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TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended DECEMBER 31, 2005
Commission file number |
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter | IRS Employer Identification No. | ||
1-12869 |
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC. |
52-1964611 |
||
1-1910 | BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY | 52-0280210 |
MARYLAND
(States of incorporation)
750 E. PRATT STREET BALTIMORE,
MARYLAND 21202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
410-783-2800
(Registrants' telephone number, including area code)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
Title of each class |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
|
---|---|---|---|
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Common StockWithout Par Value | ) | New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. Pacific Exchange, Inc. |
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6.20% Trust Preferred Securities ($25 liquidation amount per preferred security) issued by BGE Capital Trust II, fully and unconditionally guaranteed, based on several obligations, by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company |
) |
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. |
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
Not Applicable
Indicate by check mark if Constellation Energy Group, Inc. is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No o.
Indicate by check mark if Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No o.
Indicate by check mark if Constellation Energy Group, Inc. is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý.
Indicate by check mark if Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý.
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 ý No o.
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý
Indicate by check mark whether Constellation Energy Group, Inc. is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer" and "large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ý Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer" and "large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer ý
Indicate by check mark whether Constellation Energy Group, Inc. is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes o No ý
Aggregate market value of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Common Stock, without par value, held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2005 was approximately $10,225,051,449 based upon New York Stock Exchange composite transaction closing price.
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC. COMMON STOCK, WITHOUT PAR VALUE
178,454,929 SHARES OUTSTANDING ON JANUARY 31, 2006.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part of Form 10-K |
Document Incorporated by Reference |
|
---|---|---|
III | Certain sections of the Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders for Constellation Energy Group, Inc. |
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this Form in the reduced disclosure format.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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Forward Looking Statements | 1 | |||||||
PART I | ||||||||
Item 1 | | Business | 2 | |||||
Overview | 2 | |||||||
Merchant Energy Business | 3 | |||||||
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company | 10 | |||||||
Other Nonregulated Businesses | 15 | |||||||
Consolidated Capital Requirements | 15 | |||||||
Environmental Matters | 15 | |||||||
Employees | 18 | |||||||
Item 1A | | Risk Factors | 19 | |||||
Item 2 | | Properties | 25 | |||||
Item 3 | | Legal Proceedings | 27 | |||||
Item 4 | | Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders | 27 | |||||
Executive Officers of the Registrant (Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K) | 27 | |||||||
PART II | ||||||||
Item 5 | | Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters | 29 | |||||
Item 6 | | Selected Financial Data | 30 | |||||
Item 7 | | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 32 | |||||
Item 7A | | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 67 | |||||
Item 8 | | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 68 | |||||
Item 9 | | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 125 | |||||
Item 9A | | Controls and Procedures | 125 | |||||
Item 9B | | Other Information | 125 | |||||
PART III | ||||||||
Item 10 | | Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant | 126 | |||||
Item 11 | | Executive Compensation | 126 | |||||
Item 12 | | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters | 126 | |||||
Item 13 | | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 127 | |||||
Item 14 | | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 127 | |||||
PART IV | ||||||||
Item 15 | | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 128 | |||||
Signatures | 134 |
We make statements in this report that are considered forward looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Sometimes these statements will contain words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," and other similar words. We also disclose non-historical information that represents management's expectations, which are based on numerous assumptions. These statements and projections are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from those we project. These risks, uncertainties, and factors include, but are not limited to:
Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward looking statements. Please see the other sections of this report, including Item 1A. Risk Factors, and our other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for more information on these factors. These forward looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report.
Changes may occur after that date, and neither Constellation Energy nor BGE assume responsibility to update these forward looking statements.
1
Pending Merger with FPL Group, Inc.
On December 18, 2005, Constellation Energy entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with FPL Group. The merger agreement has been unanimously approved by both companies' boards of directors but completion of the merger is contingent upon, among other things, the approval of the transaction by shareholders of both companies and receipt of required regulatory approvals. The companies anticipate obtaining all necessary approvals and completing the merger by the end of 2006. The merger agreement contains certain termination rights for both Constellation Energy and FPL Group, and further provides for the payment of fees upon termination of the merger agreement under specified circumstances. Further information concerning the pending merger will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus contained in the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed by Constellation Energy in connection with the merger. For additional information related to the merger, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Constellation Energy is an energy company which includes a merchant energy business and BGE, a regulated electric and gas public utility in central Maryland.
Constellation Energy was incorporated in Maryland on September 25, 1995. On April 30, 1999, Constellation Energy became the holding company for BGE and its subsidiaries. References in this report to "we" and "our" are to Constellation Energy and its subsidiaries, collectively. References in this report to the "regulated business(es)" are to BGE.
Our merchant energy business is a competitive provider of energy solutions for a variety of customers. It has electric generation assets located in various regions of the United States and provides energy solutions to meet customers' needs. Our merchant energy business focuses on serving the full energy and capacity requirements (load-serving) of, and providing other energy products and risk management services for various customers.
Our merchant energy business includes:
BGE is a regulated electric transmission and distribution utility company and a regulated gas distribution utility company with a service territory that covers the City of Baltimore and all or part of ten counties in central Maryland. BGE was incorporated in Maryland in 1906.
Our other nonregulated businesses:
For a discussion of recent events that have impacted us, our strategy, and the seasonality of our business, please refer to Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis section.
Constellation Energy maintains a website at constellation.com where copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments may be obtained free of charge. These reports are posted on our website the same day they are filed with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website (sec.gov), where copies of our filings may be obtained free of charge. The website address for BGE is bge.com. These website addresses are inactive textual references, and the contents of these websites are not part of this Form 10-K.
In addition, the website for Constellation Energy includes copies of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Principles of Business Integrity, Corporate Compliance Program and Insider Trading Policy, and the charters for the Audit, Compensation and Nominating, and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors. Copies of each of these documents may be printed from the website or may be obtained from Constellation Energy upon written request to the Corporate Secretary.
The Principles of Business Integrity is a code of ethics which applies to all of our directors, officers, and employees, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and chief accounting officer. We will post any amendments to, or waivers from, the Principles of Business Integrity applicable to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, or chief accounting officer on our website.
2
Operating Segments
The percentages of revenues, net income, and assets attributable to our operating segments are shown in the tables below. We present information about our operating segments, including certain other items, in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Unaffiliated Revenues |
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Merchant Energy |
Regulated Electric |
Regulated Gas |
Other Nonregulated |
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2005 | 81 | % | 12 | % | 6 | % | 1 | % | |
2004 | 76 | 16 | 6 | 2 | |||||
2003 | 68 | 20 | 8 | 4 |
Net Income (1) |
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Merchant Energy |
Regulated Electric |
Regulated Gas |
Other Nonregulated |
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2005 | 71 | % | 25 | % | 4 | % | | % | |
2004 | 75 | 23 | 4 | (2 | ) | ||||
2003 | 66 | 24 | 9 | 1 |
Total Assets |
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Merchant Energy |
Regulated Electric |
Regulated Gas |
Other Nonregulated |
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2005 | 77 | % | 16 | % | 6 | % | 1 | % | |
2004 | 71 | 20 | 7 | 2 | |||||
2003 | 67 | 23 | 7 | 3 |
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.
Introduction
Our merchant energy business integrates electric generation assets with the marketing and risk management of energy and energy-related commodities, allowing us to manage energy price risk over geographic regions and time.
Constellation Energy Commodities Group, our wholesale marketing and risk management operation, dispatches the energy from our generating facilities and from some facilities with which we have power purchase agreements, manages the risks associated with selling the output and purchasing non-nuclear fuels, and enters into transactions to meet customers' energy and risk management requirements. This operation also trades energy and energy-related commodities and deploys risk capital in the management of our portfolio in order to earn additional returns. Constellation NewEnergy, our electric and gas retail operation, provides electricity, natural gas, transportation, and other energy services to commercial, industrial, and governmental customers.
Constellation Generation Group, our merchant generation operation, oversees the ownership, operations, maintenance, and performance of our fossil, nuclear and renewable generation and fuel processing facilities. Our generation capacity supports our wholesale and retail operations by providing a source of reliable power supply. Constellation Generation Group also owns and operates a generation operations and maintenance services organization.
Our merchant energy business:
We analyze the results of our merchant energy business as follows:
3
We present details about our generating properties in Item 2. Properties.
Mid-Atlantic Region
We own 6,960 MW of fossil, nuclear, and hydroelectric generation capacity in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The output of these plants is managed by our wholesale marketing and risk management operation and is hedged through a combination of power sales to wholesale and retail market participants. Our merchant energy business meets the load-serving requirements of various contracts using the output from the Mid-Atlantic Region and from purchases in the wholesale market.
BGE transferred all of these facilities to our merchant energy generation subsidiaries on July 1, 2000 as a result of the implementation of electric customer choice and competition among suppliers in Maryland, except for the Handsome Lake, Big Sandy, and Wolf Hills facilities that commenced operations in mid-2001. The assets transferred from BGE are subject to the lien of BGE's mortgage.
Our merchant energy business provides power to enable BGE to provide standard offer service as discussed in the Baltimore Gas and Electric CompanyStandard Offer Service section. For 2005, the peak load supplied to BGE was approximately 4,000 MW.
Plants with Power Purchase Agreements
We own 3,189 MW of nuclear and natural gas generation capacity with power purchase agreements for their output. Our facilities with power purchase agreements consist of:
We own 100% of Nine Mile Point Unit 1 (620 MW) and 82% of Unit 2 (941 MW). The remaining interest in Nine Mile Point Unit 2 is owned by the Long Island Power Authority. Unit 1 entered service in 1969 and Unit 2 in 1988. Nine Mile Point is located within the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) region.
We sell 90% of our share of Nine Mile Point's output to the former owners of the plant at an average price of nearly $35 per megawatt-hour (MWH) under agreements that terminate between 2009 and 2011. The agreements are unit contingent (if the output is not available because the plant is not operating, there is no requirement to provide output from other sources). The remaining 10% of Nine Mile Point's output is managed by our wholesale marketing and risk management operation and sold into the wholesale market.
After termination of the power purchase agreements, a revenue sharing agreement with the former owners of the plant will begin and continue through 2021. Under this agreement, which applies only to our ownership percentage of Unit 2, a predetermined price is compared to the market price for electricity. If the market price exceeds the strike price, then 80% of this excess amount is shared with the former owners of the plant. The revenue sharing agreement is unit contingent and is based on the operation of the unit.
We exclusively operate Unit 2 under an operating agreement with the Long Island Power Authority. The Long Island Power Authority is responsible for 18% of the operating costs (and decommissioning costs) of Unit 2 and has representation on the Nine Mile Point Unit 2 management committee which provides certain oversight and review functions.
In May 2004, we filed an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a 20-year license extension for both units at Nine Mile Point. The license to operate Nine Mile Point's Unit 1 expires in 2009 and the license to operate Unit 2 expires in 2026. We must demonstrate that we can ensure that the units will continue to perform their intended functions through the renewal period. The NRC will also consider the impact of the 20-year license extension on the environment. We expect to receive approval of our application by early 2007 and have assumed a 20-year license extension for purposes of recording depreciation expense and asset retirement obligations. However, we cannot predict the actual timing of the NRC's decision, or the impact of the decision, if any, on our financial results. If we do not receive the license extension, we will not be able to operate the Nine Mile Point units beyond 2009 and 2026.
In June 2004, we purchased the Ginna nuclear facility which is located in Ontario, New York from Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation (RG&E). Ginna consists of a 498 MW reactor that entered service in 1970 and is licensed to operate until 2029. The acquisition includes a long-term unit contingent power purchase agreement under which we sell up to 90% of the plant's output and capacity to RG&E for 10 years at an average price of $44.00 per MWH. The remaining output is managed by our wholesale marketing and risk management operation and sold into the wholesale market. We expect to increase the capacity of Ginna by 83 MW through a planned uprate in 2006.
4
The High Desert facility has a long-term power sales agreement with the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR). The agreement has a "tolling" feature, under which the CDWR pays a fixed amount of $12.1 million per month which provides CDWR the right, but not the obligation, to purchase power at a price linked to the variable cost of production. During the term of the agreement, which runs until January 2011, the facility will provide energy exclusively to the CDWR.
We have sold 100% of the output of the University Park facility under a tolling agreement ending May 31, 2006. Under this tolling agreement, our counterparty will pay a fixed amount per month and have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase power from us at prices linked to the variable fuel and other costs of production.
In the second quarter of 2005, we sold our Oleander generating facility. We discuss this sale in more detail in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Competitive Supply
We are a leading supplier of energy products and services to wholesale customers and retail commercial and industrial customers. In 2005, our wholesale marketing and risk management operation provided approximately 24,000 peak MWs of wholesale full requirements load-serving products. During 2005, our retail competitive supply activities served approximately 15,500 MW of peak load and approximately 300,000 mmBTUs of natural gas. Our competitive supply activities also include 1,465 MW of capacity from our Rio Nogales and Holland Energy natural gas-fired generating facilities. These facilities are not sold forward under long-term agreements, and their output is used to serve customer requirements.
Wholesale and Retail Load-Serving Activities
We structure transactions that serve the full energy and capacity requirements of various customers outside the PJM region such as distribution utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, and retail aggregators that do not own sufficient generating capacity or in-house supply functions to meet their own load requirements. We also structure transactions to supply full energy and capacity requirements and provide natural gas, transportation, and other energy products and services to retail commercial and industrial customers.
Contracts with these customers generally extend from one to ten years, but some can be longer. To meet our customers' load-serving requirements, our merchant energy business obtains energy from various sources, including:
Portfolio Management and Trading
Our wholesale marketing and risk management operation actively uses energy and energy-related commodities in order to manage our portfolio of energy purchases and sales to customers through structured transactions. As part of our risk management activities, we trade energy and energy-related commodities and deploy risk capital in the management of our portfolio in order to earn additional returns. These activities are managed through daily value at risk and stop loss limits and liquidity guidelines, and could have a material impact on our financial results. We discuss the impact of our trading activities and value at risk in more detail in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis.
These activities involve the use of a variety of instruments, including:
Active portfolio management allows our wholesale marketing and risk management operation to:
5
Coal Services
Our wholesale marketing and risk management operation participates in global coal sourcing activities by providing coal and coal related logistical services, such as transportation for the variable or fixed supply needs of North American and international power generators. In 2005, we delivered 12.6 million tons of coal to international and domestic third- party customers and to our own fleet.
We also include in our coal services the results from our synthetic fuel processing facility in South Carolina.
Natural Gas Services
Our wholesale marketing and risk management operation provides products and services to upstream (exploration and production) and downstream (transportation and storage) natural gas customers, including large utilities, industrial customers, power generators, wholesale marketers, and retail aggregators.
In June 2005, we acquired working interests in gas producing fields in Texas and Alabama. We discuss this asset acquisition in more detail in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other
We hold up to a 50% voting interest in 24 operating energy projects that consist of electric generation (primarily relying on alternative fuel sources), fuel processing, or fuel handling facilities and are qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. Each electric generating plant sells its output to a local utility under long-term contracts.
We also provide operation and maintenance services, including testing and start-up, to owners of electric generating facilities.
Unistar Nuclear
In 2005, we formed a joint enterprise with AREVA, Inc., to develop a standardized fleet of nuclear power plants based on an advanced design called the U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactor (U.S. EPR). We intend to work with AREVA, Inc. to obtain design certification and all necessary approvals from the NRC to license, construct, own, and operate U.S. EPR plants. Unistar Nuclear will offer the business framework that could enable the development of future joint ventures with Constellation Energy, other energy companies, and interested parties. Those future joint ventures, in turn, would license, construct, own, and operate nuclear power plants as part of a standardized fleet. However, prior to identifying specific projects or committing to ordering new nuclear power plants, our financial commitment will be limited to the formation of the business platform and business development activities, including early-stage licensing and permit activities.
Fuel Sources
Our power plants use diverse fuel sources. Our fuel mix based on capacity owned at December 31, 2005 and our generation based on actual output by fuel type in 2005 were as follows:
Fuel |
Capacity Owned |
Generation |
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Nuclear | 32 | % | 52 | % | |
Coal | 23 | 30 | |||
Natural Gas | 31 | 14 | |||
Oil | 6 | 1 | |||
Renewable and Alternative (1) | 4 | 2 | |||
Dual (2) | 4 | 1 |
We discuss our risks associated with fuel in more detail in Item 7. Management's Discussion and AnalysisMarket Risk.
Nuclear
The output at our nuclear facilities over the past five years (including periods prior to our acquisition of Nine Mile Point and Ginna) is presented in the following table:
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Calvert Cliffs |
Nine Mile Point |
Ginna |
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MWH |
Capacity Factor |
MWH* |
Capacity Factor |
MWH |
Capacity Factor |
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(MWH in millions) |
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2005 | 14.7 | 97 | % | 12.7 | 93 | % | 4.0 | 93 | % | ||||
2004 | 14.5 | 96 | 12.1 | 89 | 4.3 | 100 | |||||||
2003 | 13.7 | 93 | 12.2 | 90 | 3.9 | 90 | |||||||
2002 | 12.1 | 82 | 11.7 | 87 | 3.8 | 89 | |||||||
2001 | 13.6 | 92 | 11.6 | 86 | 4.3 | 100 |
*represents our proportionate ownership interest
The supply of fuel for nuclear generating stations includes the:
Uranium and Conversion | We have commitments for sufficient quantities of uranium (concentrates and uranium hexafluoride) to meet 100% of our total requirements through 2008. Additionally, we have commitments covering approximately 80% of our requirements in 2009 and 85% in 2010. | |
Enrichment | We have commitments that provide 100% of our uranium enrichment requirements through 2010 and 25% of these requirements in 2011 and 2012. | |
6
Fuel Assembly Fabrication | We have commitments for the fabrication of fuel assemblies for reloads required through 2013 for Nine Mile Point and Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Inc. (Calvert Cliffs), and through 2017 for Ginna. |
The nuclear fuel markets are competitive, and although prices for uranium and conversion are increasing, we do not anticipate any significant problems in meeting our future requirements.
Storage of Spent Nuclear FuelFederal Facilities
One of the issues associated with the operation and decommissioning of nuclear generating facilities is disposal of spent nuclear fuel. There are no facilities for the reprocessing or permanent
disposal of spent nuclear fuel currently in operation in the United States, and the NRC has not licensed any such facilities. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA) required the federal
government, through the Department of Energy (DOE), to develop a repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
As required by the NWPA, we are a party to contracts with the DOE to provide for disposal of spent nuclear fuel from our nuclear generating plants. The NWPA and our contracts with the DOE require payments to the DOE of one tenth of one cent (one mill) per kilowatt hour on nuclear electricity generated and sold to pay for the cost of long-term nuclear fuel storage and disposal. We continue to pay those fees into the DOE's Nuclear Waste Fund for Calvert Cliffs, Ginna, and Nine Mile Point. The NWPA and our contracts with the DOE required the DOE to begin taking possession of spent nuclear fuel generated by nuclear generating units no later than January 31, 1998.
The DOE has stated that it will not meet that obligation until 2010 at the earliest. This delay has required that we undertake additional actions to provide on-site fuel storage at Calvert Cliffs, Ginna, and Nine Mile Point, including the installation of on-site dry fuel storage capacity at Calvert Cliffs, as described in more detail below. In 2004, complaints were filed against the federal government in the United States Court of Federal Claims seeking to recover damages caused by the DOE's failure to meet its contractual obligation to begin disposing of spent nuclear fuel by January 31, 1998. These cases are currently stayed, pending litigation in other related cases.
In connection with our purchase of Ginna, all of RG&E's rights and obligations related to recovery of damages from the DOE were assigned to us. However, we have an obligation to reimburse RG&E for up to the first $10 million of any recovered damages.
Storage of Spent Nuclear FuelOn-Site Facilities
Calvert Cliffs has a license from the NRC to operate an on-site independent spent fuel storage installation that expires in 2012. We have storage capacity at Calvert Cliffs that will
accommodate spent fuel from operations through 2008. In addition, we can expand our temporary storage capacity at Calvert Cliffs to meet future requirements until approximately 2025. Currently, Nine
Mile Point and Ginna do not have independent spent fuel storage capacity. Rather, Nine Mile Point's Unit 1 and Ginna have sufficient storage capacity within the plants until 2010. Nine Mile Point's
Unit 2 has sufficient storage capacity within the plant until 2012. After that time, independent spent fuel storage capability may need to be developed at each site.
Cost for Decommissioning Uranium Enrichment Facilities
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires domestic nuclear utilities to contribute to a fund for decommissioning and decontaminating uranium enrichment facilities that had been operated by DOE. These
contributions are generally payable over a 15-year period with escalation for inflation and are based upon the amount of uranium enriched by DOE for each utility through 1992. The 1992 Act
provides that these costs are recoverable through utility service rates. BGE is solely responsible for these costs as they relate to Calvert Cliffs and will make the last payment in 2006. The sellers
of the Nine Mile Point plant and the Long Island Power Authority are responsible for the costs relating to the Nine Mile Point plant. The seller of Ginna is responsible for the costs related to that
facility.
Cost for Decommissioning
We are obligated to decommission our nuclear plants at the time these plants cease operation. Every two years, the NRC requires us to demonstrate reasonable assurance that funds will be available to
decommission the sites. When BGE transferred all of its nuclear generating assets to our merchant energy business, it also transferred the trust fund established to pay for decommissioning Calvert
Cliffs. At December 31, 2005, the trust fund assets were $370.4 million.
7
Under the Maryland Public Service Commission's (Maryland PSC) order regarding the deregulation of electric generation, BGE ratepayers must pay a total of $520 million, in 1993 dollars adjusted for inflation, to decommission Calvert Cliffs through fixed annual collections of approximately $18.7 million until June 30, 2006, and thereafter in an annual amount determined by reference to specified factors. We are required to submit a filing to the Maryland PSC by April 2006 to determine the annual amount BGE ratepayers will pay, if any, for decommissioning Calvert Cliffs after June 30, 2006. BGE is collecting this amount on behalf of Calvert Cliffs. Any costs to decommission Calvert Cliffs in excess of this $520 million must be paid by Calvert Cliffs. If BGE ratepayers have paid more than this amount at the time of decommissioning, Calvert Cliffs must refund the excess. If the cost to decommission Calvert Cliffs is less than the $520 million BGE's ratepayers are obligated to pay, Calvert Cliffs may keep the difference.
The sellers of Nine Mile Point transferred a $441.7 million decommissioning trust fund to us at the time of sale. In return, we assumed all liability for the costs to decommission Unit 1 and 82% of the costs to decommission Unit 2. We believe that this amount is adequate to cover our responsibility for decommissioning Nine Mile Point to a greenfield status (restoration of the site so that it substantially matches the natural state of the surrounding properties and the site's intended use). At December 31, 2005, the Nine Mile Point trust fund assets were $518.3 million.
The seller of Ginna transferred $200.8 million in decommissioning funds to us. In return, we assumed all liability for the costs to decommission the unit. We believe that this amount will be sufficient to cover our responsibility for decommissioning Ginna to a greenfield status. At December 31, 2005, the Ginna trust fund assets were $222.0 million.
Coal
We purchase the majority of our coal for electric generation under supply contracts with mining operators, and we acquire the remainder in the spot or forward coal markets. We believe that we will be
able to renew supply contracts as they expire or enter into contracts with other coal suppliers. Our primary coal burning facilities have the following requirements:
|
Approximate Annual Coal Requirement (tons) |
Special Coal Restrictions |
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---|---|---|---|---|
Brandon Shores Units 1 and 2 (combined) |
3,500,000 | Sulfur content less than 1.20 lbs per mmBTU | ||
C. P. Crane Units 1 and 2 (combined) |
850,000 | Low ash melting temperature | ||
H. A. Wagner Units 2 and 3 (combined) |
1,100,000 | Sulfur content no more than 1% |
Coal deliveries to these facilities are made by rail and barge. We primarily use coal produced from mines located in central and northern Appalachia. The timely delivery of coal together with the maintenance of appropriate levels of inventory is necessary to allow for continued, reliable generation from these facilities.
During 2003, we expanded our coal sources including restructuring our rail contracts, increasing the range of coals we can consume, adding synthetic fuel as an alternate source, and finding potential other coal supply sources including shipments from Columbia, Venezuela, South Africa, and other international sources.
All of the Conemaugh and Keystone plants' annual coal requirements are purchased by the plant operators from regional suppliers on the open market. The sulfur restrictions on coal are approximately 2.3% for the Keystone plant and approximately 5.3% for the Conemaugh plant.
The annual coal requirements for the ACE, Jasmin, and Poso plants, which are located in California, are supplied under contracts with mining operators. The Jasmin and Poso plants are restricted to coal with sulfur content less than 4.0% and ACE is restricted to less than 2.0%.
All of our coal requirements reflect historical levels. The actual fuel quantities required can vary substantially from historical levels depending upon the relationship between energy prices and fuel costs, weather conditions, and operating requirements.
8
Gas
We purchase natural gas, storage capacity, and transportation, as necessary, for electric generation at certain plants. Some of our gas-fired units can use residual fuel oil or distillates
instead of gas. Gas is purchased under contracts with suppliers on the spot market and forward markets, including financial exchanges and bilateral agreements. The actual fuel quantities required can
vary substantially from year to year depending upon the relationship between energy prices and fuel costs, weather conditions, and operating requirements. However, we believe that we will be able to
obtain adequate quantities of gas to meet our requirements.
Oil
Under normal burn practices, our requirements for residual fuel oil (No. 6) amount to approximately 1.5 million to 2.0 million barrels of low-sulfur oil per year.
Deliveries of residual fuel oil are made from the suppliers' Baltimore Harbor and Philadelphia marine terminals for distribution to the various generating plant locations. Also, based on normal burn
practices, we require approximately 8.0 million to 11.0 million gallons of distillates (No. 2 oil and kerosene) annually, but these requirements can vary substantially from year
to year depending upon the relationship between energy prices and fuel costs, weather conditions, and operating requirements. Distillates are purchased from the suppliers' Baltimore truck terminals
for distribution to the various generating plant locations. We have contracts with various suppliers to purchase oil at spot prices, and for future delivery, to meet our requirements.
Competition
Market developments over the past several years have changed the nature of competition in the merchant energy business. Certain companies within the merchant energy sector have curtailed their activities or withdrawn completely from the business. However, new competitors (e.g., financial investors, banks and investment banks) have entered the market. We encounter competition from companies of various sizes, having varying levels of experience, financial and human resources, and differing strategies.
We face competition in the market for energy, capacity, and ancillary services. In our merchant energy business, we compete with international, national, and regional full service energy providers, merchants, and producers to obtain competitively priced supplies from a variety of sources and locations, and to utilize efficient transmission or transportation. We principally compete on the basis of price, customer service, reliability, and availability of our products.
With respect to power generation, we compete in the operation of energy-producing projects, and our competitors in this business are both domestic and international organizations, including various utilities, industrial companies and independent power producers (including affiliates of utilities, financial investors, banks and investment banks), some of which have financial resources that are greater than ours.
States are considering different types of regulatory initiatives concerning competition in the power industry, which makes a competitive assessment difficult. Increased competition that resulted from some of these initiatives in several states contributed in some instances to a reduction in electricity prices and put pressure on electric utilities to lower their costs, including the cost of purchased electricity. While many states continue to support retail competition and industry restructuring, other states that were considering deregulation have slowed their plans or postponed consideration of deregulation. In addition, other states are reconsidering deregulation.
We believe there is adequate growth potential in the current deregulated market and that further market changes could provide additional opportunities for our merchant energy business. Our wholesale marketing and risk management operation also participates in global coal sourcing activities by providing coal for the variable or fixed supply needs of North American and international power generators. In addition, our wholesale marketing and risk management operation provides products and services to upstream and downstream natural gas customers.
As the market for commercial and industrial supply continues to grow, we have experienced increased competition on a regional basis in our retail commercial and industrial supply activities. The increase in retail competition and the impact of wholesale power prices compared to the rates charged by local utilities has, in certain circumstances, reduced the margins that we realize from our customers. However, we believe that our experience and expertise in assessing and managing risk and our strong focus on customer service will help us to remain competitive during volatile or otherwise adverse market circumstances.
