-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, PO/SnqrshvsixBfl3hLF4Zey02X9K/2sgTCSH/mbIL3wfwJrMgPW1ttHKBnYRTlC kDRSfLSnh7JgLPV9qjo7rQ== /in/edgar/work/0000071675-00-500004/0000071675-00-500004.txt : 20001109 0000071675-00-500004.hdr.sgml : 20001109 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000071675-00-500004 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20000930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20001108 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000071675 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [4931 ] IRS NUMBER: 150398550 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-03103 FILM NUMBER: 755802 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: PO BOX 3287 CITY: ITHACA STATE: NY ZIP: 14852-3287 BUSINESS PHONE: 607-729-2551 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: PO BOX 3287 CITY: ITHACA STATE: NY ZIP: 14852-3287 10-Q 1 n3qtxt.htm FINANCIALS AND TEXT Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended  September 30, 2000

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to              

Commission file number 1-3103-2

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

15-0398550
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

   

P. O. Box 3287, Ithaca, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)

14852-3287
(Zip Code)

(607) 347-4131
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes     X        No           

The number of shares of common stock (par value $6.66 2/3 per share) outstanding as of October 31, 2000, was 64,508,477. All shares are owned by Energy East Corporation.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

   

Page

     

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 1

     

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
  Condition and Results of Operations
(a) Results of Operations
(b) Liquidity and Capital Resources



 7
 8

     

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

11

 

PART II

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

12

     

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
(b) Reports on Form 8-K


12
12

Signature

13

   

Exhibit Index

14

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
Statements of Income - (Unaudited
)

 

Three Months

Nine Months

Periods Ended September 30

2000

1999

2000

1999

 

(Thousands)  

Operating Revenues

       

  Electric

$457,149

$518,400 

$1,327,785

$1,336,331 

  Natural gas

41,457

40,558 

241,828

230,744 

      Total Operating Revenues

498,606

558,958 

1,569,613

1,567,075 

Operating Expenses

       

  Electricity purchased and
    fuel used in generation


215,308


281,891 


638,291


598,985 

  Natural gas purchased

31,462

26,162 

140,997

113,794 

  Other operating expenses

71,582

64,726 

188,786

185,777 

  Maintenance

16,287

20,160 

61,977

54,529 

  Depreciation and amortization

27,197

27,719 

81,742

588,145 

  Other taxes

40,553

40,835 

110,713

140,645 

  Gain on sale of
    generation assets


- -   


- -    


- -   


(674,572)

  Writeoff of Nine Mile Point 2

-   

-    

-   

72,532 

      Total Operating Expenses

402,389

461,493 

1,222,506

1,079,835 

Operating Income

96,217

97,465 

347,107

487,240 

Interest Charges, Net

26,660

37,062 

76,835

97,960 

Other (Income) and Deductions

1,649

(155)

2,048

(2,391)

Income Before Federal
  Income Taxes


67,908


60,558 


268,224


391,671 

Federal Income Taxes

25,532

23,182 

87,692

212,760 

Net Income

42,376

37,376 

180,532

178,911 

Preferred Stock Dividends

99

493 

297

2,214 

Earnings Available for
  Common Stock


$42,277


$36,883 


$180,235


$176,697 














The notes on page 6 are an integral part of the financial statements.

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Cont'd)

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
Balance Sheets - (Unaudited)

 

Sep. 30,
2000

Dec. 31,
1999

 

(Thousands)

Assets

   

Current Assets

   

 Cash and cash equivalents

$27,524

$114,494

 Special deposits

1,800

1,232

 Accounts receivable, net

105,263

139,101

 Loan receivable, affiliated company

-   

17,789

 Fuel, at average cost

34,650

16,055

 Materials and supplies, at average cost

8,347

8,069

 Prepayments

27,265

32,612

   Total Current Assets

204,849

329,352

Utility Plant, at Original Cost

   

 Electric

3,409,576

3,393,135

 Natural gas

637,510

625,377

 Common

139,913

140,035

 

4,186,999

4,158,547

 Less accumulated depreciation

2,098,259

2,033,449

   Net Utility Plant in Service

2,088,740

2,125,098

 Construction work in progress

17,199

10,268

   Total Utility Plant

2,105,939

2,135,366

Other Property and Investments, Net

72,643

66,543

Regulatory and Other Assets

   

 Regulatory assets

   

  Unfunded future federal income taxes

27,911

27,655

  Unamortized loss on debt reacquisitions

49,690

52,671

  Demand-side management program costs

34,437

52,649

  Environmental remediation costs

58,400

58,400

  Other

28,045

19,543

 Total regulatory assets

198,483

210,918

 Other assets

   

  Prepaid pension benefit

231,934

174,741

  Other

21,157

26,898

 Total other assets

253,091

201,639

   Total Regulatory and Other Assets

451,574

412,557

   Total Assets

$2,835,005

$2,943,818










The notes on page 6 are an integral part of the financial statements.

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Cont'd)

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
Balance Sheets - (Unaudited)

 

Sep. 30,
2000

Dec. 31,
1999

 

(Thousands)

Liabilities

   

Current Liabilities

   

 Current portion of long-term debt

$265

$975

 Notes payable

51,000

163,240

 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

103,626

130,281

 Interest accrued

27,228

16,535

 Taxes accrued

10,153

14,732

 Accumulated deferred federal income tax, net

66,668

49,165

 Other

74,938

66,695

   Total Current Liabilities

333,878

441,623

Regulatory and Other Liabilities

   

 Regulatory liabilities

   

  Deferred income taxes

53,658

58,923

  Deferred income taxes, unfunded future
   federal income taxes


13,024


13,024

  Other

17,262

20,817

 Total regulatory liabilities

83,944

92,764

 Other liabilities

   

  Deferred income taxes

198,231

211,220

  Other postretirement benefits

177,550

161,370

  Environmental remediation costs

78,400

78,400

  Other

101,981

110,342

 Total other liabilities

556,162

561,332

   Total Regulatory and Other Liabilities

640,106

654,096

 Long-term debt

1,210,832

1,210,474

   Total Liabilities

2,184,816

2,306,193

Commitments

-   

-   

Preferred Stock

   

 Preferred stock redeemable solely at the
  company's option


10,159


10,159

Common Stock Equity

   

 Common stock

430,057

430,057

 Capital in excess of par value

170,678

170,678

 Retained earnings

38,641

26,731

 Accumulated other comprehensive income

654

-   

   Total Common Stock Equity

640,030

627,466

   Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity

$2,835,005

$2,943,818







The notes on page 6 are an integral part of the financial statements.

