10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended Sept. 30, 2005

or

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

For the transition period from               to

Commission File Number: 001-03789

SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Mexico	75-0575400
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
Tyler at Sixth,
Amarillo, Texas	79101
(Address of principal executive	(Zip Code)
offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (303) 571-7511

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes ý No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).oYes ý No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at October 26, 2005
Common Stock, $1 par value	100 shares

Southwestern Public Service Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instruction H (2) to such Form 10-Q.

Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item l.	Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings
Item 6.	Exhibits

This Form 10-Q is filed by Southwestern Public Service Co. (SPS). SPS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. (Xcel Energy). Additional information on Xcel Energy is available on various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

2

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Thousands of Dollars)

	Three Months Ended Sept. 30,								Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,
	2005				2004				2005				2004
Operating revenues	$	487,760			$	390,077			$	1,181,489			$	1,044,233
Operating expenses:
Electric fuel and purchased power	346,057				252,904				806,020				669,552
Other operating and maintenance expenses	47,515				41,694				137,033				129,585
Depreciation and amortization	24,910				23,098				72,609				68,148
Taxes (other than income taxes)	13,666				13,328				39,103				38,163
Total operating expenses	432,148				331,024				1,054,765				905,448
Operating income	55,612				59,053				126,724				138,785
Other income:
Interest and other income, net of nonoperating expenses (see Note 6)	1,643				359				5,585				1,397
Allowance for funds used during construction—equity	746				91				1,718				1,199
Total other income	2,389				450				7,303				2,596
Interest charges and financing costs:
Interest charges—net of amounts capitalized, includes other financing costs of $1,542, $1,555, $4,578 and $4,941, respectively	13,432				13,224				40,212				39,753
Allowance for funds used during construction—debt	(382			)	(454			)	(1,392			)	(1,311		)
Total interest charges and financing costs	13,050				12,770				38,820				38,442
Income before income taxes	44,951				46,733				95,207				102,939
Income taxes	16,730				17,979				35,381				39,316
Net income	$		28,221		$		28,754		$		59,826		$	63,623

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Thousands of Dollars)

	Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,
	2005			2004
Operating activities:
Net income	$	59,826		$	63,623
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	78,074			74,601
Deferred income taxes	42,864			23,058
Amortization of investment tax credits	(188		)	(188		)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(1,718		)	(1,199		)
Change in recoverable electric energy costs	(70,470		)	(40,793		)
Change in accounts receivable	(46,650		)	(23,014		)
Change in unbilled revenues	(17,450		)	4,111
Change in inventories	694			482
Change in other current assets	(263		)	(1,171		)
Change in accounts payable	46,807			211
Change in other current liabilities	31,510			14,236
Change in other noncurrent assets	(12,300		)	(11,913		)
Change in other noncurrent liabilities	4,712			3,137
Net cash provided by operating activities	115,448			105,181
Investing activities:
Capital/construction expenditures	(89,350		)	(84,855		)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	1,718			1,199
Other investments—net	1,617			3,666
Net cash used in investing activities	(86,015		)	(79,990		)
Financing activities:
Short-term borrowings—net	(22,400		)	45,000
Capital contributions from parent	56,736			1,032
Dividends paid to parent	(63,769		)	(70,606		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(29,433		)	(24,574		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	—			617
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5			9,869
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	5		$	10,486
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	29,616		$	29,437
Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds received)	$	(1,698	)	$	6,966

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4

SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(Thousands of Dollars)

	Sept. 30, 2005			Dec. 31, 2004
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5		$	5
Accounts receivable—net of allowance for bad debts: $2,702 and $2,844, respectively	111,946			66,445
Accounts receivable from affiliates	3,423			2,273
Accrued unbilled revenues	79,719			62,269
Recoverable electric energy costs	150,510			80,040
Materials and supplies inventories—at average cost	13,667			14,403
Fuel inventory—at average cost	3,040			2,997
Derivative instruments valuation—at market	24,626			8,381
Prepayments and other	7,165			6,902
Total current assets	394,101			243,715
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Electric utility plant	3,307,554			3,291,086
Construction work in progress and other property	74,594			65,848
Total property, plant and equipment	3,382,148			3,356,934
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,400,201		)	(1,398,497			)
Net property, plant and equipment	1,981,947			1,958,437
Other assets:
Other investments	8,285			9,902
Regulatory assets	131,320			93,067
Prepaid pension asset	139,584			132,757
Derivative instruments valuation—at market	61,686			52,431
Deferred charges and other	4,060			4,819
Total other assets	344,935			292,976
Total assets	$	2,720,983		$	2,495,128
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Borrowings on utility money pool, weighted average interest rate of 3.85% at Sept. 30, 2005	$	13,600		$		—
Bank borrowings on line of credit	—			36,000
Accounts payable	189,083			139,311
Accounts payable to affiliates	11,372			14,105
Taxes accrued	27,917			901
Accrued interest	15,048			10,098
Dividends payable to parent	19,496			22,442
Current deferred income taxes	32,869			7,878
Derivative instruments valuation—at market	29,399			14,772
Other	17,655			18,109
Total current liabilities	356,439			263,616
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes	452,803			438,276
Deferred investment tax credits	3,528			3,716
Regulatory liabilities	107,945			135,881
Derivative instruments valuation—at market	107,464			22,449
Benefit obligations and other	29,769			24,817
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	701,509			625,139
Long-term debt	825,696			825,462
Common stock—authorized 200 shares of $1.00 par value, outstanding 100 shares	—			—
Premium on common stock	472,566			415,830
Retained earnings	369,434			370,430
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,661		)	(5,349			)
Total common stockholder’s equity	837,339			780,911
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 3)
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,720,983		$		2,495,128

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of SPS as of Sept. 30, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2004; the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2005 and 2004; and its cash flows for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2005 and 2004. Due to the seasonality of electric sales of SPS, quarterly results are not necessarily an appropriate base from which to project annual results.