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Merchant Energy Operating Statistics
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic Region | $ | 2,283.9 | $ | 1,925.6 | $ | 1,696.2 | $ | 1,415.1 | $ | 1,379.2 | ||||||
Plants with Power Purchase Agreements | 829.6 | 714.5 | 574.6 | 433.2 | 70.8 | |||||||||||
Competitive SupplyRetail | 6,942.3 | 4,280.0 | 2,567.7 | 312.7 | | |||||||||||
Competitive SupplyWholesale | 4,672.3 | 3,353.8 | 2,703.9 | 540.7 | 233.5 | |||||||||||
Other | 58.0 | 73.6 | 45.1 | 56.4 | 80.5 | |||||||||||
Total Revenues | $ | 14,786.1 | $ | 10,347.5 | $ | 7,587.5 | $ | 2,758.1 | $ | 1,764.0 | ||||||
Generation (In millions)MWH | 60.2 | 55.3 | 51.6 | 44.7 | 37.4 | |||||||||||
Operating statistics do not reflect the elimination of intercompany transactions.
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
BGE is an electric transmission and distribution utility company and a gas distribution utility company with a service territory that covers the City of Baltimore and all or part of ten counties in central Maryland. BGE is regulated by the Maryland PSC and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with respect to rates and other aspects of its business.
BGE's electric service territory includes an area of approximately 2,300 square miles. There are no municipal or cooperative wholesale customers within BGE's service territory. BGE's gas service territory includes an area of approximately 800 square miles.
BGE's electric and gas revenues come from many customersresidential, commercial, and industrial.
Electric Business
Electric Regulatory Matters and Competition
Deregulation
Effective July 1, 2000, electric customer choice and competition among electric suppliers was implemented in Maryland. As a result of the deregulation of electric generation, the following occurred:
Standard Offer Service
BGE is providing fixed-price standard offer service for residential customers that do not select an alternative supplier through June 30, 2006. Beginning July 1, 2006, BGE's obligation to provide fixed-price standard offer service to residential customers will end, and all residential customers that receive their electric supply from BGE will be charged market-based standard offer service rates.
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Since July 1, 2004, all commercial and industrial customers that receive their electric supply from BGE are charged market-based standard offer service rates. We discuss market-based standard offer service in more detail below.
Provider of Last Resort (POLR)
BGE is obligated to provide market-based standard offer service to residential customers from July 1, 2006 through May 31, 2010, and for commercial and industrial customers for varying
periods beyond June 30, 2004, depending on customer load. The POLR rates charged during these time periods recover BGE's wholesale power supply costs and include an administrative fee. The
administrative fee includes a shareholder return component and an incremental cost component.
BGE's obligation to provide market-based standard offer service to its largest commercial and industrial customers expired on May 31, 2005. BGE continues to provide an hourly-priced market-based standard offer service to those customers.
In September 2005, the Maryland PSC issued an order extending POLR service through May 2007 for those commercial and industrial customers for which market-based standard offer service was scheduled to expire at the end of May 2006. The extended service will be provided on substantially the same terms as under the existing service, except that wholesale bidding for service to some customers will be conducted more frequently.
Bidding to supply BGE's market-based standard offer service to commercial and industrial customers beyond May 31, 2006, and to residential customers beyond June 30, 2006, will occur from time to time through a competitive bidding process approved by the Maryland PSC. Successful bidders, which may include subsidiaries of Constellation Energy, will execute contracts with BGE for varying terms depending on the load being served under the contract.
In early 2006, the Maryland PSC commenced a proceeding, and legislation was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly, to consider methods for requiring BGE to defer recovery of some of its costs of providing residential POLR service. These actions are a result of the anticipated increase in POLR prices expected to take place upon the expiration of the residential rate freeze in June 2006. Any decision by the Maryland PSC or legislation adopted by the Maryland General Assembly, that would defer recovery of, or would not allow BGE to fully recover its costs could have a material impact on our, and BGE's, financial results and liquidity.
We discuss the market risk of our regulated electric business in more detail in Item 7. Management's Discussion and AnalysisMarket Risk section.
Electric Load Management
BGE has implemented various programs for use when system-operating conditions or market economics indicate that a reduction in load would be beneficial. We refer to these programs as active load management programs. These programs include:
These programs generally take effect on summer days when demand and/or wholesale prices are relatively high and had the capability during the 2005 summer to reduce load up to approximately 238 MW.
Transmission and Distribution Facilities
BGE maintains approximately 250 substations and 1,300 circuit miles of transmission lines throughout central Maryland. BGE also maintains approximately 23,600 circuit miles of distribution lines. The transmission facilities are connected to those of neighboring utility systems as part of PJM. Under the PJM Tariff and various agreements, BGE and other market participants can use regional transmission facilities for energy, capacity, and ancillary services transactions including emergency assistance.
We discuss various FERC initiatives relating to wholesale electric markets in more detail in Item 7. Management's Discussion and AnalysisFederal Regulation section.
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Electric Operating Statistics
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
Residential | $ | 1,066.6 | $ | 1,015.8 | $ | 959.0 | $ | 946.6 | $ | 885.3 | |||||||
Commercial | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 722.1 | 708.9 | 694.2 | 776.0 | 903.0 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 107.5 | 78.6 | 66.1 | 33.5 | | ||||||||||||
Industrial | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 52.8 | 92.3 | 137.0 | 158.7 | 218.1 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 28.0 | 21.3 | 18.2 | 10.9 | | ||||||||||||
System Sales and Deliveries | 1,977.0 | 1,916.9 | 1,874.5 | 1,925.7 | 2,006.4 | ||||||||||||
Other (A) | 59.5 | 50.8 | 47.1 | 40.3 | 33.6 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,036.5 | $ | 1,967.7 | $ | 1,921.6 | $ | 1,966.0 | $ | 2,040.0 | |||||||
Distribution Volumes (In thousands)MWH | |||||||||||||||||
Residential | 13,762 | 13,313 | 12,754 | 12,652 | 11,714 | ||||||||||||
Commercial | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 7,847 | 9,286 | 9,937 | 11,840 | 14,147 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 7,967 | 5,767 | 4,982 | 2,762 | | ||||||||||||
Industrial | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 614 | 1,429 | 2,556 | 3,478 | 4,445 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 3,122 | 2,562 | 1,780 | 997 | | ||||||||||||
Total | 33,312 | 32,357 | 32,009 | 31,729 | 30,306 | ||||||||||||
Customers (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
Residential | 1,084.1 | 1,072.1 | 1,061.7 | 1,052.3 | 1,040.5 | ||||||||||||
Commercial | 114.7 | 113.6 | 112.1 | 110.8 | 110.9 | ||||||||||||
Industrial | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | ||||||||||||
Total | 1,203.8 | 1,190.5 | 1,178.7 | 1,168.0 | 1,156.4 | ||||||||||||
Operating statistics do not reflect the elimination of intercompany transactions.
"Delivery service only" refers to BGE's delivery of commodity that was purchased by the customer from an alternate supplier.
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Gas Business
The wholesale price of natural gas as a commodity is not subject to regulation. All BGE gas customers have the option to purchase gas from alternative suppliers, including subsidiaries of Constellation Energy. BGE continues to deliver gas to all customers within its service territory. This delivery service is regulated by the Maryland PSC.
BGE also provides customers with meter reading, billing, emergency response, regular maintenance, and balancing services.
Approximately 50% of the gas delivered on BGE's distribution system is for customers that purchase gas from alternative suppliers. These customers are charged fees to recover the costs BGE incurs to deliver the customers' gas through our distribution system.
In April 2005, BGE filed an application for a $52.7 million annual increase in its gas base rates. The Maryland PSC issued an order in December 2005 granting BGE an annual increase of $35.6 million. Certain parties to the proceeding have sought judicial review and Maryland PSC rehearing of the decision. BGE will not seek review of any aspect of the order. We cannot provide assurance that a court will not reverse any aspect of the order or that it will not remand certain issues to the Maryland PSC.
For customers that buy their gas from BGE, there is a market-based rates incentive mechanism. Under this market-based rates incentive mechanism, our actual cost of gas is compared to a market index (a measure of the market price of gas in a given period). The difference between our actual cost and the market index is shared equally between shareholders and customers. BGE must secure fixed-price contracts for at least 10%, but not more than 20%, of forecasted system supply requirements for the November through March period. These fixed-price contracts are not subject to sharing under the market-based rates incentive mechanism.
BGE purchases the natural gas it resells to customers directly from many producers and marketers. BGE has transportation and storage agreements that expire from 2006 to 2028.
BGE's current pipeline firm transportation entitlements to serve BGE's firm loads are 309,053 dekatherms (DTH) per day.
BGE's current maximum storage entitlements are 235,080 DTH per day. To supplement its gas supply at times of heavy winter demands and to be available in temporary emergencies affecting gas supply, BGE has:
BGE has under contract sufficient volumes of propane for the operation of the propane air facility and is capable of liquefying sufficient volumes of natural gas during the summer months for operations of its liquefied natural gas facility during peak winter periods.
BGE historically has been able to arrange short-term contracts or exchange agreements with other gas companies in the event of short-term disruptions to gas supplies or to meet additional demand.
BGE also participates in the interstate markets by releasing pipeline capacity or bundling pipeline capacity with gas for off-system sales. Off-system gas sales are low-margin direct sales of gas to wholesale suppliers of natural gas outside BGE's service territory. Earnings from these activities are shared between shareholders and customers. BGE makes these sales as part of a program to balance our supply of, and cost of, natural gas.
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|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
Residential | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | $ | 558.5 | $ | 478.0 | $ | 444.5 | $ | 342.1 | $ | 378.4 | |||||||
Delivery Service Only | 23.2 | 14.2 | 13.6 | 16.5 | 16.3 | ||||||||||||
Commercial | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 174.4 | 135.4 | 128.6 | 89.4 | 115.5 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 31.9 | 28.0 | 24.6 | 29.2 | 21.4 | ||||||||||||
Industrial | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 10.5 | 9.4 | 11.5 | 9.3 | 12.8 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 12.4 | 7.8 | 11.4 | 13.9 | 13.8 | ||||||||||||
System Sales and Deliveries | 810.9 | 672.8 | 634.2 | 500.4 | 558.2 | ||||||||||||
Off-System Sales | 154.7 | 77.2 | 84.8 | 74.8 | 113.6 | ||||||||||||
Other | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.1 | 8.9 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 972.8 | $ | 757.0 | $ | 726.0 | $ | 581.3 | $ | 680.7 | |||||||
Distribution Volumes (In thousands)DTH | |||||||||||||||||
Residential | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 39,107 | 39,080 | 40,894 | 35,364 | 33,147 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 5,423 | 6,053 | 6,640 | 6,404 | 7,201 | ||||||||||||
Commercial | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 14,133 | 13,248 | 13,895 | 11,583 | 12,334 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 28,993 | 34,120 | 29,138 | 28,429 | 25,037 | ||||||||||||
Industrial | |||||||||||||||||
Excluding Delivery Service Only | 921 | 865 | 1,143 | 1,207 | 1,386 | ||||||||||||
Delivery Service Only | 19,357 | 14,310 | 18,399 | 23,689 | 23,872 | ||||||||||||
System Sales and Deliveries | 107,934 | 107,676 | 110,109 | 106,676 | 102,977 | ||||||||||||
Off-System Sales | 17,209 | 9,914 | 12,859 | 18,551 | 20,012 | ||||||||||||
Total | 125,143 | 117,590 | 122,968 | 125,227 | 122,989 | ||||||||||||
Customers (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
Residential | 590.9 | 582.0 | 575.2 | 567.3 | 558.7 | ||||||||||||
Commercial | 42.0 | 41.6 | 41.1 | 40.7 | 40.2 | ||||||||||||
Industrial | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
Total | 634.1 | 624.8 | 617.5 | 609.3 | 600.3 | ||||||||||||
Operating statistics do not reflect the elimination of intercompany transactions.
"Delivery service only" refers to BGE's delivery of commodity that was purchased by the customer from an alternate supplier.
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Franchises
BGE has nonexclusive electric and gas franchises to use streets and other highways that are adequate and sufficient to permit them to engage in their present business. Conditions of the franchises are satisfactory.
Energy Projects and Services
We offer energy projects and services designed primarily to provide energy solutions to large commercial and industrial and governmental customers. These energy products and services include:
Home Products and Gas Retail Marketing
We offer services to customers in Maryland including:
Other
Our other nonregulated businesses include investments that we do not consider to be core operations. These include financial investments and real estate projects. While our intent is to dispose of these assets, market conditions and other events beyond our control may affect the actual sale of these assets. However, a future decline in the fair value of these assets could result in losses.
In the fourth quarter 2005, we sold our interests in our Panamanian distribution facility and the fund that holds interests in two South American energy projects. We discuss this sale in more detail in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Capital Requirements
Our total capital requirements for 2005 were $1,032 million. Of this amount, $741 million was used in our nonregulated businesses and $291 million was used in our regulated business. We estimate our total capital requirements will be $1,345 million in 2006.
We continuously review and change our capital expenditure programs, so actual expenditures may vary from the estimate above. We discuss our capital requirements further in Item 7. Management's Discussion and AnalysisCapital Resources section.
The development (involving site selection, environmental assessments, and permitting), construction, acquisition, and operation of electric generating and distribution facilities are subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental and land use laws and regulations. From the beginning phases of development to the ongoing operation of existing or new electric generating and distribution facilities, our activities involve compliance with diverse laws and regulations that address emissions and impacts to air and water, protection of natural and cultural resources, and chemical and waste handling and disposal.
We continuously monitor federal, state, and local environmental initiatives to determine potential impacts on our financial results. As new laws or regulations are promulgated, we assess their applicability and implement the necessary modifications to our facilities or their operation to maintain on-going compliance. Our capital expenditures were approximately $170 million during the five-year period 2001-2005 to comply with existing environmental standards and regulations. Our estimated environmental capital requirements for the next three years are approximately $40 million in 2006, $200 million in 2007, and $330 million in 2008.
Air Quality
The Clean Air Act created the basic framework for the federal and state regulation of air pollution. The cornerstone of the Act is the requirement that National Ambient Air Quality Standards be established to protect public health and public welfare. In addition, the Act also includes technology-driven emission requirements. Many of these provisions could materially affect our facilities and are described in more detail below.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
The NAAQS are federal air quality standards that establish maximum ambient air concentrations for the following specific pollutants: ozone (smog), carbon monoxide, lead, particulates, sulfur dioxides
(SO2), and nitrogen dioxides (NO2). Our generating facilities are primarily affected by ozone and particulates standards. Ozone is formed when sunlight interacts with emissions
of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (such as from motor vehicle exhaust). Our generating facilities are subject to various permits and programs meant to achieve or
preserve attainment of the standards for all these pollutants.
In order for states to achieve compliance with the NAAQS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) in March 2005 to further reduce ozone and fine particulate pollution by addressing the interstate transport of SO2 and NOx emissions from fossil
15
fuel-fired generating facilities located primarily in the Eastern United States. The NOx reduction requirements will be phased-in starting in 2009 with both annual and ozone season reduction requirements. The phase-in will be complete by 2015. The SO2 reduction requirements will be phased-in starting in 2010 with the phase-in complete by 2015. According to the EPA, when fully implemented, CAIR will reduce SO2 emissions in the affected states by over 70 percent and reduce NOx emissions by over 60 percent from 2003 levels. Although CAIR provides the overall reduction requirements for SO2 and NOx, we do not yet know the impact on our facilities as that will be determined by the affected states in which our facilities operate.
Based on the information currently available to us about CAIR, we will install additional air emission control equipment at our coal-fired generating facilities in Maryland and at our co-owned coal-fired facilities in Pennsylvania to meet air quality standards. We include in our estimated environmental capital requirements capital spending for these projects, which we expect will be approximately $40 million in 2006, $185 million in 2007, $300 million in 2008 and $200 million from 2009-2010. Our estimates are subject to significant uncertainties including the timing of any additional federal and/or state regulations or legislation, the implementation timetables for such regulation or legislation, and the specific amount of emissions reductions that will be required at our facilities. As a result, we cannot predict our capital spending or the scope or timing of these projects with certainty, and the actual expenditures, scope and timing could differ significantly from our estimates. In addition, CAIR is subject to legal challenges filed by the states and industry and environmental groups. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of these challenges, or their possible effect on our financial results.
In May 2005, the EPA adopted a stricter NAAQS for ozone. States will be required to submit plans to the EPA to meet the new standard by 2007, at which time the standard will take effect. We are unable to determine the impact that complying with the stricter NAAQS for ozone will have on our financial results until the states in which our generating facilities are located adopt plans to meet the new standard. In transitioning to the stricter NAAQS for ozone, the EPA has delayed the requirement that states impose fees on generating facilities located in areas that have not met the NAAQS for ozone. Such fees could have been assessed on certain of our generating facilities located in Maryland and California beginning in 2006, but now will not be assessed prior to 2010.
In June 2005, the EPA finalized its rules relating to regional haze, which address emissions of SO2, NOx, and particulate matter. However, adoption of CAIR by states is expected to meet the emissions reduction requirements under the regional haze rules. We expect Maryland and Pennsylvania, where we own several generating facilities, will, at a minimum, adopt CAIR. As a result, we believe the adoption of the regional haze rules by the EPA will not have a material effect on our financial results.
Several states in the northeastern U.S., including Maryland, continue to advocate for more stringent and earlier SO2 and NOx emissions reductions than those required under CAIR, the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), or other federally proposed legislative initiatives (such as the Bush Administration's Clear Skies proposal). These states have argued that such additional reductions are necessary to achieve compliance with the NAAQS for ozone and fine particulate matter by 2010.
In January 2006, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) proposed the Clean Power Rule (CPR). In addition, a bill entitled the Healthy Air Act (HAA) was introduced in both houses of the Maryland legislature in January 2006. The CPR and the HAA would require more stringent and earlier reductions of SO2, NOx and mercury than required by CAIR and CAMR. The HAA also contains provisions for the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) from coal-fired power plants in Maryland based upon concerns over global climate change. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the CPR and the HAA on our environmental capital expenditure estimates and our financial results. While we do not know whether the CPR or the HAA will be enacted; if either is enacted, our compliance costs could be material.
Hazardous Air Emissions
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to evaluate the public health impacts of hazardous air emissions from electric steam generating facilities. In March 2005, the EPA finalized regulations to
reduce the emissions of mercury from coal-fired facilities. Under CAMR, the EPA has decided to regulate mercury through a market-based cap and trade program that will reduce nationwide
utility emissions of mercury in two phases. The final CAMR does not address emissions of nickel and the EPA has not re-proposed regulating such emissions. The first phase of the program
will begin in 2010. Additional mercury reductions will be required in the second phase of the program starting in 2018. According to the EPA, the CAMR will reduce mercury emissions from all affected
coal-fired power plants by about 19 percent from 1999 levels in 2010, mostly from controls installed to comply with CAIR. The EPA expects total mercury reductions from all affected
coal-fired plants of about 69 percent from 1999 levels by 2018.
The CAMR will affect all coal or waste coal fired boilers at our generating facilities. Although our planned capital expenditures for compliance with CAIR are anticipated to enable us to substantially meet the mercury reduction requirements under the first phase of
16
the cap and trade program, the overall cost of compliance with the CAMR, including complying with the requirements under the second phase of the program, could be material. CAMR is subject to legal challenges filed by the states, industry, and environmental groups. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of these challenges, or their possible effect on our financial results. As discussed on the previous page, regulatory (CPR) and legislative proposals (HAA) in Maryland would require more stringent and earlier mercury reductions than required by CAMR. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of CAMR, CPR, and HAA on our financial results and on our environmental capital expenditure estimates.
New Source Review
The EPA and several states filed lawsuits against a number of coal-fired power plants primarily in Mid-Western and Southern states alleging violations of the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration and Non-Attainment provisions of the Clean Air Act's new source review requirements. The EPA requested information relating to modifications made to our Brandon
Shores, Crane, and Wagner plants located in Maryland. The EPA also sent similar, but narrower, information requests to two of our newer Pennsylvania waste-coal burning plants in which we
have an ownership interest. We have responded to the EPA, and as of the date of this report the EPA has taken no further action.
Based on the level of emissions control that the EPA and states are seeking in these new source review enforcement actions, we believe that material additional costs and penalties could be incurred, and planned capital expenditures could be accelerated, if the EPA was successful in any future actions regarding our facilities.
In August 2003, the EPA's equipment replacement rule was promulgated. The rule establishes an equipment replacement cost threshold for determining when major new source review requirements are triggered. The rule provides that plant owners may spend up to 20% of the replacement value of a generation unit on certain component replacements each year without triggering requirements for new pollution controls. A legal challenge to this rule was filed with the United States Court of Appeals and a stay was issued which delayed its effective date. The EPA has also determined to seek additional comment on certain features of the rule, including the 20% threshold. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of the legal challenge or the EPA comment process, or their possible effect on our financial results.
Global Climate Change
Future initiatives regarding greenhouse gas emissions and global warming continue to be the subject of much debate. As a result of our diverse fuel portfolio, our contribution to greenhouse gases
varies by plant type. Fossil fuel-fired power plants are significant sources of CO2 emissions, a principal greenhouse gas. Our compliance costs with any mandated federal
greenhouse gas reductions in the future could be material.
Water Quality
The Clean Water Act established the basic framework for federal and state regulation of water pollution control. The Act requires facilities that discharge waste or storm water into the waters of the United States to obtain permits requiring them to meet effluent limits in order to achieve ambient water quality standards in the receiving waters. Under current provisions of the Clean Water Act, existing discharge permits are renewed every five years, at which time permit effluent limits come under extensive review and can be modified to account for more stringent regulations. In addition, the permits can be modified at any time.
Water Intake Regulations
In July 2004, the EPA published final rules under the Clean Water Act that require cooling water intake structures to reflect the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental
impacts. The final rules require the installation of additional intake screens or other protective measures, as well as extensive site-specific study and monitoring requirements. We
currently have six facilities affected by the regulation. The rule allows for a number of compliance options that will be assessed through 2007, following which we will determine whether any action is
required and what our most viable options are if any action is required. Until we determine our most viable option under the final rules, we cannot estimate our compliance costs. However, the costs
associated with the final rules could be material.
Hazardous and Solid Waste
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) established the basic framework for federal and state regulations that can require any individual or entity that may have owned or operated a disposal site, as well as transporters or generators of hazardous substances sent to such site, to share in remediation costs. Except to the extent discussed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, compliance with CERCLA requirements is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) gives the EPA authority to control hazardous waste from "cradle-to-grave." This includes the
17
generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA also sets forth a framework for the management of non-hazardous wastes. Although RCRA focuses only on active and future facilities and, unlike CERCLA, does not address abandoned or historical sites, there are provisions that require phasing-out land disposal of hazardous waste, more stringent hazardous waste management standards, and a comprehensive underground storage tank program.
Our coal-fired generating facilities produce approximately two and a half million tons of combustion by-products ("ash") each year, including approximately 850,000 tons at our Maryland plants. Of the two and a half million tons, approximately 75% is beneficially re-used in various projects, including as structural fill in surface mine reclamation, and the remainder is placed in landfills. In 2000, the EPA decided not to regulate combustion ash as a hazardous waste under RCRA. Instead, the EPA announced its intention to develop national standards, currently scheduled to be proposed in June 2006, to regulate this material as a non-hazardous waste, and is developing regulations governing the placement of ash in landfills, surface impoundments, and sand/gravel surface mines. The EPA is also developing regulations for ash placement in coal mines, which are expected to be proposed in October 2007. Federal regulation has the potential to result in additional requirements such as groundwater monitoring, liners, and leachate collection and treatment systems for all landfills, surface impoundments, and sand and gravel mines used for ash management. Depending on the scope of any final requirements, our compliance costs could be material.
As a result of these regulatory proposals, the remaining ash placement capacity at our current mine reclamation site and our current ash generation projections, we are exploring our options for the placement of ash, including construction of an ash placement facility. Over the next five years, we estimate that our capital expenditures for this project will be approximately $75 million. Our estimates are subject to significant uncertainties including the timing of any regulatory change, its implementation timetable, and the scope of the final requirements. As a result, we cannot predict our capital spending or the scope and timing of this project with certainty, and the actual expenditures, scope and timing could differ significantly from our estimates.
Constellation Energy and its subsidiaries had approximately 9,850 employees at December 31, 2005. At the Nine Mile Point facility, approximately 680 employees are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 97. The labor contract with this union expires in June 2006. We expect negotiations for a new contract to begin in May 2006. We expect to execute a new agreement with the union. We believe that our relationship with this union is satisfactory, but there can be no assurances that this will continue to be the case.
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You should consider carefully the following risks, along with the other information contained in this Form 10-K. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones that may affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties also may adversely affect our business and operations including those discussed in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis. If any of the following events actually occur, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.
Our merchant energy business may incur substantial costs and liabilities and be exposed to price volatility as a result of its participation in the wholesale energy markets.
We buy and sell electricity in both the wholesale bilateral markets and spot markets, which expose us to the risks of rising and falling prices in those markets, and our cash flows may vary accordingly. At any given time, the wholesale spot-market price of electricity for each hour is generally determined by the cost of supplying the next unit of electricity to the market during that hour. This is highly dependent on the regional generation market. In many cases, the next unit of electricity supplied would be supplied from generating stations fueled by fossil fuels, primarily coal, natural gas, and oil. Consequently, the open market wholesale price of electricity may reflect the cost of coal, natural gas, or oil plus the cost to convert the fuel to electricity and an appropriate return on capital. Therefore, changes in the supply and cost of coal, natural gas, and oil may impact the open market wholesale price of electricity.
A portion of our power generation facilities operate wholly or partially without long-term power purchase agreements. As a result, power from these facilities is sold on the spot market or on a short-term contractual basis, which if not fully hedged may affect the volatility of our financial results. In addition, our business depends upon transmission facilities owned and operated by others; if transmission is disrupted or capacity is inadequate or unavailable, our ability to sell and deliver our wholesale power may be limited.
Currently, our power generation facilities purchase a portion of their fuel through short-term contracts or on the spot market. Fuel prices may also be volatile, and the price that can be obtained for power sales may not change at the same rate as changes in fuel costs. Also, our competitive energy businesses expose us to other risks, including credit risk and other risks relating to counterparties' failure to perform, and to the risk of commodity price fluctuations. Fuel price increases and defaults by suppliers and other counterparties may adversely affect our financial results.
Volatility in market prices for fuel and electricity may result from among other things:
In addition to the risks discussed above, risks specifically affecting our success in competitive wholesale markets include the ability to efficiently operate generating assets, maintenance of the qualifying facility status of certain projects, transmission and transportation availability, competition from new sources of generation, and the level of generation capacity. Our inability or failure to effectively hedge our assets or positions against changes in commodity prices, interest rates, counterparty credit risk, or other risk measures could significantly impact our future financial results.
The operation of power generation facilities, including nuclear facilities, involves significant risks that could adversely affect our financial results.
The operation of power generation facilities involves many risks, including start up risks, breakdown or failure of equipment, transmission lines, substations or pipelines, use of new technology, the dependence on a specific fuel source, including the transportation of fuel, or the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions (including natural disasters such as hurricanes) or environmental compliance, as well as the risk of performance below expected or contracted levels of output or efficiency. This could result in lost revenues and/or increased expenses. Insurance, warranties, or performance guarantees may not cover any or all of the lost revenues or increased expenses, including the cost of replacement power. A portion of our generation facilities were constructed many years ago. Older generating equipment may require significant capital expenditures to keep it operating at peak efficiency. This equipment is also likely to require periodic upgrading and improvement. Breakdown or failure of one of our operating facilities may prevent the facility
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from performing under applicable power sales agreements which, in certain situations, could result in termination of the agreement or incurring a liability for liquidated damages.
