Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 25, 2010

 

 

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Oregon   1-5532-99   93-0256820

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

121 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 97204

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (503) 464-8000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 25, 2010, Portland General Electric Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

  99.1    Press Release issued by Portland General Electric Company dated February 25, 2010.

 

2


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

      PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
      (Registrant)
Date: February 25, 2010     By:  

/s/ Maria M. Pope

     

Maria M. Pope

Senior Vice President, Finance,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

3

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO   

Portland General Electric

One World Trade Center

121 SW Salmon Street

Portland, Oregon 97204

   News Release
FOR RELEASE    Media Contact:
5 a.m. EST, February 25, 2010    Gail Baker
   Director, Corporate Communications
   Phone: 503-464-8693
   Investor Contact:
   Bill Valach
   Director, Investor Relations
   Phone: 503-464-7395

Portland General Electric Reports

2009 Financial Results and

Revises 2010 Earnings Guidance

Portland, Ore, February 25, 2010 — Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) today reported net income of $95 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $87 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2008. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to $20 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Lower net income in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 continues to reflect the effects of the economy, with a 1% decrease in total retail energy deliveries and a 0.5% decrease on a weather adjusted basis. Higher retail prices were offset by higher power costs. Operating results were also impacted by a write-off in 2009 of approximately $18 million related to deferred excess replacement power costs associated with Boardman’s forced outage in late 2005 and early 2006 and $6 million related to a delay in the construction of the Selective Water Withdrawal project. These items were partially offset by an increase of $9 million in the fair value of non-qualified benefit plan assets.

“Despite a challenging year, we continued our focus on efficient and effective operations, proactively supporting our customers and making progress on strategic initiatives,” said Jim Piro, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We completed Phase II of Biglow Canyon Wind Farm on time and under budget and continue to plan for Oregon’s energy future through our 2009 Integrated Resource Plan.”

“On February 16th, we filed a 2011 general rate case to align prices with the costs necessary to deliver safe, reliable power and high-quality customer service while providing our shareholders a reasonable rate of return.”

Net income increased $8 million, or 9%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 relative to the year ended December 31, 2008, and reflects the sustained effects of the economy. Operating results for 2009 reflect higher prices, offset by a 3% decline in retail energy deliveries, and the effects of a 37% decline in average

 

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wholesale prices and higher power costs. Higher power costs were primarily due to a 5% decrease in power provided by hydroelectric resources and incremental replacement power costs of approximately $16 million due to extended maintenance and repair outages at the Colstrip (approximately $12 million) and Boardman (approximately $4 million) coal plants. In addition, a refund to customers of $33 million recorded in 2008 related to OPUC’s order concerning certain Trojan matters and an increase in the fair value of non-qualified benefit plan assets, partially offset by the write-off of approximately $18 million related to deferred excess replacement power costs associated with Boardman’s forced outage in late 2005 and early 2006, contributed to the increase in net income.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

 

   

Filed an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the OPUC in November 2009. The IRP proposes to meet the projected future energy gap with emphasis on energy efficiency, new natural gas-fired and renewable resource generation, and new transmission capacity. In addition, the IRP proposes the continued operation of Boardman through 2040. PGE is working with various stakeholders to evaluate an alternative strategy for Boardman under which the plant would cease operations in 2020 or discontinue the use of coal as a fuel source. The Company is committed to seeking the plan for Boardman that best meets customers’ needs for reliable, responsibly generated and reasonably priced electricity.

 

   

Issued $150 million of 5.43% First Mortgage Bonds.

 

   

Increased revolving credit capacity by replacing an expiring $125 million revolver with a new $200 million revolver, expiring in December 2012.

Fourth Quarter Operating Results

 

   

Revenues increased $36 million, or 8%, in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 primarily due to:

   

A $30 million increase related to a 7% increase in retail prices resulting from the general rate case that became effective January 1, 2009;

 

   

A $7 million increase from oil sales (with $5 million of oil sales costs included in Purchased power and fuel expense);

 

   

A $4 million increase related to a 1% increase in retail energy sales (excluding Direct Access customers); partially offset by

 

   

A $15 million decrease in wholesale sales, consisting of a 22% decline in market prices and an 18% decrease in volume.

Total retail energy deliveries, which include deliveries to Direct Access customers, decreased 0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008, consisting of a 3.9% decrease in commercial and industrial energy deliveries, partially offset by a 3.4% increase in residential energy deliveries.

