News Release Details

Portland General Electric Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2007 Earnings Results

February 26, 2008 at 12:00 AM EST

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb 26, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Portland General Electric Company (NYSE:POR):

Full Year 2007

Portland General Electric Company (NYSE:POR) today reported net income of $145 million, or $2.33 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, compared to $71 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, for 2006. Results for 2007 were driven primarily by increased energy deliveries, excellent plant operations including increased generation from the return of Boardman to full operation and the addition of Port Westward. Results for 2007 also included the following items:

-- $16 million after tax, or $0.26 per diluted share, resulting from the deferral for future recovery of excess Boardman power costs ($20.4 million deferral and $5.0 million in interest, both pre-tax).

-- $4 million after tax, or $0.06 per diluted share, resulting from a reduction in the Company's wholesale credit reserve related to the settlement with certain California parties involving wholesale energy transactions in 2000-2001 ($6 million pre-tax).

-- $11 million after tax, or $0.18 per diluted share, resulting from Senate Bill 408 (SB 408), the Oregon law which attempts to more closely match utility income tax amounts forecasted to be collected in revenues with the amount of income taxes paid to governmental entities.

"Our 2007 results demonstrate that Portland General Electric is committed to delivering value to its customers and shareholders alike," said Peggy Fowler, CEO and president of Portland General Electric (PGE). "Our list of accomplishments includes bringing our new Port Westward plant online, completing Phase I of the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm on schedule in December and delivering a year of operational excellence with our overall system performing at a high level."

"Our success can be attributed to the hard work of my co-workers. In 2008, we'll continue to deliver on our commitment to provide our customers with safe, reliable power at a reasonable price while delivering long-term value to shareholders."

Full Year 2007 Summary

-- Total customers served increased by 1.4 percent to approximately 804,000 as of December 31, 2007, compared to approximately 793,000 as of December 31, 2006.

-- Total retail energy deliveries increased 1.0 percent (1.1 percent weather adjusted) to 19,627,000 MWhs in 2007 from 19,432,000 MWhs in 2006.

-- Total revenues increased by 15 percent to $1,743 million from $1,520 million in 2006. The increase was due primarily to the following key factors:

     -- Price increases related to higher power and fuel costs and
      cost recovery of Port Westward.

     -- SB 408 with an increase of $58 million consisting of $18
      million recorded in 2007 ($15 million collection for the 2007
      tax reporting year and $3 million related to the 2006 tax
      reporting year, both pre-tax) compared to a $40 million refund
      recorded in 2006.

     -- An increase in total retail energy deliveries due primarily
      from the addition of approximately 11,000 new customers.

     -- Price increases resulting from changes under the Residential
      Exchange Program (fully offset by increased purchased power
      costs).

     -- Wholesale revenues increased by $66 million due to increases
      in both sales volume and the average sales price.

-- Purchased power and fuel expenses increased by 15 percent to $879 million in 2007 from $763 million in 2006. The increase was due primarily to the net effect of the following key factors:

     -- Increased expense related to settled natural gas swap
      agreements entered into in conjunction with PGE's management of
      net power costs.

     -- A 12% increase in the average cost of purchased power.

     -- A 22% decrease in the volume of electricity purchases, which
      more than offset the increased cost of thermal generation,
      primarily resulting from the operation of the new Port Westward
      plant and a full year of operations at Boardman.

     -- An estimated $16 million future refund to customers under the
      Power Cost Adjustment Mechanism (PCAM).

     -- Reduction in expense due to the deferral of excess Boardman
      power costs and a reduction in the Company's wholesale credit
      reserve related to settlement with certain California parties
      involving wholesale energy transactions in 2000-2001.

     -- Discontinuance of subscription power benefits under the
      Residential Exchange Program (fully offset by increased
      revenues).

-- Production, distribution, administrative and other expenses increased by 10 percent to $334 million in 2007 from $304 million in 2006. This increase was due primarily to new operating costs at Port Westward, higher employee benefits (including incentive compensation and medical costs), increased labor costs and increased customer support expenses.

-- Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by 17 percent to $181 million in 2007 from $219 million in 2006 due primarily to the net effect of the following key factors:

     -- Reduction in depreciation rates for utility plant assets and
      the authorized recovery of Trojan decommissioning costs.

     -- Decrease in amortization of regulatory assets.

     -- Increase related to the new Port Westward plant and other
      capital additions during 2007.

-- Income taxes increased by 87 percent to $71 million in 2007 from $38 million in 2006 due primarily to higher taxable income.

Fourth Quarter 2007

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company reported net income of $24 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $40 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, for 2006. The decrease was primarily attributable to non-recurring gains in 2006, partially offset by the effects of SB 408, with an estimated collection in 2007 compared to an estimated refund in 2006, and to a reduction in other income.

Fourth Quarter 2007 Summary

-- Total retail energy deliveries increased by 1.4 percent (1.2 percent weather adjusted), with 5,193,000 MWhs in 2007 compared to 5,120,000 MWhs in 2006.

-- Total revenues increased by 13 percent to $470 million in 2007 from $416 million in 2006. The increase was due primarily to the following key factors:

     -- Price increases related to higher power and fuel costs, and
      cost recovery of Port Westward.

     -- An increase of $17 million related to SB 408 consisting of $7
      million recorded in 2007 ($5 million collection for the 2007 tax
      reporting year and $2 million adjustment for the 2006 tax
      reporting year, both pre-tax) compared to a $10 million refund
      recorded in 2006.

     -- Wholesale revenues increased by $31 million due to increased
      sales volume and the average sales price.

-- Purchased power and fuel expenses increased by 36 percent to $259 million in 2007 from $190 million in 2006. The increase was due to the net effect of the following key factors:

     -- Higher cost of thermal generation, including operation of the
      new Port Westward plant and higher cost of settled natural gas
      transactions.

     -- A 19 percent increase in the average cost of purchased power.

     -- Displacement of wholesale power purchases with lower-cost
      power from Port Westward.

     -- A reduction in unrealized gains on derivative activities ($18
      million in 2006 vs. $0 in 2007).

     -- A deferral of Boardman replacement power costs ($6 million in
      2006 vs. $0 in 2007).

-- Production, distribution, administrative and other expenses increased by 9 percent to $89 million from $82 million in 2006 due primarily to new operating costs at Port Westward, higher employee benefit expense and increased labor costs.

-- Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by 13 percent to $47 million in 2007 from $54 million in 2006 due primarily to the net effect of the following key factors:

     -- Reduction in depreciation rates for utility plant assets and
      the authorized recovery of Trojan decommissioning costs.

     -- Decrease in amortization of regulatory assets.

     -- An increase in depreciation from the addition of Port
      Westward.

-- Income taxes decreased by 33 percent to $12 million in 2007 from $18 million in 2006 due primarily to lower taxable income.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

As part of the regulatory approval process for inclusion of AMI in prices, PGE made its final filing on February 6, 2008 and is now waiting for an order from the OPUC. If approved, the tariff will go into effect on June 1, 2008 and continue through December 31, 2010. This proposed two and a half year tariff period coincides with the systems acceptance testing and installation of over 800,000 meters. Once the meters are installed, at an estimated capital cost of $130 million to $135 million, we estimate that AMI will reduce annual operating expenses by approximately $18 million pre tax.

Biglow Canyon Wind Farm

Phase I of the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm, comprised of 76 turbines with an installed capacity of 125 megawatts, was completed and placed in service in mid-December 2007 at a total cost of approximately $255 million (including AFDC). Phase I, which was included in customer prices beginning in January 2008, fulfills PGE's goals for adding renewable energy as outlined in the Company's last Integrated Resource Plan.

Phases II and III of the project are in the advanced planning stages, with an estimated total cost of $700 million to $800 million (including AFDC). Phase II is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 and Phase III is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. All three phases of the project are expected to have a total installed capacity of 400 to 450 megawatts.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures in 2007 totaled $455 million compared to $371 million in 2006. Expenditures for 2007 consisted of approximately $199 million for the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm Phase I, $17 million for Phases II and III, $182 million for ongoing production, transmission and distribution facilities, $40 million for hydro relicensing projects, $16 million for Port Westward and $1 million for AMI.