We are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations that require capital expenditures, increase our cost of operations and may expose us to environmental liabilities.
We are subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, waste management, wildlife protection, the management of natural resources, and the protection of human health and safety that could, among other things, require additional pollution control equipment, limit the use of certain fuels, restrict the output of certain facilities, or otherwise increase costs. Significant capital expenditures, operating and other costs are associated with compliance with environmental requirements, and these expenditures and costs could become even more significant in the future as a result of regulatory changes.
For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently adopted the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which requires further reductions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from fossil fuel-fired plants located primarily in the Eastern United States, where many of our plants are located, and the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), which will regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired plants through a cap and trade program. In addition, the State of Maryland is considering requiring additional requirements to further reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and mercury from generating facilities located in that state. Because CAIR and CAMR are still in the process of being implemented by the affected states and the additional Maryland requirements are in the proposal stage, we do not yet know the precise impact on our financial results. The capital expenditures and compliance costs with new air emission standards could be significantly greater than currently estimated.
The EPA also issued a rule under the Clean Water Act that will require certain of our plants to implement "best technology available" to minimize adverse effects to fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at those plants. The capital expenditures and compliance costs with the Clean Water Act intake requirements could be material to our financial results.
We are subject to liability under environmental laws for the costs of remediating environmental contamination. Remediation activities include the cleanup of current facilities and former properties, including manufactured gas plant operations and offsite waste disposal facilities. The remediation costs could be significantly higher than the liabilities recorded by us. Also, our subsidiaries are currently involved in proceedings relating to sites where hazardous substances have been released and may be subject to additional proceedings in the future.
We are subject to legal proceedings by individuals alleging injury from exposure to hazardous substances and could incur liabilities that may be material to our financial results. Additional proceedings could be filed against us in the future.
We may also be required to assume environmental liabilities in connection with future acquisitions. As a result, we may be liable for significant environmental remediation costs and other liabilities arising from the operation of acquired facilities, which may adversely affect our financial results.
We are exposed to risks relating to the ownership and operation of nuclear power plants.
We own and operate nuclear power plants. Ownership and operation of these plants expose us to risks in addition to those that result from owning and operating non-nuclear power generation facilities. Risks associated specifically with the operation and cost of operation of nuclear plants include changing federal and state environmental requirements relating specifically to nuclear facilities, safety, terrorism, accidents at the nuclear plants, storage and ultimate disposal of spent nuclear fuel, disposal of hazardous materials and waste, monitoring of discharges into the environment, and any required remediation of any site that is identified as contaminated.
Any of these risks could result in substantial liabilities or expenses for us and reduce our earnings or harm our liquidity. In addition, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has the authority to modify, suspend or revoke the operating license for any of our nuclear power facilities if it determines that such action is necessary to ensure the public health and safety. Such action would have a negative impact on our financial results.
In the event of a nuclear accident at one of our nuclear plants, the cost of property damage and other expenses incurred may exceed our insurance coverage available from both private sources and an industry mutual insurance company. In addition, in the event of an accident at one of our or another participating insured party's nuclear plants, we could be assessed retrospective insurance premiums. Uninsured losses or the payment of retrospective insurance premiums could each have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
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BGE may not be able to recover costs incurred in satisfying its provider of last resort (POLR) obligations, which may adversely affect our, or BGE's, financial results and liquidity.
Under the electric restructuring the state of Maryland enacted in 1999 and various settlements approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) in 2003 and 2005, BGE is obligated to serve as the POLR for all retail customers in its service territories for various periods ending between 2007 and 2010. POLR obligations are the obligations of energy delivery businesses to provide electricity to customers that do not choose a competitive supplier and, by their nature, are difficult to quantify.
As the POLR supplier, BGE is required to secure load requirements through a wholesale bidding process sufficient to serve those customers in its service territory in the event that customers do not choose alternate suppliers or if a third-party supplier is unable to satisfy its obligations. The settlements provide that BGE be able to recover all of its supply and certain other actual costs of providing POLR service.
However, in early 2006, the Maryland PSC commenced a proceeding, and legislation was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly, to consider methods for requiring BGE to defer recovery of some of its costs of providing residential POLR service. These actions are a result of the anticipated increase in POLR prices expected to take place upon the expiration of the residential rate freeze in June 2006. Any decision by the Maryland PSC, or legislation adopted by the Maryland General Assembly, that would defer recovery of, or would not allow BGE to fully recover its costs could have a material impact on our financial results and liquidity.
We often rely on single suppliers and at times on single customers, exposing us to significant financial risks if either should fail to perform their obligations.
We often rely on a single supplier for the provision of fuel, water, and other services required for operation of a facility, and at times, we rely on a single customer or a few customers to purchase all or a significant portion of a facility's output, in some cases under long-term agreements that provide the support for any project debt used to finance the facility. The failure of any one customer or supplier to fulfill its contractual obligations could negatively impact our financial results. Consequently, our financial performance depends on the continued performance by customers and suppliers of their obligations under these long-term agreements.
Reduced liquidity in the markets in which we operate could impair our ability to appropriately manage the risks of our operations.
Over the past several years, several merchant energy businesses have ended or significantly reduced their activities as a result of several factors including government investigations, changes in market design and deteriorating credit quality. As a result, several regional energy markets experienced a significant decline in liquidity. While we have seen recent improvements in liquidity, future reductions in liquidity may restrict our ability to manage our risks, and could impact our financial results.
We may not fully hedge our generation assets, competitive supply or other market positions against changes in commodity prices, and our hedging procedures may not work as planned.
To lower our financial exposure related to commodity price fluctuations, we routinely enter into contracts to hedge a portion of our purchase and sale commitments, weather positions, fuel requirements, inventories of natural gas, coal and other commodities, and competitive supply. As part of this strategy, we routinely utilize fixed-price forward physical purchase and sales contracts, futures, financial swaps, and option contracts traded in the over-the-counter markets or on exchanges. However, we may not cover the entire exposure of our assets or positions to market price volatility and the coverage will vary over time. Fluctuating commodity prices may negatively impact our financial results to the extent we have unhedged positions.
Our risk management policies and procedures may not always work as planned. As a result of these and other factors, we cannot predict with precision the impact that risk management decisions may have on our financial results.
We are exposed to the risk of loss from counterparties' nonperformance. Nonperformance could be failure to provide energy or failure to pay for energy we provide a counterparty. Should counterparties fail to provide energy, we might be forced to enter into alternative arrangements or honor the underlying commitment at then-current market prices, which may result in higher costs to us. If the counterparties fail to pay for energy we provided, then our liquidity and financial results may be negatively impacted.
In connection with our operations, we have, and will continue to, guarantee or indemnify the performance of a portion of the obligations of our subsidiaries. Some of these guarantees and indemnities are for fixed amounts, others have a fixed maximum amount, and others do not specify a maximum amount. We might not be able to satisfy all of these guarantees and indemnification obligations if they were to come due at the same time.
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We operate in deregulated segments of the electric and gas industries created by restructuring initiatives at both state and federal levels. If competitive restructuring of the electric or gas industries is reversed,
discontinued or delayed, our business prospects and financial results could be materially adversely affected.
The regulatory environment applicable to the electric and gas industries has undergone substantial changes over the past several years as a result of restructuring initiatives at both the state and federal levels. These initiatives have had a significant impact on the nature of the electric and gas industries and the manner in which their participants conduct business. We have targeted the deregulated segments of the electric and gas industries created by these initiatives. These changes are ongoing and we cannot predict the future development of deregulation in these markets or the ultimate effect that this changing regulatory environment will have on our business.
Moreover, existing regulations may be revised or reinterpreted, new laws and regulations may be adopted or become applicable to us or our facilities, and future changes in laws and regulations may have a detrimental effect on our business. Certain restructured markets (most notably California) have experienced supply problems and price volatility in the past. These supply problems and volatility have been the subject of a significant amount of publicity, much of which has been critical of the restructuring initiatives. In some of these markets, including California, proposals have been made by governmental agencies and/or other interested parties to re-regulate areas of these markets which have previously been deregulated. Other proposals to re-regulate may be made and legislative or other attention to the electric and gas restructuring process may delay or reverse the deregulation process. If competitive restructuring of the electric and gas markets is reversed, discontinued or delayed, our business prospects and financial results could be negatively impacted.
Our financial results may be harmed if transportation and transmission availability is limited or unreliable.
We depend on transportation and transmission facilities owned and operated by utilities and other energy companies to deliver the electricity, coal, and natural gas we sell to the wholesale and retail markets, as well as the natural gas and coal we purchase to supply some of our generating facilities. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires wholesale electric transmission services to be offered on an open access, non-discriminatory basis. However, sufficient transmission services are not always available. If transportation or transmission is disrupted, or transportation or transmission capacity is inadequate, our ability to sell and deliver products may be hindered. Such disruptions could also hinder our providing electricity or natural gas to our retail electric and gas customers and may materially adversely affect our financial results.
Our merchant energy business has contractual obligations to certain customers to provide full requirements service, which makes it difficult to predict and plan for load requirements and may result in increased operating
costs to our business.
Our merchant energy business has contractual obligations to certain customers to supply requirements service to such customers to satisfy all or a portion of their energy requirements. The uncertainty regarding the amount of load that our merchant energy business must be prepared to supply to customers may increase our operating costs. A significant under- or over-estimation of load requirements could result in our merchant energy business not having enough or having too much power to cover its load obligation, in which case it would be required to buy or sell power from or to third parties at prevailing market prices. Those prices may not be favorable and thus could increase our operating costs.
Our financial results may fluctuate on a seasonal and quarterly basis.
Our business is affected by seasonal weather conditions. Consequently, our overall operating results may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis, and the pattern of this fluctuation may change depending on the nature and location of any facility we acquire and the terms of any contract to which we become a party. Weather conditions directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas and affect the price of energy commodities.
Generally, demand for electricity peaks in winter and summer and demand for gas peaks in the winter. Typically, when winters are warmer than expected and summers are cooler than expected, demand for energy is lower, resulting in less electric and gas consumption than forecasted. Depending on prevailing market prices for electricity and gas, these and other unexpected conditions may reduce our revenues and results of operations. First and third quarter financial results, in particular, are substantially dependent on weather conditions, and may make period comparisons less relevant.
A downgrade in our credit ratings could negatively affect our ability to access capital and/or operate our wholesale and retail competitive supply businesses.
We rely on access to capital markets as a source of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by operating cash flows. If any of our credit ratings were to be downgraded, especially below investment grade, our
22
ability to raise capital on favorable terms, including the commercial paper markets, could be hindered, and our borrowing costs would increase. Additionally, the business prospects of our wholesale and retail competitive supply businesses, which in many cases rely on the creditworthiness of Constellation Energy, would be negatively impacted. Some of the factors that affect credit ratings are cash flows, liquidity, and the amount of debt as a component of total capitalization.
We, and BGE in particular, are subject to extensive state and federal regulation that could affect our operations and costs.
We are subject to regulation under environmental laws, the Federal Power Act, the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and certain sections of Maryland and other state statutes relating to public utilities, and the operation of electric or natural gas facilities. Changing governmental policies and regulatory actions can have a significant impact on us, including those of FERC, the NRC, the Maryland PSC, and the utility commissions of other states in which we have operations. State and Federal regulations can impact, among other things, the following:
Certain regulatory commissions also have the authority to disallow recovery of any and all costs that they consider excessive or imprudently incurred. In addition, BGE holds franchise agreements with local municipalities and counties, and must renegotiate expiring agreements. These factors may have a negative impact on our business and financial results.
BGE's Maryland distribution rates are subject to regulation by the Maryland PSC, and such rates are effective until new base rates are approved. In addition, limited categories of costs are recovered through adjustment charges that are periodically reset to reflect current costs. Inability to recover material costs not included in base rates or adjustment clauses, including increases in uncollectible customer accounts that may result from higher gas and/or electric costs, could have an adverse effect on our financial results.
As a result, the regulatory process may restrict our ability to grow earnings in certain parts of our business, can cause delays in or affect business planning and transactions, can increase our costs, and does not provide any assurance as to achievement of earnings levels.
We operate in a changing market environment influenced by various legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation, regulation or restructuring of the energy industry, including deregulation of the production and sale of electricity. We will need to adapt to these changes, which could restrict our ability to continue to grow our nonregulated businesses. In addition, we may face increasing competitive pressures in our nonregulated businesses.
Poor market performance will affect our benefit plan and nuclear decommissioning trust asset values, which may adversely affect our liquidity and financial results.
Our qualified pension obligations have exceeded the fair value of our plan assets since 2001. At December 31, 2005, our qualified pension obligations were $345.1 million greater than the fair value of our plan assets. The performance of the capital markets will affect the value of the assets that are held in trust to satisfy our future obligations under our qualified pension plans. A decline in the market value of those assets may increase our funding requirements for these obligations, which may adversely affect our liquidity and financial results.
We are required to maintain funded trusts to satisfy our future obligations to decommission our nuclear power plants. A decline in the market value of those assets due to poor investment performance or other factors may increase our funding requirements for these obligations, which may have an adverse affect on our liquidity and financial results.
War and threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism may impact our results of operations in unpredictable ways.
We do not know the impact that any potential future terrorist attacks may have on the energy industry in general and on our business in particular. In addition, any retaliatory military strikes or sustained military campaign may affect our operations in unpredictable ways, such as changes in insurance markets and disruptions of fuel supplies and markets, particularly oil. The possibility alone that infrastructure facilities, such as electric generation, electric and gas transmission and distribution facilities, would be direct targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terror may affect our operations.
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Such activity may have an adverse effect on the United States economy in general. A lower level of economic activity might result in a decline in energy consumption, which may adversely affect our financial results or restrict our future growth. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism or war may affect our stock price and our ability to raise capital.
We are subject to employee workforce factors that could affect our businesses and financial results.
We are subject to employee workforce factors, including loss or retirement of key executives or other employees, availability of qualified personnel, collective bargaining agreements with union employees, and work stoppage that could affect our financial results.
We may be unable to obtain the approvals required to complete our merger with FPL Group Inc. (FPL Group) or, in order to do so, the combined company may be required to comply with material restrictions or conditions.
On December 19, 2005, we announced the execution of a merger agreement with FPL Group. Before the merger may be completed, shareholder approval will have to be obtained by us and by FPL Group. In addition, various filings must be made with FERC, NRC and various utility regulatory, antitrust and other authorities in the United States. These governmental authorities may impose conditions on the completion, or require changes to the terms, of the merger, including restrictions or conditions on the business, operations, or financial performance of the combined company following completion of the merger. These conditions or changes could have the effect of delaying completion of the merger or imposing additional costs on or limiting the revenues of the combined company following the merger, which could have a material adverse effect on the financial results of the combined company and/or cause either us or FPL Group to abandon the merger.
If we are unable to complete the merger, we still will incur and will remain liable for significant transaction costs, including legal, accounting, financial advisory, filing, printing and other costs relating to the merger whether or not it is completed, which we estimate to be approximately $40 million. Also, depending upon the reasons for not completing the merger, including whether we have received or entered into a competing takeover proposal, we may be required to pay FPL Group a termination fee of up to $425 million. The occurrence of either of these events individually or in combination could have a material adverse affect on our financial results.
If completed, our merger with FPL Group may not achieve its intended results.
We and FPL Group entered into the merger agreement with the expectation that the merger would result in various benefits, including, among other things, cost savings and operating efficiencies primarily relating to the nonregulated businesses. Achieving the anticipated benefits of the merger is subject to a number of uncertainties, including whether the businesses of Constellation Energy and FPL Group are integrated in an efficient and effective manner. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues generated by the combined company and diversion of management's time and energy and could have an adverse effect on the combined company's business, financial results and prospects.
We will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger with FPL Group is pending that could adversely affect our financial results.
Uncertainty about the effect of the merger with FPL Group on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on us. Although we intend to take steps designed to reduce any adverse effects, these uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the merger is completed and for a period of time thereafter, and could cause customers, suppliers and others that deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships.
Employee retention and recruitment may be particularly challenging prior to the completion of the merger, as employees and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company. If, despite our retention and recruiting efforts, key employees depart or fail to accept employment with us because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with the combined company, our financial results could be affected.
The pursuit of the merger and the preparation for the integration of Constellation Energy and FPL Group may place a significant burden on management and internal resources. The diversion of management attention away from day-to-day business concerns and any difficulties encountered in the transition and integration process could affect our financial results.
In addition, the merger agreement restricts us, without FPL Group's consent, from making certain acquisitions and taking other specified actions until the merger occurs or the merger agreement terminates. These restrictions may prevent us from pursuing otherwise attractive business opportunities and making other changes to our business prior to completion of the merger or termination of the merger agreement.
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Constellation Energy's corporate offices occupy approximately 106,000 square feet of leased office space in Baltimore, Maryland. The corporate offices for most of our merchant energy business occupy approximately 224,000 square feet of leased office space in another building in Baltimore, Maryland. We describe our electric generation properties on the next page. We also have leases for other offices and services located in the Baltimore metropolitan region, and for various real property and facilities relating to our generation projects.
BGE owns its principal headquarters building located in downtown Baltimore. In January 2004, BGE sold a portion of its headquarters building and is in the process of consolidating its operations into the remainder of the building. In addition, BGE owns propane air and liquefied natural gas facilities as discussed in Item 1. BusinessGas Business section.
BGE also has rights-of-way to maintain 26-inch natural gas mains across certain Baltimore City-owned property (principally parks) which expired in 2004. BGE is in the process of renewing the rights-of-way with Baltimore City for an additional 25 years. The expiration of the rights-of-way does not affect BGE's ability to use the rights-of-way during the renewal process.
BGE has electric transmission and electric and gas distribution lines located:
All of BGE's property is subject to the lien of BGE's mortgage securing its mortgage bonds. All of the generation facilities transferred to our subsidiaries by BGE on July 1, 2000, along with the stock we own in certain of our subsidiaries, are subject to the lien of BGE's mortgage.
We believe we have satisfactory title to our power project facilities in accordance with standards generally accepted in the energy industry, subject to exceptions, which in our opinion, would not have a material adverse effect on the use or value of the facilities.
We also lease office space throughout North America, in the United Kingdom, and in Australia to support our merchant energy business.
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The following table describes our generating facilities:
Plant |
Location |
Installed Capacity (MW) |
% Owned |
Capacity Owned (MW) |
Primary Fuel |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
(at December 31, 2005) |
|||||||||
Mid-Atlantic Region | |||||||||||
Calvert Cliffs | Calvert Co., MD | 1,735 | 100.0 | 1,735 | Nuclear | ||||||
Brandon Shores | Anne Arundel Co., MD | 1,286 | 100.0 | 1,286 | Coal | ||||||
H. A. Wagner | Anne Arundel Co., MD | 1,001 | 100.0 | 1,001 | Coal/Oil/Gas | ||||||
C. P. Crane | Baltimore Co., MD | 399 | 100.0 | 399 | Oil/Coal | ||||||
Keystone | Armstrong and Indiana Cos., PA | 1,711 | 21.0 | 358 | (A) | Coal | |||||
Conemaugh | Indiana Co., PA | 1,711 | 10.6 | 181 | (A) | Coal | |||||
Perryman | Harford Co., MD | 360 | 100.0 | 360 | Oil/Gas | ||||||
Big Sandy | Neal, WV | 300 | 100.0 | 300 | Gas | ||||||
Wolf Hills | Bristol, VA | 250 | 100.0 | 250 | Gas | ||||||
Riverside | Baltimore Co., MD | 249 | 100.0 | 249 | Oil/Gas | ||||||
Handsome Lake | Rockland Twp, PA | 250 | 100.0 | 250 | Gas | ||||||
Notch Cliff | Baltimore Co., MD | 128 | 100.0 | 128 | Gas | ||||||
Westport | Baltimore City, MD | 121 | 100.0 | 121 | Gas | ||||||
Philadelphia Road | Baltimore City, MD | 64 | 100.0 | 64 | Oil | ||||||
Safe Harbor | Safe Harbor, PA | 416 | 66.7 | 278 | Hydro | ||||||
Total Mid-Atlantic Region | 9,981 | 6,960 | |||||||||
Plants with Power Purchase Agreements |
|||||||||||
High Desert | Victorville, CA | 830 | 100.0 | 830 | Gas | ||||||
Nine Mile Point Unit 1 | Scriba, NY | 620 | 100.0 | 620 | Nuclear | ||||||
Nine Mile Point Unit 2 | Scriba, NY | 1,148 | 82.0 | 941 | Nuclear | ||||||
R.E. Ginna | Ontario, NY | 498 | 100.0 | 498 | Nuclear | ||||||
University Park | Chicago, IL | 300 | 100.0 | 300 | Gas | ||||||
Total Plants with Power Purchase Agreements | 3,396 | 3,189 | |||||||||
Competitive Supply |
|||||||||||
Rio Nogales | Seguin, TX | 800 | 100.0 | 800 | Gas | ||||||
Holland Energy | Shelby Co., IL | 665 | 100.0 | 665 | Gas | ||||||
Total Competitive Supply | 1,465 | 1,465 | |||||||||
Other |
|||||||||||
Panther Creek | Nesquehoning, PA | 83 | 50.0 | 42 | Waste Coal | ||||||
Colver | Colver Township, PA | 110 | 25.0 | 28 | Waste Coal | ||||||
Sunnyside | Sunnyside, UT | 53 | 50.0 | 26 | Waste Coal | ||||||
ACE | Trona, CA | 102 | 31.1 | 32 | Coal | ||||||
Jasmin | Kern Co., CA | 33 | 50.0 | 17 | Coal | ||||||
POSO | Kern Co., CA | 33 | 50.0 | 17 | Coal | ||||||
Mammoth Lakes G-1 | Mammoth Lakes, CA | 6 | 50.0 | 3 | Geothermal | ||||||
Mammoth Lakes G-2 | Mammoth Lakes, CA | 12 | 50.0 | 6 | Geothermal | ||||||
Mammoth Lakes G-3 | Mammoth Lakes, CA | 12 | 50.0 | 6 | Geothermal | ||||||
Soda Lake I | Fallon, NV | 4 | 50.0 | 2 | Geothermal | ||||||
Soda Lake II | Fallon, NV | 10 | 50.0 | 5 | Geothermal | ||||||
Rocklin | Placer Co., CA | 24 | 50.0 | 12 | Biomass | ||||||
Fresno | Fresno, CA | 24 | 50.0 | 12 | Biomass | ||||||
Chinese Station | Jamestown, CA | 22 | 45.0 | 10 | Biomass | ||||||
Malacha | Muck Valley, CA | 32 | 50.0 | 16 | Hydro | ||||||
SEGS IV | Kramer Junction, CA | 30 | 12.2 | 4 | Solar | ||||||
SEGS V | Kramer Junction, CA | 30 | 4.2 | 1 | Solar | ||||||
SEGS VI | Kramer Junction, CA | 30 | 8.8 | 3 | Solar | ||||||
Total Other | 650 | 242 | |||||||||
Total Generating Facilities | 15,492 | 11,856 | |||||||||
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The following table describes our processing facilities:
Plant |
Location |
% Owned |
Primary Fuel |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A/C Fuels | Hazelton, PA | 50.0 | Coal Processing | |||
Gary PCI | Gary, IN | 24.5 | Coal Processing | |||
Low Country | Cross, SC | 99.0 | Synfuel Processing | |||
PC Synfuel VA I | Norton, VA | 16.7 | Synfuel Processing | |||
PC Synfuel WV I | Chelyan, WV | 16.7 | Synfuel Processing | |||
PC Synfuel WV II | Mount Storm, WV | 16.7 | Synfuel Processing | |||
PC Synfuel WV III | Chester, VA | 16.7 | Synfuel Processing |
We discuss our legal proceedings in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders
Not applicable.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Name |
Age |
Present Office |
Other Offices or Positions Held During Past Five Years |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mayo A. Shattuck III | 51 | Chairman of the Board of Constellation Energy (since July 2002), President and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy (since November 2001); and Chairman of the Board of BGE (since July 2002) | Global Head of Investment Banking and Global Head of Private BankingDeutsche Banc Alex. Brown. | |||
E. Follin Smith |
46 |
Executive Vice President (since January 2004), Chief Financial Officer (since June 2001) and Chief Administrative Officer (since January 2004) of Constellation Energy; and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (since January 2002) |
Senior Vice PresidentConstellation Energy; and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerArmstrong Holdings, Inc. |
|||
Thomas V. Brooks |
43 |
Chairman of Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. (since August 2005); Vice Chairman (since August 2005) and Executive Vice President of Constellation Energy (since January 2004) |
PresidentConstellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc.; Executive Vice PresidentConstellation Energy; Vice President of Business Development and StrategyConstellation Energy; and Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs. |
|||
Michael J. Wallace |
58 |
President of Constellation Generation Group, LLC (since January 2002); Executive Vice President of Constellation Energy (since January 2004) |
Managing Director and MemberBarrington Energy Partners. |
|||
Thomas F. Brady |
56 |
Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Retail Competitive Supply of Constellation Energy (since January 2004) |
Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and DevelopmentConstellation Energy; and Vice President, Corporate Strategy and DevelopmentConstellation Energy. |
|||
27
Irving B. Yoskowitz |
60 |
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Constellation Energy (since June 2005) |
Senior CounselCrowell & Moring (law firm); Senior PartnerGlobal Technology Partners, LLC (investment banking and consulting firm); and Senior AdvisorAkin Gump Strauss Hauer Feld LLP (law firm). |
|||
Felix J. Dawson |
38 |
Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. (since August 2005) |
Co-Chief Commercial OfficerConstellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc.; Managing DirectorConstellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc.; Managing Director, Co-Head OriginationConstellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc.; and Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Power, LLC. |
|||
George E. Persky |
36 |
Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. (since August 2005) |
Co-Chief Commercial OfficerConstellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc.; Managing DirectorConstellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc.; Manager, Business Development and StrategyConstellation Energy; and Associate, Goldman Sachs. |
|||
Kenneth W. DeFontes, Jr. |
55 |
President and Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Senior Vice President of Constellation Energy (since October 2004) |
Vice President, Electric Transmission and DistributionBGE. |
|||
Paul J. Allen |
54 |
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs of Constellation Energy (since January 2004) |
Vice President, Corporate AffairsConstellation Energy; and Senior Vice President and Group HeadOgilvy Public Relations. |
|||
John R. Collins |
48 |
Senior Vice President (since January 2004) and Chief Risk Officer of Constellation Energy (since December 2001) |
Vice PresidentConstellation Energy; Managing DirectorFinanceConstellation Power Source Holdings, Inc.; and Managing Director and Senior Financial OfficerConstellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. |
|||
Beth S. Perlman |
45 |
Senior Vice President (since January 2004) and Chief Information Officer of Constellation Energy (since April 2002) |
Vice President, TechnologyEnron Corporation. |
|||
Marc L. Ugol |
47 |
Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Constellation Energy (since January 2004) |
Vice President, Human ResourcesConstellation Energy; and Senior Vice President, Human Resources and AdministrationTellabs, Inc. |
Officers are elected by, and hold office at the will of, the Board of Directors and do not serve a "term of office" as such. There is no arrangement or understanding between any director or officer and any other person pursuant to which the director or officer was selected.
28
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters
Stock Trading
Constellation Energy's common stock is traded under the ticker symbol CEG. It is listed on the New York, Chicago, and Pacific stock exchanges. It has unlisted trading privileges on the Boston, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia exchanges.
As of January 31, 2006, there were 43,709 common shareholders of record.
Dividend Policy
Constellation Energy pays dividends on its common stock after its Board of Directors declares them. There are no contractual limitations on Constellation Energy paying common stock dividends.
Dividends have been paid continuously since 1910 on the common stock of Constellation Energy, BGE, and their predecessors. Future dividends depend upon future earnings, our financial condition, and other factors.
In January 2006, we announced an increase in our quarterly dividend from $0.335 to $0.3775 per share payable April 3, 2006 to holders of record on March 10, 2006. This is equivalent to an annual rate of $1.51 per share.