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Cont'd)

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
Statements of Cash Flows - (Unaudited
)

Nine Months Ended September 30

2000

1999

 

(Thousands)

Operating Activities

   

 Net income

$180,532 

$178,911 

 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by operating activities

   

   Depreciation and amortization

81,742 

588,145 

   Federal income taxes and investment tax
     credits deferred, net


(3,366)


123,540 

   Gain on sale of affiliate's generation assets

-    

(674,572)

   Writeoff of Nine Mile Point 2

-    

72,532 

   Pension income

(48,739)

(60,736)

 Changes in current operating assets and liabilities

   

   Accounts receivable

33,838 

(16,032)

   Loan receivable, affiliated company

17,789 

(19,202)

   Inventory

(18,873)

(1,069)

   Prepayments

5,347 

(65,016)

   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(26,655)

2,975 

   Taxes accrued

(4,579)

183,063 

   Interest accrued

10,693 

14,369 

 Other, net

24,797 

37,482 

   Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

252,526 

364,390 

Investing Activities

   

 Sale of affiliate's generation assets

-    

518,969 

 Utility plant additions

(58,634)

(46,064)

   Net Cash (Used in) Provided by
     Investing Activities


(58,634)


472,905 

Financing Activities

   

 Capital distribution to parent

-    

(289,000)

 Repayments of preferred stock and first
   mortgage bonds, including net premiums


- -    


(144,557)

 Notes payable, net

(112,240)

(78,300)

 Dividends on common and preferred stock

(168,622)

(175,540)

   Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

(280,862)

(687,397)

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and
 Cash Equivalents


(86,970)


149,898 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

114,494 

12,149 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

$27,524 

$162,047 

     

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flows Information

   

 Cash paid during the period

   

  Interest, net of amounts capitalized

$62,102 

$73,539 

  Income taxes (1999 includes $400,537 related
    to gain on sale of affiliate's generation assets)


$96,123 


$464,409 




The notes on page 6 are an integral part of the financial statements.

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Cont'd)

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
Statements of Retained Earnings - (Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30

2000  

1999  

 

(Thousands)       

     

Balance, beginning of period

$26,731

$58,876

Add net income

180,532

178,911

 

207,263

237,787

Deduct dividends on capital stock
 Preferred
 Common


297
168,325


2,214
173,326

 

168,622

175,540

Deduct
 Transfer of NGE Generation, Inc. and XENERGY
   Enterprises, Inc. to parent



- -   



28,593

     

Balance, end of period

$38,641

$33,654








New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
Statements of Comprehensive Income - (Unaudited)

 

Three Months

Nine Months

Periods Ended September 30

2000

1999

2000

1999

 

(Thousands)   

         

Net income

$42,376 

$37,376 

$180,532 

$178,911 

 Other comprehensive income,
  net of tax

       

   Net unrealized gain
     on investments


390 


- -    


1,284 


- -    

   Minimum pension
     liability adjustment


721 


- -    


(630)


- -    

 Total other comprehensive
  income


1,111 


- -    


654 


- -    

Comprehensive income

$43,487 

$37,376 

$181,186 

$178,911 





The notes on page 6 are an integral part of the financial statements.

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Cont'd)

Note 1. Unaudited Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments which are necessary, in the opinion of management, for a fair presentation of New York State Electric & Gas Corporation's (company) results for the interim periods. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes contained in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. Due to the seasonal nature of the company's operations, financial results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of trends for a 12-month period.

Note 2. Segment Information

Selected unaudited financial information for the company's business segments is presented in the following table. The electric business segment consists of electricity distribution, transmission and generation operations. The natural gas business segment consists of natural gas distribution, transportation and storage operations. Other represents corporate assets.

 


 Electric 

Natural 
   Gas   


  Other  


   Total   

   

(Thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

       

 September 30, 2000

       

   Operating Revenues

  $457,149

 $41,457 

-

  $498,606

   Net Income (Loss)

   $55,804

$(13,428)

-

   $42,376

         

 September 30, 1999

       

   Operating Revenues

  $518,400

 $40,558 

-

  $558,958

   Net Income (Loss)

   $46,089

 $(8,713)

-

   $37,376

         

Nine Months Ended

       

 September 30, 2000

       

   Operating Revenues

$1,327,785

$241,828

-

$1,569,613

   Net Income

  $175,039

  $5,493

-

  $180,532

         

 September 30, 1999

       

   Operating Revenues

$1,336,331

$230,744

-

$1,567,075

   Net Income

  $160,961

 $17,950

-

  $178,911

         

Identifiable Assets

       

 September 30, 2000

$2,036,669

$613,030

$185,306

$2,835,005

 December 31, 1999

$2,079,332

$592,148

$272,338

$2,943,818

Note 3. Reclassifications

Certain amounts have been reclassified on the unaudited financial statements to conform with the 2000 presentation.

 

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

(a) Results of Operations

Earnings

Earnings for the third quarter of 2000 increased compared to the same period last year primarily due to cost control efforts and higher retail electricity deliveries. That increase was partially offset by higher costs of energy due to higher market prices.

Earnings decreased $9 million for the nine months, excluding the non-recurring benefits in 2000 and 1999 from the sale of an affiliate's coal-fired plants net of the Nine Mile Point 2 (NMP2) writeoff. The decrease was primarily due to higher costs of energy due to higher market prices, higher than anticipated ancillary services costs associated with the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) and lower retail electricity prices. Those decreases were partially offset by transmission revenues and cost control efforts.

Operating Results for the Electric Business

Operating revenues decreased for the quarter due to lower wholesale activity and lower retail prices partially offset by higher retail deliveries. Operating expenses decreased for the quarter due to lower purchases of electricity related to lower wholesale activity, partially offset by higher market prices for electricity purchases.

Operating revenues decreased for the nine months due to lower retail prices. That decrease was partially offset by wholesale activity and transmission revenues. Operating expenses increased for the nine months, excluding the non-recurring benefit in 1999 from the sale of an affiliate's coal-fired plants net of the NMP2 writeoff, due to higher purchase costs of electricity primarily due to higher market prices and higher than anticipated ancillary services costs associated with the NYISO. Those increases were partially offset by cost control efforts and a reduction in amortization of NMP2.

Operating Results for the Natural Gas Business

Operating revenues increased for the quarter primarily due to recovery of increased gas costs for non-residential deliveries and higher retail deliveries. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher retail purchased gas costs caused by higher market prices.

Operating revenues increased for the nine months primarily due to recovery of increased gas costs for non-residential deliveries. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher retail purchased gas costs caused by higher market prices.

