UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For The Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2007
Commission |
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IRS Employer |
File Number |
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Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter |
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Identification No. |
1-12869 |
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CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC. |
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52-1964611 |
1-1910 |
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BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY |
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52-0280210 |
MARYLAND |
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(State of Incorporation of both registrants) |
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750 E. PRATT STREET, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21202 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) |
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410-783-2800 |
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(Registrants telephone number, including area code) |
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NOT APPLICABLE |
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(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
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 x 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 x
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 x
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 x
Common Stock, without par value 180,305,042
shares outstanding of
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. on April 30, 2007.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form in the reduced disclosure format.
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Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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3 |
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3 |
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4 |
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6 |
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Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries |
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7 |
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8 |
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10 |
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11 |
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Item 2Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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22 |
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22 |
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23 |
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24 |
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35 |
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37 |
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Item 3Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
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41 |
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41 |
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42 |
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42 |
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Item 2Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
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42 |
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42 |
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44 |
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45 |
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2
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
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Three Months Ended |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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(In millions, except per share amounts) |
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Revenues |
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Nonregulated revenues |
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$ |
4,138.2 |
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$ |
3,936.9 |
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Regulated electric revenues |
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514.8 |
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504.0 |
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Regulated gas revenues |
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402.5 |
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418.3 |
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Total revenues |
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5,055.5 |
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4,859.2 |
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Expenses |
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Fuel and purchased energy expenses |
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3,961.1 |
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3,923.1 |
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Operating expenses |
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568.7 |
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507.7 |
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Workforce reduction costs |
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2.2 |
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Merger-related costs |
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1.9 |
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Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
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132.4 |
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130.2 |
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Accretion of asset retirement obligations |
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17.7 |
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16.5 |
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Taxes other than income taxes |
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73.2 |
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73.6 |
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Total expenses |
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4,753.1 |
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4,655.2 |
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Income from Operations |
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302.4 |
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204.0 |
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Other Income |
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42.4 |
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14.8 |
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Fixed Charges |
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Interest expense |
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80.3 |
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77.0 |
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Interest capitalized and allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
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(3.8 |
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(2.7 |
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BGE preference stock dividends |
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3.3 |
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3.3 |
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Total fixed charges |
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79.8 |
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77.6 |
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Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes |
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265.0 |
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141.2 |
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Income Tax Expense |
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67.7 |
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39.6 |
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Income from Continuing Operations |
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197.3 |
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101.6 |
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(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $0.8 and $7.1, respectively |
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(1.6 |
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12.3 |
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Net Income |
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$ |
195.7 |
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$ |
113.9 |
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Earnings Applicable to Common Stock |
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$ |
195.7 |
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$ |
113.9 |
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Average Shares of Common Stock OutstandingBasic |
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180.6 |
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178.6 |
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Average Shares of Common Stock OutstandingDiluted |
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182.8 |
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180.4 |
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Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing OperationsBasic |
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$ |
1.09 |
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$ |
0.57 |
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(Loss) income from discontinued operations |
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(0.01 |
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0.07 |
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Earnings Per Common ShareBasic |
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$ |
1.08 |
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$ |
0.64 |
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Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing OperationsDiluted |
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$ |
1.08 |
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$ |
0.56 |
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(Loss) income from discontinued operations |
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(0.01 |
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0.07 |
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Earnings Per Common ShareDiluted |
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$ |
1.07 |
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$ |
0.63 |
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Dividends Declared Per Common Share |
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$ |
0.435 |
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$ |
0.3775 |
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Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
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Three Months Ended |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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(In millions) |
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Net Income |
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$ |
195.7 |
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$ |
113.9 |
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Other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) |
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Hedging instruments: |
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Reclassification of net loss on hedging instruments from OCI to net income, net of taxes |
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399.4 |
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81.0 |
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Net unrealized gain (loss) on hedging instruments, net of taxes |
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310.3 |
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(755.0 |
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Available-for-sale securities: |
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Reclassification of net gain on sales of securities from OCI to net income, net of taxes |
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(0.9 |
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(0.3 |
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Net unrealized gain on securities, net of taxes |
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(19.5 |
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11.8 |
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Defined benefit obligations: |
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Amortization of net actuarial loss, prior service cost, and transition obligation included in net periodic benefit cost, net of taxes |
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6.3 |
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Net unrealized gain on foreign currency, net of taxes |
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0.3 |
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Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
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$ |
891.6 |
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$ |
(548.6 |
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5
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation.
3
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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(In millions) |
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Assets |
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Current Assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
1,936.6 |
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$ |
2,289.1 |
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Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectibles of $51.7 and $48.9, respectively) |
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3,187.4 |
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3,248.3 |
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Fuel stocks |
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369.7 |
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599.5 |
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Materials and supplies |
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204.4 |
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200.2 |
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Mark-to-market energy assets |
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1,189.3 |
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1,294.8 |
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Risk management assets |
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233.6 |
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261.7 |
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Unamortized energy contract assets |
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34.1 |
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35.2 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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172.0 |
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674.3 |
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Other |
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485.4 |
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497.0 |
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Total current assets |
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7,812.5 |
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9,100.1 |
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Investments and Other Assets |
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Nuclear decommissioning trust funds |
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1,257.7 |
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1,240.1 |
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Investments in qualifying facilities and power projects |
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297.3 |
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308.6 |
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Regulatory assets (net) |
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560.3 |
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389.0 |
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Goodwill |
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157.6 |
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157.6 |
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Mark-to-market energy assets |
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702.3 |
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623.4 |
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Risk management assets |
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323.8 |
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325.7 |
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Unamortized energy contract assets |
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118.2 |
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123.6 |
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Other |
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291.3 |
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311.4 |
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Total investments and other assets |
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3,708.5 |
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3,479.4 |
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Property, Plant and Equipment |
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Nonregulated property, plant and equipment |
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7,945.7 |
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7,587.6 |
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Regulated property, plant and equipment |
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5,816.9 |
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5,752.9 |
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Nuclear fuel (net of amortization) |
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337.6 |
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339.9 |
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Accumulated depreciation |
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(4,545.1 |
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(4,458.3 |
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Net property, plant and equipment |
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9,555.1 |
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9,222.1 |
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Total Assets |
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$ |
21,076.1 |
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$ |
21,801.6 |
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* Unaudited
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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(In millions) |
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Liabilities and Equity |
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Current Liabilities |
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Current portion of long-term debt |
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$ |
878.8 |
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$ |
878.8 |
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
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2,089.5 |
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2,137.2 |
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Customer deposits and collateral |
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365.3 |
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347.2 |
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Mark-to-market energy liabilities |
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1,082.9 |
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1,071.7 |
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Risk management liabilities |
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484.4 |
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1,340.0 |
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Unamortized energy contract liabilities |
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336.2 |
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378.3 |
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Accrued expenses and other |
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703.8 |
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969.5 |
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Total current liabilities |
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5,940.9 |
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7,122.7 |
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Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities |
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Deferred income taxes |
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1,377.4 |
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1,435.8 |
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Asset retirement obligations |
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992.5 |
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974.8 |
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Mark-to-market energy liabilities |
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466.9 |
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392.4 |
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Risk management liabilities |
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667.8 |
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707.3 |
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Unamortized energy contract liabilities |
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866.1 |
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958.0 |
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Defined benefit obligations |
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813.6 |
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928.3 |
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Deferred investment tax credits |
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55.5 |
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57.2 |
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Other |
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127.2 |
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109.0 |
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Total deferred credits and other liabilities |
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5,367.0 |
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5,562.8 |
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Long-term Debt |
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Long-term debt of Constellation Energy |
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3,051.6 |
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3,042.9 |
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Long-term debt of nonregulated businesses |
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352.3 |
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347.4 |
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First refunding mortgage bonds of BGE |
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123.1 |
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244.5 |
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Other long-term debt of BGE |
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1,214.5 |
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1,214.5 |
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6.20% deferrable interest subordinated debentures due October 15, 2043 to BGE wholly owned BGE Capital Trust II relating to trust preferred securities |
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257.7 |
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257.7 |
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Unamortized discount and premium |
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(5.6 |
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(5.9 |
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Current portion of long-term debt |
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(878.8 |
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(878.8 |
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Total long-term debt |
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4,114.8 |
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4,222.3 |
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Minority Interests |
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90.1 |
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94.5 |
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BGE Preference Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption |
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190.0 |
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190.0 |
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Common Shareholders Equity |
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Common stock |
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2,707.0 |
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2,738.6 |
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Retained earnings |
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3,574.0 |
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3,474.3 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(907.7 |
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(1,603.6 |
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Total common shareholders equity |
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5,373.3 |
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4,609.3 |
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Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies (see Notes) |
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Total Liabilities and Equity |
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$ |
21,076.1 |
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$ |
21,801.6 |
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* Unaudited
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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(In millions) |
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Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
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Net income |
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$ |
195.7 |
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$ |
113.9 |
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Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
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Gain on sale of discontinued operations |
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(0.9 |
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Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
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126.4 |
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144.7 |
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Accretion of asset retirement obligations |
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17.7 |
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16.5 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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23.2 |
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(48.3 |
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Investment tax credit adjustments |
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(1.7 |
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(1.7 |
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Deferred fuel costs |
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(173.5 |
) |
7.1 |
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Defined benefit obligation expense |
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34.2 |
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33.8 |
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Defined benefit obligation payments |
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(138.2 |
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(65.1 |
) |
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Equity in earnings of affiliates less than dividends received |
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15.8 |
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5.0 |
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Proceeds from derivative power sales contracts classified as financing activities under SFAS No. 149 |
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1.5 |
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(19.6 |
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Changes in |
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Accounts receivable |
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234.6 |
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(76.1 |
) |
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Mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities |
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89.6 |
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(191.0 |
) |
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Risk management assets and liabilities |
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28.7 |
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16.7 |
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Materials, supplies, and fuel stocks |
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155.8 |
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(73.8 |
) |
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Other current assets |
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(7.4 |
) |
(64.0 |
) |
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
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(62.6 |
) |
(23.3 |
) |
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Other current liabilities |
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(196.8 |
) |
(269.6 |
) |
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Other |
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6.0 |
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6.5 |
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Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
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349.0 |
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(489.2 |
) |
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Cash Flows From Investing Activities |
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Investments in property, plant and equipment |
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(272.7 |
) |
(184.4 |
) |
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Acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
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(212.0 |
) |
(100.8 |
) |
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Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities |
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(140.0 |
) |
(73.5 |
) |
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Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities |
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131.2 |
|
69.1 |
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Other |
|
0.8 |
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4.0 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(492.7 |
) |
(285.6 |
) |
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Cash Flows From Financing Activities |
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|
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Net issuance of short-term borrowings |
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|
424.3 |
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Proceeds from issuance of |
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Common stock |
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22.1 |
|
18.8 |
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Long-term debt |
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10.0 |
|
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|
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Repayment of long-term debt |
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(126.5 |
) |
(17.6 |
) |
||
Common stock dividends paid |
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(68.5 |
) |
(59.8 |
) |
||
Reacquisition of common stock |
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(77.6 |
) |
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|
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Proceeds from contract and portfolio acquisitions |
|
27.0 |
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|
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Proceeds from derivative power sales contracts classified as financing activities under SFAS No. 149 |
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(1.5 |
) |
19.6 |
|
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Other |
|
6.2 |
|
1.3 |
|
||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
|
(208.8 |
) |
386.6 |
|
||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
(352.5 |
) |
(388.2 |
) |
||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
|
2,289.1 |
|
813.0 |
|
||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
|
$ |
1,936.6 |
|
$ |
424.8 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation.
