PACIFICORP /OR/ - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X]
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
or
[ ]
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For
the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission
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Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter;
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IRS
Employer
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File
Number
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State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization
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Identification No.
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1-5152
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PACIFICORP
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93-0246090
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(An
Oregon Corporation)
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825
N.E. Multnomah Street
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Portland,
Oregon 97232
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503-813-5000
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each
Class
5%
Preferred Stock (Cumulative; $100 Stated Value)
Serial
Preferred Stock (Cumulative; $100 Stated Value)
No Par
Serial Preferred Stock (Cumulative; $100 Stated Value)
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes T No o
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No T
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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 (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes T No o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on
its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ¨ No ¨
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. T
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer o
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Accelerated
filer o
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Non-accelerated
filer T
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Smaller
reporting company o
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No T
As of
January, 31, 2010, there were 357,060,915 shares of common stock
outstanding. All shares of outstanding common stock are indirectly owned by
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, 666 Grand Avenue, Des Moines,
Iowa.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
PART
I
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PART
II
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PART
III
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PART
IV
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Forward-Looking
Statements
This
report contains statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to
historical facts. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements
can typically be identified by the use of forward-looking words, such as “may,”
“could,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,”
“intend,” “potential,” “plan,” “forecast” and similar terms. These statements
are based upon PacifiCorp’s current intentions, assumptions, expectations and
beliefs and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors.
Many of these factors are outside PacifiCorp’s control and could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by PacifiCorp’s
forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others:
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·
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general
economic, political and business conditions in the jurisdictions in which
PacifiCorp’s facilities operate;
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·
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changes
in federal, state and local governmental, legislative or regulatory
requirements, including those pertaining to income taxes, affecting
PacifiCorp or the electric utility
industry;
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·
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changes
in, and compliance with, environmental laws, regulations, decisions and
policies that could, among other items, increase operating and capital
costs, reduce plant output or delay plant
construction;
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·
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the
outcome of general rate cases and other proceedings conducted by
regulatory commissions or other governmental and legal
bodies;
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·
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changes
in economic, industry or weather conditions, as well as demographic
trends, that could affect customer growth and usage or supply of
electricity or PacifiCorp’s ability to obtain long-term contracts with
customers;
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·
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a
high degree of variance between actual and forecasted load and prices that
could impact the hedging strategy and costs to balance electricity and
load supply;
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·
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hydroelectric
conditions, as well as the cost, feasibility and eventual outcome of
hydroelectric relicensing proceedings, that could have a significant
impact on electric capacity and cost and PacifiCorp’s ability to generate
electricity;
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·
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changes
in prices, availability and demand for both purchases and sales of
wholesale electricity, coal, natural gas, other fuel sources and fuel
transportation that could have a significant impact on generation capacity
and energy costs;
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·
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the
financial condition and creditworthiness of PacifiCorp’s significant
customers and suppliers;
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·
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changes
in business strategy or development
plans;
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·
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availability,
terms and deployment of capital, including reductions in demand for
investment-grade commercial paper, debt securities and other sources of
debt financing and volatility in the London Interbank Offered Rate, the
base interest rate for PacifiCorp’s credit
facilities;
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·
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changes
in PacifiCorp’s credit ratings;
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·
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performance
of PacifiCorp’s generating facilities, including unscheduled outages or
repairs;
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·
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the
impact of derivative contracts used to mitigate or manage volume, price
and interest rate risk, including increased collateral requirements, and
changes in the commodity prices, interest rates and other conditions that
affect the fair value of derivative
contracts;
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·
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increases
in employee healthcare costs and the potential impact of federal
healthcare reform legislation;
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·
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the
impact of investment performance and changes in interest rates,
legislation, healthcare cost trends, mortality and morbidity on pension
and other postretirement benefits expense and funding
requirements;
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·
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unanticipated
construction delays, changes in costs, receipt of required permits and
authorizations, ability to fund capital projects and other factors that
could affect future generating facilities and infrastructure
additions;
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·
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the
impact of new accounting pronouncements or changes in current accounting
estimates and assumptions on consolidated financial
results;
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·
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other
risks or unforeseen events, including litigation, wars, the effects of
terrorism, embargoes and other catastrophic events;
and
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1
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·
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other
business or investment considerations that may be disclosed from time to
time in PacifiCorp’s filings with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or in other publicly disseminated written
documents.
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Further
details of the potential risks and uncertainties affecting PacifiCorp are
described in Item 1A and other discussions contained in this
Form 10-K. PacifiCorp undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as
exclusive.
2
PART I
Item 1.
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Business
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General
PacifiCorp,
which includes PacifiCorp and its subsidiaries, is a United States regulated
electric company serving 1.7 million retail customers, including
residential, commercial, industrial and other customers in portions of the
states of Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California. PacifiCorp
owns, or has interests in, 78 thermal, hydroelectric, wind-powered and
geothermal generating facilities, with a net owned capacity of
10,483 megawatts (“MW”). PacifiCorp also owns, or has interests in,
electric transmission and distribution assets, and transmits electricity through
approximately 15,900 miles of transmission lines. PacifiCorp also buys and
sells electricity on the wholesale market with public and private utilities,
energy marketing companies and incorporated municipalities as a result of excess
electricity generation or other system balancing activities. PacifiCorp is
subject to comprehensive state and federal regulation. PacifiCorp’s subsidiaries
support its electric utility operations by providing coal mining facilities and
services and environmental remediation services. PacifiCorp is an indirect
subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MEHC”), a holding company
based in Des Moines, Iowa, that owns subsidiaries principally engaged in energy
businesses. MEHC is a consolidated subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
(“Berkshire Hathaway”). MEHC controls substantially all of PacifiCorp’s voting
securities, which include both common and preferred stock.
PacifiCorp’s
principal executive offices are located at 825 N.E. Multnomah Street,
Suite 2000, Portland, Oregon 97232, and its telephone number is
(503) 813-5000. PacifiCorp was initially incorporated in 1910 under the
laws of the state of Maine under the name Pacific Power & Light Company. In
1984, Pacific Power & Light Company changed its name to PacifiCorp. In 1989,
it merged with Utah Power and Light Company, a Utah corporation, in a
transaction wherein both corporations merged into a newly-formed Oregon
corporation. The resulting Oregon corporation was re-named PacifiCorp, which is
the operating entity today.
Berkshire
Hathaway Equity Commitment
On
March 1, 2006, MEHC and Berkshire Hathaway entered into an Equity
Commitment Agreement (the “Berkshire Equity Commitment”) pursuant to which
Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to purchase up to $3.5 billion of MEHC’s
common equity upon any requests authorized from time to time by MEHC’s Board of
Directors. The proceeds of any such equity contribution shall only be used by
MEHC for the purpose of (a) paying when due MEHC’s debt obligations and
(b) funding the general corporate purposes and capital requirements of
MEHC’s regulated subsidiaries, including PacifiCorp. Berkshire Hathaway will
have up to 180 days to fund any such request in increments of at least
$250 million pursuant to one or more drawings authorized by MEHC’s Board of
Directors. The funding of each drawing will be made by means of a cash equity
contribution to MEHC in exchange for additional shares of MEHC’s common stock.
PacifiCorp has no right to make or to cause MEHC to make any equity contribution
requests. The Berkshire Equity Commitment expires on February 28,
2011.
Operations
PacifiCorp
delivers electricity to customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho under the trade
name Rocky Mountain Power and to customers in Oregon, Washington and California
under the trade name Pacific Power. PacifiCorp’s electric generation, commercial
and trading, and coal mining functions are operated under the trade name
PacifiCorp Energy. As a vertically integrated electric utility, PacifiCorp owns
or has contracts for fuel sources, such as coal and natural gas, and uses these
fuel sources, as well as water resources, wind and geothermal to generate
electricity at its generating facilities. This electricity, together with
electricity purchased on the wholesale market, is then transmitted via a grid of
transmission lines throughout PacifiCorp’s six-state service area and the
Western United States. The electricity is then transformed to lower voltages and
delivered to customers through PacifiCorp’s distribution system.
PacifiCorp’s
primary goal is to provide safe, reliable electricity to its customers at a
reasonable cost. In return, PacifiCorp expects that all prudently incurred costs
to provide such service will be included as allowable costs for state ratemaking
purposes, and PacifiCorp will be allowed an opportunity to earn a reasonable
return on its investments.
3
PacifiCorp
seeks to manage growth in its customer demand through the construction and
purchase of new cost-effective, environmentally prudent and efficient sources of
power supply and through demand response and energy efficiency programs. During
2009, PacifiCorp placed in service 265 MW of wind-powered generating
facilities to help meet future retail load growth, achieve renewable generation
targets and replace expiring wholesale supply contracts.
Employees
As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp, together with its subsidiaries, had
6,447 employees, 60% of which were covered by union contracts, principally
with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Utility Workers
Union of America, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the United
Mine Workers of America.
Service
Territories
PacifiCorp’s
combined service territory covers approximately 136,000 square miles and
includes diverse regional economies ranging from rural, agricultural and mining
areas to urban, manufacturing and government service centers. No single segment
of the economy dominates the service territory, which helps mitigate
PacifiCorp’s exposure to economic fluctuations. In the eastern portion of the
service territory, mainly consisting of Utah, Wyoming and southeastern Idaho,
the principal industries are manufacturing, recreation, agriculture and mining
or extraction of natural resources. In the western portion of the service
territory, mainly consisting of Oregon, southern Washington and northern
California, the principal industries are agriculture and manufacturing, with
forest products, food processing, technology and primary metals being the
largest industrial sectors.
PacifiCorp
receives authorization from state public utility commissions to serve areas
within each state. This authorization is perpetual until withdrawn. In addition,
PacifiCorp has received franchises that permit it to provide electric service to
customers inside incorporated areas within the states. The average term of these
franchises is approximately 30 years, although their terms range from five
years to indefinite. PacifiCorp must renew franchises as they expire.
Governmental agencies have the right to challenge PacifiCorp’s right to serve in
a specific area and can condemn PacifiCorp’s property under certain
circumstances. However, PacifiCorp vigorously challenges attempts from
individuals and governmental agencies to undertake forced takeover of portions
of its service territory.
Except
for Oregon and Washington, PacifiCorp has an exclusive right to serve customers
within its service territories, and in turn, has the obligation to provide
electric service to those customers. Under Oregon law, PacifiCorp has the
exclusive right and obligation to provide electric distribution services to all
customers within its allocated service territory; however, nonresidential
customers have the right to choose alternative electricity service suppliers.
The impact of these programs on PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results has
not been material. In Washington, state law does not provide for exclusive
service territory allocation. PacifiCorp’s service territory in Washington is
surrounded by other public utilities with whom PacifiCorp has from time to time
entered into service area agreements under the jurisdiction of the Washington
Utilities and Transportation Commission (“WUTC”).
The
percentages of electricity sold to retail customers by jurisdiction were as
follows for the years ended December 31:
2009
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2008
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2007
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||||||||||
Utah
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42 | % | 42 | % | 42 | % | ||||||
Oregon
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25 | 26 | 26 | |||||||||
Wyoming
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17 | 17 | 16 | |||||||||
Washington
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8 | 7 | 8 | |||||||||
Idaho
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6 | 6 | 6 | |||||||||
California
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2 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
4
The
following map highlights PacifiCorp’s retail service territory, generating
facility locations and PacifiCorp’s primary transmission lines as of
December 31, 2009. PacifiCorp’s generating facilities are interconnected
through PacifiCorp’s own transmission lines or by contract through transmission
lines owned by others.
(a)
|
Access
to other entities’ transmission lines through wheeling
arrangements.
|
5
Customers
Retail
sales volumes depend on factors such as economic conditions, including the
timing of recovery from the current economic recession, population growth,
consumer trends, voluntary and mandated conservation efforts, weather,
technology and price changes.
Electricity
sold to retail and wholesale customers and the average number of retail
customers, by class of customer, were as follows for the years ended December
31:
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Gigawatt hours
(“GWh”) sold:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential
|
15,999 | 24 | % | 16,222 | 24 | % | 15,975 | 24 | % | |||||||||||||||
Commercial
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16,194 | 25 | 16,055 | 24 | 15,951 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||
Industrial
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19,934 | 31 | 21,495 | 32 | 20,892 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
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583 | 1 | 590 | 1 | 572 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
retail
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52,710 | 81 | 54,362 | 81 | 53,390 | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale
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12,349 | 19 | 12,345 | 19 | 13,724 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
GWh sold
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65,059 | 100 | % | 66,707 | 100 | % | 67,114 | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||
Average
number of retail customers (in thousands):
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||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential
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1,467 | 85 | % | 1,458 | 86 | % | 1,441 | 86 | % | |||||||||||||||
Commercial
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214 | 13 | 210 | 12 | 205 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
Industrial
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34 | 2 | 34 | 2 | 34 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
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4 | - | 4 | - | 4 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
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1,719 | 100 | % | 1,706 | 100 | % | 1,684 | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||
Retail
customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average
usage per customer (kilowatt hours)
|
30,672 | 31,863 | 31,712 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Average
revenue per customer
|
$ | 2,047 | $ | 2,021 | $ | 1,931 | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenue
per kilowatt hour
|
6.7 | ¢ | 6.3 | ¢ | 6.1 | ¢ |
Customer
Usage and
Seasonality
In
addition to the variations in weather from year to year, fluctuations in
economic conditions within the service territory and elsewhere can impact
customer usage, particularly for industrial and wholesale customers. Beginning
in the fourth quarter of 2008, certain customer usage levels began to decline
due to the effects of the economic conditions in the United States. The
declining usage trend continued in 2009, resulting in lower retail demand than
in 2008.
Peak
customer demand is typically highest in the summer across PacifiCorp’s service
territory when air conditioning and irrigation systems are heavily used. The
service territory also has a winter peak, which is primarily due to heating
requirements in the western portion of PacifiCorp’s service territory. Peak
demand represents the highest demand on a given day and at a given hour. During
the year ended December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s peak demand was
9,420 MW in the summer and 9,336 MW in the winter.
6
Power
and Fuel Supply
The
percentage of PacifiCorp’s energy requirements by resource varies from year to
year and is subject to numerous operational and economic factors such as planned
and unplanned outages; fuel commodity prices; fuel transportation costs;
weather; environmental considerations; transmission constraints; and wholesale
market prices of electricity. When factors for one generation resource are
unfavorable, PacifiCorp must place more reliance on other energy sources. For
example, PacifiCorp can generate more electricity using its low cost
hydroelectric and wind-powered generating facilities when factors associated
with these facilities are favorable. When hydroelectric and wind resources are
less favorable, PacifiCorp must increase its reliance on more expensive
generation or purchased electricity. PacifiCorp manages certain risks relating
to its supply of electricity and fuel requirements by entering into various
contracts, which may be derivatives, including forwards, futures, options, swaps
and other agreements. Refer to Item 7A in this Form 10-K for a discussion
of commodity price risk and derivative contracts.