Quarterly dividends were declared on our common stock during 2005 and 2004 in the amounts set forth below.
BGE pays dividends on its common stock after its Board of Directors declares them. There are no contractual limitations on BGE paying common stock dividends unless:
Common Stock Dividends and Price Ranges
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Price* |
|
Price* |
||||||||||||||
|
Dividend Declared |
Dividend Declared |
||||||||||||||||
|
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
||||||||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 0.335 | $ | 53.55 | $ | 43.01 | $ | 0.285 | $ | 41.47 | $ | 38.52 | ||||||
Second Quarter | 0.335 | 57.91 | 50.36 | 0.285 | 41.35 | 35.89 | ||||||||||||
Third Quarter | 0.335 | 62.09 | 56.50 | 0.285 | 41.18 | 36.76 | ||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 0.335 | 62.60 | 50.40 | 0.285 | 44.90 | 39.90 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1.340 | $ | 1.140 | ||||||||||||||
* Based on New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table presents shares surrendered by employees to exercise stock options and to satisfy tax withholding obligations on vested restricted stock and stock option exercises.
Period |
Total Number of Shares Purchased |
Average Price Paid for Shares |
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans and Programs |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 1 October 31, 2005 | 889 | $ | 55.88 | | | ||||
November 1 November 30, 2005 | 123 | 51.70 | | | |||||
December 1 December 31, 2005 | 1,982,414 | 58.33 | | | |||||
Total | 1,983,426 | $ | 58.33 | | | ||||
29
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002(1) |
2001 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions, except per share amounts) |
|||||||||||||||||
Summary of Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenues | $ | 17,132.0 | $ | 12,286.4 | $ | 9,454.1 | $ | 4,771.6 | $ | 3,683.0 | ||||||||
Total Expenses | 16,073.9 | 11,261.2 | 8,431.0 | 3,711.5 | 3,267.3 | |||||||||||||
Income From Operations | 1,058.1 | 1,025.2 | 1,023.1 | 1,060.1 | 415.7 | |||||||||||||
Other Income | 62.8 | 25.3 | 20.7 | 33.8 | 0.8 | |||||||||||||
Fixed Charges | 310.1 | 326.8 | 336.5 | 277.3 | 236.0 | |||||||||||||
Income Before Income Taxes | 810.8 | 723.7 | 707.3 | 816.6 | 180.5 | |||||||||||||
Income Taxes | 204.1 | 156.9 | 250.6 | 301.2 | 61.3 | |||||||||||||
Income from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles | 606.7 | 566.8 | 456.7 | 515.4 | 119.2 | |||||||||||||
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes | 23.6 | (27.1 | ) | 19.0 | 10.2 | (36.8 | ) | |||||||||||
Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Net of Income Taxes | (7.2 | ) | | (198.4 | ) | | 8.5 | |||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 623.1 | $ | 539.7 | $ | 277.3 | $ | 525.6 | $ | 90.9 | ||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles Assuming Dilution | $ | 3.38 | $ | 3.28 | $ | 2.74 | $ | 3.14 | $ | 0.75 | ||||||||
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations | 0.13 | (0.16 | ) | 0.11 | 0.06 | (0.23 | ) | |||||||||||
Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles | (0.04 | ) | | (1.19 | ) | | 0.05 | |||||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share Assuming Dilution | $ | 3.47 | $ | 3.12 | $ | 1.66 | $ | 3.20 | $ | 0.57 | ||||||||
Dividends Declared Per Common Share | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 1.04 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 0.48 | ||||||||
Summary of Financial Condition |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 21,473.9 | $ | 17,347.1 | $ | 15,593.0 | $ | 14,943.3 | $ | 14,697.5 | ||||||||
Short-Term Borrowings | $ | 0.7 | $ | | $ | 9.6 | $ | 10.5 | $ | 975.0 | ||||||||
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt | $ | 491.3 | $ | 480.4 | $ | 343.2 | $ | 426.2 | $ | 1,406.7 | ||||||||
Capitalization | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Debt | $ | 4,369.3 | $ | 4,813.2 | $ | 5,039.2 | $ | 4,613.9 | $ | 2,712.5 | ||||||||
Minority Interests | 22.4 | 90.9 | 113.4 | 105.3 | 101.7 | |||||||||||||
Preference Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption | 190.0 | 190.0 | 190.0 | 190.0 | 190.0 | |||||||||||||
Common Shareholders' Equity | 4,915.5 | 4,726.9 | 4,140.5 | 3,862.3 | 3,843.6 | |||||||||||||
Total Capitalization | $ | 9,497.2 | $ | 9,821.0 | $ | 9,483.1 | $ | 8,771.5 | $ | 6,847.8 | ||||||||
Financial Statistics at Year End |
||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | 3.38 | 3.02 | 2.90 | 3.31 | 1.39 | |||||||||||||
Book Value Per Share of Common Stock | $ | 27.57 | $ | 26.81 | $ | 24.68 | $ | 23.44 | $ | 23.48 |
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.
We discuss items that affect comparability between years, including acquisitions and dispositions, accounting changes and other items, in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis.
30
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Summary of Operations | |||||||||||||||||
Total Revenues | $ | 3,009.3 | $ | 2,724.7 | $ | 2,647.6 | $ | 2,547.3 | $ | 2,720.7 | |||||||
Total Expenses | 2,612.8 | 2,353.3 | 2,262.6 | 2,181.0 | 2,408.9 | ||||||||||||
Income From Operations | 396.5 | 371.4 | 385.0 | 366.3 | 311.8 | ||||||||||||
Other Income (Expense) | 5.9 | (6.4 | ) | (5.4 | ) | 10.7 | 0.4 | ||||||||||
Fixed Charges | 93.5 | 96.2 | 111.2 | 140.6 | 154.6 | ||||||||||||
Income Before Income Taxes | 308.9 | 268.8 | 268.4 | 236.4 | 157.6 | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes | 119.9 | 102.5 | 105.2 | 93.3 | 60.3 | ||||||||||||
Net Income | 189.0 | 166.3 | 163.2 | 143.1 | 97.3 | ||||||||||||
Preference Stock Dividends | 13.2 | 13.2 | 13.2 | 13.2 | 13.2 | ||||||||||||
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock | $ | 175.8 | $ | 153.1 | $ | 150.0 | $ | 129.9 | $ | 84.1 | |||||||
Summary of Financial Condition |
|||||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 4,742.1 | $ | 4,662.9 | $ | 4,706.6 | $ | 4,779.9 | $ | 4,954.5 | |||||||
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt | $ | 469.6 | $ | 165.9 | $ | 330.6 | $ | 420.7 | $ | 666.3 | |||||||
Capitalization | |||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Debt | $ | 1,015.1 | $ | 1,359.5 | $ | 1,343.7 | $ | 1,499.1 | $ | 1,821.7 | |||||||
Minority Interest | 18.3 | 18.7 | 18.9 | 19.4 | 5.0 | ||||||||||||
Preference Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption | 190.0 | 190.0 | 190.0 | 190.0 | 190.0 | ||||||||||||
Common Shareholder's Equity | 1,622.5 | 1,566.0 | 1,487.7 | 1,461.7 | 1,131.4 | ||||||||||||
Total Capitalization | $ | 2,845.9 | $ | 3,134.2 | $ | 3,040.3 | $ | 3,170.2 | $ | 3,148.1 | |||||||
Financial Statistics at Year End |
|||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | 4.22 | 3.75 | 3.36 | 2.66 | 1.99 | ||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred and Preference Stock Dividends | 3.45 | 3.08 | 2.82 | 2.31 | 1.75 |
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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (Constellation Energy) is an energy company that conducts its business through various subsidiaries including a merchant energy business and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE). We describe our operating segments in Note 3.
This report is a combined report of Constellation Energy and BGE. References in this report to "we" and "our" are to Constellation Energy and its subsidiaries, collectively. References in this report to the "regulated business(es)" are to BGE. We discuss our business in more detail in Item 1. Business section and the risk factors affecting our business in Item 1A. Risk Factors section.
In this discussion and analysis, we will explain the general financial condition and the results of operations for Constellation Energy and BGE including:
As you read this discussion and analysis, refer to our Consolidated Statements of Income, which present the results of our operations for 2005, 2004, and 2003. We analyze and explain the differences between periods in the specific line items of our Consolidated Statements of Income.
We have organized our discussion and analysis as follows:
Pending Merger with FPL Group, Inc.
In order to further our strategies discussed below, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with FPL Group, Inc. (FPL Group). We discuss our pending merger with FPL Group in more detail in Note 15.
We are pursuing a strategy of providing energy and energy related services through our competitive supply activities and BGE, our regulated utility located in Maryland. Our merchant energy business focuses on short-term and long-term purchases and sales of energy, capacity, and related products to various customers, including distribution utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, industrial customers, and commercial customers.
We obtain this energy through both owned and contracted supply resources. Our generation fleet is strategically located in deregulated markets across the country and is diversified by fuel type, including nuclear, coal, gas, oil, and renewable sources. In addition to owning generating facilities, we contract for power from other merchant providers, typically through power purchase agreements. We intend to remain diversified between regulated transmission and distribution and competitive supply. We will use both our owned generation and our contracted generation to support our competitive supply operations.
We are a leading national competitive supplier of energy. In our wholesale and commercial and industrial retail marketing activities we are leveraging our recognized expertise in providing full requirements energy and energy related services to enter markets, capture market share, and organically grow these businesses. Through the application of technology, intellectual capital, process improvement, and increased scale, we are seeking to reduce the cost of delivering full requirements energy and energy related services and managing risk.
We are also responding proactively to customer needs by expanding the variety of products we offer. Our wholesale competitive supply activities include a growing operation that markets physical energy products and risk management and logistics services to generators, distributors, producers of coal, natural gas and fuel oil, and other consumers.
As part of our risk management activities, we trade energy and energy-related commodities and deploy risk capital in the management of our portfolio in order to earn additional returns. These activities are managed through daily value at risk and stop loss limits and liquidity guidelines.
Within our retail competitive supply activities, we are marketing a broader array of products and expanding our markets. Over time, we may consider integrating the sale of electricity and natural gas to provide one energy procurement solution for our customers.
Collectively, the integration of owned and contracted electric generation assets with origination, fuel procurement, and risk management expertise, allows our merchant energy business to earn incremental margin and more effectively manage energy and commodity price risk over geographic regions and over time. Our focus is on providing solutions to customers' energy needs, and our wholesale marketing and risk management operation adds value to our owned and contracted generation assets by providing national market access, market infrastructure, real-time market intelligence, risk management and arbitrage opportunities, and transmission and transportation expertise. Generation capacity supports our wholesale marketing and risk management operation by providing a source of reliable power supply.
To achieve our strategic objectives, we expect to continue to pursue opportunities that expand our access to customers and to support our wholesale marketing and risk management operation
32
with generation assets that have diversified geographic, fuel, and dispatch characteristics. We also expect to grow through buying and selling a greater number of physical energy products and services to large energy customers. We expect to achieve operating efficiencies within our competitive supply operation and our generation fleet by selling more products through our existing sales force, benefiting from efficiencies of scale, adding to the capacity of existing plants, and making our business processes more efficient.
We expect BGE and our other retail energy service businesses to grow through focused and disciplined expansion primarily from new customers. At BGE, we are also focused on enhancing reliability and customer satisfaction.
Customer choice, regulatory change, and energy market conditions significantly impact our business. In response, we regularly evaluate our strategies with these goals in mind: to improve our competitive position, to anticipate and adapt to the business environment and regulatory changes, and to maintain a strong balance sheet and investment-grade credit quality.
We are constantly reevaluating our strategies and might consider:
With the evolving regulatory environment surrounding customer choice, increasing competition, and the growth of our merchant energy business, various factors affect our financial results. We discuss some of these factors in more detail in the Item 1. BusinessCompetition section. We also discuss these various factors in the Forward Looking Statements and Item 1A. Risk Factors sections.
Over the last several years, the energy markets have been highly volatile with significant changes in natural gas, power, oil, coal, and emission allowance prices. The volatility of the energy markets impacts our credit portfolio, and we continue to actively manage our credit portfolio to attempt to reduce the impact of a potential counterparty default. We discuss our customer (counterparty) credit and other risks in more detail in the Market Risk section.
In addition, the volatility of the energy markets impacts our liquidity and collateral requirements. We discuss our liquidity in the Financial Condition section.
We face competition in the sale of electricity, natural gas, and coal in wholesale energy markets and to retail customers.
Various states have moved to restructure their electricity markets. The pace of deregulation in these states varies based on historical moves to competition and responses to recent market events. While many states continue to support retail competition and industry restructuring, other states that were considering deregulation have slowed their plans or postponed consideration. In addition, other states are reconsidering deregulation.
All BGE electricity and gas customers have the option to purchase electricity and gas from alternate suppliers.
We discuss merchant competition in more detail in Item 1. BusinessCompetition section.
The impacts of electric deregulation on BGE in Maryland are discussed in Item 1. BusinessElectric Regulatory Matters and Competition section.
Regulation by the Maryland PSC
In addition to electric restructuring, which is discussed in Item 1. BusinessElectric Regulatory Matters and Competition section, regulation by the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) significantly influences BGE's businesses. The Maryland PSC determines the rates that BGE can charge customers of its electric distribution and gas businesses. The Maryland PSC incorporates into BGE's standard offer service rates the transmission rates determined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). BGE's electric rates are unbundled in customer billings to show separate components for delivery service (i.e. base rates), competitive transition charges (CTC), electric supply (commodity charge), transmission, a universal service surcharge, and certain taxes. The rates for BGE's regulated gas business continue to consist of a delivery charge (base rate) and a commodity charge.
Base Rates
Base rates are the rates the Maryland PSC allows BGE to charge its customers for the cost of providing them delivery service, plus a profit. BGE has both electric base rates and gas base rates. Higher electric base rates apply during the summer when the demand for electricity is higher. Gas base rates are not affected by seasonal changes.
BGE may ask the Maryland PSC to increase base rates from time to time. The Maryland PSC historically has allowed BGE to increase base rates to recover its utility plant investment and operating costs, plus a profit. Generally, rate increases improve the earnings of our regulated business because they allow us to collect more revenue. However, rate increases are normally granted based on historical data and those increases may not always keep pace with increasing costs. Other parties may petition the Maryland PSC to decrease base rates.
As a result of the deregulation of electric generation in Maryland, BGE's residential electric base rates are frozen until July 2006. Electric base rates were frozen until July 2004 for commercial and industrial customers. In early 2006, the Maryland PSC commenced a proceeding, and legislation was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly, to consider methods for requiring BGE to defer recovery of some of its costs of providing residential POLR service. These actions are a result of the anticipated increase in POLR prices expected to take place upon the expiration of the residential rate freeze in June 2006. Any decision by the Maryland PSC or legislation adopted by the Maryland General Assembly, that would defer recovery of, or would not allow BGE to fully recover its costs could have a material impact on our, and BGE's, financial results and liquidity. We discuss electric deregulation in Item 1. BusinessElectric Regulatory Matters and Competition section.
In April 2005, BGE filed an application for a $52.7 million annual increase in its gas base rates. The Maryland PSC issued an order in December 2005 granting BGE an annual increase of $35.6 million. Certain parties to the proceeding have sought judicial review and Maryland PSC rehearing of the decision. BGE will not seek review of any aspect of the order. We cannot provide assurance that a court will not reverse any aspect of the order or that it will not remand certain issues to the Maryland PSC.
33
Electric Commodity and Transmission Charges
BGE electric commodity and transmission charges (standard offer service) are discussed in Item 1. BusinessElectric Regulatory Matters and Competition section.
Gas Commodity Charge
BGE charges its gas customers separately for the natural gas they purchase. The price BGE charges for the natural gas is based on a market-based rates incentive mechanism approved by the Maryland PSC. We discuss market-based rates in more detail in the Regulated Gas BusinessGas Cost Adjustments section and in Note 6.
FERC
The FERC has jurisdiction over various aspects of our business, including transmission and wholesale electricity sales. We believe that FERC's continued commitment to competition in wholesale energy markets should result in improved competitive markets across various regions.
Since 1997, operation of BGE's transmission system has been under the authority of PJM Interconnection (PJM), the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) for the Mid-Atlantic region, pursuant to FERC oversight. As the transmission operator, PJM operates the energy markets and conducts day-to-day operations of the bulk power system. The liability of transmission owners, including BGE, and power generators is limited to those damages caused by the gross negligence of such entities.
In addition to PJM, RTOs exist in other regions of the country, such as the Midwest, New York, and New England. In addition to operation of the transmission system and responsibility for transmission system reliability, these RTOs also operate energy markets for their region pursuant to FERC's oversight. Our merchant energy business participates in these regional energy markets. These markets are continuing to develop, and revisions to market structure are subject to review and approval by FERC and other regulatory bodies. We cannot predict the outcome of such a review at this time. However, changes to the structure of these markets could have a material effect on our financial results.
Recent initiatives at FERC have included a review of its methodology for the granting of market-based rate authority to sellers of electricity. FERC has announced new interim tests that will be used to determine the extent to which companies may have market power in certain regions. Where market power is found to exist, FERC may require companies to implement measures to mitigate the market power in order to maintain market-based rate authority. In addition, FERC is reviewing other aspects of its granting of market-based rate authority, including transmission market power, affiliate abuse, and barriers to entry. We cannot determine the eventual outcome of FERC's efforts in this regard and their impact on our financial results at this time.
In November 2004, FERC eliminated through and out transmission rates between the Midwest Independent System Operators (MISO) and PJM and put in place Seams Elimination Charge/Cost Adjustment/Assignment (SECA) transition rates, which are paid by the transmission customers of MISO and PJM and allocated among the various transmission owners in PJM and MISO. The SECA transition rates are in effect from December 1, 2004 through March 31, 2006. FERC has set for hearing the various compliance filings that established the level of the SECA rates and has indicated that the SECA rates are being recovered from the MISO and PJM transmission customers subject to refund by the MISO and PJM transmission owners.
In addition, FERC has indicated that it will provide transmission customers that are charged the SECA rates with an opportunity to demonstrate that such charges should be shifted to their wholesale power suppliers. We are a recipient of SECA payments, payer of SECA charges, and supplier to whom such charges may be shifted. We are unable to predict the timing or outcome of FERC's SECA rate proceeding. However, as the amounts collected under the SECA rates are subject to refund and the ultimate outcome of the proceeding establishing SECA rates is uncertain, the result of this proceeding may have a material effect on our financial results.
In May 2005, FERC issued an order accepting BGE's joint application to have network transmission rates established through a formula that tracks costs instead of through fixed rates. The formula approach became effective June 1, 2005, and the implementation of these rates did not have a material effect on our, or BGE's, financial results. The use of this formula approach is subject to refund based on the outcome of a hearing before an administrative law judge. The hearing process has been suspended while the various parties discuss a possible settlement. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding or whether FERC will ultimately affirm either a settlement or the judge's decision.
Other market changes are also being considered, including potential revisions to PJM's capacity market and rate design. Such changes will be subject to FERC's review and approval. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or the possible effect on our, or BGE's, financial results at this time.
Federal Energy Legislation
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) was signed by the President on August 8, 2005. The legislation encourages investments in energy production and delivery infrastructure, including further development of competitive wholesale energy markets, and promotes the use of a diverse mix of fuels and renewable technologies to generate electricity, including federal support and tax incentives for clean coal, nuclear, and renewable power generation. Effective February 2006, the legislation repealed the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA 1935).
34
In addition, there are a number of FERC rulemaking proceedings that relate to the implementation of EPACT 2005 including proceedings relating to FERC's new responsibilities following the repeal of PUHCA 1935, its revised merger authority, its new authority over electric grid reliability, and its new authority with respect to addressing electric and gas market manipulation. While FERC has moved expeditiously to implement its new authority under EPACT 2005, at this time we are unable to predict the ultimate impact of these rules or the possible effect on our business or financial results given that these rules may be subject to further revision or clarification as a result of requests for rehearing or court appeals but they could have a material impact on our financial results.
There are also rulemakings required from other federal agencies, the outcome of which could affect our financial results, but we cannot at this time predict such outcome or the actual effect on our financial results.
Weather
Merchant Energy Business
Weather conditions in the different regions of North America influence the financial results of our merchant energy business. Weather conditions can affect the supply of and demand for electricity, gas, and fuels. Changes in energy supply and demand may impact the price of these energy commodities in both the spot market and the forward market, which may affect our results in any given period. Typically, demand for electricity and its price are higher in the summer and the winter, when weather is more extreme. The demand for and price of natural gas and oil are higher in the winter. However, all regions of North America typically do not experience extreme weather conditions at the same time, thus we are not typically exposed to the effects of extreme weather in all parts of our business at once.
BGE
Weather affects the demand for electricity and gas for our regulated businesses. Very hot summers and very cold winters increase demand. Mild weather reduces demand. Weather affects residential sales more than commercial and industrial sales, which are mostly affected by business needs for electricity and gas. The Maryland PSC allows BGE to record a monthly adjustment to our regulated gas business revenues to eliminate the effect of abnormal weather patterns. We discuss this further in the Regulated Gas BusinessWeather Normalization section.
Other Factors
A number of other factors significantly influence the level and volatility of prices for energy commodities and related derivative products for our merchant energy business. These factors include:
These factors can affect energy commodity and derivative prices in different ways and to different degrees. These effects may vary throughout the country as a result of regional differences in:
Our merchant energy business contracts for the delivery of coal to our coal-fired generation facilities. The timely delivery of coal together with the maintenance of appropriate levels of inventory is necessary to allow for continued, reliable generation from these facilities. In the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2004, we experienced delays in deliveries from one of the rail companies that supplies coal to our generating facilities. In response, we procured coal using an alternative delivery method to meet our contractual load obligations. We discuss the impact of these delays on our financial results in the Mid-Atlantic Region section. The majority of the coal that was not delivered during 2004 was delivered during 2005.
Other factors also impact the demand for electricity and gas in our regulated businesses. These factors include the number of customers and usage per customer during a given period. We use these terms later in our discussions of regulated electric and gas operations. In those sections, we discuss how these and other factors affected electric and gas sales during the periods presented.
The number of customers in a given period is affected by new home and apartment construction and by the number of businesses in our service territory.
Usage per customer refers to all other items impacting customer sales that cannot be measured separately. These factors include the strength of the economy in our service territory. When the economy is healthy and expanding, customers tend to consume more electricity and gas. Conversely, during an economic downturn, our customers tend to consume less electricity and gas.
Environmental Matters and Legal Proceedings
We discuss details of our environmental matters in Note 12 and Item 1. BusinessEnvironmental Matters section. We discuss details of our legal proceedings in Note 12. Some of this information is about costs that may be material to our financial results.
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Accounting Standards Adopted and Issued
We discuss recently adopted and issued accounting standards in Note 1.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements that were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Management makes estimates and assumptions when preparing financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect various matters, including:
These estimates involve judgments with respect to numerous factors that are difficult to predict and are beyond management's control. As a result, actual amounts could materially differ from these estimates.
Management believes the following accounting policies represent critical accounting policies as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that are both most important to the portrayal of a company's financial condition and results of operations and require management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. We discuss our significant accounting policies, including those that do not require management to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments or estimates, in Note 1.
Accounting for Derivatives
Our merchant energy business originates and acquires contracts for energy, other energy-related commodities, and related derivatives. We record merchant energy business revenues using two methods of accounting: accrual accounting and mark-to-market accounting. The accounting requirements for derivatives are governed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended, and applying those requirements involves the exercise of judgment in evaluating these provisions, as well as related implementation guidance and applying those requirements to complex contracts in a variety of commodities and markets.
We record revenues and fuel and purchased energy expenses from the sale or purchase of energy, energy-related products, and energy services under the accrual method of accounting in the period when we deliver or receive energy commodities, products, and services, or settle contracts. We use accrual accounting for our merchant energy and other nonregulated business transactions, including the generation or purchase and sale of electricity, gas, and coal as part of our physical delivery activities and for power, gas, and coal sales contracts that are not subject to mark-to-market accounting. Contracts that are eligible for accrual accounting include non-derivative transactions and derivatives that qualify for and are designated as normal purchases and normal sales of commodities that will be physically delivered.
The use of accrual accounting requires us to analyze contracts to determine whether they are non-derivatives or, if they are derivatives, whether they meet the requirements for designation as normal purchases and normal sales. For those contracts that do not meet these criteria, we may also analyze whether they qualify for hedge accounting, including performing an evaluation of historical market price information to determine whether such contracts are expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows from the risk being hedged. We record the fair value of derivatives for which we have elected hedge accounting in "Risk management assets and liabilities."
We use the mark-to-market method of accounting for derivative contracts for which we are not permitted to use accrual accounting or hedge accounting. These mark-to-market activities include derivative contracts for energy and other energy-related commodities. Under the mark-to-market method of accounting, we record the fair value of these derivatives as mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities at the time of contract execution. We record the changes in mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities consist of a combination of energy and energy-related derivative contracts. While some of these contracts represent commodities or instruments for which prices are available from external sources, other commodities and certain contracts are not actively traded and are valued using modeling techniques to determine expected future market prices, contract quantities, or both. The market prices and quantities used to determine fair value reflect management's best estimate considering various factors. However, future market prices and actual quantities will vary from those used in recording mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities, and it is possible that such variations could be material.
We record valuation adjustments to reflect uncertainties associated with certain estimates inherent in the determination of the fair value of mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities. The effect of these uncertainties is not incorporated in market price information or other market-based estimates used to determine fair value of our mark-to-market energy contracts. To the extent possible, we utilize market-based data together with quantitative methods for both measuring the uncertainties for which we record valuation adjustments and determining the level of such adjustments and changes in those levels.
We describe on the next page the main types of valuation adjustments we record and the process for establishing each. Generally, increases in valuation adjustments reduce our earnings, and decreases in valuation adjustments increase our earnings. However, all or a portion of the effect on earnings of changes in valuation adjustments may be offset by changes in the value of the underlying positions.
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Market prices for energy and energy-related commodities vary based upon a number of factors, and changes in market prices affect both the recorded fair value of our mark-to-market energy contracts and the level of future revenues and costs associated with accrual-basis activities. Changes in the value of our mark-to-market energy contracts will affect our earnings in the period of the change, while changes in forward market prices related to accrual-basis revenues and costs will affect our earnings in future periods to the extent those prices are realized. We cannot predict whether, or to what extent, the factors affecting market prices may change, but those changes could be material and could affect us either favorably or unfavorably. We discuss our market risk in more detail in the Market Risk section.
The impact of derivative contracts on our revenues and costs is affected by many factors, including:
Evaluation of Assets for Impairment and Other Than Temporary Decline in Value
Long-Lived Assets
We are required to evaluate certain assets that have long lives (for example, generating property and equipment and real estate) to determine if they are impaired when certain conditions exist. SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, provides the accounting requirements for impairments of long-lived assets. We are required to test our long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Examples of such events or changes are:
For long-lived assets that are expected to be held and used, SFAS No. 144 provides that an impairment loss shall only be recognized if the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable under SFAS No. 144 if the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Therefore, when we believe an impairment condition may have
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occurred, we are required to estimate the undiscounted future cash flows associated with a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets. This necessarily requires us to estimate uncertain future cash flows.
In order to estimate an asset's future cash flows, we consider historical cash flows and changes in the market environment and other factors that may affect future cash flows. To the extent applicable, the assumptions we use are consistent with forecasts that we are otherwise required to make (for example, in preparing our other earnings forecasts). If we are considering alternative courses of action to recover the carrying amount of a long-lived asset (such as the potential sale of an asset), we probability-weight the alternative courses of action to estimate the cash flows.
We use our best estimates in making these evaluations and consider various factors, including forward price curves for energy, fuel costs, and operating costs. However, actual future market prices and project costs could vary from the assumptions used in our estimates, and the impact of such variations could be material.
For long-lived assets that can be classified as assets held for sale under SFAS No. 144, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent their carrying amount exceeds their fair value less costs to sell.