Capital expenditures in 2008 are estimated to be $428 million. This includes $121 million for Phases II and III of the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm, $229 million for ongoing production, transmission and distribution facilities, $55 million for hydro relicensing projects and $23 million for AMI.

General Rate Case

The Company plans to file a general rate case with the OPUC on February 27, 2008, based on a 2009 test year, with new prices expected to be effective beginning in January 2009. The proposed 8.9% increase in prices is a result of increased generation costs based on higher natural gas and coal prices; increased purchased power costs; and higher general (non-power) costs, including the rising cost of materials and supplies, compliance with government regulation, hydro relicensing improvements, and labor and healthcare benefits. The requested revenue requirement includes a return on common equity of 10.75%, based on an expected capital structure of 50% equity and 50% debt, and an overall weighted average cost of capital of 8.66%.

2008 Earnings Guidance

PGE is reaffirming full-year 2008 earnings guidance of $1.75 to $1.85 per diluted share. Guidance assumes normal hydro conditions and plant operations. PGE is also reaffirming its long-term annual earnings growth expectation of 6 to 8 percent beginning with 2008.

Full Year 2007 Earnings Call and Webcast February 26, 2008

PGE will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at 5 p.m. EST. The conference call will be webcast live on the PGE Web site at www.PortlandGeneral.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 7 p.m. EST on Tuesday, February 26 through Tuesday, March 4.

Peggy Fowler, CEO and president; Jim Piro, executive vice president, CFO and treasurer; and Bill Valach, director of investor relations will participate in the call. Management will respond to questions following formal comments.

The attached consolidated income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements and supplemental operating statistics are an integral part of this earnings release.

About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is a vertically integrated electric utility that serves approximately 804,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. Visit our Web site at www.PortlandGeneral.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this news release that relate to future plans, objectives, expectations, performance, events and the like may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding earnings guidance, statements regarding future capital expenditures, statements regarding the cost, completion and benefits of capital projects, such as the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm, as well as other statements containing words such as "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "promises," "expects," "should," "conditioned upon" and similar expressions. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including matters and events related to final regulatory review and approval of the deferral of excess power costs related to Boardman's outage; regulatory approval and rate treatment of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Biglow Canyon Wind Farm projects; the costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including those that govern emissions from thermal power plants; changes in weather, hydroelectric, and energy market conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of purchased power and fuel; and the outcome of various legal and regulatory proceedings. As a result, actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof and such statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Prospective investors should also review the risks and uncertainties listed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's reports on Forms 8-K and 10-Q filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation and the risks described therein from time to time.

POR-F

Source: Portland General Electric Company

          PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
           (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                             (Unaudited)


                                      Three Months     Twelve Months
                                      Ended December   Ended December
                                            31,              31,
                                     ---------------- ----------------
                                       2007    2006    2007     2006
                                     -------- ------- -------- -------
Revenues                             $   470  $   416 $ 1,743  $ 1,520

Operating expenses
 Purchased power and fuel                259      190     879      763
 Production and distribution              41       37     150      140
 Administrative and other                 48       45     184      164
 Depreciation and amortization            47       54     181      219
 Taxes other than income taxes            20       18      80       75
 Income taxes                             12       18      71       38
                                     -------- ------- -------- -------
                                         427      362   1,545    1,399
                                     -------- ------- -------- -------

Income from operations                    43       54     198      121
                                     -------- ------- -------- -------

Other income (deductions)
 Allowance for equity funds used
  during construction                      3        5      16       16
 Miscellaneous                            (2)       -       8        1
 Income taxes                              -        1      (3)       2
                                     -------- ------- -------- -------
                                           1        6      21       19
                                     -------- ------- -------- -------

Interest expense                          20       20      74       69
                                     -------- ------- -------- -------

Net income                           $    24  $    40 $   145  $    71
                                     ======== ======= ======== =======


