0000912057-01-533656.txt : 20011009
0000912057-01-533656.hdr.sgml : 20011009
ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000912057-01-533656
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 424B2
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1
FILED AS OF DATE: 20010927
FILER:
COMPANY DATA:
COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORP /NY/
CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000071932
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931]
IRS NUMBER: 150265555
STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY
FISCAL YEAR END: 1231
FILING VALUES:
FORM TYPE: 424B2
SEC ACT: 1933 Act
SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-33826
FILM NUMBER: 1746147
BUSINESS ADDRESS:
STREET 1: 300 ERIE BLVD W
CITY: SYRACUSE
STATE: NY
ZIP: 13202
BUSINESS PHONE: 3154741511
MAIL ADDRESS:
STREET 1: 300 ERIE BLVD W
CITY: SYRACUSE
STATE: NY
ZIP: 13202
FORMER COMPANY:
FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CENTRAL NEW YORK POWER CORP
DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19710419
424B2
1
a2059999z424b2.txt
424B2
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-33826
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 3, 2000)
[LOGO]
$300,000,000
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2004
---------
The notes will bear interest at the rate of 5.375% per year. Interest on the
notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1, commencing April 1,
2002. The notes will mature on October 1, 2004. We may redeem some or all the
notes at any time. The redemption prices are discussed under the caption
"Description of the Notes--Optional Redemption."
The notes will be our senior obligations and will rank equally with all of
our senior unsecured indebtedness.
--------------
THIS INVESTMENT INVOLVES RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE S-4.
-------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved any of the securities offered by this
prospectus supplement or the attached prospectus or determined if this
prospectus supplement or the attached prospectus is accurate or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
--------------
PER NOTE TOTAL
--------- ------------
Public Offering Price: 99.953% $299,859,000
Underwriting Discount: 0.350% $ 1,050,000
Proceeds to Company: 99.603% $298,809,000
Interest on the notes will accrue from September 28, 2001 to the date of
delivery.
--------------
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers on or about
September 28, 2001.
--------------
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
September 25, 2001
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE
NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. WE ARE NOT
MAKING AN OFFER OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER IS NOT
PERMITTED. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE
OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Forward-Looking Information................................. S-1
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation............................ S-2
Recent Developments......................................... S-2
Use of Proceeds............................................. S-3
Risk Factors................................................ S-4
Selected Consolidated Financial Information................. S-8
Capitalization.............................................. S-12
Description of the Notes.................................... S-13
Description of Certain of our Outstanding Securities........ S-15
Underwriting................................................ S-16
Validity of the Notes....................................... S-17
Where You Can Find More Information......................... S-18
PROSPECTUS
About This Prospectus....................................... 1
About Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation...................... 1
Use of Proceeds............................................. 1
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.......................... 2
Description of Securities We May Offer...................... 2
Description of New Bonds.................................... 3
Description of the New Debentures........................... 7
Regarding the Trustees...................................... 11
Description of Terms Common to New Bonds and New
Debentures................................................ 11
Global Securities........................................... 13
Plan of Distribution........................................ 14
Validity of Debt Securities................................. 14
Experts..................................................... 14
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 15
i
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This prospectus supplement, the prospectus that accompanies it, and the
documents that are incorporated by reference in them contain statements that are
not exclusively statements of historical fact. These statements are
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as
"believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," or similar expressions. These
forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and
uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to
be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by us in those statements. The risks and uncertainties
include those risks and uncertainties identified, among other places, under the
heading "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the
accompanying prospectus and in the documents that are incorporated by reference
in them.
These statements include our statements regarding the following:
- the impact of our substantial leverage on our future competitiveness;
- the potential for decreased sales due to the ability of our current
customers to obtain electricity from other sources;
- general economic and weather conditions in our service area;
- the impact of government regulation, especially as the regulated electric
and gas industries are further deregulated and electricity and gas
suppliers gain access to our customers;
- the impact of the Master Restructuring Agreement, which we will refer to
as the "MRA," and the Power Choice agreement on our reported earnings;
- the likelihood and timing of any pending transactions, and the nature and
timing of federal or state regulatory actions in connection with, among
others, the pending merger with National Grid and the merger rate plan;
- the impact of environmental laws on our operations;
- our ability to recover in our rates all of our regulatory assets, as well
as challenges to our ability to collect exit fees from customers who
attempt to bypass our system; and
- liability related to the ownership and operation of nuclear facilities.
Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties,
actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.
The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section should be
considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking
statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. We undertake no
obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to
release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus supplement or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
S-1
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MORE
DETAILED INFORMATION AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, INCLUDING THE ACCOMPANYING
NOTES, APPEARING ELSEWHERE (OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE) IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS AND THE DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THEM.
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
We were organized in 1937 under the laws of New York State and are engaged
principally in the regulated energy delivery business in New York State. We
provide electric, transmission and distribution service to approximately
1.5 million electric customers in the areas of eastern, central, northern and
western New York, and we sell, distribute and transport natural gas to
approximately 540 thousand gas customers in areas of central, northern and
eastern New York State.
On March 18, 1999, we were reorganized into a holding company structure in
accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Exchange between Niagara Mohawk
Holdings, Inc., or Holdings, and us. Our outstanding common stock was exchanged
on a share-for-share basis for Holdings' common stock. Our debt and preferred
stock were not exchanged as part of the share exchange and continue as our
obligations.
In September 2000, Holdings entered into a merger agreement with National
Grid Group plc, under which National Grid will acquire Holdings, with Holdings'
shares being exchanged for a combination of cash and American Depository
Receipts in a new National Grid holding company. The pending merger agreement
was approved by both Holdings' shareholders and National Grid's shareholders.
The merger is contingent, however, on the sale of Holdings' nuclear facilities
or other satisfactory arrangements being reached and is subject to a number of
shareholder and regulatory approvals and other approvals and consents. See
"Where You Can Find More Information" for how you can find more information
about the pending merger, the reorganization and us.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
POWER CHOICE RATE PLAN CHANGES
The New York State Public Service Commission, or PSC, approved our Power
Choice agreement on March 20, 1998, and the rate plan was implemented beginning
September 1, 1998. The Power Choice agreement outlines our future structure in
the regulated electric business.
The Power Choice agreement established a five-year electric plan that
reduced class average residential and commercial prices by an aggregate
3.2 percent over the first three years. The reduction in prices includes certain
savings that result from approved reductions of the gross receipts tax. New York
State tax law changes that further reduce the gross receipts tax for some
customers and eliminate the gross receipts tax for others are not reflected in
the price reductions. The tax law changes are discussed in Holdings' and Niagara
Mohawk's combined Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, Part II, Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 1. Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies, "Basis of Presentation."
On August 29, 2001, the PSC approved rate plan changes to cover the final
two years of the Power Choice agreement. This filing was necessary because the
proposed merger rate filing was not approved in time for September
implementation. The merger rate filing would supersede this filing if approved.
The rate plan changes allow for implementation of the Power Choice agreement to
pass through certain commodity-related costs to customers beginning
September 1, 2001. Electric commodity costs, which fluctuate with market
conditions, are projected to be higher as a result of recent trends in commodity
markets, increases in charges from the New York Independent System Operator, or
NYISO, and the expiration of some of our supply contracts. Partially offsetting
the projected increase in commodity costs is a reduction in overall, system-wide
rates for electric delivery service of 5.4 percent
S-2
associated with a lowering of the competitive transition charge with respect to
existing supply contracts. The overall average price increase will be
4.9 percent with the average residential bill increasing 7.9 percent. Such
increases are dependent upon actual commodity market conditions. However,
residential and commercial customers will be provided with a partial price
protection from severe fluctuations in the commodity prices through a delivery
charge adjustment mechanism.
The rate plan changes include the introduction of a transmission revenue
adjustment mechanism, which will compare actual transmission revenues with the
$87.4 million forecast base transmission revenue used to develop Power Choice
electric delivery prices, with differences collected from or returned to
customers. This mechanism is expected to provide credits to customers of
approximately $33 million in the two-year period.
Given that these forecast revenue increases primarily reflect increased
commodity prices, reported earnings for the five years under the Power Choice
agreement have been and will continue to be substantially depressed as a result
of the regulatory treatment of the MRA regulatory cost.
ENERGY SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH TRACTEBEL
On July 18, 2001, we entered into an energy-supply agreement with Tractebel
Energy Marketing, Inc., or Tractebel, that would substantially mitigate market
price fluctuations and production risks in existing supply contracts and will
help stabilize bills for customers who would otherwise have seen greater price
volatility. Under this agreement, which is subject to approval by the PSC,
Tractebel would both manage our wholesale electric portfolio through 2006 and
act as our agent for all purchases from the NYISO. We would sell to Tractebel at
cost virtually all the electricity and electricity derivatives, including
contracts tied to the price of natural gas, that we currently have under
contract with generators and energy marketers. In return, Tractebel would sell
to us a specified quantity of electricity at a fixed price through 2003.
Beginning in 2004, the fixed price would be subject to an annual capped
adjustment based on the price of natural gas in future markets. Electricity
consumed by retail customers beyond the quantity established in the agreement
with Tractebel would be supplied to us at market prices in effect at that time.
However, our customers would retain the ability to purchase their electricity
commodity from alternative suppliers.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will use the proceeds from the sale of the notes for general purposes.
Our general corporate purposes may include:
- financing of our construction program;
- refunding existing long term debt and preferred stock; and
- refunding short-term debt.