If we determine that the undiscounted cash flows from an asset to be held and used are less than the carrying amount of the asset, or if we have classified an asset as held for sale, we must estimate fair value to determine the amount of any impairment loss. The estimation of fair value under SFAS No. 144, whether in conjunction with an asset to be held and used or with an asset held for sale, also involves judgment. We consider quoted market prices in active markets to the extent they are available. In the absence of such information, we may consider prices of similar assets, consult with brokers, or employ other valuation techniques. Often, we will discount the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset using a single interest rate that is commensurate with the risk involved with such an investment or employ an expected present value method that probability-weights a range of possible outcomes. The use of these methods involves the same inherent uncertainty of future cash flows as discussed above with respect to undiscounted cash flows. Actual future market prices and project costs could vary from those used in our estimates, and the impact of such variations could be material.
We are also required to evaluate our equity-method and cost-method investments (for example, in partnerships that own power projects) to determine whether or not they are impaired. Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock, provides the accounting requirements for these investments. The standard for determining whether an impairment must be recorded under APB No. 18 is whether the investment has experienced a loss in value that is considered an "other than a temporary" decline in value.
The evaluation and measurement of impairments under the APB No. 18 standard involves the same uncertainties as described on the previous page for long-lived assets that we own directly and account for in accordance with SFAS No. 144. Similarly, the estimates that we make with respect to our equity and cost-method investments are subject to variation, and the impact of such variations could be material. Additionally, if the projects in which we hold these investments recognize an impairment under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, we would record our proportionate share of that impairment loss and would evaluate our investment for an other than temporary decline in value under APB No. 18.
Gas Properties
We evaluate unproved property at least annually to determine if it is impaired under SFAS No. 19, Financial Accounting and Reporting by Oil and Gas Producing Properties. Impairment for unproved property occurs if there are no firm plans to continue drilling, lease expiration is at risk, or historical experience necessitates a valuation allowance.
Debt and Equity Securities
Our investments in debt and equity securities, primarily our nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets, are subject to impairment evaluations under FASB Staff Position SFAS 115-1 and SFAS 124-1 (FSP 115-1 and 124-1), The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. FSP 115-1 and 124-1 requires us to determine whether a decline in fair value of an investment below the amortized cost basis is other than temporary. If we determine that the decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the investment must be written down to fair value as a new cost basis.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We account for goodwill and other intangibles under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We do not amortize goodwill and certain other intangible assets. SFAS No. 142 requires us to evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate the business might be impaired. Goodwill is impaired if the carrying value of the business exceeds fair value. Annually, we estimate the fair value of the businesses we have acquired using techniques similar to those used to estimate future cash flows for long-lived assets as discussed on the previous page, which involves judgment. If the estimated fair value of the business is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is required to be recognized to the extent that the carrying value of goodwill is greater than its fair value.
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Asset Retirement Obligations
We incur legal obligations associated with the retirement of certain long-lived assets. SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, provides the accounting for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets. We incur such legal obligations as a result of environmental and other government regulations, contractual agreements, and other factors. The application of this standard requires significant judgment due to the large number and diverse nature of the assets in our various businesses and the estimation of future cash flows required to measure legal obligations associated with the retirement of specific assets. FASB Interpretation (FIN) 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligationsan interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143, clarifies that obligations that are conditional upon a future event are subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 143.
SFAS No. 143 requires the use of an expected present value methodology in measuring asset retirement obligations that involves judgment surrounding the inherent uncertainty of the probability, amount and timing of payments to settle these obligations, and the appropriate interest rates to discount future cash flows. We use our best estimates in identifying and measuring our asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAS No. 143.
Our nuclear decommissioning costs represent our largest asset retirement obligation. This obligation primarily results from the requirement to decommission and decontaminate our nuclear generating facilities in connection with their future retirement. We utilize site-specific decommissioning cost estimates to determine our nuclear asset retirement obligations. However, given the magnitude of the amounts involved, complicated and ever-changing technical and regulatory requirements, and the very long time horizons involved, the actual obligation could vary from the assumptions used in our estimates, and the impact of such variations could be material.
Significant Events
Pending Merger with FPL Group, Inc.
On December 18, 2005, Constellation Energy entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with FPL Group, Inc. We discuss the details of this pending merger in Note 15.
Prior to the merger, which is subject to shareholder and various regulatory approvals, Constellation Energy and FPL Group will continue to operate as separate companies. The discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition beginning on the next page relates solely to Constellation Energy.
Commodity Prices
During 2005, the energy markets were affected by higher commodity prices caused by a tight supply and demand balance, the impact of hot weather, and hurricane-related supply disruptions in the Gulf Coast. These events contributed to the following changes in our financial statements:
We discuss the impact of higher commodity prices on our financial condition and results of operations in more detail in the following sections:
Discontinued Operations
In June 2005, we sold our Oleander generating facility and in October 2005, we sold Constellation Power International Investments, Ltd., which held our other nonregulated international investments. Our other nonregulated international investments included our interests in a Panamanian electric distribution facility and a fund that holds interests in two South American energy projects.
We discuss the sale of the Oleander generating facility and our other nonregulated international investments in more detail in the Note 2.
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition
In April 2005, we acquired Cogenex Corporation and in June 2005, we acquired working interests in gas producing fields in Texas and Alabama.
We discuss these transactions in more detail in Note 15.
Dividend Increase
In January 2006, we announced an increase in our quarterly dividend to $0.3775 per share on our common stock. This is equivalent to an annual rate of $1.51 per share. Previously, our quarterly dividend on our common stock was $0.335 per share, equivalent to an annual rate of $1.34 per share.
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In this section, we discuss our earnings and the factors affecting them. We begin with a general overview, then separately discuss earnings for our operating segments. Significant changes in other income and expense, fixed charges, and income taxes are discussed in the aggregate for all segments in the Consolidated Nonoperating Income and Expenses section.
Overview
Results
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions, after-tax) |
||||||||||
Merchant energy | $ | 430.2 | $ | 426.4 | $ | 301.1 | |||||
Regulated electric | 149.4 | 131.1 | 107.5 | ||||||||
Regulated gas | 26.7 | 22.2 | 43.0 | ||||||||
Other nonregulated | 0.4 | (12.9 | ) | 5.1 | |||||||
Income from continuing operations and before cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles | 606.7 | 566.8 | 456.7 | ||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 23.6 | (27.1 | ) | 19.0 | |||||||
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles | (7.2 | ) | | (198.4 | ) | ||||||
Net Income | $ | 623.1 | $ | 539.7 | $ | 277.3 | |||||
Other Items Included in Operations: | |||||||||||
Non-qualifying hedges | $ | (24.9 | ) | $ | 0.2 | $ | (28.7 | ) | |||
Merger-related transaction costs | (15.6 | ) | | | |||||||
Workforce reduction costs | (2.6 | ) | (5.9 | ) | (1.3 | ) | |||||
Recognition of 2003 synthetic fuel tax credits | | 35.9 | | ||||||||
Total Other Items | $ | (43.1 | ) | $ | 30.2 | $ | (30.0 | ) | |||
2005
Our total net income for 2005 increased $83.4 million, or $0.35 per share, compared to the same period of 2004 mostly because of the following:
These increases were partially offset by the following:
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Earnings per share was impacted by additional dilution, including the issuance of 6.0 million shares of common stock on July 1, 2004.
2004
Our total net income for 2004 increased $262.4 million, or $1.46 per share, compared to the same period of 2003 mostly because of the following:
These increases were partially offset by the following:
Earnings per share was impacted by additional dilution resulting from the issuance of 6.0 million shares of common stock on July 1, 2004.
Merchant Energy Business
Background
Our merchant energy business is a competitive provider of energy solutions for various customers. We discuss the impact of deregulation on our merchant energy business in Item 1. BusinessCompetition section.
Our merchant energy business focuses on delivery of physical, customer-oriented products to producers and consumers, manages the risk and optimizes the value of our owned generation assets, and uses our portfolio management and trading capabilities both to manage risk and to deploy risk capital to generate additional returns.
We record merchant energy revenues and expenses in our financial results in different periods depending upon which portion of our business they affect. We discuss our revenue recognition policies in the Critical Accounting Policies section and in Note 1. We summarize our revenue and expense recognition policies as follows:
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Mark-to-market accounting requires us to make estimates and assumptions using judgment in determining the fair value of certain contracts and in recording revenues from those contracts. We discuss the effects of mark-to-market accounting on our results in the Competitive SupplyMark-to-Market section. We discuss mark-to-market accounting and the accounting policies for the merchant energy business further in the Critical Accounting Policies section and in Note 1.
Our wholesale marketing and risk management operation actively uses energy and energy-related commodities in order to manage our portfolio of energy purchases and sales to customers through structured transactions. As part of our risk management activities we trade energy and energy-related commodities and deploy risk capital in the management of our portfolio in order to earn additional returns. These activities are managed through daily value at risk and stop loss limits and liquidity guidelines, and may have a material impact on our financial results. We discuss the impact of our trading activities and value at risk in more detail in the Competitive SupplyMark-to-Market and Market Risk sections.
Results
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 14,786.1 | $ | 10,347.5 | $ | 7,587.5 | |||||
Fuel and purchased energy expenses | (12,308.9 | ) | (8,124.8 | ) | (5,702.2 | ) | |||||
Operating expenses | (1,364.3 | ) | (1,172.8 | ) | (932.8 | ) | |||||
Merger-related transaction costs | (11.2 | ) | | | |||||||
Workforce reduction costs | (4.4 | ) | (9.7 | ) | (1.2 | ) | |||||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | (269.6 | ) | (239.2 | ) | (214.6 | ) | |||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligations | (62.1 | ) | (53.2 | ) | (42.7 | ) | |||||
Taxes other than income taxes | (112.2 | ) | (88.5 | ) | (85.9 | ) | |||||
Income from Operations | $ | 653.4 | $ | 659.3 | $ | 608.1 | |||||
Income from continuing operations and before cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles (after-tax) | $ | 430.2 | $ | 426.4 | $ | 301.1 | |||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (after-tax) | 3.0 | (36.5 | ) | 11.9 | |||||||
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles (after-tax) | (7.4 | ) | | (198.4 | ) | ||||||
Net Income | $ | 425.8 | $ | 389.9 | $ | 114.6 | |||||
Other Items Included in Operations (after-tax) | |||||||||||
Non-qualifying hedges | $ | (24.9 | ) | $ | 0.2 | $ | (28.7 | ) | |||
Merger-related transaction costs | (10.4 | ) | | | |||||||
Workforce reduction costs | (2.6 | ) | (5.9 | ) | (0.7 | ) | |||||
Recognition of 2003 synthetic fuel tax credits | | 35.9 | | ||||||||
Total Other Items | $ | (37.9 | ) | $ | 30.2 | $ | (29.4 | ) | |||
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.
Above amounts include intercompany transactions eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Note 3 provides a reconciliation of operating results by segment to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Revenues and Fuel and Purchased Energy Expenses
Our merchant energy business manages the revenues we realize from the sale of energy to our customers and our costs of procuring fuel and energy. The difference between revenues and fuel and purchased energy expenses is the gross margin of our merchant energy business, and this measure is a useful tool for assessing the profitability of our merchant energy business. Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate to discuss the operating results of our merchant energy business by analyzing the changes in gross margin between periods. In managing our portfolio, we may terminate, restructure, or acquire contracts. Such transactions are within the normal course of managing our portfolio and may materially impact the timing of our recognition of revenues, fuel and purchased energy expenses, and cash flows.
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We analyze our merchant energy gross margin in the following categories because of the risk profile of each category, differences in the revenue sources, and the nature of fuel and purchased energy expenses. With the exception of a portion of our competitive supply activities that we are required to account for using the mark-to-market method of accounting, all of these activities are accounted for on an accrual basis.
We provide a summary of our revenues, fuel and purchased energy expenses, and gross margin as follows:
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
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|
(Dollar amounts in millions) |
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Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic Region | $ | 2,283.9 | $ | 1,925.6 | $ | 1,696.2 | ||||||||||||
Plants with Power Purchase Agreements | 829.6 | 714.5 | 574.6 | |||||||||||||||
Competitive Supply | ||||||||||||||||||
Retail | 6,942.3 | 4,280.0 | 2,567.7 | |||||||||||||||
Wholesale | 4,672.3 | 3,353.8 | 2,703.9 | |||||||||||||||
Other | 58.0 | 73.6 | 45.1 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 14,786.1 | $ | 10,347.5 | $ | 7,587.5 | ||||||||||||
Fuel and purchased energy expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic Region | $ | (1,436.5 | ) | $ | (946.9 | ) | $ | (711.6 | ) | |||||||||
Plants with Power Purchase Agreements | (79.6 | ) | (53.1 | ) | (48.0 | ) | ||||||||||||
Competitive Supply | ||||||||||||||||||
Retail | (6,668.2 | ) | (4,011.4 | ) | (2,389.5 | ) | ||||||||||||
Wholesale | (4,124.6 | ) | (3,113.4 | ) | (2,553.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other | | | | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | (12,308.9 | ) | $ | (8,124.8 | ) | $ | (5,702.2 | ) | |||||||||
Gross margin: |
|
% of Total |
|
% of Total |
|
% of Total |
||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic Region | $ | 847.4 | 34 | % | $ | 978.7 | 44 | % | $ | 984.6 | 52 | % | ||||||
Plants with Power Purchase Agreements | 750.0 | 30 | 661.4 | 30 | 526.6 | 28 | ||||||||||||
Competitive Supply | ||||||||||||||||||
Retail | 274.1 | 11 | 268.6 | 12 | 178.2 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Wholesale | 547.7 | 22 | 240.4 | 11 | 150.8 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Other | 58.0 | 3 | 73.6 | 3 | 45.1 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,477.2 | 100 | % | $ | 2,222.7 | 100 | % | $ | 1,885.3 | 100 | % | ||||||
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.
Mid-Atlantic Region
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||
Revenues | $ | 2,283.9 | $ | 1,925.6 | $ | 1,696.2 | ||||
Fuel and purchased energy expenses | (1,436.5 | ) | (946.9 | ) | (711.6 | ) | ||||
Gross margin | $ | 847.4 | $ | 978.7 | $ | 984.6 | ||||
The decrease in Mid-Atlantic Region gross margin in 2005 compared to 2004 is primarily due to rising commodity prices and hotter than normal weather during the third quarter of 2005, which resulted in higher load-serving costs. In addition, CTC revenues were $33.1 million lower during 2005 compared to the same period of 2004. These decreases in gross margin were partially offset by the absence of coal delivery issues that we experienced in 2004 that had a negative impact in that period. We discuss the coal delivery issues in the Business EnvironmentOther Factors section.
CTC revenues will continue to decrease as residential, commercial, and industrial customers complete their CTC obligation. CTC revenues will be completely phased-out for residential customers by June 30, 2006 and CTC revenues for commercial and industrial customers will begin to be phased-out after June 30, 2006. We discuss the change in CTC revenue over time in more detail in Item 1. Business.
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The slight decrease in Mid-Atlantic Region gross margin in 2004 compared to 2003 is primarily due to lower fossil plant availability resulting in lower gross margin of $17.0 million and higher coal costs primarily due to purchasing coal from alternative suppliers in 2004 at higher prices than in 2003 as a result of delays in deliveries. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in margin of $7.1 million related to new load-serving obligations, offset in part by lower volumes served to BGE resulting from small commercial customers leaving BGE's standard offer service due to the end of fixed-price service in June 2004.
Plants with Power Purchase Agreements
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||
Revenues | $ | 829.6 | $ | 714.5 | $ | 574.6 | ||||
Fuel and purchased energy expenses | (79.6 | ) | (53.1 | ) | (48.0 | ) | ||||
Gross margin | $ | 750.0 | $ | 661.4 | $ | 526.6 | ||||
The increase in gross margin from our Plants with Power Purchase Agreements in 2005 compared to 2004 was primarily due to:
These increases in gross margin were partially offset by $21.9 million primarily related to changes in commodity prices that had a negative impact on realized hedging activities related to the portion of these facilities sold into the wholesale market.
The increase in gross margin from our Plants with Power Purchase Agreements in 2004 compared to 2003 is primarily due to:
These increases in gross margin were partially offset by lower gross margin of $21.0 million at our Nine Mile Point facility primarily due to lower revenues from reduced contract prices for the output in 2004 compared to 2003 and lower generation.
Competitive Supply
Retail
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||
Accrual revenues | $ | 6,944.2 | $ | 4,281.0 | $ | 2,567.7 | ||||
Mark-to-market results recorded in earnings | 18.3 | (1.0 | ) | | ||||||
Fuel and purchased energy expenses | (6,688.4 | ) | (4,011.4 | ) | (2,389.5 | ) | ||||
Gross margin | $ | 274.1 | $ | 268.6 | $ | 178.2 | ||||
The slight increase in gross margin from our retail competitive supply activities in 2005 compared to 2004 is primarily due to serving approximately 20 million more megawatt hours in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly due to the growth of this operation and the positive impact of certain contracts that were recorded as mark-to-market. These increases were substantially offset by:
The increase in gross margin from our retail competitive supply activities in 2004 compared to 2003 is primarily due to higher electric gross margin of $66.1 million mostly due to:
In addition, we had higher gas gross margin contribution of $17.1 million from Blackhawk Energy Services and Kaztex Energy Management, which were acquired in October 2003. We discuss our acquisitions in more detail in Note 15.
Wholesale
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||
Accrual revenues | $ | 4,281.8 | $ | 3,253.7 | $ | 2,667.7 | ||||
Fuel and purchased energy expenses | (4,124.6 | ) | (3,113.4 | ) | (2,553.1 | ) | ||||
Wholesale accrual activities | 157.2 | 140.3 | 114.6 | |||||||
Mark-to-market results recorded in earnings | 390.5 | 100.1 | 36.2 | |||||||
Gross margin | $ | 547.7 | $ | 240.4 | $ | 150.8 | ||||
We analyze our wholesale accrual and mark-to-market competitive supply activities separately on the next page.
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Wholesale Accrual Activities
Our wholesale marketing and risk management operation's accrual gross margin was $16.9 million higher in 2005 compared to 2004 primarily due to newly originated and realized business in power, gas, and coal in 2005, including several contract terminations and restructurings. During 2005, we terminated or restructured several in-the-money contracts in exchange for upfront cash payments and a reduction or cancellation of future performance obligations. The termination or restructuring of two contracts allowed us to lower our exposure to performance risk under these contracts, and resulted in the realization of $77.0 million of pre-tax earnings in 2005 that would have been recognized over the life of these contracts. These increases were partially offset by lower gross margins of approximately $60 million mostly due to the absence of several favorable items, including settlements, power prices, and contracts that had a positive impact in 2004.
The increase in gross margin from our wholesale accrual activities in 2004 compared to 2003 is primarily due to approximately $50 million in the New England region due to higher realized contract margins in 2004 compared to 2003 and higher volumes served. This increase was partially offset by higher transportation costs for our gas trading portfolio of approximately $16 million. The transportation costs associated with this portfolio are accounted for on an accrual basis, while our gas trading portfolio is recorded as mark-to-market. In addition, we incurred higher operating costs of $5.0 million related to our South Carolina synthetic fuel facility.
Mark-to-Market
Mark-to-market results recorded in earnings include net gains and losses from origination, trading, and risk management activities for which we use the mark-to-market method of accounting. We discuss these activities and the mark-to-market method of accounting in more detail in the Critical Accounting Policies section and in Note 1.
As a result of the nature of our operations and the use of mark-to-market accounting for certain activities, mark-to-market earnings will fluctuate. We cannot predict these fluctuations, but the impact on our earnings could be material. We discuss our market risk in more detail in the Market Risk section. The primary factors that cause fluctuations in our mark-to-market results recorded in earnings are:
Mark-to-market results recorded in earnings were as follows:
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2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
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|
(In millions) |
|||||||||||
Unrealized mark-to-market results recorded in earnings | ||||||||||||
Origination gains | $ | 61.6 | $ | 19.7 | $ | 62.3 | ||||||
Risk management and trading | ||||||||||||
Unrealized changes in fair value | 347.2 | 79.4 | (26.1 | ) | ||||||||
Changes in valuation techniques | | | | |||||||||
Reclassification of settled contracts to realized | (257.7 | ) | (85.4 | ) | (123.5 | ) | ||||||
Total risk management and trading | 89.5 | (6.0 | ) | (149.6 | ) | |||||||
Total unrealized mark-to-market* | 151.1 | 13.7 | (87.3 | ) | ||||||||
Realized mark-to-market | 257.7 | 85.4 | 123.5 | |||||||||
Total mark-to-market results recorded in earnings | $ | 408.8 | $ | 99.1 | $ | 36.2 | ||||||
* Total unrealized mark-to-market is the sum of origination transactions and total risk management and trading.
Origination gains arise primarily from contracts that our wholesale marketing and risk management operation structures to meet the risk management needs of our customers. Transactions that result in origination gains may be unique and provide the potential for individually significant gains from a single transaction.
Origination gains represent the initial fair value recognized on these structured transactions. The recognition of origination gains is dependent on the existence of observable market data that validates the initial fair value of the contract. Origination gains arose primarily from:
As noted above, the recognition of origination gains is dependent on sufficient observable market data. Liquidity and market conditions impact our ability to identify sufficient, objective market-price information to permit recognition of origination gains. As a result, while our strategy and competitive position provide the opportunity to continue to originate such transactions, the level of origination gains we are able to recognize may vary from year to year as a result of the number, size, and market-price transparency of the individual transactions executed in any period.
Risk management and trading represents both realized and unrealized gains and losses from changes in the value of our portfolio, including the recognition of gains associated with decreases in the close-out adjustment when we are able to obtain sufficient market price information. We discuss the changes in mark-to-market results recorded in earnings on the next page. We show the relationship between our mark-to-market results recorded in earnings and the change in our net mark-to-market energy asset later on the next page.
45
Mark-to-market results recorded in earnings increased $309.7 million in 2005 compared to 2004 due to:
These increases in mark-to-market results recorded in earnings were partially offset by the impact of $41.5 million of higher mark-to-market losses on certain economic hedges that did not qualify for cash-flow hedge accounting treatment. We discuss these economic hedges in more detail below.
Mark-to-market results recorded in earnings increased $62.9 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of the impact of lower mark-to-market losses on economic hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment as discussed in more detail below and lower losses from risk management and trading activities primarily due to favorable changes in regional power prices, and price volatility. These increases were partially offset by a lower level of origination gains in 2004 compared to 2003. The lower level of origination gains is primarily due to higher individually significant gains on contracts in 2003 that had a positive impact in that period.
Changing forward prices result in shifting value between accrual contracts and the associated mark-to-market positions of certain contracts in New England that contain fuel adjustment clauses and gas transportation contract hedges, producing a timing difference in the recognition of earnings on these transactions. These mark-to-market hedges are economically effective; however, they do not qualify for cash-flow hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133. As a result, we recorded $41.2 million of pre-tax losses in 2005, $0.3 million of pre-tax gains in 2004, and pre-tax losses of $47.4 million in 2003. These mark-to-market gains and losses will be offset as we realize the related accrual load-serving positions in cash.
Mark-to-Market Energy Assets and Liabilities
Our mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities are comprised of derivative contracts. While some of our mark-to-market contracts represent commodities or instruments for which prices are available from external sources, other commodities and certain contracts are not actively traded and are valued using other pricing sources and modeling techniques to determine expected future market prices, contract quantities, or both. We discuss our modeling techniques later in this section.
Mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities consisted of the following:
At December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||
Current Assets | $ | 1,339.2 | $ | 567.3 | ||
Noncurrent Assets | 1,089.3 | 359.8 | ||||
Total Assets | 2,428.5 | 927.1 | ||||
Current Liabilities |
1,348.7 |
559.7 |
||||
Noncurrent Liabilities | 912.3 | 315.0 | ||||
Total Liabilities | 2,261.0 | 874.7 | ||||
Net mark-to-market energy asset | $ | 167.5 | $ | 52.4 | ||
The following are the primary sources of the change in net mark-to-market energy asset during 2005 and 2004:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||||||
Fair value beginning of year | $ | 52.4 | $ | 18.8 | ||||||||||
Changes in fair value recorded in earnings | ||||||||||||||
Origination gains | $ | 61.6 | $ | 19.7 | ||||||||||
Unrealized changes in fair value | 347.2 | 79.4 | ||||||||||||
Changes in valuation techniques | | | ||||||||||||
Reclassification of settled contracts to realized | (257.7 | ) | (85.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Total changes in fair value recorded in earnings | 151.1 | 13.7 | ||||||||||||
Contracts acquired | 17.4 | | ||||||||||||
Changes in value of exchange-listed futures and options | (119.9 | ) | (15.8 | ) | ||||||||||
Net change in premiums on options | 79.7 | 29.4 | ||||||||||||
Other changes in fair value | (13.2 | ) | 6.3 | |||||||||||
Fair value at end of year | $ | 167.5 | $ | 52.4 | ||||||||||
Changes in the net mark-to-market energy asset that affected earnings were as follows:
46
The net mark-to-market energy asset also changed due to the following items recorded in accounts other than in our Consolidated Statements of Income:
The settlement terms of our net mark-to-market energy asset and sources of fair value as of December 31, 2005 are as follows:
|
Settlement Term |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
Thereafter |
Fair Value |
||||||||||||||||
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Prices provided by external sources (1) | $ | (12.6 | ) | $ | 63.5 | $ | 81.8 | $ | (2.7 | ) | $ | (2.1 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | 127.9 | |||||
Prices based on models | 3.1 | 4.7 | 10.2 | (0.6 | ) | 17.5 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 39.6 | |||||||||||||||
Total net mark-to-market energy asset | $ | (9.5 | ) | $ | 68.2 | $ | 92.0 | $ | (3.3 | ) | $ | 15.4 | $ | 1.4 | $ | 3.3 | $ | 167.5 | ||||||
We manage our mark-to-market risk on a portfolio basis based upon the delivery period of our contracts and the individual components of the risks within each contract. Accordingly, we record and manage the energy purchase and sale obligations under our contracts in separate components based upon the commodity (e.g., electricity or gas), the product (e.g., electricity for delivery during peak or off-peak hours), the delivery location (e.g., by region), the risk profile (e.g., forward or option), and the delivery period (e.g., by month and year).
Consistent with our risk management practices, we have presented the information in the table above based upon the ability to obtain reliable prices for components of the risks in our contracts from external sources rather than on a contract-by-contract basis. Thus, the portion of long-term contracts that is valued using external price sources is presented under the caption "prices provided by external sources." This is consistent with how we manage our risk, and we believe it provides the best indication of the basis for the valuation of our portfolio. Since we manage our risk on a portfolio basis rather than contract-by-contract, it is not practicable to determine separately the portion of long-term contracts that is included in each valuation category. We describe the commodities, products, and delivery periods included in each valuation category in detail below.
The amounts for which fair value is determined using prices provided by external sources represent the portion of forward, swap, and option contracts for which price quotations are available through brokers or over-the-counter transactions. The term for which such price information is available varies by commodity, region, and product. The fair values included in this category are the following portions of our contracts:
The remainder of the net mark-to-market energy asset is valued using models. The portion of contracts for which such techniques are used includes standard products for which external prices are not available and customized products that are valued using modeling techniques to determine expected future market prices, contract quantities, or both.
47
Modeling techniques include estimating the present value of cash flows based upon underlying contractual terms and incorporate, where appropriate, option pricing models and statistical and simulation procedures. Inputs to the models include:
Additionally, we incorporate counterparty-specific credit quality and factors for market price and volatility uncertainty and other risks in our valuation. The inputs and factors used to determine fair value reflect management's best estimates.
The electricity, fuel, and other energy contracts we hold have varying terms to maturity, ranging from contracts for delivery the next hour to contracts with terms of ten years or more. Because an active, liquid electricity futures market comparable to that for other commodities has not developed, the majority of contracts used in the wholesale marketing and risk management operation are direct contracts between market participants and are not exchange-traded or financially settling contracts that can be readily liquidated in their entirety through an exchange or other market mechanism. Consequently, we and other market participants generally realize the value of these contracts as cash flows become due or payable under the terms of the contracts rather than through selling or liquidating the contracts themselves.
