-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, RxpUAIe2Xi5uuIrLCam9YMSmXqt4LFTVoE56a2xVD79DjI+Xsz/lD+Oklg+nD8Sj KJoR2n6g8zNu07LNdX+Syg== 0001104659-08-029968.txt : 20080505 0001104659-08-029968.hdr.sgml : 20080505 20080505171659 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-08-029968 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080505 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080505 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000092521 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931] IRS NUMBER: 750575400 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NM FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-03789 FILM NUMBER: 08803668 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: SPS TOWER STREET 2: TYLER AT SIXTH ST CITY: AMARILLO STATE: TX ZIP: 79101 BUSINESS PHONE: 3035717511 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: PO BOX 1261 CITY: AMARILLO STATE: TX ZIP: 79170 10-Q 1 a08-13399_110q.htm 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008

 

or

 

o

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

 

For the transition period from          to          

 

Commission File Number: 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. x Yes   o No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

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 May 5, 2008

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.

Financial Statements

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Certifications Pursuant to Section 302

 

 

Certifications Pursuant to Section 906

 

 

Statement Pursuant to Private Litigation

 

 

 

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. Financial Statements

 

SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

418,797

 

$

365,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Electric fuel and purchased power

 

321,692

 

264,407

 

Other operating and maintenance expenses

 

51,425

 

51,093

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

24,966

 

24,688

 

Taxes (other than income taxes)

 

10,323

 

11,562

 

Total operating expenses

 

408,406

 

351,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

10,391

 

14,148

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other income, net

 

863

 

803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest charges and financing costs

 

 

 

 

 

Interest charges — includes other financing costs of $591 and $585, respectively

 

13,931

 

13,034

 

Allowance for funds used during construction — debt

 

(656

)

(498

)

Total interest charges and financing costs

 

13,275

 

12,536

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(2,021

)

2,415

 

Income taxes (benefit) expense

 

(756

)

750

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(1,265

)

$

1,665

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

3



 

SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(1,265

)

$

1,665

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

26,024

 

25,586

 

Deferred income taxes

 

4,491

 

(1,044

)

Amortization of investment tax credits

 

(55

)

(63

)

Net realized and unrealized hedging and derivative transactions

 

67

 

66

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

3,420

 

8,577

 

Accrued unbilled revenues

 

2,711

 

(18,507

)

Recoverable electric energy costs

 

(19,683

)

56,253

 

Inventories

 

(3,357

)

(1,457

)

Prepayments and other

 

1,495

 

986

 

Accounts payable

 

42,092

 

(36,576

)

Net regulatory assets and liabilities

 

(171

)

(1,178

)

Other current liabilities

 

(13,065

)

(16,455

)

Change in other noncurrent assets

 

(2,761

)

(2,063

)

Change in other noncurrent liabilities

 

2,526

 

921

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

42,469

 

16,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Utility capital/construction expenditures

 

(46,728

)

(29,223

)

Investments in utility money pool arrangement

 

 

(42,600

)

Receipts from utility money pool arrangement

 

 

42,600

 

Other investments

 

2,171

 

309

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(44,557

)

(28,914

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from (repayment of) short-term borrowings – net

 

(73,000

)

21,500

 

Borrowings under utility money pool arrangement

 

240,500

 

107,100

 

Repayments under utility money pool arrangement

 

(146,000

)

(97,900

)

Dividends paid to parent

 

(15,931

)

(18,581

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

5,569

 

12,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

3,481

 

(84

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

714

 

297

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

4,195

 

$

213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)

 

$

14,104

 

$

6,793

 

Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds received)

 

1,172

 

3,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment additions in accounts payable

 

$

3,169

 

$

4,754

 

 

See the Notes to Financial Statements

 

4



 

SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO.

BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 

March 31, 2008

 

Dec. 31, 2007

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,195

 

$

714

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

67,062

 

67,254

 

Accounts receivable from affiliates

 

5,528

 

8,756

 

Accrued unbilled revenues

 

105,614

 

108,325

 

Recoverable electric energy costs

 

42,384

 

22,701

 

Inventories

 

20,700

 

17,343

 

Derivative instruments valuation

 

8,926

 

8,926

 

Prepayments and other

 

5,954

 

7,449

 

Deferred income taxes

 

779

 

2,970

 

Total current assets

 

261,142

 

244,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

2,061,429

 

2,043,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid pension asset

 

121,001

 

117,948

 

Derivative instruments valuation

 

83,245

 

85,477

 

Regulatory assets

 

122,273

 

124,900

 

Other investments

 

299

 

2,470

 

Deferred charges and other

 

6,644

 

6,855

 

Total other assets

 

333,462

 

337,650

 

Total assets

 

$

2,656,033

 

$

2,625,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

100,000

 

$

 

Short-term debt

 

50,000

 

123,000

 

Borrowings under utility money pool arrangement

 

100,000

 

5,500

 

Accounts payable

 

189,138

 

153,130

 

Accounts payable to affiliates

 

11,443

 

9,432

 

Taxes accrued

 

9,939

 

22,902

 

Dividends payable to parent

 

15,822

 

15,931

 

Accrued interest

 

17,692

 

12,816

 

Derivative instruments valuation

 

4,811

 

4,468

 

Other

 

19,083

 

24,062

 

Total current liabilities

 

517,928

 

371,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

463,400

 

462,228

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

130,828

 

133,025

 

Derivative instruments valuation

 

60,838

 

60,918

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

3,638

 

3,592

 

Deferred investment tax credits

 

2,940

 

2,995

 

Pension and employee benefit obligations

 

23,736

 

23,871

 

Other

 

10,568

 

7,458

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

 

695,948

 

694,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

674,066

 

774,033

 

Common stock – authorized 200 shares of $1.00 par value, outstanding 100 shares

 

 

 

Additional paid in capital

 

503,066

 

503,066

 

Retained earnings

 

271,729

 

289,092

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(6,704

)

(6,005

)

Total common stockholder’s equity

 

768,091

 

786,153

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

2,656,033

 

$

2,625,514

 

 

See the Notes to Financial Statements

 

5



 

SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of SPS as of March 31, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2007; the results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007; and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. Due to the seasonality of electric sales of SPS, interim results are not necessarily an appropriate base from which to project annual results.