The significant accounting policies of SPS are set forth in Note 1 to its consolidated financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004. The following notes should be read in conjunction with such policies and other disclosures in the Form 10-K.

1.Significant Accounting Policies

FASB Interpretation No. 47 (FIN No. 47)—In April 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FIN No. 47 to clarify the scope and timing of liability recognition for conditional asset retirement obligations pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 143—“Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”.  The interpretation requires that a liability be recorded for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation, if the fair value is estimable, even when the obligation is dependent on a future event.  FIN No. 47 further clarified that uncertainty surrounding the timing and method of settlement of the obligation should be factored into the measurement of the conditional asset retirement obligation rather than affect whether a liability should be recognized.  Implementation is required to be effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after Dec. 15, 2005.  Additionally, FIN No. 47 will permit but not require restatement of interim financial information during any period of adoption.  Both recognition of a cumulative change in accounting and disclosure of the liability on a pro forma basis are required for transition purposes.  SPS is evaluating the impact of FIN No. 47, however, it is not expected to have a material impact on results of operations or financial position due to the expected recovery in customer rates.

Reclassifications—Certain items in the statement of income for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2004 have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income.

2.Regulation

Federal Regulation

Energy Legislation—On Aug. 8, 2005, President Bush signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Energy Act), significantly changing many federal energy statutes.  The Energy Act is expected to have a substantial long-term effect on energy markets, energy investment, and regulation of public utilities and holding company systems by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE).  The FERC was directed by the Energy Act to address many areas previously regulated by other governmental entities under the statutes and determine whether changes to such previous regulations are warranted.  The issues that the FERC has been required to consider associated with the repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, include the expansion of FERC authority to review mergers and sales of public utility companies and the expansion of the FERC authority over the books and records of public utility companies previously governed by the SEC.  The FERC is in various stages of rulemaking on these and other issues.  SPS cannot predict the impact the new rulemaking will have on its operations or financial results, if any.

Market-Based Rate Authority—The FERC regulates the wholesale sale of electricity.  In order to obtain market-based rate authorization from the FERC, utilities such as SPS have been required to submit analyses demonstrating that they did not have market power in the relevant markets.  SPS was previously granted market-based rate authority by the FERC.

In 2004, the FERC adopted two indicative screens (an uncommitted pivotal supplier analysis and an uncommitted market share analysis) as a revised test to assess market power.  Passage of the two screens creates a rebuttable presumption that an applicant does not have market power, while the failure creates a rebuttable presumption that the utility does have market power.  An applicant or intervenor can rebut the presumption by performing a more extensive delivered-price test analysis.  If an applicant is determined to have generation market power, the applicant has the opportunity to propose its own mitigation plan or may implement default mitigation established by the FERC.  The default mitigation limits prices for sales of power to cost-based rates within areas where an applicant is found to have market power.

Xcel Energy filed the required analysis applying the FERC’s two indicative screens on behalf of itself and SPS with the FERC on Feb. 7, 2005.  This analysis demonstrated that SPS passed the pivotal supplier analysis in its own control area and all adjacent markets, but that it failed the market share analysis in its own control areas.  Numerous parties filed interventions and requested that the FERC set the analysis for hearing.  Certain parties asked the FERC to revoke the market-based rate authority of SPS.

6

On June 2, 2005, the FERC issued an order initiating a proceeding pursuant to Section 206 of the Federal Power Act to investigate SPS’s market-based rate authority within its own control area.  The refund effective date that has been set as part of that investigation for such sales is August 12, 2005.

On August 1, 2005, SPS and Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo), another wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy,  submitted a filing to withdraw their market-based rate authority with respect to sales within their control areas.  As part of that filing, SPS and PSCo proposed to charge existing cost-based rates for sales into the SPS and PSCo control areas.  In October 2005, PSCo and SPS filed revised tariff sheets to reflect that limitation on their market-based rate authority.  Notwithstanding these actions, certain intervenors are still contending that FERC must hold an investigation regarding SPS’ market power and the rates that SPS is proposing to charge where it has relinquished market-based rate authority.  The matter is pending before the FERC.

FERC Transmission Rate Case—On Sept. 2, 2004, Xcel Energy filed on behalf of SPS and PSCo an application to increase wholesale transmission service and ancillary service rates within the Xcel Energy joint open access transmission tariff.  SPS and PSCo requested an increase in annual transmission service and ancillary services revenues of $6.1 million.  As a result of a settlement with certain PSCo wholesale power customers in 2003, their power sales rates would be reduced by $1.4 million. The net increase in annual revenues proposed is $4.7 million, of which $1.7 million is attributable to SPS.  The FERC suspended the filing and delayed the effective date of the proposed increase to June 1, 2005.  The rate increase application also includes SPS and PSCo adopting an annual formula rate for transmission service pricing as previously approved by the FERC for other transmission providers, which would provide annual rate changes reflecting changes in cost and usage.  The case is currently pending settlement judge procedures and interim rates went into effect on June 1, 2005, subject to refund.