Consistent with our risk management practices, the amounts shown in the table on the previous page as being valued using prices from external sources include the portion of long-term contracts for which we can obtain reliable prices from external sources. The remaining portions of these long-term contracts are shown in the table as being valued using models. In order to realize the entire value of a long-term contract in a single transaction, we would need to sell or assign the entire contract. If we were to sell or assign any of our long-term contracts in their entirety, we may not realize the entire value reflected in the table. However, based upon the nature of the wholesale marketing and risk management operation, we expect to realize the value of these contracts, as well as any contracts we may enter into in the future to manage our risk, over time as the contracts and related hedges settle in accordance with their terms. We do not expect to realize the value of these contracts and related hedges by selling or assigning the contracts themselves in total.
The fair values in the table represent expected future cash flows based on the level of forward prices and volatility factors as of December 31, 2005 and could change significantly as a result of future changes in these factors. Additionally, because the depth and liquidity of the power markets vary substantially between regions and time periods, the prices used to determine fair value could be affected significantly by the volume of transactions executed.
Management uses its best estimates to determine the fair value of commodity and derivative contracts it holds and sells. These estimates consider various factors including closing exchange and over-the-counter price quotations, time value, volatility factors, and credit exposure. However, future market prices and actual quantities will vary from those used in recording mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities, and it is possible that such variations could be material.
Risk Management Assets and Liabilities
We record derivatives that qualify for designation as hedges under SFAS No. 133 in "Risk management assets and liabilities" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our risk management assets and liabilities consisted of the following:
At December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||
Current Assets | $ | 1,244.3 | $ | 471.5 | ||
Noncurrent Assets | 626.0 | 306.2 | ||||
Total Assets | 1,870.3 | 777.7 | ||||
Current Liabilities | 483.5 | 304.3 | ||||
Noncurrent Liabilities | 1,035.5 | 472.2 | ||||
Total Liabilities | 1,519.0 | 776.5 | ||||
Net risk management asset | $ | 351.3 | $ | 1.2 | ||
The significant increases in our gross risk management assets and liabilities were due primarily to higher commodity prices during 2005. These price increases resulted in larger positions with individual counterparties which must be recorded gross in our balance sheet unless a legal right of offset exists. The significant increase in our net risk management asset was due primarily to a contract that was previously designated as a cash-flow hedge that we elected to de-designate and to which the normal purchase and normal sales election was applied. At the point of de-designation, the fair value of the contract that was previously recorded in "Risk management liabilities" was reclassified to "Unamortized energy contract liabilities." These increases in our net risk management asset were partially offset by the assumption of below-market power sale agreements in connection with a customer contract restructuring. We discuss the de-designation of the cash-flow hedge in more detail on the next page. We discuss the customer contract restructuring transaction in more detail in Note 4.
48
Unamortized Energy Contract Assets and Liabilities
Unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities represent the remaining unamortized balance of nonderivative energy contracts that we acquired or derivatives designated as normal purchases and normal sales that we had previously recorded as "Mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities" or "Risk management assets and liabilities." Our unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities consisted of the following:
At December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||
Current Assets | $ | 55.6 | $ | 37.2 | ||
Noncurrent Assets | 141.2 | 80.1 | ||||
Total Assets | $ | 196.8 | $ | 117.3 | ||
Current Liabilities | $ | 489.5 | $ | 67.2 | ||
Noncurrent Liabilities | 1,118.7 | 86.2 | ||||
Total Liabilities | $ | 1,608.2 | $ | 153.4 | ||
During 2005, we acquired several pre-existing nonderivative contracts that had been originated by other parties in prior periods when market prices were lower than current levels. Upon acquisition, we received approximately $530 million in cash and other consideration and recorded a liability in "Unamortized energy contracts." In addition, during 2005, we designated as normal purchases and normal sales contracts that we had previously recorded as cash-flow hedges in "Risk management liabilities." This change in designation resulted in a reclassification of $888.5 million from "Risk management liabilities" to "Unamortized energy contracts." Since the original forecasted transaction is still probable of occurring, the amount recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive income" upon de-designation of the hedged position will remain and be amortized along with the unamortized energy contract liability. The de-designation and reclassification had no impact on our earnings.
Other
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||||
Revenues | $ | 58.0 | $ | 73.6 | $ | 45.1 | |||
Our merchant energy business holds up to a 50% voting interest in 24 operating domestic energy projects that consist of electric generation, fuel processing, or fuel handling facilities. Of these 24 projects, 17 are "qualifying facilities" that receive certain exemptions based on the facilities' energy source or the use of a cogeneration process. Earnings from our investments were $3.6 million in 2005, $18.0 million in 2004, and $2.1 million in 2003.
Other revenues decreased $15.6 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly due to an increased incentive fee and a deferred contingent transaction fee received from our synthetic fuel facilities located in Virginia and West Virginia that had a favorable impact in 2004.
The increase in revenues in 2004 compared to 2003 is primarily due to higher equity in earnings related to our minority investment in a facility that produces synthetic fuel from coal. This increase included $13.1 million of revenues related to an increased incentive fee and a deferred contingent transaction fee.
At December 31, 2005, our investment in qualifying facilities and domestic power projects consisted of the following:
Book Value at December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||
Project Type | |||||||
Coal | $ | 127.8 | $ | 128.7 | |||
Hydroelectric | 55.9 | 55.8 | |||||
Geothermal | 43.7 | 46.3 | |||||
Biomass | 48.0 | 50.2 | |||||
Fuel Processing | 23.8 | 22.5 | |||||
Solar | 7.0 | 10.4 | |||||
Total | $ | 306.2 | $ | 313.9 | |||
We believe the current market conditions for our equity-method investments that own geothermal, coal, hydroelectric, and fuel processing projects provide sufficient positive cash flows to recover our investments. We continuously monitor issues that potentially could impact future profitability of these investments, including environmental and legislative initiatives. We discuss certain risks and uncertainties in more detail in our Forward Looking Statements and Item 1A. Risk Factors sections. However, should future events cause these investments to become uneconomic, our investments in these projects could become impaired under the provisions of APB No. 18.
The ability to recover our costs in our equity-method investments that own biomass and solar projects is partially dependent upon subsidies from the State of California. Under the California Public Utility Act, subsidies currently exist in that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requires load-serving entities to identify a separate rate component to be collected from customers to fund the development of renewable resources technologies, including solar, biomass, and wind facilities. In addition, legislation in California requires that each load-serving entity increase its total procurement of eligible renewable energy resources by at least one percent per year so that 20% of its retail sales are procured from eligible renewable energy resources by 2017. The CPUC accelerated the deadline for compliance to 2010. The legislation also requires the California Energy Commission to award supplemental energy payments to load-serving entities to cover above-market costs of renewable energy.
49
Given the need for electric power and the desire for renewable resource technologies, we believe California will continue to subsidize the use of renewable energy to make these projects economical to operate. However, should the California legislation fail to adequately support the renewable energy initiatives, our equity-method investments in these types of projects could become impaired under the provisions of APB No. 18, and any losses recognized could be material. If our strategy were to change from an intent to hold to an intent to sell for any of our equity-method investments in qualifying facilities or power projects, we would need to adjust their book value to fair value, and that adjustment could be material. If we were to sell these investments in the current market, we may have losses that could be material.
Operating Expenses
Our merchant energy business operating expenses increased $191.5 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly due to the following:
These increases in expense were partially offset by lower operating expenses of $56.5 million at Nine Mile Point primarily due to lower refueling outage expenses and a lower number of employees and contractors.
Our merchant energy business operating expenses increased $240.0 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly due to the following:
Merger-Related Transaction Costs
We discuss our pending merger with FPL Group and related costs as discussed in more detail in Note 15.
Workforce Reduction Costs
Our merchant energy business recognized expenses associated with our workforce reduction efforts as discussed in more detail in Note 2.
Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Expense
Merchant energy depreciation, depletion, and amortization expenses increased $30.4 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly due to:
Merchant energy depreciation and amortization expense increased $24.6 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly due to:
Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligations
The increase in accretion expense of $8.9 million in 2005 compared to 2004 and $10.5 million in 2004 compared to 2003 is primarily due to Ginna which was acquired in June 2004 and the impact of normal compounding.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
Merchant energy taxes other than income taxes increased $23.7 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly due to $19.6 million related to higher gross receipts taxes at our retail electric operation and $4.0 million related to property taxes for Ginna.
50
Our regulated electric business is discussed in detail in Item 1. BusinessElectric Business section.
Results
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 2,036.5 | $ | 1,967.7 | $ | 1,921.6 | |||||
Electricity purchased for resale expenses | (1,068.9 | ) | (1,034.0 | ) | (1,023.5 | ) | |||||
Operations and maintenance expenses | (318.4 | ) | (304.2 | ) | (305.1 | ) | |||||
Merger-related transaction costs | (4.0 | ) | | | |||||||
Workforce reduction costs | | | (0.6 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (185.8 | ) | (194.2 | ) | (181.7 | ) | |||||
Taxes other than income taxes | (135.3 | ) | (132.8 | ) | (130.2 | ) | |||||
Income from Operations | $ | 324.1 | $ | 302.5 | $ | 280.5 | |||||
Net Income | $ | 149.4 | $ | 131.1 | $ | 107.5 | |||||
Other Items Included in Operations (after-tax) | |||||||||||
Merger-related transaction costs | $ | (3.7 | ) | | | ||||||
Workforce reduction costs | | | (0.4 | ) | |||||||
Total Other Items | $ | (3.7 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.4 | ) | |||
Above amounts include intercompany transactions eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Note 3 provides a reconciliation of operating results by segment to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Net income from the regulated electric business increased $18.3 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly because of the following:
These favorable results were partially offset by the following:
Net income from the regulated electric business increased $23.6 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of the following:
These favorable results were partially offset by the following:
Electric Revenues
The changes in electric revenues in 2005 and 2004 compared to the respective prior year were caused by:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||
Distribution volumes | $ | 21.3 | $ | 15.8 | ||
Standard offer service | 38.8 | 26.6 | ||||
Total change in electric revenues from electric system sales | 60.1 | 42.4 | ||||
Other | 8.7 | 3.7 | ||||
Total change in electric revenues | $ | 68.8 | $ | 46.1 | ||
Distribution Volumes
Distribution volumes are the amount of electricity that BGE delivers to customers in its service territory. The percentage changes in our electric system distribution volumes, by type of customer, in 2005 and 2004 compared to the respective prior year were:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Residential | 3.4 | % | 4.4 | % | |
Commercial | 5.1 | 0.9 | |||
Industrial | (6.4 | ) | (8.0 | ) |
In 2005, we distributed more electricity to residential customers compared to 2004 mostly due to warmer summer weather and an increased number of customers. We distributed more electricity to commercial customers mostly due to increased usage per customer, an increased number of customers, and warmer summer weather. We distributed less electricity to industrial customers mostly due to decreased usage per customer.
In 2004, we distributed more electricity to residential customers compared to 2003 mostly due to increased usage per customer, an increased number of customers, and warmer summer weather. We distributed about the same amount of electricity to commercial customers. We distributed less electricity to industrial customers mostly due to lower usage by industrial customers.
Standard Offer Service
BGE provides standard offer service for customers that do not select an alternative supplier as discussed in Item 1. BusinessElectric Regulatory Matters and Competition section.
51
Standard offer service revenues increased in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly because of increased standard offer service volumes to residential customers and increased standard offer service rates for all customers partially offset by lower standard offer service volumes associated with those commercial and industrial customers that elected alternative suppliers beginning July 1, 2004.
Standard offer service revenues increased in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of increased standard offer service volumes to residential customers, partially offset by lower revenues associated with commercial and industrial customers that elected an alternative supplier beginning July 1, 2004.
Electricity Purchased for Resale Expenses
BGE's actual costs of electricity purchased for resale expenses increased $34.9 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly because of increased standard offer service volumes to residential customers and higher costs to serve all standard offer service customers, partially offset by lower electricity purchased for resale expenses associated with commercial and industrial customers that elected alternative suppliers beginning July 1, 2004.
BGE's actual costs of electricity purchased for resale expenses increased $10.5 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of increased standard offer service volumes to residential customers and higher costs to serve all standard offer service customers, partially offset by lower electricity purchased for resale expenses associated with commercial and industrial customers that elected an alternative supplier beginning July 1, 2004.
Electric Operations and Maintenance Expenses
Regulated electric operations and maintenance expenses increased $14.2 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly due to higher compensation and benefit costs and the impact of inflation on other costs.
Regulated electric operations and maintenance expenses were about the same in 2004 compared to 2003. Hurricane Isabel caused $32.1 million of incremental distribution service restoration expenses in 2003. Other operations and maintenance expenses increased $31.2 million in 2004 compared to 2003. This increase was mostly due to:
Merger-Related Transaction Costs
We discuss our pending merger with FPL Group and related costs in more detail in Note 15.
Workforce Reduction Costs
BGE's electric business recognized expenses associated with our workforce reduction efforts as discussed in Note 2.
Electric Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Regulated electric depreciation and amortization expense decreased $8.4 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly because of the absence of $12.6 million of accelerated amortization expense associated with certain information technology assets replaced in 2004, partially offset by $4.2 million related to additional property placed in service.
Regulated electric depreciation and amortization expense increased $12.5 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of $7.6 million related to accelerated amortization expense associated with the replacement of information technology assets and $4.9 million related to additional property placed in service.
52
Our regulated gas business is discussed in detail in Item 1. BusinessGas Business section.
Results
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 972.8 | $ | 757.0 | $ | 726.0 | |||||
Gas purchased for resale expenses | (687.5 | ) | (484.3 | ) | (445.8 | ) | |||||
Operations and maintenance expenses | (131.8 | ) | (123.6 | ) | (101.1 | ) | |||||
Merger-related transaction costs | (1.4 | ) | | | |||||||
Workforce reduction costs | | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (46.6 | ) | (48.1 | ) | (46.6 | ) | |||||
Taxes other than income taxes | (33.1 | ) | (32.1 | ) | (27.9 | ) | |||||
Income from Operations | $ | 72.4 | $ | 68.9 | $ | 104.5 | |||||
Net Income | $ | 26.7 | $ | 22.2 | $ | 43.0 | |||||
Other Items Included in Operations (after-tax) | |||||||||||
Merger-related transaction costs | $ | (1.3 | ) | $ | | $ | | ||||
Workforce reduction costs | | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||
Total Other Items | $ | (1.3 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.1 | ) | |||
Above amounts include intercompany transactions eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Note 3 provides a reconciliation of operating results by segment to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Net income from our regulated gas business was about the same in 2005 compared to 2004.
Net income from our regulated gas business decreased $20.8 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of:
Gas Revenues
The changes in gas revenues in 2005 and 2004 compared to the respective prior year were caused by:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||
Distribution volumes | $ | 3.9 | $ | (7.2 | ) | ||
Base rates | 2.6 | (0.1 | ) | ||||
Weather normalization | 2.5 | 5.4 | |||||
Gas cost adjustments | 129.1 | 40.5 | |||||
Total change in gas revenues from gas system sales | 138.1 | 38.6 | |||||
Off-system sales | 77.5 | (7.6 | ) | ||||
Other | 0.2 | | |||||
Total change in gas revenues | $ | 215.8 | $ | 31.0 | |||
Distribution Volumes
The percentage changes in our distribution volumes, by type of customer, in 2005 and 2004 compared to the respective prior year were:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Residential | (1.3)% | (5.1)% | ||
Commercial | (9.0) | 10.1 | ||
Industrial | 33.6 | (22.3) |
In 2005, we distributed less gas to residential and commercial customers compared to 2004 mostly due to decreased usage per customer partially offset by colder winter weather and an increased number of customers. We distributed more gas to industrial customers mostly due to increased usage per customer.
In 2004, we distributed less gas to residential customers compared to 2003 mostly due to milder winter weather and lower usage per customer. We distributed more gas to commercial customers mostly due to increased usage and an increased number of customers. We distributed less gas to industrial customers mostly due to lower usage per customer.
Base Rates
In April 2005, BGE filed an application for a $52.7 million annual increase in its gas base rates. The Maryland PSC issued an order in December 2005 granting BGE an annual increase of $35.6 million. Certain parties to the proceeding have sought judicial review and Maryland PSC rehearing of the decision. BGE will not seek review of any aspect of the order. We cannot provide assurance that a court will not reverse any aspect of the order or that it will not remand certain issues to the Maryland PSC.
53
Weather Normalization
The Maryland PSC allows us to record a monthly adjustment to our gas distribution revenues to eliminate the effect of abnormal weather patterns on our gas distribution volumes. This means our monthly gas distribution revenues are based on weather that is considered "normal" for the month and, therefore, are not affected by actual weather conditions.
Gas Cost Adjustments
We charge our gas customers for the natural gas they purchase from us using gas cost adjustment clauses set by the Maryland PSC as described in Note 1. However, under the market-based rates mechanism approved by the Maryland PSC, our actual cost of gas is compared to a market index (a measure of the market price of gas in a given period). The difference between our actual cost and the market index is shared equally between shareholders and customers.
Customers who do not purchase gas from BGE are not subject to the gas cost adjustment clauses because we are not selling gas to them. However, these customers are charged base rates to recover the costs BGE incurs to deliver their gas through our distribution system, and are included in the gas distribution volume revenues.
Gas cost adjustment revenues increased in 2005 compared to 2004 because we sold more gas at higher prices.
Gas cost adjustment revenues increased in 2004 compared to 2003 because we sold gas at a higher price partially offset by less gas sold.
Off-System Sales
Off-system gas sales are low-margin direct sales of gas to wholesale suppliers of natural gas outside our service territory. Off-system gas sales, which occur after BGE satisfied its customers' demand, are not subject to gas cost adjustments. The Maryland PSC approved an arrangement for part of the margin from off-system sales to benefit customers (through reduced costs) and the remainder to be retained by BGE (which benefits shareholders). Changes in off-system sales do not significantly impact earnings.
Revenues from off-system gas sales increased in 2005 compared to 2004 because we sold more gas at higher prices.
Revenues from off-system gas sales decreased in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of less gas sold.
Gas Purchased For Resale Expenses
Gas purchased for resale expenses include the cost of gas purchased for resale to our customers and for off-system sales. These costs do not include the cost of gas purchased by delivery service only customers.
Gas purchased for resale expenses increased in 2005 compared to 2004 because we purchased more gas at higher prices.
Gas purchased for resale expenses increased in 2004 as compared to 2003 mostly because of higher gas prices partially offset by less gas sold.
Gas Operations and Maintenance Expenses
Regulated gas operations and maintenance expenses increased $8.2 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly due to higher compensation and benefit costs and the impact of inflation on other costs.
Regulated gas operations and maintenance expenses increased $22.5 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of:
Merger-Related Transaction Costs
We discuss our pending merger with FPL Group and related costs in more detail in Note 15.
Workforce Reduction Costs
BGE's gas business recognized expenses associated with our workforce reduction efforts as discussed in Note 2.
54
Results
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 207.0 | $ | 201.1 | $ | 399.6 | |||||
Operating expenses | (156.2 | ) | (180.0 | ) | (355.1 | ) | |||||
Merger-related transaction costs | (0.4 | ) | | | |||||||
Workforce reduction costs | | | (0.2 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (40.2 | ) | (24.2 | ) | (11.0 | ) | |||||
Taxes other than income taxes | (2.0 | ) | (2.4 | ) | (3.3 | ) | |||||
Income from Operations | $ | 8.2 | $ | (5.5 | ) | $ | 30.0 | ||||
Income from continuing operations and before cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles (after-tax) | $ | 0.4 | $ | (12.9 | ) | $ | 5.1 | ||||
Income from discontinued operations (after-tax) | 20.6 | 9.4 | 7.1 | ||||||||
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles (after-tax) | 0.2 | | | ||||||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | 21.2 | $ | (3.5 | ) | $ | 12.2 | ||||
Other Items Included In Operations (after-tax) | |||||||||||
Merger-related transaction costs | $ | (0.2 | ) | | | ||||||
Workforce reduction costs | | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||
Total Other Items | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.1 | ) | |||
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.
Above amounts include intercompany transactions eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Note 3 provides a reconciliation of operating results by segment to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Net income from our other nonregulated businesses increased $24.7 million in 2005 compared to 2004 primarily due to:
These increases were partially offset by $4.9 million lower net income from our other nonregulated international investments due to their sale in October 2005. We discuss the sale of our other nonregulated international investments in more detail in Note 2.
Net income from our other nonregulated businesses decreased $15.7 million during 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of a $16.4 million after-tax net gain on sales of investments and other assets in 2003 that had a positive impact in that period.
In 2001, we decided to sell certain non-core assets and accelerate the exit strategies on other assets that we continued to hold and own. While our intent is to dispose of these remaining non-core assets, market conditions and other events beyond our control may affect the actual sale of these assets. In addition, a future decline in the fair value of these assets could result in losses that could have a material impact on our financial results.
Consolidated Nonoperating Income and Expenses
Other Income
Other income increased $37.5 million in 2005 compared to 2004 primarily because of higher interest and investment income due to a higher cash balance and higher decommissioning trust asset earnings and gains on the sales of land at BGE.
Other income increased $4.6 million during 2004 as compared to 2003 mostly because of higher earnings from consolidated investments where our ownership is less than 100%, which resulted in increased minority interest expense.
Total other income at BGE increased $12.3 million in 2005 compared to 2004 primarily due to approximately $7 million of gains on the sales of land.
Fixed Charges
Total fixed charges decreased $16.7 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly because of the benefit of lower interest rates due to interest rate swaps entered into during the third quarter of 2004 and a lower level of debt outstanding. We discuss the interest rate swaps in more detail in Note 13.
Total fixed charges decreased $9.7 million during 2004 as compared to 2003 mostly because of a lower level of debt outstanding and the benefit of lower interest rates due to interest rate swaps entered into during the third quarter of 2004.
Total fixed charges for BGE decreased $2.7 million in 2005 compared to 2004 mostly because of a lower level of debt outstanding.
Total fixed charges for BGE decreased $15.0 million during 2004 compared to 2003 mostly because of a lower level of debt outstanding.
Income Taxes
The differences in income taxes result from a combination of the changes in income and the impact of the recognition of tax credits on the effective tax rate. We include an analysis of the changes in the effective tax rate in Note 10.
The Internal Revenue Code provides for a phase-out of synthetic fuel tax credits if average annual wellhead oil prices increase above certain levels. Each year, we are required to compare average annual wellhead oil prices per barrel as published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (reference price) to a Gross National Product inflation adjusted oil price for the year, also published by the IRS. The reference price is determined based on wellhead prices for all domestic oil production as published by the Energy Information Administration. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, we estimate that the reference price averaged approximately $6 per barrel lower than the NYMEX price for light, sweet crude oil. For 2006, we estimate the credit reduction would begin if the reference price exceeds approximately $54 per barrel and would be fully phased out if the reference price exceeds approximately $68 per barrel.
If oil prices remain at high levels, a portion of our synthetic fuel tax credits could be phased-out in 2006 and 2007. Market forwards and volatilities as of mid-February 2006 would indicate
55
a 25-35% tax credit phase-out (approximately $35-$50 million) in 2006.
We actively monitor and manage our exposure to synthetic fuel tax credit phase-out as part of our ongoing hedging activities. In addition, we may reduce synthetic fuel production depending on our expectation of the level of tax credit phase-out. The objective of these activities is to reduce the potential losses we could incur if the reference price in a year exceeds a level triggering a phase-out of synthetic fuel tax credits.
While we believe the production and sale of synthetic fuel from all of our synthetic fuel facilities meet the conditions to qualify for tax credits under the IRC, we cannot predict the timing or outcome of any future challenge by the IRS, legislative or regulatory action, oil prices, the effectiveness of our hedging program, or the ultimate impact of such events on the synthetic fuel tax credits that we have claimed to date or expect to claim in the future, but the impact could be material to our financial results.
Pension Expense
Our actual return on our qualified pension plan assets was 7.4% for the year ended December 31, 2005. In 2005, we assumed an expected return on pension plan assets of 9.0% for the purpose of computing annual net periodic pension expense in accordance with SFAS No. 87, Employers' Accounting for Pensions. Differences between actual and expected returns are deferred along with other actuarial gains and losses and reflected in future net periodic pension expense in accordance with SFAS No. 87. Expected and actual returns on pension assets also are affected by plan contributions. Effective in 2006, we have reduced our assumed expected return on pension plan assets from 9.0% to 8.75% based on a fundamental analysis utilizing expected long-term returns applied to our targeted asset allocation.
Effective December 31, 2005, we also changed the mortality table we are utilizing to determine our benefit obligation and annual expense to reflect more current life expectancy experience.
The combined impact of these changes will increase 2006 and subsequent year pension and postretirement benefit expense by approximately $14 million.
We expect to contribute $52 million to our pension plans in 2006, even though there is no required IRS minimum contribution for 2006.
At December 31, 2005, we recorded an after-tax charge to equity of $77.1 million as a result of increasing our additional minimum pension liability. We discuss our pension plans in more detail in Note 7.
56
The following table summarizes our 2005 cash flows by business segment, as well as our consolidated cash flows for 2005, 2004, and 2003.
|
2005 Segment Cash Flows |
Consolidated Cash Flows |
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Merchant |
Regulated |
Other |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||||||
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Operating Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 425.8 | $ | 176.1 | $ | 21.2 | $ | 623.1 | $ | 539.7 | $ | 277.3 | ||||||||
Non-cash adjustments to net income | 475.8 | 220.9 | 55.0 | 751.7 | 916.4 | 944.2 | ||||||||||||||
Changes in working capital | (686.7 | ) | (64.0 | ) | (24.6 | ) | (775.3 | ) | (319.6 | ) | (50.0 | ) | ||||||||
Pension and postemployment benefits* | 23.6 | (3.0 | ) | (69.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Other | (13.8 | ) | (33.8 | ) | 51.7 | 4.1 | (46.7 | ) | (44.3 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 201.1 | 299.2 | 103.3 | 627.2 | 1,086.8 | 1,057.8 | ||||||||||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
Investments in property, plant and equipment | (464.7 | ) | (269.3 | ) | (26.0 | ) | (760.0 | ) | (703.6 | ) | (635.7 | ) | ||||||||
Contract and portfolio acquisitions | (336.2 | ) | | | (336.2 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Asset acquisitions and business combinations, net of cash acquired | (216.3 | ) | | (20.9 | ) | (237.2 | ) | (457.3 | ) | (546.6 | ) | |||||||||
Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | (370.8 | ) | | | (370.8 | ) | (424.2 | ) | (176.0 | ) | ||||||||||
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust funds securities | 353.2 | | | 353.2 | 402.2 | 162.8 | ||||||||||||||
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations | 217.6 | | 71.8 | 289.4 | 72.7 | | ||||||||||||||
Sale of investments and other assets | 0.4 | 11.0 | 3.0 | 14.4 | 36.1 | 148.8 | ||||||||||||||
Issuances of loans receivable | (82.8 | ) | | | (82.8 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Other investments | (36.8 | ) | (10.4 | ) | 3.2 | (44.0 | ) | (78.6 | ) | (113.6 | ) | |||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (936.4 | ) | (268.7 | ) | 31.1 | (1,174.0 | ) | (1,152.7 | ) | (1,160.3 | ) | |||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities less cash flows from investing activities | $ | (735.3 | ) | $ | 30.5 | $ | 134.4 | (546.8 | ) | (65.9 | ) | (102.5 | ) | |||||||
Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net (repayment) issuance of debt* | (339.6 | ) | (152.8 | ) | 274.9 | |||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock* | 96.9 | 293.9 | 95.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends paid* | (228.8 | ) | (189.7 | ) | (169.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Proceeds from contract and portfolio acquisitions | 1,026.9 | 117.5 | | |||||||||||||||||
Other* | 98.1 | (18.0 | ) | 7.7 | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 653.5 | 50.9 | 208.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 106.7 | $ | (15.0 | ) | $ | 106.3 | |||||||||||||
* Items are not allocated to the business segments because they are managed for the company as a whole.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $627.2 million in 2005 compared to $1,086.8 million in 2004. Net income was higher by $83.4 million in 2005 compared to 2004. Non-cash adjustments to net income were $164.7 million lower in 2005 compared to 2004. The decrease in non-cash adjustments to net income was primarily due to the reclassification of $72.6 million of proceeds from derivative power sales contracts as financing activities under SFAS No. 149, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 on Derivative and Hedging Activities and $63.9 million related to the impact of discontinued operations.