7
PacifiCorp’s
portfolio of generating facilities was comprised of the following as of
December 31, 2009:
Location
|
Energy
Source
|
Installed
|
Facility
Net Capacity
(MW)
(1)
|
Net
Owned Generating Capacity (MW) (1)
|
|||||||||||
COAL:
|
|||||||||||||||
Jim
Bridger
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Rock
Springs, WY
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Coal
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1974-1979 | 2,117 | 1,411 | ||||||||||
Hunter
Nos. 1, 2 and 3
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Castle
Dale, UT
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Coal
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1978-1983 | 1,320 | 1,122 | ||||||||||
Huntington
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Huntington,
UT
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Coal
|
1974-1977 | 895 | 895 | ||||||||||
Dave
Johnston
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Glenrock,
WY
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Coal
|
1959-1972 | 762 | 762 | ||||||||||
Naughton
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Kemmerer,
WY
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Coal
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1963-1971 | 700 | 700 | ||||||||||
Cholla
No. 4
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Joseph
City, AZ
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Coal
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1981 | 395 | 395 | ||||||||||
Wyodak
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Gillette,
WY
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Coal
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1978 | 335 | 268 | ||||||||||
Carbon
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Castle
Gate, UT
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Coal
|
1954-1957 | 172 | 172 | ||||||||||
Craig
Nos. 1 and 2
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Craig,
CO
|
Coal
|
1979-1980 | 856 | 165 | ||||||||||
Colstrip
Nos. 3 and 4
|
Colstrip,
MT
|
Coal
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1984-1986 | 1,480 | 148 | ||||||||||
Hayden Nos. 1 and 2
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Hayden,
CO
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Coal
|
1965-1976 | 446 | 78 | ||||||||||
9,478 | 6,116 | ||||||||||||||
NATURAL
GAS:
|
|||||||||||||||
Lake Side
|
Vineyard,
UT
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Natural gas/steam
|
2007 | 558 | 558 | ||||||||||
Currant
Creek
|
Mona,
UT
|
Natural gas/steam
|
2005-2006 | 550 | 550 | ||||||||||
Chehalis
|
Chehalis,
WA
|
Natural
gas/steam
|
2003 | 520 | 520 | ||||||||||
Hermiston
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Hermiston,
OR
|
Natural gas/steam
|
1996 | 474 | 237 | ||||||||||
Gadsby
Steam
|
Salt
Lake City, UT
|
Natural
gas
|
1951-1955 | 231 | 231 | ||||||||||
Gadsby
Peakers
|
Salt
Lake City, UT
|
Natural
gas
|
2002 | 122 | 122 | ||||||||||
Little
Mountain
|
Ogden,
UT
|
Natural
gas
|
1971 | 14 | 14 | ||||||||||
2,469 | 2,232 | ||||||||||||||
HYDROELECTRIC: (2)
|
|||||||||||||||
Lewis River System (3)
|
WA
|
Hydroelectric
|
1931-1958 | 578 | 578 | ||||||||||
North Umpqua River System (4)
|
OR
|
Hydroelectric
|
1950-1956 | 200 | 200 | ||||||||||
Klamath River System (5)
|
CA,
OR
|
Hydroelectric
|
1903-1962 | 170 | 170 | ||||||||||
Bear River System (6)
|
ID,
UT
|
Hydroelectric
|
1908-1984 | 105 | 105 | ||||||||||
Rogue River System (7)
|
OR
|
Hydroelectric
|
1912-1957 | 52 | 52 | ||||||||||
Minor hydroelectric facilities
|
Various
|
Hydroelectric
|
1895-1986 | 53 | 53 | ||||||||||
1,158 | 1,158 | ||||||||||||||
WIND: (2)
|
|||||||||||||||
Marengo
|
Dayton,
WA
|
Wind
|
2007 | 140 | 140 | ||||||||||
Leaning
Juniper 1
|
Arlington,
OR
|
Wind
|
2006 | 101 | 101 | ||||||||||
High
Plains
|
McFadden,
WY
|
Wind
|
2009 | 99 | 99 | ||||||||||
Rolling
Hills
|
Glenrock,
WY
|
Wind
|
2009 | 99 | 99 | ||||||||||
Glenrock
|
Glenrock,
WY
|
Wind
|
2008 | 99 | 99 | ||||||||||
Seven
Mile Hill
|
Medicine
Bow, WY
|
Wind
|
2008 | 99 | 99 | ||||||||||
Goodnoe
Hills
|
Goldendale,
WA
|
Wind
|
2008 | 94 | 94 | ||||||||||
Marengo
II
|
Dayton,
WA
|
Wind
|
2008 | 70 | 70 | ||||||||||
Foote
Creek
|
Arlington,
WY
|
Wind
|
1999 | 41 | 33 | ||||||||||
Glenrock
III
|
Glenrock,
WY
|
Wind
|
2009 | 39 | 39 | ||||||||||
McFadden
Ridge I
|
McFadden,
WY
|
Wind
|
2009 | 28 | 28 | ||||||||||
Seven
Mile Hill II
|
Medicine
Bow, WY
|
Wind
|
2008 | 20 | 20 | ||||||||||
929 | 921 | ||||||||||||||
OTHER: (2)
|
|||||||||||||||
Blundell
|
Milford,
UT
|
Geothermal
|
1984, 2007 | 34 | 34 | ||||||||||
Camas
Co-Gen
|
Camas,
WA
|
Black
liquor
|
1996 | 22 | 22 | ||||||||||
56 | 56 | ||||||||||||||
Total
available generating capacity
|
14,090 | 10,483 |
8
(1)
|
Facility
net capacity (MW) represents the total capability of a generating unit as
demonstrated by actual operating or test experience, less power generated
and used for auxiliaries and other station uses, and is determined using
average annual temperatures. Net owned generating capacity (MW)
indicates current legal ownership. For wind-powered generating facilities,
nominal ratings are used in place of facility net capacity. A wind turbine
generator’s nominal rating is the manufacturer’s contractually specified
capability (in MW) under specified conditions.
|
(2)
|
All
or some of the renewable energy attributes associated with generation from
these generating facilities may be: (a) used in future years to
comply with renewable portfolio standards (“RPS”) or other regulatory
requirements or (b) sold to third parties in the form of renewable
energy credits or other environmental commodities.
|
(3)
|
The
license for these facilities is valid through
May 2058.
|
(4)
|
The
license for these facilities is valid through
October 2038.
|
(5)
|
The
license for these facilities was valid through February 2006 and it
currently operates on annual licenses. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for an
update regarding hydroelectric relicensing for the Klamath River
system.
|
(6)
|
The
license is valid through March 2024 for Cutler and through
November 2033 for the Grace, Oneida and Soda hydroelectric generating
facilities.
|
(7)
|
The
license is valid through December 2018 for Prospect No. 3 and
through March 2038 for the Prospect Nos. 1, 2 and 4
hydroelectric generating
facilities.
|
The
percentages of PacifiCorp’s total energy supplied by energy source were as
follows for the years ended December 31:
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Coal
|
63 | % | 65 | % | 64 | % | ||||||
Natural
gas
|
12 | 12 | 11 | |||||||||
Hydroelectric
|
5 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||
Other
(1)
|
4 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
Total
energy generated
|
84 | 84 | 81 | |||||||||
Energy
purchased – long-term contracts
|
6 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||
Energy
purchased – short-term contracts and other
|
10 | 11 | 14 | |||||||||
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
(1)
|
All
or some of the renewable energy attributes associated with generation from
these generating facilities may be: (a) used in future years to
comply with RPS or other regulatory requirements or (b) sold to third
parties in the form of renewable energy credits or other environmental
commodities.
|
Coal
Coal-fired
generating facilities account for 58% of PacifiCorp’s total net owned generating
capacity. PacifiCorp owns coal mines that support its coal-fired generating
facilities. These mines supplied 31% of PacifiCorp’s total coal requirements
during each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The
remaining coal requirements are acquired through long- and short-term
third-party contracts. PacifiCorp’s mines are located adjacent to many of its
coal-fired generating facilities, which significantly reduces overall
transportation costs included in fuel expense. Most of PacifiCorp’s coal
reserves are held pursuant to leases from the federal government through the
Bureau of Land Management and from certain states and private parties. The
leases generally have multi-year terms that may be renewed or extended only with
the consent of the lessor and require payment of rents and royalties. In
addition, federal and state regulations require that comprehensive environmental
protection and reclamation standards be met during the course of mining
operations and upon completion of mining activities.
9
Coal
reserve estimates are subject to adjustment as a result of the development of
additional engineering and geological data, new mining technology and changes in
regulation and economic factors affecting the utilization of such reserves.
Recoverable coal reserves as of December 31, 2009, based on PacifiCorp’s
most recent engineering studies, were as follows
(in millions):
Location
|
Plant Served
|
Mining Method
|
Recoverable Tons
|
|||||
Craig, CO
|
Craig
|
Surface
|
46 | (1) | ||||
Huntington & Castle Dale, UT
|
Huntington and Hunter
|
Underground
|
30 | (2) | ||||
Rock Springs, WY
|
Jim Bridger
|
Surface
|
83 | (3) | ||||
Rock Springs, WY
|
Jim Bridger
|
Underground
|
50 | (3) | ||||
209 |
(1)
|
These
coal reserves are leased and mined by Trapper Mining, Inc., a Delaware
non-stock corporation operated on a cooperative basis, in which PacifiCorp
has an ownership interest of 21%. The amount included above represents
only PacifiCorp’s 21% interest in the coal reserves.
|
(2)
|
These
coal reserves are leased by PacifiCorp and mined by a wholly owned
subsidiary of PacifiCorp.
|
(3)
|
These
coal reserves are leased and mined by Bridger Coal Company, a joint
venture between Pacific Minerals, Inc. (“PMI”) and a subsidiary
of Idaho Power Company. PMI, a wholly owned subsidiary of PacifiCorp, has
a two-thirds interest in the joint venture. The amount included above
represents only PacifiCorp’s two-thirds interest in the coal
reserves.
|
Recoverability
by surface mining methods typically ranges from 90% to 95%. Recoverability by
underground mining techniques ranges from 50% to 70%. To meet applicable
standards, PacifiCorp blends coal mined at its owned mines with contracted coal
and utilizes emission reduction technologies for controlling sulfur dioxide and
other emissions. For fuel needs at PacifiCorp's coal-fired generating facilities
in excess of coal reserves available, PacifiCorp believes it will be able to
purchase coal under both long- and short-term contracts to supply its remaining
coal-fired generating facilities with coal over their currently expected useful
lives.
During
the year ended December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp-owned coal-fired generating
facilities held sufficient sulfur dioxide emission allowances to comply with the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) Title IV
requirements.
Natural Gas
PacifiCorp’s
natural gas-fired generating facilities account for 21% of PacifiCorp’s
total net owned generating capacity. PacifiCorp uses natural gas as fuel for its
combined- and simple-cycle natural gas-fired generating facilities. Oil and
natural gas are also used for igniter fuel and to fuel generation for
transmission support and standby purposes. In determining whether to dispatch
its natural gas-fired generating facilities, PacifiCorp considers, among other
factors, its operational requirements to balance electricity supply and demand
and the current spark spread. Spark spread is the difference between the
wholesale market price of electricity at any given hour and the cost to convert
natural gas to electricity.
PacifiCorp
manages its natural gas supply requirements by entering into forward commitments
for physical delivery of natural gas. PacifiCorp also manages its exposure to
increases in natural gas supply costs through forward commitments for the
purchase of forecasted physical natural gas requirements at fixed prices and
financial swap contracts that settle in cash based on the difference between a
fixed price that PacifiCorp pays and a floating market-based price that
PacifiCorp receives. As of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had economically
hedged 53% of its forecasted physical exposure and 95% of its forecasted
financial exposure for 2010. For 2011, PacifiCorp has currently hedged 26% of
its forecasted physical exposure and 87% of its forecasted financial
exposure.
10
Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric
generating facilities account for 11% of PacifiCorp’s total net owned generating
capacity. The amount of electricity PacifiCorp is able to generate from its
hydroelectric facilities depends on a number of factors, including snowpack in
the mountains upstream of its hydroelectric facilities, reservoir storage,
precipitation in its watersheds, generating unit availability and restrictions
imposed by oversight bodies due to competing water management
objectives.
PacifiCorp
operates the majority of its hydroelectric generating portfolio under long-term
licenses from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”) with
terms of 30 to 50 years, while some are licensed under the Oregon
Hydroelectric Act. PacifiCorp expects to incur ongoing operating and maintenance
expense and capital expenditures associated with the terms of its renewed
hydroelectric licenses and settlement agreements, including natural resource
enhancements. PacifiCorp’s Klamath hydroelectric system is currently operating
under annual licenses. Substantially all of PacifiCorp’s remaining hydroelectric
generating facilities are operating under licenses that expire between 2030 and
2058. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, PacifiCorp had $67 million and
$57 million, respectively, in costs related to the relicensing of the
Klamath hydroelectric system included in construction work-in-progress within
property, plant and equipment, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For a
further discussion of PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric relicensing and decommissioning
activities, refer to “Hydroelectric Relicensing – Klamath River
Hydroelectric Facilities” and “Hydroelectric Decommissioning – Condit
Hydroelectric Facility – White Salmon River, Washington”
below.
Wind
and Other Renewable Resources
PacifiCorp
is pursuing additional renewable resources as viable, economic and
environmentally prudent means of supplying electricity. Renewable resources have
low to no emissions, require little or no fossil fuel and are complemented by
PacifiCorp’s other generating facilities and wholesale transactions.
PacifiCorp’s wind-powered generating facilities are eligible for federal
renewable electricity production tax credits (“PTCs”) for 10 years from the
date that the facilities were placed in service. In February 2009,
legislation was passed extending the date by which such facilities must be
placed in service to be eligible for PTCs to December 31,
2012.
Wholesale
Activities
PacifiCorp
purchases electricity in the wholesale markets as needed to serve its retail
load and long-term wholesale sales obligations and for system balancing
requirements. PacifiCorp also purchases electricity in the wholesale markets
when it is more economical than generating it at its own facilities. Many of
PacifiCorp’s purchased electricity contracts have fixed-price components, which
provide some protection against price volatility. PacifiCorp sells electricity
into the wholesale market arising from imbalances between generation and retail
load obligations and to optimize the utilization of generation
assets.
11
Transmission
and Distribution
PacifiCorp’s
electric transmission system is part of the Western Interconnection, the
regional grid in the West. The Western Interconnection includes the
interconnected transmission systems of 14 western states, two Canadian
provinces and parts of Mexico that make up the Western Electricity Coordinating
Council (the “WECC”). The map under “Service Territories” above shows
PacifiCorp’s primary transmission system. PacifiCorp operates one balancing
authority area in the western portion of its service territory and one balancing
authority area in the eastern portion of its service territory. A balancing
authority area is a geographic area with electric transmission systems that
control generation to maintain schedules with other balancing authority areas
and ensure reliable operations. In operating the balancing authority areas,
PacifiCorp is responsible for continuously balancing electric supply and demand
by dispatching generating resources and interchange transactions so that
generation internal to the balancing authority area, plus net imported power,
matches customer loads. PacifiCorp also schedules deliveries of energy over its
transmission system in accordance with FERC requirements.
As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp owned, or participated in, an electric
transmission system consisting of approximately:
Nominal Voltage
|
||||
(in kilovolts)
|
||||
Transmission Lines
|
Miles
(1)
|
|||
500
|
700
|
|||
345
|
2,100
|
|||
230
|
3,400
|
|||
161
|
300
|
|||
138
|
2,200
|
|||
46
to 115
|
7,200
|
|||
15,900
|
(1)
|
Includes
PacifiCorp’s share of jointly owned
lines.
|
PacifiCorp’s
electric transmission and distribution system included approximately
900 substations as of December 31, 2009. PacifiCorp’s transmission
system, together with contractual rights on other transmission systems, enables
PacifiCorp to integrate and access generating resources to meet its customer
load requirements.
PacifiCorp’s
Energy Gateway Transmission Expansion Program represents plans to build
approximately 2,000 miles of new high-voltage transmission lines, with an
estimated cost exceeding $6 billion, primarily in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Oregon
and the desert Southwest. The plan includes several transmission line segments
that will: (a) address customer load growth; (b) improve system reliability; (c)
reduce transmission system constraints; (d) provide access to diverse resource
areas, including renewable resources; and (e) improve the flow of electricity
throughout PacifiCorp’s six-state service area and the Western United States.
Proposed transmission line segments are re-evaluated to ensure maximum benefits
and timing before committing to move forward with permitting and construction.
The first major transmission segments associated with this plan are expected to
be placed in service during 2010, with other segments placed in service through
2019, depending on siting, permitting and construction schedules.
Substantially
all of PacifiCorp’s generating facilities and reservoirs are managed on a
coordinated basis to obtain maximum load-carrying capability and efficiency.
Portions of PacifiCorp’s transmission and distribution systems are
located:
·
|
On
property owned or leased by
PacifiCorp;
|
·
|
Under
or over streets, alleys, highways and other public places, the public
domain and national forests and state lands under franchises, easements or
other rights that are generally subject to
termination;
|
·
|
Under
or over private property as a result of easements obtained primarily from
the record holder of title; or
|
·
|
Under
or over Native American reservations under grant of easement by the United
States Secretary of Interior or lease by Native American
tribes.
|
It is
possible that some of the easements, and the property over which the easements
were granted, may have title defects or may be subject to mortgages or liens
existing at the time the easements were acquired.