S-3
RISK FACTORS
WE ARE SUBSTANTIALLY LEVERAGED AND, ACCORDINGLY, HAVE LIMITED FINANCIAL
FLEXIBILITY.
We have substantial leverage and significant debt service obligations. As of
June 30, 2001, we have outstanding approximately $5.2 billion of senior
indebtedness, consisting primarily of $2.0 billion of First Mortgage Bonds,
which are secured by a lien on substantially all of our utility property,
$0.5 billion of borrowings under our senior bank facility, which are secured
with First Mortgage Bonds, and $2.6 billion of other senior unsecured debt
(which will increase to $2.9 billion as a result of the offering of the notes).
As of June 30, 2001, we also had available additional borrowings of
$317.9 million under our senior bank facility.
The degree to which we are leveraged could have important consequences to
you, including the following:
- our substantial leverage may place us at a competitive disadvantage,
hinder our ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions, and
make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic
conditions or our business; and
- our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital
expenditures, acquisitions or other corporate purposes will be limited in
the future.
THE MERGER BETWEEN HOLDINGS AND NATIONAL GRID IS CONTINGENT ON VARIOUS APPROVALS
AND CONSENTS THAT MAY NOT BE OBTAINED.
The pending merger agreement between Holdings and National Grid was approved
by Holdings' shareholders on January 19, 2001 and by National Grid's
shareholders on January 29, 2001. However, the merger is contingent on National
Grid's shareholders further approving the new company structure at a second
meeting. On February 26, 2001, the merger received clearance under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. On June 13,
2001, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, approved the merger.
The pending merger is also contingent on the sale of Holdings' nuclear
facilities or other satisfactory arrangements being reached and is subject to a
number of regulatory approvals and other approvals and consents, including
approvals by the Securities Exchange Commission under the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935 and the PSC. Although Holdings is targeting the pending
merger to be completed around the end of this year, we cannot predict the timing
or the outcome of the negotiations nor the likelihood or timing of the
approvals.
DECREASED SALES AND AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN IN OUR SERVICE AREA MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR ELECTRIC REVENUES AND PROFITABILITY.
Under our regulatory agreement with the PSC, we have established rates
intended to create sufficient cash flow to at least cover our operating
expenses, satisfy our fixed obligations and recover allowable stranded costs.
Our rate design is based on estimates of future electricity usage and the number
of customers connected to our distribution system. The level of electric
revenues can be adversely affected by lower than projected sales to retail
customers and by customer bypass of the system. Economic conditions in our
service area could result in lower sales due to the relocation of customers. If
revenues are significantly lower than those anticipated in our rate design, our
profitability could be materially and adversely affected.
Because of the relatively high cost of our electricity, customers could seek
to bypass our distribution system through self-generation or to replace us with
a municipal or other utility. Our regulatory agreement requires, with limited
exceptions, the payment of an exit fee or access charge in these circumstances.
Several affected customers and competitors have said they may challenge our
right to collect these fees, or the appropriate level of these fees. The village
of Lakewood initiated proceedings at the FERC and the PSC seeking to avoid the
payment of exit fees. On September 11,
S-4
2000, the PSC issued an order setting Lakewood's exit fee, but such order has
been contested and is now subject to rehearing. Although the outcome of this
matter would not have a material impact on our results of operations and
financial position, it will define in all likelihood the methodology to
determine exit fees. We have prepared exit fee standard cost estimates for
several other municipalities and customers. We cannot predict whether these
other municipalities or customers will pursue a withdrawal from our system or
the amount of stranded costs we may receive as a result of any withdrawals.
There can be no assurance that we will prevail in this or other proceedings.
WE MAY INCUR SUBSTANTIAL LIABILITY FROM OUR OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF NUCLEAR
FACILITIES.
Risks of substantial liability arise from the ownership and operation of our
two nuclear facilities, Nine Mile Point Unit 1 and Nine Mile Point Unit 2,
including, among others, mechanical or structural problems at a nuclear
facility, the storage, handling and disposal of radioactive materials,
limitations on the amounts and types of insurance coverages commercially
available and uncertainties with respect to the technological and financial
aspects of decommissioning nuclear facilities at the end of their useful lives.
Our Nine Mile Point Unit 1 nuclear facility is one of the oldest in operation in
the United States, having commenced operations in 1969.
In the event of an extended outage of either plant at Nine Mile Point, we
would be required to purchase power in the open market to replace the power
normally produced by these facilities. Such purchases would subject us to the
risk of increased energy prices and, depending on the length of the outage and
the level of market prices, could have a material adverse effect on our cash
flow. Under our regulatory agreement, we are not entitled to pass along these
increased costs to customers in the form of higher electric rates. If the
facilities were to have material problems with their physical condition, it
could affect their sale and if so, we would then evaluate the economic
justification of continuing to operate the facilities. The PSC can review the
prudence of our decision to close a facility to determine whether we should be
allowed to recover its incremental costs, including replacement power costs.
These costs would likely be significant to us.
On December 12, 2000, we announced agreements to sell our ownership
interests in the two nuclear plants to Constellation Nuclear, LLC. New York
State Electric and Gas Corporation, Rochester Gas & Electric and Central Hudson
Gas and Electric Corporation also agreed to sell their combined 41% share of
Nine Mile Point Unit 2 to Constellation. Power purchase agreements and revenue
sharing agreements were signed as part of the agreement. On May 8, 2001, we
filed a joint proposal of settlement with Multiple Intervenors (an association
of large customers on behalf of its members on our services territory) and the
PSC staff regarding the rate treatment of the sale of our nuclear assets to
Constellation. The settlement, which remains subject to approval by the PSC,
provides for full recovery of the resulting stranded costs (other than
$123 million before tax), including a return over a period of about 10 years. In
addition, if the terms of the settlement proposal were to be implemented, we
would expect to record approximately $79 million of previously deferred
investment tax credits. On May 24 and June 22, 2001, respectively, the FERC and
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the sale of the nuclear assets to
Constellation.
The agreement with Constellation terminates if the sale has not occurred
before December 31, 2001, subject to extension if necessary regulatory approvals
have not been obtained. Notwithstanding the announcement made, because Nine Mile
Point Unit 2 has multiple owners (and the sale of Nine Mile Point Unit 1 is
contingent on the sale of Nine Mile Point Unit 2) and because any sale will be
subject to regulatory hurdles that must be overcome, including the other
co-owners reaching settlement with the PSC staff, we do not believe that a sale
is any more likely to occur than other possible outcomes, including the possible
continued operation of the plants by us for the remainder of the their useful
lives.
S-5
In the event that a sale of the nuclear assets does not occur, we will
continue to recover the costs to run the nuclear generation plants in our Power
Choice rates. In addition, we would continue to participate in the PSC
regulatory proceeding regarding the future of nuclear assets in New York State.
Because of the uncertainty as to the pending sale, and the outcome of other
regulatory approvals, we have continued to utilize our best estimate of cash
flows based on a held-and-used (regulated) model for purposes of assessing
whether an asset impairment existed as of June 30, 2001. Under this assumption,
the nuclear generating plants are not impaired.
If, and when, we conclude that our best estimate of future cash flows is
from the sale of the power plants, the impairment test will be performed taking
into consideration the expected cash flows from operations until the sale and
expected cash proceeds from the sale of the assets.
OUR BUSINESS IS SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE REGULATION BY THE PSC AND THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
We are subject to extensive regulation by the PSC. While the most material
aspects of our rate structure for the next two years have been established under
the Power Choice agreement, the PSC is likely to continue to assess competitive
consequences in considering future rate increases even if we experience revenue
shortfalls or increased expenses.
In connection with the pending National Grid merger, we have been in
confidential negotiations with the PSC and other interested parties for a merger
rate plan which, if approved, would supersede the final two years of the Power
Choice agreement. We cannot predict the timing or the outcome of the
negotiations, but it is likely that, if a merger rate plan is approved, it will
vary in some respects from the petition we filed in January 2001 with respect to
such plan. Our ability to improve earnings in the future will depend on the
outcome of the regulatory process.
In addition, many aspects of our operations, including our electric
transmission and distribution systems, the operation and maintenance of our
nuclear facilities, our gas distribution operations and the issuance of our
securities will continue to be subject to extensive regulation by both the
federal government and the PSC. Changes in these regulations or in their
application to us could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Further, uncertainty exists regarding the ultimate impact on us as the electric
industry is further deregulated and electricity suppliers gain open access to
our retail customers.
THE MASTER RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT ADVERSELY AFFECTS OUR REPORTED EARNINGS.
Because of the regulatory accounting treatment afforded the MRA which we
consummated on June 30, 1998, our reported net income has, as anticipated, been
significantly depressed and will continue to be depressed. The $4.0 billion of
compensation paid to the independent power producers pursuant to the MRA was
recorded as a regulatory asset and is being amortized over ten years, and the
additional interest charges and amortization of debt issuance costs associated
with our offering in June 1998 of $3.45 billion of debt in order to pay the
independent power producers has increased our interest expense. The recovery of
these significant costs through our prices puts continued pressure on us to
absorb any increases in operating costs in order to maintain or reduce our
prices and thereby improve our competitive position.
OUR OPERATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO A WIDE RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.
Our operations are subject to a wide range of environmental laws and
regulations relating to, among other matters, air emissions, wastewater
discharges, landfill operations, site remediation and hazardous waste
management. Compliance with these laws and regulations is an important factor in
our business. While we devote considerable resources to environmental
compliance, the impact of future environmental laws on us cannot be predicted
with certainty.