(b) Liquidity and Capital Resources

Electric Business

Nine Mile Point 2: (See the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, Item 2(b) Liquidity and Capital Resources, Nine Mile Point 2.) The company owns an 18% interest in NMP2. In 1999 the majority of the company's investment in NMP2 was recovered through a gain on the sale of its coal-fired generating plants. The remaining balance was written off pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121. On May 31, 2000, the company filed a petition with the New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) pursuant to its restructuring agreement requesting approval of auction protocols and regulatory treatment for the sale of NMP2.

On October 12, 2000, the company received clarification of the NYPSC's position on their statewide initiative, which was announced earlier this year, and its implications for the sale of NMP2. Based on this clarification, the company has decided to join the selling cotenants and auction its 18% interest in NMP2 pursuant to its restructuring agreement.

Electricity Transmission Rates: The company is responsible for delivering wholesale customers' electricity on its transmission system. Rates charged for the use of the company's transmission system are subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval under FERC Order 888. The company's transmission rate case was filed with the FERC in March 1997. Effective November 1997 the company began charging its filed rate, which was accepted by the FERC subject to refund based on a FERC final order.

On August 17, 2000, the FERC issued an order in the company's transmission rate case that effectively reduced the company's filed rate retroactive to November 1997 and going forward. The company has refunded $14 million to customers, which represents revenues collected subject to refund including interest. The company's deferral of a portion of transmission revenues collected since November 1997 provided the majority of the amount refunded. On September 17, 2000, the company filed a petition for rehearing with the FERC.

Retail Access Credit: (See the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, Item 7. Liquidity and Capital Resources, Electric Restructuring Plan.) On September 22, 2000, the NYPSC issued an order denying a petition the company had filed in August 2000 related to issues concerning its retail access credit (the amount backed out of a customer's bill when that customer participates in retail access). NYPSC proceedings to review the company's retail access credit are ongoing and issues being addressed include: development of a reasonable mechanism for evaluating if market prices exceed the level of the retail access credit; examination of whether the existing annual retail access credit, whether or not reshaped or restructured, should be increased or replaced with a market-based credit; and any cost of service or other issues that become relevant to resolving those two issues.

New York Independent System Operator: (See the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, Item 2(b) Liquidity and Capital Resources, New York Independent System Operator.) The NYISO began operating on November 18, 1999. It administers a new, centralized energy and ancillary services market.

In April and May 2000 the company petitioned the FERC to investigate and initiate emergency actions to correct start-up and transitional problems of the NYISO administered energy markets. On June 30, 2000, the NYISO filed a petition requesting a $1,300 bid cap in its administered energy markets. In response to the company's petition concerning the energy markets and the NYISO's bid cap filing, on July 26, 2000, the FERC ordered a bid cap of $1,000 per megawatt-hour in the NYISO's energy markets until October 28, 2000, to give the NYISO time to correct transitional problems. The NYISO is planning to file with the FERC to extend the bid cap.

In early September, the company filed a lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court against the NYISO for $6.6 million claiming errors in its administration of the operating reserve market, including errors related to market flaws and determination of pricing that was not consistent with the provisions in the NYISO tariffs and contracts. The NYISO is seeking to transfer this action to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The company opposes the transfer on the ground that its complaint raises only state law claims. Pursuant to indemnification provisions of a contract with the NYISO, the company intends to offset its full claim against other funds due the NYISO.

The company does not expect that the transitional problems in the NYISO energy and operating reserves markets will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

Non-utility Generation: The company petitioned the FERC in 1995, asking for relief from having to pay approximately $2 billion more than its avoided costs for power purchased over the term of two non-utility generator (NUG) contracts. The company's electric restructuring agreement provides for the recovery of those costs for the term of the contracts through a form of a non-bypassable wires charge. The FERC denied the company's petition and its subsequent request for a rehearing. The company believes that the overpayments under the two contracts violate the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.

The company commenced an action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in August 1997. The complaint asked the District Court to either reform the two NUG contracts by reducing the price the company must pay for electricity under the contracts, or send the matter back to the FERC or to the NYPSC with direction that they modify such contracts. The complaint also sought repayment of all monies paid above the company's avoided costs. On September 29, 2000, the District Court dismissed the company's complaint and endorsed the FERC decision denying the company's petition. The company appealed the District Court's decision to the United States Court of Appeals (Second Circuit).

Other Matters

Statement 133: The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, in June 1998; No. 137, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133, in June 1999; and No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, in June 2000. Statement 133 establishes standards for the accounting and reporting for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. Statement 133 requires that all derivatives be recognized as either assets or liabilities on a company's balance sheet at their fair value. Statement 137 delayed for one year the effective date for implementing Statement 133, to fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. Statement 138 provided guidance on how to interpret sections of Statement 133.

The company will adopt Statement 133 as of January 1, 2001. Substantially all of the company's derivative activity will receive hedge accounting treatment under Statement 133 with fair value adjustments recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. If Statement 133 were adopted on October 1, 2000, the estimated transition adjustment as of September 30, 2000, recorded in Other Comprehensive Income would be approximately $20 million and the effect on earnings would be a loss of less than $1 million. Based on the company's current risk management strategies, this adoption is not expected to have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

Investing and Financing Activities

Investing Activities
: Capital spending for the first nine months of 2000 was $59 million including nuclear fuel. Capital spending for 2000, including nuclear fuel, is projected to be $80 million and is expected to be paid for entirely with internally generated funds. Capital spending will be primarily for the extension of energy delivery service, necessary improvements to existing facilities and compliance with environmental requirements.

Financing Activities: In January 2000 the company redeemed $163 million of unsecured notes with cash and commercial paper.

 

Forward-looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations and information that is currently available. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements in certain circumstances. Whenever used in this report, the words "estimate," "expect," "believe," "anticipate" or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

In addition to the assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such statements, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements include, among others, the deregulation and unbundling of energy services; the company's ability to compete in the rapidly changing and increasingly competitive electricity and natural gas utility markets; its ability to control non-utility generator and other costs; changes in fuel supply or cost and the success of its strategies to satisfy its electric and natural gas supply requirements; market risk; the ability to obtain adequate and timely rate relief; nuclear or environmental incidents; legal or administrative proceedings; changes in the cost or availability of capital; growth in the areas in which it is doing business; weather variations affecting customer energy usage; and other considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in its publicly disseminated documents and filings. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
         Risk

(See the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.)

Commodity Price Risk: The company is subject to the effect of market fluctuations in the price of natural gas and electricity purchased. The company's natural gas exposure is limited to purchases for residential customers because it is allowed to pass through increases in the market price of natural gas to non-residential customers.

