAS 157 for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and are currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 157 on those financial assets and financial liabilities.

(D)
DERIVATIVES

FES and the Utilities are exposed to financial risks resulting from the fluctuation of interest rates and commodity prices, including prices for electricity, natural gas, coal and energy transmission. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, they use a variety of derivative instruments, including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. The derivatives are used principally for hedging purposes. FirstEnergy's Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general management oversight for risk management activities throughout FES and the Utilities. They are responsible for promoting the effective design and implementation of sound risk management programs. They also oversee compliance with corporate risk management policies and established risk management practices.

FES and the Utilities account for derivative instruments on their Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value unless they meet the normal purchase and normal sales criteria. Derivatives that meet that criteria are accounted for using traditional accrual accounting. The changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that do not meet the normal purchase and normal sales criteria are recorded as other expense, as AOCL, or as part of the value of the hedged item, depending on whether or not it is designated as part of a hedge transaction, the nature of the hedge transaction and hedge effectiveness.

FES hedges anticipated transactions using cash flow hedges. Such transactions include hedges of anticipated electricity and natural gas purchases. FES’ maximum hedge terms are typically two years. The effective portion of such hedges are initially recorded in equity as other comprehensive income or loss and are subsequently included in net income as the underlying hedged commodities are delivered. Gains and losses from any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are included directly in earnings. The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges was immaterial during 2008.

 
105

 
 
FES’ net deferred losses of $25 million included in AOCL as of December 31, 2008, for derivative hedging activity, as compared to $16 million as of December 31, 2007, resulted from a net $11 million increase related to current hedging activity and a $2 million decrease due to net hedge losses reclassified to earnings during 2008. Based on current estimates, approximately $20 million (after tax) of the net deferred losses on derivative instruments in AOCL as of December 31, 2008 is expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months as hedged transactions occur. The fair value of these derivative instruments fluctuate from period to period based on various market factors.

LEASES

FES and the Utilities lease certain generating facilities, office space and other property and equipment under cancelable and noncancelable leases.

In 1987, OE sold portions of its ownership interests in Perry Unit 1 and Beaver Valley Unit 2 and entered into operating leases on the portions sold for basic lease terms of approximately 29 years. In that same year, CEI and TE also sold portions of their ownership interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2 and Bruce Mansfield Units 1, 2 and 3 and entered into similar operating leases for lease terms of approximately 30 years. During the terms of their respective leases, OE, CEI and TE are responsible, to the extent of their leasehold interests, for costs associated with the units including construction expenditures, operation and maintenance expenses, insurance, nuclear fuel, property taxes and decommissioning. They have the right, at the expiration of the respective basic lease terms, to renew their respective leases. They also have the right to purchase the facilities at the expiration of the basic lease term or any renewal term at a price equal to the fair market value of the facilities. The basic rental payments are adjusted when applicable federal tax law changes.

On July 13, 2007, FGCO completed a sale and leaseback transaction for its 93.825% undivided interest in Bruce Mansfield Unit 1, representing 779 MW of net demonstrated capacity. The purchase price of approximately $1.329 billion (net after-tax proceeds of approximately $1.2 billion) for the undivided interest was funded through a combination of equity investments by affiliates of AIG Financial Products Corp. and Union Bank of California, N.A. in six lessor trusts and proceeds from the sale of $1.135 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.85% pass through certificates due 2034.  A like principal amount of secured notes maturing June 1, 2034 were issued by the lessor trusts to the pass through trust that issued and sold the certificates.  The lessor trusts leased the undivided interest back to FGCO for a term of approximately 33 years under substantially identical leases. FES has unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed all of FGCO’s obligations under each of the leases. This transaction is classified as an operating lease under GAAP for FES and FirstEnergy.

Effective October 16, 2007 CEI and TE assigned their leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO and FGCO assumed all of CEI’s and TE’s obligations arising under those leases. FGCO subsequently transferred the Unit 1 portion of these leasehold interests, as well as FGCO’s leasehold interests under its July 13, 2007 Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction, to a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary on December 17, 2007.  The subsidiary assumed all of the lessee obligations associated with the assigned interests. However, CEI and TE remain primarily liable on the 1987 leases and related agreements. FGCO remains primarily liable on the 2007 leases and related agreements, and FES remains primarily liable as a guarantor under the related 2007 guarantees, as to the lessors and other parties to the respective agreements. These assignments terminate automatically upon the termination of the underlying leases.

During the second quarter of 2008, NGC purchased 56.8 MW of lessor equity interests in the OE 1987 sale and leaseback of the Perry Plant and approximately 43.5 MW of lessor equity interests in the OE 1987 sale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2. In addition, NGC purchased 158.5 MW of lessor equity interests in the TE and CEI 1987 sale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2. The Ohio Companies continue to lease these MW under their respective sale and leaseback arrangements and the related lease debt remains outstanding.

The rentals for capital and operating leases are charged to operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Such costs for the three years ended December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

 
106

 
 
   
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2008
                                         
Operating leases
                                         
Interest element
  $ 110     $ 77     $ 1     $ 23     $ 3     $ 2     $ 1  
Other
    63       69       4       42       5       2       3  
Capital leases
                                                       
Interest element
    1       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other(1)
    8       -       1       -       -       -       -  
Total rentals
  $ 182     $ 146     $ 6     $ 65     $ 8     $ 4     $ 4  
                                                         
2007
                                                       
Operating leases
                                                       
Interest element
  $ 30     $ 83     $ 24     $ 38     $ 3     $ 2     $ 1  
Other
    15       62       38       63       5       2       4  
Capital leases
                                                       
Interest element
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other
    -       -       1       -       -       -       -  
Total rentals
  $ 45     $ 145     $ 63     $ 101     $ 8     $ 4     $ 5  
                                                         
2006
                                                       
Operating leases
                                                       
Interest element
  $ -     $ 87     $ 26     $ 41     $ 3     $ 2     $ 1  
Other
    -       58       48       68       4       1       3  
Capital leases
                                                       
Interest element
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other
    -       1       1       -       -       -       -  
Total rentals
  $ -     $ 146     $ 75     $ 109     $ 7     $ 3     $ 4  
                                                         
(1)   Includes $5 million in 2008 of wind purchased power agreements classified as capital leases in accordance with EITF 01-8.
 


Established by OE in 1996, PNBV purchased a portion of the lease obligation bonds issued on behalf of lessors in OE's Perry Unit 1 and Beaver Valley Unit 2 sale and leaseback transactions. Similarly, CEI and TE established Shippingport in 1997 to purchase the lease obligation bonds issued on behalf of lessors in their Bruce Mansfield Units 1, 2 and 3 sale and leaseback transactions. The PNBV and Shippingport arrangements effectively reduce lease costs related to those transactions (see Note 7).

The future minimum capital lease payments as of December 31, 2008 are as follows:

Capital Leases
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
 
   
(In millions)
 
2009
  $ 6     $ 1     $ 1  
2010
    6       -       1  
2011
    6       1       1  
2012
    5       -       1  
2013
    5       1       1  
Years thereafter
    24       5       5  
Total minimum lease payments
    52       8       10  
Executory costs
    -       -       -  
Net minimum lease payments
    52       8       10  
Interest portion
    8       3       7  
Present value of net minimum
                       
lease payments
    44       5       3  
Less current portion
    5       1       1  
Noncurrent portion
  $ 39     $ 4     $ 2  

 
107

 
 
The future minimum operating lease payments as of December 31, 2008 are as follows:

Operating Leases
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2009
  $ 176     $ 145     $ 4     $ 64     $ 8     $ 4     $ 5  
2010
    177       141       -       62       4       2       1  
2011
    172       141       -       62       4       2       1  
2012
    215       141       -       62       4       2       1  
2013
    224       142       -       62       3       2       -  
Years thereafter
    2,320       441       -       203       50       34       1  
Total minimum lease payments
  $ 3,284     $ 1,151     $ 4     $ 515     $ 73     $ 46     $ 9  

FirstEnergy has been notified by the lessor of certain vehicle and equipment leases of its election to terminate the lease arrangements effective November 2009. FirstEnergy is currently pursuing replacement lease arrangements with alternative lessors. In the event that replacement lease arrangements are not secured, FES and the Utilities would be required to purchase the vehicles and equipment under lease at their aggregate unamortized value of approximately $100 million upon termination of the leases.

CEI and TE had recorded above-market lease liabilities for Beaver Valley Unit 2 and the Bruce Mansfield Plant associated with the 1997 merger between OE and Centerior. The unamortized above-market lease liability for Beaver Valley Unit 2 of $310 million as of December 31, 2008, of which $37 million is classified as current, is being amortized by TE on straight-line basis through the end of the lease term in 2017. Effective October 16, 2007, CEI and TE assigned their leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO. The unamortized above-market lease liability for the Bruce Mansfield Plant of $353 million as of December 31, 2008, of which $46 million is classified as current, is being amortized by FGCO on straight-line basis through the end of the lease term in 2016.

7.
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

FIN 46R addresses the consolidation of VIEs, including special-purpose entities, that are not controlled through voting interests or in which the equity investors do not bear the entity's residual economic risks and rewards. FES and the Utilities consolidate VIEs when they are determined to be the VIE's primary beneficiary as defined by FIN 46R.

Trusts

PNBV and Shippingport were created in 1996 and 1997, respectively, to refinance debt originally issued in connection with sale and leaseback transactions. PNBV and Shippingport financial data are included in the consolidated financial statements of OE and CEI, respectively.

Loss Contingencies

FES and the Ohio Companies are exposed to losses under their applicable sale-leaseback agreements upon the occurrence of certain contingent events that each company considers unlikely to occur. The maximum exposure under these provisions represents the net amount of casualty value payments due upon the occurrence of specified casualty events that render the applicable plant worthless. Net discounted lease payments would not be payable if the casualty loss payments are made. The following table shows each company’s net exposure to loss based upon the casualty value provisions mentioned above:

   
Maximum
Exposure
   
Discounted Lease Payments, net
   
Net Exposure
 
   
(in millions)
 
FES
  $ 1,349     $ 1,182     $ 167  
OE
    778       574       204  
CEI
    713       81       632  
TE
    713       419       294  

See Note 6 for a discussion of CEI’s and TE’s assignment of their leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO.

 
108

 
 
Power Purchase Agreements

In accordance with FIN 46R, FES and the Utilities evaluated their power purchase agreements and determined that certain NUG entities may be VIEs to the extent they own a plant that sells substantially all of its output to FES and the Utilities and the contract price for power is correlated with the plant’s variable costs of production. JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec maintain approximately 30 long-term power purchase agreements with NUG entities. The agreements were entered into pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. JCP&L, Met-Ed, and Penelec were not involved in the creation of, and have no equity or debt invested in, these entities.

Management has determined that for all but eight of these entities, neither JCP&L, Met-Ed nor Penelec have variable interests in the entities or the entities are governmental or not-for-profit organizations not within the scope of FIN 46R. JCP&L, Met-Ed or Penelec may hold variable interests in the remaining eight entities, which sell their output at variable prices that correlate to some extent with the operating costs of the plants. As required by FIN 46R, management periodically requests from these eight entities the information necessary to determine whether they are VIEs or whether JCP&L, Met-Ed or Penelec is the primary beneficiary. Management has been unable to obtain the requested information, which in most cases was deemed by the requested entity to be proprietary. As such, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec applied the scope exception that exempts enterprises unable to obtain the necessary information to evaluate entities under FIN 46R.

Since JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec have no equity or debt interests in the NUG entities, its maximum exposure to loss relates primarily to the above-market costs it incurs for power. JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec expect any above-market costs they incur to be recovered from customers. Purchased power costs from these entities during the three years ended December 31, 2008 are shown in the following table:

 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
 
(In millions)
 
JCP&L
  $ 84     $ 90     $ 81  
Met-Ed
    61       56       60  
Penelec
    33       30       29  

8.
TAXES

Income Taxes

FES and the Utilities record income taxes in accordance with the liability method of accounting. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and loss carryforwards and the amounts recognized for tax purposes. Investment tax credits, which were deferred when utilized, are being amortized over the recovery period of the related property. Deferred income tax liabilities related to temporary tax and accounting basis differences and tax credit carryforward items are recognized at the statutory income tax rates in effect when the liabilities are expected to be paid. Deferred tax assets are recognized based on income tax rates expected to be in effect when they are settled. Details of income taxes for the three years ended December 31, 2008 are shown below:

 
109

 
 
                                           
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2008
                                         
Currently payable-
                                         
Federal
  $ 156     $ 79     $ 119     $ 46     $ 101     $ 5     $ (34 )
State
    20       4       6       -       34       6       (3 )
      176       83       125       46       135       11       (37 )
Deferred, net-
                                                       
Federal
    109       22       16       (12 )     9       47       84  
State
    12       (2 )     (2 )     (4 )     4       4       12  
      121       20       14       (16 )     13       51       96  
Investment tax credit amortization
    (4 )     (4 )     (2 )     -       -       (1 )     (1 )
Total provision for income taxes
  $ 293     $ 99     $ 137     $ 30     $ 148     $ 61     $ 58  
                                                         
2007
                                                       
Currently payable-
                                                       
Federal
  $ 528     $ 105     $ 166     $ 73     $ 138     $ 26     $ 41  
State
    111       (4 )     20       7       42       7       12  
      639       101       186       80       180       33       53  
Deferred, net-
                                                       
Federal
    (288 )     -       (23 )     (27 )     (25 )     30       10  
State
    (42 )     4       2       2       (5 )     6       1  
      (330 )     4       (21 )     (25 )     (30 )     36       11  
Investment tax credit amortization
    (4 )     (4 )     (2 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     -  
Total provision for income taxes
  $ 305     $ 101     $ 163     $ 54     $ 149     $ 68     $ 64  
                                                         
2006
     
Currently payable-
                                                       
Federal
  $ 102     $ 162     $ 174     $ 83     $ 79     $ 21     $ 21  
State
    18       30       32       14       24       6       7  
      120       192       206       97       103       27       28  
Deferred, net-
                                                       
Federal
    110       (58 )     (14 )     (35 )     34       40       26  
State
    11       (7 )     1       (1 )     11       11       3  
      121       (65 )     (13 )     (36 )     45       51       29  
Investment tax credit amortization
    (5 )     (4 )     (4 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     -  
Total provision for income taxes
  $ 236     $ 123     $ 189     $ 60     $ 147     $ 77     $ 57  

FES and the Utilities are party to an intercompany income tax allocation agreement with FirstEnergy and its other subsidiaries that provides for the allocation of consolidated tax liabilities. Net tax benefits attributable to FirstEnergy, excluding any tax benefits derived from interest expense associated with acquisition indebtedness from the merger with GPU, is reallocated to the subsidiaries of FirstEnergy that have taxable income. That allocation is accounted for as a capital contribution to the company receiving the tax benefit.

 
110

 
 
The following tables provide a reconciliation of federal income tax expense at the federal statutory rate to the total provision for income taxes for the three years ended December 31, 2008.