12
Future
Generation and Conservation
Integrated
Resource Plan
As
required by certain state regulations, PacifiCorp uses an Integrated Resource
Plan (“IRP”) to develop a long-term view of prudent future actions required to
help ensure that PacifiCorp continues to provide reliable and cost-effective
electric service to its customers. The IRP process identifies the amount and
timing of PacifiCorp’s expected future resource needs and an associated optimal
future resource mix that accounts for planning uncertainty, risks, reliability
impacts, state energy policies and other factors. The IRP is a coordinated
effort with stakeholders in each of the six states where PacifiCorp operates.
PacifiCorp files its IRP on a biennial basis, and for four of its six state
jurisdictions, receives a formal notification as to whether the IRP meets the
commission’s IRP standards and guidelines. In May 2009, PacifiCorp filed
its 2008 IRP with each of its state commissions. During 2009, PacifiCorp
received orders from states of Washington and Idaho acknowledging that the IRP
met their applicable standards and guidelines. In February 2010, the Oregon
Public Utility Commission (“OPUC”) issued an order acknowledging the 2008 IRP.
Acknowledgment of the 2008 IRP by the Utah Public Service Commission (“UPSC”) is
pending.
Requests
for Proposals
PacifiCorp
has issued a series of separate Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”), each of which
focuses on a specific category of resources consistent with the IRP. The IRP and
the RFPs provide for the identification and staged procurement of resources in
future years to achieve a balance of load requirements and resources. As
required by applicable laws and regulations, PacifiCorp files draft RFPs with
the UPSC, the OPUC and the WUTC prior to issuance to the market. Approval by the
UPSC, the OPUC or the WUTC may be required depending on the nature of the
RFPs.
In
August 2009, under PacifiCorp’s 2008R-1 renewable resources RFP (approved
by the OPUC in September 2008), PacifiCorp executed a power purchase
agreement to purchase the entire output of the proposed 200-MW Top of the World
wind-powered generating facility located in Wyoming. The generation of the
energy and associated renewable energy credits under this agreement are expected
to commence in December 2010 and continue for a period of 20 years.
PacifiCorp’s 2009R renewable resources RFP (approved by the OPUC with
modification in July 2009) seeks additional cost-effective renewable
generation projects with no single resource greater than 300 MW, combined
total resources of no more than 400 MW and on-line dates no later than
December 31, 2012. As a result of the 2009R renewable resources RFP,
PacifiCorp’s 111-MW Dunlap Ranch I wind-powered generating facility located
in Wyoming was selected and construction has commenced. Negotiations were also
initiated with the remaining final shortlist bidder under the 2009R renewable
resources RFP.
In
October 2009, PacifiCorp filed a request for approval with the UPSC to
re-issue the All Source RFP, which was previously suspended in April 2009.
In October 2009 and November 2009, respectively, the UPSC and the OPUC
approved resumption of the All Source RFP. The All Source RFP seeks up to
1,500 MW on a system wide basis from projects with in-service dates from
2014 through 2016. In December 2009, the All Source RFP was issued to the
market.
13
Demand-side
Management
PacifiCorp
has provided a comprehensive set of demand-side management (“DSM”) programs to
its customers since the 1970s. The programs are designed to reduce energy
consumption and more effectively manage when energy is used, including
management of seasonal peak loads. Current programs offer services to customers
such as energy engineering audits and information on how to improve the
efficiency of their homes and businesses. To assist customers in investing in
energy efficiency, PacifiCorp offers rebates or incentives encouraging the
purchase and installation of high-efficiency equipment such as lighting, heating
and cooling equipment, weatherization, motors, process equipment and systems, as
well as incentives for efficient construction. Incentives are also paid to
solicit participation in load management programs by residential, business and
agricultural customers through programs, such as PacifiCorp’s residential and
small commercial air conditioner load control program and irrigation equipment
load control programs. Subject to random prudence reviews, state regulations
allow for contemporaneous recovery of costs incurred for the DSM programs
through state-specific energy efficiency service charges paid by retail electric
customers. In addition to these DSM programs, PacifiCorp has load curtailment
contracts with a number of large industrial customers that deliver up to
342 MW of load reduction when needed. Recovery for the costs associated
with the large industrial load management program is determined through
PacifiCorp’s general rate case process. In 2009, $106 million was expended on
the DSM programs in PacifiCorp’s six-state service area, resulting in an
estimated 457,000 megawatt hours (“MWh”) of first-year energy savings and
441 MW of peak load management. Total demand-side load available for
control in 2009, including both load management from the large industrial
curtailment contracts and DSM programs, was 783 MW.
General
Regulation
PacifiCorp
is subject to comprehensive governmental regulation, which significantly
influences its operating environment, prices charged to customers, capital
structure, costs and ability to recover costs.
State
Regulation
PacifiCorp
pursues a regulatory program in all states, with the objective of keeping rates
closely aligned to ongoing costs. Historically, state utility commissions have
established rates on a cost-of-service basis, which are designed to allow a
utility an opportunity to recover its costs of providing services and to earn a
reasonable return on its investments. A utility’s cost of service generally
reflects its allowed operating expenses, including energy costs, operation and
maintenance expense, depreciation expense and income and other tax expense,
reduced by wholesale electric sales and other revenue. State utility commissions
may adjust rates pursuant to a review of (a) the utility’s revenue and
expenses during a defined test period and (b) the utility’s level of
investment. State utility commissions typically have the authority to review and
change rates on their own initiative. States may also initiate reviews at the
request of a utility, utility customer, a governmental agency or a
representative of a group of customers. The utility and such parties, however,
may agree with one another not to request a review of or changes to rates for a
specified period of time.
14
In
addition to recovery through general rates, PacifiCorp also achieves recovery of
certain costs through various adjustment mechanisms as summarized below. Refer
to “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K for
additional information regarding regulatory matters, including the status of
current filings with the various state commissions.
State
Regulator
|
Base
Rate Test Period
|
Adjustment
Mechanism
|
||
Utah
Public Service Commission
|
Forecasted
or historical with known and measurable changes (1)
|
PacifiCorp
has requested approval of an energy cost adjustment mechanism (“ECAM”) to
recover the difference between base net power costs set during a general
rate case and actual net power costs.
A
recovery mechanism is available for a single capital investment project
that in total exceeds 1% of existing rate
base when a general rate case has occurred within the preceding
18 months.
|
||
Oregon
Public Utility Commission
|
Forecasted
|
Annual
transition adjustment mechanism (“TAM”), a mechanism for annual rate
adjustments for forecasted net variable power costs; no true-up to actual
net variable power costs.
|
||
Renewable
adjustment clause (“RAC”) to recover the revenue requirement of new
renewable resources and associated transmission that are not reflected in
general rates.
|
||||
Annual
true-up of taxes authorized to be collected in rates compared to taxes
paid by PacifiCorp, as defined by Oregon statute and administrative rules
under Oregon Senate Bill 408 (“SB 408”).
|
||||
Wyoming
Public Service Commission (“WPSC”)
|
Forecasted
or historical with known and measurable changes (1)
|
Power
cost adjustment mechanism (“PCAM”) based on forecasted net power costs,
later trued-up to actual net power costs, subject to dead bands and
customer sharing.
|
||
Washington
Utilities and Transportation Commission
|
Historical
with known and measurable changes
|
Deferral
mechanism of costs for up to 24 months of new base load generation
resources and eligible renewable resources that qualify under the state’s
emissions performance standard and are not reflected in general
rates.
|
||
Idaho
Public Utilities Commission (“IPUC”)
|
Historical
with known and measurable changes
|
ECAM
to recover the difference between base net power costs set during a
general rate case and actual net power costs, subject to customer sharing
and other adjustments.
|
||
California
Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”)
|
Forecasted
|
Post
test-year adjustment mechanism for major capital additions (“PTAM –
capital additions”), a mechanism that allows for rate adjustments outside
of the context of a traditional rate case for the revenue requirement
associated with capital additions exceeding $50 million on a total-company
basis. Filed as eligible capital additions are placed into
service.
|
||
Energy
cost adjustment clause (“ECAC”) that allows for an annual update to actual
and forecasted net variable power costs.
|
||||
Post
test-year adjustment mechanism for attrition (“PTAM – attrition”), a
mechanism that allows for an annual adjustment to costs other than net
variable power costs.
|
(1)
|
PacifiCorp
has relied on both historical test periods with known and measurable
adjustments and forecasted test periods. The WPSC has not issued a final
ruling on its preference between historical or forecasted test
periods.
|
PacifiCorp’s
energy efficiency program costs are collected through separately established
rates that are adjusted periodically based on actual and expected costs, as
approved by the respective state utility commission.
15
Federal
Regulation
The FERC
is an independent agency with broad authority to implement provisions of the
Federal Power Act, the Energy Policy Act and other federal statutes. The FERC
regulates rates for interstate sales of electricity in wholesale markets;
transmission of electric power, including pricing and expansion of transmission
systems; electric system reliability; utility holding companies; accounting;
securities issuances; and other matters, including construction and operation of
hydroelectric projects. The FERC also has the enforcement authority to assess
civil penalties of up to $1 million per day per violation of rules,
regulations and orders issued under the Federal Power Act. PacifiCorp has
implemented programs that facilitate compliance with the FERC regulations
described below, including having instituted compliance monitoring
procedures.
Wholesale
Electricity and Capacity
The FERC
regulates PacifiCorp’s rates charged to wholesale customers for electricity and
transmission capacity and related services. Most of PacifiCorp’s wholesale
electric sales and purchases take place under market-based pricing allowed by
the FERC and are therefore subject to market volatility.
The FERC
conducts a triennial review of PacifiCorp’s market-based pricing authority.
PacifiCorp must demonstrate the lack of market power in order to charge
market-based rates for sales of wholesale electricity and electric generation
capacity in its balancing authority areas. PacifiCorp’s next triennial filing is
due in June 2010. Under the FERC’s market-based rules, PacifiCorp must also file
a notice of change in status when there is a significant change in the
conditions that the FERC relied upon in granting market-based pricing authority.
PacifiCorp is currently authorized to sell at market-based rates.
Transmission
PacifiCorp’s
wholesale transmission services are regulated by the FERC under cost-based
regulation subject to PacifiCorp’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (“OATT”). In
accordance with its OATT, PacifiCorp offers several transmission services to
wholesale customers:
·
|
Network
transmission service (guaranteed service that integrates generating
resources to serve retail loads);
|
·
|
Long-
and short-term firm point-to-point transmission service (guaranteed
service with fixed delivery and receipt points);
and
|
·
|
Non-firm
point-to-point service (“as available” service with fixed delivery and
receipt points).
|
These
services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, which means that all
potential customers are provided an equal opportunity to access the transmission
system. PacifiCorp’s transmission business is managed and operated independently
from its commercial and trading business, in accordance with the FERC Standards
of Conduct.
For
retail customers, transmission costs are not separated from, but rather are
“bundled” with, generation and distribution costs in rates approved by state
regulatory commissions.
16
FERC
Order No. 890 – Preventing Undue Discrimination and Preference in Transmission
Service (“Order No. 890”)
In
February 2007, the FERC adopted a final rule in Order No. 890 designed
to strengthen the pro forma OATT by providing greater specificity and increasing
transparency. The most significant revisions to the pro forma OATT relate to the
development of more consistent methodologies for calculating available transfer
capability, changes to the transmission planning process, changes to the pricing
of certain generator and energy imbalances to encourage efficient scheduling
behavior and changes regarding long-term point-to-point transmission service,
including the addition of conditional firm long-term point-to-point transmission
service and generation re-dispatch. The FERC has issued rules through a set of
subsequent orders clarifying Order No. 890. As a transmission provider with
an OATT on file with the FERC, PacifiCorp is required to comply with the
requirements of the new rule. PacifiCorp made its first compliance filing
amending its OATT in July 2007. The FERC has continued to issue rules
through a set of subsequent orders clarifying Order No. 890. In response to
these various orders, PacifiCorp has made several required compliance
filings.
FERC
Reliability Standards
The FERC
has approved an extensive number of reliability standards developed by the North
American Electric Reliability Corporation (the “NERC”) and the WECC,
including critical infrastructure protection standards and regional standard
variations. PacifiCorp must comply with all applicable standards. Compliance,
enforcement and monitoring oversight of these standards is carried out by the
FERC and the WECC. During 2007, the WECC audited PacifiCorp’s compliance
with several of the approved reliability standards, and in November 2008,
the FERC assumed control of certain aspects of the WECC’s audit. In
May 2009, PacifiCorp received a notice of alleged violation and proposed
sanctions related to the portions of the WECC’s 2007 audit that remained
with the WECC. In July 2009, PacifiCorp reached a settlement in principle
with the WECC. The results of the settlement will not have a material impact on
PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K
for additional information regarding certain aspects of the WECC’s
2007 audit currently under the FERC’s authority.
Hydroelectric
Relicensing – Klamath River Hydroelectric Facilities
PacifiCorp’s
Klamath hydroelectric system is the only hydroelectric generating facility for
which PacifiCorp is engaged in the relicensing process with the FERC. PacifiCorp
also has requested the FERC to allow decommissioning of certain hydroelectric
systems. Most of PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric generating facilities are licensed
by the FERC as major systems under the Federal Power Act, and certain of these
systems are licensed under the Oregon Hydroelectric Act. Refer to
Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of
this Form 10-K for an update regarding hydroelectric relicensing for
PacifiCorp’s Klamath hydroelectric system.
Hydroelectric
Decommissioning – Condit Hydroelectric Facility – White Salmon River,
Washington
In
September 1999, a settlement agreement to remove the 14-MW Condit
hydroelectric facility was signed by PacifiCorp, state and federal agencies and
non-governmental organizations. Under the original settlement agreement, removal
was expected to begin in October 2006, with a total cost to decommission
not to exceed $17 million, excluding inflation. In early
February 2005, the parties agreed to modify the settlement agreement so
that removal would not begin until October 2008, with a total cost to
decommission not to exceed $21 million, excluding inflation. The settlement
agreement is contingent upon receiving a FERC surrender order and other
regulatory approvals that are not materially inconsistent with the amended
settlement agreement. PacifiCorp is in the process of acquiring all necessary
permits within the terms and conditions of the amended settlement agreement.
Given the ongoing permitting process and the time needed for system removal and
to evaluate impacts on natural resources, decommissioning is now expected to
begin no earlier than October 2010. In March 2008, the United States Army
Corps of Engineers requested PacifiCorp complete an additional study of expected
decommissioning impacts on aquatic resources. In January 2009, the study
work was completed and the results were provided to the United States Army Corps
of Engineers and the Washington Department of Ecology. In January 2010, the
Washington Department of Ecology released the Final Second Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement which formally considered this additional
information. Absent further information requests, the Washington Department of
Ecology is expected to complete the Clean Water Act 401 certification
process within the second quarter of 2010. Remaining permitting includes a
404 permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers and a surrender
order from the FERC.
17
Northwest
Refund Case
For a
discussion of the Northwest Refund case, refer to Note 13 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this
Form 10-K.
United
States Mine Safety
PacifiCorp’s
mining operations are regulated by the federal Mine Safety and Health
Administration (“MSHA”), which administers federal mine safety and health laws,
regulations and state regulatory agencies. The Mine Improvement and New
Emergency Response Act of 2006 (“MINER Act”), enacted in
June 2006, amended previous mine safety and health laws to improve mine
safety and health and accident preparedness. PacifiCorp is required to develop a
written emergency response plan specific to each underground mine it operates.
These plans must be reviewed by MSHA every six months. It also requires every
mine to have at least two rescue teams located within one hour, and it limits
the legal liability of rescue team members and the companies that employ them.
The MINER Act also increases civil and criminal penalties for violations of
federal mine safety standards and gives MSHA the ability to institute a civil
action for relief, including a temporary or permanent injunction, restraining
order or other appropriate order against a mine operator who fails to pay the
penalties or fines.