6
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Electric revenues |
|
$ |
514.8 |
|
$ |
504.0 |
|
Gas revenues |
|
407.3 |
|
420.2 |
|
||
Total revenues |
|
922.1 |
|
924.2 |
|
||
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Electricity purchased for resale |
|
274.2 |
|
262.9 |
|
||
Gas purchased for resale |
|
284.1 |
|
298.4 |
|
||
Operations and maintenance |
|
123.1 |
|
120.0 |
|
||
Merger-related costs |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
58.9 |
|
57.7 |
|
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
|
45.8 |
|
43.5 |
|
||
Total expenses |
|
786.1 |
|
783.1 |
|
||
Income from Operations |
|
136.0 |
|
141.1 |
|
||
Other Income |
|
5.2 |
|
0.1 |
|
||
Fixed Charges |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Interest expense |
|
28.6 |
|
24.2 |
|
||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
|
(0.4 |
) |
(0.4 |
) |
||
Total fixed charges |
|
28.2 |
|
23.8 |
|
||
Income Before Income Taxes |
|
113.0 |
|
117.4 |
|
||
Income Taxes |
|
43.7 |
|
45.7 |
|
||
Net Income |
|
69.3 |
|
71.7 |
|
||
Preference Stock Dividends |
|
3.3 |
|
3.3 |
|
||
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock |
|
$ |
66.0 |
|
$ |
68.4 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
7
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||||||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
$ |
11.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
10.9 |
|
|
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectibles of $16.1 and $16.1, respectively) |
|
|
428.8 |
|
|
|
344.7 |
|
|
||
Investment in cash pool, affiliated company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
60.6 |
|
|
||
Accounts receivable, affiliated companies |
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
||
Fuel stocks |
|
|
22.6 |
|
|
|
110.9 |
|
|
||
Materials and supplies |
|
|
44.8 |
|
|
|
40.2 |
|
|
||
Prepaid taxes other than income taxes |
|
|
23.6 |
|
|
|
48.0 |
|
|
||
Regulatory assets (net) |
|
|
45.2 |
|
|
|
62.5 |
|
|
||
Other |
|
|
20.1 |
|
|
|
35.2 |
|
|
||
Total current assets |
|
|
598.7 |
|
|
|
715.5 |
|
|
||
Investments and Other Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Regulatory assets (net) |
|
|
560.3 |
|
|
|
389.0 |
|
|
||
Receivable, affiliated company |
|
|
181.6 |
|
|
|
150.5 |
|
|
||
Other |
|
|
127.4 |
|
|
|
127.5 |
|
|
||
Total investments and other assets |
|
|
869.3 |
|
|
|
667.0 |
|
|
||
Utility Plant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Plant in service |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Electric |
|
|
4,094.8 |
|
|
|
4,060.2 |
|
|
||
Gas |
|
|
1,157.5 |
|
|
|
1,148.3 |
|
|
||
Common |
|
|
441.9 |
|
|
|
444.6 |
|
|
||
Total plant in service |
|
|
5,694.2 |
|
|
|
5,653.1 |
|
|
||
Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
(2,015.3 |
) |
|
|
(1,994.7 |
) |
|
||
Net plant in service |
|
|
3,678.9 |
|
|
|
3,658.4 |
|
|
||
Construction work in progress |
|
|
120.3 |
|
|
|
97.1 |
|
|
||
Plant held for future use |
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
||
Net utility plant |
|
|
3,801.6 |
|
|
|
3,758.2 |
|
|
||
Total Assets |
|
|
$ |
5,269.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,140.7 |
|
|
* Unaudited
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
8
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||||||
Liabilities and Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
|
$ |
258.9 |
|
|
|
$ |
258.3 |
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
171.5 |
|
|
|
187.3 |
|
|
||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, affiliated companies |
|
|
149.7 |
|
|
|
163.4 |
|
|
||
Borrowing from cash pool, affiliated company |
|
|
151.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Customer deposits |
|
|
72.4 |
|
|
|
71.4 |
|
|
||
Current portion of deferred income taxes |
|
|
42.0 |
|
|
|
47.4 |
|
|
||
Accrued expenses and other |
|
|
115.5 |
|
|
|
98.3 |
|
|
||
Total current liabilities |
|
|
961.7 |
|
|
|
826.1 |
|
|
||
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
744.8 |
|
|
|
697.7 |
|
|
||
Payable, affiliated company |
|
|
241.8 |
|
|
|
250.7 |
|
|
||
Deferred investment tax credits |
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
13.5 |
|
|
||
Other |
|
|
26.0 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
||
Total deferred credits and other liabilities |
|
|
1,025.7 |
|
|
|
975.9 |
|
|
||
Long-term Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
First refunding mortgage bonds of BGE |
|
|
123.1 |
|
|
|
244.5 |
|
|
||
Other long-term debt of BGE |
|
|
1,214.5 |
|
|
|
1,214.5 |
|
|
||
6.20% deferrable interest subordinated debentures due October 15, 2043 to wholly owned BGE Capital Trust II relating to trust preferred securities |
|
|
257.7 |
|
|
|
257.7 |
|
|
||
Long-term debt of nonregulated business |
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
||
Unamortized discount and premium |
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
|
||
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
|
(258.9 |
) |
|
|
(258.3 |
) |
|
||
Total long-term debt |
|
|
1,358.5 |
|
|
|
1,480.5 |
|
|
||
Minority Interest |
|
|
16.7 |
|
|
|
16.7 |
|
|
||
Preference Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption |
|
|
190.0 |
|
|
|
190.0 |
|
|
||
Common Shareholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock |
|
|
912.2 |
|
|
|
912.2 |
|
|
||
Retained earnings |
|
|
804.1 |
|
|
|
738.6 |
|
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
||
Total common shareholders equity |
|
|
1,717.0 |
|
|
|
1,651.5 |
|
|
||
Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies (see Notes) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total Liabilities and Equity |
|
|
$ |
5,269.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,140.7 |
|
|
* Unaudited
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
9
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiaries
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
69.3 |
|
$ |
71.7 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
62.0 |
|
61.1 |
|
||
Deferred income taxes |
|
58.0 |
|
(10.1 |
) |
||
Investment tax credit adjustments |
|
(0.4 |
) |
(0.4 |
) |
||
Deferred fuel costs |
|
(173.5 |
) |
7.1 |
|
||
Defined benefit plan expenses |
|
10.1 |
|
10.9 |
|
||
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
|
(0.7 |
) |
(0.8 |
) |
||
Changes in |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts receivable |
|
(84.1 |
) |
27.2 |
|
||
Accounts receivable, affiliated companies |
|
0.5 |
|
1.2 |
|
||
Materials, supplies, and fuel stocks |
|
83.7 |
|
56.8 |
|
||
Other current assets |
|
39.6 |
|
22.0 |
|
||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
(15.8 |
) |
(45.5 |
) |
||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, affiliated companies |
|
(13.7 |
) |
(4.6 |
) |
||
Other current liabilities |
|
1.3 |
|
51.3 |
|
||
Long-term receivables and payables, affiliated companies |
|
(50.0 |
) |
(36.4 |
) |
||
Other |
|
12.2 |
|
11.9 |
|
||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
|
(1.5 |
) |
223.4 |
|
||
Cash Flows From Investing Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Utility construction expenditures (excluding equity portion of allowance for funds used during construction) |
|
(85.4 |
) |
(74.6 |
) |
||
Change in cash pool at parent |
|
212.3 |
|
(94.9 |
) |
||
Sales of investments and other assets |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
||
Other |
|
|
|
7.9 |
|
||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
126.9 |
|
(161.1 |
) |
||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Repayment of long-term debt |
|
(121.4 |
) |
|
|
||
Distribution to parent |
|
|
|
(59.8 |
) |
||
Preference stock dividends paid |
|
(3.3 |
) |
(3.3 |
) |
||
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
(124.7 |
) |
(63.1 |
) |
||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
0.7 |
|
(0.8 |
) |
||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
|
10.9 |
|
15.1 |
|
||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
|
$ |
11.6 |
|
$ |
14.3 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation.
10
Various factors can have a significant impact on our results for interim periods. This means that the results for this quarter are not necessarily indicative of future quarters or full year results given the seasonality of our business.
Our interim financial statements on the previous pages reflect all adjustments that management believes are necessary for the fair statement of the results of operations for the interim periods presented. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
Basis of Presentation
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (Constellation Energy) and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (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.
Variable Interest Entities
We have a significant interest in the following variable interest entities (VIE) for which we are not the primary beneficiary:
VIE |
|
Nature of |
|
Date of |
Power projects |
|
Equity investment and guarantees |
|
Prior to 2003 |
Power contract monetization entities |
|
Power sale agreements, loans, and guarantees |
|
March 2005 |
Oil and gas fields |
|
Equity investment |
|
May 2006 |
Retail power supply |
|
Power sale agreement |
|
September 2006 |
We discuss the nature of our involvement with the power contract monetization VIEs in detail in Note 4 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following is summary information available as of March 31, 2007 about the VIEs in which we have a significant interest, but are not the primary beneficiary:
|
|
Power |
|
All Other |
|
Total |
|
|||||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||||||||||
Total assets |
|
|
$ |
744.7 |
|
|
|
$ |
354.9 |
|
|
$ |
1,099.6 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
591.1 |
|
|
|
148.4 |
|
|
739.5 |
|
|||
Our ownership interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
52.2 |
|
|
52.2 |
|
|||
Other ownership interests |
|
|
153.6 |
|
|
|
154.3 |
|
|
307.9 |
|
|||
Our maximum exposure to loss |
|
|
64.5 |
|
|
|
88.3 |
|
|
152.8 |
|
|||
The maximum exposure to loss represents the loss that we would incur in the unlikely event that our interests in all of these entities were to become worthless and we were required to fund the full amount of all guarantees associated with these entities.
Our maximum exposure to loss as of March 31, 2007 consists of the following:
¨ outstanding receivables, loans and letters of credit totaling $88.0 million,
¨ the carrying amount of our investment totaling $52.1 million, and
¨ debt and performance guarantees totaling $12.7 million.
We assess the risk of a loss equal to our maximum exposure to be remote.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, we completed the sale of six natural gas-fired plants. During the first quarter of 2007, we recognized an after-tax loss of $1.6 million as a component of (Loss) income from discontinued operations due to post-closing working capital adjustments. We discuss the details of the sale in Note 2 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We incurred costs related to workforce reduction efforts initiated in 2006. We discuss these costs in more detail in Note 2 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
11
The following table summarizes the status of the involuntary severance liability for Nine Mile Point and Calvert Cliffs at March 31, 2007:
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
Initial severance liability balance |
|
|
$ |
19.6 |
|
|
Amounts recorded as defined benefit obligations |
|
|
(7.3 |
) |
|
|
Net cash severance liability |
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
Cash severance payments |
|
|
(5.8 |
) |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance liability balance at March 31, 2007 |
|
|
$ |
6.5 |
|
|
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per common share (EPS) is computed by dividing earnings applicable to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of common stock equivalent shares that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
Our dilutive common stock equivalent shares consist of stock options and other stock-based compensation awards. The following table presents stock options that were not dilutive and were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS in each period, as well as the dilutive common stock equivalent shares:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||||
Non-dilutive stock options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
Dilutive common stock equivalent shares |
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligations
We discuss our asset retirement obligations in more detail in Note 1 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The change in our Asset retirement obligations liability during 2007 was as follows:
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
Liability at January 1, 2007 |
|
|
$ |
974.8 |
|
|
Accretion expense |
|
|
17.7 |
|
|
|
Liabilities incurred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities settled |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revisions to cash flows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liability at March 31, 2007 |
|
|
$ |
992.5 |
|
|
In 2007, we are performing site specific studies for all three of our nuclear facilities. We expect to complete the studies and reflect the results in the third quarter of 2007.
Acquisitions
Working Interests in Gas Producing Fields
In the first quarter of 2007, we acquired working interests of 41% and 55% in two gas and oil producing properties in Oklahoma for $212.0 million in cash, subject to closing adjustments. We purchased leases, producing wells, inventory, and related equipment. We have included the results of operations from these properties in our merchant energy business segment since the date of acquisition.
Our preliminary purchase price is allocated to the net assets acquired as follows:
At March 23, 2007 |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
Property, Plant and Equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventory |
|
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
|
Unproved property |
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
Proved property |
|
|
204.5 |
|
|
|
Net Assets Acquired |
|
|
$ |
212.0 |
|
|
The purchase price is subject to closing adjustments, which could impact our purchase price allocation.
We believe that the pro-forma impact of the acquisition of these working interests would not have been material to our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.
Coalbed Methane Properties
In April 2007, Constellation Energy Partners LLC (CEP) acquired 100% ownership of certain coalbed methane properties for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $115 million. The properties are located in the Cherokee Basin in Kansas and Oklahoma.
In connection with the financing of this acquisition, CEP also sold in a private placement 2,207,684 common units at $26.12 per unit and sold 90,376 newly-created Class E units at a price of $25.84 per unit to third-party investors for gross cash proceeds of approximately $60 million. In the second quarter of 2007, we expect to record a pre-tax gain of $10-$15 million related to this additional equity issuance by CEP. The remaining purchase price was funded from funds available under an existing revolving credit facility of CEP.
In anticipation of closing this acquisition and the related equity issuance, at March 31, 2007 we evaluated the probability of forecasted sales of natural gas from CEPs properties that previously had been hedged by our merchant energy business. As a result of the anticipated
12
deconsolidation of CEP resulting from this equity issuance, which we discuss below, we determined that the hedged forecasted sales were probable of not occurring. Therefore, we reclassified $21.8 million pre-tax in previously deferred cash-flow hedge losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings during the first quarter of 2007.
As a result of the equity issuance by CEP, our ownership percentage in CEP fell below 50 percent. Therefore, during the second quarter of 2007, we deconsolidated CEP and began accounting for our investment under Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock. We discuss the equity method of accounting in more detail in Note 1 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Information by Operating Segment
Our reportable operating segments areMerchant Energy, Regulated Electric, and Regulated Gas:
¨ Our merchant energy business is nonregulated and includes:
full requirements load-serving sales of energy and capacity to utilities, cooperatives, and commercial, industrial, and governmental customers,
structured transactions and risk management services for various customers (including hedging of output from generating facilities and fuel costs),
deployment of risk capital through portfolio management and trading activities,
gas retail energy products and services to commercial, industrial, and governmental customers,
fossil, nuclear, and interests in hydroelectric generating facilities and qualifying facilities, fuel processing facilities, and power projects in the United States,
upstream (exploration and production) and downstream (transportation and storage) natural gas operations,
coal sourcing and logistics services for the variable or fixed supply needs of global customers, and
generation operations and maintenance and new nuclear development consulting services.
¨ Our regulated electric business purchases, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in Central Maryland.
¨ Our regulated gas business purchases, transports, and sells natural gas in Central Maryland.
Our remaining nonregulated businesses:
¨ design, construct, and operate heating, cooling, and cogeneration facilities for commercial, industrial, and governmental customers throughout North America, and
¨ provide home improvements, service electric and gas appliances, service heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and indoor air quality systems, and provide natural gas marketing to residential customers in Central Maryland.
In addition, we own several investments that we do not consider to be core operations. These include financial investments and real estate projects.
Our Merchant Energy, Regulated Electric, and Regulated Gas reportable segments are strategic businesses based principally upon regulations, products, and services that require different technology and marketing strategies. We evaluate the performance of these segments based on net income. We account for intersegment revenues using market prices. A summary of information by operating segment is shown in the table on the next page.
13
|
|
Reportable Segments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Merchant |
|
Regulated |
|
Regulated |
|
Other |
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Unaffiliated revenues |
|
$ |
4,063.5 |
|
|
$ |
514.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
402.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
74.7 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,055.5 |
|
|
Intersegment revenues |
|
322.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(327.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total revenues |
|
4,386.4 |
|
|
514.8 |
|
|
|
407.3 |
|
|
|
74.7 |
|
|
|
(327.7 |
) |
|
|
5,055.5 |
|
|
||||||
Loss from discontinued operations |
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
||||||
Net income |
|
120.0 |
|
|
32.2 |
|
|
|
33.7 |
|
|
|
9.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
195.7 |
|
|
||||||
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Unaffiliated revenues |
|
$ |
3,876.1 |
|
|
$ |
504.0 |
|
|
|
$ |
418.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
60.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,859.2 |
|
|
Intersegment revenues |
|
207.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
(209.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total revenues |
|
4,083.3 |
|
|
504.0 |
|
|
|
420.2 |
|
|
|
60.9 |
|
|
|
(209.2 |
) |
|
|
4,859.2 |
|
|
||||||
Income from discontinued operations |
|
11.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
||||||
Net income |
|
43.6 |
|
|
33.6 |
|
|
|
35.0 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
113.9 |
|
|
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current years presentation. The reclassifications primarily relate to operations that have been classified as discontinued operations in the current year.