   
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2008
                                         
Book income before provision for income taxes
  $ 800     $ 310     $ 421     $ 105     $ 335     $ 149     $ 146  
Federal income tax expense at statutory rate
  $ 280     $ 109     $ 147     $ 37     $ 117     $ 52     $ 51  
Increases (reductions) in taxes resulting from-
                                                       
Amortization of investment tax credits
    (4 )     (4 )     (2 )     -       -       (1 )     (1 )
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    21       1       2       (2 )     25       7       5  
Manufacturing deduction
    (15 )     (3 )     (8 )     (2 )     -       -       -  
Other, net
    11       (4 )     (2 )     (3 )     6       3       3  
Total provision for income taxes
  $ 293     $ 99     $ 137     $ 30     $ 148     $ 61     $ 58  
                                                         
2007
                                                       
Book income before provision for income taxes
  $ 833     $ 298     $ 440     $ 145     $ 335     $ 164     $ 157  
Federal income tax expense at statutory rate
  $ 292     $ 104     $ 154     $ 51     $ 117     $ 57     $ 55  
Increases (reductions) in taxes resulting from-
                                                       
Amortization of investment tax credits
    (4 )     (4 )     (2 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     -  
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    45       -       14       6       24       9       8  
Manufacturing deduction
    (6 )     (2 )     (1 )     -       -       -       -  
Other, net
    (22 )     3       (2 )     (2 )     9       3       1  
Total provision for income taxes
  $ 305     $ 101     $ 163     $ 54     $ 149     $ 68     $ 64  
                                                         
2006
                                                       
Book income before provision for income taxes
  $ 655     $ 335     $ 495     $ 159     $ 337     $ (163 )   $ 141  
Federal income tax expense at statutory rate
  $ 229     $ 117     $ 173     $ 56     $ 118     $ (57 )   $ 49  
Increases (reductions) in taxes resulting from-
                                                       
Amortization of investment tax credits
    (5 )     (4 )     (4 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     -  
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    18       15       22       8       23       11       6  
Goodwill impairment
    -       -       -       -       -       124       -  
Other, net
    (6 )     (5 )     (2 )     (3 )     7       -       2  
Total provision for income taxes
  $ 236     $ 123     $ 189     $ 60     $ 147     $ 77     $ 57  

 
111

 
 
Accumulated deferred income taxes as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

   
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
                                           
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008
                                         
Property basis differences
  $ 434     $ 494     $ 428     $ 172     $ 436     $ 275     $ 329  
Regulatory transition charge
    -       40       29       4       190       29       -  
Customer receivables for future income taxes
    -       22       1       -       24       49       48  
Deferred customer shopping incentive
    -       -       151       -       -       -       -  
Deferred MISO/PJM transmission costs
    -       11       7       7       -       137       4  
Other regulatory assets - RCP             -       121       100       32       -       -       -  
Deferred sale and leaseback gain
    (438 )     (45 )     -       -       (10 )     (12 )     -  
Nonutility generation costs
    -       -       -       -       -       30       (82 )
Unamortized investment tax credits
    (23 )     (5 )     (5 )     (2 )     (2 )     (6 )     (5 )
Unrealized losses on derivative hedges
    (15 )     -       -       -       (1 )     (1 )     -  
Pension and other postretirement obligations
    (68 )     (94 )     (47 )     (25 )     (90 )     (72 )     (89 )
Lease market valuation liability
    (124 )     -       -       (122 )     -       -       -  
Oyster Creek securitization (Note 10(C))
    -       -       -       -       137       -       -  
Nuclear decommissioning activities
    14       2       -       13       (34 )     (65 )     (55 )
Deferred gain for asset sales - affiliated companies
    -       41       27       9       -       -       -  
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    -       20       1       -       -       -       -  
All other
    (48 )     46       12       (9 )     39       24       20  
Net deferred income tax liability (asset)
  $ (268 )   $ 653     $ 704     $ 79     $ 689     $ 388     $ 170  
                                                         
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2007
                                                       
Property basis differences
  $ 275     $ 484     $ 404     $ 173     $ 439     $ 266     $ 319  
Regulatory transition charge
    -       70       77       26       235       60       -  
Customer receivables for future income taxes
    -       22       1       -       14       49       62  
Deferred customer shopping incentive
    -       34       142       13       -       -       -  
Deferred MISO/PJM transmission costs
    -       20       12       9       -       97       13  
Other regulatory assets - RCP     -       92       71       30       -       -       -  
Deferred sale and leaseback gain
    (455 )     (49 )     -       -       (20 )     (11 )     -  
Nonutility generation costs
    -       -       -       -       -       22       (112 )
Unamortized investment tax credits
    (23 )     (6 )     (7 )     (4 )     (2 )     (6 )     (5 )
Unrealized losses on derivative hedges
    (10 )     -       -       -       (1 )     (1 )     -  
Pension and other postretirement obligations
    (21 )     8       (15 )     (17 )     20       1       (18 )
Lease market valuation liability
    (148 )     -       -       (135 )     -       -       -  
Oyster Creek securitization (Note 10(C))
    -       -       -       -       149       -       -  
Nuclear decommissioning activities
    142       7       -       11       (48 )     (57 )     (65 )
Deferred gain for asset sales - affiliated companies
    -       45       30       10       -       -       -  
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    -       21       -       -       -       -       -  
All other
    (37 )     33       11       (13 )     14       19       17  
Net deferred income tax liability (asset)
  $ (277 )   $ 781     $ 726     $ 103     $ 800     $ 439     $ 211  

On January 1, 2007, FES and the Utilities adopted FIN 48, which provides guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109. This interpretation prescribes a financial statement recognition threshold and measurement attribute for tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a company’s tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest, penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with this interpretation is a two-step process. The first step is to determine if it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, based on the merits of the position, and should therefore be recognized. The second step is to measure a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold to determine the amount of income tax benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

As of January 1, 2007, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits for FES and the Utilities was $59 million (see table below for amounts included for FES and the Utilities) and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment (OE - $0.6 million, CEI - $0.2 million and FES - $0.5 million) to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings to increase reserves for uncertain tax positions.

 
112

 
 
A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized tax benefits for the years 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

   
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
Balance as of January 1, 2008
  $ 14     $ (12 )   $ (17 )   $ (1 )   $ 38     $ 24     $ 16  
Increase for tax positions related to the
   current year
    -       1       -       -       -       -       -  
Increase for tax positions related to
   prior years
    1       1       -       -       6       5       9  
Decrease  for tax positions of
   prior years
    (10 )     (14 )     (8 )     (3 )     (2 )     (1 )     (1 )
Decrease for settlement
    -       (6 )     (1 )     -       -       -       -  
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ 5     $ (30 )   $ (26 )   $ (4 )   $ 42     $ 28     $ 24  

   
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
Balance as of January 1, 2007
  $ 14     $ (19 )   $ (15 )   $ (3 )   $ 44     $ 18     $ 20  
Increase for tax positions related to the
   current year
    -       1       -       -       -       -       -  
Increase for tax positions related to
   prior years
    4       10       2       2       -       6       -  
Decrease  for tax positions of
   prior years
    (4 )     (4 )     (4 )     -       (6 )     -       (4 )
Balance as of December 31, 2007
  $ 14     $ (12 )   $ (17 )   $ (1 )   $ 38     $ 24     $ 16  

As of December 31, 2008, FES and the Utilities expect that $44 million of the unrecognized benefits will be resolved within the next twelve months and are included in the captions “Prepayments and other” and  “Accrued taxes,” with the remaining amount included in “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

Balance Sheet Classifications
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
Current-
                                         
Prepayments and other
  $ -     $ (52 )   $ (33 )   $ (9 )   $ -     $ -     $ -  
Accrued taxes
    -       -       -       -       26       13       11  
                                                         
Non-Current-
                                                       
Other non-current liabilities
    5       22       7       5       16       15       13  
Net liabilities (assets)
  $ 5     $ (30 )   $ (26 )   $ (4 )   $ 42     $ 28     $ 24  

FIN 48 also requires companies to recognize interest expense or income related to uncertain tax positions. That amount is computed by applying the applicable statutory interest rate to the difference between the tax position recognized in accordance with FIN 48 and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken on the tax return. FES and the Utilities include net interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes, consistent with their policy prior to implementing FIN 48.

The following table summarizes the net interest expense (income) recognized by FES and the Utilities for the three years ended December 31, 2008 and the cumulative net interest payable (receivable) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007:

 
Net Interest Expense (Income)
 
Net Interest Payable
 
 
For the Years Ended
 
(Receivable)
 
 
December 31,
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2008
 
2007
 
 
(In millions)
 
(In millions)
 
FES
  $ -     $ -     $ 1     $ 1     $ 2  
OE
    (4 )     1       1       (9 )     (5 )
CEI
    (2 )     (1 )     1       (7 )     (3 )
TE
    -       -       1       (1 )     -  
JCP&L
    1       1       (2 )     11       10  
Met-Ed
    1       2       -       6       5  
Penelec
    2       -       (1 )     6       4  

FES and the Utilities have tax returns that are under review at the audit or appeals level by the IRS and state tax authorities. All state jurisdictions are open from 2001-2008. The IRS began reviewing returns for the years 2001-2003 in July 2004 and several items are under appeal. The federal audit for years 2004-2006 were completed in the third quarter of 2008 and several items are under appeals. The IRS began auditing the year 2007 in February 2007 and the year 2008 in February 2008 under its Compliance Assurance Process program. Both audits are expected to close before December 2009. Management believes that adequate reserves have been recognized and final settlement of these audits is not expected to have a material adverse effect on FES’ or the Utilities’ financial condition or results of operations.

 
113

 


On July 13, 2007, FGCO completed a sale and leaseback transaction for its 93.825% undivided interest in Bruce Mansfield Unit 1, representing 779 MW of net demonstrated capacity (see Note 6). This transaction generated tax capital gains of approximately $815 million, all of which were offset by existing tax capital loss carryforwards. Accordingly, FirstEnergy reduced its tax loss carryforward valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2007, with a corresponding reduction to goodwill (see Note 2(E)).

FES and Penelec have pre-tax net operating loss carryforwards for state and local income tax purposes. These losses expire as follows:

Expiration Period
 
FES
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2009-2013
  $ 2     $ -  
2014-2018
    1       -  
2019-2023
    27       216  
2024-2028
    38       17  
    $ 68     $ 233  


General Taxes

Details of general taxes for the three years ended December 31, 2008 are shown below:

                                           
   
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2008
                                         
Kilowatt-hour excise
  $ 1     $ 97     $ 70     $ 30     $ 51     $ -     $ -  
State gross receipts
    16       17       -       -       -       79       70  
Real and personal property
    53       61       67       19       5       3       2  
Social security and unemployment
    14       9       6       3       10       5       6  
Other
    4       2       -       -       1       (1 )     2  
Total general taxes
  $ 88     $ 186     $ 143     $ 52     $ 67     $ 86     $ 80  
                                                         
                                                         
2007
                                                       
Kilowatt-hour excise
  $ 1     $ 99     $ 69     $ 29     $ 52     $ -     $ -  
State gross receipts
    18       17       -       -       -       73       66  
Real and personal property
    53       59       65       19       5       2       2  
Social security and unemployment
    14       8       6       3       9       5       5  
Other
    1       (2 )     2       -       -       -       3  
Total general taxes
  $ 87     $ 181     $ 142     $ 51     $ 66     $ 80     $ 76  
                                                         
2006
                                                       
Kilowatt-hour excise
  $ -     $ 95     $ 68     $ 28     $ 50     $ -     $ -  
State gross receipts
    10       19       -       -       -       67       62  
Real and personal property
    49       55       61       20       5       2       1  
Social security and unemployment
    13       7       5       2       9       4       5  
Other
    1       4       1       1       -       4       5  
Total general taxes
  $ 73     $ 180     $ 135     $ 51     $ 64     $ 77     $ 73  


Commercial Activity Tax

On June 30, 2005, tax legislation was enacted in the State of Ohio that created a new CAT tax, which is based on qualifying “taxable gross receipts” and does not consider any expenses or costs incurred to generate such receipts, except for items such as cash discounts, returns and allowances, and bad debts. The CAT tax was effective July 1, 2005, and replaced the Ohio income-based franchise tax and the Ohio personal property tax. The CAT tax is phased-in while the current income-based franchise tax is phased-out over a five-year period at a rate of 20% annually, beginning with the year ended 2005, and the personal property tax is phased-out over a four-year period at a rate of approximately 25% annually, beginning with the year ended 2005. During the phase-out period the Ohio income-based franchise tax was computed consistent with the prior tax law, except that the tax liability as computed was multiplied by 80% in 2005; 60% in 2006; 40% in 2007 and 20% in 2008, therefore eliminating the current income-based franchise tax over a five-year period. As a result of the new tax structure, all net deferred tax benefits that were not expected to reverse during the five-year phase-in period were written-off as of June 30, 2005.

 
114

 

9.
REGULATORY MATTERS

(A)
RELIABILITY INITIATIVES

In late 2003 and early 2004, a series of letters, reports and recommendations were issued from various entities, including governmental, industry and ad hoc reliability entities (the PUCO, the FERC, the NERC and the U.S. – Canada Power System Outage Task Force) regarding enhancements to regional reliability. The proposed enhancements were divided into two groups:  enhancements that were to be completed in 2004; and enhancements that were to be completed after 2004. In 2004, FirstEnergy completed all of the enhancements that were recommended for completion in 2004. FirstEnergy is also proceeding with the implementation of the recommendations that were to be completed subsequent to 2004 and will continue to periodically assess the FERC-ordered Reliability Study recommendations for forecasted 2009 system conditions, recognizing revised load forecasts and other changing system conditions which may impact the recommendations. Thus far, implementation of the recommendations has not required, nor is expected to require, substantial investment in new or material upgrades to existing equipment. The FERC or other applicable government agencies and reliability coordinators may, however, take a different view as to recommended enhancements or may recommend additional enhancements in the future that could require additional material expenditures.

In 2005, Congress amended the Federal Power Act to provide for federally-enforceable mandatory reliability standards. The mandatory reliability standards apply to the bulk power system and impose certain operating, record-keeping and reporting requirements on the Utilities and ATSI. The NERC is charged with establishing and enforcing these reliability standards, although it has delegated day-to-day implementation and enforcement of its responsibilities to eight regional entities, including ReliabilityFirst Corporation. All of FirstEnergy’s facilities are located within the ReliabilityFirst region. FirstEnergy actively participates in the NERC and ReliabilityFirst stakeholder processes, and otherwise monitors and manages its companies in response to the ongoing development, implementation and enforcement of the reliability standards.

FirstEnergy believes that it is in compliance with all currently-effective and enforceable reliability standards. Nevertheless, it is clear that the NERC, ReliabilityFirst and the FERC will continue to refine existing reliability standards as well as to develop and adopt new reliability standards. The financial impact of complying with new or amended standards cannot be determined at this time. However, the 2005 amendments to the Federal Power Act provide that all prudent costs incurred to comply with the new reliability standards be recovered in rates. Still, any future inability on FirstEnergy’s part to comply with the reliability standards for its bulk power system could result in the imposition of financial penalties and thus have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In April 2007, ReliabilityFirst performed a routine compliance audit of FirstEnergy’s bulk-power system within the Midwest ISO region and found it to be in full compliance with all audited reliability standards. Similarly, in October 2008, ReliabilityFirst performed a routine compliance audit of FirstEnergy’s bulk-power system within the PJM region and a final report is expected in early 2009. FES and the Utilities currently do not expect any material adverse financial impact as a result of these audits.

(B)
OHIO

On January 4, 2006, the PUCO issued an order authorizing the Ohio Companies to recover certain increased fuel costs through a fuel rider and to defer certain other increased fuel costs to be incurred from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, including interest on the deferred balances. The order also provided for recovery of the deferred costs over a twenty-five-year period through distribution rates. On August 29, 2007, the Supreme Court of Ohio concluded that the PUCO violated a provision of the Ohio Revised Code by permitting the Ohio Companies “to collect deferred increased fuel costs through future distribution rate cases, or to alternatively use excess fuel-cost recovery to reduce deferred distribution-related expenses” and remanded the matter to the PUCO for further consideration. On September 10, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO that requested the implementation of two generation-related fuel cost riders to collect the increased fuel costs that were previously authorized to be deferred. On January 9, 2008, the PUCO approved the Ohio Companies’ proposed fuel cost rider to recover increased fuel costs incurred during 2008, which was approximately $185 million. In addition, the PUCO ordered the Ohio Companies to file a separate application for an alternate recovery mechanism to collect the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs. On February 8, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed an application proposing to recover $226 million of deferred fuel costs and carrying charges for 2006 and 2007 pursuant to a separate fuel rider. Recovery of the deferred fuel costs was also addressed in the Ohio Companies’ comprehensive ESP filing, which was subsequently withdrawn on December 22, 2008, and also as a part of the stipulation and recommendation which was attached to the amended application for an ESP, both as described below.