S-6
In order to meet current environmental standards, we are currently
conducting a program to remediate, as necessary, certain properties associated
with our former gas manufacturing process and other properties which we have
learned may be contaminated with industrial waste, as well as investigating
identified industrial waste sites as to which it may be determined that we
contributed waste. We have also been advised that various federal, state or
local agencies believe certain properties require investigation and have
prioritized the sites based on available information in order to enhance the
management of investigation and remediation, if necessary. We are currently
aware of 123 sites, either owned or operated by us, that comprise the current
liability estimates. We believe it is probable that we will continue to recover
environmental compliance, investigation and remediation costs in our rates, and
we have recorded a regulatory asset for recovery of these costs. However,
additional expenses, associated with remedial costs or compliance with proposed
and future environmental laws and regulations may have a material adverse effect
on our future operations and financial condition.
In connection with a state-wide investigation of coal-fired electric power
plants to determine compliance with certain new source review requirements or
new source performance standards under the federal Clean Air Act and the New
York State Environmental Conservation Law, on May 25, 2000, the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation, or DEC, issued an air pollution notice
of violation regarding the operation of two plants formerly owned by us. The
notice of violation was also issued to NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG, the current
owner and operator of both plants. In May 2001, the New York State Attorney
General advised us and NRG of its intent to file suit; however, there has been
no action from the Attorney General to date. While no specific relief has been
sought yet, the DEC and the New York Attorney General have indicated that they
will be seeking substantial fines, imposition of pollution controls and
mitigation of alleged environmental harm. On July 13, 2001, we filed an action
against NRG in the New York State Supreme Court, seeking a declaratory judgment
that NRG is responsible for any resulting control updates and mitigation. We are
unable to predict whether or not results of this enforcement action will have a
material adverse effect on our future operations and financial condition or
whether our action against NRG will be successful.
DISCONTINUING THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT US.
We continue to apply the accounting principles set forth in Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, which we will refer to as "SFAS No. 71,"
to our electric transmission and distribution, nuclear and gas operations, based
on the terms of our regulatory agreement. SFAS No. 71 permits a utility to defer
certain costs which would otherwise be expensed when authorized to do so by the
relevant regulatory authorities. As of June 30, 2001, we had $5.0 billion of
regulatory assets. In the event that we determine, either as a result of lower
than expected revenues or higher than expected costs, that our regulatory assets
are not in fact recoverable, we could no longer apply the principles of SFAS
No. 71 and would be required to record a non-cash charge against income in the
amount of the remaining unamortized regulatory assets. The resulting charge
would be material to our financial condition and adversely affect our ability to
pay dividends.
S-7
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table contains certain consolidated financial information
about us for the periods presented. The financial information below for each of
the three years ended December 31, 2000 has been derived from our audited
financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements, including the related notes, which are included in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for each of the respective years. The selected consolidated
financial information as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and 2001
has been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which in
the opinion of our management reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, the information contained therein. The results
of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2001, are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year. See
"Where You Can Find More Information" in this prospectus supplement.
SIX MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
------------------------------------ -----------------------
1998 1999 2000 2000 2001
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating revenues:
Electric....................... $3,261,144 $3,247,757 $3,239,253 $1,598,272 $1,604,741
Gas............................ 565,229 579,583 658,502 382,825 521,116
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
3,826,373 3,827,340 3,897,755 1,981,097 2,125,857
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating expenses:
Fuel for electric generation..... 239,982 189,657 74,340 28,974 21,699
Electricity purchased............ 1,001,991 807,038 1,175,923 566,082 574,548
Gas purchased.................... 272,615 267,202 357,524 203,965 341,486
Other operation and
maintenance.................... 946,748 911,746 888,067 437,512 502,171
Power Choice Charge.............. 263,227 -- -- -- --
Amortization/accretion of MRA/IPP
buyout costs................... 119,409 363,374 375,487 187,636 182,145
Depreciation and amortization.... 355,417 344,930 311,803 156,044 156,861
Other taxes...................... 459,668 411,842 283,511 138,252 115,444
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
3,659,057 3,295,789 3,466,655 1,718,465 1,894,354
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income................. 167,316 531,551 431,100 262,632 231,503
Other income (deductions)........ 42,669 (5,539) (24,755) (7,392) (2,697)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before interest charges... 209,985 526,012 406,345 255,240 228,806
Interest charges................. 397,178 485,240 437,274 220,897 202,487
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) before income
taxes.......................... (187,193) 40,772 (30,929) 34,343 26,319
Income taxes..................... (66,368) 19,026 (9,526) 25,287 13,312
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary item............. (120,825) 21,746 (21,403) 9,056 13,007
Extraordinary item, net of income
taxes.......................... -- (23,807) (909) (909) --
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss)................ (120,825) (2,061) (22,312) 8,147 13,007
Dividends on preferred stock..... 36,555 36,808 31,437 15,808 15,515
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance available for common
stock.......................... $ (157,380) $ (38,869) $ (53,749) $ (7,661) $ (2,508)
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
S-8
SIX MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
-------------------------------------- ---------------------
1998 1999 2000 2000 2001
----------- ----------- ---------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY/(USED IN):
Operating activities............. $(3,240,455) $ 798,730 $ 877,304 $ 439,622 $ 421,208
Investing activities............. (447,091) 596,947 (255,416) (77,242) (93,932)
Financing activities............. 3,482,312 (1,496,196) (619,342) (350,490) (319,603)
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA(1)........................ $ 990,500 $ 1,259,895 $1,130,124 $ 617,393 $ 583,111
Net cash interest(2)............. 345,500 397,073 363,571 183,136 167,561
Capital expenditures(3).......... 392,200 298,081 273,830 89,901 115,333
Ratio of EBITDA to net cash
interest(4).................... 2.9x 3.2x 3.1x 3.4x 3.5x
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(5)..................... 0.6x 1.0x 0.9x 1.0x 0.9x
AS OF DECEMBER 31, AS OF JUNE 30,
------------------------------------ -----------------------
1998 1999 2000 2000 2001
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Net utility plant................ $6,877,959 $5,888,242 $5,782,340 $5,786,115 $5,696,470
Total assets..................... 13,861,187 12,445,608 12,307,238 12,364,598 11,802,992
Total long-term debt............. 6,729,465 5,656,328 5,307,288 5,568,929 5,153,598
Preferred stock.................. 516,610 508,990 501,370 507,190 499,570
Common stockholders' equity...... 3,170,142 2,785,171 2,434,223 2,551,919 2,382,321
------------------------
(1) EBITDA represents a non-GAAP measure of cash flow which is calculated as:
earnings before interest charges, interest income, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items, including
amortization of nuclear fuel, allowance for funds used during construction,
amortization / accretion of MRA/IPP buyout costs, deferral of MRA interest
rate savings, cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and
non-recurring and extraordinary items. EBITDA is presented to provide
additional information about our ability to meet requirements for preferred
stock and debt service and capital spending. EBITDA should not be considered
an alternative to net income as an indicator of operating performance or an
alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
(2) Net cash interest reflects interest charges plus allowance for funds used
during construction less the non-cash impact of the net amortization of
discount on long-term debt and interest accrued on the Nuclear Waste Policy
Act disposal liability less interest income.
(3) Capital expenditures consist of amounts for our construction program related
to utility operations including the amounts incurred by us to comply with
the Clean Air Act and other environmental requirements.
(4) For purposes of determining the ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest, EBITDA
and net cash interest are calculated as described above in notes (1) and
(2). The ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest is presented to provide
additional information about our ability to meet future requirements for
preferred stock and debt service. See the Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. The ratios
for the periods ending June 30, 2000 and 2001, were calculated using data
for the twelve month period then ended.
S-9
(5) For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
(i) earnings consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges and
(ii) fixed charges consist of interest charges on all indebtedness,
including the portion of rental expense that is representative of the
interest factor. The ratios for the periods ending June 30, 2000 and 2001,
were calculated using data for the twelve month period then ended.
In 1998, we implemented two related agreements which provided for the
restructuring of our financial condition: the Power Choice agreement and the
MRA. In exchange for cash and shares of our common stock, worth approximately
$4 billion in the aggregate, 14 independent power producers agreed to terminate,
restate or amend 27 power purchase agreements, which represented in excess of
75 percent of our estimated above-market power purchase obligation at the time.
We financed the cash portion of this transaction by issuing senior unsecured
debt totaling approximately $3.45 billion and approximately $300 million of
common stock. Since those financings, utilizing our improved cash flows, we have
had a net reduction in debt of approximately $1.7 billion and, during 1999 and
2000, we repurchased $407.2 million of Holdings' common stock.
The Power Choice agreement established a five-year electric plan that
reduced class average residential and commercial prices by an aggregate
3.2 percent over a three-year phase-in period which began in September 1998. (We
discuss recent developments in connection with the rate plan for the final two
years of the Power Choice agreement under the caption "Recent
Developments--Power Choice Rate Plan Changes".) In addition, we established a
regulatory asset of approximately $4 billion related to the MRA payment that is
being amortized over a period not to exceed ten years. Our rates under Power
Choice have been designed to permit recovery of the MRA regulatory asset.
We have pursued other opportunities to reduce our payments to independent
power producers that were not party to the MRA. Under Power Choice, we are
permitted to defer and amortize the cost of any additional
independent-power-producer contract buyouts. Through June 2001, 13 such
contracts were terminated for a total consideration of $242 million.