Pension and Postretirement Benefits
We show the components of net periodic pension benefit cost in the following table:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Components of net periodic pension benefit cost |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Service cost |
|
$ |
12.5 |
|
$ |
11.7 |
|
Interest cost |
|
24.4 |
|
20.5 |
|
||
Expected return on plan assets |
|
(26.6 |
) |
(22.3 |
) |
||
Recognized net actuarial loss |
|
8.0 |
|
8.6 |
|
||
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
1.3 |
|
1.3 |
|
||
Amount capitalized as construction cost |
|
(3.0 |
) |
(2.9 |
) |
||
Net periodic pension benefit cost 1 |
|
$ |
16.6 |
|
$ |
16.9 |
|
1 BGEs portion of our net periodic pension benefit cost, excluding amounts capitalized, was $5.2 million in 2007 and $5.6 million in 2006.
We show the components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the following table:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Service cost |
|
$ |
1.7 |
|
$ |
2.1 |
|
Interest cost |
|
6.2 |
|
6.2 |
|
||
Amortization of transition obligation |
|
0.5 |
|
0.5 |
|
||
Recognized net actuarial loss |
|
1.4 |
|
2.0 |
|
||
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
(0.8 |
) |
(0.9 |
) |
||
Amount capitalized as construction cost |
|
(2.1 |
) |
(2.0 |
) |
||
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost 1 |
|
$ |
6.9 |
|
$ |
7.9 |
|
1 BGEs portion of our net periodic postretirement benefit cost, excluding amounts capitalized, was $4.0 million in 2007 and $4.3 million in 2006.
Our non-qualified pension plans and our postretirement benefit programs are not funded; however, we have trust assets securing certain executive pension benefits. We estimate that we will incur approximately $4 million in pension benefit payments for our non-qualified pension plans and approximately $29 million for retiree health and life insurance benefit payments during 2007. We contributed $125.0 million to our qualified pension plans in March 2007.
14
Financing Activities
Constellation Energy had committed bank lines of credit under facilities totaling $4.6 billion at March 31, 2007 for short-term financial needs. We discuss these facilities in more detail in Note 8 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These facilities can issue letters of credit up to approximately $4.1 billion. Letters of credit issued under all of our facilities totaled $1.5 billion at March 31, 2007.
In connection with the acquisition of coalbed methane properties discussed on page 12, CEP borrowed $10.0 million under an existing credit facility. At March 31, 2007, CEP had $32.0 million of borrowings outstanding under its credit facility. We discuss the credit facility in more detail in Note 9 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Under our shareholder investment plans we issued $22.1 million of common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2007. In addition, during the first quarter of 2007, we purchased $77.6 million of our common stock in the open market. These common shares are held by us in order to satisfy employee stock based compensation obligations.
Income Taxes
Total income taxes are different from the amount that would be computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35% to book income before income taxes as follows:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Income before income taxes (excluding BGE preference stock dividends) |
|
$ |
268.3 |
|
$ |
144.5 |
|
Statutory federal income tax rate |
|
35 |
% |
35 |
% |
||
Income taxes computed at statutory federal rate |
|
93.9 |
|
50.6 |
|
||
(Decreases) increases in income taxes due to: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Synthetic fuel tax credits flowed through to income |
|
(39.7 |
) |
(34.3 |
) |
||
Synthetic fuel tax credit phase-out |
|
11.5 |
|
15.8 |
|
||
Synthetic fuel tax credit true-up for 2006 flowed through to income |
|
(7.9 |
) |
|
|
||
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit |
|
11.8 |
|
7.4 |
|
||
Other |
|
(1.9 |
) |
0.1 |
|
||
Total income taxes |
|
$ |
67.7 |
|
$ |
39.6 |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
25.3 |
% |
27.4 |
% |
Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation.
Synthetic fuel tax credits are net of our expectation of a 29% phase-out in 2007 based on forward market prices and volatilities at March 31, 2007. In the first quarter of 2007, we also recorded $7.9 million of additional tax credits related to 2006 to reflect the impact of the final oil reference price and inflation factor published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2007.
Based on forward market prices and volatilities as of April 27, 2007, we continue to estimate a 29% tax credit phase-out in 2007. The expected amount of synthetic fuel tax credits phased-out may change materially from period to period as a result of continued changes in oil prices.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we recognized $21.6 million in our Consolidated Balance Sheets related to additional Deferred income taxes on unrealized gains related to our nuclear decommissioning trust securities with an offsetting increase in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. This adjustment represents the trust level taxes for which we had not previously provided deferred income taxes.
We discuss the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB) Interpretation No. (FIN) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, beginning on page 20.
Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies
We have made substantial commitments in connection with our merchant energy, regulated electric and gas, and other nonregulated businesses. These commitments relate to:
¨ purchase of electric generating capacity and energy,
¨ procurement and delivery of fuels,
¨ the capacity and transmission and transportation rights for the physical delivery of energy to meet our obligations to our customers, and
¨ long-term service agreements, capital for construction programs, and other.
Our merchant energy business enters into various long-term contracts for the procurement and delivery of fuels to supply our generating plant requirements. In most cases, our contracts contain provisions for price escalations, minimum purchase levels, and other financial commitments. These contracts expire in various years between 2007 and 2020. In addition, our merchant energy business enters into long-term contracts for the capacity and transmission rights for the delivery of energy to meet our physical obligations to our customers. These contracts expire in various years between 2007 and 2019.
Our merchant energy business also has committed to long-term service agreements and other purchase commitments for our plants.
Our regulated electric business enters into various long-term contracts for the procurement of electricity. These contracts expire between 2007 and 2009. Our regulated gas business has gas transportation and storage
15
contracts that expire between 2007 and 2028. As discussed in Note 1 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the costs under these contracts are fully recoverable by our regulated businesses.
Our other nonregulated businesses have committed to gas purchases, as well as to contribute additional capital for construction programs and joint ventures in which they have an interest.
We have also committed to long-term service agreements and other obligations related to our information technology systems.
At March 31, 2007, the total amount of commitments was $8,840.4 million. These commitments are primarily related to our merchant energy business.
Long-Term Power Sales Contracts
We enter into long-term power sales contracts in connection with our load-serving activities. We also enter into long-term power sales contracts associated with certain of our power plants. Our load-serving power sales contracts extend for terms through 2019 and provide for the sale of energy to electricity distribution utilities and certain retail customers. Our power sales contracts associated with power plants we own extend for terms into 2014 and provide for the sale of all or a portion of the actual output of certain of our power plants. All long-term contracts were executed at pricing that approximated market rates, including profit margin, at the time of execution.
Guarantees
Our guarantees do not represent incremental Constellation Energy obligations; rather they primarily represent parental guarantees of subsidiary obligations. The following table summarizes the maximum exposure based on the stated limit of our outstanding guarantees at March 31, 2007:
At March 31, 2007 |
|
Stated Limit |
|
|||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
Competitive supply guarantees |
|
|
$ |
10,678.1 |
|
|
Nuclear guarantees |
|
|
773.6 |
|
|
|
BGE guarantees |
|
|
263.3 |
|
|
|
Other non-regulated guarantees |
|
|
74.2 |
|
|
|
Power project guarantees |
|
|
19.2 |
|
|
|
Total guarantees |
|
|
$ |
11,808.4 |
|
|
At March 31, 2007, Constellation Energy had a total of $11,808.4 million in guarantees outstanding related to loans, credit facilities, and contractual performance of certain of its subsidiaries as described below.
¨ Constellation Energy guaranteed $10,678.1 million on behalf of our subsidiaries for competitive supply activities. These guarantees are put into place in order to allow our subsidiaries the flexibility needed to conduct business with counterparties without having to post other forms of collateral. While the face amount of these guarantees is $10,678.1 million, our calculated fair value of obligations for commercial transactions covered by these guarantees was $2,983.4 million at March 31, 2007. If the parent company was required to fund these subsidiary obligations, the total amount based on March 31, 2007 market prices would be $2,983.4 million. For those guarantees related to our mark-to-market energy or risk management liabilities, the fair value of the obligation is recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
¨ Constellation Energy guaranteed $773.6 million primarily on behalf of our nuclear generating facilities for nuclear insurance and credit support to ensure these plants have funds to meet expenses and obligations to safely operate and maintain the plants.
¨ BGE guaranteed the Trust Preferred Securities of $250.0 million of BGE Trust II,
¨ BGE guaranteed two-thirds of certain debt of Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, an unconsolidated investment. At March 31, 2007, Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation had outstanding debt of $20.0 million. The maximum amount of BGEs guarantee is $13.3 million.
¨ Constellation Energy guaranteed $62.4 million on behalf of our other nonregulated businesses primarily for loans and performance bonds of which $25.0 million was recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2007.
¨ Our other nonregulated business guaranteed $11.8 million primarily for performance bonds.
¨ Our merchant energy business guaranteed $19.2 million for loans and other performance guarantees related to certain power projects in which we have an investment.
We believe it is unlikely that we would be required to perform or incur any losses associated with guarantees of our subsidiaries obligations.
Contingencies
Revenue Sufficiency Guarantee Costs
During 2006, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued orders finding that the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) violated its tariff by incorrectly allocating revenue sufficiency guarantee (RSG) charges among market participants. As a result of FERC orders, MISO proposed a revised methodology for the allocation of RSG charges in its December 2006
16
compliance filing with the FERC with a proposed effective date of April 1, 2007.
In March 2007, FERC rejected the RSG allocation methodology proposed by MISO in its December 2006 compliance filing and ordered MISO to reallocate RSG costs based on its existing tariff back to the date of FERCs original order (April 2006). Based on this FERC order, we recorded an immaterial liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheets based on our estimate of the amount of re-allocated RSGs we believe is probable. Our liability is subject to change based upon MISOs calculation of the actual RSG adjustment. In addition, the order may be appealed, and we cannot predict the ultimate timing or outcome of any appeal.
Environmental Matters
Solid and Hazardous Waste
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several state agencies have notified us that we are considered a potentially responsible party with respect to the clean-up of certain environmentally contaminated sites. We cannot estimate the final clean-up costs for all of these sites, but the current estimated costs for, and current status of, each site is described in more detail below.
68th Street Dump
In 1999, the EPA proposed to add the 68th Street Dump in Baltimore, Maryland to the Superfund National Priorities List, which is its list of sites targeted for clean-up and enforcement, and sent a general notice letter to BGE and 19 other parties identifying them as potentially liable parties at the site. In March 2004, we and other potentially responsible parties formed the 68th Street Coalition and entered into consent order negotiations with the EPA to investigate clean-up options for the site under the Superfund Alternative Sites Program. In May 2006, a settlement among the EPA and 19 of the potentially responsible parties, including BGE, with respect to investigation of the site became effective. The settlement requires the potentially responsible parties, over the course of several years, to identify contamination at the site and recommend clean-up options. BGE is fully indemnified by a wholly-owned affiliate of Constellation Energy for costs related to this settlement, as well as any clean-up costs. The clean-up costs will not be known until the investigation is closer to completion. However, those costs could have a material effect on our financial results.
Spring Gardens
In December 1996, BGE signed a consent order with the Maryland Department of the Environment that requires it to implement remedial action plans for contamination at and around the Spring Gardens site, located in Baltimore, Maryland. The Spring Gardens site was once used to manufacture gas from coal and oil. Based on remedial action plans and cost modeling performed in late 2006, BGE estimates its probable clean-up costs will total $43 million. BGE has recorded these costs as a liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheets and has deferred these costs, net of accumulated amortization and amounts it recovered from insurance companies, as a regulatory asset. Based on the results of studies at this site, it is reasonably possible that additional costs could exceed the amount BGE has recognized by approximately $3 million. Through March 31, 2007, BGE has spent approximately $40 million for remediation at this site.
BGE also has investigated other small sites where gas was manufactured in the past. We do not expect the clean-up costs of the remaining smaller sites to have a material effect on our financial results.
Air Quality
In late July 2005, we received two Notices of Violation (NOVs) from the Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Placer County California (District) alleging that the Rio Bravo Rocklin facility located in Lincoln, California had violated certain District air emission regulations. We have a combined 50% ownership interest in the partnership which owns the Rio Bravo Rocklin facility. The NOVs allege a total of 38 violations between January 2003 and March 2005 of either the facilitys air permit or federal, state, and county air emission standards related to nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate emissions, as well as violations of certain monitoring and reporting requirements during that time period. The maximum civil penalties for the alleged violations range from $10,000 to $40,000 per violation. Management of the Rio Bravo Rocklin facility is currently discussing the allegations in the NOVs with District representatives. It is not possible to determine the actual liability, if any, of the partnership that owns the Rio Bravo Rocklin facility.
Litigation
In the normal course of business, we are involved in various legal proceedings. We discuss the significant matters below.
City of Tacoma v. AEP, et al.,The City of Tacoma, on June 7, 2004, in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, filed a complaint against over 60 companies, including Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. (CCG). The complaint alleges that the defendants engaged in manipulation of electricity markets resulting in prices for power in the western power markets that were substantially above what market prices would have been in the absence of the alleged unlawful contracts, combinations and conspiracy in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The complaint further alleges that the total amount of damages is unknown, but is estimated to exceed $175 million. On February 11, 2005, the Court granted the defendants motion to dismiss the action based on the Courts lack of jurisdiction over the claims in
17
question. The plaintiff appealed the dismissal of the action to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, but subsequently agreed to a dismissal with prejudice, which the Ninth Circuit Court ordered on March 20, 2007.