Environmental
Laws and Regulation
PacifiCorp
is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air and
water quality, renewable portfolio standards, climate change, hazardous and
solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that
have the potential to impact PacifiCorp’s current and future operations. In
addition to imposing continuing compliance obligations, these laws and
regulations provide authority to levy substantial penalties for noncompliance
including fines, injunctive relief and other sanctions. These laws and
regulations are administered by the EPA and various other state, local and
international agencies. All such laws and regulations are subject to a range of
interpretation, which may ultimately be resolved by the courts. Environmental
laws and regulations continue to evolve, and PacifiCorp is unable to predict the
impact of the changing laws and regulations on its operations and consolidated
financial results. PacifiCorp believes it is in material compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations.
Refer to
“Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K for
additional information regarding environmental laws and regulation and
PacifiCorp’s forecasted environmental-related capital expenditures.
18
Item 1A.
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Risk
Factors
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We are
subject to numerous risks, including, but not limited to, those set forth below.
Careful consideration of these risks, together with all of the other information
included in this Form 10-K and the other public information filed by us, should
be made before making an investment decision. Additional risks and uncertainties
not presently known or that are currently deemed immaterial may also impair our
business operations.
Our Corporate and Financial
Structure Risks
We
have a substantial amount of debt, which could adversely affect our ability to
obtain future financing and limit our expenditures.
As of
December 31, 2009, we had $6.372 billion in total debt securities
outstanding. Our principal financing agreements contain restrictive covenants
that limit our ability to borrow funds, and any issuance of debt securities
requires prior authorization from certain of our state regulatory commissions.
We expect that we may need to supplement cash generated from operations and
availability under committed credit facilities with new issuances of long-term
debt. However, if market conditions are not favorable for the issuance of
long-term debt, or if an issuance of long-term debt would exceed contractual or
regulatory limits, we may postpone planned capital expenditures, or take other
actions, to the extent those expenditures are not fully covered by cash from
operations, borrowings under committed credit facilities or equity contributions
from MEHC.
A
downgrade in our credit ratings could negatively affect our access to capital,
increase the cost of borrowing or raise energy transaction credit support
requirements.
Our debt
securities and preferred stock are rated investment grade by various rating
agencies. We cannot assure that our debt securities and preferred stock will
continue to be rated investment grade in the future. Although none of our
outstanding debt has rating-downgrade triggers that would accelerate a repayment
obligation, a credit rating downgrade would increase our borrowing costs and
commitment fees on our revolving credit agreements and other financing
arrangements, perhaps significantly. In addition, we would likely be required to
pay a higher interest rate in future financings, and the potential pool of
investors and funding sources would likely decrease. Further, access to the
commercial paper market, the principal source of short-term borrowings, could be
significantly limited resulting in higher interest costs.
Most of
our large customers, suppliers and counterparties require sufficient
creditworthiness in order to enter into transactions, particularly in the
wholesale energy markets. If our credit ratings were to decline, especially
below investment grade, financing costs and borrowing would likely increase
because certain counterparties may require collateral in the form of cash, a
letter of credit or some other security for existing transactions, as well as a
condition to further transactions with us.
MEHC
could exercise control over us in a manner that would benefit MEHC to the
detriment of our creditors and preferred stockholders.
MEHC,
through its subsidiary, owns all of our common stock and has control over all
decisions requiring shareholder approval, including the election of our
directors. In circumstances involving a conflict of interest between MEHC and
our creditors and preferred stockholders, MEHC could exercise its control in a
manner that would benefit MEHC to the detriment of our creditors and preferred
stockholders.
19
Our Business
Risks
We
are subject to extensive regulations and legislation that affect our operations
and costs. These regulations and laws are complex, dynamic and subject to
change.
We are
subject to numerous regulations and laws enforced by regulatory agencies. These
regulatory agencies include, among others, the FERC, the WECC, the EPA and the
public utility commissions in Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and
California.
Regulations
affect almost every aspect of our business and limit our ability to
independently make and implement management decisions regarding, among other
items, constructing, acquiring or disposing of operating assets; business
combinations; setting rates charged to customers; establishing capital
structures and issuing debt or equity securities; engaging in transactions
between our subsidiaries and affiliates; and paying dividends. Regulations are
subject to ongoing policy initiatives, and we cannot predict the future course
of changes in regulatory laws, regulations and orders, or the ultimate effect
that regulatory changes may have on us. However, such changes could adversely
affect our consolidated financial results through higher capital expenditures
and operating costs and an overall change in how we operate our business. For
example, such changes could result in, but are not limited to, increased retail
competition within our service territories; new environmental requirements,
including the implementation of RPS and greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emission
reduction goals; the issuance of stricter air quality standards and the
implementation of energy efficiency mandates; the acquisition by a municipality
of our distribution facilities (by a vote in favor of a public utility district
under state law or by condemnation, negotiation or legislation under state law);
or a negative impact on our current cost recovery arrangements, including income
tax recovery.
Federal
and state energy regulation is one of the more challenging aspects of managing
utility operations. The United States Congress and federal policy makers, with
President Obama’s support, are considering comprehensive climate change
legislation such as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
(“Waxman-Markey bill”) that was passed by the United States House of
Representatives in June 2009. In addition to a federal renewable portfolio
standard, which would require utilities to obtain a portion of their energy from
certain qualifying renewable sources and energy efficiency measures, the bill
requires a reduction in GHG emissions beginning in 2012, with emission reduction
targets of 3% below 2005 levels by 2012; 17% below 2005 levels by 2020; 42%
below 2005 levels by 2030; and 83% below 2005 levels by 2050 under a “cap and
trade” program. In September 2009, a similar bill was introduced in the
United States Senate by Senators Barbara Boxer and John Kerry, which would
require an initial reduction in GHG emissions beginning in 2012 with emission
reduction targets consistent with the Waxman-Markey bill, with the exception of
the 2020 target, which requires 20% reduction below 2005 levels. In December
2009, the EPA issued a proposed determination that carbon dioxide (“CO2”)
emissions can be regulated under the Clean Air Act and stated its intent to
issue regulations limiting the release of CO2 from
sources including fossil fuel based electric generating facilities.
The
impact of pending federal, regional, state and international accords,
legislation or regulation related to climate change, including new laws,
regulations or rules limiting GHG emissions could have a material adverse impact
on us. We have significant coal-fired generating facilities that will be subject
to more direct impacts and greater financial and regulatory risks. The impact is
dependent on numerous factors, none of which can be quantified at this time. In
addition to unknown factors, known factors include, but are not limited to, the
magnitude and timing of GHG emissions reduction requirements; the cost,
availability and effectiveness of emission control technology; the price and
availability of offsets and allowances used for compliance; government-imposed
compliance costs; and the existence and nature of incremental cost recovery
mechanisms. To the extent that we are not allowed by regulators to recover or
cannot otherwise recover the costs to comply with climate change requirements,
these requirements could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated
financial results. Additionally, even if such costs are recoverable in rates, if
they are substantial and result in rates increasing to levels that substantially
reduce sales volumes, this could have a material adverse impact on our
consolidated financial results.
20
New and
expanded regulations imposed by policy makers, court systems, and industry
restructuring have imposed changes on the industry. The following are examples
of recent changes to our regulatory environment that have impacted
us:
·
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Energy Policy Act of
2005 – The United States Energy Policy Act impacts many segments of
the energy industry. The United States Congress granted the FERC
additional authority in the Energy Policy Act which expanded its role from
a regulatory body to an enforcement agency. To implement the law, the FERC
adopted new regulations and issued regulatory decisions addressing
electric system reliability, electric transmission planning, operation,
expansion and pricing, regulation of utility holding companies, and
enforcement authority, including the ability to assess civil penalties of
up to $1 million per day per violation for noncompliance. The FERC
has essentially completed its implementation of the Energy Policy Act, and
the emphasis of its recent decisions is on reporting and compliance. In
that regard, the FERC has vigorously exercised its enforcement authority
by imposing significant civil penalties for violations of its rules and
regulations. In addition, as a result of past events affecting electric
reliability, the Energy Policy Act requires federal agencies, working
together with non-governmental organizations charged with electric
reliability responsibilities, to adopt and implement measures designed to
ensure the reliability of electric transmission and distribution systems.
Since the adoption of the Energy Policy Act, the FERC has approved
numerous electric reliability and critical infrastructure protection
standards developed by the NERC. A transmission owner’s reliability
compliance issues with these and future standards could result in
financial penalties. In FERC Order No. 693, the FERC implemented its
authority to impose penalties of up to $1 million per day per
violation for failure to comply with electric reliability standards. The
adoption of these and future electric reliability standards has imposed
more comprehensive and stringent requirements on us, which has increased
compliance costs. It is possible that the cost of complying with these and
any additional standards adopted in the future could adversely affect our
consolidated financial results.
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·
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FERC Orders – The FERC
has issued a series of orders to foster greater competition in wholesale
power markets by reducing barriers to entry in the provision of
transmission service. In FERC Order Nos. 888, 889 and 890, the FERC
required electric utilities to adopt a pro forma OATT, by which
transmission service would be provided on a just, reasonable and not
unduly discriminatory or preferential basis. The rules adopted by these
orders promote transparency and consistency in the administration of the
OATT, increase the ability of customers to access new generating resources
and promote efficient utilization of transmission by requiring an open,
transparent and coordinated transmission planning process. Together with
the increased reliability standards required of transmission providers,
the costs of operating the transmission system and providing transmission
service have increased and, to the extent such increased costs are not
recovered in rates charged to customers, they could adversely affect our
consolidated financial results.
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·
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Hydroelectric
Relicensing – Currently, we are engaged in the FERC relicensing
process for our Klamath hydroelectric system, for which the operating
license has expired. We are currently operating under annual licenses.
Through a settlement signed in February 2010 with relicensing
stakeholders, disposition of the relicensing process and a path toward dam
transfer and removal by a third party may occur as an alternative to
relicensing. Hydroelectric relicensing is a political and public
regulatory process involving sensitive resource issues and uncertainties.
We cannot predict with certainty the requirements (financial, operational
or otherwise) that may be imposed by relicensing, the economic impact of
those requirements, and whether new licenses will ultimately be issued or
whether we will be willing to meet the relicensing requirements to
continue operating our hydroelectric generating facilities. Loss of
hydroelectric resources or additional commitments arising from relicensing
could adversely affect our consolidated financial
results.
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21
We
are subject to numerous environmental, health, safety and other laws,
regulations and other requirements that could adversely affect our consolidated
financial results.
Operational
Standards
We are
subject to numerous environmental, health, safety and other laws, regulations
and other requirements affecting many aspects of our present and future
operations, including, among others:
·
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the
EPA’s Clean Air Interstate Rule (“CAIR”), which established cap-and-trade
programs to reduce sulfur dioxide (“SO2”)
and nitrogen oxide (“NOx”)
emissions starting in 2009 to address alleged contributions to downwind
non-attainment with the revised National Ambient Air Quality
Standards;
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·
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the
implementation of federal and state
RPS;
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·
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other
laws or regulations that establish or could establish standards for GHG
emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges, solid waste and hazardous
waste; and
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·
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the
provisions of the MINER Act to improve underground coal mine safety and
emergency preparedness.
|
These and
related laws, regulations and orders generally require us to obtain and comply
with a wide variety of environmental licenses, permits, inspections and other
approvals.
Compliance
with environmental, health, safety, and other laws, regulations and other
requirements can require significant capital and operating expenditures,
including expenditures for new equipment, inspection, cleanup costs, damages
arising out of contaminated properties, and fines, penalties and injunctive
measures affecting operating assets for failure to comply with environmental
regulations. Compliance activities pursuant to regulations could be
prohibitively expensive. As a result, some facilities may be required to shut
down or alter their operations. Further, we may not be able to obtain or
maintain all required environmental regulatory approvals for our operating
assets or development projects. Delays in or active opposition by third parties
to obtaining any required environmental or regulatory permits, failure to comply
with the terms and conditions of the permits or increased regulatory or
environmental requirements may increase costs or prevent or delay us from
operating our facilities, developing new facilities, expanding existing
facilities or favorably locating new facilities. If we fail to comply with all
applicable environmental requirements, we may be subject to penalties and fines
or other sanctions. The costs of complying with current or new environmental,
health, safety and other laws, regulations and other requirements could
adversely affect our consolidated financial results. Not being able to operate
existing facilities or develop new electric generating facilities to meet
customer energy needs could require us to increase our purchases of power from
the wholesale markets which could increase market and price risks and adversely
affect our consolidated financial results.
Proposals
for voluntary initiatives and mandatory controls are being discussed both in the
United States and worldwide, such as the December 2009 climate conference
in Copenhagen, Denmark, to reduce greenhouse gases such as CO2 (a
by-product of burning fossil fuels) and methane (the primary component of
natural gas). These actions could result in increased costs to (a) operate
and maintain our facilities, (b) install new emission controls on our
facilities and (c) administer and manage compliance with any GHG emissions
program, such as through the purchase of emission credits as may be required.
These actions could also increase the demand for natural gas, causing increased
natural gas prices, thereby adversely affecting our operations. See the
preceding risk titled, “We are subject to extensive regulations and legislation
that affect our operations and costs. These regulations and laws are complex,
dynamic and subject to change,” for more detail on the United States’ efforts
and a discussion of the Waxman-Markey bill.
22
Site
Cleanup and Contamination
Environmental,
health, safety, and other laws, regulations and requirements also impose
obligations to remediate contaminated properties or to pay for the cost of such
remediation, often by parties that did not actually cause the contamination. We
are generally responsible for on-site liabilities, and in some cases off-site
liabilities, associated with the environmental condition of our assets,
including power generating facilities and electric transmission and distribution
assets that we have acquired or developed, regardless of when the liabilities
arose and whether they are known or unknown. In connection with acquisitions, we
may obtain or require indemnification against some environmental liabilities. If
we incur a material liability, or the other party to a transaction fails to meet
its indemnification obligations, we could suffer material losses. We have
established reserves to recognize our estimated obligations for known
remediation liabilities, but such estimates may change materially over time.
PacifiCorp is required to fund its portion of the costs of mine reclamation at
its coal mining operations, which include principally site restoration. In
addition, future events, such as changes in existing laws or policies or their
enforcement, or the discovery of currently unknown contamination, may give rise
to additional remediation liabilities that may be material.
Recovery
of our costs is subject to regulatory review and approval, and the inability to
recover costs may adversely affect our consolidated financial
results.
State
Rate Proceedings
We
establish rates for our regulated retail service through state regulatory
proceedings. These proceedings typically involve multiple parties, including
government bodies and officials, consumer advocacy groups and various consumers
of energy, who have differing concerns, but who generally have the common
objective of limiting rate increases. Decisions are subject to appeal,
potentially leading to additional uncertainty associated with the approval
proceedings.
Each
state sets retail rates based in part upon the state utility commission’s
acceptance of an allocated share of total utility costs. When states adopt
different methods to calculate interjurisdictional cost allocations, some costs
may not be incorporated into rates of any state. Ratemaking is also generally
done on the basis of estimates of normalized costs, so if a given year’s
realized costs are higher than normalized costs, rates will not be sufficient to
cover those costs. Each state utility commission generally sets rates based on a
test year established in accordance with that commission’s policies. The test
year data adopted by a regulatory commission may create a lag between the
incurrence of a cost and its recovery in rates. They also decide the allowed
levels of expense and investment that they deem are just and reasonable in
providing service. The state regulatory commissions may disallow recovery in
rates for any costs that do not meet such standard. State regulatory commissions
also decide the allowed rate of return we will be given an opportunity to earn
on our sources of capital.
In
certain states, we are not permitted to pass through energy cost increases in
our electric rates without a general rate case. Any significant increase in fuel
costs for electricity generation or purchased power costs could have a negative
impact on us, despite efforts to minimize this impact through future general
rate cases or the use of hedging contracts. Any of these consequences could
adversely affect our consolidated financial results.
While
rate regulation is premised on providing a fair opportunity to obtain a
reasonable rate of return on invested capital, the state regulatory commissions
do not guarantee that we will be able to realize a reasonable rate of
return.
FERC
Jurisdiction
The FERC
establishes cost-based rates under which we provide transmission services to
wholesale markets and retail markets in states that allow retail competition.