Wholesale Rate Complaint—In November 2004, several wholesale cooperative customers of SPS filed a $3 million rate complaint at the FERC requesting that the FERC investigate SPS’ wholesale power base rates and fuel clause calculations.  In December 2004, the FERC accepted the complaint filing and ordered SPS base rates subject to refund, effective January 1, 2005.  Also in November 2004, SPS filed revisions to its wholesale fuel cost adjustment clause.  The FERC set the proposed rate changes into effect on January 1, 2005, subject to refund, and consolidated the proceeding with the wholesale cooperative customers’ complaint proceeding.  The FERC set the consolidated proceeding for hearing and settlement judge procedures, which were terminated when the parties could not reach a settlement.  A hearing judge has been appointed by the FERC and hearings have been scheduled for December 2005.

On Sept. 15, 2005, Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) filed a separate complaint at the FERC in which it contended that its demand charge under an existing interruptible power supply contract with SPS is excessive and that SPS has overcharged PNM for fuel costs under three separate agreements through erroneous fuel clause calculations.  PNM’s arguments mirror those that it made as an intervenor in the cooperatives’ complaint case, and SPS believes that they have little merit.  SPS submitted a response to PNM’s complaint in October 2005, and the case is pending FERC action.

SPP Energy Imbalance Service—On June 15, 2005, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) filed proposed tariff provisions to establish an Energy Imbalance Service (EIS), a wholesale energy market for the SPP region, using a phased approach toward the development of a fully-functional locational marginal pricing energy market with appropriate financial transmission rights.  On July 15, 2005, Xcel Energy filed a protest addressing the EIS proposal and urging FERC to reject the proposal and provide guidance to SPP in its effort to design and implement a fully functional Day 2 market for the SPP region to avoid “seams” between the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO) and SPP regions.  On Sept. 19, 2005, FERC issued an order rejecting the SPP EIS proposal and providing guidance and recommendations to SPP; however, the FERC did not require SPP to implement a full Day 2 market similar to MISO.  Requests for rehearing of the FERC order were due Oct. 19, 2005.

Other Regulatory Matters

Texas Retail Fuel Cost—Fuel and purchased energy costs are recovered in Texas through a fixed fuel and purchased energy recovery factor.  In May 2004, SPS filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) its periodic request for fuel and purchased power cost recovery for electric generation and fuel management activities for the period from January 2002 through December 2003.  SPS requested approval of approximately $580 million of Texas-jurisdictional fuel and purchased power costs for the two-year period.  Intervenor and PUCT staff testimony was filed in October 2004 and hearings were held in December 2004.  Intervenor testimony contained objections to SPS’ methodology for assigning average fuel costs to certain wholesale sales, among other things.  Recovery of $49 million to $86 million of the requested amount was contested by multiple intervenors.

The administrative law judge issued his recommended proposal for the decision (PFD) on April 15, 2005, which was generally favorable to SPS.  Prior to issuance of the PFD, SPS had entered into a non-unanimous stipulation with the PUCT staff and several of the intervenors.  The stipulation would provide reasonable regulatory certainty for SPS on all key issues raised in this proceeding.  The deadline for parties to protest the stipulation and request a hearing was July 22, 2005.  No parties protested the stipulation.  On Oct. 7,

7

2005, the PUCT issued an order requesting exceptions on the PFD and stipulation and announced it would take both into consideration in making its decision in this proceeding.  It is anticipated that a final order will be issued in November 2005.  The PUCT order may or may not reflect the terms of the stipulation or the PFD.  The stipulation reflects a potential liability of approximately $25 million, which is consistent with the reserve that SPS accrued during the fourth quarter of 2004 related to this proceeding.  SPS believes this estimate is appropriate and sufficient.

Energy Legislation—The 2005 Texas Legislature passed and the Governor signed, effective June 18, 2005, a law establishing  statutory authority for electric utilities outside of the electric reliability council of Texas in the SPP or the Western Electricity Coordinating Council to have timely recovery of transmission infrastructure investments.  After notice and hearing, the PUCT may allow recovery on an annual basis of the reasonable and necessary expenditures for transmission infrastructure improvement costs and changes in wholesale transmission charges under a tariff approved by FERC.  The PUCT will initiate a rulemaking for this process that is expected to take place largely in the first quarter of 2006.

New Mexico Fuel Review—On Jan. 28, 2005, the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission (NMPRC) accepted the staff petition for a review of SPS’ fuel and purchased power cost.  The staff has requested a formal review of SPS’ fuel and purchased power cost adjustment clause (FPPCAC) for the period of Oct. 1, 2001 through August 2004.  Several parties have requested to expand the issues in the case.  The NMPRC decided not to expand the case and address any additional issues in SPS’ fuel continuation case filed in August 2005.  Hearings in the fuel review case have been scheduled for April 2006.

New Mexico Fuel Factor Continuation Filing—The filing to continue the use of SPS’ FPPCAC was filed on Aug. 18, 2005.  This filing is required every two years pursuant to the NMPRC rules.  The filing proposes that the FPPCAC continue the current monthly factor cost recovery methodology.  Certain industrial customers have asked the NMPRC review SPS’ assignment of system average fuel cost to certain wholesale capacity sales.  Also they are asking that the NMPRC investigate the treatment of renewable energy credits and sulfur dioxide allowance credit proceeds in relation to SPS’ New Mexico retail fuel and purchased power recovery clause.   Hearings have been scheduled for April 2006, and a NMPRC decision is expected in late 2006.

3. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Environmental Contingencies

SPS has been or is currently involved with the cleanup of contamination from certain hazardous substances at several sites. In many situations, SPS is pursuing or intends to pursue insurance claims and believes it will recover some portion of these costs through such claims. Additionally, where applicable, SPS is pursuing, or intends to pursue, recovery from other potentially responsible parties and through the rate regulatory process. To the extent any costs are not recovered through the options listed above, SPS would be required to recognize an expense for such unrecoverable amounts in its consolidated financial statements.