Challenges to the Illinois Auction
In March 2007, the Illinois Attorney General filed a complaint at FERC against the wholesale suppliers, including our wholesale marketing, risk management and trading operation, that were successful bidders in the recent Illinois auction. The complaint alleges that the rates resulting from the auction are not just and reasonable and requests that FERC commence a proceeding to determine if the rates are just and reasonable and to investigate evidence of price manipulation.
In addition, two class action complaints have been filed in Illinois state court against these wholesale suppliers alleging that they engaged in deceptive practices, including colluding in setting prices and actual price fixing. The complaints seek unspecified damages in an amount to be proven at trial.
We believe we have meritorious defenses to these claims challenging the Illinois auction and our conduct in the auction and intend to defend against them vigorously. However, we cannot predict the timing, or outcome, of these proceedings, or their possible effect on our financial results.
Mercury
Since September 2002, BGE, Constellation Energy, and several other defendants have been involved in numerous actions filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland alleging mercury poisoning from several sources, including coal plants formerly owned by BGE. The plants are now owned by a subsidiary of Constellation Energy. In addition to BGE and Constellation Energy, approximately 11 other defendants, consisting of pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of vaccines, and manufacturers of Thimerosal have been sued. Approximately 70 cases, involving claims related to approximately 132 children, have been filed to date, with each claimant seeking $20 million in compensatory damages, plus punitive damages, from us.
In rulings applicable to all but six of the cases, involving claims related to approximately 50 children, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City dismissed with prejudice all claims against BGE and Constellation Energy. Plaintiffs may attempt to pursue appeals of the rulings in favor of BGE and Constellation Energy once the cases are finally concluded as to all defendants. We believe that we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend the remaining actions vigorously. However, we cannot predict the timing, or outcome, of these cases, or their possible effect on our, or BGEs, financial results.
Asbestos
Since 1993, BGE and certain Constellation Energy subsidiaries have been involved in several actions concerning asbestos. The actions are based upon the theory of premises liability, alleging that BGE and Constellation Energy knew of and exposed individuals to an asbestos hazard. BGE and Constellation Energy, and numerous other parties are defendants in these cases.
Approximately 535 individuals who were never employees of BGE or Constellation Energy have pending claims each seeking several million dollars in compensatory and punitive damages. Cross-claims and third-party claims brought by other defendants may also be filed against BGE and Constellation Energy in these actions. To date, most asbestos claims against us have been dismissed or resolved without any payment and a small minority have been resolved for amounts that were not material to our financial results. The remaining claims are currently pending in state courts in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
BGE and Constellation Energy do not know the specific facts necessary to estimate their potential liability for these claims. The specific facts we do not know include:
¨ the identity of the facilities at which the plaintiffs allegedly worked as contractors,
¨ the names of the plaintiffs employers,
¨ the dates on which and the places where the exposure allegedly occurred, and
¨ the facts and circumstances relating to the alleged exposure.
Until the relevant facts are determined, we are unable to estimate what our, or BGEs, liability might be. Although insurance and hold harmless agreements from contractors who employed the plaintiffs may cover a portion of any awards in the actions, the potential effect on our, or BGEs, financial results could be material.
Insurance
We discuss our nuclear and non-nuclear insurance programs in Note 12 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
18
SFAS No. 133 Hedging Activities
We are exposed to market risk, including changes in interest rates and the impact of market fluctuations in the price and transportation costs of electricity, natural gas, and other commodities. We discuss our market risk in more detail in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Commodity Prices
Our merchant energy business uses a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments to manage the commodity price risk of our competitive supply activities and our electric generation facilities, including power sales, fuel and energy purchases, gas purchased for resale, emission credits, 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 of energy and purchases of fuel and energy. The objectives for entering into such hedges include:
¨ fixing the price for a portion of anticipated future electricity sales at a level that provides an acceptable return on our electric generation operations,
¨ fixing the price of a portion of anticipated fuel purchases for the operation of our power plants,
¨ fixing the price for a portion of anticipated energy purchases to supply our load-serving customers, and
¨ fixing the price for a portion of anticipated sales of natural gas to customers.
The portion of forecasted transactions hedged may vary based upon managements assessment of market, weather, operational, and other factors.
Our merchant energy business designated certain fixed-price forward contracts as cash-flow hedges of forecasted sales of energy and forecasted purchases of fuel and energy for the years 2007 through 2015 under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. Our merchant energy business had net unrealized pre-tax losses on these cash-flow hedges recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $1,084.1 million at March 31, 2007 and $2,227.1 million at December 31, 2006.
We expect to reclassify $409.4 million of net pre-tax losses on cash-flow hedges from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings during the next twelve months based on market prices at March 31, 2007. However, the actual amount reclassified into earnings could vary from the amounts recorded at March 31, 2007, due to future changes in market prices. Additionally, for cash-flow hedges settled by physical delivery of the underlying commodity, Reclassification of net losses on hedging instruments from OCI to net income represents the fair value of those derivatives, which is realized through gross settlement at the contract price. We recognized into earnings a $16.5 million pre-tax loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and a $5.2 million pre-tax loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 related to cash-flow hedge ineffectiveness.
In addition, during the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we de-designated contracts previously designated as cash-flow hedges for which the forecasted transactions originally hedged are probable of not occurring and as a result we recognized a pre-tax loss of $21.6 million. We discuss the transaction that accounts for substantially all of this amount in more detail in the Acquisitions section on page 12. During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, we de-designated contracts previously designated as cash-flow hedges and as a result we recognized a pre-tax loss of $10.5 million.
Our merchant energy business also enters into natural gas storage contracts under which the gas in storage qualifies for fair value hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133. We recognized a $2.2 million pre-tax loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and a $1.0 million pre-tax net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 due to hedge ineffectiveness. In addition, we recognized a $1.3 million pre-tax gain for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 related to the change in value for the portion of our fair value hedges excluded from ineffectiveness testing.
We record changes in fair value of these hedges related to our retail competitive supply operations as a component of Fuel and purchased energy expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We record changes in fair value of these hedges related to our wholesale competitive supply operations as a component of Nonregulated revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Interest Rates
We use interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate exposures associated with new debt issuances, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable rate debt, and to optimize the mix of fixed and floating-rate debt. The swaps used to manage our exposure prior to the issuance of new debt are designated as cash-flow hedges under SFAS No. 133, with the effective portion of gains and losses, net of associated deferred income tax effects, recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss in anticipation of planned financing transactions. We reclassify gains and losses on the hedges from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income during the periods in which the interest payments being hedged occur.
The swaps used to optimize the mix of fixed and floating-rate debt are designated as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. We record any gains or losses on swaps that qualify for fair value hedge accounting treatment, as well as changes in the fair value of the debt being hedged, in Interest expense, and we record any changes in fair value of the swaps and the debt in Risk management assets and
19
liabilities and Long-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, we record the difference between interest on hedged fixed-rate debt and floating-rate swaps in Interest expense in the periods that the swaps settle.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes net unrealized pre-tax gains on interest rate cash-flow hedges terminated upon debt issuance totaling $11.8 million at March 31, 2007 and $12.5 million at December 31, 2006. We expect to reclassify $0.1 million of pre-tax net losses on these cash-flow hedges from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Interest expense during the next twelve months. We had no hedge ineffectiveness on these swaps.
In order to optimize the mix of fixed and floating-rate debt, we entered into interest rate swaps qualifying as fair value hedges relating to $450.0 million of our fixed-rate debt maturing in 2012 and 2015, and converted this notional amount of debt to floating-rate. The fair value of these hedges was an unrealized gain of $1.6 million at March 31, 2007 and was recorded as an increase in our Risk management assets and Long-term debt. The fair value of these hedges was an unrealized loss of $7.1 million at December 31, 2006 and was recorded as an increase in our Risk management liabilities and a decrease in our Long-term debt. We had no hedge ineffectiveness on these interest rate swaps.
Accounting Standards Issued
SFAS No. 159
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilitiesincluding an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. SFAS No. 159 provides the option to report at fair value certain financial instruments that are not currently required or permitted to be measured at fair value. This option would be applied on an instrument by instrument basis. If elected, unrealized gains and losses on the affected financial instruments would be recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS No. 159 is effective beginning January 1, 2008. We are currently assessing the provisions of SFAS No. 159; however, while the application of the fair value accounting would be optional, the impact of fair value accounting, if elected, could be material to our, or BGEs, financial results.
FSP FIN 39-1
In April 2007, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) FIN 39-1, Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39. FSP FIN 39-1 permits an entity to report all derivatives recorded at fair value with any associated fair value cash collateral, which are with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement, together in the balance sheet. Our wholesale competitive supply operation reports derivative amounts under master netting arrangements net in accordance with FIN 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts; however, we report fair value cash collateral separate from our derivative amounts. Under the provisions of this FSP, we must either report net all derivatives recorded at fair value with the associated fair value cash collateral or report all derivative amounts gross. The effects of FSP FIN 39-1 must be applied by adjusting all financial statements presented beginning January 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact of this FSP; however, this FSP could have a material impact on our financial results.
Accounting Standards Adopted
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48. FIN 48 provides guidance for the recognition and measurement of an entitys uncertain tax positions. These are defined as positions taken in a previously filed tax return or positions expected to be taken in future tax returns and which result in, among other things, a permanent reduction of income taxes payable, a deferral of income taxes otherwise currently payable to future years, or a change in the expected ability to realize deferred tax assets. Under FIN 48, we are required to recognize the financial statement effects of tax positions if they meet a more-likely-than-not threshold. In evaluating items relative to this threshold, we must assess whether each tax position will be sustained based solely on its technical merits assuming examination by a taxing authority.
For those uncertain tax positions that we have recognized in our financial statements, we establish liabilities to reflect the portion of those positions we cannot conclude are more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. These are referred to as liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits under FIN 48. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in Income tax expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
20
The adoption of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, resulted in our recording a $7.3 million incremental liability for unrecognized tax benefits and a corresponding reduction in Retained earnings in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. We also reclassified $49.4 million from existing tax liabilities (primarily deferred income taxes) to the new FIN 48 liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Our resulting total $56.7 million FIN 48 liability for unrecognized tax benefits includes $12.1 million of accrued interest and penalties.
Additionally, FIN 48 requires disclosure of total unrecognized tax benefits, regardless of whether or not these amounts are reflected in our balance sheet. We have $59.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to outstanding federal and state refund claims for which no tax benefit was previously provided in our financial statements because the claims do not meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. Included in this amount is $48.3 million of refund claims that have been disallowed by the applicable tax authorities for which we assess the probability of tax benefit recognition to be remote.
The following table summarizes our total unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2007. There have been no significant changes to our unrecognized tax benefits during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
Total liabilities reflected in our balance sheet for unrecognized tax benefits of $56.7 million less $12.1 million of interest and penalties |
|
|
$ |
44.6 |
|
|
Other unrecognized tax benefits not reflected in our balance sheet |
|
|
59.4 |
|
|
|
Total unrecognized tax benefits |
|
|
$ |
104.0 |
|
|
If the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits of $104.0 million were ultimately realized, our income tax expense would decrease by approximately $65 million; however, this includes the $48.3 million of disallowed refund claims discussed above.
We file income tax returns in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2002. The IRS commenced an examination of our U.S. income tax returns for 2002, 2003, and 2004 in the third quarter of 2005. We anticipate that these examinations will be completed by the end of 2007.
Recently, the IRS has proposed certain adjustments to our 2002-2004 deductions for repairs and casualty losses. We do not anticipate the adjustments, if any, would result in a material impact on our financial results. However, we anticipate that it is reasonably possible that an additional payment in the range of $20 to $25 million will be made by March 31, 2008, which will reduce our liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits.
The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on BGEs financial results.
Related Party
TransactionsBGE
Income Statement
BGE is obligated to provide market-based standard offer service to all of its electric customers for varying periods. Bidding to supply BGEs market-based standard offer service to electric customers will occur from time to time through a competitive bidding process approved by the Maryland PSC.
Our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation will supply a substantial portion of BGEs market-based standard offer service obligation to residential electric customers through May 31, 2007, as well as a portion of BGEs market-based standard offer service obligations for electric customers from June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2009.
The cost of BGEs purchased energy from nonregulated subsidiaries of Constellation Energy to meet its standard offer service obligation was $302.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to $187.6 million for the same period in 2006.
In addition, Constellation Energy charges BGE for the costs of certain corporate functions. Certain costs are directly assigned to BGE. We allocate other corporate function costs based on a total percentage of expected use by BGE. We believe this method of allocation is reasonable and approximates the cost BGE would have incurred as an unaffiliated entity. These costs were approximately $34.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to $31.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.
Balance Sheet
BGE participates in a cash pool under a Master Demand Note agreement with Constellation Energy. Under this arrangement, participating subsidiaries may invest in or borrow from the pool at market interest rates. Constellation Energy administers the pool and invests excess cash in short-term investments or issues commercial paper to manage consolidated cash requirements. Under this arrangement, BGE had borrowed $151.7 million at March 31, 2007 and had invested $60.6 million at December 31, 2006.
BGEs Consolidated Balance Sheets include intercompany amounts related to corporate functions performed at the Constellation Energy holding company, BGEs purchases to meet its standard offer service obligation, BGEs charges to Constellation Energy and its nonregulated affiliates for certain services it provides them, and the participation of BGEs employees in the Constellation Energy defined benefit plans.
We believe our allocation methods are reasonable and approximate the costs that would be charged to unaffiliated entities.
21
Item 2. Managements Discussion
Managements 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 the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 13.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 1Business section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and we discuss the risks affecting our business in Item 1A. Risk Factors section on page 42.
Our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K includes a detailed discussion of various items impacting our business, our results of operations, and our financial condition. These include:
¨ Introduction and Overview section which provides a description of our business segments,
¨ Strategy section,
¨ Business Environment section, including how regulation, weather, and other factors affect our business, and
¨ Critical Accounting Policies section.