 
115

 
 
On June 7, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application for an increase in electric distribution rates with the PUCO and, on August 6, 2007, updated their filing to support a distribution rate increase of $332 million. On December 4, 2007, the PUCO Staff issued its Staff Reports containing the results of its investigation into the distribution rate request. In its reports, the PUCO Staff recommended a distribution rate increase in the range of $161 million to $180 million, with $108 million to $127 million for distribution revenue increases and $53 million for recovery of costs deferred under prior cases. During the evidentiary hearings and filing of briefs, the PUCO Staff decreased their recommended revenue increase to a range of $117 million to $135 million. On January 21, 2009, the PUCO granted the Ohio Companies’ application to increase electric distribution rates by $136.6 million (OE - $68.9 million, CEI - $29.2 million and TE - $38.5 million).  These increases went into effect for OE and TE on January 23, 2009, and will go into effect for CEI on May 1, 2009. Applications for rehearing of this order were filed by the Ohio Companies and one other party on February 20, 2009.

On May 1, 2008, Governor Strickland signed SB221, which became effective on July 31, 2008. The bill requires all utilities to file an ESP with the PUCO, which must contain a proposal for the supply and pricing of retail generation. A utility may also file an MRO with the PUCO, in which it would have to prove the following objective market criteria: 1) the utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC approved RTO, or there is comparable and nondiscriminatory access to the electric transmission grid; 2) the RTO has a market-monitor function and the ability to mitigate market power or the utility’s market conduct, or a similar market monitoring function exists with the ability to identify and monitor market conditions and conduct; and 3) a published source of information is available publicly or through subscription that identifies pricing information for traded electricity products, both on- and off-peak, scheduled for delivery two years into the future.

On July 31, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed with the PUCO a comprehensive ESP and MRO. The MRO filing outlined a CBP for providing retail generation supply if the ESP is not approved and implemented. The CBP would use a “slice-of-system” approach where suppliers bid on tranches (approximately 100 MW) of the Ohio Companies’ total customer load. If the Ohio Companies proceed with the MRO option, successful bidders (including affiliates) would be required to post independent credit requirements and could be subject to significant collateral calls depending upon power price movement. The PUCO denied the MRO application on November 26, 2008.  The Ohio Companies filed an application for rehearing on December 23, 2008, which the PUCO granted on January 21, 2009, for the purpose of further consideration of the matter.

The ESP proposed to phase in new generation rates for customers beginning in 2009 for up to a three-year period and resolve the Ohio Companies’ collection of fuel costs deferred in 2006 and 2007, and the distribution rate request described above. On December 19, 2008, the PUCO significantly modified and approved the ESP as modified.  On December 22, 2008, the Ohio Companies notified the PUCO that they were withdrawing and terminating the ESP application as allowed by the terms of SB221.  The Ohio Companies further notified the PUCO that, pursuant to SB221, the Ohio Companies would continue their current rate plan in effect and filed tariffs to continue those rates.

On December 31, 2008, the Ohio Companies conducted a CBP, using an RFP format administered by an independent third party, for the procurement of electric generation for retail customers from January 5, 2009 through March 31, 2009. Four qualified wholesale bidders were selected, including FES, for 97% of the tranches offered in the RFP. The average winning bid price was equivalent to a retail rate of 6.98 cents per kilowatt-hour. Subsequent to the RFP, the remaining 3% of the Ohio Companies’ wholesale energy and capacity needs were obtained through a bilateral contract with the lowest bidder in the RFP procurement. The power supply obtained through the foregoing processes provides generation service to the Ohio Companies’ retail customers who choose not to shop with alternative suppliers.

Following comments by other parties on the Ohio Companies’ December 22, 2008, filing which continued the current rate plan, the PUCO issued an Order on January 7, 2009, that prevented OE and TE from collecting RTC and discontinued the collection of two fuel riders for the Ohio Companies.  The Ohio Companies filed an application for rehearing on January 9, 2009, and also filed an application for a new fuel rider to recover the increased costs for purchasing power during the period January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009. On January 14, 2009, the PUCO approved the Ohio Companies’ request for the new fuel rider, subject to further review, allowed current recovery of those costs for OE and TE, and allowed CEI to collect a portion of those costs currently and defer the remainder. The PUCO also ordered the Ohio Companies to file additional information in order for it to determine that the costs incurred are prudent and whether the recovery of such costs is necessary to avoid a confiscatory result.  The Ohio Companies filed an application for rehearing on that order on January 26, 2009. The applications for rehearing remain pending and the Ohio Companies are unable to predict the ultimate resolution of these issues.

 
116

 
 
On January 29, 2009, the PUCO ordered its Staff to develop a proposal to establish an ESP for the Ohio Companies and further ordered that a conference be held on February 5, 2009 to discuss the Staff’s proposal. The Ohio Companies, PUCO Staff, and other parties participated in that conference, and in a subsequent conference held on February 17, 2009. Following discussions with the Staff and other parties regarding the Staff’s proposal, on February 19, 2009, the Ohio Companies filed an amended ESP application, including an attached Stipulation and Recommendation that was signed by the Ohio Companies, the Staff of the PUCO, and many of the intervening parties representing a diverse range of interests, which substantially reflected the terms as proposed by the Staff as modified through the negotiations of the parties. Specifically, the stipulated ESP provides that generation will be provided by FES at the average wholesale rate of the RFP process described above for April and May 2009 to the Ohio Companies for their non-shopping customers and that for the period of June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2011, retail generation prices will be based upon the outcome of a descending clock CBP on a slice-of-system basis. The PUCO may, at its discretion, phase-in a portion of any increase resulting from this CBP process by authorizing deferral of related purchased power costs, subject to specified limits. The proposed ESP further provides that the Ohio Companies will not seek a base distribution rate increase with an effective date before January 1, 2012, that CEI will agree to write-off approximately $215 million of its Extended RTC balance, and that the Ohio Companies will collect a delivery service improvement rider at an overall average rate of $.002 per kWh for the period of April 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. If the Stipulated ESP is approved, one-time after-tax charges associated with implementing the ESP would be approximately $11.3 million for OE, $145.7 million for CEI (including the CEI Extended RTC balance) and $3.5 million for TE. The proposed ESP also addresses a number of other issues, including but not limited to, rate design for various customer classes, resolution of the prudence review described above and the collection of deferred costs that were approved in prior proceedings. On February 19, 2009, the PUCO attorney examiner issued an order setting this matter for hearing to begin on February 25, 2009.

(C)
PENNSYLVANIA

Met-Ed and Penelec purchase a portion of their PLR and default service requirements from FES through a fixed-price partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement. The agreement allows Met-Ed and Penelec to sell the output of NUG energy to the market and requires FES to provide energy at fixed prices to replace any NUG energy sold to the extent needed for Met-Ed and Penelec to satisfy their PLR and default service obligations. The fixed price under the agreement is expected to remain below wholesale market prices during the term of the agreement. If Met-Ed and Penelec were to replace the entire FES supply at current market power prices without corresponding regulatory authorization to increase their generation prices to customers, each company would likely incur a significant increase in operating expenses and experience a material deterioration in credit quality metrics. Under such a scenario, each company's credit profile would no longer be expected to support an investment grade rating for their fixed income securities. If FES ultimately determines to terminate, reduce, or significantly modify the agreement prior to the expiration of Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s generation rate caps in 2010, timely regulatory relief is not likely to be granted by the PPUC. See FERC Matters below for a description of the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, executed by the parties on October 31, 2008, that limits the amount of energy and capacity FES must supply to Met-Ed and Penelec. In the event of a third party supplier default, the increased costs to Met-Ed and Penelec could be material.

On May 22, 2008, the PPUC approved the Met-Ed and Penelec annual updates to the TSC rider for the period June 1, 2008, through May 31, 2009. Various intervenors filed complaints against those filings. In addition, the PPUC ordered an investigation to review the reasonableness of Met-Ed’s TSC, while at the same time allowing Met-Ed to implement the rider June 1, 2008, subject to refund. On July 15, 2008, the PPUC directed the ALJ to consolidate the complaints against Met-Ed with its investigation and a litigation schedule was adopted. Hearings and briefing for both companies are expected to conclude by the end of February 2009. The TSCs include a component from under-recovery of actual transmission costs incurred during the prior period (Met-Ed - $144 million and Penelec - $4 million) and future transmission cost projections for June 2008 through May 2009 (Met-Ed - $258 million and Penelec - $92 million). Met-Ed received PPUC approval for a transition approach that would recover past under-recovered costs plus carrying charges through the new TSC over thirty-one months and defer a portion of the projected costs ($92 million) plus carrying charges for recovery through future TSCs by December 31, 2010.

On February 1, 2007, the Governor of Pennsylvania proposed an EIS. The EIS includes four pieces of proposed legislation that, according to the Governor, is designed to reduce energy costs, promote energy independence and stimulate the economy. Elements of the EIS include the installation of smart meters, funding for solar panels on residences and small businesses, conservation and demand reduction programs to meet energy growth, a requirement that electric distribution companies acquire power that results in the “lowest reasonable rate on a long-term basis,” the utilization of micro-grids and a three year phase-in of rate increases. On July 17, 2007 the Governor signed into law two pieces of energy legislation. The first amended the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 to, among other things, increase the percentage of solar energy that must be supplied at the conclusion of an electric distribution company’s transition period. The second law allows electric distribution companies, at their sole discretion, to enter into long term contracts with large customers and to build or acquire interests in electric generation facilities specifically to supply long-term contracts with such customers. A special legislative session on energy was convened in mid-September 2007 to consider other aspects of the EIS. As part of the 2008 state budget negotiations, the Alternative Energy Investment Act was enacted in July 2008 creating a $650 million alternative energy fund to increase the development and use of alternative and renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

 
117

 
 
On October 15, 2008, the Governor of Pennsylvania signed House Bill 2200 into law which became effective on November 14, 2008 as Act 129 of 2008. The bill addresses issues such as: energy efficiency and peak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters and alternative energy. Act 129 requires utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan by July 1, 2009 and a smart meter procurement and installation plan by August 14, 2009. On January 15, 2009, in compliance with Act 129, the PPUC issued its guidelines for the filing of utilities’ energy efficiency and peak load reduction plans.

Major provisions of the legislation include:

 
·
power acquired by utilities to serve customers after rate caps expire will be procured through a competitive procurement process that must include a mix of long-term and short-term contracts and spot market purchases;

 
·
the competitive procurement process must be approved by the PPUC and may include auctions, RFPs, and/or bilateral agreements;

 
·
utilities must provide for the installation of smart meter technology within 15 years;

 
·
a minimum reduction in peak demand of 4.5% by May 31, 2013;

 
·
minimum reductions in energy consumption of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively; and

 
·
an expanded definition of alternative energy to include additional types of hydroelectric and biomass facilities.

Legislation addressing rate mitigation and the expiration of rate caps was not enacted in 2008 but may be considered in the legislative session which began in January 2009. While the form and impact of such legislation is uncertain, several legislators and the Governor have indicated their intent to address these issues in 2009.

On September 25, 2008, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Voluntary Prepayment Plan with the PPUC that would provide an opportunity for residential and small commercial customers to prepay an amount on their monthly electric bills during 2009 and 2010 that would earn interest at 7.5% and be used to reduce electric rates in 2011 and 2012. Met-Ed, Penelec, OCA and OSBA have reached a settlement agreement on the Voluntary Prepayment Plan and have jointly requested that the PPUC approve the settlement. The ALJ issued a decision on January 29, 2009, recommending approval and adoption of the settlement without modification.

On February 20, 2009, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a generation procurement plan covering the period January 1, 2011 through May 31, 2013, with the PPUC. The companies’ plan is designed to provide adequate and reliable service via a prudent mix of long-term, short-term and spot market generation supply, as required by Act 129. The plan proposes a staggered procurement schedule, which varies by customer class, through the use of a descending clock auction. Met-Ed and Penelec have requested PPUC approval of their plan by October 2009.

(D)
NEW JERSEY

JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers, costs incurred under NUG agreements, and certain other stranded costs, exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUGC rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. As of December 31, 2008, the accumulated deferred cost balance totaled approximately $220 million.

In accordance with an April 28, 2004 NJBPU order, JCP&L filed testimony on June 7, 2004, supporting continuation of the current level and duration of the funding of TMI-2 decommissioning costs by New Jersey customers without a reduction, termination or capping of the funding. On September 30, 2004, JCP&L filed an updated TMI-2 decommissioning study. This study resulted in an updated total decommissioning cost estimate of $729 million (in 2003 dollars) compared to the estimated $528 million (in 2003 dollars) from the prior 1995 decommissioning study. The DRA filed comments on February 28, 2005 requesting that decommissioning funding be suspended. On March 18, 2005, JCP&L filed a response to those comments. JCP&L responded to additional NJBPU staff discovery requests in May and November 2007 and also submitted comments in the proceeding in November 2007. A schedule for further NJBPU proceedings has not yet been set.

 
118

 


On August 1, 2005, the NJBPU established a proceeding to determine whether additional ratepayer protections are required at the state level in light of the repeal of the PUHCA pursuant to the EPACT. The NJBPU approved regulations effective October 2, 2006 that prevent a holding company that owns a gas or electric public utility from investing more than 25% of the combined assets of its utility and utility-related subsidiaries into businesses unrelated to the utility industry. These regulations are not expected to materially impact JCP&L. Also, in the same proceeding, the NJBPU Staff issued an additional draft proposal on March 31, 2006 addressing various issues including access to books and records, ring-fencing, cross subsidization, corporate governance and related matters. With the approval of the NJBPU Staff, the affected utilities jointly submitted an alternative proposal on June 1, 2006. The NJBPU Staff circulated revised drafts of the proposal to interested stakeholders in November 2006 and again in February 2007. On February 1, 2008, the NJBPU accepted proposed rules for publication in the New Jersey Register on March 17, 2008. A public hearing on these proposed rules was held on April 23, 2008 and comments from interested parties were submitted by May 19, 2008.

New Jersey statutes require that the state periodically undertake a planning process, known as the EMP, to address energy related issues including energy security, economic growth, and environmental impact. The EMP is to be developed with involvement of the Governor’s Office and the Governor’s Office of Economic Growth, and is to be prepared by a Master Plan Committee, which is chaired by the NJBPU President and includes representatives of several State departments.

The EMP was issued on October 22, 2008, establishing five major goals:

 
·
maximize energy efficiency to achieve a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2020;

 
·
reduce peak demand for electricity by 5,700 MW by 2020;

 
·
meet 30% of the state’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2020;

 
·
examine smart grid technology and develop additional cogeneration and other generation resources consistent with the state’s greenhouse gas targets; and

 
·
invest in innovative clean energy technologies and businesses to stimulate the industry’s growth in New Jersey.

The EMP will be followed by appropriate legislation and regulation as necessary. At this time, JCP&L cannot determine the impact, if any, the EMP may have on its operations.

In support of the New Jersey Governor’s Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan, JCP&L announced its intent to spend approximately $98 million on infrastructure and energy efficiency projects in 2009. An estimated $40 million will be spent on infrastructure projects, including substation upgrades, new transformers, distribution line re-closers and automated breaker operations. Approximately $34 million will be spent implementing new demand response programs as well as expanding on existing programs. Another $11 million will be spent on energy efficiency, specifically replacing transformers and capacitor control systems and installing new LED street lights. The remaining $13 million will be spent on energy efficiency programs that will complement those currently being offered. Completion of the projects is dependent upon regulatory approval for full recovery of the costs associated with plan implementation.

(E)
FERC MATTERS

Transmission Service between MISO and PJM

On November 18, 2004, the FERC issued an order eliminating the through and out rate for transmission service between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC’s intent was to eliminate multiple transmission charges for a single transaction between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC also ordered MISO, PJM and the transmission owners within MISO and PJM to submit compliance filings containing a rate mechanism to recover lost transmission revenues created by elimination of this charge (referred to as the Seams Elimination Cost Adjustment or “SECA”) during a 16-month transition period. The FERC issued orders in 2005 setting the SECA for hearing. The presiding judge issued an initial decision on August 10, 2006, rejecting the compliance filings made by MISO, PJM, and the transmission owners, and directing new compliance filings. This decision is subject to review and approval by the FERC. Briefs addressing the initial decision were filed on September 11, 2006 and October 20, 2006. A final order is pending before the FERC, and in the meantime, FirstEnergy affiliates have been negotiating and entering into settlement agreements with other parties in the docket to mitigate the risk of lower transmission revenue collection associated with an adverse order. On September 26, 2008, the MISO and PJM transmission owners filed a motion requesting that the FERC approve the pending settlements and act on the initial decision. On November 20, 2008, FERC issued an order approving uncontested settlements, but did not rule on the initial decision. On December 19, 2008, an additional order was issued approving two contested settlements.