The company uses natural gas futures and options contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in natural gas commodity prices. Such contracts allow the company to fix margins on sales of natural gas. The cost or benefit of natural gas futures and options contracts is included in the commodity cost when the related sales commitments are fulfilled. As of September 30, 2000, the difference between cost and fair value of natural gas futures and options contracts outstanding is not material to the company's results of operations.

The company has hedged its expected residential natural gas load for November and December 2000, and approximately 60% for calendar year 2001 through gas in storage and option contracts. For its unhedged positions in 2001, a $1.00 per dekatherm change in the cost of natural gas changes natural gas costs by $10 million. The company is currently exploring available options to further hedge its natural gas purchases.

The company uses electricity contracts to manage against fluctuations in the cost of electricity. These contracts allow the company to fix margins on the majority of its retail electricity sales. The cost or benefit of electricity contracts is included in the amount expensed for electricity purchased when the electricity is sold. With the implementation of the NYISO, the company began utilizing contracts for differences (CFDs), which are financial contracts with features similar to commodity swap agreements. The CFDs effectively fix the price the company pays for certain power purchased from the NYISO. Using electricity contracts and CFDs, the company has hedged approximately 90%-95% of its expected summer demand for 2001 and 2002 and approximately 90% of its total expected demand through March 2003, when a market-price pass through mechanism is expected to take effect pursuant to the company's restructuring agreement.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

(See the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, Part II - Other Information, Item 1(b) Legal Proceedings.) On October 30, 2000, the company and Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) received a letter from EME Homer City Generation, L.P. (EME), a subsidiary of the purchaser of the Homer City generating station (Station) in which the company and Penelec each formerly owned a one-half interest. The letter gave the company and Penelec notice that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act related to the Station. EME has indicated that it will claim that certain fines, penalties, and costs arising out of or related to these alleged violations, which the company believes may be material, are liabilities retained by the company and Penelec under the terms of the asset purchase agreement for the Station. While it will continue to examine this matter, the company believes that such fines, penalties, and costs are not liabilities retained by it.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  Exhibits - See Exhibit Index.

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

     No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter.

 

 

 

Signature

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

 

 

NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION
              (Registrant)

 

 

By  /s/Sherwood J. Rafferty               

 

       Sherwood J. Rafferty
       Senior Vice President and
       Chief Financial Officer

Date:  November 8, 2000

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are delivered with this report:

Exhibit No.

 

3-16 - 

Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of New York on September 6, 2000.

3-17 - 

By-Laws of the Company as amended August 29, 2000.

27 - 

Financial Data Schedule.

 

EX-3.16 2 nqe3-16.htm AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION NYSEG Exhibit 3-16

Exhibit 3-16

NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION

Under Section 805 of the
Business Corporation Law

     The undersigned, being the President and Chief Operating Officer of New York State

Electric & Gas Corporation, a New York corporation, hereby certifies:

     FIRST.     The name of the corporation is New York State Electric & Gas Corporation. The name under which the corporation was originally formed was the Ithaca Gas Light Company.

     SECOND.  The date of filing of the Certificate of Incorporation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of New York was the 28th day of October, 1852.

     THIRD.     The Certificate of Incorporation is amended to effect the following amendment authorized by the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, namely: Article 10 is amended to decrease the minimum number of directors to three.

     FOURTH.   Article 10 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, relating to the number of directors of the corporation, is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

               10. The number of directors shall not be less than three nor more than fifteen.

     FIFTH.      The foregoing amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation at a meeting of the Board of Directors held on August 29, 2000, followed by the written consent dated August 29, 2000 of the holder of all of the outstanding shares of the common stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed this Certificate of Amendment this

29th day of August, 2000.

 

NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION

 


/s/ Michael I. German                                  
Michael I. German
President and Chief Operating Officer

EX-3.17 3 nqe3-17.htm AMENDED BY-LAWS NYSEG Exhibit 3-17 Amended By-Laws

Exhibit 3-17

 

                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS
CORPORATION

 

 

 

______________

 

 

 

By-Laws

As Amended

 

 

 

 

August 29, 2000                                    

                                                                                 

 

 

 

NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION

_______

BY-LAWS

_______

OFFICES

     1.     The office shall be at the place specified in the Certificate of Incorporation as from time to time amended, now Town of Dryden, County of Tompkins, State of New York.

     The Corporation may also have offices at such other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may require.

SEAL

     2.     The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words "CORPORATE SEAL, NEW YORK". If authorized by the Board of Directors, the corporate seal may be affixed to any certificates of stock, bonds, debentures, notes or other engraved, lithographed or printed instruments, by engravings, lithographing or printing thereon such seal or a facsimile thereof, and such seal or facsimile thereof so engraved, lithographed or printed thereon shall have the same force and effect, for all purposes, as if such corporate seal had been affixed thereto by indentation.

STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS

     3.     All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation, or at such other location in the State of New York as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting, except when otherwise expressly provided by statute. All meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board or by the President or a Vice President except when by statute the election of a presiding officer is required.

     4.     The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the second Friday of May in each year, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next business day following, at eleven o'clock A.M. or at such other date and time as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting, at which the stockholders entitled to vote shall elect directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

     5.     The holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, without regard to class, present in person or by proxy, shall be requisite for, and shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except for the election or removal of directors and except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or by these By-Laws; provided that, in the case of any meeting of holders of the serial preferred stock of the Corporation, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of shares representing a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereat by the holders of the outstanding shares of serial preferred stock, without regard to series, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business except for the election or removal of directors and except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or by these By-Laws. If, however, the holders of a majority of such shares of stock or votes, as the case may be, shall not be present or represented by proxy at any such meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or by proxy, shall have power, by a majority vote of those present or represented, to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until the holders of the amount of stock or votes, as the case may be, requisite to constitute a quorum shall be present in person or by proxy. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, in person or by proxy, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

     At any meeting for the election of directors by the common stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the election of such directors, except when otherwise expressly provided by statute.

     6.     At each meeting of stockholders each holder of record of shares of capital stock then entitled to vote shall be entitled to vote in person, or by proxy appointed by instrument executed in writing, by such stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney; but no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date of its execution unless the stockholder executing it shall have specified therein its duration, which shall be for some limited period. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, each holder of record of shares of capital stock entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for every share of capital stock standing in his name on the books of the Corporation, but, as provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, at all elections of directors by the common stockholders, each holder of common stock shall be entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of votes which (except for such provision as to cumulative voting) he would be entitled to cast for the election of directors with respect to his shares of common stock multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and he may cast all of such votes for a single director or may distribute them among the number of directors to be voted for, or any two or more of them, as he may see fit. All elections shall be determined by a plurality vote. The vote for directors shall be by ballot and, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or by these By-Laws, all other matters shall be determined by a vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of the capital stock present or represented at a meeting and entitled to vote on such matters, and by ballot, if demanded by any stockholder or his duly authorized proxy.