Critical accounting policies are the accounting policies that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require managements most difficult, subjective, or complex judgment. Our critical accounting policies include derivative accounting, evaluation of assets for impairment and other than temporary decline in value, and asset retirement obligations.
In this discussion and analysis, we explain the general financial condition and the results of operations for Constellation Energy and BGE including:
¨ factors which affect our businesses,
¨ our earnings and costs in the periods presented,
¨ changes in earnings and costs between periods,
¨ sources of earnings,
¨ impact of these factors on our overall financial condition,
¨ expected future expenditures for capital projects, and
¨ expected sources of cash for further capital expenditures.
As you read this discussion and analysis, refer to our Consolidated Statements of Income on page 3, which present the results of our operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. We analyze and explain the differences between periods in the specific line items of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
We have organized our discussion and analysis as follows:
¨ We describe changes to our business environment during the year.
¨ We highlight significant events that occurred in 2007 that are important to understanding our results of operations and financial condition.
¨ We then review our results of operations beginning with an overview of our total company results, followed by a more detailed review of those results by operating segment.
¨ We review our financial condition, addressing our sources and uses of cash, capital resources, commitments, and liquidity.
¨ We conclude with a discussion of our exposure to various market risks.
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 these various factors in the Forward Looking Statements section on page 42 and in Item 1A. Risk Factors section on page 42. We discuss our market risks in the Market Risk section beginning on page 39.
In this section, we discuss in more detail events which have impacted our business during 2007.
Regulation by the Maryland PSC
In April 2007, Senate Bill 400 was enacted, which makes certain modifications to Senate Bill 1. We discuss Senate Bill 1 in more detail in Item 1. BusinessElectric Regulatory Matters and Competition section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Under Senate Bill 400, the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) is required to initiate several studies including studies relating to stranded costs, the costs and benefits of various options for regulation, and the structure of the electric power sector. The Maryland PSC is required to submit an interim report by December 1, 2007 and a final report by December 1, 2008. We cannot at this time predict the outcome of these studies or their actual effect on our, or BGEs, financial results, but it could be material.
Air Quality
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
In March 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a petition to seek a rehearing on a December 2006 decision of the United States Court of
22
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in which the Court ruled that the EPA must impose fees on emissions sources that failed to achieve applicable ozone standards retroactive to November 2005. At this time, we cannot predict whether the Court will grant a rehearing, the outcome of a rehearing or whether the fees will be retroactively assessed. Any fees that are ultimately assessed could have a material impact on our financial results.
New Source Review
In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision regarding the standard to be used to measure emissions when the EPAs new source review requirements are triggered but did not address when those requirements are triggered. We do not believe the Courts decision will have a material impact on our financial results.
Global Climate Change
In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the EPA has authority to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from automobiles. Although the decision did not address CO2 emissions from stationary sources such as power generation facilities, federal legislation or regulation addressing CO2 emissions from other sources may now be more likely. We cannot predict the nature or timing of any CO2 legislation or regulation, but any compliance costs we incur could have a material impact on our financial results.
Also in April 2007, Maryland became a full participant in the Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). We discuss RGGI in more detail in Item 1Business section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Capital Expenditures
As discussed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we expect to incur additional environmental capital expenditures to comply with air quality laws and regulations. Based on updated information from vendors, we expect our estimated environmental capital requirements to be approximately $265 million in 2007, $490 million in 2008, $325 million in 2009 and $30 million from 2010-2011.
Our estimates may change further as we implement our compliance plan. As discussed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our estimates of capital expenditures continue to be subject to significant uncertainties.
Accounting Standards Issued and Adopted
We discuss recently issued and adopted accounting standards in the Accounting Standards Issued and Accounting Standards Adopted sections of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 20.
Acquisitions
Working Interests in Gas Producing Fields
In March 2007, we acquired working interests in gas and oil producing fields. We discuss this acquisition in more detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 12.
Coalbed Methane Properties
In April 2007, Constellation Energy Partners LLC (CEP) acquired certain coalbed methane properties for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $115 million. In connection with the financing of this acquisition, CEP issued equity resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $60 million. We discuss this acquisition and related issuance of equity in more detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 12.
Contract and Portfolio Acquisitions
In the first quarter of 2007, our wholesale marketing, risk management and trading operation reached an agreement for the purchase of a portfolio of power-related contracts in the southeast region of the United States. Upon closing of the transaction, we will assume several long-term full-requirements fixed-price power supply agreements. The peak demand under these agreements is more than 3,000 megawatts, and these agreements terminate at various dates through 2015.
We will also enter into several long-term tolling agreements that terminate at various dates through 2015. In addition to the power supply and tolling agreements, we will also receive various power and natural gas hedges.
The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2007. We expect to receive approximately $350 million in cash at closing as consideration for assuming all of these contracts, which were executed by the counterparty at prices that differ from current market prices.
Cornerstone Energy
In March 2007, our retail competitive supply operation signed an agreement to acquire 100% ownership of Cornerstone Energy, Inc. (Cornerstone Energy) for approximately $100 million. Cornerstone Energy provides natural gas supply and related services to more than 8,500 commercial, industrial, and institutional customers primarily in the Central United States and is expected to add 100 billion cubic feet of natural gas to our annual volumes served.
The transaction is expected to close later in 2007, subject to standard closing conditions.
23
As discussed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Internal Revenue Code provides for a phase-out of synthetic fuel tax credits if average annual wellhead oil prices increase above certain levels. For 2007, we estimate the tax credit reduction would begin if the reference price exceeds approximately $56 per barrel and would be fully phased out if the reference price exceeds approximately $70 per barrel.
Based on forward market prices and volatilities and current production levels as of March 31, 2007, we estimate a 29% tax credit phase-out in 2007. We discuss the impact of synthetic fuel tax credits on our total income tax expense and effective tax rate in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 15.
Based on forward market prices and volatilities and current production levels as of April 27, 2007, we continue to estimate a 29% tax credit phase-out in 2007. However, the ultimate amount of tax credits phased-out for 2007, if any, is subject to change based on the actual reference price and production levels for the entire year.
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. Changes in other income, fixed charges, and income taxes are discussed, as necessary, in the aggregate for all segments in the Consolidated Nonoperating Income and Expenses section on page 35.
Results
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||||||
|
|
(In millions, after-tax) |
|
||||||||
Merchant energy |
|
|
$ |
121.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
32.2 |
|
|
Regulated electric |
|
|
32.2 |
|
|
|
33.6 |
|
|
||
Regulated gas |
|
|
33.7 |
|
|
|
35.0 |
|
|
||
Other nonregulated |
|
|
9.8 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
||
Income from continuing operations |
|
|
197.3 |
|
|
|
101.6 |
|
|
||
(Loss) income from discontinued operations |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
||
Net Income |
|
|
$ |
195.7 |
|
|
|
$ |
113.9 |
|
|
Other Items Included in Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Non-qualifying hedges |
|
|
$ |
(9.2 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(9.7 |
) |
|
Merger-related costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
|
||
Workforce reduction costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.3 |
) |
|
||
Total Other Items |
|
|
$ |
(9.2 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(12.5 |
) |
|
Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation.
Quarter Ended March 31, 2007
Our total net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 increased $81.8 million, or $0.44 per share, compared to the same period of 2006 mostly because of the following:
¨ We had higher earnings of approximately $93 million after-tax at our merchant energy business due to higher gross margin from the Mid-Atlantic Region. We discuss this increase in gross margin in more detail in the Mid-Atlantic Region section beginning on page 27.
¨ We had higher earnings of approximately $17 million after-tax from other income mostly due to an increase in interest income resulting from a higher cash balance.
¨ We had higher earnings of $15.7 million after-tax at our retail competitive supply operation primarily due to an increase in gross margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses mostly due to the growth of this operation. We discuss our retail gross margin in more detail in the Competitive Supply section on page 27.
¨ We had higher earnings of $14.9 million after-tax from our facilities that produce synthetic fuel, which included the recognition of $7.9 million after-tax related to the true-up of 2006 tax credits and phase-out for the final 2006 IRS inflation adjustment factor. We discuss the impact of synthetic fuel tax credits from these facilities in more detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 15.
These increases were partially offset by the following:
¨ We had lower earnings of approximately $43 million after-tax due to lower gross margin and increased operating expenses at our wholesale competitive supply operation. We discuss our mark-to-market and wholesale accrual results in more detail in the Competitive Supply section beginning on page 27.
¨ We had lower earnings from discontinued operations of $13.9 million after-tax.
In the following sections, we discuss our net income by business segment in greater detail.
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 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our merchant energy business focuses on delivery of physical, customer-oriented products to producers and
24
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 continue to identify and pursue opportunities which can generate additional returns through portfolio management and trading activities within our business. These opportunities have increased due to the significant growth in scale of our competitive supply operations.
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 Note 1 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We summarize our revenue and expense recognition policies as follows:
¨ We record revenues as they are earned and fuel and purchased energy costs as they are incurred for contracts and activities subject to accrual accounting, including certain load-serving activities.
¨ Prior to the settlement of the forecasted transaction being hedged, we record changes in the fair value of contracts designated as cash-flow hedges in other comprehensive income to the extent that the hedges are effective. We record the effective portion of the changes in fair value of hedges in earnings in the period the settlement of the hedged transaction occurs. We record the ineffective portion of the changes in fair value of hedges, if any, in earnings in the period in which the change occurs.
¨ We record changes in the fair value of contracts that are subject to mark-to-market accounting in revenues or fuel and purchased energy expenses in the period in which the change occurs.
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 beginning on page 27.
Our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation actively transacts in energy and energy-related commodities in order to manage our portfolio of energy purchases and sales to customers through structured transactions. As part of these 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 section beginning on page 27 and the Market Risk section on page 39.
Results
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
4,386.4 |
|
$ |
4,083.3 |
|
Fuel and purchased energy expenses |
|
(3,708.8 |
) |
(3,548.0 |
) |
||
Operating expenses |
|
(420.2 |
) |
(362.3 |
) |
||
Workforce reduction costs |
|
|
|
(2.2 |
) |
||
Merger-related costs |
|
|
|
(1.3 |
) |
||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
|
(62.9 |
) |
(64.1 |
) |
||
Accretion of asset retirement obligations |
|
(17.7 |
) |
(16.5 |
) |
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
|
(26.8 |
) |
(29.5 |
) |
||
Income from Operations |
|
$ |
150.0 |
|
$ |
59.4 |
|
Income from continuing operations (after-tax) |
|
$ |
121.6 |
|
$ |
32.2 |
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations (after-tax) |
|
(1.6 |
) |
11.4 |
|
||
Net Income |
|
$ |
120.0 |
|
$ |
43.6 |
|
Other Items Included in Operations (after-tax): |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Non-qualifying hedges |
|
$ |
(9.2 |
) |
$ |
(9.7 |
) |
Merger-related costs |
|
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
||
Workforce reduction costs |
|
|
|
(1.3 |
) |
||
Total Other Items |
|
$ |
(9.2 |
) |
$ |
(12.0 |
) |
Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation. Above amounts include intercompany transactions eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The Information by Operating Segment section within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 14 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. As previously discussed, our merchant energy business uses either accrual or mark-to-market accounting to record our revenues and expenses. Mark-to-market results reflect the net impact of amounts recorded in either revenues or fuel and purchased energy expenses to recognize the changes in fair value of derivative contracts subject to mark-to-market accounting during the reporting period.
The difference between revenues and fuel and purchased energy expenses, including all direct 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
25
recognition of revenues, fuel and purchased energy expenses, and cash flows.
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.
¨ Mid-Atlantic Regionour fossil, nuclear, and hydroelectric generating facilities and load-serving activities in the PJM Interconnection (PJM) region. This also includes active portfolio management of the generating assets and other physical and financial contractual arrangements, as well as other PJM competitive supply activities.
¨ Plants with Power Purchase Agreementsour Nine Mile Point and Ginna nuclear generating facilities.
¨ Wholesale Competitive Supplyour marketing, risk management, and trading operation that provides energy products and services primarily to distribution utilities, power generators, and other wholesale customers. We also provide global energy, logistics, and upstream and downstream natural gas services.
¨ Retail Competitive Supplyour operation that provides electric and gas energy products and services to commercial, industrial, and governmental customers.
¨ Otherour investments in qualifying facilities and domestic power projects and our generation operations and maintenance services.
We provide a summary of our revenues, fuel and purchased energy expenses, and gross margin as follows:
Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation.
26
Mid-Atlantic Region
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
547.9 |
|
$ |
465.4 |
|
Fuel and purchased energy expenses |
|
(295.3 |
) |
(366.1 |
) |
||
Gross margin |
|
$ |
252.6 |
|
$ |
99.3 |
|
The increase in gross margin during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 is primarily due to approximately $174 million in higher margins on new and existing contracts, which included the effect of the expiration of below-market hedges. This increase in gross margin included higher revenues from BGE of approximately $115 million.
As discussed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation served fixed-price standard offer service obligations to BGE from July 1, 2000 until July 1, 2006. The increase from higher margins on new and existing contracts was partially offset by the absence of competitive transition charge (CTC) revenue of $21 million. In June 2006, all customers completed their CTC obligation.
Plants with Power Purchase Agreements
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
151.2 |
|
$ |
152.4 |
|
Fuel and purchased energy expenses |
|
(18.0 |
) |
(15.7 |
) |
||
Gross margin |
|
$ |
133.2 |
|
$ |
136.7 |
|
Gross margin from our Plants with Power Purchase Agreements was about the same during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006.
Competitive Supply
We analyze our retail accrual, wholesale accrual and mark-to-market competitive supply activities separately below.