The FERC also has responsibility for approving both cost- and market-based rates
under which we sell electricity at wholesale and has licensing authority over
most of our hydroelectric generating facilities and has broad jurisdiction over
energy markets. The FERC may impose price limitations, bidding rules and other
mechanisms to address some of the volatility of these markets or may (pursuant
to pending or future proceedings) revoke or restrict our ability to sell
electricity at market-based rates, which could adversely affect our consolidated
financial results. The FERC may also impose substantial civil penalties for any
noncompliance with the Federal Power Act and the FERC’s rules and
orders.
23
We
are actively pursuing, developing and constructing new or expanded facilities,
the completion and expected cost of which are subject to significant risk, and
we have significant funding needs related to our planned capital
expenditures.
We are
continuing to develop and construct new or expanded facilities. We expect to
incur substantial annual capital expenditures over the next several years.
Expenditures could include, among others, amounts for new electric generating
facilities, electric transmission or distribution projects, environmental
control and compliance systems, as well as the continued maintenance of the
installed asset base.
Development
and construction of major facilities are subject to substantial risks, including
fluctuations in the price and availability of commodities, manufactured goods,
equipment, labor and other items over a multi-year construction period, as well
as the economic viability of our suppliers. These risks may result in higher
than expected costs to complete an asset and place it in service. Such costs may
not be recoverable in the regulated rates or market prices we are able to charge
our customers. It is also possible that additional generation needs may be
obtained through power purchase agreements, which could increase long-term
purchase obligations and force reliance on the operating performance of a third
party. The inability to successfully and timely complete a project, avoid
unexpected costs or to recover any such costs could adversely affect our
consolidated financial results.
Furthermore,
we depend upon both internal and external sources of liquidity to provide
working capital and to fund capital requirements. If we are unable to obtain
funding from internal and external sources, we may need to postpone or cancel
planned capital expenditures.
Failure
to construct our planned projects could limit opportunities for revenue growth,
increase operating costs and adversely affect the reliability of electric
service to our customers. For example, if we are not able to expand our existing
generating facilities, we may be required to enter into long-term electricity
procurement contracts or procure electricity at more volatile and potentially
higher prices in the spot markets to support growing retail loads.
A
significant decrease in demand for electricity in the markets served by us would
significantly decrease our operating revenue and thereby adversely affect our
business and consolidated financial results.
A
sustained decrease in demand for electricity in the markets served by us would
significantly reduce our operating revenue and adversely affect our consolidated
financial results. Factors that could lead to a decrease in market demand
include, among others:
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·
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a
depression, recession or other adverse economic condition that results in
a lower level of economic activity or reduced spending by consumers on
electricity, including the significant adverse changes in the economy and
credit markets in 2008 and 2009 that may continue into future
periods;
|
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·
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an
increase in the market price of electricity or a decrease in the price of
other competing forms of energy;
|
|
·
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efforts
by customers, legislators and regulators to reduce consumption of energy
through various conservation and energy efficiency measures and
programs;
|
|
·
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higher
fuel taxes or other governmental or regulatory actions that increase,
directly or indirectly, the cost of the fuel source for electricity
generation or that limit the use of the generation of electricity from
fossil fuels; and
|
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·
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a
shift to more energy-efficient or alternative fuel machinery or an
improvement in fuel economy, whether as a result of technological advances
by manufacturers, legislation mandating higher fuel economy or lower
emissions, price differentials, incentives or
otherwise.
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24
We
are subject to market risk, counterparty performance risk and other risks
associated with wholesale energy markets.
In
general, wholesale market risk is the risk of adverse fluctuations in the market
price of wholesale electricity and fuel, including natural gas and coal, which
is compounded by volumetric changes affecting the availability of or demand for
electricity and fuel. Wholesale electricity prices may be influenced by several
factors, such as the adequacy of generating capacity, scheduled and unscheduled
outages of generating facilities, hydroelectric and wind-powered generation
levels, prices and availability of fuel sources for generation, disruptions or
constraints to transmission facilities, weather conditions, economic growth and
changes in technology. Volumetric changes are caused by unanticipated changes in
generation availability or changes in customer loads due to the weather,
electricity prices, the economy, regulations or customer behavior. We purchase
electricity and fuel in the open market or pursuant to short-term or
variable-priced contracts as part of our normal operating business. If market
prices rise, especially in a time when larger than expected volumes must be
purchased at market or short-term prices, we may incur significantly greater
expense than anticipated. Likewise, if electricity market prices decline in a
period when we are a net seller of electricity in the wholesale market, we will
earn less revenue.
We are
also exposed to risks related to performance of contractual obligations by
wholesale suppliers and customers. We rely on wholesale suppliers to deliver
commodities, primarily natural gas, coal and electricity, in accordance with
short- and long-term contracts. Failure or delay by suppliers to provide these
commodities pursuant to existing contracts could disrupt the delivery of
electricity and require us to incur additional expenses to meet customer needs.
In addition, when these contracts terminate, we may be unable to purchase the
commodities on terms equivalent to the terms of current contracts.
We rely
on wholesale customers to take delivery of the energy they have committed to
purchase and to pay for the energy on a timely basis. Failure of customers to
take delivery may require us to find other customers to take the energy at lower
prices than the original customers committed to pay. At certain times of the
year, prices paid by us for energy needed to satisfy our customers’ energy needs
may exceed the amounts we receive through rates. If our wholesale customers are
unable to pay us for energy or fulfill their obligations, there may be a
significant adverse impact on our cash flows. If the strategy used to minimize
these risk exposures is ineffective or if our wholesale customers’ financial
condition deteriorates as a result of recent economic conditions causing them to
be unable to pay, significant losses could result.
The
deterioration in the credit quality of certain of our wholesale suppliers and
customers as a result of the adverse economic conditions experienced in 2008 and
2009 could have an adverse impact on their ability to perform their contractual
obligations, which in turn could have an adverse impact on our consolidated
financial results.
25
Disruptions
in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain debt financing, draw
upon or renew existing credit facilities, and have other adverse effects on
us.
During
2008 and early 2009, the United States and global credit markets experienced
historic dislocations and liquidity disruptions that caused financing to be
unavailable in many cases. These circumstances materially impacted liquidity in
the bank and debt capital markets during this period, making financing terms
less attractive for borrowers who were able to find financing, and in other
cases resulted in the unavailability of certain types of debt financing. In 2008
and 2009, the United States federal government enacted legislation in an attempt
to stabilize the economy, increased the federal deposit insurance, invested
billions of dollars in financial institutions and took other steps to infuse
liquidity into the economy. The United States federal government Troubled Asset
Relief Program (“TARP”) and current accommodative monetary stance in the United
States and most other industrialized countries have reduced liquidity concerns,
relieved credit constraints and provided many financial institutions with the
ability to strengthen their financial position. However, there is no certainty
that the credit environment will improve and it is also possible that financial
institutions may not be able to provide previously arranged funding under
revolving credit facilities or other arrangements like those that we have
established as potential sources of liquidity. It is also difficult to predict
how the financial markets will react to the United States federal government’s
gradual withdrawal or removal of certain economic stimulus programs. Uncertainty
in the credit markets may negatively impact our ability to access funds on
favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to access the bank and debt markets
to meet liquidity and capital expenditure needs, it may adversely affect the
timing and amount of our capital expenditures, consolidated financial condition
and results of operations.
We
are exposed to credit risk of counterparties with whom we do business, and the
failure of our significant customers to perform under or to renew their
contracts, or failure to obtain new customers for expanded capacity, could
adversely affect our consolidated financial results.
We rely
on our wholesale customers to fulfill their commitments and pay for energy
delivered to them on a timely basis. Adverse economic conditions or other events
affecting counterparties with whom we conduct business could impair the ability
of these counterparties to pay for services or fulfill their contractual
obligations, or cause them to delay or reduce such payments. We depend on these
counterparties to remit payments on a timely basis. Some suppliers and customers
experienced deteriorating credit quality in 2008 and 2009, and we continue to
monitor these parties to attempt to reduce the impact of any potential
counterparty default. Any delay or default in payment or limitation to negotiate
alternative arrangements could adversely affect our consolidated financial
results.
If we are
unable to renew, remarket, or find replacements for our long-term arrangements,
our sales volumes and revenue would be exposed to reduction and increased
volatility. Failure to maintain existing long-term agreements or secure new
long-term agreements could adversely affect our consolidated financial
results.
The
replacement of any existing long-term agreements depends on market conditions
and other factors that may be beyond our control.
Inflation
and changes in commodity prices and fuel transportation costs may adversely
affect our consolidated financial results.
Inflation
may affect our business by increasing both operating and capital costs. As a
result of existing rate agreements and competitive price pressures, we may not
be able to pass the costs of inflation on to our customers. If we are unable to
manage cost increases or pass them on to our customers, our consolidated
financial results could be adversely affected.
We have a
multitude of long-term agreements of varying duration that are material to the
operation of our business, such as power purchase, coal and gas supply and
transportation contracts. The failure to maintain, renew or replace these
agreements on similar terms and conditions could increase our exposure to
changes in prices, thereby increasing the volatility of our consolidated
financial results. For example, we currently have contracts of varying durations
for the supply and transportation of coal for much of our existing generation
capacity, although we obtain some of our coal supply from mines owned or leased
by us. When these contracts expire or if they are not honored, we may not be
able to purchase or transport coal on terms as favorable as the current
contracts. Changes in the cost of coal, natural gas, fuel oil and associated
transportation costs and changes in the relationship between such costs and the
market price of power will affect our consolidated financial results. Since the
sales price we receive for power may not change at the same rate as our coal,
natural gas, fuel oil and associated transportation costs, we may be unable to
pass on the changes in these costs to our customers.
26
Our
consolidated financial results may be adversely affected if we are unable to
obtain adequate, reliable and affordable access to transmission
service.
We depend
on transmission facilities owned and operated by other utilities to transport
electricity to both wholesale and retail markets, as well as natural gas
purchased to supply some of our electric generating facilities. If adequate
transmission is unavailable, we may be unable to purchase and sell and deliver
electricity. A lack of availability could also hinder us from providing adequate
or economical electricity to our wholesale and retail customers and could
adversely affect our consolidated financial results.
The
different regional power markets have varying and dynamic regulatory structures,
which could affect our businesses’ growth and performance. In addition, the
independent system operators who oversee the transmission systems in regional
power markets have imposed in the past, and may impose in the future, price
limitations and other mechanisms to counter volatility in the power markets.
These types of price limitations and other mechanisms may adversely affect our
consolidated financial results.
Our
operating results may fluctuate on a seasonal and quarterly basis and may be
adversely affected by weather.
In the
markets in which we operate, demand for electricity peaks during the hot summer
months when irrigation and cooling needs are higher. Market prices for electric
supply also generally peak at that time. In addition, demand for electricity
generally peaks during the winter when heating needs are higher. Further,
extreme weather conditions such as heat waves or winter storms could cause these
seasonal fluctuations to be more pronounced. Periods of low rainfall or snowpack
may also impact electric generation at our hydroelectric generating
facilities.
As a
result, our overall consolidated financial results may fluctuate substantially
on a seasonal and quarterly basis. We have historically sold less power, and
consequently earned less income, when weather conditions are mild. Unusually
mild weather in the future may adversely affect our consolidated financial
results through lower revenue or margins. Conversely, unusually extreme weather
conditions could increase our costs to provide power and could adversely affect
our consolidated financial results. Furthermore, during or following periods of
low rainfall or snowpack, we may obtain substantially less electricity from
hydroelectric generating facilities and must purchase greater amounts of
electricity from the wholesale market or from other sources at market prices.
Additionally, we have added substantial wind-powered generation capacity which
is a climate dependent resource. The resulting variable production output that
may at times affect the amount of energy available for sale or purchase. The
extent of fluctuation in our consolidated financial results may change depending
on a number of factors related to our regulatory environment and contractual
agreements, including our ability to recover power costs and terms of the power
sale contracts.
We
are subject to operating uncertainties that could adversely affect our
consolidated financial results.
The
operation of complex electric utility (including generation, transmission and
distribution) systems that are spread over large geographic areas involves many
operating uncertainties and events beyond our control. These potential events
include the breakdown or failure of power generation equipment, transmission and
distribution lines or other equipment or processes; unscheduled generating
facility outages; strikes, lockouts or other labor-related actions; shortage of
qualified labor; transmission and distribution system constraints or outages;
fuel shortages or interruptions; unavailability of critical equipment, materials
and supplies; low water flows and other weather-related impacts; performance
below expected levels of output, capacity or efficiency; operator error and
catastrophic events such as severe storms, fires, earthquakes, explosions or
mining accidents. A casualty occurrence might result in injury or loss of life,
extensive property damage or environmental damage. Any of these risks or other
operational risks could significantly reduce or eliminate our revenue or
significantly increase our expenses. For example, if we cannot operate
generating facilities at full capacity due to damage caused by a catastrophic
event, our revenue could decrease and our expenses could increase due to the
need to obtain energy from more expensive sources. Further, we self-insure many
risks and current and future insurance coverage may not be sufficient to replace
lost revenue or cover repair and replacement costs. Any reduction of revenue for
such reason, or any other reduction of our revenue or increase in our expenses
resulting from the risks described above could adversely affect our consolidated
financial results.
27
Potential
terrorist activities or military or other actions could adversely affect our
consolidated financial results.
The
continued threat of terrorism since September 11, 2001 and the impact of
military and other actions by the United States and its allies has led to
increased political, economic and financial market instability and has subjected
our operations to increased risks. The United States government has issued
warnings that energy assets, specifically including electric utility
infrastructure, are potential targets for terrorist organizations. Political,
economic or financial market instability or damage to our operating assets or
the assets of our customers or suppliers may result in business interruptions,
lost revenue, higher commodity prices, disruption in fuel supplies, lower energy
consumption and unstable markets, particularly with respect to electric energy,
increased security, repair or other costs that may materially adversely affect
us in ways that cannot be predicted at this time. Any of these risks could
materially affect our consolidated financial results. Furthermore, instability
in the financial markets as a result of terrorism or war could also materially
adversely affect our ability to raise capital.
The
insurance industry changed in response to these events. As a result, insurance
covering risks we typically insure against may decrease in scope and
availability and we may elect to self-insure against many such risks. In
addition, the available insurance may have higher deductibles, higher premiums
and more restrictive policy terms.
Poor
performance of plan and fund investments and other factors impacting the pension
and other postretirement benefit plans and mine reclamation trust funds could
unfavorably impact our cash flows and liquidity.
Costs of
providing our non-contributory defined benefit pension and other postretirement
benefit plans depend upon a number of factors, including the rates of return on
plan assets, the level and nature of benefits provided, discount rates, the
interest rates used to measure required minimum funding levels, changes in
benefit design, changes in laws and government regulation and our required or
voluntary contributions made to the plans. Our pension and other postretirement
benefit plans are in underfunded positions. Even with sustained growth in the
investments over future periods to increase the value of these plans’ assets, we
will likely be required to make significant cash contributions to fund these
plans. Furthermore, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended, may
result in more volatility in the amount and timing of future contributions.
Similarly, funds dedicated to mine reclamation are also invested in equity and
fixed income securities and poor performance of these investments will reduce
the amount of funds available for their intended purpose which would require us
to make additional cash contributions. Such cash funding obligations, which are
also impacted by the other factors described above, could have a material impact
on our liquidity by reducing our cash flows.
We
are involved in numerous legal proceedings, the outcomes of which are uncertain
and could adversely affect our consolidated financial results.
We are
party to numerous legal proceedings. Litigation is subject to many
uncertainties, and we cannot predict the outcome of individual matters. It is
possible that the final resolution of some of the matters in which we are
involved could result in additional payments in excess of established reserves
over an extended period of time and in amounts that could have a material
adverse effect on our consolidated financial results. Similarly, it is also
possible that the terms of resolution could require that we change business
practices and procedures, which could also have a material adverse effect on our
consolidated financial results. Further, litigation could result in the
imposition of financial penalties or injunctions which could limit our ability
to take certain desired actions or the denial of needed permits, licenses or
regulatory authority to conduct our business, including the siting or permitting
of facilities. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our consolidated
financial results. In addition to legal proceedings to which we are party, it is
possible that outcomes of GHG litigation involving others in our industry could
impact our business through additional environmental regulatory
requirements.