The Power Choice agreement also required us to divest our fossil and
hydroelectric generation facilities. During 1999, we completed the sales of our
hydroelectric generation plants, our coal-fired generation plants and our Oswego
oil and gas-fired plant for $860 million. During 2000, we completed the sale of
our oil and gas-fired plant at Albany for $47.5 million. On January 30, 2001, we
completed the sale of our interest in our last remaining fossil plant, Roseton,
for approximately $83.9 million.
On March 11, 1999, we filed a three-year gas rate and restructuring proposal
to replace the 1996 gas rate settlement agreement. On July 19, 2000, the PSC
approved the agreement, that become effective on August 1, 2000.
The cumulative effect of these transactions is generally to reduce our
revenues while substantially lowering our cash operating costs, resulting in
increased operating cash flow. As a result of these transactions, our financial
results for any particular period are not necessarily comparable to those
results for any other period.
RECENT OPERATING RESULTS
We reported earnings for the first six months of 2001 of $13.0 million, as
compared to $8.1 million for the first six months of 2000. The preferred
dividend requirement reduced the balance available for common stock to a loss of
$2.5 million for the first six months of 2001, compared to a loss of
$7.7 million for the first six months of 2000. Earnings for the first six months
of 2001, as compared with the first six months of 2000, have been positively
impacted by the following items:
- an increase in gross receipts tax credits of $22.1 million due to an
increase in the customers in our territory that participate in New York
State's Power for Jobs program;
S-10
- lower interest expense of approximately $18.4 million due to the repayment
of debt during 2000 and 2001;
- changes in the allocation of federal income taxes in 2001 as compared to
2000 of approximately $12 million; and
- receipt of multi-state tax refunds from a previously owned subsidiary of
$3.9 million related to tax periods prior to 1995.
Earnings for the first six months of 2001 were negatively impacted by the
following items:
- our exposure to higher prices in our purchased power portfolio of
$36.9 million, principally because restructured contracts with independent
power producers began indexing to natural gas prices in July 2000 and also
because of an indexed contract with an independent power producer not
party to the MRA;
- a reduction in regulated electric revenues of $7.7 million as a result of
the implementation of our third phase of rate reductions in
September 2000 under Power Choice; and
- an increase in bad debt expense of $7.4 million, reflecting the impact of
higher natural gas prices on consumers.
Our electric revenues in the first six months of 2001 were $1.6 billion, up
0.4% from the first six months of 2000. The increase is primarily due to an
increase in transmission revenues of $20.7 million primarily as a result of
transmission congestion contracts sold through the auction process conducted by
the NYISO and an increase in sales for resale of $16.7 million, primarily
attributable to increased sales to the NYISO. These increases were partially
offset by a decrease in residential revenues of $15.6 million as a result of
lower sales to residential customers and lower rates implemented in
September 2000 in accordance with Power Choice and a decrease in miscellaneous
revenues of $15.8 million in the first six months of 2001 primarily due to a
decrease in unbilled revenues. Retail electric sales decreased 0.8% from the
first six months of 2000 primarily due to lower residential, commercial and
industrial sales.
Our natural gas revenues in the first six months of 2001 were
$521.1 million, up 36.1% from the comparable period in 2000, primarily as a
result of higher gas prices being passed through to customers. Retail sales of
natural gas decreased 2.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2001 as compared to
the same period in 2000.
S-11
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2001 and as
adjusted to give effect to the consummation of the offering of the notes. The
following data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto included in the documents incorporated herein by
reference.
AS OF JUNE 30, 2001
-----------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
--------- -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock par value $1.00 per share, 250,000,000 shares
authorized 187,364,863 shares issued.................... 187,365 187,365
Repurchase of common stock of Niagara Mohawk Holdings,
Inc., at cost........................................... (407,193) (407,193)
Capital stock premium and expense......................... 2,363,095 2,363,095
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... (20,384) (20,384)
Retained earnings......................................... 259,438 259,438
--------- ---------
Total common equity................................... 2,382,321 2,382,321
--------- ---------
PREFERRED STOCK:
Cumulative preferred stock, par value $100 per share,
3,400,000 shares authorized:
Mandatorily redeemable. Issued and outstanding 150,000
shares................................................ 15,000 15,000
Non-redeemable. Issued and outstanding 2,100,000
shares................................................ 210,000 210,000
Cumulative preferred stock, par value $25 per share,
19,600,000 shares authorized:
Mandatorily redeemable. Issued and outstanding 1,782,801
shares................................................ 44,570 44,570
Non-redeemable. Issued and outstanding 6,200,000
shares................................................ 230,000 230,000
--------- ---------
499,570 499,570
Less sinking fund requirements.......................... 7,620 7,620
--------- ---------
Total preferred stock................................. 491,950 491,950
--------- ---------
Preference stock, par value $25 per share, 8,000,000
shares authorized.
None issued and outstanding.............................
LONG-TERM DEBT:
Long-term debt............................................ 5,153,598 5,453,598
Less long-term debt due in one year..................... 418,121 418,121
--------- ---------
Total long-term debt...................................... 4,735,477 5,035,477
--------- ---------
Total capitalization.................................. 7,609,748 7,909,748
========= =========
S-12
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
YOU SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CONCERNING THE NOTES IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATEMENTS UNDER "DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW DEBENTURES,"
"DESCRIPTION OF TERMS COMMON TO NEW BONDS AND NEW DEBENTURES" AND "GLOBAL
SECURITIES" IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS.
We will issue the notes as a separate series of debt securities under an
indenture dated as of May 12, 2000 between us and The Bank of New York, as
trustee. We will issue notes with an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000.
We will issue the notes in denominations of $1,000 or in multiples of $1,000.
The notes will mature on October 1, 2004. Interest on the notes will accrue
from September 28, 2001 at a rate of 5.375% per annum, computed on the basis of
a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Interest will be payable semi-annually
on April 1 and October 1 in each year, commencing April 1, 2002, and at
maturity. We will make each interest and principal payment to the persons in
whose names the notes are registered at the close of business on the regular
record date immediately preceding the date fixed for payments of principal and
interest on the notes. The regular record date will be initially fixed as the
business day immediately preceding the applicable payment date.
We will issue the notes in the form of one or more global securities, which
will be deposited with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in
the name of DTC's nominee. Information regarding DTC's book-entry system is set
forth under "Global Securities" in the accompanying prospectus.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The notes will be redeemable in whole or in part, at any time at our option
at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and
unpaid interest through the redemption date, plus the Make Whole Premium.
The "MAKE WHOLE PREMIUM" with respect to any note means an amount equal to
the excess of
- the aggregate present value as of the redemption date of the expected
future cash flows that would have been payable in respect of that note if
such redemption had not been made, determined by discounting such amounts
at a rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 0.25%; over
- the aggregate principal amount of that note.
"TREASURY RATE" means
- the yield reported on page C4 of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Service
(or, if not available, any other nationally recognized trading screen
reporting on-line intraday trading in United States government securities)
at 11:00 A.M. (New York, New York time) for those actively traded United
States government securities having a maturity (rounded to the nearest
month) corresponding to the remaining term to maturity of the notes; or
- if no nationally recognized trading screen reporting on-line intraday
trading in United States government securities is available, Treasury Rate
means the weekly average of the yield to maturity on the United States
Treasury obligations with a constant maturity (as compiled by and
published in the most recently published issue of the United States
Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519)) most nearly equal to the
remaining term to maturity of the notes.
S-13
LIMITATION ON LIENS
Under the terms of the notes, we will agree that we and our Restricted
Subsidiaries will not, directly or indirectly, secure any other indebtedness
with a Lien on our property or assets unless we make effective provision for
securing the notes:
- in case of a Lien securing senior indebtedness, on an equal and ratable
basis with that Lien; and
- in case of a Lien securing subordinated indebtedness, on a basis senior in
priority to that Lien.
"LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
encumbrance, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in a charge
against real or personal property, or a security interest of any kind in respect
of that asset.
This covenant will have exceptions, under which we will be permitted to
refinance the full amount of:
- our First Mortgage Bonds outstanding on June 30, 1998, which aggregated
$2.8 billion principal amount;
- our existing $804 million bank credit facility; and
- our existing $300 million trade receivables financing;
in each case without securing the notes. We will also be permitted to enter
into a Securitization Transaction without securing the notes.
"SECURITIZATION TRANSACTION" means a transaction pursuant to PSC or other
governmental authorization, in which we transfer rights or other property to a
special purpose entity in conjunction with a financing based on our right to
collect a non-bypassable wires or similar fee.
Our "RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES" means all of our subsidiaries except any
subsidiary that is designated by our Board of Directors as not restricted, but
only if the designated subsidiary:
- has no indebtedness that is recourse to us;
- deals with us and our other Restricted Subsidiaries only on an
arm's-length basis;
- is not a subsidiary in which we or another Restricted Subsidiary is
obligated to make equity investments, or maintain its financial condition
or operating results; and
- has not guaranteed or otherwise provided credit support for any of our
indebtedness or indebtedness of another Restricted Subsidiary.
S-14
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN OF OUR OUTSTANDING SECURITIES
1998 SENIOR NOTES
We have $2.4 billion of Senior Notes outstanding that were issued in
June 1998. The 1998 Senior Notes have interest rates ranging from 7% to 8 1/2%
and maturities ranging from 2000 to 2010. The 1998 Senior Notes are redeemable
at any time at our option at prices that include a make whole premium. Defined
Terms used in the "Description of Notes" above have the same meaning under the
Indenture governing the 1998 Senior Notes.