Clean Air Interstate and Mercury Rules—In March 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued two significant new air quality rules.  The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) further regulates sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and the Clean Air Mercury Rule regulates mercury emissions from power plants for the first time.

The objective of the CAIR is to cap emissions of SO₂ and NOx in the eastern United States, including Texas.  When fully implemented, CAIR will reduce SO₂ emissions in 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia by over 70 percent and NOx emissions by over 60 percent from 2003 levels. It is designed to address the transportation of fine particulates, ozone and emission precursors to non-attainment downwind states.  CAIR has a two-phase compliance schedule, beginning in 2009 for NOx and 2010 for SO₂, with a final compliance deadline in 2015 for both emissions.  Under CAIR, each affected state will be allocated an emissions budget for SO₂ and NO_X that will result in significant emission reductions.  It will be based on stringent emission controls and forms the basis for a cap-and-trade program.   State emission budgets or caps decline over time.  States can choose to implement an emissions reduction program based on the EPA’s proposed model program, or they can propose another method, which the EPA would need to approve.

On July 11, 2005, SPS, the City of Amarillo and Occidental Permian LTD filed a lawsuit against the EPA and a request for reconsideration with the agency to exclude West Texas from the CAIR.  El Paso Electric Co. joined in the request for reconsideration.

Xcel Energy and SPS advocated that West Texas should be excluded from CAIR, because it does not contribute significantly to nonattainment with the fine particulate matter National Ambient Air Quality Standard in any downwind jurisdiction.

•Emissions from plants located in the Texas panhandle are more than 1,000 kilometers away from cities like Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis and have no measurable impact on their air quality.

8

•EPA should not arbitrarily include the entire state of Texas in the rule. As a result of its size, there are significant differences in the air quality impacts of plants in the different regions of Texas.

•EPA has precedent for dividing the state into two regions.  As part of the Texas Air Quality strategy, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality split the state and imposed different requirements on West Texas.  The Bush Administration adopted a similar approach in its proposed Clear Skies Act.

•EPA excluded Oklahoma and Kansas from CAIR, but imposes CAIR’s burdens on plants in West Texas.  Emissions from West Texas must pass through Oklahoma and Kansas—and over power plants in those states that are not subject to the rule—before reaching the downwind cities the rule is designed to protect.

Under CAIR’s cap and trade structure, SPS can comply through capital investments in emission controls or purchase of emission “allowances” from other utilities making reductions on their systems.  Based on the preliminary analysis of various scenarios of capital investment and allowance purchase, capital investments could range from $30 million to $300 million and allowance purchases or increased operating and maintenance expenses could range from $20 million to $28 million per year, beginning in 2010.  This does not include other costs that SPS will have to incur to comply with EPA’s new mercury emission control regulations, which will apply to SPS’ plants.

These cost estimates represent one potential scenario on how to comply with the CAIR, if West Texas is not excluded from CAIR.  There is uncertainty concerning implementation of CAIR.  States are required to develop implementation plans within 18 months of the issuance of the new rules and have a significant amount of discretion in the implementation details.  Legal challenges to CAIR rules could alter their requirements and/or schedule.  The uncertainty associated with the final CAIR rules makes it difficult to project the ultimate amount and timing of capital expenditure and operating expenses.

While SPS expects to comply with the new rules through a combination of additional capital investments in emission controls at various facilities and purchases of emission allowances, it is continuing to review the alternatives.  SPS believes the cost of any required capital investment or allowance purchases will be recoverable from customers.

The EPA’s Clean Air Mercury Rule also uses a national cap-and-trade system and is designed to achieve a 70 percent reduction in mercury emissions.  It affects all coal- and oil-fired generating units across the country greater than 25 megawatts.  Compliance with this rule also occurs in two phases, with the first phase beginning in 2010 and the second phase in 2018.  States will be allocated mercury allowances based on their baseline heat input relative to other states and by coal type.  Each electric generating unit will be allocated mercury allowances based on its percentage of total coal heat input for the state.  SPS is evaluating the impact of the Clean Air Mercury Rule and is currently unable to estimate the cost.

Cunningham Station Groundwater—Cunningham Station is a natural gas fired power plant constructed in the 1960’s and has 28 water wells installed on its water rights.  The well field provides water for boiler makeup, cooling water, and potable water.  Following an acid release in 2002, groundwater samples revealed elevated concentrations of inorganic salt compounds not related to the release. The contamination was identified in wells located near the plant buildings.  The source of contamination is thought to be leakage from ponds that receive blowdown water from the plant.  In response to a request by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), SPS prepared a corrective action plan to address the groundwater contamination.  Under the plan submitted to the NMED, SPS agreed to control leakage from the plant blowdown ponds through construction of a new lined pond, additional irrigation area to minimize percolation, and installation of additional wells to monitor groundwater quality.  On June 23, 2005, NMED issued a letter approving the corrective action plan.  The action plan is subject to continued compliance with New Mexico regulations and oversight by the NMED.  These actions are estimated to cost approximately $3.8 million through 2008.

Legal Contingencies

Lawsuits and claims arise in the normal course of business. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, has recorded an estimate of the probable cost of settlement or other disposition of them. The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot presently be determined. Accordingly, the ultimate resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on SPS’ financial position and results of operations.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Lawsuit—On July 21, 2004, the attorneys general of eight states and New York City, as well as several environmental groups, filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against five utilities, including Xcel Energy, to force reductions in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.  Although SPS is not named as a party to this litigation, the requested relief that Xcel Energy cap and reduce its CO2 emissions could have a material adverse effect on SPS.  The other utilities include American Electric Power Co., Southern Co., Cinergy Corp. and Tennessee Valley Authority.  CO₂ is emitted whenever fossil fuel is combusted, such as in automobiles, industrial operations and coal- or gas-fired power plants.  The lawsuits allege that CO₂ emitted by each company is a public nuisance as defined under state and federal common law because it has contributed to global warming.  The lawsuits do not demand monetary damages.  Instead, the lawsuits ask the court to order each utility to cap and reduce its CO₂

9

emissions.  In October 2004, Xcel Energy and four other utility companies filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, contending, among other reasons, that the lawsuit should be dismissed because it is an attempt to usurp the policy-setting role of the U.S. Congress and the president.  On Sept. 19, 2005, the judge granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss on constitutional grounds.  Plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal.