 
119

 
 
PJM Transmission Rate Design

On January 31, 2005, certain PJM transmission owners made filings with the FERC pursuant to a settlement agreement previously approved by the FERC. JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec were parties to that proceeding and joined in two of the filings. In the first filing, the settling transmission owners submitted a filing justifying continuation of their existing rate design within the PJM RTO. Hearings were held and numerous parties appeared and litigated various issues concerning PJM rate design; notably AEP, which proposed to create a "postage stamp", or average rate for all high voltage transmission facilities across PJM and a zonal transmission rate for facilities below 345 kV. This proposal would have the effect of shifting recovery of the costs of high voltage transmission lines to other transmission zones, including those where JCP&L, Met-Ed, and Penelec serve load. On April 19, 2007, the FERC issued an order finding that the PJM transmission owners’ existing “license plate” or zonal rate design was just and reasonable and ordered that the current license plate rates for existing transmission facilities be retained. On the issue of rates for new transmission facilities, the FERC directed that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate. Costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at less than 500 kV, however, are to be allocated on a “beneficiary pays” basis. The FERC found that PJM’s current beneficiary-pays cost allocation methodology is not sufficiently detailed and, in a related order that also was issued on April 19, 2007, directed that hearings be held for the purpose of establishing a just and reasonable cost allocation methodology for inclusion in PJM’s tariff.

On May 18, 2007, certain parties filed for rehearing of the FERC’s April 19, 2007 order. On January 31, 2008, the requests for rehearing were denied. On February 11, 2008, AEP appealed the FERC’s April 19, 2007, and January 31, 2008, orders to the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Illinois Commerce Commission, the PUCO and Dayton Power & Light have also appealed these orders to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals of these parties and others have been consolidated for argument in the Seventh Circuit.

The FERC’s orders on PJM rate design will prevent the allocation of a portion of the revenue requirement of existing transmission facilities of other utilities to JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec. In addition, the FERC’s decision to allocate the cost of new 500 kV and above transmission facilities on a PJM-wide basis will reduce the costs of future transmission to be recovered from the JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec zones. A partial settlement agreement addressing the “beneficiary pays” methodology for below 500 kV facilities, but excluding the issue of allocating new facilities costs to merchant transmission entities, was filed on September 14, 2007. The agreement was supported by the FERC’s Trial Staff, and was certified by the Presiding Judge to the FERC. On July 29, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally approving the settlement subject to the submission of a compliance filing. The compliance filing was submitted on August 29, 2008, and the FERC issued an order accepting the compliance filing on October 15, 2008. The remaining merchant transmission cost allocation issues were the subject of a hearing at the FERC in May 2008. An initial decision was issued by the Presiding Judge on September 18, 2008. PJM and FERC trial staff each filed a Brief on Exceptions to the initial decision on October 20, 2008. Briefs Opposing Exceptions were filed on November 10, 2008.

Post Transition Period Rate Design

The FERC had directed MISO, PJM, and the respective transmission owners to make filings on or before August 1, 2007 to reevaluate transmission rate design within MISO, and between MISO and PJM. On August 1, 2007, filings were made by MISO, PJM, and the vast majority of transmission owners, including FirstEnergy affiliates, which proposed to retain the existing transmission rate design. These filings were approved by the FERC on January 31, 2008. As a result of the FERC’s approval, the rates charged to FirstEnergy’s load-serving affiliates for transmission service over existing transmission facilities in MISO and PJM are unchanged. In a related filing, MISO and MISO transmission owners requested that the current MISO pricing for new transmission facilities that spreads 20% of the cost of new 345 kV and higher transmission facilities across the entire MISO footprint (known as the RECB methodology) be retained.

On September 17, 2007, AEP filed a complaint under Sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act seeking to have the entire transmission rate design and cost allocation methods used by MISO and PJM declared unjust, unreasonable, and unduly discriminatory, and to have the FERC fix a uniform regional transmission rate design and cost allocation method for the entire MISO and PJM “Super Region” that recovers the average cost of new and existing transmission facilities operated at voltages of 345 kV and above from all transmission customers. Lower voltage facilities would continue to be recovered in the local utility transmission rate zone through a license plate rate. AEP requested a refund effective October 1, 2007, or alternatively, February 1, 2008. On January 31, 2008, the FERC issued an order denying the complaint. The effect of this order is to prevent the shift of significant costs to the FirstEnergy zones in MISO and PJM. A rehearing request by AEP was denied by the FERC on December 19, 2008. On February 17, 2009, AEP appealed the FERC’s January 31, 2008, and December 19, 2008, orders to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

 
120

 
 
Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio

On May 29, 2008, TE filed with the FERC a proposed Notice of Cancellation effective midnight December 31, 2008, of the Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio. AMP-Ohio protested this filing. TE also filed a Petition for Declaratory Order seeking a FERC ruling, in the alternative if cancellation is not accepted, of TE's right to file for an increase in rates effective January 1, 2009, for power provided to AMP-Ohio under the Interconnection Agreement. AMP-Ohio filed a pleading agreeing that TE may seek an increase in rates, but arguing that any increase is limited to the cost of generation owned by TE affiliates. On August 18, 2008, the FERC issued an order that suspended the cancellation of the Agreement for five months, to become effective on June 1, 2009, and established expedited hearing procedures on issues raised in the filing and TE’s Petition for Declaratory Order. On October 14, 2008, the parties filed a settlement agreement and mutual notice of cancellation of the Interconnection Agreement effective midnight December 31, 2008. On October 24, 2008 the presiding judge certified the settlement agreement as uncontested and on December 22, 2008, the FERC issued an order approving the uncontested settlement agreement. This latest action terminates the litigation and the Interconnection Agreement.

Duquesne’s Request to Withdraw from PJM

On November 8, 2007, Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne) filed a request with the FERC to exit PJM and to join MISO. Duquesne’s proposed move would affect numerous FirstEnergy interests, including but not limited to the terms under which FirstEnergy’s Beaver Valley Plant would continue to participate in PJM’s energy markets.  FirstEnergy, therefore, intervened and participated fully in all of the FERC dockets that were related to Duquesne’s proposed move.

In November, 2008, Duquesne and other parties, including FirstEnergy, negotiated a settlement that would, among other things, allow for Duquesne to remain in PJM and provide for a methodology for Duquesne to meet the PJM capacity obligations for the 2011-2012 auction that excluded the Duquesne load.  The settlement agreement was filed on December 10, 2008 and approved by the FERC in an order issued on January 29, 2009.  The MISO opposed the settlement agreement pending resolution of exit fees alleged to be owed by Duquesne.  The FERC did not resolve this issue in its order.

Complaint against PJM RPM Auction

On May 30, 2008, a group of PJM load-serving entities, state commissions, consumer advocates, and trade associations (referred to collectively as the RPM Buyers) filed a complaint at the FERC against PJM alleging that three of the four transitional RPM auctions yielded prices that are unjust and unreasonable under the Federal Power Act.  On September 19, 2008, the FERC denied the RPM Buyers’ complaint. However, the FERC did grant the RPM Buyers’ request for a technical conference to review aspects of the RPM. The FERC also ordered PJM to file on or before December 15, 2008, a report on potential adjustments to the RPM program as suggested in a Brattle Group report.  On December 12, 2008, PJM filed proposed tariff amendments that would adjust slightly the RPM program.  PJM also requested that the FERC conduct a settlement hearing to address changes to the RPM and suggested that the FERC should rule on the tariff amendments only if settlement could not be reached in January, 2009. The request for settlement hearings was granted.  Settlement had not been reached by January 9, 2009 and, accordingly, FirstEnergy and other parties submitted comments on PJM’s proposed tariff amendments.  On January 15, 2009, the Chief Judge issued an order terminating settlement talks. On February 9, 2009, PJM and a group of stakeholders submitted an offer of settlement.

On October 20, 2008, the RPM Buyers filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s September 19, 2008 order. The FERC has not yet ruled on the rehearing request.

MISO Resource Adequacy Proposal

MISO made a filing on December 28, 2007 that would create an enforceable planning reserve requirement in the MISO tariff for load-serving entities such as the Ohio Companies, Penn Power, and FES. This requirement is proposed to become effective for the planning year beginning June 1, 2009. The filing would permit MISO to establish the reserve margin requirement for load-serving entities based upon a one day loss of load in ten years standard, unless the state utility regulatory agency establishes a different planning reserve for load-serving entities in its state. FirstEnergy believes the proposal promotes a mechanism that will result in commitments from both load-serving entities and resources, including both generation and demand side resources that are necessary for reliable resource adequacy and planning in the MISO footprint. Comments on the filing were filed on January 28, 2008. The FERC conditionally approved MISO’s Resource Adequacy proposal on March 26, 2008, requiring MISO to submit to further compliance filings. Rehearing requests are pending on the FERC’s March 26 Order. On May 27, 2008, MISO submitted a compliance filing to address issues associated with planning reserve margins. On June 17, 2008, various parties submitted comments and protests to MISO’s compliance filing. FirstEnergy submitted comments identifying specific issues that must be clarified and addressed. On June 25, 2008, MISO submitted a second compliance filing establishing the enforcement mechanism for the reserve margin requirement which establishes deficiency payments for load-serving entities that do not meet the resource adequacy requirements. Numerous parties, including FirstEnergy, protested this filing.

 
121

 
 
On October 20, 2008, the FERC issued three orders essentially permitting the MISO Resource Adequacy program to proceed with some modifications. First, the FERC accepted MISO's financial settlement approach for enforcement of Resource Adequacy subject to a compliance filing modifying the cost of new entry penalty. Second, the FERC conditionally accepted MISO's compliance filing on the qualifications for purchased power agreements to be capacity resources, load forecasting, loss of load expectation, and planning reserve zones. Additional compliance filings were directed on accreditation of load modifying resources and price responsive demand. Finally, the FERC largely denied rehearing of its March 26 order with the exception of issues related to behind the meter resources and certain ministerial matters. On November 19, 2008, MISO made various compliance filings pursuant to these orders. Issuance of orders on these compliance filings is not expected to delay the June 1, 2009, start date for MISO Resource Adequacy.

FES Sales to Affiliates

On October 24, 2008, FES, on its own behalf and on behalf of its generation-controlling subsidiaries, filed an application with the FERC seeking a waiver of the affiliate sales restrictions between FES and the Ohio Companies. The purpose of the waiver is to ensure that FES will be able to continue supplying a material portion of the electric load requirements of the Ohio Companies in January 2009 pursuant to either an ESP or MRO as filed with the PUCO. FES previously obtained a similar waiver for electricity sales to its affiliates in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. On December 23, 2008, the FERC issued an order granting the waiver request and the Ohio Companies made the required compliance filing on December 30, 2008.

On October 31, 2008, FES executed a Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement with Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly effective November 1, 2008. The Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement limits the amount of capacity and energy required to be supplied by FES in 2009 and 2010 to roughly two-thirds of these affiliates’ power supply requirements. Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly have committed resources in place for the balance of their expected power supply during 2009 and 2010. Under the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly are responsible for obtaining additional power supply requirements created by the default or failure of supply of their committed resources. Prices for the power provided by FES were not changed in the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement.

10.
CAPITALIZATION

(A)
RETAINED EARNINGS (ACCUMULATED DEFICIT)

There are no restrictions on retained earnings for payment of cash dividends on OE’s, CEI’s, TE’s, JCP&L’s and FES’ common stock. In general, Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s respective first mortgage indentures restrict the payment of dividends or distributions on or with respect to each of the company’s common stock to amounts credited to earned surplus since the date of its indenture. As of December 31, 2008, Penelec had retained earnings available to pay common stock dividends of $66 million, net of amounts restricted under its first mortgage indenture. Met-Ed had an accumulated deficit of $51 million as of December 31, 2008, and is therefore currently precluded from making cash dividend distributions to FirstEnergy.

(B)
PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCK

The Utilities’ preferred stock and preference stock authorizations are as follows:

   
Preferred Stock
   
Preference Stock
 
   
Shares
   
Par
   
Shares
   
Par
 
   
Authorized
   
Value
   
Authorized
   
Value
 
OE
    6,000,000    
$100
      8,000,000    
no par
 
OE
    8,000,000    
$25
               
Penn
    1,200,000    
$100
               
CEI
    4,000,000    
no par
      3,000,000    
no par
 
TE
    3,000,000    
$100
      5,000,000    
$25
 
TE
    12,000,000    
$25
               
JCP&L
    15,600,000    
no par
               
Met-Ed
    10,000,000    
no par
               
Penelec
    11,435,000    
no par
               

 
122

 
 
No preferred shares or preference shares are currently outstanding. The following table details the change in preferred shares outstanding for OE, TE and JCP&L during 2006. No shares were issued in 2007 or 2008.

   
Not Subject to
 
   
Mandatory Redemption
 
         
Par or
 
   
Number
   
Stated
 
   
of Shares
   
Value
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
OE
           
Balance, January 1, 2006
    750,699     $ 75,070  
Redemptions-
               
3.90% Series
    (152,510 )     (15,251 )
4.40% Series
    (176,280 )     (17,628 )
4.44% Series
    (136,560 )     (13,656 )
4.56% Series
    (144,300 )     (14,430 )
4.24% Series
    (40,000 )     (4,000 )
4.25% Series
    (41,049 )     (4,105 )
4.64% Series
    (60,000 )     (6,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2006
    -     $ -  
TE
               
Balance, January 1, 2006
    2,910,000     $ 96,000  
Redemptions-
               
$4.25 Series
    (160,000 )     (16,000 )
$4.56 Series
    (50,000 )     (5,000 )
$4.25 Series
    (100,000 )     (10,000 )
$2.365 Series
    (1,400,000 )     (35,000 )
Adjustable Series B
    (1,200,000 )     (30,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2006
    -     $ -  
JCP&L
               
Balance, January 1, 2006
    125,000     $ 12,649  
Redemptions-
               
4.00% Series
    (125,000 )     (12,649 )
Balance, December 31, 2006
    -     $ -  


(C)
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Securitized Transition Bonds

JCP&L’s consolidated financial statements include the results of JCP&L Transition Funding and JCP&L Transition Funding II, wholly owned limited liability companies of JCP&L. In June 2002, JCP&L Transition Funding sold $320 million of transition bonds to securitize the recovery of JCP&L's bondable stranded costs associated with the previously divested Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. In August 2006, JCP&L Transition Funding II sold $182 million of transition bonds to securitize the recovery of deferred costs associated with JCP&L’s supply of BGS.

JCP&L did not purchase and does not own any of the transition bonds, which are included as long-term debt JCP&L's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2008, $369 million of the transition bonds were outstanding. The transition bonds are the sole obligations of JCP&L Transition Funding and JCP&L Transition Funding II and are collateralized by each company’s equity and assets, which consist primarily of bondable transition property.

Bondable transition property represents the irrevocable right under New Jersey law of a utility company to charge, collect and receive from its customers, through a non-bypassable TBC, the principal amount and interest on transition bonds and other fees and expenses associated with their issuance. JCP&L sold its bondable transition property to JCP&L Transition Funding and JCP&L Transition Funding II and, as servicer, manages and administers the bondable transition property, including the billing, collection and remittance of the TBC, pursuant to separate servicing agreements with JCP&L Transition Funding and JCP&L Transition Funding II. For the two series of transition bonds, JCP&L is entitled to aggregate annual servicing fees of up to $628,000 that are payable from TBC collections.

Other Long-term Debt

FGCO and each of the Utilities, except for JCP&L,  have a first mortgage indenture under which they can issue FMBs secured by a direct first mortgage lien on substantially all of their property and franchises, other than specifically excepted property.