Common Stock
 Weighted-average shares outstanding
  (in thousands):
   Basic                              62,519   62,502  62,512   62,501
                                     ======== ======= ======== =======

   Diluted                            62,533   62,515  62,534   62,505
                                     ======== ======= ======== =======

 Earnings per share, basic and
  diluted                            $  0.40  $  0.64 $  2.33  $  1.14
                                     ======== ======= ======== =======

Dividends declared per share         $ 0.235  $ 0.225 $  0.93  $ 0.675
                                     ======== ======= ======== =======

          PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 (In millions, except share amounts)
                             (Unaudited)

At December 31                                         2007     2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                ASSETS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric utility plant, net:
  Electric utility plant at cost (includes
   construction work in progress of $126 and $412)   $ 5,024  $ 4,582
  Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization     (1,958)  (1,864)
                                                               -------
       Electric utility plant, net                     3,066    2,718
                                                      -------  -------
Other property and investments:
  Nuclear decommissioning trust, at market value          46       42
  Non-qualified benefit plan trust                        69       70
  Miscellaneous                                           19       26
                                                      -------  -------
      Total other property and investments               134      138
                                                      -------  -------
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                               73       12
  Accounts and notes receivable (less allowance for
   uncollectible accounts of $5 and $45)                 178      177
  Unbilled revenues                                       92       88
  Assets from price risk management activities            64       93
  Inventories, at average cost                            64       64
  Other current assets                                    67       93
                                                      -------  -------
      Total current assets                               538      527
                                                      -------  -------
Regulatory assets                                        304      351
Other noncurrent assets                                   66       33
                                                      -------  -------
       Total assets                                  $ 4,108  $ 3,767
                                                      =======  =======
                    CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalization:
  Common stock, no par value, 80,000,000 shares
   authorized; 62,529,787 and 62,504,767 shares
   issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007 and
   2006, respectively                                $   646  $   643
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                    (4)      (6)
  Retained earnings                                      674      587
                                                      -------  -------
       Total shareholders' equity                      1,316    1,224
  Long-term debt                                       1,313      937
                                                      -------  -------
      Total capitalization                             2,629    2,161
                                                      -------  -------


Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and other accruals                    227      212
  Liabilities from price risk management activities      101      155
  Accrued taxes                                           23       14
  Short-term borrowings                                    -       81
  Long-term debt due within one year                       -       66
  Other current liabilities                               40       34
                                                      -------  -------
      Total current liabilities                          391      562
                                                      -------  -------
Regulatory liabilities                                   574      523
Deferred income taxes                                    279      251
Non-qualified benefit plan liabilities                    86       84
Trojan asset retirement obligation                        62      108
Accumulated asset retirement obligation                   29       26
Other noncurrent liabilities                              58       52
                                                      -------  -------
      Total liabilities                                1,479    1,606
                                                      -------  -------
       Total capitalization and liabilities          $ 4,108  $ 3,767
                                                      =======  =======

          PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (In millions)
                             (Unaudited)

Years Ended December 31                                   2007   2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                               $ 145  $  71
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by
 operating activities
 Depreciation and amortization                             181    219
 Net assets from price risk management activities          (26)   132
 Regulatory deferrals - price risk management activities    26   (132)
 Deferred income taxes                                      22    (38)
 Allowance for equity funds used during construction       (16)   (16)
 Senate Bill 408 deferrals                                 (16)    42
 Power cost deferrals                                       (9)     -
 Other non-cash income and expenses, net                     1      -
 Changes in working capital:
   Net margin deposit activity                              21    (94)
   (Increase) decrease in receivables                       (4)    17
   Increase (decrease) in payables                          19    (88)
   Other working capital items, net                         (2)   (11)
 Other, net                                                  2      4
                                                          ----   ----
Net cash provided by operating activities                  344    106
                                                          ----   ----

Cash flows from investing activities:
 Capital expenditures                                     (455)  (371)
 Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust securities     (23)   (37)
 Sales of nuclear decommissioning trust securities          21     21
 Proceeds from sale of assets                                -      6
 Other, net                                                  6      1
                                                          ----   ----
Net cash used in investing activities                     (451)  (380)
                                                          ----   ----