Other Contingencies

The circumstances set forth in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in SPS’ Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004 and Note 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of commitments and contingent liabilities and are incorporated herein by reference.

4.  Fuel Supply and Costs

SPS previously notified the DOE of reduced inventories of coal at its electric generating stations.  Delivery of coal from the Powder River Basin region in Wyoming has been disrupted by train derailments and other operational problems purportedly caused by deteriorated rail track beds of approximately 100 miles in length in Wyoming. The BNSF Railway Co. (BNSF) and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) jointly own the rail line.  The BNSF operates and maintains the rail line.  The Powder River Basin is a primary source of coal used by SPS in the operation of its two coal-fired electric generating stations.

BNSF and UPRR have indicated that repair and reconstruction of the deteriorated sections of rail track beds may take the balance of the year.  While BNSF and UPRR have begun to repair the rail beds, they continue to work with SPS in identifying options in the interim to increase the rate of coal deliveries.  Additionally, SPS analyzed the magnitude, likelihood and effects of reduced coal deliveries to its generating stations and developed an interim plan to conserve coal.  The interim plan included temporarily modifying the dispatch of its coal-fired electric generating stations to conserve existing coal supplies.  SPS has increased power purchases from third parties and, where practicable, has increased the use of natural gas for electric generation to replace the coal-fired electric generation.  Also, SPS has contacted wholesale customers to identify options to reduce sales levels, if necessary.

The cost of purchased power and natural gas for electric generation is higher than that for coal-fired electric generation, and the use of these sources to replace coal-fired electric generation increased the price of electricity for retail and wholesale customers.

SPS has discussed this situation with the staffs of the regulatory commissions in Texas and New Mexico.

In Texas, fuel and purchased energy costs are recovered through a fixed fuel and purchased energy recovery factor, which is part of SPS’ retail electric rates.  If it appears that SPS will materially over-recover or under-recover these costs, the factor may be revised upon application by SPS or action by the PUCT.  The regulations require surcharging of under-recovered amounts, including interest, when they exceed 4 percent of SPS’ annual fuel and purchased energy costs, as allowed by the PUCT, if the condition is expected to continue.  SPS expects to file a fuel surcharge to recover under-recovered costs in November 2005.

In New Mexico, increases and decreases in fuel and purchased energy costs, including deferred amounts, are recovered through a monthly fuel and purchased power clause with a two-month lag.  Wholesale customers, under the FERC jurisdiction also pay a monthly fuel cost adjustment calculated on actual fuel and purchased power costs in accordance with the FERC’s fuel clause regulations.

While SPS believes that it should be allowed to recover these higher costs, the ultimate success of recovery could significantly impact the 2005 financial results of SPS.

5.Derivative Valuation and Financial Impacts

SPS records all derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value unless exempted as a normal purchase or sale. Changes in a non-exempt derivative instrument’s fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless the derivative has been designated in a qualifying hedging relationship. The application of hedge accounting allows a derivative instrument’s gains and losses to be reflected in Other Comprehensive Income or to offset related results of the hedged item in the statement of income, to the extent effective. SFAS No. 133—“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, requires that the hedging relationship be highly effective and that a company formally designate a hedging relationship to apply hedge accounting.

SPS records the fair value of its derivative instruments in its Consolidated Balance Sheet as a separate line item identified as Derivative Instruments Valuation for assets and liabilities, as well as current and noncurrent.

10

Cash Flow Hedges

SPS has a minimal amount of short-term wholesale marketing activity designated as cash flow hedges. The fair value of these cash flow hedges is recorded in either Other Comprehensive Income or deferred as a regulatory asset or liability. This classification is based on the regulatory recovery mechanisms in place. Amounts deferred in these accounts are recorded in earnings as the hedged purchase or sales transaction is settled.  As of Sept. 30, 2005, SPS had no amounts accumulated in Other Comprehensive Income related to commodity cash flow hedge contracts that are expected to be recognized in earnings during the next 12 months as the hedged transactions settle.

SPS enters into various instruments that effectively fix the interest payments on certain floating rate debt obligations or effectively fix the yield or price on a specified benchmark interest rate for a specific period. These derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, and the change in the fair value of these instruments is recorded as a component of Other Comprehensive Income. As of Sept. 30, 2005, SPS had net losses of $0.6 million in accumulated in Other Comprehensive Income related to interest rate cash flow hedge contracts that are expected to be recognized in earnings during the next 12 months.

Gains or losses on hedging transactions for the sales of electric energy are recorded as a component of revenue, hedging transactions for fuel used in energy generation are recorded as a component of fuel costs, and interest rate hedging transactions are recorded as a component of interest expense. SPS is allowed to recover in electric rates the costs of certain financial instruments acquired to reduce commodity cost volatility.  There was no hedge ineffectiveness in the third quarter of 2005.