     7.     A list of stockholders as of the record date, certified by the corporate officer responsible for its preparation or by a transfer agent, shall be produced at any meeting of stockholders upon the request thereat or prior thereto of any stockholder. If the right to vote at any meeting is challenged, the inspectors of election, or person presiding thereat, shall require such list of stockholders to be produced as evidence of the right of the persons challenged to vote at such meeting, and all persons who appear from such list to be stockholders entitled to vote thereat may vote at such meeting.

     8.     Except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, with respect to the right of holders of serial preferred stock or preference stock of the Corporation to elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this By-Law and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law.

     In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.

     To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.

     To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of such stockholder, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (iv) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person(s) named in its notice and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

     No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this By-Law. If the chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

     9.     No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this By-Law and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law.

     In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.

     To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.

     To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such stockholder, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business and (v) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

     No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this By-Law. If the chairman of the annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.

     10.    Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, may be called by the Chairman of the Board or by the President, and shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meetings.

     11.    Except as otherwise may be required by provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, relative to meetings of stockholders required or authorized by the provisions of paragraph (F) or (H) of Article 7 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed October 25, 1988, notice of every meeting of stockholders, setting forth the time, place and purpose or purposes thereof, shall be mailed, not less than ten nor more than fifty days prior to such meetings to all stockholders (at their respective addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation unless the stockholder shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices intended for him be mailed to some other address, in which case the notice shall be mailed to the address designated in such request) entitled to vote at such meeting, of record as of a date fixed by the Board of Directors, not more than fifty days in advance of such meeting, for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting, unless and except to the extent that such notice shall have been waived in writing either before or after the holding of such meeting by stockholders entitled to notice thereof and to vote thereat.

     If any By-Law regulating an impending election of directors is adopted or amended or repealed by the Board, there shall be set forth in the notice of the next meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation for the election of directors the By-Laws so adopted or amended or repealed together with a concise statement of the changes made.

DIRECTORS

     12.    The property and business of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors, which shall consist of not less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15) directors. Directors need not be stockholders. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, or, if no such election shall be held, at a meeting called and held in accordance with the statutes of the State of New York. Each director elected prior to the 1999 annual meeting of stockholders shall be elected to hold office until the expiration of the term for which he is elected, and thereafter until a successor shall be elected and shall qualify. Each director elected at or after the 1999 annual meeting of stockholders shall be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify.

     The stockholders, at any annual meeting, or at any special meeting called for that purpose, or a majority of the entire Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting, may determine to increase or decrease the number of directors to the respective maximum or minimum limits above prescribed, and, in the case of an increase, shall thereupon elect the additional directors. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding, voting separately as a class, or by written consent without a meeting may remove at any time, with or without cause, any director theretofore elected by the common stockholders or elected by the Board to fill a vacancy among the directors elected by the common stockholders, and may fill the vacancy in the Board for the unexpired term thus caused.

     No director who shall have attained the age of 72 shall stand for re-election as a director.

     The Board of Directors shall appoint from its members a Chairman of the Board, who shall be an officer of the Board but not an officer of the Corporation; who, when present, shall preside over all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board, except as otherwise by law provided; who shall perform such other duties and have such powers as shall be prescribed from time to time by the Board; who may resign at any time (without thereby resigning as a director) by written notice to the Secretary; and who may be removed at any time (without thereby being removed as a director) by action of the Board, with or without cause.

     13.    In addition to the powers and authorities by these By-Laws expressly conferred upon them, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Corporation, and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. A director or officer of this Corporation shall not be disqualified by his office from dealing or contracting with the Corporation either as a vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any transaction or contract of this Corporation be void or voidable by reason of the fact that any director or officer or any firm of which any director or officer is a member or employee or any corporation of which any director or officer is a shareholder, director, officer or employee, is in any way interested in such transaction or contract, provided that such transaction or contract is or shall be authorized, ratified or approved either (1) by vote of a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee without counting in such majority or quorum any director so interested or member or employee of a firm so interested or a shareholder, director, officer or employee of a corporation so interested or (2) by vote at a stockholders' meeting of the holders of record of a majority of all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation having full voting power or by writing or writings signed by a majority of such holders; nor shall any director or officer be liable to account to the Corporation for any profits realized by and from or through any such transaction, or contract of this Corporation authorized, ratified or approved as aforesaid by reason of the fact that he or any firm of which he is a member or employee, or any corporation of which he is a shareholder, director, officer or employee was interested in such transaction or contract.

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD

     14.    The first meeting of the Board of Directors held after the annual meeting of stockholders at which directors shall have been elected shall be held for the purpose of organization, the election of officers, and the transaction of any other business which may come before the meeting.

     15.    Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice, except as otherwise provided by these By-Laws, at such time and place as shall from time to time be designated by the Board.

     16.    Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board or by the President or a Vice President or any two directors and may be held at the time and place designated in the call and notice of the meeting. The Secretary or other officer performing his duties shall give notice either personally or by mail or telegram at least twenty-four hours before the meeting. Meetings may be held at any time and place without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice in writing either before or after the meeting.

     17.    At all meetings of the Board a majority of the total number of directors shall be requisite for and shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws.

     18.    Any regular or special meeting may be adjourned to any other time at the same or any other place by a majority of the directors present at the meeting, whether or not a quorum shall be present at such meeting, and no notice of the adjourned meeting shall be required other than announcement at the meeting.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     19.    Directors, other than salaried officers or employees of the Corporation or of any affiliated company, shall receive compensation for their services as directors in such form and amounts and at such times as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. All directors shall be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.

     20.    Members of any committee of the Corporation, other than salaried officers or employees of the Corporation or of any affiliated company, shall receive compensation for their services on such committee in such form and amounts and at such times as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

     Members of any committee of the Corporation shall be allowed such additional compensation and reimbursement for expenses as may be fixed by the Board of Directors.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

     21.    The Board of Directors may by vote of a majority of the whole Board designate three or more of their number to constitute an Executive Committee to hold office for such period as the Board shall determine. The Chairman of the Board and the President shall each be a member of the Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may likewise designate one or more alternate members who shall serve on the Executive Committee in the absence of any regular member or members of such Committee. When a regular or alternate member of the Executive Committee ceases to be a director he shall automatically cease to be such regular or alternate member of the Executive Committee. Such Executive Committee shall, between meetings of the Board, have all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except that no such committee shall have authority as to: the submission to stockholders of any action that needs stockholders' authorization under the Business Corporation Law; the filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors or in any committee; the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on any committee; the amendment or repeal of the By-Laws, or the adoption of new By-Laws; the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable.