 
123

 

FES and the Utilities have various debt covenants under their respective financing arrangements. The most restrictive of the debt covenants relate to the nonpayment of interest and/or principal on debt and the maintenance of certain financial ratios. There also exist cross-default provisions in a number of the respective financing arrangements of FirstEnergy, FES, FGCO, NGC and the Utilities. These provisions generally trigger a default in the applicable financing arrangement of an entity if it or any of its significant subsidiaries defaults under another financing arrangement of a certain principal amount, typically $50 million. Although such defaults by any of the Utilities will generally cross-default FirstEnergy financing arrangements containing these provisions, defaults by FirstEnergy will not generally cross-default applicable financing arrangements of any of the Utilities. Defaults by any of FES, FGCO or NGC will generally cross-default to applicable financing arrangements of FirstEnergy and, due to the existence of guarantees by FirstEnergy of certain financing arrangements of FES, FGCO and NGC, defaults by FirstEnergy will generally cross-default FES, FGCO and NGC financing arrangements containing these provisions. Cross-default provisions are not typically found in any of the senior note or FMBs of FirstEnergy or the Utilities.

Based on the amount of FMBs authenticated by the respective mortgage bond trustees through December 31, 2008, the Utilities’ annual sinking fund requirement for all FMBs issued under the various mortgage indentures amounted to $5 million for Penn, $8 million for Met-Ed and $21 million for Penelec. Penn expects to deposit funds with its mortgage bond trustee in 2009 that will then be withdrawn upon the surrender for cancellation of a like principal amount of FMBs, specifically authenticated for such purposes against unfunded property additions or against previously retired FMBs. This method can result in minor increases in the amount of the annual sinking fund requirement. Met-Ed and Penelec could fulfill their sinking fund obligations by providing bondable property additions, previously retired FMBs or cash to the respective mortgage bond trustees.

As of December 31, 2008, currently payable long-term debt includes variable interest rate PCRBs of $2.0 billion for FES, $100 million for OE, $29 million for Met-Ed and $45 million for Penelec, the bondholders of which are entitled to the benefit of irrevocable direct pay bank LOCs. The interest rates on the PCRBs are reset daily or weekly. Bondholders can tender their PCRBs for mandatory purchase prior to maturity with the purchase price payable from remarketing proceeds, or if the PCRBs are not successfully remarketed, by drawings on the irrevocable direct pay LOCs. The subsidiary obligor is required to reimburse the applicable LOC bank for any such drawings or, if the LOC bank fails to honor its LOC for any reason, must itself pay the purchase price.

Prior to the third quarter of 2008, FES and the Utilities had not experienced any unsuccessful remarketings of these variable-rate PCRBs. Coincident with recent disruptions in the variable-rate demand bond and capital markets generally, certain of the PCRBs had been tendered by bondholders to the trustee. As of January 31, 2009, all PCRBs that had been tendered were successfully remarketed.

In February 2009, holders of approximately $434 million in principal of LOC-supported PCRBs of NGC were notified that the applicable Wachovia Bank LOCs expire on March 18, 2009. As a result, these PCRBs are subject to mandatory purchase at a price equal to the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, which FES and NGC expect to fund through short-term borrowings. Subject to market conditions, FES and NGC expect to remarket or refinance these PCRBs during the remainder of 2009.

The sinking fund requirements for FES and the Utilities for FMBs and maturing long-term debt (excluding capital leases) for the next five years are:

Year
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2009
  $ 2,020     $ 101     $ 150     $ 29     $ 29     $ 145  
2010
    68       65       18       31       100       59  
2011
    83       1       20       32       -       -  
2012
    124       1       22       34       -       -  
2013
    75       2       324       36       150       -  

Included in the table above are amounts for the variable interest rate PCRBs described above. The following table classifies the outstanding PCRBs by year, representing the next time the debt holders may exercise their right to tender their PCRBs.

Year
 
FES
   
OE
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
2009
  $ 1,979     $ 100     $ 29     $ 45  
2010
    15       -       -       -  
2011
    25       -       -       -  
2012
    56       -       -       -  

 
124

 
 
Obligations to repay certain PCRBs are secured by several series of FMBs. Certain PCRBs are entitled to the benefit of irrevocable bank LOCs of $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2008, or noncancelable municipal bond insurance of $39 million as of December 31, 2008, to pay principal of, or interest on, the applicable PCRBs. To the extent that drawings are made under the LOCs or the policies, FGCO, NGC and the Utilities are entitled to a credit against their obligation to repay those bonds. FGCO, NGC and the Utilities pay annual fees of 0.35% to 1.70% of the amounts of the LOCs to the issuing banks and are obligated to reimburse the banks or insurers, as the case may be, for any drawings thereunder. The insurers hold FMBs as security for such reimbursement obligations. These amounts and percentages for FES and the Utilities are as follows:

   
FES
   
OE
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
In millions
 
Amounts
                       
LOCs
  $ 1,916 *   $ 101     $ 29     $ 45  
Insurance Policies
    -       1       14       24  
                                 
Fees
                               
LOCs
 
0.35% to 0.90
%     1.70 %     0.85 %     0.85 %
                                 
* Includes LOC of $490 million issued for FirstEnergy on behalf of NGC
 

OE has LOCs of $291 million and $134 million in connection with the sale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2 and Perry Unit 1, respectively. OE entered into a Credit Agreement pursuant to which a standby LOC was issued in support of approximately $236 million of the Beaver Valley Unit 2 LOCs and the issuer of the standby LOC obtained the right to pledge or assign participations in OE's reimbursement obligations under the credit agreement to a trust. The trust then issued and sold trust certificates to institutional investors that were designed to be the credit equivalent of an investment directly in OE.

11. 
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

FES and the Utilities have recognized applicable legal obligations under SFAS 143 for nuclear power plant decommissioning, reclamation of a sludge disposal pond and closure of two coal ash disposal sites. In addition, FES and the Utilities have recognized conditional retirement obligations (primarily for asbestos remediation) in accordance with FIN 47.

The ARO liabilities for FES, OE and TE primarily relate to the decommissioning of the Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse and Perry nuclear generating facilities (OE for its leasehold interest in Beaver Valley Unit 2 and Perry and TE for its leasehold interest in Beaver Valley Unit 2). The ARO liabilities for JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec primarily relate to the decommissioning of the TMI-2 nuclear generating facility. FES and the Utilities use an expected cash flow approach to measure the fair value of their nuclear decommissioning AROs.

FES and the Utilities maintain nuclear decommissioning trust funds that are legally restricted for purposes of settling the nuclear decommissioning ARO. The fair values of the decommissioning trust assets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In millions)
 
FES
  $ 1,034     $ 1,333  
OE
    117       127  
TE
    74       67  
JCP&L
    143       176  
Met-Ed
    226       287  
Penelec
    115       138  

FIN 47 provides accounting standards for conditional retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets, requiring recognition of the fair value of a liability for an ARO in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate can be identified. FIN 47 states that an obligation exists even though there may be uncertainty about timing or method of settlement and further clarifies SFAS 143, stating that the uncertainty surrounding the timing and method of settlement when settlement is conditional on a future event occurring should be reflected in the measurement of the liability, not in the recognition of the liability. Accounting for conditional ARO under FIN 47 is the same as described above for SFAS 143.

 
125

 

The following table describes the changes to the ARO balances during 2008 and 2007.

ARO Reconciliation
 
FES
   
OE
   
CEI
   
TE
   
JCP&L
   
Met-Ed
   
Penelec
 
   
(In millions)
 
Balance as of January 1, 2007
  $ 760     $ 88     $ 2     $ 27     $ 84     $ 151     $ 77  
Liabilities settled
    (1 )     -       -       -       -       -       -  
Accretion
    51       6       -       1       6       10       5  
Balance as of December 31, 2007
    810       94       2       28       90       161       82  
                                                         
Liabilities settled
    (2 )     -       -       -       -       -       -  
Accretion
    55       5       -       2       5       10       5  
Revisions in estimated
                                                       
cash flows
    -       (18 (1)     -       -       -       -       -  
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ 863     $ 81     $ 2     $ 30     $ 95     $ 171     $ 87  
                                                         
(1)   OE revised the estimated cash flows associated with the retired Gorge and Toronto plants based on an agreement to remediate asbestos at the sites within one year.
 
 
 
12.
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND BANK LINES OF CREDIT

FirstEnergy, FES and the Utilities are parties to a $2.75 billion five-year revolving credit facility. FirstEnergy has the ability to request an increase in the total commitments available under this facility up to a maximum of $3.25 billion, subject to the discretion of each lender to provide additional commitments. Commitments under the facility are available until August 24, 2012, unless the lenders agree, at the request of the borrowers, to an unlimited number of additional one-year extensions. Generally, borrowings under the facility must be repaid within 364 days. Available amounts for each borrower are subject to a specified sub-limit, as well as applicable regulatory and other limitations.  The annual facility fee is 0.125%

The following table summarizes the borrowing sub-limits for each borrower under the facility, as well as the limitations on short-term indebtedness applicable to each borrower under current regulatory approvals and applicable statutory and/or charter limitations as of December 31, 2008:

   
Revolving
 
Regulatory and
 
   
Credit Facility
 
Other Short-Term
 
Borrower
 
Sub-Limit
 
Debt Limitations
 
   
(In millions)
 
FES
    $ 1,000     $ - (1)
OE
      500       500  
Penn
      50       39 (2)
CEI
      250 (3)     500  
TE
      250 (3)     500  
JCP&L
      425       428 (2)
Met-Ed
      250       300 (2)
Penelec
      250       300 (2)
 
(1) 
No regulatory approvals, statutory or charter limitations applicable.
(2)
Excluding amounts which may be borrowed under the regulated companies’ money pool.
(3)
Borrowing sub-limits for CEI and TE may be increased to up to $500 million by delivering notice to the administrative agent that such borrower has senior unsecured debt ratings of at least BBB by S&P and Baa2 by Moody’s.

The regulated companies also have the ability to borrow from each other and FirstEnergy to meet their short-term working capital requirements. A similar but separate arrangement exists among the unregulated companies. FESC administers these two money pools and tracks FirstEnergy’s surplus funds and those of the respective regulated and unregulated subsidiaries, as well as proceeds available from bank borrowings. Companies receiving a loan under the money pool agreements must repay the principal amount of the loan, together with accrued interest, within 364 days of borrowing the funds. The rate of interest is the same for each company receiving a loan from their respective pool and is based on the average cost of funds available through the pool. The average interest rate for borrowings in 2008 was 2.93% for the regulated companies’ money pool and 2.87% for the unregulated companies’ money pool.

 
126

 

The Utilities, with the exception of TE and JCP&L, each have a wholly owned subsidiary whose borrowings are secured by customer accounts receivable purchased from its respective parent company. The CEI subsidiary's borrowings are also secured by customer accounts receivable purchased from TE. Each subsidiary company has its own receivables financing arrangement and, as a separate legal entity with separate creditors, would have to satisfy its obligations to creditors before any of its remaining assets could be available to its parent company. The receivables financing borrowing commitment by company are shown in the following table. There were no outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2008.

Subsidiary Company
 
Parent
Company
 
Commitment
   
Annual
Facility Fee
   
Maturity
 
   
(In millions)
       
OES Capital, Incorporated
 
OE
 
$
170
   
0.20
%
 
February 22, 2010
 
Centerior Funding Corporation
 
CEI
 
200
   
0.20
   
February 22, 2010
 
Penn Power Funding LLC
 
Penn
 
25
   
0.60
   
December 18, 2009
 
Met-Ed Funding LLC
 
Met-Ed
 
80
   
0.60
   
December 18, 2009
 
Penelec Funding LLC
 
Penelec
 
75
   
0.60
   
December 18, 2009
 
       
$
550
             

The weighted average interest rates on short-term borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

   
2008
   
2007
 
FES
    1.08 %     5.23 %
OE(1)
    -       4.80 %
CEI
    1.77 %     5.10 %
TE
    1.46 %     5.04 %
JCP&L
    1.46 %     5.04 %
Met-Ed
    0.92 %     5.17 %
Penelec
    0.95 %     5.04 %
 
(1) In 2008, OE’s short-term borrowings consisted of noninterest-bearing notes related to its investment in certain low-income housing limited partnerships.

13.
COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES

(A)
NUCLEAR INSURANCE

The Price-Anderson Act limits the public liability which can be assessed with respect to a nuclear power plant to $12.5 billion (assuming 104 units licensed to operate) for a single nuclear incident, which amount is covered by: (i) private insurance amounting to $300 million; and (ii) $12.2 billion provided by an industry retrospective rating plan required by the NRC pursuant thereto. Under such retrospective rating plan, in the event of a nuclear incident at any unit in the United States resulting in losses in excess of private insurance, up to $118 million (but not more than $18 million per unit per year in the event of more than one incident) must be contributed for each nuclear unit licensed to operate in the country by the licensees thereof to cover liabilities arising out of the incident. Based on their present nuclear ownership and leasehold interests, FirstEnergy’s maximum potential assessment under these provisions would be $470 million (OE-$40 million, NGC-$408 million, and TE-$22 million) per incident but not more than $70 million (OE-$6 million, NGC-$61 million, and TE-$3 million) in any one year for each incident.

In addition to the public liability insurance provided pursuant to the Price-Anderson Act, FirstEnergy has also obtained insurance coverage in limited amounts for economic loss and property damage arising out of nuclear incidents. FirstEnergy is a member of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) which provides coverage (NEIL I) for the extra expense of replacement power incurred due to prolonged accidental outages of nuclear units. Under NEIL I, FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries have policies, renewable yearly, corresponding to their respective nuclear interests, which provide an aggregate indemnity of up to approximately $2.0 billion (OE-$168 million, NGC-$1.7 billion, TE-$89 million) for replacement power costs incurred during an outage after an initial 20-week waiting period. Members of NEIL I pay annual premiums and are subject to assessments if losses exceed the accumulated funds available to the insurer. FirstEnergy’s present maximum aggregate assessment for incidents at any covered nuclear facility occurring during a policy year would be approximately $18 million (OE-$1 million, NGC-$16 million, and TE-$1 million).

FirstEnergy is insured as to its respective nuclear interests under property damage insurance provided by NEIL to the operating company for each plant. Under these arrangements, up to $2.8 billion of coverage for decontamination costs, decommissioning costs, debris removal and repair and/or replacement of property is provided. FirstEnergy pays annual premiums for this coverage and is liable for retrospective assessments of up to approximately $61 million (OE-$6 million, NGC-$52 million, TE-$2 million, Met Ed, Penelec and JCP&L-$1 million in total) during a policy year.

 
127

 
 
FirstEnergy intends to maintain insurance against nuclear risks as described above as long as it is available. To the extent that replacement power, property damage, decontamination, decommissioning, repair and replacement costs and other such costs arising from a nuclear incident at any of FirstEnergy’s plants exceed the policy limits of the insurance in effect with respect to that plant, to the extent a nuclear incident is determined not to be covered by FirstEnergy’s insurance policies, or to the extent such insurance becomes unavailable in the future, FirstEnergy would remain at risk for such costs.

(B)
GUARANTEES AND OTHER ASSURANCES

FES’ contracts, including power contracts with affiliates awarded through competitive bidding processes, typically contain margining provisions which require the posting of cash or LOCs in amounts determined by future power price movements. Based on FES’ book of business as of December 31, 2008, and forward prices as of that date, FES had $103 million outstanding in margining accounts. Under a hypothetical adverse change in forward prices (15% decrease in prices), FES would be required to post an additional $98 million. Depending on the volume of forward contracts entered and future price movements, FES could be required to post significantly higher amounts for margining.

In July 2007, FGCO completed a sale and leaseback transaction for its 93.825% undivided interest in Bruce Mansfield Unit 1. FES has unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed all of FGCO’s obligations under each of the leases (see Notes 6 and 14). The related lessor notes and pass through certificates are not guaranteed by FES or FGCO, but the notes are secured by, among other things, each lessor trust’s undivided interest in Unit 1, rights and interests under the applicable lease and rights and interests under other related agreements, including FES’ lease guaranty.

On October 8, 2008, to enhance their liquidity position in the face of the turbulent credit and bond markets, FirstEnergy, FES and FGCO entered into a $300 million secured term loan facility with Credit Suisse. Under the facility, FGCO is the borrower and FES and FirstEnergy are guarantors. Generally, the facility is available to FGCO until October 7, 2009, with a minimum borrowing amount of $100 million and maturity 30 days from the date of the borrowing. This facility is currently unused.