The impact of the components of hedges on SPS’ Other Comprehensive Income, included as a component of stockholder’s equity, are detailed in the following table:

	Nine months ended Sept. 30,
(Millions of dollars)	2005				2004
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at Jan. 1	$		(5.3	)	$	(7.2		)
After-tax net unrealized gains related to derivatives accounted for as hedges	0.8				0.9
After-tax net realized (gains) losses on derivative transactions reclassified into earnings	(0.2			)	0.7
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at Sept. 30	$	(4.7		)	$		(5.6	)

Derivatives Not Qualifying for Hedge Accounting

SPS has extremely limited commodity trading operations that enter into derivative instruments. These derivative instruments are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The results of these transactions are reported on a net basis within Operating Revenue on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

SPS also enters into certain commodity-based derivative transactions, not included in trading operations, which do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. These derivative instruments are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis in accordance with SFAS No. 133.

Normal Purchases or Normal Sales Contracts

SPS enters into contracts for the purchase and sale of various commodities for use in its business operations. SFAS No. 133 requires a company to evaluate these contracts to determine whether the contracts are derivatives. Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted from the fair value reporting requirements of SFAS No. 133 as normal purchases or normal sales. Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts that provide for the purchase or sale of something other than a financial instrument or derivative instrument that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business.  Contracts that meet these requirements are documented and exempted from the accounting and reporting requirements of SFAS No. 133.

SPS evaluates all of its contracts when such contracts are entered to determine if they are derivatives and, if so, if they qualify and meet the normal designation requirements under SFAS No. 133. None of the derivative contracts entered into within the commodity trading operations qualify for a normal designation.

Normal purchases and normal sales contracts are accounted for as executory contracts as required under other generally accepted accounting principles.

11

6. Detail of Interest and Other Income, Net of Nonoperating Expenses

Interest and other income, net of nonoperating expenses, for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30 consists of the following:

	Three months ended Sept. 30						Nine months ended Sept. 30
(Thousands of dollars)	2005			2004			2005			2004
Interest income	$	1,745		$	360		$	2,457		$	1,163
Gain on sale of assets	—			—			2,279			—
Other nonoperating income	23			15			992			434
Nonoperating expenses	(125		)	(16		)	(143		)	(200		)
Total interest and other income, net of nonoperating expenses	$	1,643		$	359		$	5,585		$	1,397

7.Segment Information

SPS has one reportable segment.  SPS operates in the Regulated Electric Utility industry, providing wholesale and retail electric service in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma.  Revenues from external customers were $487.8 million and $390.1 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2005 and 2004.  Revenues from external customers were $1,181.5 million and $1,044.2 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2005 and 2004.

8.  Comprehensive Income

The components of total comprehensive income are shown below:

	Three month ended Sept. 30,							Nine months ended Sept. 30,
(Millions of dollars)	2005			2004				2005			2004
Net income	$	28.2		$	28.8			$	59.8		$	63.6
Other comprehensive income:
After-tax net unrealized gains (losses) related to derivatives accounted for as hedges (see Note 5)	1.0			(0.7			)	0.8			0.9
After-tax net realized losses (gains) on derivative transactions reclassified into earnings (see Note 5)	(0.1		)	0.2				(0.2		)	0.7
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0.9			(0.5			)	0.6			1.6
Comprehensive income	$	29.1		$		28.3		$	60.4		$	65.2

The accumulated comprehensive income in stockholder’s equity at Sept. 30, 2005 and 2004, relates to valuation adjustments on SPS’ derivative financial instruments and hedging activities.

9. Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

	Three months ended Sept. 30,
	2005				2004			2005			2004
(Thousands of dollars)	Pension Benefits							Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Xcel Energy Inc.
Service cost	$	15,115			$	14,143		$	1,671		$	1,525
Interest cost	40,246				41,349			13,765			13,151
Expected return on plan assets	(70,290			)	(75,690		)	(6,425		)	(5,812			)
Amortization of transition (asset) obligation	—				(2		)	3,645			3,644
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	7,509				7,503			(545		)	(544			)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	1,705				(3,688		)	6,562			5,412
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	(5,715			)	(16,385		)	18,673			17,376
Settlements and curtailments	—				(223		)	—			—
Credits not recognized due to the effects of regulation	4,842				10,480			—			—
Additional cost recognized due to the effects of regulation	—				—			972			973
Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting	$		(873	)	$	(6,128	)	$	19,645		$		18,349
SPS
Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting	$		(2,276	)	$	(2,801	)	$	1,714		$		1,377

12

	Nine months ended Sept. 30,
	2005			2004			2005			2004
(Thousands of dollars)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Xcel Energy Inc.
Service cost	$	45,345		$	43,617		$	5,013		$	4,575
Interest cost	120,738			124,023			41,295			39,453
Expected return on plan assets	(210,048		)	(227,222		)	(19,275		)	(17,438		)
Amortization of transition (asset) obligation	—			(6		)	10,934			10,934
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	22,527			22,509			(1,634		)	(1,634		)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	5,115			(11,406		)	19,685			16,238
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	(16,323		)	(48,485		)	56,018			52,128
Settlements and curtailments	—			(926		)	—			—
Credits not recognized due to the effects of regulation	14,526			29,225			—			—
Additional cost recognized due to the effects of regulation	—			—			2,918			2,918
Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting	$	(1,797	)	$	(20,186	)	$	58,936		$	55,046

SPS
Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting	$	(6,827	)	$	(8,383	)	$	5,140	$	4,132

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Discussion of financial condition and liquidity for SPS is omitted per conditions set forth in general instructions H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q for wholly owned subsidiaries. It is replaced with management’s narrative analysis and the results of operations set forth in general instructions H (2) (a) of Form 10-Q for wholly owned subsidiaries (reduced disclosure format).