     The Executive Committee shall cause to be kept regular minutes of its proceedings, which may be transcribed in the regular minute book of the Corporation, and all such proceedings shall be reported to the Board of Directors at its next succeeding meeting, and shall be subject to revision or alteration by the Board, provided that no rights of third persons shall be affected by such revision or alteration. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. The act of a majority of the Executive Committee present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may by vote of a majority thereof fill any vacancies in the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may, from time to time, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, prescribe rules and regulations for the calling and conduct of meetings of the Committee, and other matters relating to its procedure and the exercise of its powers.

     22.    In addition to having the power to designate an Executive Committee, the Board of Directors may by vote of a majority of the whole Board designate other committees, whether special or standing, each to consist of three or more of their number, to hold office for such period as the Board shall determine. With respect to each such other committee, the Board of Directors may likewise designate one or more alternate members who shall serve in the absence of any regular member or members of such other committee. When a regular or alternate member of such other committee ceases to be a director he shall automatically cease to be a regular or alternate member of such other committee. Each such other committee shall have authority only to the extent provided by the Board of Directors, except that no such other committee shall have authority as to: the submission to stockholders of any action that needs stockholders' authorization under the Business Corporation Law; the filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors or in any committee; the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on any committee; the amendment or repeal of the By-Laws, or the adoption of new By-Laws; the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable. A majority of each such other committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof. The act of a majority of each such other committee present at any meeting thereof at which there is a quorum shall be the act of such other committee. The Board of Directors may by vote of a majority thereof fill any vacancies in each such other committee.

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND COMMITTEE THEREOF
BY CONFERENCE TELEPHONE OR SIMILAR MEANS

     23.    Any one or more of the members of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or any special or standing committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

ACTION BY BOARD OR COMMITTEE WITHOUT A MEETING

     24.    If all members of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or any special or standing committee of the Board of Directors consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing action required or permitted to be taken by the Board or any committee, such action may be taken without a meeting. The resolution and the written consents thereto shall be filed with the minutes of the proceeding.

OFFICERS

     25.    The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors. The officers shall be a President, one or more Assistants to the President, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, a Secretary, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, a Controller, one or more Assistant Controllers, and such other officers as the Board may from time to time choose and appoint. The President may not occupy any other such office. Neither the Treasurer nor an Assistant Treasurer may at the same time be Controller or an Assistant Controller. Except as above set forth, any two of such offices may be occupied by the same person but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity.

     26.    The Board of Directors, at its first meeting after the election of directors by the stockholders, shall choose a President from among their own number, and a Secretary, and may choose a Treasurer and a Controller, and such Assistants to the President, Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers, as it shall deem necessary, none of whom need be members of the Board.

     27.    The Board may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

     28.    The salary or other compensation of the officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. The salary or other compensation of all other employees shall, in the absence of any action by the Board be fixed by the President or by such other officers or executives as shall be designated by the President.

     29.    The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors after the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are chosen and qualify in their stead. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors. Any other employee or agent of the Corporation may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors or, in the absence of any action by the Board, by the President or by such other officers or executives as shall have been designated by the President.

PRESIDENT

     30.    The President shall, when present in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders, except as otherwise by law provided. He shall be the chief operating officer of the Corporation. He may sign in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, certificates of stock, notes, and any and all contracts, agreements and other instruments of a contractual nature pertaining to matters which arise in the normal conduct and ordinary course of business of the Corporation. He shall be a member of the Executive Committee and of all standing committees except the Executive Compensation and Succession Committee, the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee. He shall also generally have the powers and perform the duties which appertain to the office.

The Assistants to the President shall assist the President in the performance of his duties and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be conferred or required by the Board.

VICE PRESIDENT

     31.    A Vice President may sign, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, certificates of stock, notes and any and all contracts, agreements and other instruments of a contractual nature pertaining to matters which arise in the normal conduct and ordinary course of business, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe.

     If there be more than one Vice President, the Board of Directors may designate one or more Vice Presidents as Executive Vice Presidents who shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation in the absence or disability of the President, and may designate one or more Vice Presidents as Senior Vice Presidents who shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation in the absence or disability of the President and the Executive Vice Presidents. A Vice President who has not been designated as Executive Vice President or as Senior Vice President shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation in the absence or disability of the President, and the Executive Vice Presidents and the Senior Vice Presidents.

     The Assistant Vice Presidents shall assist the President and Vice Presidents in the performance of their duties and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be conferred or required by the Board.

 

SECRETARY

     32.    The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose; and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. He shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of his duty. Any records kept by him shall be the property of the Corporation and shall be restored to the Corporation in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office.

     He shall be the custodian of the seal of the Corporation and, when authorized by the Board of Directors, the President or a Vice President, shall affix the seal to all instruments requiring it and shall attest the seal and/or the execution of such instruments, as required. He shall have control of the stock ledger, stock certificate book and minute books of the Corporation and its committees, and other formal records and documents relating to the corporate affairs of the Corporation.

     The Assistant Secretary or Assistant Secretaries shall assist the Secretary in the performance of his duties, exercise and perform his powers and duties in his absence or disability, and such powers and duties as may be conferred or required by the Board.

TREASURER

     33.    (a)  The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys, and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation, in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

              (b)  He shall disburse the funds of the Corporation in such manner as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and directors, at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

              (c)  He shall give the Corporation a bond if required by the Board of Directors in a sum, and with one or more sureties satisfactory to the Board, for the faithful performance of the duties of his office, and for the restoration of the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.

     The Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Treasurers shall assist the Treasurer in the performance of his duties, exercise and perform his powers and duties in his absence or disability, and such powers and duties as may be conferred or required by the Board.

CONTROLLER

     34.    The Controller of the Corporation shall have full control of all the books of account of the Corporation and keep a true and accurate record of all property owned by it, of its debts and of its revenues and expenses and shall keep all accounting records of the Corporation other than the record of receipts and disbursements and those relating to the deposit or custody of money and securities of the Corporation, which shall be kept by the Treasurer, and shall also make reports to the directors and others of or relating to the financial condition of the Corporation.

     The Assistant Controller or Assistant Controllers shall assist the Controller in the performance of his duties, exercise and perform his powers and duties in his absence or disability, and such powers and duties as may be conferred or required by the Board.

