10-Q 1 file10-q.htm FORM 10-Q 3/31/02 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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, 2002

OR

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

 

 

 

 

Commission
File Number

 

Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters,
State of Incorporation, address of principal executive offices
and registrants' telephone number

IRS Employer
Identification
Number


33-87902


ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP.
(a Delaware corporation)


04-3255377

33-87902-02

NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES,
A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(a Massachusetts limited partnership)

04-2955642

33-87902-01

NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES,
A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(a New Jersey limited partnership)

04-2955646

333-52397

ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.
(a Delaware corporation)

65-0827005

333-52397-01

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP
(a Delaware limited partnership)

65-0811248


c/o FPL Energy, LLC
700 Universe Boulevard
Juno Beach, Florida 33408
(561) 691-7171






Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have 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 and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [   ]

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:


As of April 30, 2002, there were issued and outstanding 10,000 shares of ESI Tractebel Funding Corp.'s common stock.

As of April 30, 2002, there were issued and outstanding 20 shares of ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp.'s common stock.



This combined Form 10-Q represents separate filings by ESI Tractebel Funding Corp., Northeast Energy Associates, a limited partnership, North Jersey Energy Associates, a limited partnership, ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp. and Northeast Energy, LP. Information contained herein relating to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf. Each registrant makes representations only as to itself and makes no representations whatsoever as to any other registrant.

 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995



In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act), ESI Tractebel Funding Corp. (Funding Corp.), Northeast Energy Associates, a limited partnership (NEA) and North Jersey Energy Associates, a limited partnership (NJEA) (collectively, the Partnerships), ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp. (Acquisition Corp.) and Northeast Energy, LP (NE LP) (all five entities collectively, the registrants) are hereby filing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the registrants' actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Reform Act) made by or on behalf of the registrants in this combined Form 10-Q, in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as will likely result, are expected to, will continue, is anticipated, estimated, projection, outlook) are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors that could cause the registrants' actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the registrants.


Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the registrants undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.


Some important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include changes in laws or regulations, including the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as amended, changing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as amended, acquisition, disposal, depreciation and amortization of assets and facilities, operation and construction of plant facilities, recovery of fuel and purchased power costs, and present or prospective competition.


The business and profitability of the registrants are also influenced by economic and geographic factors including political and economic risks, changes in and compliance with environmental and safety laws and policies, weather conditions (including natural disasters), population growth rates and demographic patterns, competition for retail and wholesale customers, availability, pricing and transportation of fuel and other energy commodities, market demand for energy, changes in tax rates or policies or in rates of inflation or in accounting standards, unanticipated delays or changes in costs for capital projects, unanticipated changes in operating expenses and capital expenditures, capital market conditions, competition for new energy development opportunities and legal and administrative proceedings (whether civil, such as environmental, or criminal) and settlements.


All such factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties which may materially affect actual results, and are beyond the control of the registrants.

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1. Financial Statements

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (A PARTNERSHIP) AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2002

   

December 31,
2001

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

59,327

   

$

45,003

 
 

Accounts receivable

   

60,285

     

33,808

 
 

Due from related party

   

1,529

     

1,757

 
 

Spare parts inventories

   

12,068

     

10,787

 
 

Fuel inventories

   

4,747

     

7,132

 
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

7,176

     

188

 

   

Total current assets

   

145,132

     

98,675

 

                 

Non-current assets:

               
 

Deferred debt issuance costs (net of accumulated amortization of $2,599 and $2,443, respectively)

   

4,361

     

4,517

 
 

Cogeneration facilities and carbon dioxide facility (net of accumulated depreciation of $92,776 and $87,190, respectively)

   

427,954

     

433,518

 
 

Power purchase agreements (net of accumulated amortization of $218,866 and $205,538, respectively)

   

669,890

     

683,218

 
 

Other assets

   

95

     

96

 

   

Total non-current assets

   

1,102,300

     

1,121,349

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,247,432

   

$

1,220,024

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of notes payable - the Funding Corp.

 

$

22,688

   

$

22,688

 
 

Current portion of notes payable - the Acquisition Corp.

   

8,800

     

8,800

 
 

Accounts payable

   

17,100

     

15,371

 
 

Accrued interest payable

   

13,874

     

-

 
 

Due to related parties

   

5,690

     

4,035

 
 

Other accrued expenses

   

15,945

     

19,708

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

84,097

     

70,602

 

                 

Non-current liabilities:

               
 

Deferred credit - fuel contracts

   

245,677

     

250,889

 
 

Notes payable - the Funding Corp.

   

376,032

     

376,032

 
 

Notes payable - the Acquisition Corp.