Forward-Looking Information

The following discussion and analysis by management focuses on those factors that had a material effect on the financial condition and results of operations of SPS during the periods presented, or are expected to have a material impact in the future. It should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited financial statements and notes.

Except for the historical statements contained in this report, the matters discussed in the following discussion and analysis are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “objective,” “outlook,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to:

•Economic conditions, including their impact on capital expenditures and the ability of the SPS to obtain financing on favorable terms, inflation rates and monetary fluctuations;

•Business conditions in the energy business;

•Demand for electricity in the nonregulated marketplace;

•Trade, monetary, fiscal, taxation and environmental policies of governments, agencies and similar organizations in geographic areas where SPS has a financial interest;

•Customer business conditions, including demand for their products or services and supply of labor and materials used in creating their products and services;

•Financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and similar entities with regulatory oversight;

•Availability or cost of capital such as changes in: interest rates; market perceptions of the utility industry, SPS, Xcel Energy or any of its other subsidiaries; or security ratings;

•Factors affecting utility operations such as unusual weather conditions; catastrophic weather-related damage; unscheduled generation outages, maintenance or repairs; unanticipated changes to fossil fuel or natural gas supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments; environmental incidents; or electric transmission or natural gas pipeline constraints;

13

•Employee workforce factors, including loss or retirement of key executives, collective bargaining agreements with union employees, or work stoppages;

•Increased competition in the utility industry;

•State and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rate structures and affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric markets; industry restructuring initiatives; transmission system operation and/or administration initiatives; recovery of investments made under traditional regulation; nature of competitors entering the industry; retail wheeling; a new pricing structure; and former customers entering the generation market;

•Rate-setting policies or procedures of regulatory entities, including environmental externalities, which are values established by regulators assigning environmental costs to each method of electricity generation when evaluating generation resource options;

•Social attitudes regarding the utility and power industries;

•Cost and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims;

•Technological developments that result in competitive disadvantages and create the potential for impairment of existing assets;

•Significant slowdown in growth or decline in the U.S. economy, delay in growth or recovery of the U.S. economy or increased cost for insurance premiums, security and other items;

•Risks associated with implementation of new technologies; and

•Other business or investment considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in SPS’ SEC filings or in other publicly disseminated written documents.

Market Risks

SPS is exposed to market risks, including changes in commodity prices and interest rates, as disclosed in Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004.  Commodity price and interest rate risks for SPS are mitigated in most jurisdictions due to cost-based rate regulation. At Sept. 30, 2005, there were no material changes to the financial market risks that affect the quantitative and qualitative disclosures presented as of Dec. 31, 2004.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SPS’ net income was approximately $59.8 million for the first nine months of 2005, compared with approximately $63.6 million for the first nine months of 2004.  The decrease is primarily due to a higher depreciation and operating and maintenance expenses, partially offset the gains on the sale of water rights.

Electric Utility, Short-term Wholesale and Commodity Trading Margins

The following table details the change in electric revenue and margin. Electric production expenses tend to vary with changing retail and wholesale sales requirements and unit cost changes in fuel and purchased power. Due to fuel clause cost recovery mechanisms for retail customers, most fluctuations in energy costs do not affect electric margin.

SPS has two distinct forms of wholesale marketing activities:  short-term wholesale and commodity trading.  Short-term wholesale refers to energy related purchase and sales activity and the use of certain financial instruments associated with the fuel required for and energy produced from SPS’ generation assets and energy and capacity purchased to serve native load.  Commodity trading is not associated with SPS’ generation assets or the energy and capacity purchased to serve native load.

SPS conducts an inconsequential amount of commodity trading.  Margins from commodity trading activity are partially redistributed to Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation, and Public Service Company of Colorado, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Xcel Energy, pursuant to the joint operating agreement (JOA) approved by the FERC.  Margins received pursuant to the JOA are reflected as part of Base Electric Utility Revenues.  Short-term wholesale and commodity trading margins reflect the impact of regulatory sharing, if applicable.  Trading revenues are reported net of trading costs (i.e., on a margin basis) in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Commodity trading costs include purchased power, transmission, broker fees and other related costs.

As one of the expected outcomes of the fuel reconciliation proceeding discussed in Note 2, the recovery of costs associated with Renewable Energy Credits (REC) may change.  As a part of this change in regulatory recovery, SPS anticipates conducting additional marketing activities of RECs.  However, the ultimate impact of this change in recovery and additional marketing activity is not expected to be significant.  The net results of this activity will be presented as a component of Base Electric Utility Revenues.

14

The following table details the revenue and margin for base electric utility and short-term wholesale activities:

(Millions of dollars)	Base Electric Utility			Short-term Wholesale			Consolidated Total
Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2005
Electric utility revenue	$	1,178		$	3		$	1,181
Electric fuel and purchased power	(803		)	(3		)	(806		)
Gross margin before operating expenses	$	375		$	—		$	375
Margin as a percentage of revenue	31.8		%	0.0		%	31.8		%
Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2004
Electric utility revenue	$	1,041		$	3		$	1,044
Electric fuel and purchased power	(668		)	(2		)	(670		)
Gross margin before operating expenses	$	373		$	1		$	374
Margin as a percentage of revenue	35.8		%	33.3		%	35.8		%

The following summarizes the components of the changes in base electric revenue and base electric margin for the nine months ended Sept. 30:

Base Electric Revenue

(Millions of dollars)	2005 vs. 2004
Sales growth (excluding weather impact)	$	8
Capacity sales	(7		)
Fuel cost recovery	125
Transmission and other	11
Total base electric revenue increase	$	137

Base Electric Margin

(Millions of dollars)	2005 vs. 2004
Sales growth (excluding weather impact)	$	5
Capacity sales	(7		)
Other	4
Total base electric margin increase	$	2

Non-Fuel Operating Expense and Other Costs

The following summarizes the components of the changes in other utility operating and maintenance expense for the nine months ended Sept. 30:

(Millions of dollars)	2005 vs. 2004
Higher pension and medical costs	$	5
Higher outside legal costs	1
Higher plant overhaul costs	1
Total other utility operating and maintenance expense increase	$	7

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by approximately $4.5 million, or 6.5 percent, for the first nine months of 2005, compared with the first nine months of 2004.  The increase is primarily due to plant additions and higher software amortization.