The Indenture governing the 1998 Senior Notes contains covenants which, at
the date hereof, continue to restrict our ability to:
- incur liens;
- agree to restrictions on dividend or other payments from our Restricted
Subsidiaries
- merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets; and
- sell our assets unless we meet specified conditions.
If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, each holder of 1998 Senior
Notes will have the right to require us to repurchase those 1998 Senior Notes at
a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as
applicable), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
Our ability to pay cash to the holders of the 1998 Senior Notes upon a
repurchase may be limited by our then existing financial resources. There can be
no assurance that we will have sufficient funds to repurchase the 1998 Senior
Notes following a Change of Control Triggering Event.
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the following:
- the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by
way of merger or consolidation) of all or substantially all of our assets
and the assets of our Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
- the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution;
- the consummation of any transaction which results in any person or group
(other than Holdings) becoming the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of all classes of
our Capital Stock then outstanding; or
- the first day on which a majority of the members of our Board of Directors
are not Continuing Directors.
"CHANGE OF CONTROL TRIGGERING EVENT" means the occurrence of a Change of
Control that is accompanied by a decline in the ratings of the 1998 Senior Notes
by at least one gradation by a ratings agency, or the withdrawal of any such
rating.
"CONTINUING DIRECTORS" means any member of our Board of Directors who
- was a member of such Board of Directors on the date the 1998 Senior Notes
were issued; or
- was nominated for election or elected with the approval of a majority of
the Continuing Directors who were then members of the Board.
2000 SENIOR NOTES
We also have $200 million of Senior Notes outstanding that were issued in
May 2000. The 2000 Senior Notes bear interest at a 8 7/8% rate per annum and
mature on May 15, 2007. The 2000 Senior Notes are redeemable at any time at our
option at prices that include a make whole premium. Defined terms used in the
"Description of Notes" above have the same meaning under the Indenture governing
the 2000 Senior Notes. The Indenture governing the 2000 Senior Notes contains
covenants which are substantially identical to those relating to the notes being
offered under this prospectus supplement.
S-15
UNDERWRITING
The underwriters named below have severally agreed, subject to the terms and
conditions of the underwriting agreement with us, to purchase the principal
amount of notes set forth below opposite their respective names. The
underwriters are committed to purchase all of the notes if any are purchased.
Under certain circumstances, the commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may
be increased. Salomon Smith Barney Inc. is acting as representative of the
underwriters named below:
PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITER AMOUNT OF NOTES
----------- ---------------
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.................................... $180,000,000
Banc One Capital Markets, Inc............................... 60,000,000
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation...................... 60,000,000
------------
Total..................................................... $300,000,000
============
The underwriters propose to offer some of the notes directly to the public
at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus
supplement and some of the notes to dealers at the public offering price less a
concession not to exceed 0.2100% of the principal amount of the notes. The
underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed
0.1875% of the principal amount of the notes on sales to other dealers. After
the initial offering of the notes to the public, the underwriters may change the
public offering price and the concessions.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we
are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a
percentage of the principal amount of the notes).
PAID BY US
----------
Per note.................................................... 0.3500%
In connection with the offering, Salomon Smith Barney Inc., on behalf of the
underwriters, may purchase and sell notes in the open market. These transactions
may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing
transactions. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of notes in excess of the
principal amount of notes to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering,
which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions
involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has
been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing
transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of notes made for the purpose
of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes while the
offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the
underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when
Salomon Smith Barney Inc., in covering syndicate short positions or making
stabilizing purchases, repurchases notes originally sold by that syndicate
member.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a
decline in the market price of the notes. They may also cause the price of the
notes to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market
in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these
transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters
commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on a national securities
exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market
for the notes.
S-16
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to
payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those
liabilities.
In the ordinary course of their respective business, the underwriters and
their affiliates perform investment banking, commercial banking and other
financial services for us. Because more than 10% of the net proceeds of this
offering may be paid to affiliates of the underwriters, this offering is made
pursuant to Rule 2710(c)(8) of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.
We estimate that we will spend approximately $435,000 for printing, rating
agency, trustee, accounting and legal fees and other expenses relating to the
offering.
VALIDITY OF THE NOTES
The validity of the notes will be passed upon for us by Sullivan & Cromwell,
New York, New York, our counsel, and for the underwriters by Pillsbury Winthrop
LLP, New York, New York, counsel for the several underwriters.
S-17
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
THIS SECTION REPLACES THE SECTION ENTITLED "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION" IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS.
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. You may read
and copy any documents that we file at:
- SEC Public Reference Room
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549.
You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the SEC at its Washington address.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information.
Our filings are also available to the public through:
- The SEC web site at http://www.sec.gov; and
- The New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street
New York, New York 10005.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with
the SEC, which information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and later
information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
that information as well as the information included in this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference the
documents listed in the box below and any future filings made with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed
prior to the termination of this offering.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and
June 30, 2001.
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed January 17, January 31 and May 7, 2001.
We will provide, without charge, a copy of these filings, other than any
exhibits unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You may request your
copy by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Leon T. Mazur
Director, Investor Relations
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
300 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, New York 13202
(315) 428-5876
S-18
$500,000,000
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS
UNSECURED DEBT SECURITIES
----------------
By this prospectus, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation may offer from time to
time up to $500,000,000 of its debt securities. These securities may be either
First Mortgage Bonds, secured by a mortgage on our assets, or unsecured debt
securities. When we offer these securities, we will provide you with a
prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue, including the
offering price and whether the securities are secured.
You should read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement carefully
before you invest.
------------------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY OTHER REGULATORY BODY
HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
------------------------
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation may sell these securities to underwriters,
through agents or directly to other purchasers. The prospectus supplement will
include the names of any underwriters or agents.
This prospectus is dated April 3, 2000
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
SEC using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell
the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a
total dollar amount of $500,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general
description of the First Mortgage Bonds and unsecured debt securities we may
offer.
Each time we sell Securities, we will provide a "PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT" that
will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The
prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in
this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus
supplement together with additional information described under the heading
"Where You Can Find More Information" on page 15.
For more detail, you may read the exhibits, financial statements, notes and
schedules filed with our registration statement.
ABOUT NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
We were organized in 1937 under the laws of New York State and are engaged
principally in the regulated energy delivery business in New York State. We
provide electric service, and we sell, distribute and transport natural gas to
approximately 1,600,000 electric and 560,000 gas customers in areas of central,
northern and western New York State.
On March 18, 1999, we were reorganized into a holding company structure in
accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Exchange between Niagara Mohawk
Holdings, Inc. and us. Our outstanding common stock was exchanged on a
share-for-share basis for the common stock of Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc. Our
debt and preferred stock were not exchanged as a part of the share exchange and
continue as our obligations. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for how
you can find more information about the reorganization and about us.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT
In 1999, the New York State Public Service Commission approved our petition
to purchase up to $800 million of Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc. common stock. In
July 1999, the board of directors of Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc. approved a
program to repurchase 20 million shares through December 31, 2001 and in
March 2000 the board of directors authorized and approved the repurchase of an
additional 20 million shares through December 31, 2002. As of December 31, 1999,
we repurchased 10 million shares of the common stock of Niagara Mohawk
Holdings, Inc. Additional 5 million shares were repurchased by an agent on our
behalf, but were not paid for by us (with the exception of $1.4 million in
carrying charges) and remain in the number of shares outstanding in computing
the earnings per share of Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we state otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will use the
proceeds from the sale of the Securities offered under this prospectus and the
prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes. Our general corporate
purposes may include:
- the finance of our construction program;
- refund existing long term-debt and preferred stock;
- refund short term debt;
- the finance of termination or restructuring of Power Purchase Agreements
with Independent Power Producers; and
- repurchase common stock of Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc.
1
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1995 through 1999 are as follows:
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----- -------- -------- -------- --------
x1.01 x.57 x2.02 x1.57 x2.29
For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings consist of income before
income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of: (a) interest expenses
and amortization of debt expenses as reported in our consolidated financial
statements; (b) dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary companies; (c) the
portion of net rental expense which is deemed representative of the interest
factor inherent in rents and (d) the cumulative effect of accounting changes.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
The Securities issued under this prospectus are governed by documents called
the "INDENTURES". The Indenture governing the First Mortgage Bonds is a contract
between us and HSBC. The Indenture governing our unsecured debt securities is a
contract between us and The Bank of New York. Each of these banks currently acts
as "TRUSTEE" under the Indenture to which it is a party.
Each Trustee has two main roles:
- First, the Trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There
are some limitations on the extent to which the Trustee acts on your
behalf, which we describe later under "Description of New Bonds--Events of
Default" and "Description of New Debentures--Events of Default."
- Second, the Trustee performs administrative duties for us, which include
sending you interest payments, transferring your debt securities to a new
buyer if you sell and sending you notices.
In this description, we refer to the First Mortgage Bonds as "NEW BONDS" and
the unsecured debt securities as the "NEW DEBENTURES." When we say "BOND" we
mean any bond that has been, or will be, delivered under the Indenture that
governs the New Bonds. When we say "Securities" we collectively refer to the New
Bonds and the New Debenture. A copy of each Indenture is filed as an exhibit to
the registration statement relating to the Securities.
Each Indenture permits us to issue different series of Securities from time
to time. We may issue securities in such amounts, at such times and on such
terms as we wish. The Securities may differ from one another in their terms.
Securities may be sold at prices substantially below their face value, and
may be denominated in foreign currencies. The prospectus supplement will
describe:
- special United States federal income tax or other considerations, if any,
with respect to Securities sold at original issue discount.