Potential
changes in accounting standards may impact our consolidated financial results
and disclosures in the future, which may change the way analysts measure our
business or financial performance.
The
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the SEC continuously make
changes to accounting standards and disclosure and other financial reporting
requirements. New or revised accounting standards and requirements issued by the
FASB or the SEC or new accounting orders issued by the FERC could significantly
impact our consolidated financial results and disclosures.
28
Item 1B.
|
Unresolved
Staff Comments
|
None.
Item 2.
|
Properties
|
PacifiCorp’s
properties consist of the physical assets necessary to support its electricity
business, which include electric generation, transmission and distribution
facilities, as well as coal mining assets that support certain of PacifiCorp’s
electric generating facilities. In addition to these physical assets, PacifiCorp
has rights-of-way, mineral rights and water rights that enable PacifiCorp to
utilize its facilities. It is the opinion of PacifiCorp’s management that the
principal depreciable properties owned by PacifiCorp are in good operating
condition and are well maintained. Substantially all of PacifiCorp’s electric
utility properties are subject to the lien of PacifiCorp’s Mortgage and Deed of
Trust. Refer to Exhibit 4.1 in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. For
additional information regarding PacifiCorp’s energy properties, refer to
Item 1 of this Form 10-K and Notes 3 and 4 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this
Form 10-K.
The right
to construct and operate PacifiCorp’s electric transmission and distribution
facilities across certain property was obtained in most circumstances through
negotiations and, where necessary, through the exercise of the power of eminent
domain. PacifiCorp continues to have the power of eminent domain in each of the
jurisdictions in which it operates, but it does not have the power of eminent
domain with respect to Native American tribal lands.
With
respect to real property, each of the transmission and distribution facilities
fall into two basic categories: (a) parcels that are owned in fee, such as
certain of PacifiCorp’s generating facilities, substations and office sites; and
(b) parcels where the interest derives from leases, easements,
rights-of-way, permits or licenses from landowners or governmental authorities
permitting the use of such land for the construction, operation and maintenance
of the transmission and distribution facilities. PacifiCorp believes that it has
satisfactory title to all of the real property making up its respective
facilities in all material respects.
Headquarters/Offices
PacifiCorp’s
corporate offices consist of approximately 800,000 square feet of owned and
leased office space located in several buildings in Portland, Oregon and Salt
Lake City, Utah. PacifiCorp’s corporate headquarters are in Portland, but there
are several executives and departments located in Salt Lake City. In addition to
the corporate headquarters, PacifiCorp owns and leases approximately
1 million square feet of field office and warehouse space in various other
locations in Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California. The field
location square footage does not include offices located at PacifiCorp’s
generating facilities.
29
Item 3.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
PacifiCorp
is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of
business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. PacifiCorp
does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material
effect on its consolidated financial results. PacifiCorp is also involved in
other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek
to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts and are
described below.
In
December 2000, Wah Chang, a large industrial customer of PacifiCorp that
operates a reactive and refractory metals manufacturing facility in Millersburg,
Oregon, filed an action before the OPUC asserting that the rates set by a
special tariff with PacifiCorp and approved by the OPUC were not just and
reasonable. In October 2001, the OPUC dismissed Wah Chang’s petition and
found that Wah Chang assumed the risk of price increases under the special
tariff. Wah Chang petitioned the Circuit Court for Marion County, Oregon for
review of the OPUC’s order. In June 2002, the Circuit Court for Marion
County, Oregon, granted Wah Chang’s motion and ordered the OPUC to reopen the
record to allow Wah Chang the opportunity to present new evidence of alleged
market manipulation during the energy crisis. In September 2009, the OPUC
dismissed Wah Chang’s petition and reaffirmed that the rates set by the special
tariff were just and reasonable. In October 2009, Wah Chang filed with the
Oregon Court of Appeals a petition for judicial review of the OPUC’s
September 2009 order denying Wah Chang relief.
In a
separate but related proceeding, in December 2000, Wah Chang filed a
complaint in the Circuit Court for Linn County, Oregon, asserting that the
special tariff with PacifiCorp is subject to rescission based on theories of
mutual mistake of fact, frustration of purpose and impracticability. In
August 2002, the Circuit Court for Linn County, Oregon, granted
PacifiCorp’s motion for summary judgment dismissing Wah Chang’s complaint. In
February 2004, the Circuit Court for Linn County, Oregon, granted Wah
Chang’s motion to reopen the case to present additional evidence of alleged
market manipulation. In December 2007, Wah Chang filed a second amended
complaint seeking recovery of a portion of the costs paid under the special
tariff based on various theories of legal relief, including partial rescission,
unjust enrichment, and breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing. In
August 2009, the Circuit Court for Linn County, Oregon, granted Wah Chang’s
request to file a third amended complaint containing a claim for punitive
damages. In December 2009, PacifiCorp’s motion for summary judgment based
on the OPUC’s September 2009 order was denied by the Circuit Court for Linn
County, Oregon. The trial date has been stayed until 2011. Wah Chang is seeking
$37 million (less the amount Wah Chang would have paid for electricity
absent the special tariff) in compensatory damages and $200 million in
punitive damages. PacifiCorp intends to vigorously defend these claims and
believes that the outcome of these proceedings will not have a material impact
on its consolidated financial results.
In
February 2007, the Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor Council filed a
complaint against PacifiCorp in the federal district court in Cheyenne, Wyoming,
alleging violations of the Wyoming state opacity standards at PacifiCorp’s Jim
Bridger generating facility in Wyoming. Under Wyoming state requirements, which
are part of the Jim Bridger generating facility’s Title V permit and are
enforceable by private citizens under the federal Clean Air Act, a potential
source of pollutants such as a coal-fired generating facility must meet minimum
standards for opacity, which is a measurement of light that is obscured in the
flue of a generating facility. The complaint alleged thousands of violations of
asserted six-minute compliance periods and sought an injunction ordering the Jim
Bridger generating facility’s compliance with opacity limits, civil penalties of
$32,500 per day per violation and the plaintiffs’ costs of litigation. In
August 2009, the court ruled on a number of summary judgment motions by
which it determined that the plaintiffs have sufficient legal standing to
proceed with their complaint and that all other issues raised in the summary
judgment motions will be resolved at trial. In February 2010, PacifiCorp,
the Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor Council reached an agreement in
principle to settle all outstanding claims in the action. The settlement will be
memorialized in a consent decree to be filed with the Environmental Protection
Agency for review and also with the court for review and approval. If approved
by the court as expected, the settlement is not expected to have a material
impact on PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results.
30
In
October 2005, PacifiCorp was added as a defendant to a lawsuit originally
filed in February 2005 in state district court in Salt Lake City, Utah by
USA Power, LLC and its affiliated companies,
USA Power Partners, LLC and Spring Canyon, LLC
(collectively, “USA Power”), against Utah attorney
Jody L. Williams and the law firm
Holme, Roberts & Owen, LLP, who represent PacifiCorp on
various matters from time to time. USA Power was the developer of a planned
generation project in Mona, Utah called Spring Canyon, which
PacifiCorp, as part of its resource procurement process, at one time considered
as an alternative to the Currant Creek generating facility. USA Power’s
complaint alleged that PacifiCorp misappropriated confidential proprietary
information in violation of Utah’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act and accused
PacifiCorp of breach of contract and related claims. USA Power seeks
$250 million in damages, statutory doubling of damages for its trade
secrets violation claim, punitive damages, costs and attorneys’ fees. After
considering various motions for summary judgment, the court ruled in
October 2007 in favor of PacifiCorp on all counts and dismissed the
plaintiffs’ claims in their entirety. In February 2008, the plaintiffs
filed a petition requesting consideration of their appeal by the Utah Supreme
Court. The plaintiffs’ request was granted and they filed a brief in
November 2008 with the Utah Supreme Court. In January 2009, PacifiCorp
filed its reply brief. PacifiCorp believes that its defenses that prevailed in
the trial court will prevail on appeal. Furthermore, PacifiCorp expects that the
outcome of any appeal will not have a material impact on its consolidated
financial results.
Item 4.
|
Reserved
|
31
PART
II
Item 5.
|
Market
for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
|
MEHC
indirectly owns all of the shares of PacifiCorp’s outstanding common stock.
Therefore, there is no public market for PacifiCorp’s common stock. PacifiCorp
did not pay dividends on common stock during the years ended December 31,
2009 and 2008. PacifiCorp does not expect to declare or pay dividends on common
stock during the year ending December 31, 2010.
During
the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, PacifiCorp received capital
contributions of $125 million and $450 million, respectively, in cash
from its indirect parent company, MEHC.
For a
discussion of regulatory restrictions that limit PacifiCorp’s ability to pay
dividends on common stock, refer to “Limitations” in Item 7 and
Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of
this Form 10-K.
32
Item 6.
|
Selected
Financial Data
|
The
following table sets forth PacifiCorp’s selected consolidated historical
financial data, which should be read in conjunction with Item 7 of this
Form 10-K and with PacifiCorp’s historical Consolidated Financial
Statements and notes thereto in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The selected
consolidated historical financial data has been derived from PacifiCorp’s
audited historical Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto
(in millions). In May 2006, the PacifiCorp Board of Directors elected
to change PacifiCorp’s fiscal year-end from March 31 to
December 31.
Years Ended
December 31,
|
Nine-Month
Period Ended December 31,
|
Year
Ended March 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||
Consolidated
Statement of Operations Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating
revenue
|
$ | 4,457 | $ | 4,498 | $ | 4,258 | $ | 2,924 | $ | 3,897 | ||||||||||
Operating
income
|
1,060 | 954 | 894 | 421 | 802 | |||||||||||||||
Net
income attributable to PacifiCorp
|
542 | 458 | 439 | 161 | 361 |
As of December 31,
|
As of
March 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||
Consolidated
Balance Sheet Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 18,966 | $ | 17,167 | $ | 14,907 | $ | 13,852 | $ | 12,731 | ||||||||||
Long-term
debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current
portion
|
6,400 | 5,424 | 4,753 | 3,967 | 3,721 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred
stock subject to mandatory redemption, excluding current
portion
|
- | - | - | - | 41 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred
stock
|
41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | |||||||||||||||
Total
PacifiCorp shareholders’ equity
|
6,648 | 5,987 | 5,080 | 4,426 | 4,052 |
33
Item 7.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
The
following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors
that have affected the financial condition and results of operations of
PacifiCorp during the periods included herein. Explanations include management’s
best estimate of the impacts of weather, customer growth and other factors. This
discussion should be read in conjunction with Item 6 of this Form 10-K
and with PacifiCorp’s historical Consolidated Financial Statements and notes
thereto in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. PacifiCorp’s actual results in
the future could differ significantly from the historical results.
Results
of Operations
Operating
revenue and energy costs are the key drivers of PacifiCorp’s results of
operations as they encompass retail and wholesale electricity sales and the
direct costs associated with providing electricity for our customers. PacifiCorp
believes that a discussion of gross margin, representing operating revenue less
energy costs, is therefore most meaningful. PacifiCorp serves its customers with
electricity supplied by its generating facilities, as well as through wholesale
electricity purchases as needed to meet its retail load and long-term wholesale
sales obligations. PacifiCorp also sells electricity in the wholesale market to
balance its system and to enhance the utilization of its generating
capacity.
Overview
Net
income attributable to PacifiCorp during the year ended December 31, 2009
was $542 million, an increase of $84 million, or 18%, as compared to
2008. Net income attributable to PacifiCorp increased primarily due to improved
gross margin of $239 million resulting from significantly lower average
prices and decreased volumes of wholesale electricity purchases, higher prices
approved by regulators on retail electricity sales and sales of renewable energy
credits, partially offset by significantly lower average prices on wholesale
electricity sales and lower retail customer usage. Retail energy sales volumes
decreased 3%, primarily due to the impacts of the current economic conditions on
industrial customers across PacifiCorp’s service territories and residential
customers in Oregon. Depreciation expense increased $59 million and
interest expense increased $51 million mainly due to higher assets placed
in service and the issuance of long-term debt to finance those
assets.
PacifiCorp
experienced more flexibility in balancing its system requirements during 2009
and the fourth quarter of 2008 due to the September 2008 acquisition of the
520-MW Chehalis natural gas-fired generating facility. From May 2008
through September 2009, PacifiCorp also placed in service 647 MWs of
wind-powered generating facilities. Overall lower retail demand experienced in
2009 and the fourth quarter of 2008, along with the increased generation
capacity, reduced PacifiCorp’s reliance on wholesale electricity
purchases.
Net
income attributable to PacifiCorp during the year ended December 31, 2008
was $458 million, an increase of $19 million, or 4%, as compared to
2007. Net income attributable to PacifiCorp increased primarily due to improved
gross margin of $51 million resulting from higher prices approved by
regulators on retail electricity sales, lower volumes of wholesale electricity
purchases, higher average prices on wholesale electricity sales and growth in
the average number of residential and commercial customers, largely offset by
higher average fuel prices, higher average prices on wholesale electricity
purchases and lower volumes of wholesale electricity sales. Interest expense
increased $29 million, primarily due to the issuance of long-term debt in
support of PacifiCorp’s capital expenditures program. Income tax expense
increased $18 million, primarily due to higher pre-tax earnings, partially
offset by higher production tax credits associated with increased production at
wind-powered generating facilities.
As
discussed in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in
Item 8 of this Form 10-K, PacifiCorp adopted authoritative guidance that
established accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest
in a subsidiary as of January 1, 2009. The new guidance impacted
PacifiCorp’s presentation of both revenue and expense associated with the
noncontrolling interest in its majority owned coal mining operation and had no
impact on net income attributable to PacifiCorp.
34
Year
Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31,
2008
A
comparison of PacifiCorp’s key operating results were as follows for the years
ended December 31:
Favorable/(Unfavorable)
|
||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
Change
|
%
Change
|
|||||||||||||
Gross margin (in millions):
|
||||||||||||||||
Operating
revenue
|
$ | 4,457 | $ | 4,498 | $ | (41 | ) | (1 | )% | |||||||
Energy
costs
|
1,677 | 1,957 | 280 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Gross
margin
|
$ | 2,780 | $ | 2,541 | $ | 239 | 9 | % | ||||||||
Volumes of electricity sold (in gigawatt hours
(“GWh”)):
|
||||||||||||||||
Residential
|
15,999 | 16,222 | (223 | ) | (1 | )% | ||||||||||
Commercial
|
16,194 | 16,055 | 139 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Industrial
|
19,934 | 21,495 | (1,561 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||||||||
Other
|
583 | 590 | (7 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||||||||
Total
retail electricity sales
|
52,710 | 54,362 | (1,652 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||||||||
Wholesale
electricity sales
|
12,349 | 12,345 | 4 | - | ||||||||||||
Total
electricity sales
|
65,059 | 66,707 | (1,648 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||||||
Retail electricity sales:
|
||||||||||||||||
Average
retail customers (in thousands)
|
1,719 | 1,706 | 13 | 1 | % | |||||||||||
Average
revenue per MWh
|
$ | 66.74 | $ | 63.44 | $ | 3.30 | 5 | % | ||||||||
Wholesale electricity
sales:
|
||||||||||||||||
Average
revenue per MWh
|
$ | 51.95 | $ | 68.78 | $ | (16.83 | ) | (24 | )% | |||||||
Volumes of electricity generated (in
GWh):
|
||||||||||||||||
Coal-fired
generation
|
43,854 | 45,955 | (2,101 | ) | (5 | )% | ||||||||||
Natural
gas-fired generation
|
8,576 | 8,771 | (195 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||||
Hydroelectric
generation (1)
|
3,544 | 3,766 | (222 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||||||||
Other
|
2,427 | 1,386 | 1,041 | 75 | ||||||||||||
Total
PacifiCorp generated volumes
|
58,401 | 59,878 | (1,477 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||||||
Volumes of electricity purchased (in
GWh):
|
||||||||||||||||
Wholesale
electricity purchases
|
10,975 | 11,448 | 473 | 4 | % | |||||||||||
Cost of wholesale electricity
purchased:
|
||||||||||||||||
Average
cost per MWh
|
$ | 42.95 | $ | 66.56 | $ | 23.61 | 35 | % |
(1)
|
PacifiCorp’s
hydroelectric generation was 85% and 90% of normal for 2009 and 2008,
respectively, based on a 30-year
average.
|
35
Gross margin increased
$239 million, or 9%, primarily due to:
·
|
$134 million
of increases from higher retail prices approved by regulators primarily to
recover increased costs of assets placed in service and higher energy
costs;
|
·
|
$83 million
of increases in net wholesale electricity activities due to $259 million
of significantly lower average prices on wholesale electricity purchases
and $32 million of lower volumes of wholesale electricity purchases,
partially offset by $208 million of lower average prices on wholesale
electricity sales;
|
·
|
$66
million of increases due to sales to the noncontrolling interest in
PacifiCorp’s majority owned coal mining
operation;
|
·
|
$44 million
of increases in sales of renewable energy
credits;
|
·
|
$27
million of increases due to growth in the average number of commercial and
residential customers primarily in Utah;
and
|
·
|
$13
million of decreases in fuel costs primarily due to lower volumes of coal
consumed as a result of increased generating facility overhauls and lower
retail demand, partially offset by higher average prices of
coal.
|
These
increases in gross margin were partially offset by:
·
|
$92 million
of decreases due to lower average customer usage primarily in Oregon and
on industrial customers across PacifiCorp’s service territories due to the
effects of the current economic conditions;
and
|
·
|
$26 million
due to lower deferrals of incurred power costs in accordance with
established adjustment mechanisms.
|
Operations and maintenance expense
increased $50 million, or 5%, primarily due to costs associated with
sales to the noncontrolling interest in PacifiCorp’s majority owned coal mining
operation.