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Except to the extent updated or described below, the significant accounting policies set forth in Note 1 to the financial statements in SPS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of accounting policies and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Fair Value Measurements —SPS presents interest rate derivatives at estimated fair values in its financial statements, utilizing broker quotes to establish fair value.

 

2.   Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157 Fair Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157) — In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 157, which provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 also emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, and sets out a fair value hierarchy with the highest priority being quoted prices in active markets. Fair value measurements are disclosed by level within that hierarchy. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after Nov. 15, 2007.

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (FASB Statement of Position (FSP) No. 157-2 (FSP No. 157-2)).  FSP No. 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 until fiscal years beginning after Nov. 15, 2008, for fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in an entity’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).

 

As of Jan. 1, 2008, SPS adopted SFAS No. 157 for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value except for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, as permitted by FSP No. 157-2.  The adoption did not have a material impact on its financial statements.  For additional discussion and SFAS No. 157 required disclosures see Note 9 to the financial statements.

 

The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS No. 159) — In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, which provides companies with an option to measure, at specified election dates, many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently measured at fair value. A company that adopts SFAS No. 159 will report unrealized gains and losses on items, for which the fair value option has been elected, in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. This statement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after Nov. 15, 2007, effective Jan. 1, 2008. SPS adopted SFAS No. 159 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007)) — In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest; recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins on or after Dec. 15, 2008. SPS will evaluate the impact of SFAS No. 141R on its financial statements for any potential business combinations subsequent to Jan. 1, 2009.

 

6



 

Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 161) – In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, which is intended to enhance disclosures to help users of the financial statements better understand how derivative instruments and hedging activities affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  SFAS No. 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, to require disclosures of objectives and strategies for using derivatives, gains and losses on derivative instruments, and credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements.  SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after Nov. 15, 2008, with early application encouraged.  SPS is currently evaluating the impact adoption of SFAS No. 161.

 

Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements (Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 06-4) — In June 2006, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF No. 06-4, which provides guidance on the recognition of a liability and related compensation costs for endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods. Therefore, this EITF would not apply to a split-dollar life insurance arrangement that provides a specified benefit to an employee that is limited to the employee’s active service period with an employer.  EITF No. 06-4 is effective for fiscal years beginning after Dec. 15, 2007, with earlier application permitted.  Upon adoption of EITF 06-4 on Jan. 1, 2008, SPS recorded a liability of $0.3 million, net of tax, as a reduction of retained earnings.  Thereafter, changes in the liability will be reflected in operating results.

 

Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards (EITF No. 06-11) — In June 2007, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF No. 06-11, which states that an entity should recognize a realized tax benefit associated with dividends on nonvested equity shares and nonvested equity share units charged to retained earnings as an increase in additional paid in capital. The amount recognized in additional paid in capital should be included in the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb potential future tax deficiencies on share-based payment awards. EITF No. 06-11 should be applied prospectively to income tax benefits of dividends on equity-classified share-based payment awards that are declared in fiscal years beginning after Dec. 15, 2007. The adoption of EITF No. 06-11 did not have a material impact on SPS’ financial statements.

 

3.  Selected Balance Sheet Data

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

March 31, 2008

 

Dec. 31, 2007

 

Accounts receivable, net:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

70,256

 

$

70,420

 

Less allowance for bad debts

 

(3,194

)

(3,166

)

 

 

$

67,062

 

$

67,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

Materials and supplies

 

$

15,169

 

$

14,039

 

Fuel

 

5,531

 

3,304

 

 

 

$

20,700

 

$

17,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net:

 

 

 

 

 

Electric utility plant

 

$

3,501,222

 

$

3,476,146

 

Construction work in progress

 

85,868

 

78,436

 

Total property, plant and equipment

 

3,587,090

 

3,554,582

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(1,525,661

)

(1,511,156

)

 

 

$

2,061,429

 

$

2,043,426

 

 

4. Income Taxes

 

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48) — SPS is a member of the Xcel Energy affiliated group that files consolidated income tax returns. In the first quarter of 2008, the IRS completed an examination of Xcel Energy’s federal income tax returns for 2004 and 2005 (and research credits for 2003). The IRS did not propose any material adjustments for those tax years. Tax year 2004 is the earliest open year and the statute of limitations applicable to Xcel Energy’s 2004 federal income tax return remains open until Dec. 31, 2008.

 

In the first quarter of 2008, the state of Texas concluded an income tax audit through tax year 2005.  No material adjustments were proposed for this audit. As of March 31, 2008, SPS’ earliest open tax year in which an audit can be initiated by state taxing authorities under applicable statutes of limitations is 2003.

 

7



 

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $2.3 million and  $2.5 million on Dec. 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008, respectively. These unrecognized tax benefit amounts were reduced by the tax benefits associated with tax credit carryovers of $0.1 million as of Dec. 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008.

 

The unrecognized tax benefit balance included $0.3 million and $0.3 million of tax positions on Dec. 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008, respectively, which if recognized would affect the annual effective tax rate. In addition, the unrecognized tax benefit balance included $2.0 million and $2.2 million of tax positions on Dec. 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008, respectively, for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. A change in the period of deductibility would not affect the effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.

 

The increase in the unrecognized tax benefit balance of $0.2 million from Dec. 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008, was due to the addition of similar uncertain tax positions related to ongoing activity and the resolution of certain federal and state audit matters. SPS’ amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next 12 months when the IRS and state tax audits resume. However, at this time, it is not reasonably possible to estimate an overall range of possible change.

 

The liability for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is partially offset by the interest benefit associated with tax credit carryovers. The change in the interest expense liability from Dec. 31, 2007, to March 31, 2008, was not material.  The liability for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits was $0.1 million on Dec. 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008. No amounts were accrued for penalties as of March 31, 2008.

 

5.     Rate Matters

 

Except to the extent noted below, the circumstances set forth in Note 11 to the financial statements included in SPS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007 appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of other rate matters, and are incorporated herein by reference. The following include unresolved proceedings that are material to SPS’ financial position.