 

   

Purchased power and fuel expense increased $54 million, or 24%, in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 primarily due to:

 

   

A $26 million increase related to a 22% increase in the average cost of purchased power;

 

   

An $18 million increase related to the reversal of a regulatory asset deferred in early 2007 in connection with Boardman’s outage in late 2005 to early 2006. In February 2010, the OPUC denied the amortization of 50% of the original amount of costs deferred; and

 

   

A $10 million increase related to a 9% increase in the average cost of power generated, driven by higher fuel costs.

Included in the above is $4 million related to incremental replacement power costs due to the Colstrip outage. Colstrip came back online at the end of October 2009.

 

   

PGE was authorized to include in rates the Selective Water Withdrawal project, effective February 1, 2010. Pursuant to a stipulation entered into with the OPUC and other interested parties, PGE agreed to not seek the recovery of certain costs related to a delay in the construction of the project, of which $6 million was charged to production and distribution expense in the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

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Administrative and other expense decreased by $3 million, or 6%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

   

An increase of $9 million in other income (expense) related to the change in the fair value of non-qualified benefit plan assets. In the fourth quarter of 2009, PGE recorded a $1 million gain, compared to an $8 million loss recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008.

2009 Annual Highlights

 

   

Completed Biglow Canyon Phase II on schedule and under budget, resulting in 65 wind turbines supplying power to PGE’s customers. Wind generation increased 31% in 2009 compared to 2008, representing 3% of the Company’s retail load requirement in 2009 compared to 2% in 2008. Revenue requirements related to Phase II started as the turbines were placed in service, which was completed by the end of August 2009.

 

   

Total retail energy deliveries decreased 3.3% in 2009 compared to 2008, consisting of a 5.6% decrease in commercial and industrial deliveries, partially offset by a 0.3% increase in residential energy deliveries.

 

   

On a weather adjusted basis, retail energy deliveries decreased 2.4% in 2009, with deliveries to residential, commercial, and industrial customers increasing (decreasing) by 1.1%, (2.7%), and (8.4%), respectively.

 

   

An increase of $26 million in other income related to the change in the fair value of non-qualified benefit plan assets. In 2009, PGE recorded a $9 million gain, compared to a $17 million loss recorded in 2008.

 

   

Administrative and other expenses decreased by $11 million, or 6%, as compared to 2008 due to a decrease in incentive compensation from changes in the plan provisions and 2009 results.

 

   

Issued a total of $580 million of first mortgage bonds.

 

   

Issued 12.5 million shares of common stock in March 2009 for net proceeds of $170 million.

 

   

Increased the quarterly stock dividend 4% in May 2009, from 24.5 cents per share to 25.5 cents per share.

2011 General Rate Case

On February 16, 2010, PGE filed a general rate case for a $125 million, or 7.4%, overall increase in rates, which is based on a 2011 test year. The goal of the general rate case is to provide prices that allow the recovery of costs necessary to provide safe and reliable service, recovery of capital costs and a reasonable rate of return. PGE is requesting modification of the power cost adjustment mechanism for closer alignment with other utilities, a mechanism for recovery of costs from major storm damage, recovery of costs related to collateral requirements and pension plan funding, and continuation of the decoupling mechanism. In addition, PGE is proposing a capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity, a return on equity of 10.5%, a cost of capital of 8.3%, and an average rate base of approximately $3.2 billion. A final order from the OPUC is expected before the end of 2010, with new rates expected to be effective January 1, 2011.

2010 Earnings Guidance

PGE revises 2010 earnings guidance from the previously reported range of $1.50 to $1.65 earnings per diluted share to $1.30 to $1.45 earnings per diluted share. The two key drivers for the guidance revision include:

 

   

Unfavorable hydro conditions resulting in lower-than-forecasted energy expected to be received from hydroelectric resources; and

 

   

Decline in retail margins due to the reduction in load primarily caused by warmer-than-expected weather in January and February.

The combined impact of the above two factors results in lower income taxes, which in turn would require customer refunds under SB 408, an Oregon utility tax law. Reduced hydro, a decline in retail margins, and the related impact from SB 408 represent approximately 50%, 25%, and 25%, respectively, of the total reduction in earnings guidance.