VACANCIES

     35.    If the office of any director becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal or disability, or any other cause, the directors then in office, except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, although less than a quorum, by a majority vote, may choose a successor or successors, who shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter until a successor or successors shall be elected and shall qualify. If the office of any officer of the Corporation shall become vacant for any reason, the Board, by a majority vote of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, may choose a successor or successors who shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

RESIGNATIONS

     36.    Any officer or any director of the Corporation may resign at any time, such resignation to be made in writing and to take effect from the time of its receipt by the Corporation, unless some time be fixed in the resignation, and then from that time.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS MAY BE DELEGATED

     37.    In case of the absence of any officer of the Corporation, or for any other reason the Board may deem sufficient, the Board may delegate, for the time being, the powers or duties, or any of them, of such officer to any other officer or to any director, provided a majority of the entire Board concur therein.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

     38.    The Corporation shall fully indemnify to the extent not prohibited by law any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, including an investigative, administrative, legislative or other proceeding, and including an action by or in the right of the Corporation or any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, (i) is or was a director, officer, or employee of the Corporation or (ii) is or was serving at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, or in any other capacity, any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against any and all judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred as a result of or in connection with any such action or proceeding or any appeal therein, except as provided in the next paragraph.

     No indemnification shall be made to or on behalf of any director, officer, or employee if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the director, officer, or employee establishes that his acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or that he personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which he was not legally entitled.

     Except in the case of an action or proceeding against a director, officer, or employee specifically approved by the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall pay expenses incurred by or on behalf of such a person in defending such a civil or criminal action or proceeding (including appeals) in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding. Such payments shall be made promptly upon receipt by the Corporation, from time to time, of a written demand of such person for such advancement, together with an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay any expenses so advanced to the extent that the person receiving the advancement is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification for such expenses.

     The rights to indemnification and advancement of defense expenses granted by or pursuant to this By-Law (i) shall not limit or exclude, but shall be in addition to, any other rights which may be granted by or pursuant to any statute, certificate of incorporation, by-law, resolution or agreement, (ii) shall be deemed to constitute contractual obligations of the Corporation to any director, officer, or employee who serves in such capacity at any time while this By-Law is in effect, (iii) are intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of this By-Law and (iv) shall continue to exist after the repeal or modification hereof with respect to events occurring prior thereto. It is the intent of this By-Law to require the Corporation to indemnify the persons referred to herein for the aforementioned judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and expenses, including attorneys' fees, in each and every circumstance in which such indemnification could lawfully be permitted by an express provision of a by-law, and the indemnification required by this By-Law shall not be limited by the absence of an express recital of such circumstances.

     The Corporation may, with the approval of the Board of Directors, enter into an agreement with any person who is, or is about to become, a director, officer, or employee of the Corporation, or who is serving, or is about to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, or in any other capacity, any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, which agreement may provide for indemnification of such person and advancement of defense expenses to such person upon such terms, and to the extent, not prohibited by law.

STOCK OF OTHER CORPORATIONS

     39.    The Board of Directors shall have the right to authorize any officer or other person on behalf of the Corporation to attend, act and vote at meetings of the stockholders of any corporation in which the Corporation shall hold stock, and to exercise thereat any and all the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock and to execute waivers of notice of such meetings and calls therefor; and authority may be given to exercise the same either on one or more designated occasions, or generally on all occasions until revoked by the Board. In the event that the Board shall fail to give such authority, such authority may be exercised by the President or a Vice President in person or by proxy appointed by him on behalf of the Corporation.

CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

     40.    Stock of the Corporation may be in certificated or uncertificated form. Stock of the Corporation represented by certificates shall be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as the certificates are issued. The certificates shall exhibit the holder's name and number of shares and shall be signed by the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and the seal of the Corporation shall be affixed thereto. Where any such certificates of stock are signed by a transfer agent and by a registrar, the signatures of the President or a Vice President and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary upon any such certificates, if authorized by the Board of Directors, may be made by engraving, lithographing or printing thereon a facsimile of such signatures, in lieu of actual signatures, and such facsimile signatures so engraved, lithographed or printed thereon shall have the same force and effect as if such officers had actually signed the same.

     In case any officer who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been affixed to, any such certificate shall cease to be such officer before such certificate shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate may nevertheless be issued and delivered as though the person who signed such certificate, or whose facsimile signature has been affixed thereto, had not ceased to be such officer of the Corporation.

     To the extent permitted by law, some or all of any or all classes and series of stock of the Corporation may be uncertificated stock, provided that no stock represented by a certificate shall be registered on the books of the Corporation as uncertificated stock until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.

TRANSFERS OF STOCK

     41.    Transfers of certificated stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only upon the request of the person named in the certificate or by attorney, lawfully constituted in writing, and upon surrender of the certificate therefor.

     Transfers of uncertificated stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only upon the request of the holder of record of such uncertificated stock or by attorney, lawfully constituted in writing, and upon receipt by the Corporation of a written instruction signed by the holder of record of such uncertificated stock or by such attorney requesting that the transfer of such uncertificated stock be registered on the books of the Corporation.

FIXING OF RECORD DATE

     42.    Except as otherwise may be required by provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, relative to meetings of stockholders required or authorized by the provisions of paragraph (F) or (H) of Article 7 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed October 25, 1988, the Board of Directors is hereby authorized to fix a day and hour not exceeding fifty (50) days (and in the case of a meeting not less than ten (10) days) preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date fixed for the payment of any dividend or for the delivery of evidences of rights, as a record time for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any such meeting or entitled to receive any such dividend or rights, as the case may be; and all persons who are holders of record of voting stock at such time, and no others, shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting, and only stockholders of record at any time so fixed shall be entitled to receive any such dividend or rights; and the stock transfer books shall not be closed during any such period.

REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS

     43.    The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save as expressly provided by the statutes of the State of New York.

LOST CERTIFICATES

     44.    Any person claiming a certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed shall make an affidavit or affirmation of that fact, whereupon a new certificate may be issued of the same tenor and for the same number of shares as the one alleged to be lost or destroyed; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may require, as a condition to the issuance of a new certificate, a bond of indemnity in such form and amount and with such surety or sureties, or without surety, as the Board of Directors shall determine, and may also require the advertisement of such loss in such manner as the Board may prescribe.

INSPECTION OF BOOKS

     45.    The Board of Directors shall have power to determine whether and to what extent, and at what time and places and under what conditions and regulations, the accounts and books of the Corporation (other than the books required by statute to be open to the inspection of stockholders), or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of stockholders, and no stockholders shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Corporation, except as such right may be conferred by the statutes of the State of New York or by resolution of the directors or of the stockholders.