 

Pending and Recently Concluded Regulatory Proceedings — Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)

 

Base Rate

 

Application to Increase Voltage-Level Line Loss Factors — In January 2008, the PUCT approved SPS’ application to update its current Texas retail fuel factors to reflect revised loss factors. Under the Texas retail base rate case, SPS was permitted to implement the revised line loss factors effective to May 2007. SPS recognized $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007 for the impact of the revised line loss factors from May 1, 2007 through Dec. 31, 2007.

 

Electric and Resource Adjustment Clauses

 

Transmission Cost Recovery (TCR) Factor Rulemaking — The PUCT adopted, in November 2007, new rules relating to TCR factor outside of a base rate case. The rule establishes the mechanism by which SPS can request annual recovery of its reasonable and necessary expenditures for transmission infrastructure improvement costs and changes in wholesale transmission charges that are not included in existing rates. This new rule allows SPS more timely recovery of transmission cost increases in-between base rate cases.

 

Pending and Recently Concluded Regulatory Proceedings — New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC)

 

Base Rate

 

New Mexico Electric Rate Case — On July 30, 2007, SPS filed a request for a retail electric general rate increase of $17.3 million annually, or 6.6 percent, with the NMPRC. The rate filing is based on 2006 historic test year adjusted for known and measurable changes and includes a requested return on equity (ROE) of 11.0 percent, an electric rate base of approximately $307.3 million and an equity ratio of 51.2 percent.

 

Following is a summary of intervenor and NMPRC staff testimony, which was filed on March 6, 2008.

 

·                  Staff recommended an increase of approximately $8 million based on a 9.1 percent ROE and other adjustments.

·                  The attorney general recommended a $2 million rate decrease based on a 9.2 percent ROE and other adjustments.

 

8



 

·                  Occidental Permian, a large retail customer, recommended a 9.9 percent ROE.

 

Hearings were held in April 2008.  At the close of the hearings, the parties agreed to move consideration of the Lea Power Partners (Lea Power) rider costs to a future rate proceeding to be initiated by Xcel Energy this summer, which will be accompanied with a request for interim relief, so that issues associated with lease accounting and potential contract restructuring, discussed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of this report, may be adequately addressed.  The remaining procedural schedule follows:

 

·

 

Recommend decision

 

June 30, 2008

·

 

Final order

 

Aug. 29, 2008

 

Electric and Resource Adjustment Clauses

 

New Mexico Fuel Factor Continuation Filing — In August 2005, SPS filed with the NMPRC requesting continuation of the use of SPS’ fuel and purchased power cost adjustment clause (FPPCAC) and current monthly factor cost recovery methodology. This filing was required by NMPRC rule.

 

Testimony was filed in the case by staff and intervenors objecting to SPS’ assignment of system average fuel costs to certain wholesale sales and the inclusion of certain purchased power capacity and energy payments in the FPPCAC. The testimony also proposed limits on SPS’ future use of the FPPCAC. Related to these issues, some intervenors requested disallowances for past periods, which in the aggregate total approximately $45 million. This claim was for the period from Oct. 1, 2001 through May 31, 2005 and does not include the value of incremental cost assigned for wholesale transactions from that date forward. Other issues in the case include the treatment of renewable energy certificates and sulfur dioxide (SO2)allowance credit proceeds in relation to SPS’ New Mexico retail fuel and purchased power recovery clause.

 

In December 2007, SPS, the NMPRC, Occidental Permian Ltd. and the New Mexico Industrial Energy Consumers (NMIEC) filed an uncontested settlement of this matter with the NMPRC.

 

·      The settlement resolves all issues in the fuel continuation proceeding for total consideration of $15 million, which includes customer refunds of $11.7 million.

·      At Dec. 31, 2007, a reserve had been previously established for this potential exposure, with no further expense accrual required, assuming this settlement is approved.

·      The settlement would also provide for significantly greater certainty surrounding system average fuel cost assignment on a going forward basis and reduce percentages of system average cost wholesale sales between now and 2019 on a stepped down basis.

·      Under the terms of the settlement, SPS anticipates additional fuel cost disallowances in 2008 and a portion of 2009 of approximately $2 million per year. It does not anticipate any future disallowances beyond this period.

·      Finally, the settlement provides for SPS to continue its use of the FPPCAC subject to additional reporting provisions.

 

A hearing on the merits of the settlement was held in April 2008.  The parties are to provide the hearing examiner with a proposed certification of the settlement on May 2, 2008, which will recommend approval of the settlement.  Any objections to the proposed certification are due on May 9, 2008.

 

Pending and Recently Concluded Regulatory Proceedings — Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

 

Wholesale Rate Complaints — In November 2004, Golden Spread Electric, Lyntegar Electric, Farmer’s Electric, Lea County Electric, Central Valley Electric and Roosevelt County Electric, all wholesale cooperative customers of SPS, filed a rate complaint with the FERC alleging that SPS’ rates to them for wholesale service were excessive and that SPS had incorrectly calculated monthly fuel cost adjustment charges to such customers  (the Complaint). Among other things, the complainant asserted that SPS had inappropriately allocated average fuel and purchased power costs to its other wholesale customers, effectively raising the fuel cost charges to complainants.  Cap Rock Energy Corporation (Cap Rock), another full-requirements customer of SPS, Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Occidental Permian Ltd. and Occidental Power Marketing, L.P. (Occidental), SPS’ largest retail customer, intervened in the proceeding.

 

In May 2006, a FERC administrative law judge (ALJ) issued an initial decision in the proceeding. The ALJ found that SPS should recalculate its wholesale fuel and purchased economic energy cost adjustment clause (FCAC) billings for the period beginning Jan. 1, 1999, to reduce the fuel and purchased power costs recovered from the complaining customers by deducting from such costs the incremental fuel costs attributed to SPS’ sales of system firm capacity and associated energy to

 

9



 

other wholesale customers served under market-based rates during this period based on the view that such sales should be treated as opportunity sales made out of temporarily excess capacity. In addition, the ALJ made recommendations on a number of base rate issues including a 9.64 percent ROE and the use of a 3-month coincident peak (3CP) demand allocator.