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Issuance of long-term debt                                381    275
 Short-term borrowings, net                                (81)    81
 Repayment of long-term debt                               (71)  (162)
 Dividends paid                                            (58)   (28)
 Debt issuance costs                                        (3)    (2)
                                                          ----   ----
Net cash provided by financing activities                  168    164
                                                          ----   ----

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents            61   (110)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year                12    122
                                                          ----   ----
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year                   $  73  $  12
                                                          ====   ====

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 Cash paid during the year:
   Interest, net of amounts capitalized                  $  58  $  55
   Income taxes                                             46    101
 Non-cash investing and operating activities:
   Accrued capital additions                                27     20
   Common stock dividends declared but not paid             15     14

          PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS

                                    Three Months
                                        Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                                    December 31,      December 31,
                                   --------------- -------------------
                                    2007    2006     2007      2006
                                   ------- ------- --------- ---------

Revenues (in millions)
  Retail sales:
     Residential                   $  215  $  180  $    716  $    628
     Commercial                       153     141       593       547
     Industrial                        40      53       159       206
                                   ------- ------- --------- ---------
  Total retail sales                  408     374     1,468     1,381
  Direct access customers:
     Commercial                         -      (1)        -        (6)
     Industrial                        (3)     (2)      (12)       (6)
                                   ------- ------- --------- ---------
  Tariff revenues                     405     371     1,456     1,369
     Accrued revenues                  (1)      1         -         3
     Regional Power Act credits         -      26        42        35
     Provision for collection
      (refund) - SB 408                 7     (10)       18       (40)
                                   ------- ------- --------- ---------
  Total retail revenues               411     388     1,516     1,367
  Wholesale revenues                   52      21       201       135
  Other operating revenues              7       7        26        18
                                   ------- ------- --------- ---------
  Total revenues                   $  470  $  416  $  1,743  $  1,520
                                   ======= ======= ========= =========

Energy sold and delivered - MWhs
 (in thousands)
  Retail energy sales:
     Residential                    2,183   2,125     7,688     7,573
     Commercial                     1,847   1,860     7,289     7,319
     Industrial                       610     899     2,485     3,541
                                   ------- ------- --------- ---------
  Total retail energy sales         4,640   4,884    17,462    18,433
  Delivered to direct access
   customers:
     Commercial                       116      99       492       430
     Industrial                       437     137     1,673       569
                                   ------- ------- --------- ---------
  Total retail energy deliveries    5,193   5,120    19,627    19,432
  Wholesale sales                     882     684     4,042     3,312
                                   ------- ------- --------- ---------
  Total energy sold and
   delivered                        6,075   5,804    23,669    22,744
                                   ======= ======= ========= =========

Retail customers - end of period
     Residential                                    706,444   696,779
     Commercial                                      97,088    95,734
     Industrial                                         256       259
                                                   --------- ---------
  Total retail customers                            803,788   792,772
                                                   ========= =========

          PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS (CONTINUED)

Degree Days
                              Heating                  Cooling
                      -----------------------  -----------------------
                         2007        2006         2007        2006
                      ----------  -----------  ----------  -----------
1st Quarter                1,852        1,814           -            -
Average                    1,840        1,840           -            -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Quarter                  698          572          56          116
Average                      664          664          67           67
----------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Quarter                  123           79         344          424
Average                       82           82         385          385
----------------------------------------------------------------------
4th Quarter                1,701        1,624           -            1
Average                    1,575        1,575           2            2
======================================================================
Annual Total               4,374        4,089         400          541
Average                    4,161        4,161         454          454

Note: Average represents a 15 year average (1993 - 2007) of degree day
 data provided by the National Weather Service (Portland Airport).

SOURCE: Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric Company
Media Contact
Gail Baker, 503-464-8693
Director, Corporate Communications
or
Investor Contact
Bill Valach, 503-464-7395
Director, Investor Relations

 

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