   

211,200

     

211,200

 
 

Energy bank and other liabilities

   

149,554

     

153,010

 
 

Lease payable

   

929

     

929

 

   

Total non-current liabilities

   

983,392

     

992,060

 

                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Partners' equity:

               
 

General partners

   

3,336

     

3,029

 
 

Limited partners

   

170,447

     

155,413

 
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   

6,160

     

(1,080

)

   

Total partners' equity

   

179,943

     

157,362

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

 

$

1,247,432

   

$

1,220,024

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 (2001 Form 10-K) for NE LP and Subsidiaries.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (A PARTNERSHIP) AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                     

2002

     

2001

 


REVENUES

                 


$


102,397

   


$


92,549

 

                                 

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

                               
 

Fuel

                   

48,762

     

46,342

 
 

Operations and maintenance

                   

3,021

     

3,630

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

                   

18,914

     

18,873

 
 

General and administrative

                   

2,322

     

2,364

 

   

Total costs and expenses

                   

73,019

     

71,209

 

                                 

OPERATING INCOME

                   

29,378

     

21,340

 

                                 

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

                               
 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

                   

156

     

157

 
 

Interest expense

                   

17,520

     

18,616

 
 

Interest income

                   

(178

)

   

(431

)

 

Change in fair value of derivatives

                   

(3,461

)

   

18,081

 

   

Total other expense - net

                   

14,037

     

36,423

 

                                 

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

             

15,341

     

(15,083

)

                                 

Cumulative effect of adopting FAS 133 - "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"

             

-

     

18,268

 

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

15,341

   

$

3,185

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                     

2002

     

2001

 


NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                 


$


14,345

   


$


39,792

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Capital expenditures

                   

(21

)

   

(40

)

   

Net cash used in investing activities

                   

(21

)

   

(40

)

                                 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

                   

14,324

     

39,752

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

                   

45,003

     

35,360

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

                 

$

59,327

   

$

75,112

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the 2001 Form 10-K for NE LP and Subsidiaries.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND
NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2002

   

December 31,
2001

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

58,279

   

$

43,969

 
 

Accounts receivable

   

60,285

     

33,808

 
 

Due from related party

   

1,529

     

1,757

 
 

Spare parts inventories

   

12,068

     

10,787

 
 

Fuel inventories

   

4,747

     

7,132

 
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

7,175

     

176

 

   

Total current assets

   

144,083

     

97,629

 

                 

Non-current assets:

               
 

Cogeneration facilities and carbon dioxide facility (net of accumulated depreciation of $92,776 and $87,190, respectively)

   

427,954

     

433,518

 
 

Power purchase agreements (net of accumulated amortization of $218,866 and $205,538, respectively)

   

669,890

     

683,218

 
 

Other assets

   

95

     

96

 

   

Total non-current assets

   

1,097,939

     

1,116,832

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,242,022

   

$

1,214,461

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of notes payable - the Funding Corp.

 

$

22,688

   

$

22,688

 
 

Accounts payable

   

17,100

     

15,371

 
 

Accrued interest payable

   

9,479

     

-

 
 

Due to related parties

   

5,690

     

4,035

 
 

Other accrued expenses

   

15,807

     

19,570

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

70,764

     

61,664

 

                 

Non-current liabilities:

               
 

Deferred credit - fuel contracts

   

245,677

     

250,889

 
 

Notes payable - the Funding Corp.

   

376,032

     

376,032

 
 

Energy bank and other liabilities

   

149,554

     

153,010

 
 

Lease payable

   

929

     

929

 

   

Total non-current liabilities

   

772,192

     

780,860

 

                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Partners' equity:

               
 

General partners

   

3,929

     

3,731

 
 

Limited partners

   

388,977

     

369,286

 
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   

6,160

     

(1,080

)

   

Total partners' equity

   

399,066

     

371,937

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

 

$

1,242,022

   

$

1,214,461

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the 2001 Form 10-K for NEA and NJEA.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND
NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2002

   

2001

 


REVENUES

                 


$


102,397

   


$


92,549

 

                                 

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

                               
 

Fuel

                   

48,762

     

46,342

 
 

Operations and maintenance

                   

3,021

     

3,630

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

                   

18,914

     

18,873

 
 

General and administrative

                   

2,322

     

2,364

 

   

Total costs and expenses

                   

73,019

     

71,209

 

                                 

OPERATING INCOME

                   

29,378

     

21,340

 

                                 

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

                               
 

Interest expense

                   

13,125

     

14,221

 
 

Interest income

                   

(175

)

   

(427

)

 

Change in fair value of derivatives

                   

(3,461

)

   

18,081

 

   

Total other expense - net

                   

9,489

     

31,875

 

                                 

Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

             

19,889

     

(10,535

)

                                 

Cumulative effect of adopting FAS 133 - "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"

             

-

     

18,268

 

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

19,889

   

$

7,733

 

 

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2002

   

2001

 


NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                 


$


14,331

   


$


39,784

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Capital expenditures

                   

(21

)

   

(40

)

   

Net cash used in investing activities

                   

(21

)

   

(40

)

                                 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

                   

14,310

     

39,744

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

                   

43,969

     

34,471

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

                 

$

58,279

   

$

74,215

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the 2001 Form 10-K for NEA and NJEA.