Also in October 2008, FirstEnergy negotiated with the banks that have issued irrevocable direct pay LOCs in support of its outstanding variable interest rate PCRBs to extend the respective reimbursement obligations of the applicable FirstEnergy subsidiary obligors in the event that such LOCs are drawn upon. FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries currently have approximately $2.1 billion variable interest rate PCRBs outstanding (FES - $1.9 billion, OE - $100 million, Met-Ed - $29 million and Penelec - $45 million). The LOCs supporting these PCRBs may be drawn upon to pay the purchase price to bondholders that have exercised the right to tender their PCRBs for mandatory purchase. A total of approximately $972 million of LOCs that previously required reimbursement within 30 days or less of a draw under the applicable LOC have now been modified to extend the reimbursement obligations to six months or June 2009, as applicable.

(C)
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FES and the Utilities with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. The effects of compliance on FES and the Utilities with regard to environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on their earnings and competitive position to the extent that they compete with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations.

FES and the Utilities accrue environmental liabilities only when they conclude that it is probable that they have an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. Unasserted claims are reflected in FES’ and the Utilities’ determination of environmental liabilities and are accrued in the period that they become both probable and reasonably estimable.

Clean Air Act Compliance

FES is required to meet federally-approved SO2 emissions regulations. Violations of such regulations can result in the shutdown of the generating unit involved and/or civil or criminal penalties of up to $37,500 for each day the unit is in violation. The EPA has an interim enforcement policy for SO2 regulations in Ohio that allows for compliance based on a 30-day averaging period. FES believes it is currently in compliance with this policy, but cannot predict what action the EPA may take in the future with respect to the interim enforcement policy.

The EPA Region 5 issued a Finding of Violation and NOV to the Bay Shore Power Plant dated June 15, 2006, alleging violations to various sections of the CAA. FES has disputed those alleged violations based on its CAA permit, the Ohio SIP and other information provided to the EPA at an August 2006 meeting with the EPA. The EPA has several enforcement options (administrative compliance order, administrative penalty order, and/or judicial, civil or criminal action) and has indicated that such option may depend on the time needed to achieve and demonstrate compliance with the rules alleged to have been violated. On June 5, 2007, the EPA requested another meeting to discuss “an appropriate compliance program” and a disagreement regarding emission limits applicable to the common stack for Bay Shore Units 2, 3 and 4.

 
128

 
 
FES complies with SO2 reduction requirements under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 by burning lower-sulfur fuel, generating more electricity from lower-emitting plants, and/or using emission allowances. NOX reductions required by the 1990 Amendments are being achieved through combustion controls and the generation of more electricity at lower-emitting plants. In September 1998, the EPA finalized regulations requiring additional NOX reductions at FES' facilities. The EPA's NOX Transport Rule imposes uniform reductions of NOX emissions (an approximate 85% reduction in utility plant NOX emissions from projected 2007 emissions) across a region of nineteen states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on a conclusion that such NOX emissions are contributing significantly to ozone levels in the eastern United States. FES believes its facilities are also complying with the NOX budgets established under SIPs through combustion controls and post-combustion controls, including Selective Catalytic Reduction and SNCR systems, and/or using emission allowances.

In 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued an NOV and the DOJ filed a civil complaint against OE and Penn based on operation and maintenance of the W. H. Sammis Plant (Sammis NSR Litigation) and filed similar complaints involving 44 other U.S. power plants. This case and seven other similar cases are referred to as the NSR cases. OE’s and Penn’s settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and three states (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) that resolved all issues related to the Sammis NSR litigation was approved by the Court on July 11, 2005. This settlement agreement, in the form of a consent decree, requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions at the Sammis, Burger, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants through the installation of pollution control devices and provides for stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement. Capital expenditures necessary to complete requirements of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree are currently estimated to be $506 million for 2009-2010 (with $414 million expected to be spent in 2009). This amount excludes the potential AQC expenditures related to Burger Units 4 and 5 described below. On September 8, 2008, the Environmental Enforcement Section of the DOJ sent a letter to OE regarding its view that the company was not in compliance with the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because the installation of an SNCR at Eastlake Unit 5 was not completed by December 31, 2006. However, the DOJ acknowledged that stipulated penalties could not apply under the terms of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because Eastlake Unit 5 was idled on December 31, 2006 pending installation of the SNCR and advised that it had exercised its discretion not to seek any other penalties for this alleged non-compliance. OE disputed the DOJ's interpretation of the consent decree in a letter dated September 22, 2008. Although the Eastlake Unit 5 issue is no longer active, OE filed a dispute resolution petition on October 23, 2008, with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, due to potential impacts on its compliance decisions with respect to Burger Units 4 and 5. On December 23, 2008, OE withdrew its dispute resolution petition and subsequently filed a motion to extend the date (from December 31, 2008 to April 15, 2009), under the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree, to elect for Burger Units 4 and 5 to permanently shut down those units by December 31, 2010, or to repower them or to install flue gas desulfurization (FGD) by later dates. On January 30, 2009, the Court issued an order extending the election date from December 31, 2008 to March 31, 2009.

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled that changes in annual emissions (in tons/year) rather than changes in hourly emissions rate (in kilograms/hour) must be used to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. Subsequently, on May 8, 2007, the EPA proposed to revise the NSR regulations to utilize changes in the hourly emission rate (in kilograms/hour) to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR.  On December 10, 2008, the EPA announced it would not finalize this proposed changes to the NSR.

On May 22, 2007, FirstEnergy and FGCO received a notice letter, required 60 days prior to the filing of a citizen suit under the federal CAA, alleging violations of air pollution laws at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, including opacity limitations. Prior to the receipt of this notice, the Plant was subject to a Consent Order and Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection concerning opacity emissions under which efforts to achieve compliance with the applicable laws will continue. On October 18, 2007, PennFuture filed a complaint, joined by three of its members, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. On January 11, 2008, FirstEnergy filed a motion to dismiss claims alleging a public nuisance. On April 24, 2008, the Court denied the motion to dismiss, but also ruled that monetary damages could not be recovered under the public nuisance claim. In July 2008, three additional complaints were filed against FGCO in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on Bruce Mansfield Plant air emissions. In addition to seeking damages, two of the complaints seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner”, one being a complaint filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other being a class action complaint, seeking certification as a class action with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. On October 14, 2008, the Court granted FGCO’s motion to consolidate discovery for all four complaints pending against the Bruce Mansfield Plant. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints.

 
129

 
 
On December 18, 2007, the state of New Jersey filed a CAA citizen suit alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station against Reliant (the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from Met-Ed in 1999), GPU, Inc. and Met-Ed. Specifically, New Jersey alleges that "modifications" at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 1995 without preconstruction NSR or permitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program, and seeks injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. On March 14, 2008, Met-Ed filed a motion to dismiss the citizen suit claims against it and a stipulation in which the parties agreed that GPU, Inc. should be dismissed from this case. On March 26, 2008, GPU, Inc. was dismissed by the United States District Court. The scope of Met-Ed’s indemnity obligation to and from Sithe Energy is disputed. On October 30, 2008, the state of Connecticut filed a Motion to Intervene, but the Court has yet to rule on Connecticut’s Motion. On December 5, 2008, New Jersey filed an amended complaint, adding claims with respect to alleged modifications that occurred after GPU’s sale of the plant. On January 14, 2009, the EPA issued a NOV to Reliant alleging new source review violations at the Portland Generation Station based on “modifications” dating back to 1986.  Met-Ed is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.  The EPA’s January 14, 2009, NOV also alleged new source review violations at the Keystone and Shawville Stations based on “modifications” dating back to 1984. JCP&L, as the former owner of 16.67% of Keystone Station and Penelec, as former owner and operator of the Shawville Station, are unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On June 11, 2008, the EPA issued a Notice and Finding of Violation to MEW alleging that "modifications" at the Homer City Power Station occurred since 1988 to the present without preconstruction NSR or permitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program. MEW is seeking indemnification from Penelec, the co-owner (along with New York State Electric and Gas Company) and operator of the Homer City Power Station prior to its sale in 1999. The scope of Penelec’s indemnity obligation to and from MEW is disputed. Penelec is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On May 16, 2008, FGCO received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants to allow the EPA to determine whether these generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of the CAA. On July 10, 2008, FGCO and the EPA entered into an ACO modifying that request and setting forth a schedule for FGCO’s response. On October 27, 2008, FGCO received a second request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for additional operating and maintenance information regarding the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants. FGCO intends to fully comply with the EPA’s information requests, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On August 18, 2008, FirstEnergy received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Avon Lake and Niles generating plants, as well as a copy of a nearly identical request directed to the current owner, Reliant Energy, to allow the EPA to determine whether these generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of the CAA. FirstEnergy intends to fully comply with the EPA’s information request, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAIR covering a total of 28 states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on proposed findings that air emissions from 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia significantly contribute to non-attainment of the NAAQS for fine particles and/or the "8-hour" ozone NAAQS in other states. CAIR requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions in two phases (Phase I in 2009 for NOX, 2010 for SO2 and Phase II in 2015 for both NOX and SO2), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to just 2.5 million tons annually and NOX emissions to just 1.3 million tons annually. CAIR was challenged in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and on July 11, 2008, the Court vacated CAIR “in its entirety” and directed the EPA to “redo its analysis from the ground up.” On September 24, 2008, the EPA, utility, mining and certain environmental advocacy organizations petitioned the Court for a rehearing to reconsider its ruling vacating CAIR.  On December 23, 2008, the Court reconsidered its prior ruling and allowed CAIR to remain in effect to “temporarily preserve its environmental values” until the EPA replaces CAIR with a new rule consistent with the Court’s July 11, 2008 opinion. The future cost of compliance with these regulations may be substantial and will depend, in part, on the action taken by the EPA in response to the Court’s ruling.

 
130

 

Mercury Emissions

In December 2000, the EPA announced it would proceed with the development of regulations regarding hazardous air pollutants from electric power plants, identifying mercury as the hazardous air pollutant of greatest concern. In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAMR, which provides a cap-and-trade program to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants in two phases; initially, capping national mercury emissions at 38 tons by 2010 (as a "co-benefit" from implementation of SO2 and NOX emission caps under the EPA's CAIR program) and 15 tons per year by 2018. Several states and environmental groups appealed the CAMR to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. On February 8, 2008, the Court vacated the CAMR, ruling that the EPA failed to take the necessary steps to “de-list” coal-fired power plants from its hazardous air pollutant program and, therefore, could not promulgate a cap-and-trade program. The EPA petitioned for rehearing by the entire Court, which denied the petition on May 20, 2008. On October 17, 2008, the EPA (and an industry group) petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review of the Court’s ruling vacating CAMR. On February 6, 2009, the United States moved to dismiss its petition for certiorari. On February 23, 2009, the Supreme Court dismissed the United States’ petition and denied the industry group’s petition. Accordingly, the EPA could take regulatory action to promulgate new mercury emission standards for coal-fired power plants. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with mercury regulations may be substantial and will depend on the action taken by the EPA and on how they are ultimately implemented.

Pennsylvania has submitted a new mercury rule for EPA approval that does not provide a cap-and-trade approach as in the CAMR, but rather follows a command-and-control approach imposing emission limits on individual sources. On January 30, 2009, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania declared Pennsylvania’s mercury rule “unlawful, invalid and unenforceable” and enjoined the Commonwealth from continued implementation or enforcement of that rule.  It is anticipated that compliance with these regulations, if the Commonwealth Court’s rulings were reversed on appeal and Pennsylvania’s mercury rule was implemented, would not require the addition of mercury controls at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, FES’ only Pennsylvania coal-fired power plant, until 2015, if at all.

Climate Change

In December 1997, delegates to the United Nations' climate summit in Japan adopted an agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG, including CO2, emitted by developed countries by 2012. The United States signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 but it was never submitted for ratification by the United States Senate. However, the Bush administration had committed the United States to a voluntary climate change strategy to reduce domestic GHG intensity – the ratio of emissions to economic output – by 18% through 2012. Also, in an April 16, 2008 speech, former President Bush set a policy goal of stopping the growth of GHG emissions by 2025, as the next step beyond the 2012 strategy. In addition, the EPACT established a Committee on Climate Change Technology to coordinate federal climate change activities and promote the development and deployment of GHG reducing technologies. President Obama has announced his Administration’s “New Energy for America Plan” that includes, among other provisions, ensuring that 10% of electricity in the United States comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25% by 2025; and implementing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2050.

There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level. At the international level, efforts to reach a new global agreement to reduce GHG emissions post-2012 have begun with the Bali Roadmap, which outlines a two-year process designed to lead to an agreement in 2009. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has passed one such bill. State activities, primarily the northeastern states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and western states led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court found that the EPA has the authority to regulate CO2 emissions from automobiles as “air pollutants” under the CAA. Although this decision did not address CO2 emissions from electric generating plants, the EPA has similar authority under the CAA to regulate “air pollutants” from those and other facilities. On July 11, 2008, the EPA released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, soliciting input from the public on the effects of climate change and the potential ramifications of regulation of CO2 under the CAA.

FES cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions could require significant capital and other expenditures. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FES is lower than many regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.

Clean Water Act

Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal Clean Water Act and its amendments, apply to FES' plants. In addition, Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have water quality standards applicable to FES' operations. As provided in the Clean Water Act, authority to grant federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System water discharge permits can be assumed by a state. Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have assumed such authority.

 
131

 
 
On September 7, 2004, the EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing large electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility's cooling water system). On January 26, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit remanded portions of the rulemaking dealing with impingement mortality and entrainment back to the EPA for further rulemaking and eliminated the restoration option from the EPA’s regulations. On July 9, 2007, the EPA suspended this rule, noting that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. On April 14, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States granted a petition for a writ of certiorari to review one significant aspect of the Second Circuit Court’s opinion which is whether Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures.  Oral argument before the Supreme Court occurred on December 2, 2008 and a decision is anticipated during the first half of 2009. FES is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness. Depending on the results of such studies, the outcome of the Supreme Court’s review of the Second Circuit’s decision, the EPA’s further rulemaking and any action taken by the states exercising best professional judgment, the future costs of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.
 
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Cleveland, Ohio has advised FGCO that it is considering prosecution under the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for three petroleum spills at the Edgewater, Lakeshore and Bay Shore plants which occurred on November 1, 2005, January 26, 2007 and February 27, 2007.  FGCO is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

Regulation of Hazardous Waste

As a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated. Certain fossil-fuel combustion waste products, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA's evaluation of the need for future regulation. The EPA subsequently determined that regulation of coal ash as a hazardous waste is unnecessary. In April 2000, the EPA announced that it will develop national standards regulating disposal of coal ash under its authority to regulate non-hazardous waste.

Under NRC regulations, FirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities. As of December 31, 2008, FirstEnergy had approximately $1.7 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. As part of the application to the NRC to transfer the ownership of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley and Perry to NGC in 2005, FirstEnergy agreed to contribute another $80 million to these trusts by 2010. Consistent with NRC guidance, utilizing a “real” rate of return on these funds of approximately 2% over inflation, these trusts are expected to exceed the minimum decommissioning funding requirements set by the NRC. Conservatively, these estimates do not include any rate of return that the trusts may earn over the 20-year plant useful life extensions that FirstEnergy (and Exelon for TMI-1 as it relates to the timing of the decommissioning of TMI-2) seeks for these facilities.

The Utilities have been named as PRPs at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all PRPs for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Therefore, environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, the Utilities' proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $90 million (JCP&L - $64 million, CEI - $1 million, TE - $1 million and FirstEnergy Corp. - $24 million) have been accrued through December 31, 2008. Included in the total are accrued liabilities of approximately $56 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants in New Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC.

(D)
OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Power Outages and Related Litigation

In July 1999, the Mid-Atlantic States experienced a severe heat wave, which resulted in power outages throughout the service territories of many electric utilities, including JCP&L's territory. In an investigation into the causes of the outages and the reliability of the transmission and distribution systems of all four of New Jersey’s electric utilities, the NJBPU concluded that there was not a prima facie case demonstrating that, overall, JCP&L provided unsafe, inadequate or improper service to its customers. Two class action lawsuits (subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding) were filed in New Jersey Superior Court in July 1999 against JCP&L, GPU and other GPU companies, seeking compensatory and punitive damages arising from the July 1999 service interruptions in the JCP&L territory.