 

Golden Spread Complaint Settlement  In December 2007, SPS  reached a settlement with Golden Spread (which now includes Lyntegar Electric) and Occidental regarding base rate and fuel issues raised in the complaint described above as well as a subsequent rate proceeding. In December 2007, this comprehensive offer of settlement (the Settlement) was filed with the FERC. On April 21, 2008, the FERC approved the Settlement with a minor modification to the formula rate proposed by the FERC and accepted by the parties.  The Settlement provides for:

 

·                  A $1.25 million payment by SPS to Golden Spread related to resolve a dispute concerning the quantities Golden Spread  was entitled to take under its existing partial requirements agreement for the years 2006 and 2007. The Settlement caps those quantities for the period 2008 through 2011. SPS is not required to make any fuel refunds to Golden Spread that were the subject of the Complaint under the terms of the Settlement.

·                  An extended partial requirements contract at system average cost, with a capacity amount that ramps down over the period 2012 through 2019 from 500 MW to 200 MW. The extended agreement requires that the cost assignment treatment receive Texas and New Mexico state approvals and provides for alternative pricing terms and quantities to hold SPS harmless from cost disallowances in the event that adverse regulatory treatment occurs or state approvals are not obtained. Golden Spread agreed to hold SPS harmless from any future adverse regulatory treatment regarding the proposed sale and SPS agreed to contingent payments ranging from $3 million to a maximum of $12 million, payable in 2012, in the event that there is an adverse cost assignment decision or a failure to obtain state approvals.

·                  Resolution of base rates in the Complaint without any adjustment to the existing rates for the period January 2005 through June 30, 2006. The Settlement also resolves all base rate issues in SPS’ subsequent rate proceeding for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008, other than the method to be used to allocate demand related costs and provided for two sets of agreed on rates that are dependent on the ultimate resolution of that issue. If SPS prevails in its support of the 12 month coincident peak  (12 CP) demand allocation method, there would be no impact to earnings for this period. If Golden Spread prevails, SPS would be required to refund Golden Spread and PNM approximately $4 million for the period through the end of 2007.

·                  For July 1, 2008 and beyond, Golden Spread will be under a formula rate for power supply service. The rate will be based on actual data the most recent historic year adjusted for known and measurable changes and trued up to the actual performance in the subsequent calendar year. Initially, the formula will be based on a 10.25 percent ROE and either party will have a right to seek changes to the ROE beginning with the 2009 formula rate filing. SPS and Golden Spread will share margins from its sales to West Texas Municipal Power Agency (WTMPA) and El Paso Electric (EPE) in that year but will assign system average fuel and energy costs to those agreements for purposes of calculating Golden Spread’s monthly fuel cost.

 

Order on Wholesale Rate Complaints On April 21, 2008, the FERC issued its Order on the Complaint (the Order) applied to the remaining non-settling parties.  The Order addresses base rate issues for the period from Jan. 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 for SPS’ full requirements customers who pay traditional cost-based rates and requires certain refunds.

 

Base Rates:  The FERC determined: (1) the return on equity should be 9.33 percent; (2) rates should be based on a 12 CP allocator; and (3) the treatment of market based rate contracts in the test year should be to credit revenues to the cost of service rather than allocating costs to the agreements. The revenue requirement established by the FERC results in proposed revenues that are estimated to be approximately $25 million, or approximately $6.9 million below the level charged these customers during this 18-month period. Rates for full requirements customers, the New Mexico Cooperatives and Cap Rock, as well as an interruptible contract with PNM for the period beginning in July 1, 2006, are the subject of settlements that have either been approved or are pending before FERC.  These settlements are described in Wholesale 2005 Power Base Rate Application below.

 

Fuel Clause:  The FERC determined that the method for calculating fuel and purchased energy cost charges to the complaining customer is to deduct from such costs incremental fuel and purchased energy costs, which it is attributing to SPS’ market based intersystem sales on the basis that these are “opportunity” sales under its precedent.  The FERC ordered that refunds of fuel cost charges based on this method of determining the FCAC should begin as of Jan. 1, 2005 (the refund effective date in the case).  The FERC ordered SPS to file a compliance filing calculating its refund obligation within 30 days of the date of the Order and implement the instructions in the order in calculating its FCAC charges going forward from that date.  While the order is subject to interpretation with respect to aspects of the calculation of the refund obligation, SPS does not expect its refund obligation to its full requirements customers from Jan. 1, 2005 through March 31, 2008, to exceed

 

10



 

$11 million.  PNM has filed a separate complaint that any refund obligation to PNM will be determined in that docket.  SPS is reviewing the Order and has not yet determined whether to seek rehearing.

 

The FERC also ruled on two other FCA issues.  First, it required that wind contracts be evaluated on an individual contract basis rather than in aggregate.  Second, the FERC determined that an after the fact screen should be applied to all Qualifying Facility (QF) purchases to determine if they are economic.  While this review will require additional effort, it is not expected that this will result in additional refunds as the all of the individual wind contracts as well as the QF purchases are typically economic when compared to market energy prices.

 

As of March 31, 2008, SPS has accrued for an amount, which it believes is sufficient to cover the refund obligation.

 

Wholesale 2005 Power Base Rate Application — In December 2005, SPS filed for a $2.5 million increase in wholesale power rates to certain electric cooperatives. In January 2006, the FERC conditionally accepted the proposed rates for filing and the $2.5 million power rate increase became effective on July 1, 2006, subject to refund. The FERC also set the rate increase request for hearing and settlement judge procedures. In September 2006, offers of settlement with respect to the five full-requirements customers and with respect to PNM were filed for approval. In September 2007, the FERC accepted the settlement with the full-requirements customers. The PNM settlement is still pending before the FERC.

 

As noted, the Wholesale 2005 Power Base Rate Application relating to Golden Spread was settled in conjunction with the Complaint Settlement discussed above. Therefore, SPS has settled with all parties in the Wholesale 2005 Power Base Rate Application except for resolution with Golden Spread of the demand cost allocation methodology .  A hearing on the demand allocation methodology has been set for July 29, 2008.  An initial decision is expected by the end of September 2008.

 

SPS Formula Transmission Rate Case — In December 2007, Xcel Energy submitted an application to implement a transmission formula rate for the SPS zone of the Xcel Energy Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). The Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) made a companion filing in January 2008, to implement the same pricing in the SPS zone of the SPP regional OATT. The changed rates will affect all wholesale transmission service customers using the SPS transmission network under either the SPP Regional OATT or the Xcel Energy OATT.