- special United States federal income tax and other considerations, if any,
with respect to Securities which are denominated in a currency or currency
unit other than United States dollars.
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the covenants
contained in the Indentures and the Securities will not afford holders of the
Securities protection in the event of a sudden decline in credit rating that
might result from a recapitalization, restructuring, or other highly leveraged
transaction.
THIS SECTION IS ONLY A SUMMARY
The Indentures and their associated documents, including your Securities,
contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section. A copy of
each Indenture has been filed with the SEC as part of our registration
statement. See "Where You Can Find More
2
Information" on page 15 for information on how to obtain a copy.
This section summarizes the material terms that will apply generally to the
Securities. Each particular series of Securities will have financial and other
terms specific to it, and these specific terms will be described in the
prospectus supplement. As you read this section, therefore, please remember that
the specific terms of your Securities as described in your prospectus supplement
will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms
described in this section. The statements we make in this section may not apply
to your Securities.
IN THE REMAINDER OF THIS DESCRIPTION "YOU" MEANS DIRECT HOLDERS AND NOT
"STREET NAME" OR OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES. INDIRECT HOLDERS
SHOULD READ THE SUBSECTION ON PAGE 12 ENTITLED "STREET NAME" AND OTHER
INDIRECT HOLDERS".
DESCRIPTION OF NEW BONDS
TERMS OF THE NEW BONDS
You should refer to the prospectus supplement for the following information
about a particular series of New Bonds:
- the designation and principal amounts of the New Bonds;
- the date on which the New Bonds mature;
- the interest rate;
- when the interest on the New Bonds accrues and is payable;
- the dates on which interest on the New Bonds will be payable;
- whether, when and at what price we can redeem the New Bonds; and
- any other specific terms of the New Bonds.
THE MORTGAGE
The New Bonds are secured by a "MORTGAGE" which will create a direct first
lien on substantially all gas and electric properties that we now own or use or
are useful in the operation of our properties as an integrated system. The
mortgage lien will also extend to all property of the same nature we acquire
after the effective date of the Mortgage. The Mortgage will not extend to
property that we acquire through merger or consolidation or a purchase of
substantially all the assets of other corporations, unless we decide otherwise.
This lien DOES NOT EXTEND to:
- revenues and profits of the mortgaged property;
- any bills;
- notes;
- accounts receivable;
- cash (except cash deposited with the trustee);
- agreements;
- securities;
- materials and supplies; and
- all oil, gas and other minerals and the right to this removal.
This lien is SUBJECT TO:
- liens for taxes and assessments not due and payable or being contested in
good-faith;
- obligations to public authorities as to any franchise, consent, grant,
license or permit;
- leases and other rights of tenants and of licensees; and
- the rights of others to property acquired after the effective date of the
Mortgage for transmission or distribution systems or right-of-way purposes
(Granting Clause of the Mortgage).
3
The direct lien on our properties is also subject to other minor types of
encumbrances which do not materially interfere with the operation of our
business. These encumbrances may include:
- rights and claims of third parties in possession which are not disclosed
of record;
- any facts that can only be disclosed by an accurate survey;
- the effect of zoning ordinances;
- rights of public in the use of streets, roads and waterways; and
- leases, covenants, easements.
RANKING
The New Bonds will rank on an equal basis with all other mortgage Bonds
issued under the Mortgage.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
We will provide you further information in the prospectus supplement if any
series of New Bonds shall be entitled to the benefits of a surety bond or other
form of credit enhancement.
ADDITIONAL NEW BONDS
The Mortgage provides that we may not create any securities which will rank
senior to the New Bonds as to security. However, we may acquire property which
is subject to other liens and mortgage after-acquired property which is not
subject to the lien of the property.
Additional New Bonds which will rank equally as to security with the New
Bonds including prior lien New Bonds may be issued under the Mortgage in an
unlimited amount only as follows:
1. additional New Bonds may be issued in a principal amount equal to 60%
of the net (which was in excess of $300 million on December 31, 1999) of
property additions that are not subject to an unfunded prior lien;
2. we may issue additional New Bonds in exchange for bonds outstanding
under the Mortgage or in substitution for bonds that were retired (which was
in excess of $1.0 billion on December 31, 1999); and
3. additional New Bonds may be issued in a principal amount equal to the
amount of cash we deposit with the Trustee for that purpose.
Additional New Bonds described in paragraphs 1 and 3 above MAY NOT be issued
unless our net earnings over a certain period (12 out of the 15 preceding
months) that are available for interest, after a provision for depreciation but
before income taxes, are at least 1.75 times the annual interest charges on all
Bonds and prior lien bonds then outstanding or applied for.
We expect to offer the New Bonds on the basis of property additions, cash
deposited with the Trustee or Bonds that have been retired or will be retired or
purchased pursuant to sinking fund payments.
RELEASES OF PROPERTY
We may release property subject to the lien of the Mortgage, other than cash
and prior lien bonds, upon any sale, exchange, condemnation or expropriation of
the property subject to the Mortgage without furnishing notice to the
bondholders. Any property, other than cash or securities, we received upon the
release of mortgaged property shall be subject to the lien of the Mortgage, and
any cash or securities received shall, unless we use it to satisfy some prior
lien, become part of the security for the Bonds issued under the mortgage.
We may withdraw monies received by the Trustee as proceeds of released
property to reimburse us for retirement of Bonds and certain prior lien bonds,
or to pay, purchase or redeem these Bonds or prior lien bonds. We may also
withdraw cash in an amount equal to 166 2/3% of the principal amount of Bonds
which we could issue under the Mortgage in respect of Additional Property,
provided we forgo the right to issue these Bonds. In the ordinary course of
business and otherwise, we regularly obtain from
4
the Trustee the release of various properties from the lien of the Mortgage. In
the case of exchanges of property, no exchange shall be made if our Funded
Indebtedness is increased as a result. (Mortgage, Articles Sixth and Seventh.)
When we say "Additional Property" we refer to any property that we acquired
after July 31, 1937, that is used or useful in our business and which will
become subject to the first mortgage lien. Additional property will not include:
- property which is generally charged by us to operating expenses in
accordance with our accounting practices;
- equipment, material and supplies we acquire for the purpose of resale in
the usual course of business;
- goodwill, franchises or governmental permits;
- property we acquire as a substitute for a released property that is
subject to the Mortgage, but only to the extent of the consideration
received for the mortgaged property;
- cash, accounts receivables, stocks, bonds and other evidence of
indebtedness; and
- any insurance proceeds we receive from the Trustee as reimbursement for
loss or damage to property, but only to the extent of the insurance
proceeds received.
When we say "funded indebtedness" we refer to the aggregate unpaid principal
amount at any particular time of the Company's:
- issued and outstanding Bonds that we issue under the Mortgage, including
the additional Bonds that are about to be issued;
- all issued and outstanding bonds secured by a lien which is ranked prior
to, or equally with, the first mortgage lien; and
- all issued and outstanding bonds that are secured by any other lien and
are not subject to the first mortgage lien.
MAINTENANCE FUND PROVISIONS
We are required within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year, to
(a) certify the Costs of Additional Property (b) deposit with the Trustee cash,
Bonds or certain prior lien bonds; or (c) waive our right to the authentication
and delivery of the principal amount of Bonds to which we are then entitled
under the Mortgage, to the extent that the aggregate amount of expenditure for
maintenance, repairs, renewals and replacements for the period commencing
January 1, 1977 is less than the sum of 2.25% of our depreciable property (as
defined) on January 1 of each year during such period (Mortgage, Article Fifth,
section 22).
RESTRICTION ON COMMON STOCK DIVIDEND
To the extent that the aggregate amount of expenditure for maintenance and
repairs, plus the aggregate amount credited to depreciation, retirements and
other like reserves, for the period commencing January 1, 1977 is less than the
sum of 2.25% of our depreciable property on January 1 of each year during that
period, we must reserve an equivalent amount of surplus and hold it unavailable
for distribution as a dividend on our common stock. (Mortgage, Article Fifth,
section 23).
MERGERS AND SIMILAR EVENTS
We are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another company or
sell substantially all of our assets to another company as long as the following
conditions are met:
- we are not in default under the Mortgage;
- the terms of the merger or consolidation or sale of the our assets may not
impair the lien, the security of the Mortgage, the rights and powers of
the Trustee or the rights and powers of the bondholders;
- if we are not the surviving corporation, or in the case of a sale of our
assets, the successor corporation assumes by supplemental indenture our
obligations under the Mortgage.
5
MODIFICATION
From time to time, we may unilaterally modify the Mortgage by entering into
a supplemental indenture with the Trustee to:
- correct property descriptions;
- modify the Mortgage or form of bonds and coupons to facilitate stock
exchange listing requirements; or
- cure any ambiguity or errors in the Mortgage;
BUT ONLY if the amendments are not inconsistent with the terms of the Mortgage
and shall not impair the security of the Bonds.
The Mortgage also permits us and the Trustee to modify the Mortgage in any
manner whatsoever. A vote of the holders of Bonds owning 66 2/3% of the
principal amount of the total amount of outstanding Bonds, excluding Bonds owned
by us or by our affiliates, is required to effect this change to the Mortgage.
However, we and the Trustee may not modify the Mortgage in the following
ways without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Bonds:
- alter or impair our obligation to pay the principal and interest on the
Bonds;
- create a mortgage or a lien in the nature of a mortgage that ranks prior
to, or equally with, the first mortgage lien;
- any change to the Mortgage that adversely affects your rights; or
- reduce the percentage of bondholders that is required to consent to a
modification to the Mortgage.