Changes in working capital had a negative impact of $775.3 million on cash flow from operations in 2005 compared to a negative impact of $319.6 million in 2004. The decrease of $455.7 million was due to a $598 million unfavorable change in working capital primarily related to our accounts receivable, accounts payable, and fuel stocks mostly due to higher commodity prices, increased value of emissions credits, and business growth. This was partially offset by an increase of $142 million of net cash collateral received, which was also due to higher commodity prices.
Cash provided by operating activities was $1,086.8 million in 2004 compared to $1,057.8 million in 2003. Non-cash adjustments to net income were $27.8 million lower in 2004 compared to 2003. The decrease in non-cash adjustments to net income was primarily due to the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles of $198.4 million as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 143 and EITF 02-3 in 2003, which had the effect of reducing net income in 2003 but were non-cash transactions. This decrease in non-cash adjustments to net income was offset in part by the following increases in non-cash adjustments in 2004:
57
Changes in working capital had a negative impact of $319.6 million on cash flow from operations in 2004 compared to a negative impact of $50.0 million in 2003. The $269.6 million decrease in cash due to working capital changes was primarily due to the following uses of cash in 2004 compared to 2003:
These items were partially offset by a source of cash of approximately $90 million in 2004 compared to 2003 primarily due to other favorable working capital changes as a result of higher accrued expenses in 2004 compared to 2003.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $1,174.0 million in 2005 compared to $1,152.7 million in 2004. The slight increase in cash used in investing activities was mostly due to $336.2 million of cash paid for contract and portfolio acquisitions and $82.8 million in issuances of loans receivable related primarily to a customer contract restructuring. We discuss contract and portfolio acquisitions in more detail below, and the customer contract restructuring is discussed in more detail in Note 4. These increases in cash used in 2005 compared to 2004 were partially offset by less cash paid for asset acquisitions and business combinations of $220.1 million in 2005 compared to 2004 and an increase in cash proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations of $216.7 million, primarily due to the sale of Oleander and our other nonregulated international investments in 2005 as discussed in more detail in Note 2.
Cash used in investing activities in 2004 was about the same as in 2003 primarily due to the decrease in cash used for acquisitions and proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations in 2004, substantially offsetting increased spending on property, plant and equipment and a decrease in cash proceeds from the sale of investments and other assets in 2004 compared to 2003.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities was $653.5 million in 2005 compared to $50.9 million in 2004. The increase in 2005 compared to 2004 was mostly due to an increase in proceeds from contract and portfolio acquisitions of $909.4 million. We discuss proceeds from contract and portfolio acquisitions in more detail below. This increase in cash provided by financing activities was partially offset by a reduction in proceeds from issuances of common stock, an increase in cash used for repayments of debt, and higher dividend payments in 2005 compared to 2004.
Cash provided by financing activities decreased $157.9 million in 2004 compared to 2003 mostly due to lower issuance of net debt in 2004 compared to 2003, partially offset by higher proceeds from common stock issuances.
Contract and Portfolio Acquisitions
During 2004 and 2005, our merchant energy business acquired several pre-existing energy purchase and sale agreements, which generated significant cash flows at the inception of the contracts. These agreements had contract prices that differed from market prices at closing, which resulted in cash payments from the counterparty at the acquisition of the contract. We received $117.5 million in 2004 and $690.7 million in 2005 for various contract and portfolio acquisitions. We reflect the underlying contracts on a gross basis as assets or liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets depending on whether they were at above- or below-market prices at closing; therefore, we have also reflected them on a gross basis in cash flows from investing and financing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as follows:
Year ended December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||
Financing activitiesproceeds from contract and portfolio acquisitions | $ | 1,026.9 | $ | 117.5 | ||
Investing activitiescontract and portfolio acquisitions | (336.2 | ) | | |||
Cash flows from contract and portfolio acquisitions | $ | 690.7 | $ | 117.5 | ||
We record the proceeds we receive to acquire energy purchase and sale agreements as a financing cash inflow because it constitutes a prepayment for a portion of the market price of energy, which we will buy or sell over the term of the agreements and does not represent a cash inflow from current period operating activities. For those acquired contracts that are derivatives, we record the ongoing cash flows related to the contract with the counterparties as financing cash inflows in accordance with SFAS No. 149.
We discuss certain of these contract and portfolio acquisitions in more detail in Note 4 and Note 5.
58
Independent credit-rating agencies rate Constellation Energy's and BGE's fixed-income securities. The ratings indicate the agencies' assessment of each company's ability to pay interest, distributions, dividends, and principal on these securities. These ratings affect how much it will cost each company to sell these securities. The better the rating, the lower the cost of the securities to each company when they sell them.
The factors that credit rating agencies consider in establishing Constellation Energy's and BGE's credit ratings include, but are not limited to, cash flows, liquidity, business risk profile, and the amount of debt as a component of total capitalization. At the date of this report, our credit ratings were as follows:
|
Standard & Poors Rating Group |
Moody's Investors Service |
Fitch- Ratings |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Constellation Energy | |||||||
Commercial Paper | A-2 | P-2 | F-2 | ||||
Senior Unsecured Debt | BBB | Baa1 | A- | ||||
BGE | |||||||
Commercial Paper | A-2 | P-1 | F-1 | ||||
Mortgage Bonds | A | A1 | A+ | ||||
Senior Unsecured Debt | BBB+ | A2 | A | ||||
Trust Preferred Securities | BBB- | A3 | A- | ||||
Preference Stock | BBB- | Baa1 | A- |
In December 2005, in conjunction with the announcement of the pending merger between Constellation Energy and FPL Group, Standard & Poors Rating Group and Moody's Investors Service reviewed our ratings and took the following actions:
Fitch-Ratings outlook for Constellation Energy and BGE remains stable. We discuss the pending merger in more detail in Note 15.
We continuously monitor our liquidity requirements and believe that our credit facilities and access to the capital markets provide sufficient liquidity to meet our business requirements. We discuss our available sources of funding in more detail below.
Constellation Energy
In addition to our cash balance, we have a commercial paper program under which we can issue short-term notes to fund our subsidiaries. At December 31, 2005, we had approximately $3.6 billion of credit under several facilities. These facilities include:
We enter into these facilities to ensure adequate liquidity to support our operations. Currently, we use the facilities to issue letters of credit primarily for our merchant energy business. Additionally, we can borrow directly from the banks or use the facilities to allow the issuance of commercial paper with the exception of the $200 million bilateral facility, which only supports letters of credit. We had $290.0 million of commercial paper outstanding at February 28, 2006.
These revolving credit facilities allow the issuance of letters of credit up to approximately $3.6 billion. At December 31, 2005, letters of credit that totaled $2.5 billion were issued under all of our facilities, which results in approximately $1.1 billion of unused credit facilities.
We expect to fund future acquisitions with an overall goal of maintaining a strong investment grade credit profile.
BGE
BGE maintains $200.0 million in annual committed credit facilities, expiring May 2006 through November 2006. BGE can borrow directly from the banks or use the facilities to allow commercial paper to be issued. As of December 31, 2005, BGE had no outstanding commercial paper, which results in $200.0 million in unused credit facilities.
Other Nonregulated Businesses
If we can get a reasonable value for our remaining real estate projects and other investments, additional cash may be obtained by selling them. Our ability to sell or liquidate assets will depend on market conditions, and we cannot give assurances that these sales or liquidations could be made.
Our actual consolidated capital requirements for the years 2003 through 2005, along with the estimated annual amount for 2006, are shown in the table on the next page.
We will continue to have cash requirements for:
Capital requirements for 2006 and 2007 include estimates of spending for existing and anticipated projects. We continuously review and modify those estimates. Actual requirements may vary from the estimates included in the table on the next page because of a number of factors including:
59
Our estimates are also subject to additional factors. Please see the Forward Looking Statements section.
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||||||
Nonregulated Capital Requirements: | ||||||||||||||
Merchant energy (excludes acquisitions) | ||||||||||||||
Generation plants | $ | 175 | $ | 182 | $ | 182 | $ | 195 | ||||||
Nuclear fuel | 59 | 133 | 130 | 140 | ||||||||||
Environmental controls | 12 | | 1 | 40 | ||||||||||
Portfolio acquisitions/investments | 51 | 11 | 231 | 395 | ||||||||||
Technology/other | 122 | 129 | 165 | 185 | ||||||||||
Total merchant energy capital requirements | 419 | 455 | 709 | 955 | ||||||||||
Other nonregulated capital requirements | 53 | 42 | 32 | 20 | ||||||||||
Total nonregulated capital requirements | 472 | 497 | 741 | 975 | ||||||||||
Regulated Capital Requirements: | ||||||||||||||
Regulated electric | 236 | 209 | 241 | 275 | ||||||||||
Regulated gas | 53 | 56 | 50 | 95 | ||||||||||
Total regulated capital requirements | 289 | 265 | 291 | 370 | ||||||||||
Total capital requirements | $ | 761 | $ | 762 | $ | 1,032 | $ | 1,345 | ||||||
The table above does not include amounts related to pre-acquisition capital requirements but does include post-acquisition capital requirements. We discuss our acquisitions in more detail in Note 15.
As of the date of this report, we have not completed our 2007 capital budgeting process, but expect our 2007 capital requirements to be approximately $1,330 million.
Our environmental controls capital requirements are affected by new rules or regulations that require modifications to our facilities. Based on information currently available to us regarding recently issued regulations, we will install additional air emission control equipment at our coal-fired generating facilities in Maryland and at co-owned coal-fired generating facilities in Pennsylvania. We estimate another $400-$500 million of capital spending from 2008-2010. We discuss environmental matters in more detail in Item 1. BusinessEnvironmental Matters.
Merchant Energy Business
Our merchant energy business' capital requirements consist of its continuing requirements, including expenditures for:
Regulated Electric and Gas
Regulated electric and gas construction expenditures primarily include new business construction needs and improvements to existing facilities, including projects to improve reliability. Capital requirements for 2003 in the table above include $32.0 million in costs incurred as a result of Hurricane Isabel to restore the electric distribution system.
Funding for Capital Requirements
Merchant Energy Business
Funding for the expansion of our merchant energy business is expected from internally generated funds. We also have available sources from commercial paper issuances, issuances of long-term debt and equity, leases, and other financing activities.
The projects that our merchant energy business develops typically require substantial capital investment. Many of the qualifying facilities and independent power projects that we have an interest in are financed primarily with non-recourse debt that is repaid from the project's cash flows. This debt is collateralized by interests in the physical assets, major project contracts and agreements, cash accounts and, in some cases, the ownership interest in that project.
We expect to fund acquisitions with a mixture of debt and equity with an overall goal of maintaining a strong investment grade credit profile.
Regulated Electric and Gas
Funding for regulated electric and gas capital expenditures is expected from internally generated funds. During 2006, we expect our regulated business to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to meet BGE's operating requirements. If necessary, additional funding may be obtained from commercial paper issuances, available capacity under credit facilities, the issuance of long-term debt, trust preferred securities, or preference stock, and/or from time to time equity contributions from Constellation Energy. BGE also participates in a cash pool administered by Constellation Energy as discussed in Note 16.
Other Nonregulated Businesses
Funding for our other nonregulated businesses is expected from internally generated funds, commercial paper issuances, issuances of long-term debt of Constellation Energy, sales of securities and assets, and/or from time to time equity contributions from Constellation Energy.
Our ability to sell or liquidate securities and non-core assets will depend on market conditions, and we cannot give assurances that these sales or liquidations could be made. We discuss our remaining non-core assets and market conditions in the Results of OperationsOther Nonregulated Businesses section.
60
Contractual Payment Obligations and Committed Amounts
We enter into various agreements that result in contractual payment obligations in connection with our business activities. These obligations primarily relate to our financing arrangements (such as long-term debt, preference stock, and operating leases), purchases of capacity and energy to support the growth in our merchant energy business activities, and purchases of fuel and transportation to satisfy the fuel requirements of our power generating facilities.
Our total contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2005, increased $2.1 billion compared to 2004 primarily due to an increase in fuel and transportation obligations. The increase in fuel and transportation obligations was mostly due to increased gas prices due to supply and demand imbalances and hurricane-related disruptions in the Gulf Coast and new contracts related to gas and nuclear fuel procurement. We detail our contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2005 in the following table:
|
Payments |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2006 |
2007- 2008 |
2009- 2010 |
Thereafter |
Total |
|||||||||||||
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||||||||||
Contractual Payment Obligations | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt:1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Nonregulated | ||||||||||||||||||
Principal | $ | 21.7 | $ | 627.4 | $ | 501.4 | $ | 2,256.1 | $ | 3,406.6 | ||||||||
Interest | 213.7 | 358.8 | 309.4 | 1,647.6 | 2,529.5 | |||||||||||||
Total | 235.4 | 986.2 | 810.8 | 3,903.7 | 5,936.1 | |||||||||||||
BGE | ||||||||||||||||||
Principal | 444.6 | 416.8 | 11.5 | 589.1 | 1,462.0 | |||||||||||||
Interest | 83.9 | 97.5 | 71.2 | 775.1 | 1,027.7 | |||||||||||||
Total | 528.5 | 514.3 | 82.7 | 1,364.2 | 2,489.7 | |||||||||||||
BGE preference stock | | | | 190.0 | 190.0 | |||||||||||||
Operating leases2 | 159.6 | 262.6 | 93.8 | 325.5 | 841.5 | |||||||||||||
Purchase obligations:3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Purchased capacity and energy4 | 697.6 | 891.5 | 308.5 | 162.7 | 2,060.3 | |||||||||||||
Fuel and transportation | 2,360.3 | 1,054.6 | 436.2 | 575.5 | 4,426.6 | |||||||||||||
Other | 140.3 | 137.7 | 46.5 | 145.6 | 470.1 | |||||||||||||
Other noncurrent liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||
Postretirement and postemployment benefits5 | 33.2 | 76.7 | 83.9 | 188.8 | 382.6 | |||||||||||||
Total contractual payment obligations | $ | 4,154.9 | $ | 3,923.6 | $ | 1,862.4 | $ | 6,856.0 | $ | 16,796.9 | ||||||||
1 | Amounts in long-term debt reflect the original maturity date. Investors may require us to repay $282.3 million early through put options and remarketing features. Interest on variable rate debt is included based on the December 31, 2005 forward curve for interest rates. | |
2 | Our operating lease commitments include future payment obligations under certain power purchase agreements as discussed further in Note 11. | |
3 | Contracts to purchase goods or services that specify all significant terms. Amounts related to certain purchase obligations are based on future purchase expectations which may differ from actual purchases. | |
4 | Our contractual obligations for purchased capacity and energy are shown on a gross basis for certain transactions, including both the fixed payment portions of tolling contracts and estimated variable payments under unit-contingent power purchase agreements. We have recorded $3.0 million of liabilities related to purchased capacity and energy obligations at December 31, 2005 in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. | |
5 | Amounts related to postretirement and postemployment benefits are for unfunded plans and reflect present value amounts consistent with the determination of the related liabilities recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as discussed in Note 7. |
The table below presents our contingent obligations. Our contingent obligations increased $4.4 billion during 2005, primarily due to the issuance of additional letters of credit and guarantees by the parent company for subsidiary obligations to third parties in support of the growth of our merchant energy business. These amounts do not represent incremental consolidated Constellation Energy obligations; rather, they primarily represent parental guarantees of certain subsidiary obligations to third parties. Our calculation of the fair value of subsidiary obligations covered by the $8,268.5 million of parent company guarantees was $2,830.5 million at December 31, 2005. Accordingly, if the parent company was required to fund subsidiary obligations, the total amount based on December 31, 2005 market prices is $2,830.5 million.
|
Expiration |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2006 |
2007- 2008 |
2009- 2010 |
Thereafter |
Total |
|||||||||||
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||||||||
Contingent Obligations | ||||||||||||||||
Letters of credit | $ | 2,477.5 | $ | 8.6 | $ | | $ | | $ | 2,486.1 | ||||||
Guaranteescompetitive supply1 | 5,514.1 | 546.1 | 251.6 | 1,956.7 | 8,268.5 | |||||||||||
Other guarantees, net2 | 5.6 | 13.3 | 1.8 | 1,237.0 | 1,257.7 | |||||||||||
Total contingent obligations | $ | 7,997.2 | $ | 568.0 | $ | 253.4 | $ | 3,193.7 | $ | 12,012.3 | ||||||
1 | While the face amount of these guarantees is $8,268.5 million, we would not expect to fund the full amount. In the event the parent were required to fulfill subsidiary obligations, our calculation of the fair value of obligations covered by these guarantees was $2,830.5 million at December 31, 2005. | |
2 | Other guarantees in the above table are shown net of liabilities of $25.0 million recorded at December 31, 2005 in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
Pending Merger with FPL Group, Inc.
In connection with the merger agreement with FPL Group, there are certain contingencies relating to termination fees. We discuss these contingencies in Note 15. In addition, as a result of the change in control provisions in our long-term incentive plans, we will be required to pay cash of approximately $130 million (based on estimated fair value of outstanding awards at December 31, 2005) to settle certain stock-based compensation awards if we complete our pending merger with FPL Group. We discuss our long-term incentive plans in more detail in Note 14.
Liquidity Provisions
In many cases, customers of our merchant energy business rely on the creditworthiness of Constellation Energy. A decline below investment grade by Constellation Energy would negatively impact the business prospects of that operation.
We regularly review our liquidity needs to ensure that we have adequate facilities available to meet collateral requirements. This includes having liquidity available to meet margin requirements for our wholesale marketing and risk management operation and our retail competitive supply activities.
We have certain agreements that contain provisions that would require additional collateral upon credit rating decreases in the senior unsecured debt of Constellation Energy. Decreases in Constellation Energy's credit ratings would not trigger an early payment on any of our credit facilities.
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Under counterparty contracts related to our wholesale marketing and risk management operation, we are obligated to post collateral if Constellation Energy's senior unsecured credit ratings declined below established contractual levels. Based on contractual provisions at December 31, 2005, we estimate that if Constellation Energy's senior unsecured debt were downgraded we would have the following additional collateral obligations:
Credit Ratings Downgraded to |
Incremental Obligations |
Cumulative Obligations |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||
BBB-/Baa3 | $ | 361 | $ | 361 | ||
Below investment grade | 1,286 | 1,647 |
Based on market conditions and contractual obligations at the time of a downgrade, we could be required to post collateral in an amount that could exceed the amounts specified above, which could be material. We assess the risk of being downgraded to below investment grade as remote. However, we actively monitor our collateral obligations and liquidity. We discuss our credit facilities in the Available Sources of Funding section.
The credit facilities of Constellation Energy and BGE have limited material adverse change clauses that only consider a material change in financial condition and are not directly affected by decreases in credit ratings. If these clauses are invoked, the lending institutions can decline to make new advances or issue new letters of credit, but cannot accelerate the payment of existing amounts outstanding. The long-term debt indentures of Constellation Energy and BGE do not contain material adverse change clauses or financial covenants.
Certain credit facilities of Constellation Energy contain a provision requiring Constellation Energy to maintain a ratio of debt to capitalization equal to or less than 65%. At December 31, 2005, the debt to capitalization ratios as defined in the credit agreements were no greater than 59%. Certain credit agreements of BGE contain provisions requiring BGE to maintain a ratio of debt to capitalization equal to or less than 65%. At December 31, 2005, the debt to capitalization ratio for BGE as defined in these credit agreements was 45%. At December 31, 2005, no amount was outstanding under these agreements.
Failure by Constellation Energy, or BGE, to comply with these provisions could result in the acceleration of the maturity of the debt outstanding under these facilities. The credit facilities of Constellation Energy contain usual and customary cross-default provisions that apply to defaults on debt by Constellation Energy and certain subsidiaries over a specified threshold. Certain BGE credit facilities also contain usual and customary cross-default provisions that apply to defaults on debt by BGE over a specified threshold. The indentures pursuant to which BGE has issued and outstanding mortgage bonds and subordinated debentures provide that a default under any debt instrument issued under the relevant indenture may cause a default of all debt outstanding under such indenture.
Constellation Energy also provides credit support to Calvert Cliffs, Nine Mile Point, and Ginna to ensure these plants have funds to meet expenses and obligations to safely operate and maintain the plants.
As discussed in the Regulation by the Maryland PSC section, the Maryland PSC and the Maryland General Assembly are considering proposals to defer recovery of costs to be incurred by BGE to provide residential POLR service beginning July 2006. Any decision to defer or limit recovery of such costs could have a material impact on our, or BGE's, liquidity.
We discuss our short-term credit facilities in Note 8, long-term debt in Note 9, lease requirements in Note 11, and commitments and guarantees in Note 12.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
For financing and other business purposes, we utilize certain off-balance sheet arrangements that are not reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Such arrangements do not represent a significant part of our activities or a significant ongoing source of financing.
We use these arrangements when they enable us to obtain financing or execute commercial transactions on favorable terms. As of December 31, 2005, we have no material off-balance sheet arrangements including:
We discuss our guarantees in Note 12 and our significant variable interests in Note 4.
We are exposed to various risks, including, but not limited to, energy commodity price and volatility risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, equity price risk, foreign exchange risk, and operations risk. Our risk management program is based on established policies and procedures to manage these key business risks with a strong focus on the physical nature of our business. This program is predicated on a strong risk management culture combined with an effective system of internal controls.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors periodically reviews compliance with our risk parameters, limits and trading guidelines and our Board of Directors has established a value at risk limit. We have a Risk Management Division that is responsible for monitoring the key business risks, enforcing compliance with risk management policies and
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risk limits, as well as managing credit risk. The Risk Management Division reports to the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) who provides regular risk management updates to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
We have a Risk Management Committee (RMC) that is responsible for establishing risk management policies, reviewing procedures for the identification, assessment, measurement and management of risks, and the monitoring and reporting of risk exposures. The RMC meets on a regular basis and is chaired by the Vice Chairman of Constellation Energy & Chairman of Constellation Energy Commodities Group, and consists of our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, our Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Retail Competitive Supply, the Co-Presidents & Chief Executive Officers of Constellation Energy Commodities Group, the President of Constellation Generation Group and the Chief Risk Officer. In addition, the CRO coordinates with the risk management committees at the major operating subsidiaries that meet regularly to identify, assess, and quantify material risk issues and to develop strategies to manage these risks.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of financing through our issuance of variable-rate and fixed-rate debt and certain related interest rate swaps. We may use derivative instruments to manage our interest rate risks.
In July 2004, to optimize the mix of fixed and floating-rate debt, we entered into interest rate swaps relating to $450 million of our long-term debt. These fair value hedges effectively convert our current fixed-rate debt to a floating-rate instrument tied to the three month London Inter-Bank Offered Rate. Including the $450 million in interest rate swaps, approximately 14% of our long-term debt is floating-rate.
The following table provides information about our debt obligations that are sensitive to interest rate changes:
Principal Payments and Interest Rate Detail by Contractual Maturity Date
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
Thereafter |
Total |
Fair value at December 31, 2005 |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable-rate debt | $ | 97.4 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 601.9 | $ | 699.3 | $ | 699.3 | ||||||||
Average interest rate | 4.41 | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | 5.76 | % | 5.57 | % | ||||||||||
Fixed-rate debt | $ | 368.9 | (A) | $ | 743.3 | $ | 300.9 | $ | 512.9 | $ | | $ | 2,243.3 | $ | 4,169.3 | $ | 4,379.3 | |||||||
Average interest rate | 5.41 | % | 6.47 | % | 6.30 | % | 6.13 | % | | % | 6.38 | % | 6.37 | % |
Commodity Risk
We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in the price and transportation costs of electricity, natural gas, coal, and other commodities. These risks arise from our ownership and operation of power plants, the load-serving activities of BGE and our competitive supply operations, and our origination and risk management activities. We discuss these risks separately for our merchant energy and our regulated businesses below.
Merchant Energy Business
Our merchant energy business is exposed to various risks in the competitive marketplace that may materially impact its financial results and affect our earnings. These risks include changes in commodity prices, imbalances in supply and demand, and operations risk.
Commodity Prices
Commodity price risk arises from:
A number of factors associated with the structure and operation of the energy markets significantly influence the level and volatility of prices for energy commodities and related derivative products. We use such commodities and contracts in our merchant energy business, and if we do not properly hedge the associated financial exposure, this commodity price volatility could affect our earnings. These factors include:
These factors can affect energy commodity and derivative prices in different ways and to different degrees. These effects
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may vary throughout the country as a result of regional differences in:
Additionally, we have fuel requirements that are subject to future changes in coal, natural gas, and oil prices. Our power generation facilities purchase fuel under contracts or in the spot market. Fuel prices may be volatile and the price that can be obtained from power sales may not change at the same rate or in the same direction as changes in fuel costs. This could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
Supply and Demand Risk
We are exposed to the risk that available sources of supply may differ from the amount of power demanded by our customers under fixed-price load-serving contracts. During periods of high demand, our power supplies may be insufficient to serve our customers' needs and could require us to purchase additional energy at higher prices. Alternatively, during periods of low demand, our power supplies may exceed our customers' needs and could result in us selling that excess energy at lower prices. Either of those circumstances could have a negative impact on our financial results.
We are also exposed to variations in the prices and required volumes of natural gas and coal we burn at our power plants to generate electricity. During periods of high demand on our generation assets, our fuel supplies may be insufficient and could require us to procure additional fuel at higher prices. Alternatively, during periods of low demand on our generation assets, our fuel supplies may exceed our needs, and could result in us selling the excess fuels at lower prices. Either of these circumstances will have a negative impact on our financial results.
Operations Risk
Operations risk is the risk that a generating plant will not be available to produce energy and the risks related to physical delivery of energy to meet our customers' needs. If one or more of our generating facilities is not able to produce electricity when required due to operational factors, we may have to forego sales opportunities or fulfill fixed-price sales commitments through the operation of other more costly generating facilities or through the purchase of energy in the wholesale market at higher prices. We purchase power from generating facilities we do not own. If one or more of those generating facilities were unable to produce electricity due to operational factors, we may be forced to purchase electricity in the wholesale market at higher prices. This could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
Our nuclear plants produce electricity at a relatively low marginal cost. The Nine Mile Point and Ginna facilities each sells 90% of output under unit-contingent power purchase agreements (we have no obligation to provide power if the units are not available) to the previous owners. However, if an unplanned outage were to occur at Calvert Cliffs during periods when demand was high, we may have to purchase replacement power at potentially higher prices to meet our obligations, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
Risk Management
As part of our overall portfolio, we manage the commodity price risk of our competitive supply activities and our electric generation facilities, including power sales, fuel and energy purchases, emission credits, interest rate and foreign currency risks, weather risk, and the market risk of outages. In order to manage these risks, we may enter into fixed-price derivative or non-derivative contracts to hedge the variability in future cash flows from forecasted sales and purchases of energy, including:
The objectives for entering into such hedges include:
The portion of forecasted transactions hedged may vary based upon management's assessment of market, weather, operational, and other factors.
While some of the contracts we use to manage risk represent commodities or instruments for which prices are available from external sources, other commodities and certain contracts are not actively traded and are valued using other pricing sources and modeling techniques to determine expected future market prices, contract quantities, or both. We use our best estimates to determine the fair value of commodity and derivative contracts we hold and sell. These estimates consider various factors including closing exchange and over-the-counter price quotations, time value, volatility factors, and credit exposure. However, it is likely that future market prices could vary from those used in recording mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities, and such variations could be material.