 

ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2002

   

December 31,
2001

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Cash

 

$

1

   

$

1

 
 

Interest receivable from the Partnerships

   

9,479

     

-

 
 

Current portion of notes receivable from the Partnerships

   

22,688

     

22,688

 

   

Total current assets

   

32,168

     

22,689

 
                 

Notes receivable from the Partnerships

   

376,032

     

376,032

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

408,200

   

$

398,721

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of debt securities payable

 

$

22,688

   

$

22,688

 
 

Accrued interest

   

9,479

     

-

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

32,167

     

22,688

 
                 

Debt securities payable

   

376,032

     

376,032

 
                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Stockholders' equity:

               
 

Common stock, no par value, 10,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding

   

1

     

1

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

$

408,200

   

$

398,721

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2002

   

2001

 


Interest income

                 


$


9,479

   


$


9,940

 

Interest expense

                   

(9,479

)

   

(9,940

)

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

-

   

$

-

 

These reports should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Financial Statements appearing in the 2001 Form 10-K for the Funding Corp.

 

ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2002

   

December 31,
2001

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Interest receivable from NE LP

 

$

4,395

   

$

-

 
 

Current portion of note receivable from NE LP

   

8,800

     

8,800

 

   

Total current assets

   

13,195

     

8,800

 

                 

Non-current assets:

               
 

Due from NE LP

   

152

     

152

 
 

Note receivable from NE LP

   

211,200

     

211,200

 

   

Total non-current assets

   

211,352

     

211,352

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

224,547

   

$

220,152

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of debt securities payable

 

$

8,800

   

$

8,800

 
 

Income taxes payable

   

20

     

19

 
 

Accrued interest

   

4,395

     

-

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

13,215

     

8,819

 

                 

Non-current liabilities:

               
 

Deferred credit - interest rate hedge

   

94

     

98

 
 

Debt securities payable

   

211,200

     

211,200

 

   

Total non-current liabilities

   

211,294

     

211,298

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   

224,509

     

220,117

 
                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Stockholders' equity:

               
 

Common stock, $.10 par value, 100 shares authorized, 20 shares issued

   

-

     

-

 
 

Retained earnings

   

38

     

35

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

$

224,547

   

$

220,152

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                   

2002

   

2001

 


Interest income

                 


$


4,395

   


$


4,395

 

Interest expense

                   

(4,391

)

   

(4,391

)

Income before income taxes

                   

4

     

4

 

Income tax expense

                   

(1

)

   

(1

)

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

3

   

$

3

 

These reports should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Financial Statements appearing in the 2001 Form 10-K for the Acquisition Corp.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (A PARTNERSHIP) AND SUBSIDIARIES
NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND
NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP.
ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, condensed combined financial statements and condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2001 Form 10-K for the registrants. In the opinion of the registrants' management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair financial statement presentation have been made. The Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp. had no cash transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 and therefore have not presented a statement of cash flows. The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for the year.


1. Combined Statement of Partners' Equity


NEA's and NJEA's general partner (GP) and limited partner (LP) equity balances are comprised of the following:

   

NEA

 

NJEA

 

Combined

 

   

GP

 

LP

 

Total

 

GP

 

LP

 

Total

 

GP

 

LP

 

Total

 

   

(Thousands of Dollars)

 
                                                         

Balances, December 31, 2001

 

$

1,325

 

$

131,237

 

$

132,562

 

$

2,406

 

$

238,049

 

$

240,455

 

$

3,731

 

$

369,286

 

$

373,017

(a)

Balances, March 31, 2002

$

1,418

$

140,531

$

141,949

$

2,511

$

248,446

$

250,957

$

3,929

$

388,977

$

392,906

(b)

(a)

Exclusive of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) of ($1,080).

(b)

Exclusive of accumulated other comprehensive income of $6,160.

2. Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities


In December 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board released final guidance regarding when certain contracts for the purchase and sale of power and certain fuel supply contracts can be excluded from the provisions of FAS 133, with an effective date beginning April 1, 2002. Management has performed an evaluation of the effects of the final guidance and determined there will be no impact to NE LP's and the Partnerships' financial statements.