We may not modify the Mortgage without the consent of the Trustee if the
Trustee is affected by the modification.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
You will have special rights if an Event of Default occurs and is not cured,
as described later in this subsection.
The term "EVENT OF DEFAULT" for the New Bonds means any of the following:
- we do not pay the principal of or any premium on a New Bond on its due
date;
- we do not pay interest on a New Bond within 60 days after its Due Date;
- we do not deposit any sinking, improvement, maintenance or similar fund
payment on its due date;
- we remain in breach of a covenant of the Mortgage for 90 days after we
receive a notice of default stating we are in breach. The notice must be
sent by the Trustee in its discretion or upon the written request of 25%
of the bondholders; and
- we file for bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events that involve
us.
If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured within 90 days,
the Trustee will notify the bondholders as to our default. The Mortgage allows
the Trustee to withhold notice of default if the Trustee determines in good
faith that withholding the notice is in the interests of the bondholders. The
Trustee may not withhold notice of any default in the payment of principal,
interest, installments upon retirement or any sinking or purchase fund.
Prior to exercising his powers to enforce the Mortgage, the Trustee is
entitled to reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an
"INDEMNITY").
"STREET NAME" AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR BANKS OR
BROKERS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO GIVE NOTICE OR DIRECTION TO OR MAKE A
REQUEST OF THE TRUSTEE.
The Mortgage does not require us to furnish periodic evidence to the trustee
as to the absence of default or as to our compliance with the terms of the
mortgage. However, the Mortgage requires that as a condition to the issuance of
additional Bonds, including New Bonds, we will be in compliance with any
covenant contained in the mortgage.
6
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW DEBENTURES
TERMS OF THE NEW DEBENTURES
You should refer to the prospectus supplement for the following information
about a particular series of New Debentures:
- the designation and principal amounts of the New Debentures;
- the date on which the New Debentures mature;
- the interest rate;
- when the interest on the New Debentures accrues and is payable;
- the dates on which interest on the New Debentures will be payable;
- whether, when and at what price we can redeem the New Debentures; and
- any other specific terms of the New Debentures.
CONVERSION
Your New Debentures may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock
or other securities if your prospectus supplement so provides. If your New
Debentures are convertible or exchangeable, your prospectus supplement will
include provisions as to:
- whether the New Debentures are convertible or exchangeable into our common
stock or other securities we issue or into common stock or other
securities of other issuers;
- whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, at your option or our
option;
- whether adjustments may be made in the number of shares of common stock or
other securities to be received by you upon conversion or exchange.
MERGERS AND SIMILAR EVENTS
We are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another company or
sell substantially all of our assets to another company as long as the following
conditions are met:
- we are not in default under the Indenture;
- where we merge out of existence or sell our assets, the other firm may not
be organized under a foreign country's laws (that is, it must be a
corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized under the laws
of a State or the District of Columbia or under federal law); and
- if we are not the surviving corporation, or in the case of a sale of our
assets, the successor corporation assumes by supplemental indenture our
obligations under the Indenture.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
There are three types of changes we can make to the Indenture and the New
Debentures.
CHANGES REQUIRING YOUR APPROVAL. First, there are changes that cannot be
made to your New Debentures without your specific approval.
Following is a list of those types of changes:
- change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or interest on any New
Debenture;
- reduce any amounts due on any New Debenture;
- reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the Maturity
of any New Debenture following a default;
- change the place or currency of payment on any New Debenture;
- impair your right to sue for payment;
- reduce the percentage of holders of New Debentures whose consent is needed
to modify or amend the Indenture;
- reduce the percentage of holders of New Debentures whose consent is needed
to
7
waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or to waive
certain defaults; and
- modify any other aspect of the provisions dealing with modification and
waiver of the Indenture. (SECTION 902)
CHANGES REQUIRING A MAJORITY VOTE. The second type of change to the
Indenture and the New Debentures is the kind that requires a vote in favor by
holders of New Debentures owning a majority amount of the particular series
affected. Most changes fall into this category, except for changes noted above
as requiring your specific vote, and, as we note below, changes which do not
require your approval. The same vote would be required for us to obtain a waiver
of any past defaults. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or
any other aspect of the Indenture or the New Debentures listed in the first
category described above under "--Changes Requiring Your Approval" unless we
obtain your individual consent to the waiver. (SECTION 513)
CHANGES NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL. The third type of change does not require
any approval by holders of New Debentures. This type is limited to
clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders
of the New Debentures.
FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING VOTING. When taking a vote, we will use the
following rules to decide how much principal amount to attribute to a New
Debenture:
- For Original Issue Discount Securities, we will use the principal amount
that would be due and payable on the voting date if the Maturity of the
New Debentures were accelerated to that date because of a default.
- For New Debentures whose principal amount is not known (for example,
because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that New
Debentures described in the prospectus supplement.
- For New Debentures denominated in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.
New Debentures will not be considered outstanding, and therefore are not
eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust for you money for
their payment or redemption. New Debentures will also not be eligible to vote if
they have been fully defeased as described later on page 11 under "Full
Defeasance". (Section 101)
We generally will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the
purpose of determining the holders of outstanding New Debentures that are
entitled to vote or take other action under the Indenture. In certain limited
circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by
holders. If we or the Trustee set a record date for a vote or other action to be
taken by holders of a particular series, that vote or action may be taken only
by persons who are holders of outstanding New Debentures of that series on the
record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date or a
shorter period that we may specify (or as the Trustee may specify if it sets the
record date). We may shorten or lengthen (but not beyond 180 days) this period
from time to time. (SECTION 104)
"STREET NAME" AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR BANKS OR
BROKERS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW APPROVAL MAY BE GRANTED OR DENIED IF WE SEEK
TO CHANGE THE INDENTURE OR THE DEBT SECURITIES OR REQUEST A WAIVER.
COVENANTS
The prospectus supplement for your series of New Debentures may set forth
restrictive covenants with respect to your New Debentures.
DEFEASANCE
The following discussion of full defeasance and covenant defeasance will be
applicable to your series of New Debentures only if we choose to have them apply
to that series. If we do so choose, we will inform you of this decision in the
prospectus supplement. (SECTION 1301)
8
FULL DEFEASANCE. If there is a change in federal tax law, as described
below, we can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on
the New Debentures (called "FULL DEFEASANCE") if we put in place the following
other arrangements for you to be repaid:
- We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other
direct holders of the New Debentures a combination of money and U.S.
government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate
enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the New
Debentures on their various due dates.
- There must be a change in current federal tax law or an IRS ruling that
lets us make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the New
Debentures any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just
repaid the New Debentures ourselves. (Under current federal tax law, the
deposit and our legal release from the New Debentures would be treated as
though we took back your New Debentures and gave you your share of the
cash and notes or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could
recognize gain or loss on the New Debentures you give back to us.)
- We must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming
the tax law change described above. (SECTIONS 1302 AND 1304)
- If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would
have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment on the New
Debentures. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event
of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be
protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever become
bankrupt or insolvent.
COVENANT DEFEASANCE. Under current federal tax law, we can make the same
type of deposit described above and be released from some of the restrictive
covenants in the New Debentures that may be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement. This is called "COVENANT DEFEASANCE". In that event, you
would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the
protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the New
Debentures. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
- We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other
direct holders of the New Debentures a combination of money and U.S.
government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate
enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the New
Debentures on their various due dates.
- We must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming
that under current federal income tax law we may make the above deposit
without causing you to be taxed on the New Debentures any differently than
if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the New Debentures
ourselves.
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, the following provisions of the
Indenture and the New Debentures would no longer apply:
- Covenants applicable to the series of New Debentures and described in the
prospectus supplement.
- The Events of Default relating to breach of covenants and acceleration of
the maturity of other debt, described later under "What Is an Event of
Default?"
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment
of the New Debentures if there is a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if
one of the remaining Events of Default occurs (such as our bankruptcy) and the
New Debentures become immediately due and payable, there may be such a
shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to
obtain payment of the shortfall. (SECTIONS 1303 AND 1304)
9
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
You will have special rights if an Event of Default occurs and is not cured,
as described later in this subsection.
WHAT IS AN EVENT OF DEFAULT? The term "EVENT OF DEFAULT" for the New
Debentures means any of the following:
- We do not pay the principal of or any premium on New Debenture on its due
date.
- We do not pay interest on New Debenture within 30 days of its due date.
- We do not deposit any sinking fund payment on its due date.
- We remain in breach of a covenant of the Indenture for 60 days after we
receive a notice of default stating we are in breach. The notice must be
sent by either the Trustee or holders of 10% of the principal amount of
New Debentures of the affected series.
- We file for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization occur.
- Any other Event of Default described in the prospectus supplement occurs.
(Section 501)
REMEDIES IF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OCCURS. If an Event of Default has occurred
and has not been cured, the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of
the New Debentures of the affected series may declare the entire principal
amount of all the New Debentures of that series to be due and immediately
payable. If an Event of Default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the New Debentures of
that series will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the Trustee
or any holder. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the New Debentures of the
affected series. (SECTION 502)
Except in cases of default where the Trustee has some special duties, the
Trustee is not required to take any action under the Indenture at the request of
any holders unless the Holders offer the Trustee an indemnity. If reasonable
indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding New Debentures of the relevant series may direct the time, method
and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any
remedy available to the Trustee. These majority holders may also direct the
Trustee in performing any other action under the Indenture. (SECTION 512)
Before you bypass the Trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal
legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your
interests relating to the New Debentures, the following must occur:
- You must give the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has
occurred and remains uncured.