 

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Capital Expenditures and Funding

The Company estimates capital expenditures to be $540 million in 2010, the majority of which relate to Biglow Canyon Phase III ($210 million), the smart meter project ($40 million) and upgrades to and replacement of generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure ($260 million). PGE plans on issuing approximately $250 million of debt in 2010 to finance its capital expenditures, of which $70 million was issued in January 2010.

Fourth Quarter 2009 Earnings Call and Web cast — February 25, 2010

PGE will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at 11 a.m. EST. The conference call will web cast live on the PGE website at www.PortlandGeneral.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 2 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 25, 2010 through Thursday, March 4, 2010.

Jim Piro, President and CEO; Maria Pope, Senior Vice President, Finance, CFO, and Treasurer; and Bill Valach, Director, Investor Relations, will participate in the call. Management will respond to questions following formal comments.

The attached condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets, and consolidated statements of cash flows, as well as the supplemental operating statistics, are an integral part of this earnings release.

# # # # #

About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric Company is a vertically integrated electric utility that serves approximately 816,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Portland/Salem metropolitan area of Oregon. The Company’s headquarters are located at 121 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 97204. Visit our website 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 load, hydro conditions and operating and maintenance costs; statements regarding the future impact of SB 408; statements regarding future capital expenditures; statements regarding future financings and PGE’s access to capital and cost of capital; statements regarding PGE’s future liquidity; statements regarding the cost, completion and benefits of capital projects; statements regarding future generation and transmission projects, including those set forth in the IRP; statements concerning future operation of Boardman; statements concerning the outcome of the 2011 general rate case and the timing of a final order from the OPUC; statements regarding the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceeding; 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 the reductions in demand for electricity and the sale of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices; the outcome of the 2011 general rate case filing; regulatory approval and rate treatment of the smart meter project and Phase III of the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm project; operational risks relating to the Company’s generation facilities, including hydro conditions, wind conditions, disruption of fuel supply, and unscheduled plant outages, which may result in unanticipated operating, maintenance and repair costs, as well as replacement power costs; the costs of compliance with

 

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environmental laws and regulations, including those that govern emissions from thermal power plants; changes in weather, hydroelectric and energy markets conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of purchased power and fuel; changes in capital market conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of capital and result in delay or cancellation of capital projects; unforeseen problems or delays in completing capital projects, resulting in the failure to complete such projects on schedule or within budget; the outcome of various legal and regulatory proceedings; and general economic and financial market conditions. 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 Operations and the risks described therein from time to time.

POR-F

Source: Portland General Electric Company

 

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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Revenues, net

   $ 485      $ 449      $ 1,804      $ 1,745   

Operating expenses:

        

Purchased power and fuel

     280        226        944        878   

Production and distribution

     51        44        178        169   

Administrative and other

     45        48        179        190   

Depreciation and amortization

     51        54        211        208   

Taxes other than income taxes

     20        20        84        83   
                                

Total operating expenses

     447        392        1,596        1,528   
                                

Income from operations

     38        57        208        217   

Other income (expense):

        

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

     5        2        18        9   

Miscellaneous income (expense), net

     (3     (8     3        (14
                                

Other income (expense), net

     2        (6     21        (5

Interest expense

     28        23        104        90   
                                

Income before income taxes

     12        28        125        122   

Income taxes

     4        8        36        35   
                                

Net income

     8        20        89        87   

Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     —          —          (6     —     
                                

Net income attributable to Portland General Electric Company

   $ 8      $ 20      $ 95      $ 87   
                                

Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):

        

Basic

     75,192        62,558        72,790        62,544   
                                

Diluted

     75,210        62,558        72,852        62,581   
                                

Earnings per share - basic and diluted

   $ 0.11      $ 0.32      $ 1.31      $ 1.39   
                                

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.255      $ 0.245      $ 1.01      $ 0.97   
                                

 

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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     As of December 31,
     2009    2008
ASSETS      