We measure the sensitivity of our wholesale marketing and risk management mark-to-market energy contracts to potential changes in market prices using value at risk. Value at risk is a statistical model that attempts to predict risk of loss based on
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historical market price volatility. We calculate value at risk using a historical variance/covariance technique that models option positions using a linear approximation of their value. Additionally, we estimate variances and correlation using historical commodity price changes over the most recent rolling three-month period. Our value at risk calculation includes all wholesale marketing and risk management mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities, including contracts for energy commodities and derivatives that result in physical settlement and contracts that require cash settlement.
The value at risk calculation does not include market risks associated with activities that are subject to accrual accounting, primarily our generating facilities and our competitive supply load-serving activities. We manage these risks by monitoring our fuel and energy purchase requirements and our estimated contract sales volumes compared to associated supply arrangements. We also engage in hedging activities to manage these risks. We describe those risks and our hedging activities earlier in this section.
The value at risk amounts below represent the potential pre-tax loss in the fair value of our wholesale marketing and risk management mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities over one and ten-day holding periods.
Total Wholesale Value at Risk
For the year ended December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||
99% Confidence Level, One-Day Holding Period | |||||||
Year end | $ | 10.0 | $ | 4.4 | |||
Average | 6.1 | 3.7 | |||||
High | 14.5 | 7.8 | |||||
Low | 2.4 | 2.5 | |||||
95% Confidence Level, One-Day Holding Period |
|||||||
Year end | $ | 7.6 | $ | 3.4 | |||
Average | 4.7 | 2.8 | |||||
High | 11.0 | 5.9 | |||||
Low | 1.8 | 1.9 | |||||
95% Confidence Level, Ten-Day Holding Period |
|||||||
Year end | $ | 24.1 | $ | 10.7 | |||
Average | 14.7 | 9.0 | |||||
High | 34.9 | 18.7 | |||||
Low | 5.8 | 6.1 |
Based on a 99% confidence interval, we would expect a one-day change in the fair value of the portfolio greater than or equal to the daily value at risk approximately once in every 100 days. In 2005, we experienced one instance where the actual daily mark-to-market change in portfolio value exceeded the predicted value at risk. On average, we expect to experience a change in value to our portfolio greater than our value at risk approximately three times in a calendar year. However, published market studies conclude that exceeding daily value at risk less than seven times in a one-year period is considered consistent with a 99% confidence interval.
The table above is the value at risk associated with our wholesale marketing and risk management operation's mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities, including both trading and non-trading activities. We experienced higher value at risk for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the year ended December 31, 2004, primarily due to higher commodity prices.
The following table details our value at risk for the trading portion of our wholesale marketing and risk management mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities over a one-day holding period at a 99% confidence level for 2005 and 2004:
Wholesale Trading Value at Risk
For the year ended December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||
Average | $ | 5.5 | $ | 2.6 | ||
High | 13.3 | 6.9 |
We experienced higher value at risk for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the year ended December 31, 2004, for the trading portion of our wholesale trading portfolio due to increased commodity prices, volatility, and trading activity. Our trading positions can be used to manage the commodity price risk of our competitive supply activities and our generation facilities. We also engage in trading activities for profit. These activities are managed through daily value at risk and stop loss limits and liquidity guidelines.
Due to the inherent limitations of statistical measures such as value at risk and the seasonality of changes in market prices, the value at risk calculation may not reflect the full extent of our commodity price risk exposure. Additionally, actual changes in the value of options may differ from the value at risk calculated using a linear approximation inherent in our calculation method. As a result, actual changes in the fair value of mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities could differ from the calculated value at risk, and such changes could have a material impact on our financial results.
Regulated Electric Business
BGE's residential base rates are frozen for a six-year period ending June 30, 2006, and its commercial and industrial base rates were frozen for a four-year period that ended June 30, 2004. The commodity and transmission components of rates are frozen for different time periods depending on the customer type and service options selected by customers.
Our wholesale marketing and risk management operation provides BGE 100% of the energy and capacity to meet its residential standard offer service obligations through June 30, 2006. Bidding to supply BGE's standard offer service to commercial and industrial customers, and to residential customers beyond June 30, 2006, will occur from time to time through a competitive bidding process approved by the Maryland PSC. Our wholesale marketing and risk management operation is supplying a portion of BGE's standard offer service obligation to commercial and industrial customers. We discuss standard offer service and the impact on base rates in more detail in Item 1. BusinessElectric Business section.
BGE may receive performance assurance collateral from suppliers to mitigate suppliers' credit risks in certain circumstances. Performance assurance collateral is designed to
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protect BGE's potential exposure over the term of the supply contracts and will fluctuate to reflect changes in market prices. In addition to the collateral provisions, there are supplier "step-up" provisions, where other suppliers can step in if the early termination of a Full-Requirements Service Agreement with a supplier should occur, as well as specific mechanisms for BGE to otherwise replace defaulted supplier contracts. All costs incurred by BGE to replace the supply contract are to be recovered from the defaulting supplier or from customers through rates. Finally, BGE's exposure to uncollectible expense or credit risk from customers for the commodity portion of the bill is covered by the administrative fee included in Provider of Last Resort rates.
Regulated Gas Business
Our regulated gas business may enter into gas futures, options, and swaps to hedge its price risk under our market-based rate incentive mechanism and our off-system gas sales program. We discuss this further in Note 13. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, our exposure to commodity price risk for our regulated gas business was not material.
Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit risk, primarily through our merchant energy business. Credit risk is the loss that may result from counterparties' nonperformance. We evaluate the credit risk of our wholesale marketing and risk management operation and our retail competitive supply activities separately as discussed below.
Wholesale Credit Risk
We measure wholesale credit risk as the replacement cost for open energy commodity and derivative transactions (both mark-to-market and accrual) adjusted for amounts owed to or due from counterparties for settled transactions. The replacement cost of open positions represents unrealized gains, net of any unrealized losses, where we have a legally enforceable right of setoff. We monitor and manage the credit risk of our wholesale marketing and risk management operation through credit policies and procedures which include an established credit approval process, daily monitoring of counterparty credit limits, the use of credit mitigation measures such as margin, collateral, or prepayment arrangements, and the use of master netting agreements.
As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the credit portfolio of our wholesale marketing and risk management operation had the following public credit ratings:
At December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rating | ||||||
Investment Grade1 | 53 | % | 62 | % | ||
Non-Investment Grade | 7 | 15 | ||||
Not Rated | 40 | 23 |
1 Includes counterparties with an investment grade rating by at least one of the major credit rating agencies. If split rating exists, the lower rating is used.
Our exposure to unrated counterparties was $1.4 billion at December 31, 2005 compared to $328 million at December 31, 2004. This increase was mostly due to the growth in our merchant energy business, particularly with natural gas and international coal customers that do not have public credit ratings. Although not rated, a majority of these counterparties are considered investment grade equivalent based on our internal credit ratings. We utilize internal credit ratings to evaluate the creditworthiness of our wholesale customers, including those companies that do not have public credit ratings. Based on internal credit ratings, approximately $916 million or 68% of the exposure to unrated counterparties was rated investment grade equivalent at December 31, 2005 and approximately $173 million or 53% was rated investment grade equivalent at December 31, 2004. The following table provides the breakdown of the credit quality of our wholesale credit portfolio based on our internal credit ratings.
At December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Investment Grade Equivalent | 80% | 74% | ||
Non-Investment Grade | 20 | 26 |
A portion of our total wholesale credit risk is related to transactions that are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These transactions primarily consist of open positions from our wholesale marketing and risk management operation that are accounted for using mark-to-market accounting, as well as amounts owed by wholesale counterparties for transactions that settled but have not yet been paid. The following table highlights the credit quality and exposures related to these activities:
Rating |
Total Exposure Before Credit Collateral |
Credit Collateral |
Net Exposure |
Number of Counterparties Greater than 10% of Net Exposure |
Net Exposure of Counterparties Greater than 10% of Net Exposure |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||||
Investment grade | $ | 1,465 | $ | 197 | $ | 1,268 | 1 | $ | 247 | |||||
Split rating | 39 | 15 | 24 | | | |||||||||
Non-investment grade | 242 | 79 | 163 | | | |||||||||
Internally ratedinvestment grade | 616 | 4 | 612 | | | |||||||||
Internally ratednon- investment grade | 209 | 13 | 196 | | | |||||||||
Total | $ | 2,571 | $ | 308 | $ | 2,263 | 1 | $ | 247 | |||||
Our net exposure to investment grade counterparties and internally rated investment grade counterparties increased $977 million compared to December 31, 2004 primarily as a result of higher commodity prices.
Due to the possibility of extreme volatility in the prices of energy commodities and derivatives, the market value of contractual positions with individual counterparties could exceed established credit limits or collateral provided by those counterparties. If such a counterparty were then to fail to perform its obligations under its contract (for example, fail to deliver the electricity our wholesale marketing and risk management operation had contracted for), we could incur a loss that could have a material impact on our financial results.
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Additionally, if a counterparty were to default and we were to liquidate all contracts with that entity, our credit loss would include the loss in value of mark-to-market contracts, the amount owed for settled transactions, and additional payments, if any, that we would have to make to settle unrealized losses on accrual contracts.
Retail Credit Risk
We are exposed to retail credit risk through our competitive electricity and natural gas supply activities which serve commercial and industrial companies. Retail credit risk results when customers default on their contractual obligations. This risk represents the loss that may be incurred due to the nonpayment of a customer's accounts receivable balance, as well as the loss from the resale of energy previously committed to serve the customer.
Retail credit risk is managed through established credit policies, monitoring customer exposures, and the use of credit mitigation measures such as letters of credit or prepayment arrangements.
Our retail credit portfolio is well diversified with no significant company or industry concentrations. During 2005, we did not experience a material change in the credit quality of our retail credit portfolio compared to 2004. Retail credit quality is dependent on the economy and the ability of our customers to manage through unfavorable economic cycles and other market changes. If the business environment were to be negatively affected by changes in economic or other market conditions, our retail credit risk may be adversely impacted.
Foreign Currency Risk
Our merchant energy business is exposed to the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations. This foreign currency risk arises from our activities in countries where we transact in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In 2005, our exposure to foreign currency risk was not material. However, we expect our foreign currency exposure to grow due to our Canadian presence and international coal operations. We manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk using a comprehensive foreign currency hedging program. While we cannot predict currency fluctuations, the impact of foreign currency exchange rate risk could be material.
Equity Price Risk
We are exposed to price fluctuations in equity markets primarily through our pension plan assets, our nuclear decommissioning trust funds, and trust assets securing certain executive benefits. We are required by the NRC to maintain externally funded trusts for the costs of decommissioning our nuclear power plants. We discuss our nuclear decommissioning trust funds in more detail in Note 1.
A hypothetical 10% decrease in equity prices would result in an approximate $115 million reduction in the fair value of our financial investments that are classified as trading or available-for-sale securities. In 2005, our actual return on pension plan assets was $76 million due to advances in the markets in which plan assets are invested. We describe our financial investments in more detail in Note 4, and our pension plans in Note 7.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The information required by this item with respect to market risk is set forth in Item 7 of Part II of this Form 10-K under the heading Market Risk.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
Financial Statements
The management of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (the "Companies") is responsible for the information and representations in the Companies' financial statements. The Companies prepare the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America based upon available facts and circumstances and management's best estimates and judgments of known conditions.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the financial statements and expressed their opinion on them. They performed their audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists of three independent Directors, meets periodically with management, internal auditors, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to review the activities of each in discharging their responsibilities. The internal audit staff and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have free access to the Audit Committee.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting
The management of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. ("Constellation Energy"), under the direction of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).
Constellation Energy's system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to Constellation Energy's management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
The management of Constellation Energy conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of Constellation Energy's internal control over financial reporting using the framework in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). As noted in the COSO framework, an internal control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable-not absolute-assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding achievement of an entity's financial reporting objectives. Based upon the evaluation under this framework, management concluded that Constellation Energy's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2005.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited management's assessment of the effectiveness of Constellation Energy's internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2005, as stated in their report set forth below.
As discussed in Item 9A. Controls and Procedures, the management of Baltimore Gas & Electric Company ("BGE") has not assessed the effectiveness of BGE's internal control over financial reporting on a standalone basis because it is not yet required to do so by applicable federal securities laws and regulations.
Mayo A. Shattuck III Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer |
E. Follin Smith Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer |
REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
We have completed integrated audits of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries' 2005 and 2004 consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and an audit of its 2003 consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions on Constellation Energy Group Inc.'s 2005, 2004, and 2003 consolidated financial statements and on its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on our audits, are presented below.
Consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a) 1 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a) 2 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
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statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2005 the Company changed its method of accounting for conditional asset retirement obligations and the accounting for stock based compensation. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2003 the Company changed its method of accounting for asset retirement obligations and the accounting for certain energy contracts.
We have also previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and common shareholders' equity and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 (none of which are presented herein); and we expressed unqualified opinions on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the Summary of Operations and Summary of Financial Condition of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries included in the Selected Financial Data for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived.
Internal control over financial reporting
Also, in our opinion, management's assessment, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8, that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the COSO. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on management's assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
March 1, 2006
To Board of Directors and Shareholder of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a) 1 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a) 2 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
69
We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2003 the Company changed its method of accounting for asset retirement obligations.
We have also previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 (none of which are presented herein); and we expressed unqualified opinions on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the Summary of Operations and Summary of Financial Condition of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries included in the Selected Financial Data for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
March 1, 2006
70
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Year Ended December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions, except per share amounts) |
||||||||||
Revenues | |||||||||||
Nonregulated revenues | $ | 14,133.8 | $ | 9,563.7 | $ | 6,819.9 | |||||
Regulated electric revenues | 2,036.5 | 1,967.6 | 1,921.5 | ||||||||
Regulated gas revenues | 961.7 | 755.1 | 712.7 | ||||||||
Total revenues | 17,132.0 | 12,286.4 | 9,454.1 | ||||||||
Expenses |
|||||||||||
Fuel and purchased energy expenses | 13,246.7 | 8,699.9 | 6,142.3 | ||||||||
Operating expenses | 1,918.9 | 1,736.8 | 1,542.7 | ||||||||
Merger-related transaction costs | 17.0 | | | ||||||||
Workforce reduction costs | 4.4 | 9.7 | 2.1 | ||||||||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | 542.2 | 505.7 | 453.9 | ||||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligations | 62.1 | 53.2 | 42.7 | ||||||||
Taxes other than income taxes | 282.6 | 255.9 | 247.3 | ||||||||
Total expenses | 16,073.9 | 11,261.2 | 8,431.0 | ||||||||
Income from Operations | 1,058.1 | 1,025.2 | 1,023.1 | ||||||||
Other Income |
62.8 |
25.3 |
20.7 |
||||||||
Fixed Charges |
|||||||||||
Interest expense | 306.9 | 324.4 | 336.6 | ||||||||
Interest capitalized and allowance for borrowed funds used during construction | (10.0 | ) | (10.8 | ) | (13.3 | ) | |||||
BGE preference stock dividends | 13.2 | 13.2 | 13.2 | ||||||||
Total fixed charges | 310.1 | 326.8 | 336.5 | ||||||||
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | 810.8 | 723.7 | 707.3 | ||||||||
Income Tax Expense | 204.1 | 156.9 | 250.6 | ||||||||
Income from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles | 606.7 | 566.8 | 456.7 | ||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $21.4, $(11.2), $18.9, respectively | 23.6 | (27.1 | ) | 19.0 | |||||||
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of income taxes of $(4.7) and $(119.5), respectively | (7.2 | ) | | (198.4 | ) | ||||||
Net Income | $ | 623.1 | $ | 539.7 | $ | 277.3 | |||||
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock |
$ |
623.1 |
$ |
539.7 |
$ |
277.3 |
|||||
Average Shares of Common Stock OutstandingBasic | 177.5 | 172.1 | 166.3 | ||||||||
Average Shares of Common Stock OutstandingDiluted | 179.7 | 173.1 | 166.7 | ||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting PrinciplesBasic |
$ |
3.42 |
$ |
3.30 |
$ |
2.75 |
|||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 0.13 | (0.16 | ) | 0.11 | |||||||
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles | (0.04 | ) | | (1.19 | ) | ||||||
Earnings Per Common ShareBasic | $ | 3.51 | $ | 3.14 | $ | 1.67 | |||||
Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting PrinciplesDiluted |
$ |
3.38 |
$ |
3.28 |
$ |
2.74 |
|||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 0.13 | (0.16 | ) | 0.11 | |||||||
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles | (0.04 | ) | | (1.19 | ) | ||||||
Earnings Per Common ShareDiluted | $ | 3.47 | $ | 3.12 | $ | 1.66 | |||||
Dividends Declared Per Common Share | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 1.04 | |||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
|||||||||||
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation. |
71
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
At December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 813.0 | $ | 706.3 | ||||||
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectibles of $47.4 and $43.1, respectively) | 2,727.9 | 1,979.3 | ||||||||
Fuel stocks | 489.5 | 298.3 | ||||||||
Materials and supplies | 197.0 | 203.8 | ||||||||
Mark-to-market energy assets | 1,339.2 | 567.3 | ||||||||
Risk management assets | 1,244.3 | 471.5 | ||||||||
Unamortized energy contract assets | 55.6 | 37.2 | ||||||||
Other | 555.3 | 225.7 | ||||||||
Total current assets | 7,421.8 | 4,489.4 | ||||||||
Investments and Other Assets |
||||||||||
Nuclear decommissioning trust funds | 1,110.7 | 1,033.7 | ||||||||
Investments in qualifying facilities and power projects | 306.2 | 318.4 | ||||||||
Regulatory assets (net) | 154.3 | 195.4 | ||||||||
Goodwill | 147.1 | 144.8 | ||||||||
Mark-to-market energy assets | 1,089.3 | 359.8 | ||||||||
Risk management assets | 626.0 | 306.2 | ||||||||
Unamortized energy contract assets | 141.2 | 80.1 | ||||||||
Other | 410.6 | 332.7 | ||||||||
Total investments and other assets | 3,985.4 | 2,771.1 | ||||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment |
||||||||||
Nonregulated property, plant and equipment | 8,580.8 | 8,638.4 | ||||||||
Regulated property, plant and equipment | ||||||||||
Plant in service | 5,423.8 | 5,324.4 | ||||||||
Construction work in progress | 93.9 | 83.1 | ||||||||
Plant held for future use | 2.8 | 5.2 | ||||||||
Total regulated property, plant and equipment | 5,520.5 | 5,412.7 | ||||||||
Nuclear fuel (net of amortization) | 302.0 | 264.3 | ||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (4,336.6 | ) | (4,228.8 | ) | ||||||
Net property, plant and equipment | 10,066.7 | 10,086.6 | ||||||||
Total Assets |
$ |
21,473.9 |
$ |
17,347.1 |
||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
||||||||||
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation. |
72
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
At December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
|||||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Short-term borrowings | $ | 0.7 | $ | | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 491.3 | 480.4 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 1,667.9 | 1,424.9 | ||||||
Customer deposits and collateral | 458.9 | 223.8 | ||||||
Mark-to-market energy liabilities | 1,348.7 | 559.7 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities | 483.5 | 304.3 | ||||||
Unamortized energy contract liabilities | 489.5 | 67.2 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 151.4 | 95.0 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other | 780.4 | 507.1 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 5,872.3 | 3,662.4 | ||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 1,180.8 | 1,303.3 | ||||||
Asset retirement obligations | 908.0 | 825.0 | ||||||
Mark-to-market energy liabilities | 912.3 | 315.0 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities | 1,035.5 | 472.2 | ||||||
Unamortized energy contract liabilities | 1,118.7 | 86.2 | ||||||
Postretirement and postemployment benefits | 382.6 | 375.3 | ||||||
Net pension liability | 401.4 | 269.7 | ||||||
Deferred investment tax credits | 64.1 | 71.2 | ||||||
Other | 101.0 | 145.8 | ||||||
Total deferred credits and other liabilities | 6,104.4 | 3,863.7 | ||||||
Capitalization (See Consolidated Statements of Capitalization) |
||||||||
Long-term debt | 4,369.3 | 4,813.2 | ||||||
Minority interests | 22.4 | 90.9 | ||||||
BGE preference stock not subject to mandatory redemption | 190.0 | 190.0 | ||||||
Common shareholders' equity | 4,915.5 | 4,726.9 | ||||||
Total capitalization | 9,497.2 | 9,821.0 | ||||||
Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies (see Note 12) |
||||||||
Total Liabilities and Equity |
$ |
21,473.9 |
$ |
17,347.1 |
||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
||||||||
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation. |
73
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Year Ended December 31, |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In millions) |
||||||||||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities | |||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 623.1 | $ | 539.7 | $ | 277.3 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on sales of discontinued operations | (13.8 | ) | 50.1 | | |||||||||
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles | 7.2 | | 198.4 | ||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | 603.0 | 646.8 | 596.4 | ||||||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligations | 62.1 | 53.2 | 42.7 | ||||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 136.9 | 123.4 | 109.2 | ||||||||||
Investment tax credit adjustments | (7.1 | ) | (7.2 | ) | (7.3 | ) | |||||||
Deferred fuel costs | (11.9 | ) | 6.0 | (10.1 | ) | ||||||||
Pension and postemployment benefits | 23.6 | (3.0 | ) | (69.4 | ) | ||||||||
Workforce reduction costs | 4.4 | 9.7 | 2.1 | ||||||||||
Merger-related transaction costs | 17.0 | | | ||||||||||
Other non-cash (income) expense included in earnings | (12.2 | ) | 4.9 | (25.6 | ) | ||||||||
Equity in earnings of affiliates less than dividends received | 38.7 | 29.5 | 38.4 | ||||||||||
Proceeds from derivative power sales contracts classified as financing activities under SFAS No. 149 | (72.6 | ) | | | |||||||||
Changes in | |||||||||||||
Accounts receivable | (961.2 | ) | (397.4 | ) | (282.6 | ) | |||||||
Mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities | (88.4 | ) | (27.2 | ) | 14.9 | ||||||||
Risk management assets and liabilities | (27.5 | ) | (39.7 | ) | (92.9 | ) | |||||||
Materials, supplies, and fuel stocks | (250.3 | ) | (112.1 | ) | (51.5 | ) | |||||||
Other current assets | (277.1 | ) | 5.3 | 28.8 | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 282.8 | 260.2 | 193.5 | ||||||||||
Other current liabilities | 546.4 | (8.7 | ) | 139.8 | |||||||||
Other | 4.1 | (46.7 | ) | (44.3 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 627.2 | 1,086.8 | 1,057.8 | ||||||||||
Cash Flows From Investing Activities |
|||||||||||||
Investments in property, plant and equipment | (760.0 | ) | (703.6 | ) | (635.7 | ) | |||||||
Contract and portfolio acquisitions | (336.2 | ) | | | |||||||||
Asset acquisitions and business combinations, net of cash acquired | (237.2 | ) | (457.3 | ) | (546.6 | ) | |||||||
Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | (370.8 | ) | (424.2 | ) | (176.0 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | 353.2 | 402.2 | 162.8 | ||||||||||
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations | 289.4 | 72.7 | | ||||||||||
Issuances of loans receivable | (82.8 | ) | | | |||||||||
Sale of investments and other assets | 14.4 | 36.1 | 148.8 | ||||||||||
Other investments | (44.0 | ) | (78.6 | ) | (113.6 | ) | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,174.0 | ) | (1,152.7 | ) | (1,160.3 | ) | |||||||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities |
|||||||||||||
Net issuance (maturity) of short-term borrowings | 10.7 | (9.6 | ) | (0.9 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of | |||||||||||||
Common stock | 96.9 | 293.9 | 95.4 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt | 12.0 | 100.0 | 983.3 | ||||||||||
Repayment of long-term debt | (362.3 | ) | (243.2 | ) | (707.5 | ) | |||||||
Common stock dividends paid | (228.8 | ) | (189.7 | ) | (169.2 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from contract and portfolio acquisitions | 1,026.9 | 117.5 | | ||||||||||
Proceeds from derivative power sales contracts classified as financing activities under SFAS No. 149 | 72.6 | | | ||||||||||
Other | 25.5 | (18.0 | ) | 7.7 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 653.5 | 50.9 | 208.8 | ||||||||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | 106.7 | (15.0 | ) | 106.3 | |||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year | 706.3 | 721.3 | 615.0 | ||||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year | $ | 813.0 | $ | 706.3 | $ | 721.3 | |||||||
Other Cash Flow Information: |
|||||||||||||
Cash paid during the year for: | |||||||||||||
Interest (net of amounts capitalized) | $ | 301.3 | $ | 327.9 | $ | 335.7 | |||||||
Income taxes | $ | 115.3 | $ | 203.9 | $ | 35.4 |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.
74
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
|
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Common Stock |
Retained Earnings |
Total Amount |
||||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 |
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||
|
(Dollar amounts in millions, number of shares in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2002 |
164,843 |
$ |
2,078.9 |
$ |
1,977.6 |
$ |
(194.2 |
) |
$ |
3,862.3 |
|||||||
Comprehensive Income |
|||||||||||||||||
Net income | 277.3 | 277.3 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of net gain on sales of securities from OCI to net income, net of taxes of $0.2 | (0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | |||||||||||||
Reclassification of net gains on hedging instruments from OCI to net income, net of taxes of $10.7 | (16.4 | ) | (16.4 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on securities, net of taxes of $24.4 | 37.3 | 37.3 | |||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on hedging instruments, net of taxes of $15.8 | 39.9 | 39.9 | |||||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability, net of taxes of $8.2 | 12.6 | 12.6 | |||||||||||||||
Total Comprehensive Income | 277.3 | 73.0 | 350.3 | ||||||||||||||
Common stock dividend declared ($1.04 per share) | (172.8 | ) | (172.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
Common stock issued | 2,976 | 100.9 | 100.9 | ||||||||||||||
Other | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2003 | 167,819 | 2,179.8 | 2,081.9 | (121.2 | ) | 4,140.5 | |||||||||||
Comprehensive Income |
|||||||||||||||||
Net income | 539.7 | 539.7 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of net loss on securities from OCI to net income, net of taxes of $1.4 | 2.2 | 2.2 | |||||||||||||||
Reclassification of net gains on hedging instruments from OCI to net income, net of taxes of $169.0 | (270.8 | ) | (270.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on securities, net of taxes of $22.2 | 33.7 | 33.7 | |||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on hedging instruments, net of taxes of $124.7 | 196.8 | 196.8 | |||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on foreign currency translation | 0.4 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability, net of taxes of $27.9 | (42.6 | ) | (42.6 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total Comprehensive Income | 539.7 | (80.3 | ) | 459.4 | |||||||||||||
Common stock dividend declared ($1.14 per share) | (196.3 | ) | (196.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
Common stock issued | 8,514 | 322.7 | 322.7 | ||||||||||||||
Other | 0.6 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2004 | 176,333 | 2,502.5 | 2,425.9 | (201.5 | ) | 4,726.9 | |||||||||||
Comprehensive Income |
|||||||||||||||||
Net income | 623.1 | 623.1 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of net gains on securities from OCI to net income, net of taxes of $1.2 | (1.8 | ) | (1.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
Reclassification of net gains on hedging instruments from OCI to net income, net of taxes of $492.2 | (794.6 | ) | (794.6 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on securities, net of taxes of $15.7 | 23.8 | 23.8 | |||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on hedging instruments, net of taxes of $335.9 | 534.7 | 534.7 | |||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on foreign currency translation | 1.0 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability, net of taxes of $50.4 | (77.1 | ) | (77.1 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total Comprehensive Income | 623.1 | (314.0 | ) | 309.1 | |||||||||||||
Common stock dividend declared ($1.34 per share) | (238.4 | ) | (238.4 | ) | |||||||||||||
Common stock issued | 1,968 | 118.3 | & |