CHECKS, NOTES, BONDS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS

     46.    All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such person or persons (who may but need not be an officer or officers of the Corporation) as may be authorized by these By-Laws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate, either directly or through such officers of the Corporation as shall, by resolution of the Board of Directors, be authorized to designate such person or persons. If authorized by the Board of Directors, the signatures of such persons, or any of them, upon any checks for the payment of money may be made by engraving, lithographing or printing thereon a facsimile of such signatures, in lieu of actual signatures, and such facsimile signatures so engraved, lithographed or printed thereon shall have the same force and effect as if such persons had actually signed the same.

     All bonds, mortgages and other instruments requiring a seal shall be executed on behalf of the Corporation by the President or a Vice President, and the seal of the Corporation shall be thereunto affixed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary who shall, when required, attest the seal and/or the execution of said instruments. If authorized by the Board of Directors, the signatures of the President or a Vice President and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer upon any engraved, lithographed or printed bonds, debentures, notes or other instruments may be made by engraving, lithographing or printing thereon a facsimile of such signatures, in lieu of actual signatures, and such facsimile signatures so engraved, lithographed or printed thereon shall have the same force and effect as if such officers had actually signed the same.

     In case any officer who has signed any such bonds, debentures, notes or other instruments shall cease to be such officer before such bonds, debentures, notes or other instruments shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such bonds, debentures, notes or other instruments may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same had not ceased to be such officer of the Corporation.

RECEIPTS FOR SECURITIES

     47.    All receipts for stocks, bonds or other securities received by the Corporation shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or by such other person or persons as the Board of Directors or Executive Committee shall designate.

FISCAL YEAR

     48.    The fiscal year shall begin the first day of January in each year.

DIVIDENDS

     49.    Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, when earned, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting.

     The Board of Directors shall have power to fix and determine, and from time to time to vary, the amount to be reserved as working capital; to determine whether any, and if any, what part of any, accumulated surplus net profits shall be declared and paid as dividends, to determine the date or dates for the declaration or payment of dividends and to direct and determine the use and disposition of any surplus net profits, and before payment of any dividend or making any distribution of profits there may be set aside out of the surplus or net profits of the Corporation such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interests of the Corporation.

DIRECTORS' ANNUAL STATEMENT

     50.    The Board of Directors shall present at each annual meeting, and when called for by vote of the stockholders at any special meeting of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the Corporation.

NOTICES

     51.    Whenever under the provisions of these By-Laws notice is required to be given to any director, officer or stockholder, it shall not be construed to require personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, by depositing a copy of the same in a post office, letter box or mail chute, maintained by the Post Office Department, in a postpaid sealed wrapper, addressed to such stockholder, officer or director, at his address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation.

     A stockholder, director or officer may waive in writing any notice required to be given to him under these By-Laws.

INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

     52.    Preceding each meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors, the Board of Directors shall appoint two inspectors of election to act at such meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof as inspectors of election. In the event that such inspectors shall not be so appointed, they shall be appointed at the meeting at which such election is to be held, and if any inspector shall refuse to serve, or neglect to attend at the election or his office become vacant, the meeting may appoint an inspector in his place. The inspectors appointed to act at any meeting of the stockholders shall, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, be sworn to faithfully execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality, and according to the best of their ability, and the oaths so taken shall be subscribed by them and delivered to the Secretary of the meeting with a certificate of the result of the vote taken thereat.

AMENDMENTS

     53.    These By-Laws may be altered or amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors at any meeting duly held as above provided, the notice of which includes notice of the proposed amendment; provided, however, that no By-Laws adopted by the Board of Directors regulating the election of directors or officers shall be valid unless published for at least once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper in the County where the election is to be held, and at least thirty days before such election.

EMERGENCY BY-LAWS

     1.     These Emergency By-Laws shall be effective upon the order of the New York State Defense Council, as constituted under the New York State Defense Emergency Act, or any successor body, in the event of attack and shall cease to be effective when the Council or successor body declares the end of the period of attack. During such period, the By-Laws of this Corporation shall remain in effect except to the extent superseded by or inconsistent with these Emergency By-Laws.

     2.     The powers of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be vested in such directors of the Corporation as are readily available to act. If such directors do not constitute a quorum, then the full powers of the Board shall be vested in the members of the Executive Committee who are readily available to act. If members of the Executive Committee readily available to act do not constitute a quorum, then the property and business of the Corporation shall be managed by an Emergency Management Committee composed of not more than five of the following persons who are readily available to act: (a) Directors of the Corporation; (b) to the extent necessary, Executive Vice Presidents of the Corporation, in order of seniority of service in that office; (c) to the extent necessary, Senior Vice Presidents of the Corporation, in order of seniority of service in that office; (d) to the extent necessary, Vice Presidents of the Corporation, in order of seniority of service in that office; and (e) to the extent necessary and in the following order: Assistant Vice Presidents in order of seniority of service in that office; Assistants to the Chairman in order of seniority of service in that office; Assistants to the President in order of seniority of service in that office; Secretary; Treasurer.

     3.     Meetings of such Directors, the Executive Committee or the Emergency Management Committee may be held at any time and place. At any meeting of the Emergency Management Committee, three shall constitute a quorum and the act of a majority present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Committee.

     In the event it is impracticable to hold a meeting of such Directors, the Executive Committee or the Emergency Management Committee, the concurrence of individuals comprising any such group may be expressed orally or in writing (regardless of the manner of transmission or communication) and such concurrence shall be deemed to be the act of any such group.

     4.     Nothing herein shall be deemed to abrogate the power of Directors remaining in office to choose a successor or successors in the event of vacancy in the office of any Director, as provided in the By-Laws of the Corporation. Upon the taking of any such action, any powers theretofore vested pursuant to these Emergency By-Laws in the Executive Committee or the Emergency Management Committee shall terminate.

     5.     Any action taken in good faith under these Emergency By-Laws shall be as valid and binding as if taken by the Board of Directors even though subsequent developments may show that at the time such action was taken conditions requisite for such action did not in fact exist.

     I,    Elaine T. DuBrava       , the Secretary of NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION, a New York corporation, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true, correct and complete copy of the By-Laws and Emergency By-Laws of said Corporation, as amended to date.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Corporation this   3rd    day of     October        , 2000.

     /s/ Elaine T. DuBrava                          

(CORPORATE SEAL)

EX-27 4 n3qe27.frm FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
UT THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 9-MOS Jan-01-2000 Dec-31-2000 Sep-30-2000 PER-BOOK 2,105,939 72,643 204,849 0 451,574 2,835,005 430,057 170,678 38,641 640,030 0 10,159 1,210,832 51,000 0 0 265 0 0 0 922,719 2,835,005 1,569,613 87,692 188,786 1,222,506 347,107 (2,048) 0 76,835 180,532 297 180,235 168,325 0 252,526 0 0
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----