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 31    $ 10

Accounts receivable, net

     159      168

Unbilled revenues

     95      96

Inventories

     58      71

Margin deposits

     56      189

Regulatory assets - current

     197      194

Other current assets

     94      92
             

Total current assets

     690      820

Electric utility plant, net

     3,858      3,301

Regulatory assets - noncurrent

     465      631

Nuclear decommissioning trust

     50      46

Non-qualified benefit plan trust

     47      46

Other noncurrent assets

     62      45
             

Total assets

   $ 5,172    $ 4,889
             
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 187    $ 217

Liabilities from price risk management activities - current

     128      225

Short-term debt

     —        203

Current portion of long-term debt

     186      142

Regulatory liabilities - current

     27      43

Other current liabilities

     92      59
             

Total current liabilities

     620      889

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     1,558      1,164

Regulatory liabilities - noncurrent

     654      640

Deferred income taxes

     356      304

Unfunded status of pension and postretirement plans

     143      174

Liabilities from price risk management activities - noncurrent

     127      201

Non-qualified benefit plan liabilities

     96      91

Other noncurrent liabilities

     75      72
             

Total liabilities

     3,629      3,535
             

Total equity

     1,543      1,354
             

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 5,172    $ 4,889
             

 

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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 89      $ 87   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     211        208   

Increase (decrease) in net liabilities (assets) from price risk management activities

     (145     350   

Regulatory deferral - price risk management activities

     145        (350

Deferred income taxes

     82        22   

Trojan refund liability

     —          34   

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

     (18     (9

Power cost deferrals, net

     (18     2   

(Gains) losses on nonqualified benefit plan trust assets

     (8     17   

Other non-cash income and expenses, net

     8        (1

Changes in working capital:

    

(Increase) decrease in margin deposits

     133        (163

Decrease in receivables

     11        6   

Decrease in payables

     (16     (11

Other working capital items, net

     (51     (8

Distribution of Trojan refund liability

     (34     —     

Other, net

     (3     (1
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     386        183   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (696     (383

Sales of nuclear decommissioning trust securities

     36        23   

Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust securities

     (36     (19

Insurance proceeds

     —          3   

Other, net

     (4     (6
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (700     (382
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     580        50   

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

     170        —     

Payments on long-term debt

     (142     (56

Borrowings on revolving lines of credit

     82        189   

Payments on revolving lines of credit

     (213     (58

Borrowings (payments) on short-term debt, net

     (72     72   

Dividends paid

     (72     (60

Debt issuance costs

     (5     (1

Noncontrolling interests’ capital contribution

     7        —     
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     335        136   
                

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     21        (63

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     10        73   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 31      $ 10   
                

 

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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Years Ended  
     December 31,     December 31,  
     2009    2008     2009    2008  

Revenues (dollars in millions):

          

Retail sales:

          

Residential

   $ 220    $ 199      $ 794    $ 758   

Commercial

     156      148        619      598   

Industrial

     42      39        167      158   
                              

Total retail sales

     418      386        1,580      1,514   

Other retail revenues

     25      17        77      4   

Direct access customers

     —        (3     —        (10
                              

Total retail revenues

     443      400        1,657      1,508   

Wholesale revenues

     27      42        112      195   

Other operating revenues

     15      7        35      42   
                              

Revenues, net

   $ 485    $ 449      $ 1,804    $ 1,745   
                              

Energy sold and delivered (MWh in thousands):

          

Retail energy deliveries:

          

Residential

     2,185      2,113        7,901      7,878   

Commercial

     1,787      1,787        7,154      7,226   

Industrial

     592      615        2,364      2,472   
                              
     4,564      4,515        17,419      17,576   

Direct access customers:

          

Commercial

     106      159        405      615   

Industrial

     392      434        1,512      1,803   
                              
     498      593        1,917      2,418   
                              

Total retail energy deliveries

     5,062      5,108        19,336      19,994   

Wholesale sales

     622      761        2,896      3,190   
                              

Total energy sold and delivered

     5,684      5,869        22,232      23,184   
                              

Number of retail customers at end of period:

          

Residential

          715,458      712,554   

Commercial

          99,773      97,017   

Industrial

          255      213   

Direct access

          253      413   
                    

Total retail customers

          815,739      810,197   
                    
     Heating Degree-days     Cooling Degree-days  
     2009    2008     2009    2008  

1st Quarter

     2,022      1,981        —        —     

Average

     1,831      1,831        —        —     

2nd Quarter

     578      860        90      98   

Average

     683      683        71      71   

3rd Quarter

     63      80        537      376   

Average

     80      80        394      394   

4th Quarter

     1,561      1,661        —        —     

Average

     1,575      1,575        2      2   

Annual total

     4,224      4,582        627      474   

Annual total average

     4,169      4,169        467      467   

 

Note: “Average” represents the 15-year averages provided by the National Weather Service, as measured at Portland International Airport.

 

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