Other income increased by approximately $4.7 million, or 181 percent, for the first nine months of 2005, compared with the first nine months of 2004. The increase is primarily due to gains on the sale of water rights.

Income tax expense decreased by approximately $3.9 million for the first nine months of 2005, compared with the same period of 2004.  The decrease was primarily due to lower income levels and a decrease in plant-related regulatory items for 2005 as compared to 2004.  The effective tax rate was 37.2 percent for the first nine months of 2005, compared with 38.2 percent for the same period in 2004.

15

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

SPS maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. As of the end of the period covered by this report, based on an evaluation carried out under the supervision and with the participation of SPS’ management, including the chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, the CEO and CFO have concluded that SPS’ disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No change in SPS’ internal control over financial reporting has occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.  SPS has made certain changes in its internal controls over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter in order to make the control environment more effective and efficient.

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, various lawsuits and claims have arisen against SPS. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, has recorded an estimate of the probable cost of settlement or other disposition for such matters. See Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion of legal proceedings, including Regulatory Matters and Commitments and Contingent Liabilities, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Reference also is made to Item 3 of and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in SPS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004 for a description of certain legal proceedings presently pending. Except as discussed herein, there are no new significant cases to report against SPS and there have been no notable changes in the previously reported proceedings.

Item 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits

The following Exhibits are filed with this report:

* Incorporated by reference.

31.01	Principal Executive Officer’s and Principal Financial Officer’s certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.01	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.01	Statement pursuant to Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

16

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on Oct. 31, 2005.

Southwestern Public Service Co.

(Registrant)

 /s/ TERESA S. MADDEN

 Teresa S. Madden

 Vice President and Controller

 /s/ BENJAMIN G.S. FOWKE III

 Benjamin G.S. Fowke III

 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-31.01

Exhibit 31.01

Certifications

I, Gary L. Gibson, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Southwestern Public Service Co.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and we have:

a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; and

b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: Oct. 31, 2005

 /s/ GARY L. GIBSON

 Gary L. Gibson

 President and Chief Executive Officer

I, Benjamin G.S. Fowke III, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Southwestern Public Service Co.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and we have:

a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; and

b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: Oct. 31, 2005

 /s/ BENJAMIN G.S. FOWKE III

 Benjamin G.S. Fowke III

 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

2

EX-32.01

Exhibit 32.01

Officer Certification

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of SPS on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (Form 10-Q), each of the undersigned officers of the SPS certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to such officer’s knowledge:

(1)The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of SPS as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Form 10-Q.

Date: Oct. 31, 2005

/s/ GARY L. GIBSON

Gary L. Gibson

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ BENJAMIN G.S. FOWKE III

Benjamin G.S. Fowke III

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this statement required by Section 906, has been provided to SPS and will be retained by SPS and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.01

SPS Cautionary Factors

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage such disclosures without the threat of litigation, providing those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful, cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statement. Forward-looking statements are made in written documents and oral presentations of SPS. These statements are based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions and information currently available to management. When used in SPS’ documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “projected,” objective,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements, factors that could cause SPS’ actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

•Economic conditions, including their impact on capital expenditures and the ability of SPS to obtain financing on favorable terms, inflation rates and monetary fluctuations;

•Business conditions in the energy business;

•Demand for electricity in the nonregulated marketplace;

•Trade, monetary, fiscal, taxation and environmental policies of governments, agencies and similar organizations in geographic areas where SPS has a financial interest;

•Customer business conditions, including demand for their products or services and supply of labor and materials used in creating their products and services;

•Financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and similar entities with regulatory oversight;

•Availability or cost of capital such as changes in: interest rates; market perceptions of the utility industry, SPS, Xcel Energy or any of its other subsidiaries; or security ratings;

•Factors affecting utility operations such as unusual weather conditions; catastrophic weather-related damage; unscheduled generation outages, maintenance or repairs; unanticipated changes to fossil fuel or natural gas supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments; environmental incidents; or electric transmission or gas pipeline constraints;

•Employee workforce factors, including loss or retirement of key executives, collective bargaining agreements with union employees, or work stoppages;

•Increased competition in the utility industry;

•State and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rate structures and affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric markets; industry restructuring initiatives; transmission system operation and/or administration initiatives; recovery of investments made under traditional regulation; nature of competitors entering the industry; retail wheeling; a new pricing structure; and former customers entering the generation market;

•Rate-setting policies or procedures of regulatory entities, including environmental externalities, which are values established by regulators assigning environmental costs to each method of electricity generation when evaluating generation resource options;

•Social attitudes regarding the utility and power industries;

•Cost and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims;

•Technological developments that result in competitive disadvantages and create the potential for impairment of existing assets;

•Significant slowdown in growth or decline in the U.S. economy, delay in growth or recovery of the U.S. economy or increased cost for insurance premiums, security and other items;

•Risks associated with implementation of new technologies; and

•Other business or investment considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in SPS’ SEC filings or in other publicly disseminated written documents.

SPS undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as exhaustive.