 

A formula rate will help facilitate the financing and construction of the new transmission facilities while providing an adequate rate of return on invested capital. The proposed rates would be updated annually each July 1 based on SPS’ prior year actual costs and loads plus the revenue requirements associated with projected current year transmission plant additions. The proposed rate of return on common equity is 12.7 percent, including a 50 basis point adder for SPS’ participation in the SPP Regional Transmission Organization, consistent with FERC precedent. The proposed rates would provide first year incremental annual transmission revenue for SPS of approximately $5.5 million.

 

In February 2008, the FERC issued an order accepting the proposed rates, suspending the effective date to July 6, 2008, and setting the rate filing for hearings and settlement procedures. The FERC granted a 50 basis point adder to the ROE that it will determine in this proceeding as a result of SPS’ participation in the SPP regional transmission organization. In March 2008, the FERC accepted the companion SPP rate change filing subject to the outcome of the SPS rate filing. The SPS and SPP rate filings are now in settlement procedures.  The ultimate outcome of the rate filings is not known at this time.

 

SPS 2008 Wholesale Rate Case — On March 31, 2008, SPS filed a wholesale power base rate case in the full-requirements customers’ base rates. SPS is seeking an annual revenue increase of $14.9 million or an overall 5.14 percent increase, based on 12.20 percent requested ROE.  On April 21, 2008, a motion for dismissal and protest was filed by the four eastern New Mexico cooperatives.  A FERC decision is expected later in 2008.

 

6. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Except to the extent noted below, the circumstances set forth in Notes 11 and 12 to the financial statements in SPS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007 and Note 5 to the financial statements in 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. The following include unresolved contingencies that are material to SPS’ financial position.

 

11



 

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 believes it will recover some portion of these costs through insurance claims.  Additionally, where applicable, SPS is pursuing, or intends to pursue, recovery from other potentially responsible parties and through the rate regulatory process.  New and changing federal and state environmental mandates can also create added financial liabilities for SPS, which are normally recovered 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.

 

Site RemediationSPS must pay all or a portion of the cost to remediate sites where past activities of SPS and some other parties have caused environmental contamination.  At March 31, 2008, SPS was a party to third party and other sites, such as landfills, to which SPS is alleged to be a potentially responsible party (PRP) that sent hazardous materials and wastes.

 

SPS records a liability when enough information is obtained to develop an estimate of the cost of environmental remediation and revises the estimate as information is received.  The estimated remediation cost may vary materially from the initial estimate.

 

To estimate the remediation cost for these sites, assumptions are made when facts are not fully known.  For instance, assumptions may be made about the nature and extent of site contamination, the extent of required cleanup efforts, costs of alternative cleanup methods and pollution-control technologies, the period over which remediation will be performed and paid for, changes in environmental remediation and pollution-control requirements, the potential effect of technological improvements, the number and financial strength of other PRPs and the identification of new environmental cleanup sites.

 

Estimates are revised as facts become known.  At March 31, 2008, the liability for the cost of remediating these sites was estimated to be $0.1 million.  Some of the cost of remediation may be recovered from:

 

·              Insurance coverage;

·              Other parties that have contributed to the contamination; and

·              Customers.

 

Neither the total remediation cost nor the final method of cost allocation among all PRPs of the unremediated sites has been determined.  Estimates have been recorded for SPS’ future costs for these sites.

 

Third Party and Other Environmental Site Remediation

 

Asbestos Removal Some of SPS’ facilities contain asbestos.  Most asbestos will remain undisturbed until the facilities that contain it are demolished or renovated.  SPS has recorded an estimate for final removal of the asbestos as an asset retirement obligation.  See additional discussion of asset retirement obligations in Note 12 of the SPS Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007.  It may be necessary to remove some asbestos to perform maintenance or make improvements to other equipment.  The cost of removing asbestos as part of other work is immaterial and is recorded as incurred as operating expenses for maintenance projects, capital expenditures for construction projects or removal costs for demolition projects.

 

Other Environmental Requirements

 

Clean Air Interstate Rule  In March 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to further regulate SO2 and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.  The objective of CAIR is to cap emissions of SO2 and NOx in the eastern United States, including Texas.  CAIR addresses the transportation of fine particulates, ozone and emission precursors to nonattainment 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 NOx 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.

 

In July 2005, SPS, the City of Amarillo, Texas 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 standards in any downwind jurisdiction.

 

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In March 2006, the EPA denied the petition for reconsideration.  On June 27, 2006, Xcel Energy and the other parties filed a petition for review of the denial of the petition for reconsideration, as well as a petition for review of the Federal Implementation Plan, with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.  The Court has taken this matter under advisement and a decision is expected in due course.

 

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, SPS currently believes that after the installation of low NOx burners on Harrington 3 in 2006, the remaining capital investments for NOx controls in the SPS region are estimated at $12 million. Purchases of NOx allowances are estimated at $2.1 million in 2009 with no NOx allowance needs in 2010.  Annual purchases of SO2 allowances are estimated in the range of $5 million to $25 million each year, beginning in 2012 for phase I, based on allowance costs and fuel quality as of March 2007.  These cost estimates represent one potential scenario on complying with CAIR, if West Texas is not excluded.

 

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 in rates.

 

Clean Air Mercury Rule — In March 2005, the EPA issued the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), which regulated mercury emissions from power plants. The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has adopted by reference the EPA model program.  In February 2008, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated CAMR, which impacts federal CAMR requirements but not necessarily state-only rules.   Given the many uncertainties created by the court’s opinion, it is not possible at this time to provide an accurate summary of applicable federal mercury requirements or cost estimates.

 

Regional Haze Rules — In June 2005, the EPA finalized amendments to the July 1999 regional haze rules. These amendments apply to the provisions of the regional haze rule that require emission controls, known as best available retrofit technology (BART), for industrial facilities emitting air pollutants that reduce visibility by causing or contributing to regional haze.  Some of SPS’ generating facilities will be subject to BART requirements.  Some of these facilities are located in regions where CAIR is effective. The TCEQ has determined that facilities may use CAIR as a substitute for BART for NOx and SO2.  If West Texas is excluded from CAIR by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, then these facilities will be subject to BART requirements for NOx, SO2 and particulate matter.  Due to the uncertainties of the litigation outcome, SPS is not able to estimate the cost impact at this time.