- The holders of 25% in principal amount of all outstanding New Debentures
of the relevant series must make a written request that the Trustee take
action because of the default, and must offer reasonable indemnity to the
Trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.
- The Trustee must have not taken action for 60 days after receipt of the
notice and offer of indemnity. (SECTION 507)
However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of
money due on your New Debenture on or after its due date. (SECTION 508)
"STREET NAME" AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR BANKS OR
BROKERS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO GIVE NOTICE OR DIRECTION TO OR MAKE A
REQUEST OF THE TRUSTEE AND TO MAKE OR CANCEL A DECLARATION OF ACCELERATION.
We will furnish to the Trustee every year a written statement of certain of
our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the
Indenture and the New Debentures, or else specifying any default.
(SECTION 1004)
10
REGARDING THE TRUSTEES
The Trustee under the Mortgage for the New Bonds is HSBC, with whom we
maintain normal banking arrangements. HSBC has also extended a line of credit to
us. We maintain bank accounts, borrow money and have other customary banking
relationships with HSBC in the ordinary course of business.
The Trustee under the Indenture for the New Debentures is The Bank of New
York, which has extended a line of credit to us and with whom we also maintain
normal banking arrangements.
If an event of default (or an event that would be an event of default if the
requirements for giving us default notice or for our default having to exist for
a specific period of time were disregarded) occurs, one or both of the Trustees
may be considered to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to the Securities. In that case, one or both
of the Trustees may be required to resign as trustee and we would be required to
appoint one or more successor trustees.
DESCRIPTION OF TERMS COMMON TO NEW BONDS AND NEW DEBENTURES
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the following
provisions apply equally to, both, New Bonds and New Debentures.
FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER
The Securities will be issued:
- only in fully registered form;
- without interest coupons; and
- in denominations that are multiples of $1,000.
You may have your Securities broken into more Securities of smaller
denominations or combined into fewer Securities of larger denominations, as long
as the total principal amount is not changed. This is called an "EXCHANGE".
You may exchange or transfer Securities at the office of the entity
performing the role of maintaining the list of registered holders, known as the
"SECURITY REGISTRAR", or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us
for that purpose.
You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange
Securities, but you may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental
charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange will
only be made if the Security Registrar or transfer agent, as applicable, is
satisfied with your proof of ownership.
If the Securities are redeemable and we redeem less than all of the
Securities of a particular series, we may block the transfer or exchange of
Securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice
of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list
of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or
exchanges of Securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to
permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any Securities being
partially redeemed.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
We will pay interest to you if you are a direct holder listed in the records
of the Security Registrar at the close of business on the "REGULAR RECORD DATE."
The prospectus supplement will specify the Regular Record Dates for the
Securities.
We will pay interest, principal and any other money due on the Securities at
the corporate trust offices of each of the designated Trustees. You must make
arrangements to have your payments picked up or wired from that office. We may
also choose to pay interest by mailing checks.
11
"STREET NAME" AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR BANKS OR
BROKERS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW THEY WILL RECEIVE PAYMENTS.
We may also arrange for additional payment offices and may cancel or change
those offices, including our use of the corporate trust offices of each of the
designated Trustees. These offices are called "PAYING AGENTS". We are required
to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Securities. We must
notify you of changes in the Paying Agents for the Securities.
LEGAL OWNERSHIP
"STREET NAME" AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS
Investors who hold Securities in accounts at banks or brokers will generally
not be recognized by us as legal holders of Securities. This is called holding
in "STREET NAME". Instead, we would recognize only the bank or broker, or the
financial institution the bank or broker uses to hold its securities. These
intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions pass along
principal, interest and other payments on the securities, either because they
agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required
to forfeit these securities payments. If your New Securities are in "Street
Name," you should check with your own institution to find out:
- How it handles securities payments and notices.
- Whether it imposes fees or charges.
- How it would handle voting if ever required.
- Whether and how you can instruct it to send you Debt Securities registered
in your own name so you can be a direct holder as described below.
- How it would pursue rights under the Debt Securities if there were a
default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect
their interests.
DIRECT HOLDERS
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the Trustee and those of any
third parties employed by us or either Trustee, run only to Persons who are
registered as holders of Securities. As noted above, we do not have obligations
to you if you hold in "Street Name" or other indirect means, either because you
choose to hold Securities in that manner or because the Securities are issued in
the form of Global Securities as described below. For example, once we make
payment to the registered holder, we have no further responsibility for the
payment even if that holder is legally required to pass the payment along to you
as a "Street Name" customer but does not fulfill this obligation.
12
GLOBAL SECURITIES
WHAT IS A GLOBAL SECURITY? A Global Security is a special type of
indirectly-held Security, as described above under "Street Name' and Other
Indirect Holders". We may choose to issue some or all of the Securities in the
form of Global Securities, in which case the ultimate beneficial owners can only
be indirect holders. We do this by requiring that the Global Security be
registered in the name of a financial institution we select and by requiring
that the Securities included in the Global Security not be transferred to the
name of any other direct holder unless the special circumstances described below
occur. The financial institution that acts as the sole direct holder of the
Global Security is called the "Depositary". Any person wishing to own a Global
Security must do so indirectly through an account with a broker, bank or other
financial institution that in turn has an account with the Depositary. The
prospectus supplement will indicate whether your series of Securities will be
issued only in the form of Global Securities.
SPECIAL INVESTOR CONSIDERATIONS FOR GLOBAL SECURITIES. As an indirect
holder, an investor's rights relating to a Global Security will be governed by
the account rules of the investor's financial institution and of the Depositary,
as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize
this type of investor as a holder of Securities and instead deal only with the
Depositary that holds the Global Security.
An investor should be aware that if Securities are issued only in the form
of Global Securities:
The investor cannot get Securities registered in his or her own name.
- The investor cannot receive physical certificates for his or her interest
in the Securities.
- The investor will be a "Street Name" holder and must look to his or her
own bank or broker for payments on the Securities and protection of his or
her legal rights relating to the Securities. See the discussion above
"Street Name" and Other Indirect Holders".
- The Depositary's policies will govern payments, transfers, exchange and
other matters relating to the investor's interest in the Global Security.
We and each Trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the
Depositary's actions or for its records of ownership interests in the
Global Security. We and each Trustee also do not supervise the Depositary
in any way.
- The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers receive
physical certificates for their interests in the securities. These laws
may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global
Security.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS WHEN A GLOBAL SECURITY WILL BE TERMINATED. In a few
special situations described later, a Global Security will terminate and
interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing
Securities. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold Securities
directly or in "Street Name" will be up to the investor. Investors must consult
their own bank or brokers to find out how to have their interests in Securities
transferred to their own name so that they will be direct holders. The rights of
"Street Name" investors and direct holders in the Securities have been described
above under "Street Name" and Other Indirect Holders" and "Direct Holders" on
page 12.
The special situations for termination of a Global Security are:
- When the Depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer
qualified to continue as Depositary.
- When an event of default on the Securities has occurred and has not been
cured. (Defaults are discussed above)
The prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for
terminating a Global
13
Security that would apply only to the particular series of Securities covered by
the prospectus supplement. When a Global Security terminates, the Depositary
(and not the company or each Trustee) is responsible for deciding the names of
the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell Securities:
- to or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing
underwriters;
- through one or more underwriters without a syndicate for them to offer and
sell to the public;
- through dealers or agents; and
- to investors directly in negotiated sales or in competitively bid
transactions.
Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of any series of the
Securities will be named in the prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement for each series of Securities will describe:
- the terms of the offering of these Securities, including the name of the
agent or the name or names of any underwriters;
- the public offering or purchase price;
- any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or
underwriters and all other items constituting underwriting compensation;
- any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and
- other specific terms of the particular Securities.
Only the agents or underwriters named in a prospectus supplement are agents
or underwriters in connection with the Securities being offered by that
prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, agents and dealers may be entitled, under agreements with us,
to indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act.
Underwriters to whom we sell Securities for public offering and sale are
obliged to purchase all of those particular Securities if any are purchased.
This obligation is subject to certain conditions and may be modified in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers or agents may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES
Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York, will pass upon the validity of the
Securities for us.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999 incorporated in this
Prospectus by reference to Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc., and our Combined
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as expert in
auditing and accounting.
14
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy
any document that we file at:
- SEC Public Reference Room
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549;
- Citicorp Center
500 West Madison Street
Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2411; or
- Seven World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, New York 10048.
You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the SEC at its Washington address.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information.
Our filings are also available to the public through:
- The SEC web site at http://www.sec.gov
- The New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street
New York, New York 10005
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with
the SEC, which information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and later
information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
that information as well as the information included in this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference the
documents listed in the box below and any future filings made with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
filed prior to the termination of this offering.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
We will provide without charge a copy of these filings, other than any
exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You may request your
copy by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Leon T. Mazur
Director, Investor Relations
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
300 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, New York 13202
(315) 428-5876
Information in this prospectus may add to, update or change information in a
previously filed document incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In that
case, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. Information in a
document filed after the date of this prospectus may add to, update or change
information in this prospectus or in a previously filed document incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. In that case, you should rely on the information
in the later filed document.
15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$300,000,000
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2004
[LOGO]
------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
------------------------
September 25, 2001
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------