Retail
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Accrual revenues |
|
$ |
2,222.8 |
|
$ |
2,016.8 |
|
Fuel and purchased energy expenses |
|
(2,100.4 |
) |
(1,934.0 |
) |
||
Retail accrual activities |
|
122.4 |
|
82.8 |
|
||
Mark-to-market activities |
|
(4.4 |
) |
(9.5 |
) |
||
Gross margin |
|
$ |
118.0 |
|
$ |
73.3 |
|
The increase in accrual gross margin from our retail competitive supply activities during the quarter ended
March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 is primarily due to:
¨ approximately $30 million from the positive impact of higher contract rates per megawatt hour and lower costs to serve load, and
¨ approximately $5 million from serving 2 million more megawatt hours and 10 billion cubic feet more of natural gas.
Wholesale
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Accrual revenues |
|
$ |
1,488.0 |
|
$ |
1,323.2 |
|
Fuel and purchased energy expenses |
|
(1,292.0 |
) |
(1,215.3 |
) |
||
Wholesale accrual activities |
|
196.0 |
|
107.9 |
|
||
Mark-to-market activities |
|
(42.8 |
) |
97.3 |
|
||
Gross margin |
|
$ |
153.2 |
|
$ |
205.2 |
|
Our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation had higher accrual gross margin during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 primarily due to approximately $122 million from new contracts executed during 2007, higher realized gross margin associated with existing contracts, and the favorable impact of higher energy prices.
These increases in gross margin were partially offset by the recognition of approximately $34 million in losses for amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings related to:
¨ as discussed in more detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 12, as a result of the anticipated CEP equity issuance and subsequent deconsolidation, we determined that the hedged forecasted sales were probable of not occurring, which resulted in the reclassification of losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings.
¨ as discussed in more detail on the next page, we amended certain nonderivative contracts such that the new contracts are accounted for as mark-to-market. This resulted in the recognition of losses from cash-flow hedges previously deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive loss due to the forecasted transaction affecting earnings.
Mark-to-Market
Mark-to-market results 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 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
27
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 beginning on page 39. The primary factors that cause fluctuations in our mark-to-market results are:
¨ the number, size, and profitability of new transactions, including termination or restructuring of existing contracts,
¨ the number and size of our open derivative positions, and
¨ changes in the level and volatility of forward commodity prices and interest rates.
Mark-to-market results were as follows:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Unrealized mark-to-market results |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Origination gains |
|
$ |
31.6 |
|
$ |
3.3 |
|
Risk management and tradingmark-to-market |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unrealized changes in fair value |
|
(78.8 |
) |
84.5 |
|
||
Changes in valuation techniques |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Reclassification of settled contracts to realized |
|
(42.3 |
) |
(124.1 |
) |
||
Total risk management and tradingmark-to-market |
|
(121.1 |
) |
(39.6 |
) |
||
Total unrealized mark-to-market* |
|
(89.5 |
) |
(36.3 |
) |
||
Realized mark-to-market |
|
42.3 |
|
124.1 |
|
||
Total mark-to-market results |
|
$ |
(47.2 |
) |
$ |
87.8 |
|
* Total unrealized mark-to-market is the sum of origination gains and total risk management and tradingmark-to-market.
Origination gains arise primarily from contracts that our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation structures to meet the risk management needs of our customers or relate to our trading activities. Transactions that result in origination gains may be unique and provide the potential for individually significant revenues and gains from a single transaction.
Origination gains represent the initial fair value recognized on these transactions. The recognition of origination gains is dependent on sufficient observable market data that validates the initial fair value of the contract. 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 period to period as a result of the number, size, and market-price transparency of the individual transactions executed in any period.
In the first quarter of 2007, our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation amended certain nonderivative power sales contracts such that the new contracts are derivatives subject to mark-to-market accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. Simultaneous with the amending of the nonderivative contracts, we executed at current market prices several new offsetting derivative power purchase contracts subject to mark-to-market accounting. The combination of these transactions resulted in substantially all of the origination gains presented in the table above, as well as mitigated our risk exposure under the amended contracts.
The origination gain from these transactions was partially offset by approximately $12 million of losses in our accrual portfolio due to the reclassification of losses related to cash-flow hedges previously established for the amended nonderivative contracts from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings as discussed in our Competitive Supply-Wholesale Accrual section on the previous page. In the absence of these transactions, the origination gain and the losses associated with cash-flow hedges would have been recognized over the remaining term of the contracts, which extended through the first quarter of 2009.
Risk management and tradingmark-to-market 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. In addition, we use derivative contracts subject to mark-to-market accounting to manage our exposure to changes in market prices primarily as a result of our gas transportation and storage activities, while in general the underlying physical transactions related to our gas activities are accounted for on an accrual basis. We discuss the changes in mark-to-market results below. We show the relationship between our mark-to-market results and the change in our net mark-to-market energy asset later in this section.
Total mark-to-market results decreased $135.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 mostly because of a decrease in unrealized changes in fair value, partially offset by the increase in origination gains previously discussed. Unrealized changes in fair value decreased $163.3 million primarily due to losses on open positions resulting from an unfavorable price environment in the first quarter of 2007 compared to gains realized during the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Theses losses were partially offset by a $20.4 million favorable impact related to changes in the close-out valuation adjustment during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006.
28
These close-out valuation adjustments are determined by the change in open positions, new transactions where we did not have observable market price information, and existing transactions where we have now observed sufficient market price information and/or we realized cash flows since the transactions inception. We discuss the close-out adjustment in more detail in the Critical Accounting Policies section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Mark-to-Market Energy Assets and Liabilities
Our mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities are comprised of derivative contracts and consisted of the following:
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||||||
Current Assets |
|
|
$ |
1,189.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,294.8 |
|
|
Noncurrent Assets |
|
|
702.3 |
|
|
|
623.4 |
|
|
||
Total Assets |
|
|
1,891.6 |
|
|
|
1,918.2 |
|
|
||
Current Liabilities |
|
|
1,082.9 |
|
|
|
1,071.7 |
|
|
||
Noncurrent Liabilities |
|
|
466.9 |
|
|
|
392.4 |
|
|
||
Total Liabilities |
|
|
1,549.8 |
|
|
|
1,464.1 |
|
|
||
Net mark-to-market energy asset |
|
|
$ |
341.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
454.1 |
|
|
The following are the primary sources of the change in the net mark-to-market energy asset during the quarter ended March 31, 2007:
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Fair value beginning of period |
|
|
|
$ |
454.1 |
|
|
Changes in fair value recorded in earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Origination gains |
|
$ |
31.6 |
|
|
|
|
Unrealized changes in fair value |
|
(78.8 |
) |
|
|
||
Changes in valuation techniques |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Reclassification of settled contracts to realized |
|
(42.3 |
) |
|
|
||
Total changes in fair value |
|
|
|
(89.5 |
) |
||
Changes in value of exchange-listed futures and options |
|
|
|
(31.4 |
) |
||
Net change in premiums on options |
|
|
|
46.9 |
|
||
Contracts acquired |
|
|
|
(20.5 |
) |
||
Other changes in fair value |
|
|
|
(17.8 |
) |
||
Fair value at end of period |
|
|
|
$ |
341.8 |
|
|
Changes in the net mark-to-market energy asset that affected earnings were as follows:
¨ Origination gains represent the initial unrealized fair value at the time these contracts are executed to the extent permitted by applicable accounting rules.
¨ Unrealized changes in fair value represent unrealized changes in commodity prices, the volatility of options on commodities, the time value of options, and other valuation adjustments.
¨ Changes in valuation techniques represent improvements in estimation techniques, including modeling and other statistical enhancements used to value our portfolio to more accurately reflect the economic value of our contracts.
¨ Reclassification of settled contracts to realized represent the portion of previously unrealized amounts settled during the period and recorded as realized revenues.
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:
¨ Changes in value of exchange-listed futures and options are adjustments to remove unrealized revenue from exchange-traded contracts that are included in risk management revenues. The fair value of these contracts is recorded in Accounts receivable rather than Mark-to-market energy assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets because these amounts are settled through our margin account with a third-party broker.
¨ Net changes in premiums on options reflects the accounting for premiums on options purchased as an increase in the net mark-to-market energy asset and premiums on options sold as a decrease in the net mark-to-market energy asset.
¨ Contracts acquired represents the initial fair value of acquired derivative contracts recorded in Mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
¨ Other changes in fair value include transfers between mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities and risk management assets and liabilities resulting from the designation and de-designation of cash-flow hedges.
The settlement terms of the net mark-to-market energy asset and sources of fair value as of March 31, 2007 are as follows:
|
|
Settlement Term |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2009 |
|
2010 |
|
2011 |
|
2012 |
|
Thereafter |
|
Fair Value |
|
||||||||||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prices provided by external sources (1) |
|
$ |
77.1 |
|
$ |
208.5 |
|
$ |
30.8 |
|
$ |
5.9 |
|
$ |
11.6 |
|
$ |
(0.2 |
) |
|
$ |
1.7 |
|
|
|
$ |
335.4 |
|
|
Prices based on models |
|
(4.5 |
) |
7.2 |
|
(7.2 |
) |
12.9 |
|
(3.8 |
) |
(0.5 |
) |
|
2.3 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
||||||||
Total net mark-to-market energy asset |
|
$ |
72.6 |
|
$ |
215.7 |
|
$ |
23.6 |
|
$ |
18.8 |
|
$ |
7.8 |
|
$ |
(0.7 |
) |
|
$ |
4.0 |
|
|
|
$ |
341.8 |
|
|
(1) Includes contracts actively quoted and contracts valued from other external sources.
29
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 on the previous page 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:
¨ forward and swap purchases and sales of electricity during peak and off-peak hours for delivery terms primarily through 2010, but up to 2012, depending upon the region,
¨ options for the purchase and sale of electricity during peak hours for delivery terms through 2008, depending upon the region,
¨ forward purchases and sales of electric capacity for delivery terms primarily through 2007, but up to 2008, depending upon the region,
¨ forward and swap purchases and sales of natural gas, coal and oil for delivery terms primarily through 2011, and
¨ options for the purchase and sale of natural gas, coal, and oil for delivery terms through 2008.
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.
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:
¨ observable market prices,
¨ estimated market prices in the absence of quoted market prices,
¨ the risk-free market discount rate,
¨ volatility factors,
¨ estimated correlation of energy commodity prices, and
¨ expected generation profiles of specific regions.
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, risk management, and trading 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, risk management, and trading 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. Generally, we do not expect to realize the value of these contracts and related hedges by selling or assigning the contracts themselves in total.
30
The fair values in the table represent expected future cash flows based on the level of forward prices and volatility factors as of March 31, 2007 and could change significantly as a result of future changes in these factors. Additionally, because the depth and liquidity of the power markets varies 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.
In 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, that will impact our accounting for derivative instruments. We discuss this in more detail in Note 1 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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:
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
|||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||||
Current Assets |
|
$ |
233.6 |
|
|
$ |
261.7 |
|
Noncurrent Assets |
|
323.8 |
|
|
325.7 |
|
||
Total Assets |
|
557.4 |
|
|
587.4 |
|
||
Current Liabilities |
|
484.4 |
|
|
1,340.0 |
|
||
Noncurrent Liabilities |
|
667.8 |
|
|
707.3 |
|
||
Total Liabilities |
|
1,152.2 |
|
|
2,047.3 |
|
||
Net risk management liability |
|
$ |
(594.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,459.9 |
) |
The decrease in our net risk management liability since December 31, 2006 of $865.1 million was primarily due to increases in power prices that increased the fair value of our cash-flow hedge positions and the settlement of cash-flow hedges during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.
Other
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
20.6 |
|
$ |
20.8 |
|
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 and pricing under the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 based on the facilities energy source or the use of a cogeneration process.
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 the impact of subsidies from the State of California in more detail in the Merchant Energy BusinessOther section in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We discuss certain risks and uncertainties in more detail in the Forward Looking Statements section beginning on page 42 and in Item 1A. Risk Factors section on page 42. However, should future events cause these investments to become uneconomic, our investments in these projects could become impaired under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock.
Operating Expenses
Our merchant energy business operating expenses increased $57.9 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 mostly due to the following:
¨ an increase at our competitive supply operations totaling $40.5 million primarily related to higher compensation and benefit costs and the impact of inflation on other costs due to the continued growth of these operations, and
¨ an increase of $3.9 million due to the growth in business activities related to new nuclear development.
31
Our regulated electric business is discussed in detail in Item 1. BusinessElectric Business section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
514.8 |
|
$ |
504.0 |
|
Electricity purchased for resale expenses |
|
(274.2 |
) |
(262.9 |
) |
||
Operations and maintenance expenses |
|
(86.3 |
) |
(84.4 |
) |
||
Merger-related costs |
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
(46.9 |
) |
(45.8 |
) |
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
|
(35.2 |
) |
(34.0 |
) |
||
Income from Operations |
|
$ |
72.2 |
|
$ |
76.5 |
|
Net Income |
|
$ |
32.2 |
|
$ |
33.6 |
|
Other Items Included in Operations (after-tax): |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Merger-related costs |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
(0.3 |
) |
Above amounts include intercompany transactions eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The Information by Operating Segment section within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 14 provides a reconciliation of operating results by segment to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Electric Revenues
The changes in electric revenues during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 were caused by:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
Distribution volumes |
|
|
$ |
2.0 |
|
|
Standard offer service |
|
|
202.1 |
|
|
|
Rate stabilization credits |
|
|
(192.3 |
) |
|
|
Nuclear decommissioning credits |
|
|
(5.2 |
) |
|
|
Total change in electric revenues from electric system sales |
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
Total change in electric revenues |
|
|
$ |
10.8 |
|
|
Distribution Volumes
Distribution volumes are the amount of electricity that BGE delivers to customers in its service territory.
The percentage changes in our electric distribution volumes, by type of customer, during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 were:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||
Residential |
|
|
10.0 |
% |
|
Commercial |
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
Industrial |
|
|
(6.5 |
) |
|
During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we distributed more electricity to residential and commercial customers compared to the same period of 2006 mostly due to colder weather, increased usage per customer, and an increased number of customers. We distributed less electricity to industrial customers primarily due to decreased usage per customer, partially offset by an increased number of customers.