 
132

 
 
In August 2002, the trial Court granted partial summary judgment to JCP&L and dismissed the plaintiffs' claims for consumer fraud, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and strict product liability. In November 2003, the trial Court granted JCP&L's motion to decertify the class and denied plaintiffs' motion to permit into evidence their class-wide damage model indicating damages in excess of $50 million. These class decertification and damage rulings were appealed to the Appellate Division. The Appellate Division issued a decision in July 2004, affirming the decertification of the originally certified class, but remanding for certification of a class limited to those customers directly impacted by the outages of JCP&L transformers in Red Bank, NJ, based on a common incident involving the failure of the bushings of two large transformers in the Red Bank substation resulting in planned and unplanned outages in the area during a 2-3 day period. In 2005, JCP&L renewed its motion to decertify the class based on a very limited number of class members who incurred damages and also filed a motion for summary judgment on the remaining plaintiffs’ claims for negligence, breach of contract and punitive damages. In July 2006, the New Jersey Superior Court dismissed the punitive damage claim and again decertified the class based on the fact that a vast majority of the class members did not suffer damages and those that did would be more appropriately addressed in individual actions. Plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the New Jersey Appellate Division which, in March 2007, reversed the decertification of the Red Bank class and remanded this matter back to the Trial Court to allow plaintiffs sufficient time to establish a damage model or individual proof of damages. JCP&L filed a petition for allowance of an appeal of the Appellate Division ruling to the New Jersey Supreme Court which was denied in May 2007. Proceedings are continuing in the Superior Court and a case management conference with the presiding Judge was held on June 13, 2008. At that conference, the plaintiffs stated their intent to drop their efforts to create a class-wide damage model and, instead of dismissing the class action, expressed their desire for a bifurcated trial on liability and damages. The judge directed the plaintiffs to indicate, on or before August 22, 2008, how they intend to proceed under this scenario. Thereafter, the judge expects to hold another pretrial conference to address plaintiffs' proposed procedure. JCP&L has received the plaintiffs’ proposed plan of action, and intends to file its objection to the proposed plan, and also file a renewed motion to decertify the class. JCP&L is defending this action but is unable to predict the outcome. No liability has been accrued as of December 31, 2008.

On December 9, 2008, a transformer at JCP&L’s Oceanview substation failed, resulting in an outage on certain bulk electric system (transmission voltage) lines out of the Oceanview and Atlantic substations, with customers in the affected area losing power. Power was restored to most customers within a few hours, and to all customers within eleven hours. On December 16, 2008, JCP&L provided preliminary information about the event to certain regulatory agencies, including the NERC. In a letter dated January 30, 2009, the NERC submitted a written “Notice of Request for Information” (NOI) to JCP&L. The NOI asked for additional factual details about the December 9 event, which JCP&L provided in its response. JCP&L is not able to predict what actions, if any, the NERC may take in response to JCP&L's NOI submittal.

Nuclear Plant Matters

On May 14, 2007, the Office of Enforcement of the NRC issued a DFI to FENOC, following FENOC’s reply to an April 2, 2007 NRC request for information about two reports prepared by expert witnesses for an insurance arbitration (the insurance claim was subsequently withdrawn by FirstEnergy in December 2007) related to Davis-Besse. The NRC indicated that this information was needed for the NRC “to determine whether an Order or other action should be taken pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202, to provide reasonable assurance that FENOC will continue to operate its licensed facilities in accordance with the terms of its licenses and the Commission’s regulations.” FENOC was directed to submit the information to the NRC within 30 days. On June 13, 2007, FENOC filed a response to the NRC’s DFI reaffirming that it accepts full responsibility for the mistakes and omissions leading up to the damage to the reactor vessel head and that it remains committed to operating Davis-Besse and FirstEnergy’s other nuclear plants safely and responsibly. FENOC submitted a supplemental response clarifying certain aspects of the DFI response to the NRC on July 16, 2007. On August 15, 2007, the NRC issued a confirmatory order imposing these commitments. FENOC must inform the NRC’s Office of Enforcement after it completes the key commitments embodied in the NRC’s order. FENOC has conducted the employee training required by the confirmatory order and a consultant has performed follow-up reviews to ensure the effectiveness of that training. The NRC continues to monitor FENOC’s compliance with all the commitments made in the confirmatory order.

In August 2007, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC to renew the operating licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station (Units 1 and 2) for an additional 20 years. The NRC is required by statute to provide an opportunity for members of the public to request a hearing on the application. No members of the public, however, requested a hearing on the Beaver Valley license renewal application. On September 24, 2008, the NRC issued a draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Beaver Valley. FENOC will continue to work with the NRC Staff as it completes its environmental and technical reviews of the license renewal application, and expects to obtain renewed licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station in 2009. If renewed licenses are issued by the NRC, the Beaver Valley Power Station’s licenses would be extended until 2036 and 2047 for Units 1 and 2, respectively.

 
133

 
 
Other Legal Matters

There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FES' and the Utilities’ normal business operations pending against them. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described below.

On August 22, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against OE in Jefferson County, Ohio Common Pleas Court, seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial based on claims of negligence and eight other tort counts alleging damages from W.H. Sammis Plant air emissions. The two named plaintiffs also sought injunctive relief to eliminate harmful emissions and repair property damage and the institution of a medical monitoring program for class members. On April 5, 2007, the Court rejected the plaintiffs’ request to certify this case as a class action and, accordingly, did not appoint the plaintiffs as class representatives or their counsel as class counsel. On July 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ counsel voluntarily withdrew their request for reconsideration of the April 5, 2007 Court order denying class certification and the Court heard oral argument on the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint, which OE opposed. On August 2, 2007, the Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint. Plaintiffs appealed the Court’s denial of the motion for certification as a class action which the Ohio Court of Appeals (7th District) denied on December 11, 2008. The period to file a notice of appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court has expired.

JCP&L's bargaining unit employees filed a grievance challenging JCP&L's 2002 call-out procedure that required bargaining unit employees to respond to emergency power outages. On May 20, 2004, an arbitration panel concluded that the call-out procedure violated the parties' collective bargaining agreement. At the conclusion of the June 1, 2005 hearing, the arbitration panel decided not to hear testimony on damages and closed the proceedings. On September 9, 2005, the arbitration panel issued an opinion to award approximately $16 million to the bargaining unit employees. On February 6, 2006, a federal district Court granted a union motion to dismiss, as premature, a JCP&L appeal of the award filed on October 18, 2005. A final order identifying the individual damage amounts was issued on October 31, 2007. The award appeal process was initiated. The union filed a motion with the federal Court to confirm the award and JCP&L filed its answer and counterclaim to vacate the award on December 31, 2007. JCP&L and the union filed briefs in June and July of 2008 and oral arguments were held in the fall. The Court has yet to render its decision. JCP&L recognized a liability for the potential $16 million award in 2005.

The union employees at the Bruce Mansfield Plant have been working without a labor contract since February 15, 2008. The parties are continuing to bargain with the assistance of a federal mediator. FES has a strike mitigation plan ready in the event of a strike.

FES and the Utilities accrue legal liabilities only when they conclude that it is probable that they have an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. If it were ultimately determined that FES and the Utilities have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on the above matters, it could have a material adverse effect on their financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

14.  SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION

As discussed in Note 6, on July 13, 2007, FGCO completed a sale and leaseback transaction for its 93.825% undivided interest in Bruce Mansfield Unit 1. FES has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of FGCO’s obligations under each of the leases.  The related lessor notes and pass through certificates are not guaranteed by FES or FGCO, but the notes are secured by, among other things, each lessor trust’s undivided interest in Unit 1, rights and interests under the applicable lease and rights and interests under other related agreements, including FES’ lease guaranty. This transaction is classified as an operating lease under GAAP for FES and a financing for FGCO.

The consolidating statements of income for the three years ended December 31, 2008, consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2008, for FES (parent and guarantor), FGCO and NGC (non-guarantor) are presented below. Investments in wholly owned subsidiaries are accounted for by FES using the equity method. Results of operations for FGCO and NGC are, therefore, reflected in FES’ investment accounts and earnings as if operating lease treatment was achieved (see Note 6). The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions and the entries required to reflect operating lease treatment associated with the 2007 Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction.

 
134

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
                               
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                               
                               
                               
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
FES
   
FGCO
   
NGC
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
REVENUES
  $ 4,470,112     $ 2,275,451     $ 1,204,534     $ (3,431,744 )   $ 4,518,353  
                                         
EXPENSES:
                                       
Fuel
    16,322       1,171,993       126,978       -       1,315,293  
Purchased power from affiliates
    3,417,126       14,618       101,409       (3,431,744 )     101,409  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    778,882       -       -       -       778,882  
Other operating expenses
    116,972       416,723       502,096       48,757       1,084,548  
Provision for depreciation
    5,986       119,763       111,529       (5,379 )     231,899  
General taxes
    19,260       46,153       22,591       -       88,004  
Total expenses
    4,354,548       1,769,250       864,603       (3,388,366 )     3,600,035  
                                         
OPERATING INCOME
    115,564       506,201       339,931       (43,378 )     918,318  
                                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                                       
Miscellaneous income (expense), including
                                       
net income from equity investees
    449,167       (3,366 )     (35,665 )     (431,116 )     (20,980 )
Interest expense to affiliates
    (314 )     (20,342 )     (9,173 )     -       (29,829 )
Interest expense - other
    (24,674 )     (95,926 )     (56,486 )     65,404       (111,682 )
Capitalized interest
    142       39,934       3,688       -       43,764  
Total other income (expense)
    424,321       (79,700 )     (97,636 )     (365,712 )     (118,727 )
                                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    539,885       426,501       242,295       (409,090 )     799,591  
                                         
INCOME TAXES
    33,475       155,100       90,247       14,359       293,181  
                                         
NET INCOME
  $ 506,410     $ 271,401     $ 152,048     $ (423,449 )   $ 506,410  

 
135

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
                               
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                               
                               
For the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
FES
   
FGCO
   
NGC
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
REVENUES
  $ 4,345,790     $ 1,982,166     $ 1,062,026     $ (3,064,955 )   $ 4,325,027  
                                         
EXPENSES:
                                       
Fuel
    26,169       942,946       117,895       -       1,087,010  
Purchased power from affiliates
    3,038,786       186,415       73,844       (3,064,955 )     234,090  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    764,090       -       -       -       764,090  
Other operating expenses
    161,797       352,856       514,389       11,997       1,041,039  
Provision for depreciation
    2,269       99,741       92,239       (1,337 )     192,912  
General taxes
    20,953       41,456       24,689       -       87,098  
Total expenses
    4,014,064       1,623,414       823,056       (3,054,295 )     3,406,239  
                                         
OPERATING INCOME
    331,726       358,752       238,970       (10,660 )     918,788  
                                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                                       
Miscellaneous income (expense), including
                                       
net income from equity investees
    341,978       4,210       14,880       (308,192 )     52,876  
Interest expense to affiliates
    (1,320 )     (48,536 )     (15,645 )     -       (65,501 )
Interest expense - other
    (9,503 )     (59,412 )     (39,458 )     16,174       (92,199 )
Capitalized interest
    35       14,369       5,104       -       19,508  
Total other income (expense)
    331,190       (89,369 )     (35,119 )     (292,018 )     (85,316 )
                                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    662,916       269,383       203,851       (302,678 )     833,472  
                                         
INCOME TAXES
    134,052       90,801       77,467       2,288       304,608  
                                         
NET INCOME
  $ 528,864     $ 178,582     $ 126,384     $ (304,966 )   $ 528,864  

 
136

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
                               
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                               
                               
For the Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
FES
   
FGCO
   
NGC
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
REVENUES
  $ 4,023,752     $ 1,767,549     $ 1,028,159     $ (2,808,107 )   $ 4,011,353  
                                         
EXPENSES:
                                       
Fuel
    18,265       983,492       103,900       -       1,105,657  
Purchased power from affiliates
    2,804,110       180,759       80,239       (2,808,107 )     257,001  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    590,491       -       -       -       590,491  
Other operating expenses
    202,369       271,718       553,477       -       1,027,564  
Provision for depreciation
    1,779       93,728       83,656       -       179,163  
General taxes
    12,459       38,781       22,092       -       73,332  
Total expenses
    3,629,473       1,568,478       843,364       (2,808,107 )     3,233,208  
                                         
OPERATING INCOME
    394,279       199,071       184,795       -       778,145  
                                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                                       
Miscellaneous income (expense), including
                                       
net income from equity investees
    184,267       (596 )     35,571       (164,740 )     54,502  
Interest expense to affiliates
    (241 )     (117,639 )     (44,793 )     -       (162,673 )
Interest expense - other
    (720 )     (9,125 )     (16,623 )     -       (26,468 )
Capitalized interest
    1       4,941       6,553       -       11,495  
Total other income (expense)
    183,307       (122,419 )     (19,292 )     (164,740 )     (123,144 )
                                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    577,586       76,652       165,503       (164,740 )     655,001  
                                         
INCOME TAXES
    158,933       17,605       59,810       -       236,348  
                                         
NET INCOME
  $ 418,653     $ 59,047     $ 105,693     $ (164,740 )   $ 418,653  

 
137

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
FES
   
FGCO
   
NGC
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
                             
CURRENT ASSETS:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 39     $ -     $ -     $ 39  
Receivables-
                                       
Customers
    86,123       -       -       -       86,123  
Associated companies
    363,226       225,622       113,067       (323,815 )     378,100  
Other
    991       11,379       12,256       -       24,626  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    107,229       21,946       -       -       129,175  
Materials and supplies, at average cost
    5,750       303,474       212,537       -       521,761  
Prepayments and other
    76,773       35,102       660       -       112,535  
      640,092       597,562       338,520       (323,815 )     1,252,359  
                                         
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
                                       
In service
    134,905       5,420,789       4,705,735       (389,525 )     9,871,904  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    13,090       2,702,110       1,709,286       (169,765 )     4,254,721  
      121,815       2,718,679       2,996,449       (219,760 )     5,617,183  
Construction work in progress
    4,470       1,441,403       301,562       -       1,747,435  
      126,285       4,160,082       3,298,011       (219,760 )     7,364,618  
                                         
INVESTMENTS:
                                       
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    -       -       1,033,717       -       1,033,717  
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies
    -       -       62,900       -       62,900  
Investment in associated companies
    3,596,152       -       -       (3,596,152 )     -  
Other
    1,913       59,476       202       -       61,591  
      3,598,065       59,476       1,096,819       (3,596,152 )     1,158,208  
                                         
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
                                       
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    24,703       476,611       -       (233,552 )     267,762  
Lease assignment receivable from associated companies
    -       71,356       -       -       71,356  
Goodwill
    24,248       -       -       -       24,248  
Property taxes
    -       27,494       22,610       -       50,104  
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
    -       20,286       -       49,646       69,932  
Other
    59,642       59,674       21,743       (44,625 )     96,434  
      108,593       655,421       44,353       (228,531 )     579,836  
    $ 4,473,035     $ 5,472,541     $ 4,777,703     $ (4,368,258 )   $ 10,355,021  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
                                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 5,377     $ 925,234     $ 1,111,183     $ (16,896 )   $ 2,024,898  
Short-term borrowings-
                                       
Associated companies
    1,119       257,357       6,347       -       264,823  
Other
    1,000,000       -       -       -       1,000,000  
Accounts payable-
                                       
Associated companies
    314,887       221,266       250,318       (314,133 )     472,338  
Other
    35,367       119,226       -       -       154,593  
Accrued taxes
    8,272       60,385       30,790       (19,681 )     79,766  
Other
    61,034       136,867       13,685       36,853       248,439  
      1,426,056       1,720,335       1,412,323       (313,857 )     4,244,857  
                                         
CAPITALIZATION:
                                       
Common stockholder's equity
    2,944,423       1,832,678       1,752,580       (3,585,258 )     2,944,423  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    61,508       1,328,921       469,839       (1,288,820 )     571,448  
      3,005,931       3,161,599       2,222,419       (4,874,078 )     3,515,871  
                                         