 

Maddox Station Groundwater  — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is requiring wastewater activity at Maddox Station to be permitted. SPS is developing the permit application and engineering wastewater management facilities. The estimated cost of the project is $1.8 million with an anticipated completion date in the third quarter of 2009.

 

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.

 

Environmental Litigation

 

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Lawsuit In July 2004, the attorneys general of eight states and New York City, as well as several environmental groups, filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York against five utilities, including Xcel Energy, to force reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.  The other utilities include American Electric Power Co., Southern Co., Cinergy Corp. and Tennessee Valley Authority.  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 emissions.  In October 2004, Xcel Energy and the other defendants filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.  On Sept. 19, 2005, the court granted the motion to dismiss on constitutional grounds.  Plaintiffs filed an appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  In June 2007, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order requesting the parties to file a letter brief regarding the impact of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, 127 S.Ct. 1438 (April 2, 2007) on the issues raised by the parties on appeal.  Among other things, in its decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, the United States Supreme Court held that CO2 emissions are a

 

13



 

“pollutant” subject to regulation by the EPA under the Clean Air Act.  In response to the request of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, in June 2007, the defendant utilities filed a letter brief stating the position that the United States Supreme Court’s decision supports the arguments raised by the utilities on appeal.  The Court of Appeals has taken the matter under advisement and is expected to issue an opinion in due course.

 

Comer vs. Xcel Energy Inc. et al. In April 2006, Xcel Energy received notice of a purported class action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Mississippi.  The lawsuit names more than 45 oil, chemical and utility companies, including Xcel Energy, as defendants and alleges that defendants’ CO2 emissions “were a proximate and direct cause of the increase in the destructive capacity of Hurricane Katrina.”  Plaintiffs allege in support of their claim, several legal theories, including negligence and public and private nuisance and seek damages related to the loss resulting from the hurricane.  Xcel Energy believes this lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.  In August 2007, the court dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety against all defendants on constitutional grounds.  In September 2007, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.   The Court of Appeals has taken the matter under advisement and is expected to issue an opinion in due course.

 

Native Village of Kivalina vs. Xcel Energy Inc. et al. In February 2008, the City and Native Village of Kivalina, Alaska, filed a lawsuit against Xcel Energy and 23 other oil, gas and coal companies.  The suit was brought on behalf of approximately 400 native Alaskans, the Inupiat Eskimo, who claim that Defendants’ emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases contribute to global warming, which is harming their village.  Plaintiffs claim that as a consequence, the entire village must be relocated at a cost of between $95 million and $400 million.  Plaintiffs assert a nuisance claim under federal and state common law, as well as a claim asserting “concert of action” in which defendants are alleged to have engaged in tortious acts in concert with each other.  Xcel Energy was not named in the civil conspiracy claim.  Xcel Energy believes the claims asserted in this lawsuit are without merit. A response to the complaint is due on or before June 30, 2008.

 

Employment, Tort and Commercial Litigation

 

Lamb County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) — In 1995, LCEC petitioned the PUCT for a cease and desist order against SPS alleging SPS was unlawfully providing service to oil field customers in LCEC’s certificated area.  In May 2003, the PUCT issued an order denying LCEC’s petition based on its determination that SPS in 1976 was granted a certificate to serve the disputed customers.  LCEC appealed the decision to the District Court in Travis County, Texas.  In August 2004, the court affirmed the decision of the PUCT.  In September 2004, LCEC appealed the District Court’s decision to the Court of Appeals for the Third Supreme Judicial District of the state of Texas.  This appeal is currently pending.

 

In 1996, LCEC filed a suit for damages against SPS in the District Court in Lamb County, Texas, based on the same facts alleged in the petition for a cease and desist order at the PUCT.  This suit has been dormant since it was filed, awaiting a final determination of the legality of SPS providing electric service to the disputed customers.  The PUCT order from May 2003, which found SPS was legally serving the disputed customers, collaterally determines the issue of liability contrary to LCEC’s position in the suit.  An adverse ruling on the appeal of May 2003 PUCT order could result in a different determination of the legality of SPS’ service to the disputed customers.

 

7.   Short-Term Borrowings and Other Financing Instruments

 

Commercial Paper — At March 31, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2007, SPS had commercial paper outstanding of  approximately $50.0 million and $123.0 million, respectively.  The weighted average interest rates at March 31, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2007 were 3.59 percent and 5.58 percent, respectively.

 

Money Pool Xcel Energy has established a utility money pool arrangement that allows for short-term loans between the utility subsidiaries and from the holding company to the utility subsidiaries at market-based interest rates. The utility money pool arrangement does not allow loans from the utility subsidiaries to the holding company. SPS has approval to borrow up to $100 million under the arrangement. At March 31, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2007, SPS had money pool borrowings of $100.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively.  The weighted average interest rates at March 31, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2007 were 3.45 percent and 5.64 percent, respectively.

 

8.     Derivative Instruments

 

SPS uses derivative instruments in connection with its utility commodity price, interest rate, short-term wholesale and commodity trading activities, including forward contracts, futures, swaps and options.  Qualifying hedging relationships are

 

14



 

designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or future cash flow (cash flow hedge).  The types of qualifying hedging transactions that SPS is currently engaged in are discussed below.

 

15



 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

Commodity Cash Flow Hedges SPS enters into derivative instruments to manage variability of future cash flows from changes in commodity prices.  These derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.  At March 31, 2008, SPS had no commodity-related contracts designated as cash flow hedges.

 

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges — SPS enters into interest rate swap instruments that effectively fix the interest payments on certain floating rate debt obligations.  These derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.

 

At March 31, 2008, SPS had net losses of $0.2 million in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be recognized in earnings during the next 12 months.