Standard Offer Service
BGE provides standard offer service for customers that do not select an alternative supplier. We discuss the provisions of Marylands Senate Bill 1 related to residential electric rates in the Item 1. BusinessElectric Regulatory Matters and Competition section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Standard offer service revenues increased during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 mostly due to an increase in the standard offer service rates following the expiration of the residential rate freeze in July 2006, partially offset by lower standard offer service volumes mostly due to commercial and industrial customers that switched to an alternate supplier.
Rate Stabilization Credits
As a result of Senate Bill 1, we are required to defer from July 1, 2006 until May 31, 2007 a portion of the full market rate increase resulting from the expiration of the residential rate freeze. Therefore, the increase in standard offer service revenues is mostly offset by rate stabilization credits in order to reduce rates for residential customers from market price to the 15% increase required by Senate Bill 1.
Nuclear Decommissioning Credits
As a result of Senate Bill 1, beginning January 1, 2007, we were required to provide to residential electric customers a credit equal to the amount collected from all BGE ratepayers for the decommissioning of our Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant.
32
Electricity Purchased for Resale Expenses
Electricity purchased for resale expenses include the cost of electricity purchased for resale to our standard offer service customers. These costs do not include the cost of electricity purchased by delivery service only customers.
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Actual costs |
|
$ |
466.5 |
|
$ |
262.9 |
|
Deferral under rate stabilization plan |
|
(192.3 |
) |
|
|
||
Electricity purchased for resale expenses |
|
$ |
274.2 |
|
$ |
262.9 |
|
Actual Costs
BGEs actual costs for electricity purchased for resale increased $203.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 primarily due to higher contract prices to purchase electricity for our residential customers following the expiration of contracts that were executed in 2000 as part of the implementation of electric deregulation in Maryland, partially offset by lower volumes mostly due to commercial and industrial customers that switched to an alternate supplier.
Deferral under Rate Stabilization Plan
We defer the difference between our actual costs of electricity purchased for resale and what we are allowed to bill customers under Senate Bill 1. During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we deferred $192.3 million in electricity purchased for resale expenses. Since July 1, 2006, we have deferred $514.2 million in electricity purchased for resale expenses. These deferred expenses, plus carrying charges, are included in Regulatory Assets (net) in our, and BGEs, Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Our regulated gas business is discussed in detail in Item 1. BusinessGas Business section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
407.3 |
|
$ |
420.2 |
|
Gas purchased for resale expenses |
|
(284.1 |
) |
(298.4 |
) |
||
Operations and maintenance expenses |
|
(36.8 |
) |
(35.6 |
) |
||
Merger-related costs |
|
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
(12.0 |
) |
(11.9 |
) |
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
|
(10.6 |
) |
(9.5 |
) |
||
Income from operations |
|
$ |
63.8 |
|
$ |
64.6 |
|
Net Income |
|
$ |
33.7 |
|
$ |
35.0 |
|
Other Items Included in Operations (after-tax): |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Merger-related costs |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
(0.2 |
) |
Above amounts include intercompany transactions eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The Information by Operating Segment section within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 14 provides a reconciliation of operating results by segment to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Gas Revenues
The changes in gas revenues during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 were caused by:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
Distribution volumes |
|
|
$ |
11.2 |
|
|
Revenue decoupling |
|
|
(12.0 |
) |
|
|
Gas cost adjustments |
|
|
14.6 |
|
|
|
Total change in gas revenues from gas system sales |
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
|
Off-system sales |
|
|
(25.8 |
) |
|
|
Other |
|
|
(0.9 |
) |
|
|
Total change in gas revenues |
|
|
$ |
(12.9 |
) |
|
33
Distribution Volumes
The percentage changes in our distribution volumes, by type of customer, during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 were:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||
Residential |
|
|
21.4 |
% |
|
Commercial |
|
|
17.5 |
|
|
Industrial |
|
|
(25.5 |
) |
|
During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we distributed more gas to residential customers compared to the same period of 2006 mostly due to colder weather, increased usage per customer, and an increased number of customers. We distributed more gas to commercial customers compared to the same period of 2006 mostly due to an increased number of customers and colder weather, partially offset by decreased usage per customer. We distributed less gas to industrial customers mostly due to decreased usage per customer.
Revenue Decoupling
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 sales volumes. This means our monthly gas base rate 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 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Gas cost adjustment revenues increased $14.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 because we sold more gas, partially offset by lower prices.
Off-System Gas Sales
Off-system gas sales are low-margin direct sales of gas to wholesale suppliers of natural gas. Off-system gas sales, which occur after we have satisfied our 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 decreased $25.8 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 because we sold less gas at lower prices.
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 costs decreased $14.3 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 because the gas we purchased was at lower prices, partially offset by more gas purchased.
Results
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
74.7 |
|
$ |
60.9 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
(47.2 |
) |
(48.4 |
) |
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
(10.6 |
) |
(8.4 |
) |
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
|
(0.6 |
) |
(0.6 |
) |
||
Income from Operations |
|
$ |
16.3 |
|
$ |
3.5 |
|
Income from continuing operations (after-tax) |
|
$ |
9.8 |
|
$ |
0.8 |
|
Income from discontinued operations (after-tax) |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
||
Net Income |
|
$ |
9.8 |
|
$ |
1.7 |
|
Above amounts include intercompany transactions eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The Information by Operating Segment section within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 14 provides a reconciliation of operating results by segment to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, net income increased $8.1 million mostly due to the monetization of certain leasing arrangements that resulted in the cancellation of the leases.
As previously discussed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we decided to sell certain non-core assets and accelerate the exit strategies on other assets that we will continue to hold and own over the next several years. 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. In addition, a future decline in the fair value of these assets could result in additional losses.
34
Consolidated Nonoperating Income and Expenses
Other Income
During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, other income increased $27.6 million compared to the same period of 2006 mostly because of higher interest and investment income due to a higher cash balance.
Total other income at BGE increased $5.1 million primarily due to carrying charges related to rate stabilization credits. We discuss the rate stabilization credits in more detail in the Regulated Electric section.
Fixed Charges
Fixed charges at BGE increased $4.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 mostly due to interest expense recognized on debt that was issued in October 2006.
Income Taxes
During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, our income taxes increased $28.1 million compared to the same period of 2006 mostly because of a $123.8 million increase in pre-tax income. This was partially offset by a $17.6 million increase in synthetic fuel tax credits. We discuss synthetic fuel tax credits in more detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 15.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, excluding the impact of changes in intercompany balances.
|
|
2007 Segment Cash Flows |
|
Consolidated |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Merchant |
|
Regulated |
|
Other |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
|||||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||||||||||||||
Operating Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income |
|
|
$ |
120.0 |
|
|
$ |
65.9 |
|
$ |
9.8 |
|
$ |
195.7 |
|
$ |
113.9 |
|
Non-cash adjustments to net income |
|
|
56.7 |
|
|
(54.8 |
) |
7.5 |
|
9.4 |
|
102.8 |
|
|||||
Changes in working capital |
|
|
244.6 |
|
|
36.2 |
|
(38.9 |
) |
241.9 |
|
(681.1 |
) |
|||||
Defined benefit obligations* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(104.0 |
) |
(31.3 |
) |
|||||
Other |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
424.3 |
|
|
47.3 |
|
(18.6 |
) |
349.0 |
|
(489.2 |
) |
|||||
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Investments in property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(178.3 |
) |
|
(85.4 |
) |
(9.0 |
) |
(272.7 |
) |
(184.4 |
) |
|||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
|
|
(212.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(212.0 |
) |
(100.8 |
) |
|||||
Contributions to nuclear decommissioning trust funds |
|
|
(8.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(8.8 |
) |
(4.4 |
) |
|||||
Other |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
|
(0.6 |
) |
0.8 |
|
4.0 |
|
|||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(397.7 |
) |
|
(85.4 |
) |
(9.6 |
) |
(492.7 |
) |
(285.6 |
) |
|||||
Cash flows from operating activities less cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
$ |
26.6 |
|
|
$ |
(38.1 |
) |
$ |
(28.2 |
) |
(143.7 |
) |
(774.8 |
) |
||
Financing Activities* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net (repayment) issuance of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(116.5 |
) |
406.7 |
|
|||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.1 |
|
18.8 |
|
|||||
Common stock dividends paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(68.5 |
) |
(59.8 |
) |
|||||
Reacquisition of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(77.6 |
) |
|
|
|||||
Proceeds from contract and portfolio acquisitions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.0 |
|
|
|
|||||
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
20.9 |
|
|||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(208.8 |
) |
386.6 |
|
|||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(352.5 |
) |
$ |
(388.2 |
) |
*Items are not allocated to the business segments because they are managed for the company as a whole.
Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
35
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $349.0 million in 2007 compared to cash used in operating activities of $489.2 million in 2006. This $838.2 million increase was primarily due to favorable changes in working capital.
Changes in working capital had a positive impact of $241.9 million on cash flow from operations in 2007 compared to a negative impact of $681.1 million in 2006. The net increase of $923.0 million was primarily due to cash changes related to our collateral positions, which is impacted by commodity price volatility and increased risk management and trading activities. During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we received approximately $330 million in cash due to a decrease in collateral requirements, compared to the same period of 2006, when we posted cash collateral of approximately $500 million.
This favorable increase from working capital changes was partially offset by a pension contribution that was $73 million higher in 2007 compared to the same period of 2006.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $492.7 million in 2007 compared to $285.6 million in 2006. The $207.1 million increase in cash used in 2007 compared to 2006 was primarily due to the following:
¨ a $111.2 million increase in cash paid for acquisitions related to our March 2007 acquisition of working interests in gas and oil producing properties as discussed in more detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 12, and
¨ an $88.3 million increase in cash paid for investments in property, plant and equipment, which includes spending related to environmental controls at our generating facilities.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $208.8 million in 2007 compared to cash provided of $386.6 million in 2006. The decrease of $595.4 million was primarily due to a net decrease in cash related to changes in short-term borrowings and long-term debt of $523.2 million, cash used for reacquisition of common stock of $77.6 million, and a $8.7 million increase in our dividends paid in 2007 compared to 2006. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in proceeds from contract and portfolio acquisitions of $27.0 million.
Contract and Portfolio Acquisitions
As discussed in the Events of 2007 section on page 23, in the first quarter of 2007, our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation reached an agreement for the purchase of a portfolio of power-related contracts in the southeast region of the United States. As consideration for assuming all of these contracts, which were executed by the counterparty at prices that differ from current market prices, we expect to receive approximately $350 million in cash at closing during the second quarter of 2007.
Available Sources of Funding
We continuously monitor our liquidity requirements and believe that our 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
Constellation Energy has committed bank lines of credit under credit facilities of $4.6 billion at March 31, 2007 for short-term financial needs. We discuss these credit facilities in more detail in Note 8 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These facilities can issue letters of credit up to approximately $4.1 billion. Letters of credit issued under all of our facilities totaled $1.5 billion at March 31, 2007.
In connection with the acquisition of coalbed methane properties discussed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 12, CEP borrowed $10.0 million under its existing credit facility. At March 31, 2007, CEP had $32.0 million of borrowings outstanding under its credit facility. We discuss the credit facility in more detail in Note 9 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BGE
BGE currently maintains a $400.0 million five-year revolving credit facility expiring in 2011. BGE can borrow directly from the banks, use the facilities to allow commercial paper to be issued, or issue letters of credit. As of March 31, 2007, BGE had $0.6 million in letters of credit issued, which results in $399.4 million in unused credit facilities.
36
Our estimated annual amounts for the years 2007 and 2008 are shown in the table below.
We will continue to have cash requirements for:
¨ working capital needs,
¨ payments of interest, distributions, and dividends,
¨ capital expenditures, and
¨ the retirement of debt and redemption of preference stock.
Capital requirements for 2007 and 2008 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 below because of a number of factors including:
¨ regulation, legislation, and competition,
¨ BGE load requirements,
¨ environmental protection standards,
¨ the type and number of projects selected for construction or acquisition,
¨ the effect of market conditions on those projects,
¨ the cost and availability of capital,
¨ the availability of cash from operations, and
¨ business decisions to invest in capital projects.
Our estimates are also subject to additional factors. Please see the Forward Looking Statements section beginning on page 42 and Item 1A. Risk Factors section on page 42. We discuss the potential impact of environmental legislation and regulation in more detail in Business Environment section beginning on page 22 and Item 1. BusinessEnvironmental Matters section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Calendar Year Estimates |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||
Nonregulated Capital Requirements: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Merchant energy |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Generation plants |
|
$ |
245 |
|
$ |
280 |
|
Nuclear fuel |
|
150 |
|
150 |
|
||
Environmental controls |
|
280 |
|
490 |
|
||
Portfolio acquisitions/investments |
|
550 |
|
290 |
|
||
Technology/other |
|
190 |
|
175 |
|
||
Total merchant energy capital requirements |
|
1,415 |
|
1,385 |
|
||
Other nonregulated capital requirements |
|
10 |
|
10 |
|
||
Total nonregulated capital requirements |
|
1,425 |
|
1,395 |
|
||
Regulated Capital Requirements: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Regulated electric |
|
370 |
|
380 |
|
||
Regulated gas |
|
60 |
|
70 |
|
||
Total regulated capital requirements |
|
430 |
|
450 |
|
||
Total capital requirements |
|
$ |
1,855 |
|
$ |
1,845 |
|
Capital Requirements
Merchant Energy Business
Our merchant energy business capital requirements consist of its continuing requirements, including expenditures for:
¨ improvements to generating plants,
¨ nuclear fuel costs,
¨ upstream gas investments,
¨ portfolio acquisitions and other investments,
¨ costs of complying with the EPA, Maryland, and Pennsylvania regulations and legislation, and
¨ enhancements to our information technology infrastructure.
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.
Funding for Capital Requirements
We discuss our funding for capital requirements in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
37
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.