Depreciation and amortization
expense increased $59 million, or 12%, primarily due to higher
plant-in-service.
Taxes, other than income
taxes increased $24 million, or 21%, primarily due to costs
attributable to PacifiCorp’s majority owned coal mining operation and increased
property taxes driven by higher plant-in-service.
Interest expense increased
$51 million, or 15%, primarily due to higher average debt outstanding,
partially offset by lower average rates on variable- and fixed-rate
debt.
Allowance for borrowed and equity
funds increased $18 million, or 22%, primarily due to higher
qualified construction work-in-progress balances, partially offset by lower
average rates.
Interest income increased
$8 million, or 73%, substantially due to interest associated with
PacifiCorp’s 2006 and 2007 tax reports pursuant to
SB 408.
Income tax expense decreased
$4 million to $234 million for the year ended December 31, 2009
as compared to 2008, primarily due to higher production tax credits associated
with increased production at wind-powered generating facilities, substantially
offset by higher pre-tax earnings. The effective tax rate was 30% for the year
ended December 31, 2009 compared to 34% for the year ended
December 31, 2008.
36
Year
Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31,
2007
A
comparison of PacifiCorp’s key operating results were as follows for the years
ended December 31:
Favorable/(Unfavorable)
|
||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
Change
|
%
Change
|
|||||||||||||
Gross margin (in millions):
|
||||||||||||||||
Operating
revenue
|
$ | 4,498 | $ | 4,258 | $ | 240 | 6 | % | ||||||||
Energy
costs
|
1,957 | 1,768 | (189 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||||||
Gross
margin
|
$ | 2,541 | $ | 2,490 | $ | 51 | 2 | % | ||||||||
Volumes of electricity sold (in
GWh):
|
||||||||||||||||
Residential
|
16,222 | 15,975 | 247 | 2 | % | |||||||||||
Commercial
|
16,055 | 15,951 | 104 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Industrial
|
21,495 | 20,892 | 603 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Other
|
590 | 572 | 18 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Total
retail electricity sales
|
54,362 | 53,390 | 972 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Wholesale
electricity sales
|
12,345 | 13,724 | (1,379 | ) | (10 | ) | ||||||||||
Total
electricity sales
|
66,707 | 67,114 | (407 | ) | (1 | )% | ||||||||||
Retail electricity sales:
|
||||||||||||||||
Average
retail customers (in thousands)
|
1,706 | 1,684 | 22 | 1 | % | |||||||||||
Average
revenue per MWh
|
$ | 63.44 | $ | 60.90 | $ | 2.54 | 4 | % | ||||||||
Wholesale electricity
sales:
|
||||||||||||||||
Average
revenue per MWh
|
$ | 68.78 | $ | 60.91 | $ | 7.87 | 13 | % | ||||||||
Volumes of electricity generated (in
GWh):
|
||||||||||||||||
Coal-fired
generation
|
45,955 | 45,700 | 255 | 1 | % | |||||||||||
Natural
gas-fired generation
|
8,771 | 7,915 | 856 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Hydroelectric
generation (1)
|
3,766 | 3,748 | 18 | - | ||||||||||||
Other
|
1,386 | 829 | 557 | 67 | ||||||||||||
Total
PacifiCorp generated volumes
|
59,878 | 58,192 | 1,686 | 3 | % | |||||||||||
Volumes of electricity purchased (in
GWh):
|
||||||||||||||||
Wholesale
electricity purchases
|
11,448 | 13,587 | 2,139 | 16 | % | |||||||||||
Cost of wholesale electricity
purchased:
|
||||||||||||||||
Average
cost per MWh
|
$ | 66.56 | $ | 58.64 | $ | (7.92 | ) | (14 | )% |
(1)
|
PacifiCorp’s
hydroelectric generation was 90% of normal for both 2008 and 2007, based
on a 30-year average.
|
37
Gross margin increased
$51 million, or 2%, primarily due to:
·
|
$129 million
of increases from higher retail prices approved by regulators primarily to
recover increased costs of assets placed in service and higher energy
costs;
|
·
|
$69 million
of increases in retail electricity sales due to $48 million related
to growth in the average number of retail residential and commercial
customers and $21 million related to higher average retail customer
usage;
|
·
|
$48 million
of increases in net wholesale electricity activities due to
$126 million of lower volumes of wholesale electricity purchases and
$98 million of higher average prices on wholesale electricity sales,
partially offset by $91 million of higher average prices on wholesale
electricity purchases and $85 million of lower volumes of wholesale
electricity sales; and
|
·
|
$19 million
of increases in transmission revenue primarily due to higher contract
prices.
|
These
increases in gross margin were partially offset by:
·
|
$182
million of increases in fuel costs due to $141 million of natural gas
and $41 million of coal cost increases substantially due to higher
average prices;
|
·
|
$27 million
of increases primarily due to the amortization of incurred power costs
deferred in the prior year in accordance with established adjustment
mechanisms; and
|
·
|
$15 million
of increases in transmission costs primarily due to new
contracts.
|
Operations and maintenance expense
decreased $13 million, or 1%, primarily due to:
·
|
$27 million
of decreases in employee expenses, substantially due to lower pension and
other postretirement benefit expenses; partially offset
by,
|
·
|
$10 million
of increases in DSM expense primarily due to increased spending in Oregon
and Idaho; and
|
·
|
$5 million
of increases in bad debt expense, primarily in the commercial and
industrial customer classes as a result of economic
conditions.
|
Depreciation and amortization
expense decreased $7 million, or 1%, primarily due to a
$47 million reduction from the extension of the depreciable lives of
certain property, plant and equipment as a result of PacifiCorp’s 2008
depreciation study, substantially offset by higher assets placed in
service.
Taxes, other than income
taxes increased $11 million, or 11%, primarily due to increased
property taxes driven by increased levels of assessable property.
Interest expense increased
$29 million, or 9%, primarily due to higher average debt outstanding,
partially offset by lower average rates on variable-rate debt.
Allowance for borrowed and equity
funds increased $11 million, or 16%, primarily due to higher
qualified construction work-in-progress balances, partially offset by lower
average rates.
Income tax expense increased
$18 million to $238 million for the year ended December 31, 2008
as compared to 2007, primarily due to higher pre-tax earnings, partially offset
by higher production tax credits associated with increased production at
wind-powered generating facilities. The effective tax rate was 34% for the year
ended December 31, 2008 compared to 33% for the year ended
December 31, 2007.
38
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s total net liquidity available was
$1.254 billion. The components of total net liquidity available are as
follows (in millions):
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 117 | ||
Available
revolving credit facilities
|
$ | 1,395 | ||
Less:
|
||||
Short-term
debt (credit facility borrowings or commercial paper)
|
- | |||
Tax-exempt
bond support and letters of credit
|
(258 | ) | ||
Net
revolving credit facilities available
|
$ | 1,137 | ||
Total
net liquidity available
|
$ | 1,254 | ||
Unsecured
revolving credit facilities:
|
||||
Maturity
date
|
2012-2013 | |||
Largest
single bank commitment as a % of total (1)
|
15 | % |
(1)
|
An
inability of financial institutions to honor their commitments could
adversely affect PacifiCorp’s short-term liquidity and ability to meet
long-term commitments.
|
PacifiCorp’s
cash and cash equivalents were $117 million as of December 31, 2009,
compared to $59 million as of December 31, 2008. PacifiCorp has
restricted cash and investments included in other current assets and investments
and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaling $88 million
and $93 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively that
principally relate to funds held in trust for coal mine
reclamation.
Operating
Activities
Net cash
flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008 were $1.5 billion and $992 million, respectively. The
$508 million increase was primarily due to significantly lower average
prices on wholesale electricity purchases, higher prices approved by regulators
principally to recover prior years’ investments in capital projects,
significantly higher income tax deductions related to the impact of the repairs
deduction and bonus depreciation, and net receipts of cash collateral on
derivative contracts in the current year compared to net postings of cash
collateral in the prior year, partially offset by lower average prices on
wholesale sales.
Net cash
flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2008 and
2007 were $992 million and $824 million, respectively. The
$168 million increase was primarily due to higher margins resulting from
higher prices approved by regulators principally to recover increased costs of
assets placed in service and higher energy costs, and higher income tax
deductions driven by the impact of bonus depreciation, partially offset by
higher fuel costs primarily due to higher average prices on natural gas and
increased net postings of cash collateral on derivative contracts.
39
Investing
Activities
Net cash
flows from investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008 were $(2.308) billion and $(2.076) billion, respectively. Capital
expenditures increased $539 million primarily due to construction costs for
the Populus-to-Terminal transmission line, partially offset by the
September 2008 acquisition of Chehalis Power Generating, LLC, an
entity owning a 520-MW natural gas-fired generating facility located in
Chehalis, Washington, for $308 million. Chehalis Power Generating, LLC
was merged into PacifiCorp immediately following the acquisition.
Net cash
flows from investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2008 and
2007 were $(2.076) billion and $(1.497) billion, respectively. The
$579 million increase was primarily due to a $270 million increase in
capital expenditures and PacifiCorp’s $308 million acquisition of Chehalis
Power Generating, LLC.
Capital
Expenditures
Capital
expenditures, excluding the non-cash allowance for equity funds used during
construction (“equity AFUDC”), consisted mainly of the following during the
years ended December 31:
2009
|
·
|
Transmission
system investments totaling $748 million, including costs for the
construction of a 135-mile, double-circuit, 345-kilovolt transmission line
to be built between the Populus substation in southern Idaho and the
Terminal substation near Salt Lake City, Utah, the first major segment of
the Energy Gateway Transmission Expansion
Program.
|
|
·
|
The
development and construction of wind-powered generating facilities
totaling $407 million, including 218 MW placed in service in
December 2008, 138 MW placed in service in January 2009 and
127 MW placed in service in September 2009. The expenditures
also included construction costs for the 111-MW Dunlap Ranch I
wind-powered generating facility expected to be placed in service in
2010.
|
|
·
|
Emission
control equipment totaling $345 million, including the installation
costs for emission control equipment under construction at the Dave
Johnston generating facility related to the addition of a new sulfur
dioxide scrubber on Unit 3 and the replacement of an existing sulfur
dioxide scrubber on Unit 4, which are expected to be placed into
service during 2010 and 2012, respectively. Additional projects included
installation of sulfur dioxide scrubbers on Naughton generating facility
Units 1 and 2.
|
|
·
|
Distribution,
generation, mining and other infrastructure needed to serve existing and
expected growing demand totaling
$828 million.
|
2008
|
·
|
The
development and construction of wind-powered generating facilities
totaling $600 million, including the remaining costs for five
wind-powered generating facilities totaling 382 MW placed in service
during the year ended December 31, 2008. The expenditures also
included the construction costs for three wind-powered generating
facilities that were placed in service in
2009.
|
|
·
|
Emission
control equipment totaling $204 million, including the remaining
installation costs for emission control equipment placed in service at the
Cholla generating facility in May 2008 and emission control equipment
under construction at the Dave Johnston generating
facility.
|
|
·
|
Transmission
system investments totaling $234 million, including costs for the
Populus-to-Terminal transmission
line.
|
|
·
|
Distribution,
generation, mining and other infrastructure needed to serve existing and
expected growing demand totaling
$751 million.
|
40
Financing
Activities
Short-Term
Debt and Revolving Credit Agreements
Regulatory
authorities limit PacifiCorp to $1.5 billion of short-term debt. PacifiCorp
had no short-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2009 compared to
$85 million outstanding as of December 31, 2008 at a weighted-average
interest rate of 1%. The decrease in short-term debt was primarily due to the
proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $125 million of capital
contributions received from MEHC during the period, partially offset by capital
expenditures and maturities of long-term debt in excess of net cash provided by
operating activities.
PacifiCorp
had no outstanding borrowings under its unsecured revolving credit facilities as
of December 31, 2009 or 2008. However, any disruptions in the credit
markets may result in increased costs of commercial paper and limit the ability
of PacifiCorp to issue commercial paper, which may lead to higher reliance on
its unsecured revolving credit facilities for short-term liquidity
purposes.
For
further discussion, refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Long-Term
Debt
In
addition to the debt issuances discussed herein, PacifiCorp made scheduled
repayments on long-term debt totaling $138 million and $412 million
during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
In
January 2009, PacifiCorp issued $350 million of its 5.50% First
Mortgage Bonds due January 15, 2019 and $650 million of its 6.00%
First Mortgage Bonds due January 15, 2039. The net proceeds were used to
repay short-term debt, fund capital expenditures and for general corporate
purposes.
In July
2008, PacifiCorp issued $500 million of its 5.65% First Mortgage Bonds due
July 15, 2018 and $300 million of its 6.35% First Mortgage Bonds due
July 15, 2038.
In
September 2008, PacifiCorp acquired $216 million of its insured
variable-rate tax-exempt bond obligations due to the significant reduction in
market liquidity for insured variable-rate obligations. In November 2008,
the associated insurance and related standby bond purchase agreements were
terminated and these variable-rate long-term debt obligations were remarketed
with credit enhancement and liquidity support provided by $220 million of
letters of credit issued under PacifiCorp’s two unsecured revolving credit
facilities.
As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had $517 million of letters of credit
available to provide credit enhancement and liquidity support for variable-rate
tax-exempt bond obligations totaling $504 million plus interest. These
committed bank arrangements were fully available at December 31, 2009 and
expire periodically through May 2012.
PacifiCorp
has regulatory authority from the OPUC to issue an additional $2.0 billion
of long-term debt. Current authority from the IPUC would permit
$200 million of additional long-term debt issuances, and PacifiCorp is
currently seeking authority for a total of $2.0 billion. PacifiCorp must
make a notice filing with the WUTC prior to any future issuance.
PacifiCorp’s
Mortgage and Deed of Trust creates a lien on most of PacifiCorp’s electric
utility property, allowing the issuance of bonds based on a percentage of
utility property additions, bond credits arising from retirement of previously
outstanding bonds or deposits of cash. The amount of bonds that PacifiCorp may
issue generally is also subject to a net earnings test. As of December 31,
2009, PacifiCorp estimated it would be able to issue up to $5.5 billion of
new first mortgage bonds under the most restrictive issuance test in the
mortgage. Any issuances are subject to market conditions and amounts may be
further limited by regulatory authorizations or commitments or by covenants and
tests contained in other financing agreements. PacifiCorp also has the ability
to release property from the lien of the mortgage on the basis of property
additions, bond credits or deposits of cash.