 

The following table shows the major components of the derivative instruments valuation in the balance sheets at March 31 and Dec. 31:

 

 

 

March 31, 2008

 

Dec. 31, 2007

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

Derivative
Instruments
Valuation -
Assets

 

Derivative
Instruments
Valuation -
Liabilities

 

Derivative
Instruments
Valuation -
Assets

 

Derivative
Instruments
Valuation -
Liabilities

 

Long term purchased power agreements

 

$

92,171

 

$

58,522

 

$

94,403

 

$

59,419

 

Interest rate hedging instruments

 

 

7,127

 

 

5,967

 

Total

 

$

92,171

 

$

65,649

 

$

94,403

 

$

65,386

 

 

In 2003, as a result of FASB Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. C20, SPS began recording several long-term purchased power agreements at fair value due to accounting requirements related to underlying price adjustments. As these purchases are recovered through normal regulatory recovery mechanisms in the respective jurisdictions, the changes in fair value for these contracts were offset by regulatory assets and liabilities. During the first quarter of 2006, SPS qualified these contracts under the normal purchase exception. Based on this qualification, the contracts are no longer adjusted to fair value and the previous carrying value of these contracts will be amortized over the remaining contract lives along with the offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities.

 

The impact of qualifying cash flow hedges on SPS’ accumulated other comprehensive income, included as a component of common stockholders’ equity, is detailed in the following table:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at Jan. 1

 

$

(6,005

)

$

(5,860

)

After-tax net unrealized losses related to derivatives accounted for as hedges

 

(742

)

(8

)

After-tax net realized losses on derivative transactions reclassified into earnings

 

43

 

42

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at March 31

 

$

(6,704

)

$

(5,826

)

 

9. Fair Value Measurements

 

Effective Jan. 1, 2008, SPS adopted SFAS No. 157 for recurring fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 provides a single definition of fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. SFAS No. 157 establishes a hierarchal framework for disclosing the observability of the inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three levels defined by the SFAS No. 157 hierarchy and examples of each level are as follows:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 1 are highly liquid and actively traded instruments with quoted prices.

 

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, but are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date.  The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are typically either comparable to actively traded securities or contracts or priced with models using highly observable inputs.

 

Level 3 – Significant inputs to pricing have little or no observability as of the reporting date.  The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 are those with inputs requiring significant management judgment or estimation.

 

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SPS had one interest rate derivative contract measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2008.  SPS uses broker quotes, based primarily on observable benchmark interest rate forecasts, to measure the fair value of interest rate derivatives.  Given the observability of the primary inputs to pricing, the interest rate derivative liability of $7.1 million was assigned a Level 2 under the SFAS No. 157 hierarchy.

 

10. Detail of Interest and Other Income, Net

 

Interest and other income, net of nonoperating expenses, for the three months ended March 31 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Interest income

 

$

826

 

$

846

 

Other nonoperating income

 

47

 

45

 

Insurance policy expenses

 

(10

)

(61

)

Other nonoperating expenses

 

 

(27

)

Total interest and other income, net

 

$

863

 

$

803

 

 

11. 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 and New Mexico.  Revenues from external customers were $418.8 million and $365.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

12.  Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 

The components of total comprehensive (loss) income are shown below:

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(1,265

)

$

1,665

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain – marketable securities

 

 

4

 

After-tax net unrealized losses related to derivatives accounted for as hedges

 

(742

)

(9

)

After-tax net realized losses on derivative transactions reclassified into earnings

 

43

 

42

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(699

)

37

 

Comprehensive (loss) income

 

$

(1,964

)

$

1,702

 

 

13. Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

Pension and other postretirement benefit disclosures below generally represent Xcel Energy consolidated information unless specifically identified as being attributable to SPS.

 

17



 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2008 (1)

 

2007 (1)

 

2008

 

2007

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

Pension Benefits

 

Postretirement Health
Care Benefits

 

Xcel Energy Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

16,773

 

$

16,485

 

$

1,464

 

$

1,701

 

Interest cost

 

40,583

 

39,598

 

12,546

 

13,603

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(68,472

)

(65,891

)

(7,500

)

(7,618

)

Amortization of transition obligation

 

 

 

3,644

 

3,611

 

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

 

5,166

 

6,487

 

(544

)

(545

)

Amortization of net loss

 

2,859

 

3,867

 

2,718

 

4,994

 

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

 

(3,091

)

546

 

12,328

 

15,746

 

Credits not recognized due to the effects of regulation

 

2,592

 

2,680

 

 

 

Additional cost recognized due to the effects of regulation

 

 

 

973

 

973

 

Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting

 

$

(499

)

$

3,226

 

$

13,301

 

$

16,719

 

SPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting

 

$

(2,754

)

$

(2,006

)

$

875

 

$

1,548

 

 


(1)     Includes qualified and non-qualified pension net periodic benefit cost.

 

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

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,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “should” and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including the availability of credit and its impact on capital expenditures and the ability of SPS to obtain financing on favorable terms; business conditions in the energy industry; actions of credit rating agencies; competitive factors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by SPS; unusual weather; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rates or have an impact on asset operation or ownership or impose environmental compliance conditions; structures that affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric market; costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; actions of accounting regulatory bodies; the items described under Factors Affecting Results of Continuing Operations; and the other risk factors listed from time to time by SPS in reports filed with the SEC, including “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of SPS’ Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007 and Exhibit 99.01 to this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

 

18



 

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, 2007. Commodity price and interest rate risks for SPS are mitigated in most jurisdictions due to cost-based rate regulation. At March 31, 2008, there were no material changes to the financial market risks that affect the quantitative and qualitative disclosures presented as of Dec. 31, 2007.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

SPS’ net loss was approximately $1.3 million for the first three months of 2008, compared with net income of approximately $1.7 million for the first three months of 2007.

 

Electric Utility, Short-term Wholesale and Commodity Trading Margins

 

Electric fuel and purchased power expenses tend to vary with changing retail and wholesale requirements and unit cost changes in fuel and purchased power. Due to fuel and purchased energy cost recovery mechanisms for customers, most fluctuations in these costs do not materially affect electric utility margin.

 

SPS has two distinct forms of wholesale sales:  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. Commodity trading revenues are reported net of trading costs (i.e., on a margin basis) in the Statements of Operations. Commodity trading expenses include purchased power, transmission, broker fees and other related costs.