In January 2001, NE LP and the Partnerships recorded an unrealized $18.3 million gain as the cumulative effect of adopting FAS 133, representing the effect of those derivative instruments for which hedge accounting was not applied. For those contracts where hedge accounting was applied, the adoption of the new rules resulted in a gain of approximately $4.3 million to other comprehensive income for NE LP and the Partnerships for the twelve months ended December 31, 2001.


Accumulated other comprehensive income is separately displayed in NE LP's and the Partnerships' balance sheets. Included in NE LP's and the Partnerships' accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2002 is approximately $6.2 million of net unrealized gains associated with cash flow hedges of forecasted fuel purchases through December 2002, all of which are expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. NE LP and the Partnerships reclassified a net gain of approximately $122 thousand into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2002. The effective portion of the net gain/loss on cash flow hedges (excluding the cumulative effect adjustment) included within other comprehensive income was a net gain of approximately $7.1 million and a net loss of approximately $873 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.


3. Comprehensive Income


Comprehensive income below includes net income and net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges of forecasted fuel purchases for both NE LP and the Partnerships of approximately $7.2 million and $3.5 million for the periods ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

 

         

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

               

2002

   

2001

 

                   

(Thousands of Dollars)

 
                                 

NE LP

                 

$

22,581

   

$

6,653

 

The Partnerships

                 

$

27,129

   

$

11,201

 

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


This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements and Notes to Condensed Financial Statements contained herein and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in the 2001 Form 10-K for the registrants. The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for the year. In the following discussion, all comparisons are with the corresponding items in the prior year.


Results of Operations


NE LP and the Partnerships - Net income increased for the three months ended March 31, 2002 primarily due to higher revenues and net unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivatives, partly offset by increased fuel costs.


Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2002 improved primarily as a result of increased electricity sales prices. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 were comprised of $101.3 million and $91.3 million of power sales to utilities and $1.1 million and $1.2 million of steam sales, respectively. Power sales to utilities for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 reflect changes in utility energy bank balances of $7.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively. The changes in the energy bank balances, which increased reported revenues, are determined in accordance with scheduled or specified rates under certain power purchase agreements.


Fuel expense for the three months ended March 31, 2002 increased primarily as a result of unfavorable swap and option settlements. These fuel costs for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, were partly offset by $5.2 million of deferred credit amortization for fuel contracts. Operations and maintenance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2002 decreased primarily due to lower repair and maintenance costs.


In December 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board released final guidance regarding when certain contracts for the purchase and sale of power and certain fuel supply contracts can be excluded from the provisions of FAS 133, with an effective date beginning April 1, 2002. Management has performed an evaluation of the effects of the final guidance and determined there will be no impact to NE LP's and the Partnerships' financial statements.


In January 2001, NE LP and the Partnerships recorded an unrealized $18.3 million gain as the cumulative effect of adopting FAS 133, representing the effect of those derivative instruments for which hedge accounting was not applied. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, NE LP and the Partnerships recorded net unrealized mark-to-market gains/(losses) of $3.5 million and ($18.1) million respectively, representing the net change in fair value of derivative instruments.


Each of NE LP and the Partnerships make scheduled interest and/or principal payments on their outstanding debt. Each are scheduled to make semi-annual debt and/or interest payments on June 30 and December 30. Interest expense for NE LP and the Partnerships decreased as a result of decreasing principal balances on the securities payable.


The Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp. - Both the Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp. use interest income and/or principal payments received from the notes receivable from the Partnerships and NE LP, respectively, to make scheduled interest and/or principal payments on their outstanding debt. Both are scheduled to make semi-annual debt and/or interest payments on June 30 and December 30. Interest expense for the Funding Corp. decreased in each of 2002 and 2001 as a result of decreasing principal balances on the securities payable.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


NE LP and the Partnerships - Net cash provided by operating activities for NE LP and the Partnerships for the three months ended March 31, 2002 decreased over the three months ended March 31, 2001 by $25.4 million and $25.5 million, respectively. This decrease is primarily due to timing of cash receipts under certain agreements.


Market Risk Sensitivity


The fair value of derivative instruments on March 31, 2002 was a positive $6.3 million for NE LP and the Partnerships. The effect of a hypothetical 40% decrease in natural gas prices would be to change the fair value of these instruments to a negative $9.9 million for NE LP and the Partnerships.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION



Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


(a)


Exhibits - None


(b)


Reports on Form 8-K - None


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner)
NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner)
NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP
(ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc. as Administrative General Partner)
ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP.
ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.
(Registrants)

 
     

Date: May 15, 2002

     
     
     
 

ROBERT L. MCGRATH

 

 

Robert L. McGrath
Vice President and Treasurer of ESI Northeast Energy GP, Inc.
Treasurer of ESI Tractebel Funding Corp.
Treasurer of ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp.
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer of the Registrants)