We detail our contractual payment obligations at March 31, 2007 in the following table:
|
|
Payments |
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2008- |
|
2010- |
|
There- |
|
Total |
|
|||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||||||||||||
Contractual Payment Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Long-term debt:1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Nonregulated 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Principal |
|
$ |
615.1 |
|
$ |
507.8 |
|
$ |
36.8 |
|
$ |
2,212.2 |
|
$ |
3,371.9 |
|
Interest |
|
129.4 |
|
327.3 |
|
277.7 |
|
1,275.6 |
|
2,010.0 |
|
|||||
Total |
|
744.5 |
|
835.1 |
|
314.5 |
|
3,487.8 |
|
5,381.9 |
|
|||||
BGE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Principal |
|
|
|
306.1 |
|
22.0 |
|
1,267.2 |
|
1,595.3 |
|
|||||
Interest |
|
73.0 |
|
162.6 |
|
155.7 |
|
1,408.7 |
|
1,800.0 |
|
|||||
Total |
|
73.0 |
|
468.7 |
|
177.7 |
|
2,675.9 |
|
3,395.3 |
|
|||||
BGE preference stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
190.0 |
|
190.0 |
|
|||||
Operating leases3 |
|
354.7 |
|
400.9 |
|
231.3 |
|
416.4 |
|
1,403.3 |
|
|||||
Purchase obligations:4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Purchased capacity and energy5 |
|
269.9 |
|
735.5 |
|
251.3 |
|
497.0 |
|
1,753.7 |
|
|||||
Fuel and transportation |
|
3,022.5 |
|
2,338.6 |
|
536.1 |
|
951.6 |
|
6,848.8 |
|
|||||
Other |
|
117.9 |
|
84.1 |
|
7.7 |
|
28.2 |
|
237.9 |
|
|||||
Other noncurrent liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Pension benefits6 |
|
2.8 |
|
71.5 |
|
144.0 |
|
|
|
218.3 |
|
|||||
Postretirement and postemployment benefits7 |
|
26.5 |
|
81.1 |
|
91.5 |
|
299.6 |
|
498.7 |
|
|||||
Total contractual payment obligations |
|
$ |
4,611.8 |
|
$ |
5,015.5 |
|
$ |
1,754.1 |
|
$ |
8,546.5 |
|
$ |
19,927.9 |
|
1 Amounts in long-term debt reflect the original maturity date. Investors may require us to repay $384.3 million early through put options and remarketing features. Interest on variable rate debt is included based on the March 31, 2007 forward curve for interest rates.
2 Excludes CEP related long-term debt principal and interest, as CEP is expected to be deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2007. See the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 12 for more details.
3 Our operating lease commitments include future payment obligations under certain power purchase agreements as discussed further in Note 11 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
4 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.
5 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.
6 Amounts related to pension benefits reflect our current 5-year forecast of contributions for our qualified pension plans and participant payments for our nonqualified pension plans. Refer to Note 7 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more detail on our pension plans.
7 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.
Liquidity Provisions
In many cases, customers of our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation 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, risk management, and trading operation and our retail competitive supply activities.
We have certain agreements that contain provisions that would require additional collateral upon significant credit rating decreases in senior unsecured debt of Constellation Energy. Decreases in Constellation Energys credit ratings would not trigger an early payment on any of our credit facilities.
Under counterparty contracts related to our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation, we are obligated to post collateral if Constellation Energys senior unsecured credit ratings declined below established contractual levels. Based on contractual provisions at March 31, 2007, we estimate that if Constellation Energys senior unsecured debt were downgraded we would have the following additional collateral obligations:
Credit Ratings |
|
Level |
|
Incremental |
|
Cumulative |
|
||||||||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
||||||||||||
BBB/Baa2 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
$ |
491 |
|
|
|
$ |
491 |
|
|
BBB-/Baa3 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
716 |
|
|
||
Below investment grade |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
568 |
|
|
|
1,284 |
|
|
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 discuss our credit ratings in the Security Ratings section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our credit facilities in the Available Sources of Funding section on page 36.
38
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 March 31, 2007, the debt to capitalization ratios as defined in the credit agreements were no greater than 47%. The failure by Constellation Energy to comply with these provisions could result in the acceleration of the maturity of the debt outstanding under these facilities, which is primarily letters of credit issued in support of our competitive supply operations. We detail our letters of credit in the Available Sources of Funding section on page 36.
The credit agreement of BGE contains a provision requiring BGE to maintain a ratio of debt to capitalization equal to or less than 65%. At March 31, 2007, the debt to capitalization ratio for BGE as defined in this credit agreement was 46%. At March 31, 2007, no amount is outstanding under these facilities.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We discuss our off-balance sheet arrangements in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
At March 31, 2007, Constellation Energy had a total of $11,808.4 million in guarantees outstanding, of which $10,678.1 million related to our competitive supply activities. These amounts do not represent incremental consolidated Constellation Energy obligations; rather, they primarily represent parental guarantees of certain subsidiary obligations to third parties. These guarantees are put into place in order to allow our subsidiaries the flexibility needed to conduct business with counterparties without having to post other forms of collateral. While the stated limit of these guarantees is $10,678.1 million, our calculated fair value of obligations for commercial transactions covered by these guarantees was $2,983.4 million at March 31, 2007. If the parent company was required to fund these subsidiary obligations, the total amount based on March 31, 2007 market prices would be $2,983.4 million. For those guarantees related to our mark-to-market energy or risk management liabilities, the fair value of the obligation is recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe it is unlikely that we would be required to perform or incur any losses associated with guarantees of our subsidiaries obligations.
We discuss our other guarantees in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 16.
Market Risk
Commodity Risk
We measure the sensitivity of our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading mark-to-market energy contracts to potential changes in market prices using value at risk. Value at risk represents the potential pre-tax loss in the fair value of our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities over one- and ten-day holding periods. We discuss value at risk in more detail in the Market Risk section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The table below is the value at risk associated with our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation's mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities, including both trading and non-trading activities.
We discuss our mark-to-market results in more detail in the Competitive Supply section beginning on page 27.
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
99%
Confidence Level, One-Day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
$ |
12.8 |
|
|
High |
|
|
20.0 |
|
|
|
95%
Confidence Level, One-Day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
9.8 |
|
|
|
High |
|
|
15.2 |
|
|
|
95%
Confidence Level, Ten-Day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
30.9 |
|
|
|
High |
|
|
48.2 |
|
|
|
The following table details our value at risk for the trading portion of our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operations mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities over a one-day holding period at a 99% confidence level for the first quarter of 2007:
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|||
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|||
Average |
|
|
$ |
9.4 |
|
|
High |
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
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.
39
Wholesale Credit Risk
We actively monitor the credit portfolio of our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation to attempt to reduce the impact of counterparty default. As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the credit portfolio of our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation had the following public credit ratings:
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||||
Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Grade1 |
|
|
55 |
% |
|
|
61 |
% |
|
Non-Investment Grade |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
Not Rated |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
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.
We utilize internal credit ratings to evaluate the creditworthiness of our wholesale customers, including those companies that do not have public credit ratings. The Not Rated category in the table above includes counterparties that do not have public credit ratings and include governmental entities, municipalities, cooperatives, power pools, and other load-serving entities, and marketers for which we determine creditworthiness based on internal credit ratings.
The following table provides the breakdown of the credit quality of our wholesale credit portfolio based on our internal credit ratings.
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||||
Investment Grade Equivalent |
|
|
73 |
% |
|
|
82 |
% |
|
Non-Investment Grade |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
The credit quality of our wholesale credit portfolio declined during the first quarter of 2007 as a result of the recent downgrade of Illinois utilities resulting from political and regulatory issues surrounding rate increases, our growing exposure to international freight and coal counterparties, and higher commodity prices.
A portion of our 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, risk management, and trading 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 at March 31, 2007:
Rating |
|
Total Exposure |
|
Credit |
|
Net |
|
Number of |
|
Net Exposure of |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
(Dollars in millions) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment grade |
|
|
$ |
1,082 |
|
|
|
$ |
151 |
|
|
|
$ |
931 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Split rating |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Non-investment grade |
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Internally ratedinvestment grade |
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
346 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Internally ratednon-investment grade |
|
|
207 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total |
|
|
$ |
1,813 |
|
|
|
$ |
228 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
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, risk management, and trading operation had contracted for), we could incur a loss that could have a material impact on our financial results.
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, we would have to make to settle unrealized losses on accrual contracts.
We continue to examine plans to achieve our strategies and to further strengthen our balance sheet and enhance our liquidity. We discuss our liquidity in the Financial Condition section beginning on page 35.
Interest Rate Risk, Retail Credit Risk, Foreign
Currency Risk, and Equity Price Risk
We discuss our exposure to interest rate risk, retail credit risk, foreign currency risk, and equity price risk in the Market Risk section of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
40
We discuss the following information related to our market risk:
¨ SFAS No. 133 hedging activities section in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 19,
¨ activities of our wholesale marketing, risk management, and trading operation in the Merchant Energy Business section of Managements Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 24,
¨ evaluation of commodity and credit risk in the Market Risk section of Managements Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 39, and
¨ changes to our business environment in the Business Environment section of Managements Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 22.
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Constellation Energy or BGE have been detected. These inherent limitations include errors by personnel in executing controls due to faulty judgment or simple mistakes, which could occur in situations such as when personnel performing controls are new to a job function or when inadequate resources are applied to a process. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons or by collusion of two or more people.
The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no absolute assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or personnel, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The principal executive officers and principal financial officer of both Constellation Energy and BGE have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report (the Evaluation Date). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, Constellation Energys and BGEs disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, there has been no change in either Constellation Energys or BGEs internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, either Constellation Energys or BGEs internal control over financial reporting.
41
We discuss our Legal Proceedings in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 17.
The risk factors included in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K have not materially changed. You should consider carefully the risks described under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risks and uncertainties described in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis. If any of the events described actually occur, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table presents shares surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations on vested restricted stock and shares repurchased by us in the open market to satisfy employee stock option exercises and restricted stock grants.
Period |
|
Total Number |
|
Average Price |
|
Total Number |
|
Maximum Number |
|
|||||||||
January 1 January 31, 2007 |
|
|
33,344 |
|
|
|
$ |
68.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 1 February 28, 2007 |
|
|
335,710 |
|
|
|
75.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 1 March 31, 2007 |
|
|
756,000 |
|
|
|
78.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,125,054 |
|
|
|
$ |
77.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward Looking Statements
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 managements 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:
¨ the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices and volatilities for energy and energy related products including coal, natural gas, oil, electricity, nuclear fuel, and emission allowances,
¨ the liquidity and competitiveness of wholesale markets for energy commodities,
¨ the effect of weather and general economic and business conditions on energy supply, demand, and prices,
¨ the ability to attract and retain customers in our competitive supply activities and to adequately forecast their energy usage,
¨ the timing and extent of deregulation of, and competition in, the energy markets, and the rules and regulations adopted in those markets,
¨ uncertainties associated with estimating natural gas reserves, developing properties, and extracting natural gas,
¨ regulatory or legislative developments that affect deregulation, the price of energy, transmission or distribution rates and revenues, demand for energy, or increases in costs, including costs related to nuclear power plants, safety, or environmental compliance,
¨ the ability of our regulated and nonregulated businesses to comply with complex and/or changing market rules and regulations,
¨ the inability of BGE to recover all its costs associated with providing customers service,
¨ the conditions of the capital markets, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, availability of credit facilities to support business requirements, and general economic conditions, as well as Constellation Energy and BGEs ability to maintain their current credit ratings,
42
¨ the effectiveness of Constellation Energys and BGEs risk management policies and procedures and the ability and willingness of our counterparties to satisfy their financial and performance commitments,
¨ operational factors affecting commercial operations of our generating facilities (including nuclear facilities) and BGEs transmission and distribution facilities, including catastrophic weather-related damages, unscheduled outages or repairs, unanticipated changes in fuel costs or availability, unavailability of coal or gas transportation or electric transmission services, workforce issues, terrorism, liabilities associated with catastrophic events, and other events beyond our control,
¨ the actual outcome of uncertainties associated with assumptions and estimates using judgment when applying critical accounting policies and preparing financial statements, including factors that are estimated in determining the fair value of energy contracts, such as the ability to obtain market prices and, in the absence of verifiable market prices, the appropriateness of models and model inputs (including, but not limited to, estimated contractual load obligations, unit availability, forward commodity prices, interest rates, correlation and volatility factors),
¨ changes in accounting principles or practices,
¨ losses on the sale or write down of assets due to impairment events or changes in management intent with regard to either holding or selling certain assets,
¨ the ability to successfully identify and complete acquisitions and sales of businesses and assets, and
¨ cost and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings that may not be covered by insurance, including environmental liabilities.
Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward looking statements. Please see the other sections of this report and our other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.
43
Exhibit No. 3(a)* |
|
Articles Supplementary to the Charter of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. as of April 10, 2007 (Designated as Exhibit 3(a) to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 10, 2007, File No. 1-12869.) |
Exhibit No. 3(b)* |
|
By-laws of Constellation Energy Group, Inc., as amended to April 10, 2007 (Designated as Exhibit 3(b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 10, 2007, File No. 1-12869.) |
Exhibit No. 12(a) |
|
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
Exhibit No. 12(b) |
|
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements. |
Exhibit No. 31(a) |
|
Certification of Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Exhibit No. 31(b) |
|
Certification of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Exhibit No. 31(c) |
|
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Exhibit No. 31(d) |
|
Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Exhibit No. 32(a) |
|
Certification of Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Exhibit No. 32(b) |
|
Certification of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Exhibit No. 32(c) |
|
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Exhibit No. 32(d) |
|
Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
* Incorporated by reference.
44
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC. |
||||
|
(Registrant) |
|||
|
BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY |
|||
|
(Registrant) |
|||
Date: |
May 9, 2007 |
|
/s/ E. FOLLIN SMITH |
|
|
E. Follin Smith, |
|||
|
Executive Vice President of Constellation
Energy |
|||
45