 

The following table details base electric utility, short-term wholesale and commodity trading activities:

 

(Millions of Dollars)

 

Base
Electric
Utility

 

Short-Term
Wholesale

 

Commodity
Trading

 

Total

 

Three months ended March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric utility revenues (excluding commodity trading)

 

$

413

 

$

6

 

$

 

$

419

 

Electric fuel and purchased power

 

(316

)

(6

)

 

(322

)

Commodity trading revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity trading expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin before operating expenses

 

$

97

 

$

 

$

 

$

97

 

Margin as a percentage of revenues

 

23.5

%

%

%

23.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric utility revenues (excluding commodity trading)

 

$

364

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

367

 

Fuel and purchased power

 

(261

)

(3

)

 

(264

)

Commodity trading revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity trading expenses

 

 

 

(1

)

(1

)

Gross margin before operating expenses

 

$

103

 

$

 

$

(1

)

$

102

 

Margin as a percentage of revenues

 

28.3

%

%

%

27.8

%

 

The following summarizes the components of the changes in base electric revenues and base electric margin for the three months ended March 31:

 

19



 

Base Electric Revenues

 

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

Fuel and purchased power cost recovery

 

$

46

 

Retail sales growth (excluding weather impact)

 

4

 

Firm wholesale

 

4

 

SPS potential regulatory settlements

 

3

 

Sales mix

 

(6

)

Estimated impact of weather

 

(1

)

Other

 

(1

)

Total increase in base electric revenues

 

$

49

 

 

Base Electric Margin

 

(Millions of Dollars)

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

Retail sales growth (excluding weather impact)

 

$

4

 

Firm wholesale

 

4

 

SPS potential regulatory settlements

 

1

 

Fuel handling and procurement

 

(6

)

Sales mix

 

(6

)

Purchased capacity costs

 

(2

)

Estimated impact of weather

 

(1

)

Total decrease in base electric margin

 

$

(6

)

 

Non-Fuel Operating Expense and Other Costs

 

Taxes (other than income taxes) - Taxes (other than income taxes) decreased by approximately $1.2 million, or 10.7 percent, for the first three months of 2008, compared with the first three months of 2007. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in Texas property taxes.

 

Income taxes - Income tax expense decreased by approximately $1.5 million for the first three months of 2008 compared with the first three months of 2007. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income. The effective tax rate was 37.4 percent for the first three months of 2008, compared with 31.1 percent for the same period in 2007. The higher effective tax rate for the first three months of 2008 was primarily due to an increase in the forecasted annual effective tax rate for 2008 as compared to 2007.

 

Regulation

 

Summary of Recent Regulatory Developments

 

The FERC has jurisdiction over rates for electric transmission service in interstate commerce and electricity sold at wholesale, hydro facility licensing, natural gas transportation, accounting practices and certain other activities of SPS. State and local agencies have jurisdiction over many of SPS’ activities, including regulation of retail rates and environmental matters. See additional discussion in the summary of recent federal regulatory developments and public utility regulation sections of the SPS Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007.  In addition to the matters discussed below, see Note 5 to the financial statements for a discussion of other regulatory matters.

 

Other Regulatory Matters

 

Performance-Based Regulation and Quality of Service Requirements  In Texas, SPS is subject to a quality of service plan requiring SPS to comply with electric service reliability performance targets. In January 2008, the PUCT staff served SPS with notice that it had initiated an investigation to determine whether SPS is in compliance with the Texas Statutes and PUCT rules on reliability and continuity of service.  If SPS is found not to be in compliance, the PUCT may initiate an enforcement action and impose administrative penalties up to $25,000 per day.

 

Lea Power Purchase Power Agreement — Lea Power is a natural gas combined cycle 602MW plant currently being constructed near Hobbs, New Mexico.  SPS is expected to start taking energy beginning in the summer of 2008 when Lea Power reaches commercial operations.  On April 24, 2008, however, SPS sent Lea Power a notice of default related to its failure to meet two construction milestones. It is uncertain to what extent, if any, this failure will have on Lea Power’s ability

 

20



 

to begin commercial operations in the summer of 2008.  The purchase power agreement, which was executed in 2006, provides for SPS to have exclusive rights to dispatch the facility.  SPS is currently evaluating the accounting implications of this contract, including capital lease and/or consolidation requirements.  Further, restructuring of the contract is being considered.  In addition, SPS is also evaluating the three additional purchase power agreements expected to reach commercial operations in the second quarter of 2008.

 

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. In addition, the disclosure controls and procedures ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO), allowing timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 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 CEO and the CFO, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and the 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, SPS’ internal control over financial reporting.

 

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 5 and 6 of the 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 and Notes 11 and 12 of SPS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007 for a description of certain legal proceedings presently pending.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

SPS’ risk factors are documented in Item 1A of Part I of its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. There have been no material changes to the risk factors.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The following Exhibits are filed with this report:

 

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.

 

21



 

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 May 5, 2008.

 

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

 

22


EX-31.01 2 a08-13399_1ex31d01.htm EX-31.01

Exhibit 31.01

 

Certifications

 

I, David L. Eves, certify that:

 

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

 

2.         Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

 

3.         Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 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 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and 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 subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)      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

 

d)     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; and

 

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 functions):

 

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 information; 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: May 5, 2008

 

 

 

 

/s/ DAVID L. EVES

 

 David L. Eves

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

1



 

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

 

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

 

2.         Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

 

3.         Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 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 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and 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 subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)      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

 

d)     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; and

 

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 functions):

 

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 information; 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: May 5, 2008

 

 

/s/ BENJAMIN G.S. FOWKE III

 

 Benjamin G.S. Fowke III

 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

2


EX-32.01 3 a08-13399_1ex32d01.htm 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 Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (Form 10-Q), each of the undersigned officers of 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: May 5, 2008

 

 

/s/ DAVID L. EVES

 

David L. Eves

 

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 written 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.

 

1


EX-99.01 4 a08-13399_1ex99d01.htm EX-99.01

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 inflation rates, monetary fluctuations and their impact on capital expenditures;

·              The risk of a significant slowdown in growth or decline in the U.S. economy, the risk of delay in growth recovery in the U.S. economy or the risk of increased cost for insurance premiums, security and other items;

·              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 market; 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;

·              Risks associated with the California power market;

·              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;

·              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.

 

1


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