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Optim Energy
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Optim Energy
Optim Energy

In January 2007, Optim Energy was created by PNMR and ECJV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cascade, to serve expanding energy markets, principally the areas of Texas covered by ERCOT. PNMR and ECJV each had a 50 percent ownership interest in Optim Energy, a limited liability company. Optim Energy had a bank financing arrangement that provided for a revolving line of credit, the issuance of bank letters of credit support certain contractual arrangements, and a maturity of May 31, 2012. Cascade and ECJV guaranteed Optim Energy’s obligations on this facility. Optim Energy’s debt was non-recourse to PNMR.

Beginning in 2009, Optim Energy was affected by adverse market conditions, primarily low natural gas and power prices. Under GAAP, there were indicators of impairment that required PNMR to perform an impairment analyses of its investment in Optim Energy as of December 31, 2010. PNMR’s analysis indicated that its entire investment in Optim Energy was impaired at December 31, 2010. Accordingly, PNMR reduced the carrying value of its investment in Optim Energy to zero at December 31, 2010. In accordance with GAAP, PNMR did not record income or losses associated with its investment in Optim Energy in 2011 as PNMR had no contractual requirement or agreement to provide Optim Energy with additional financial resources.
 
As a result of the adverse market conditions described above, PNMR (in collaboration with Optim Energy and ECJV) assessed various strategic alternatives relating to Optim Energy. On September 23, 2011, PNMR, ECJV, and Cascade agreed to restructure Optim Energy and ECJV made an equity contribution to Optim Energy in exchange for an increased ownership interest, which resulted in PNMR’s ownership in Optim Energy being reduced from 50% to 1%. As part of this transaction, PNMR did not make any equity contribution to Optim Energy nor was it required to make any future contribution. PNMR Services Company provided certain corporate services to Optim Energy through December 31, 2011 and thereafter with respect to certain open tax matters. On January 4, 2012, ECJV exercised its option to acquire PNMR’s remaining 1% ownership interest in Optim Energy at fair market value, which was determined to be zero.

As discussed above, PNMR fully impaired its investment in Optim Energy at December 31, 2010 and did not recognize losses of Optim Energy from January 1, 2011 through September 23, 2011 when PNMR ceased to account for its investment using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, Optim Energy has no impact on PNMR’s 2011 statement of earnings and statement of cash flows. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Optim Energy reported operating revenues of $256.8 million, margin of $84.7 million, and a net loss of $21.4 million.