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
    -       -       -       1,026,584       1,026,584  
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    -       -       206,907       (206,907 )     -  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    -       39,439       23,289       -       62,728  
Asset retirement obligations
    -       24,134       838,951       -       863,085  
Retirement benefits
    22,558       171,619       -       -       194,177  
Property taxes
    -       27,494       22,610       -       50,104  
Lease market valuation liability
    -       307,705       -       -       307,705  
Other
    18,490       20,216       51,204       -       89,910  
      41,048       590,607       1,142,961       819,677       2,594,293  
    $ 4,473,035     $ 5,472,541     $ 4,777,703     $ (4,368,258 )   $ 10,355,021  

 
138

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
As of December 31, 2007
 
FES
   
FGCO
   
NGC
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
                             
CURRENT ASSETS:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 2  
Receivables-
                                       
Customers
    133,846       -       -       -       133,846  
Associated companies
    327,715       237,202       98,238       (286,656 )     376,499  
Other
    2,845       978       -       -       3,823  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    23,772       -       69,012       -       92,784  
Materials and supplies, at average cost
    195       215,986       210,834       -       427,015  
Prepayments and other
    67,981       21,605       2,754       -       92,340  
      556,356       475,771       380,838       (286,656 )     1,126,309  
                                         
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
                                       
In service
    25,513       5,065,373       3,595,964       (392,082 )     8,294,768  
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation
    7,503       2,553,554       1,497,712       (166,756 )     3,892,013  
      18,010       2,511,819       2,098,252       (225,326 )     4,402,755  
Construction work in progress
    1,176       571,672       188,853       -       761,701  
      19,186       3,083,491       2,287,105       (225,326 )     5,164,456  
                                         
INVESTMENTS:
                                       
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    -       -       1,332,913       -       1,332,913  
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies
    -       -       62,900       -       62,900  
Investment in associated companies
    2,516,838       -       -       (2,516,838 )     -  
Other
    2,732       37,071       201       -       40,004  
      2,519,570       37,071       1,396,014       (2,516,838 )     1,435,817  
                                         
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
                                       
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    16,978       522,216       -       (262,271 )     276,923  
Lease assignment receivable from associated companies
    -       215,258       -       -       215,258  
Goodwill
    24,248       -       -       -       24,248  
Property taxes
    -       25,007       22,767       -       47,774  
Pension assets
    3,217       13,506       -       -       16,723  
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
    -       27,597       -       43,206       70,803  
Other
    22,956       52,971       6,159       (38,133 )     43,953  
      67,399       856,555       28,926       (257,198 )     695,682  
    $ 3,162,511     $ 4,452,888     $ 4,092,883     $ (3,286,018 )   $ 8,422,264  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
                                       
                                         
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ -     $ 596,827     $ 861,265     $ (16,896 )   $ 1,441,196  
Short-term borrowings-
                                       
Associated companies
    -       238,786       25,278       -       264,064  
Other
    300,000       -       -       -       300,000  
Accounts payable-
                                       
Associated companies
    287,029       175,965       268,926       (286,656 )     445,264  
Other
    56,194       120,927       -       -       177,121  
Accrued taxes
    18,831       125,227       28,229       (836 )     171,451  
Other
    57,705       131,404       11,972       36,725       237,806  
      719,759       1,389,136       1,195,670       (267,663 )     3,036,902  
                                         
CAPITALIZATION:
                                       
Common stockholder's equity
    2,414,231       951,542       1,562,069       (2,513,611 )     2,414,231  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    -       1,597,028       242,400       (1,305,716 )     533,712  
      2,414,231       2,548,570       1,804,469       (3,819,327 )     2,947,943  
                                         
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
    -       -       -       1,060,119       1,060,119  
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    -       -       259,147       (259,147 )     -  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    -       36,054       25,062       -       61,116  
Asset retirement obligations
    -       24,346       785,768       -       810,114  
Retirement benefits
    8,721       54,415       -       -       63,136  
Property taxes
    -       25,328       22,767       -       48,095  
Lease market valuation liability
    -       353,210       -       -       353,210  
Other
    19,800       21,829       -       -       41,629  
      28,521       515,182       1,092,744       800,972       2,437,419  
    $ 3,162,511     $ 4,452,888     $ 4,092,883     $ (3,286,018 )   $ 8,422,264  

 
139

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
                               
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
FES
   
FGCO
   
NGC
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ 40,791     $ 350,986     $ 478,047     $ (16,896 )   $ 852,928  
                                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
New financing-
                                       
Long-term debt
    -       353,325       265,050       -       618,375  
Equity contributions from parent
    280,000       675,000       175,000       (850,000 )     280,000  
Short-term borrowings, net
    701,119       18,571       -       (18,931 )     700,759  
Redemptions and repayments-
                                       
Long-term debt
    (2,955 )     (293,349 )     (183,132 )     16,896       (462,540 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       -       (18,931 )     18,931       -  
Common stock dividend payment
    (43,000 )     -       -       -       (43,000 )
Other
    -       (3,107 )     (2,040 )     -       (5,147 )
Net cash provided from financing activities
    935,164       750,440       235,947       (833,104 )     1,088,447  
                                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Property additions
    (43,244 )     (1,047,917 )     (744,468 )     -       (1,835,629 )
Proceeds from asset sales
    -       23,077       -       -       23,077  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    -       -       950,688       -       950,688  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    -       -       (987,304 )     -       (987,304 )
Loans repayments from (loans to) associated companies
    (83,457 )     (21,946 )     69,012       -       (36,391 )
Investment in subsidiary
    (850,000 )     -       -       850,000       -  
Other
    744       (54,601 )     (1,922 )     -       (55,779 )
Net cash used for investing activities
    (975,957 )     (1,101,387 )     (713,994 )     850,000       (1,941,338 )
                                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (2 )     39       -       -       37  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    2       -       -       -       2  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ -     $ 39     $ -     $ -     $ 39  

 
140

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
   
                               
For the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
FES
   
FGCO
   
NGC
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR)
                             
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (18,017 )   $ 55,172     $ 263,468     $ (6,306 )   $ 294,317  
                                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
New financing-
                                       
Long-term debt
    -       1,576,629       179,500       (1,328,919 )     427,210  
Equity contributions from parent
    700,000       700,000       -       (700,000 )     700,000  
Short-term borrowings, net
    300,000       -       25,278       (325,278 )     -  
Redemptions and repayments-
                                       
Common stock
    (600,000 )     -       -       -       (600,000 )
Long-term debt
    -       (1,048,647 )     (494,070 )     6,306       (1,536,411 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       (783,599 )     -       325,278       (458,321 )
Common stock dividend payment
    (117,000 )     -       -       -       (117,000 )
Other
    -       (3,474 )     (1,725 )     -       (5,199 )
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    283,000       440,909       (291,017 )     (2,022,613 )     (1,589,721 )
                                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Property additions
    (10,603 )     (502,311 )     (225,795 )     -       (738,709 )
Proceeds from asset sales
    -       12,990       -       -       12,990  
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction
    -       -       -       1,328,919       1,328,919  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    -       -       655,541       -       655,541  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    -       -       (697,763 )     -       (697,763 )
Loans repayments from associated companies
    441,966       -       292,896       -       734,862  
Investment in subsidiary
    (700,000 )     -       -       700,000       -  
Other
    3,654       (6,760 )     2,670       -       (436 )
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    (264,983 )     (496,081 )     27,549       2,028,919       1,295,404  
                                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    -       -       -       -       -  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    2       -       -       -       2  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 2     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 2  

 
141

 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
   
For the Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
FES
   
FGCO
   
NGC
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ 250,518     $ 150,510     $ 470,578     $ (12,765 )   $ 858,841  
                                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
New financing-
                                       
Long-term debt
    -       565,395       591,515       -       1,156,910  
Short-term borrowings, net
    -       46,402       -       -       46,402  
Redemptions and repayments-
                                       
Long-term debt
    -       (539,395 )     (591,515 )     -       (1,130,910 )
Common stock dividend payment
    (8,454 )     -       (12,765 )     12,765       (8,454 )
Other
    -       (3,738 )     (3,161 )     -       (6,899 )
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    (8,454 )     68,664       (15,926 )     12,765       57,049  
                                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Property additions
    (948 )     (212,867 )     (363,472 )     -       (577,287 )
Proceeds from asset sales
    -       34,215       -       -       34,215  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    -       -       1,066,271       -       1,066,271  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    -       -       (1,066,271 )     -       (1,066,271 )
Loans to associated companies
    (242,597 )     -       (90,433 )     -       (333,030 )
Other
    1,481       (40,522 )     (747 )     -       (39,788 )
Net cash used for investing activities
    (242,064 )     (219,174 )     (454,652 )     -       (915,890 )
                                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    -       -       -       -       -  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    2       -       -       -       2  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 2     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 2  

 
142

 
 
15.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS

SFAS 141(R) – “Business Combinations”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), which: (i) requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; (ii) establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and (iii) requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. The Standard includes both core principles and pertinent application guidance, eliminating the need for numerous EITF issues and other interpretative guidance. SFAS 141(R) will affect business combinations entered into by FES and the Utilities that close after January 1, 2009. In addition, the Standard also affects the accounting for changes in deferred tax valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties made after January 1, 2009, that were established as part of a business combination prior to the implementation of this Standard. Under SFAS 141(R), adjustments to the acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax position balances occurring outside the measurement period will be recorded as a component of income tax expense, rather than goodwill. The impact of the application of this Standard in periods after implementation will be dependent upon the nature of acquisitions at that time.

SFAS 160 - “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on financial statements of FES or the Utilities.

SFAS 161 - “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161 that enhances the current disclosure framework for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Statement requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation. The FASB believes that additional required disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format will provide a more complete picture of the location in an entity’s financial statements of both the derivative positions existing at period end and the effect of using derivatives during the reporting period. Disclosing information about credit-risk-related contingent features is designed to provide information on the potential effect on an entity’s liquidity from using derivatives. This Statement also requires cross-referencing within the footnotes to help users of financial statements locate important information about derivative instruments. The Statement is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FES expects this Standard to increase its disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities.

EITF Issue No. 08-6 – “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations”

In November 2008, the FASB issued EITF 08-6, which clarifies how to account for certain transactions involving equity method investments. It provides guidance in determining the initial carrying value of an equity method investment, accounting for a change in an investment from equity method to cost method, assessing the impairment of underlying assets of an equity method investment, and accounting for an equity method investee’s issuance of shares. This statement is effective for transactions occurring in fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is not permitted. The impact of the application of this Standard in periods after implementation will be dependent upon the nature of future investments accounted for under the equity method.

FSP SFAS 132 (R)-1 – “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets”

In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) SFAS 132(R)-1, which provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. Requirements of this FSP include disclosures about investment policies and strategies, categories of plan assets, fair value measurements of plan assets, and significant categories of risk. This FSP is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. FES and the Utilities expect this Staff Position to increase their disclosure requirements for postretirement benefit plan assets.

 
143

 
 
16. 
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following summarizes certain consolidated operating results by quarter for 2008 and 2007.

                 
Income (Loss)
             
                 
From Continuing
             
           
Operating
   
Operations
             
           
Income
   
Before
   
Income
   
Net
 
  Three Months Ended  
Revenues
   
(Loss)
   
Income Taxes
   
Taxes
   
Income
 
     
(In millions)
 
FES                              
 
March 31, 2008
  $ 1,099.1     $ 175.7     $ 147.8     $ 57.8     $ 90.0  
 
March 31, 2007
    1,018.2       188.7       164.9       62.4       102.5  
 
June 30, 2008
    1,071.3       142.2       115.4       47.3       68.1  
 
June 30, 2007
    1,068.7       263.8       239.1       87.7       151.4  
 
September 30,2008
    1,241.6       288.8       278.9       93.2       185.7  
 
September 30,2007
    1,170.1       272.1       248.4       93.7       154.7  
 
December 31, 2008
    1,106.4       311.6       257.5       94.9       162.6  
 
December 31, 2007
    1,068.0       194.2       181.1       60.8       120.3  
                                           
OE                                        
 
March 31, 2008
  $ 652.6     $ 77.1     $ 70.8     $ 26.9     $ 43.9  
 
March 31, 2007
    625.6       65.4       71.4       17.4       54.0  
 
June 30, 2008
    609.6       76.1       70.5       21.7       48.8  
 
June 30, 2007
    596.8       70.8       73.2       27.6       45.6  
 
September 30,2008
    702.3       100.0       101.0       28.5       72.5  
 
September 30,2007
    668.8       82.0       82.3       34.1       48.2  
 
December 31, 2008
    637.3       80.8       68.0       21.5       46.5  
 
December 31, 2007
    600.3       73.1       71.6       22.2       49.4  
                                           
CEI                                        
 
March 31, 2008
  $ 437.3     $ 110.8     $ 88.2     $ 30.3     $ 57.9  
 
March 31, 2007
    440.8       115.5       98.3       34.8       63.5  
 
June 30, 2008
    434.4       123.4       100.4       33.8       66.6  
 
June 30, 2007
    449.5       128.6       111.0       42.1       68.9  
 
September 30,2008
    524.1       159.9       136.4       43.0       93.4  
 
September 30,2007
    529.1       154.4       133.3       54.6       78.7  
 
December 31, 2008
    420.1       120.5       96.3       29.7       66.6  
 
December 31, 2007
    403.5       113.7       97.2       31.9       65.3  
                                           
TE                                        
 
March 31, 2008
  $ 211.7     $ 26.1     $ 25.1     $ 8.1     $ 17.0  
 
March 31, 2007
    240.5       40.3       37.0       11.1       25.9  
 
June 30, 2008
    221.5       30.9       28.7       7.4       21.3  
 
June 30, 2007
    240.3       40.8       37.3       15.4       21.9  
 
September 30,2008
    251.1       45.1       43.4       12.2       31.2  
 
September 30,2007
    269.7       47.5       43.5       18.4       25.1  
 
December 31, 2008
    211.2       10.8       7.5       2.1       5.4  
 
December 31, 2007
    213.4       28.8       27.2       8.8       18.4  

 
144

 
 
                 
Income (Loss)
             
                 
From Continuing
             
           
Operating
   
Operations
         
Net
 
           
Income
   
Before
   
Income
   
Income
 
Three Months Ended  
Revenues
   
(Loss)
   
Income Taxes
   
Taxes
   
(Loss)
 
     
(In millions)
 
Met-Ed                              
 
March 31, 2008
  $ 400.3     $ 45.6     $ 38.9     $ 16.7     $ 22.2  
 
March 31, 2007
    370.3       57.9       55.2       23.6       31.6  
 
June 30, 2008
    392.0       37.8       32.7       12.9       19.8  
 
June 30, 2007
    361.7       38.0       34.3       14.8       19.5  
 
September 30,2008
    455.5       45.1       38.3       16.3       22.0  
 
September 30,2007
    410.6       43.8       39.4       14.7       24.7  
 
December 31, 2008
    405.2       46.1       39.0       15.0       24.0  
 
December 31, 2007
    367.9       45.3       34.9       15.2       19.7  
                                           
Penelec                                        
 
March 31, 2008
  $ 395.5     $ 56.0     $ 39.7     $ 18.3     $ 21.4  
 
March 31, 2007
    355.9       65.7       56.0       24.3       31.7  
 
June 30, 2008
    351.4       44.2       30.4       12.0       18.4  
 
June 30, 2007
    331.4       44.5       33.9       14.4       19.5  
 
September 30,2008
    389.8       46.6       31.7       9.1       22.6  
 
September 30,2007
    353.4       45.8       33.4       10.4       23.0  
 
December 31, 2008
    376.9       57.7       44.0       18.2       25.8  
 
December 31, 2007
    361.3       48.4       33.6       14.9       18.7  
 
 
                                       
JCP&L                                        
 
March 31, 2008
  $ 794.2     $ 86.9     $ 62.4     $ 28.4     $ 34.0  
 
March 31, 2007
    683.7       89.9       71.0       32.7       38.3  
 
June 30, 2008
    834.7       97.4       74.4       31.5       42.9  
 
June 30, 2007
    780.0       110.2       89.5       39.7       49.8  
 
September 30,2008
    1,102.6       157.7       131.7       55.8       75.9  
 
September 30,2007
    1,033.2       143.3       122.1       46.3       75.8  
 
December 31, 2008
    740.8       92.5       66.7       32.5       34.2  
 
December 31, 2007
    746.9       76.4       52.6       30.4       22.2  
 
 
145