41
PacifiCorp
may from time to time seek to acquire its outstanding debt securities through
cash purchases in the open market, privately negotiated transactions or
otherwise. Any debt securities repurchased by PacifiCorp may be reissued or
resold by PacifiCorp from time to time and will depend on prevailing market
conditions, PacifiCorp’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and
other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Common
Shareholder’s Equity
Cash
capital contributions from PacifiCorp’s indirect parent company, MEHC, were
$125 million and $450 million during the years ended December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively.
Capitalization
PacifiCorp
manages its capitalization and liquidity position to maintain a prudent capital
structure with an objective of retaining strong investment grade credit ratings,
which is expected to facilitate continuing access to flexible borrowing
arrangements at favorable costs and rates. This objective, subject to periodic
review and revision, attempts to balance the interests of all shareholders,
customers and creditors and provide a competitive cost of capital and
predictable capital market access.
As a
result of authoritative accounting guidance, such as guidance pertaining to
consolidations and leases, it is possible that new purchase power and gas
agreements, transmission arrangements or amendments to existing arrangements may
be accounted for as capital lease obligations or debt on PacifiCorp’s financial
statements. While PacifiCorp has successfully amended covenants in financing
arrangements that may be impacted by these changes, it may be more difficult for
PacifiCorp to comply with its capitalization targets or regulatory commitments
concerning minimum levels of common equity as a percentage of capitalization.
This may lead PacifiCorp to seek amendments or waivers under financing
agreements and from regulators, delay or reduce dividends or spending programs,
seek additional new equity contributions from its indirect parent company, MEHC,
or take other actions.
Future
Uses of Cash
PacifiCorp
has available a variety of sources of liquidity and capital resources, both
internal and external, including net cash flows from operating activities,
public and private debt offerings, the issuance of commercial paper, the use of
unsecured revolving credit facilities, capital contributions and other sources.
These sources are expected to provide funds required for current operations,
capital expenditures, debt retirements and other capital requirements. The
availability and terms under which PacifiCorp has access to external financing
depends on a variety of factors, including PacifiCorp’s credit rating,
investors’ judgment of risk and conditions in the overall capital market,
including the condition of the utility industry in general.
42
During
2008 and early 2009, the United States and global credit markets experienced
historic dislocations and liquidity disruptions that caused financing to be
unavailable in many cases. These circumstances materially impacted liquidity in
the bank and debt capital markets during this period, making financing terms
less attractive for borrowers who were able to find financing, and in other
cases resulted in the unavailability of certain types of debt financing. In 2008
and 2009, the United States federal government enacted legislation in an attempt
to stabilize the economy, increased the federal deposit insurance, invested
billions of dollars in financial institutions and took other steps to infuse
liquidity into the economy. The United States federal government TARP and the
current accommodative monetary stance in the United States and most other
industrialized countries have reduced liquidity concerns, relieved credit
constraints and provided many financial institutions with the ability to
strengthen their financial position. However, there is no certainty that the
credit environment will improve and it is also possible that financial
institutions may not be able to provide previously arranged funding under
revolving credit facilities or other arrangements like those that PacifiCorp has
established as potential sources of liquidity. It is also difficult to predict
how the financial markets will react to the United States federal government’s
gradual withdrawal or removal of certain economic stimulus programs. Uncertainty
in the credit markets may negatively impact PacifiCorp’s ability to access funds
on favorable terms or at all. If PacifiCorp is unable to access the bank and
debt markets to meet liquidity and capital expenditure needs it may adversely
affect the timing and amount of PacifiCorp’s capital expenditures, consolidated
financial condition and results of operations.
Capital
Expenditures
PacifiCorp
has significant future capital requirements. Capital expenditure needs are
reviewed regularly by management and may change significantly as a result of
these reviews, which may consider, among other factors, changes in rules and
regulations, including environmental; changes in income tax laws; general
business conditions; load projections; system reliability standards; the cost
and efficiency of construction labor, equipment and materials; and the cost and
availability of capital. Expenditures for compliance-related items such as
pollution control technologies, replacement generation, mine reclamation,
hydroelectric relicensing, hydroelectric decommissioning and associated
operating costs are generally incorporated into PacifiCorp’s regulated retail
rates.
PacifiCorp
estimates that it will spend approximately $4.6 billion on capital projects
over the next three years, excluding non-cash equity AFUDC. These capital
projects include new generating resources, including renewables; transmission
investments; installation of emissions control equipment on existing generating
facilities; and distribution investments in new connections, lines and
substations.
Forecasted
capital expenditures are as follows for the years ended December 31
(in millions):
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
||||||||||
Forecasted
capital expenditures (1):
|
||||||||||||
Generation
development
|
$ | 180 | $ | 18 | $ | 232 | ||||||
Transmission
system investment
|
451 | 423 | 667 | |||||||||
Environmental
|
334 | 252 | 119 | |||||||||
Other
|
660 | 679 | 558 | |||||||||
Total
|
$ | 1,625 | $ | 1,372 | $ | 1,576 |
(1)
|
Excludes
amounts for non-cash equity AFUDC.
|
The
capital expenditure estimate for generation development projects provided above
for the year ending December 31, 2010 includes $153 million for the
remaining construction costs associated with the 111-MW Dunlap Ranch I
wind-powered generating facility that is expected to be placed in service during
2010.
43
Capital
projects for transmission expansion include the Energy Gateway Transmission
Expansion Program, a plan to build approximately 2,000 miles of new
high-voltage transmission lines, with an estimated cost exceeding
$6 billion, primarily in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and the desert
Southwest. The plan includes several transmission line segments that will:
(a) address customer load growth; (b) improve system reliability;
(c) reduce transmission system constraints; (d) provide access to
diverse resource areas, including renewable resources; and (e) improve the
flow of electricity throughout PacifiCorp’s six-state service area and the
Western United States. Proposed transmission line segments are re-evaluated to
ensure maximum benefits and timing before commitments to move forward with
permitting and construction are made. The first major transmission segments
associated with this plan are expected to be placed in service during 2010, with
other segments placed in service through 2019, depending on siting, permitting
and construction schedules.
The
capital expenditure estimate for environmental projects includes emissions
control equipment to meet anticipated air quality and visibility targets,
including the reduction of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter
emissions. This estimate includes the installation of new or the replacement of
existing emissions control equipment at a number of units at several of
PacifiCorp’s coal-fired generating facilities.
Capital
expenditures related to operating projects consist of routine expenditures for
distribution, transmission, generation, mining and other infrastructure needed
to service existing and expected demand.
44
Obligations
and Commitments
Contractual
Obligations
PacifiCorp
has contractual obligations that may affect its consolidated financial
condition. The following table summarizes PacifiCorp’s material contractual
obligations as of December 31, 2009 (in millions):
Payments
Due By Periods
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2010
|
2011-2012 | 2013-2014 |
2015
and After
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||
Long-term
debt, including interest:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed-rate
obligations
|
$ | 369 | $ | 1,269 | $ | 1,037 | $ | 9,676 | $ | 12,351 | ||||||||||
Variable-rate
obligations (1)
|
6 | 10 | 90 | 583 | 689 | |||||||||||||||
Capital
leases, including interest
|
9 | 16 | 20 | 94 | 139 | |||||||||||||||
Operating
leases
|
5 | 9 | 7 | 40 | 61 | |||||||||||||||
Asset
retirement obligations
|
15 | 44 | 22 | 558 | 639 | |||||||||||||||
Power
purchase agreements (2):
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Electricity
commodity contracts
|
91 | 75 | 56 | 57 | 279 | |||||||||||||||
Electricity
capacity contracts
|
158 | 188 | 143 | 399 | 888 | |||||||||||||||
Electricity
mixed contracts
|
13 | 26 | 26 | 140 | 205 | |||||||||||||||
Transmission
|
117 | 212 | 164 | 775 | 1,268 | |||||||||||||||
Fuel
purchase agreements (2):
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Natural
gas supply and transportation
|
250 | 200 | 76 | 322 | 848 | |||||||||||||||
Coal
supply and transportation
|
304 | 391 | 344 | 876 | 1,915 | |||||||||||||||
Other
purchase obligations
|
784 | 243 | 41 | 142 | 1,210 | |||||||||||||||
Other
long-term liabilities (3)
|
117 | 9 | 6 | 62 | 194 | |||||||||||||||
Total
contractual cash obligations
|
$ | 2,238 | $ | 2,692 | $ | 2,032 | $ | 13,724 | $ | 20,686 |
(1)
|
Consists
of principal and interest for tax-exempt bond obligations with interest
rates scheduled to reset periodically prior to maturity. Future variable
interest rates are set at December 31, 2009 rates. Refer to “Interest
Rate Risk” in Item 7A of this Form 10-K for additional
discussion related to variable-rate liabilities.
|
(2)
|
Commodity
contracts are agreements for the delivery of energy. Capacity contracts
are agreements that provide rights to energy output, generally of a
specified generating facility. Forecasted or other applicable estimated
prices were used to determine total dollar value of the commitments for
purposes of the table.
|
(3)
|
Includes
environmental and hydroelectric relicensing commitments recorded in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets that are contractually or legally binding and
contributions expected to be made to the PacifiCorp Retirement Plan during
2010 as disclosed in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Excludes regulatory
liabilities and employee benefit plan obligations that are not legally or
contractually fixed as to timing and amount. Deferred income taxes are
excluded since cash payments are based primarily on taxable income for
each year. Uncertain tax positions are also excluded because the amounts
and timing of cash payments are not
certain.
|
45
Commercial
Commitments
PacifiCorp’s
commercial commitments include surety bonds that provide indemnities for
PacifiCorp in relation to various commitments it has to third parties for
obligations in the event of default by PacifiCorp. In the event of default by
PacifiCorp, the bonding agency would seek recovery from PacifiCorp in the amount
of the bond. The majority of these bonds are continuous in nature and renew
annually. Based on current contractual commitments, PacifiCorp’s level of surety
bonding after December 31, 2009 is estimated to be approximately
$27 million per year. This estimate is based on current information and
actual amounts may vary due to rate changes or changes to the general operations
of PacifiCorp.
Regulatory
Matters
PacifiCorp
is subject to comprehensive regulation. In addition to the discussion contained
herein regarding regulatory matters, refer to Item 1 of this Form 10-K for
further discussion regarding PacifiCorp’s general regulatory
framework.
Certain
regulatory matters are subject to uncertainties that require the use of
estimates on the Consolidated Financial Statements, particularly that related to
SB 408. Refer to Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
Utah
In
July 2008, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the UPSC requesting an
annual increase of $161 million prior to any consideration of the UPSC’s
order in the 2007 general rate case. In September 2008, PacifiCorp filed
supplemental testimony that reflected then-current revenues and other
adjustments based on the August 2008 order in the 2007 general rate case.
The supplemental filing reduced PacifiCorp’s request to $115 million. In
October 2008, the UPSC issued an order changing the test period from the
twelve months ending June 2009 using end-of-period rate base to the
forecast calendar year 2009 using average rate base. In December 2008,
PacifiCorp updated its filing to reflect the change in the test period. The
updated filing proposed an increase of $116 million. In March 2009, a
settlement agreement was filed with the UPSC resolving all remaining revenue
requirement issues, resulting in parties agreeing, among other settlement terms,
on an annual increase of $45 million, or an average price increase of 3%,
effective May 8, 2009. In April 2009, the UPSC issued its final order
approving the revenue requirement settlement agreement.
In March
2009, Utah’s governor signed Senate Bill 75 that provides additional regulatory
tools for the UPSC to use in the ratemaking process. The additional tools
provided in the legislation allow for single item cost recovery of major capital
investments outside of the general rate case process and allow for, but do not
require, the use of an energy balancing account.
In
March 2009, PacifiCorp filed for an ECAM with the UPSC. The filing
recommends that the UPSC adopt the ECAM to recover the difference between base
net power costs set in the next Utah general rate case and actual net power
costs. The UPSC has separated the application into two phases to first address
whether the mechanism is in the public interest, and then if it is found to be
in the public interest, to determine the type of mechanism that should be
implemented. Hearings on the public interest phase were completed in
January 2010. In February 2010, the UPSC issued an order to proceed to the
second phase to address design considerations in the development of an ECAM.
Additionally, in February 2010, PacifiCorp filed an application with the UPSC
seeking approval to defer the difference between the net power costs allowed by
the UPSC’s final order in PacifiCorp’s 2009 general rate case and the actual net
power costs incurred. If approved, the filing would establish a deferred cost
balance to be considered for collection through any potential mechanism
established in the second phase of the ECAM proceeding.
In
February 2010, an application was filed with the UPSC by the Utah Association of
Energy Users requesting an order requiring PacifiCorp to defer for later
ratemaking treatment all revenues associated with sales of renewable energy
credits in excess of the level included in Utah rates. If approved, Utah’s share
of any renewable energy credit sales above $18.5 million annually would be
subject to consideration in a future proceeding.
In
June 2009, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the UPSC for an
increase of $67 million, or an average price increase of 5%. The forecasted
test period is the twelve months ending June 30, 2010. In
November 2009, as part of its rebuttal and surrebuttal filings, PacifiCorp
reduced its rate increase request to $53 million. The UPSC issued its order
February 18, 2010, approving a price increase of $32 million, or an
average price increase of 2%.
46
In June
2009, PacifiCorp filed with the UPSC to increase its DSM cost recovery mechanism
in Utah from an average of 2% of a customer’s eligible monthly charges to 6%. In
August 2009, a settlement agreement was filed with the UPSC requesting the
DSM cost recovery mechanism be adjusted to 5%, representing an estimated annual
increase of $35 million, which would enable PacifiCorp to continue to fund
ongoing DSM programs and to recover previously incurred DSM expenditures. The
UPSC approved the settlement agreement in August 2009, and the 5% DSM cost
recovery mechanism became effective September 1, 2009.
In
February 2010, PacifiCorp filed an alternative cost recovery application with
the UPSC requesting recovery of $34 million associated with two major
construction projects that are expected to be completed and in-service by
June 2010. The mechanism provides for a ruling from the UPSC within
150 days of the application.
Oregon
In
March 2009, PacifiCorp made the initial filing for the annual TAM with the
OPUC for an annual increase of $21 million to recover the anticipated net
power costs for the year beginning January 1, 2010. In August 2009,
PacifiCorp filed a revision to its anticipated net power costs for the TAM,
reflecting a slight decrease in the overall request to $20 million. In
September 2009, PacifiCorp filed a settlement stipulation with the OPUC
reducing the requested increase to $4 million, or an average price increase
of less than 1%. In October 2009, the OPUC issued an order approving the
settlement stipulation. In November 2009, PacifiCorp filed the final net
power costs update for the TAM, based on the latest forward price curve. The
final update shows a net power costs increase of $4 million, or an average
price increase of less than 1%. The effective date for the TAM was
January 1, 2010.
In
April 2009, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the OPUC requesting
an annual increase of $92 million. In August 2009, the requested
annual increase was reduced to $83 million. In September 2009,
PacifiCorp filed a settlement stipulation with the OPUC further reducing the
proposed annual increase to $42 million, or an average price increase of
4%. The stipulation agreement also includes three tariff riders to collect an
additional $8 million over a three-year period associated with various cost
initiatives. In January 2010, the OPUC approved the stipulation effective
February 2, 2010.
In
February 2010, PacifiCorp made the initial filing for the annual TAM with the
OPUC for an annual increase of $69 million to recover the anticipated net power
costs forecasted for calendar year 2011. The rates in the TAM filing will be
effective January 1, 2011 and are subject to updates throughout the
proceeding.
For a
discussion of SB 408, refer to Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Wyoming
In
July 2008, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the WPSC requesting an
annual increase of $34 million with an effective date of May 24, 2009.
Power costs were excluded from the filing and were addressed separately in
PacifiCorp’s annual PCAM application filed in February 2009. In
October 2008, the general rate case request was reduced by $5 million,
to $29 million, to reflect a change in the in-service date of the High
Plains wind-powered generating facility. In March 2009, a settlement
agreement was filed with the WPSC revising the requested increase in Wyoming
rates to $18 million annually beginning May 24, 2009, for an average
overall price increase of 4%. Following public hearings in March 2009, the
WPSC issued a final order approving the stipulation agreement in
May 2009.
47
In
February 2009, PacifiCorp filed its annual PCAM application with the WPSC.
The PCAM application requested recovery of the difference between actual net
power costs and the amount included in base rates, subject to certain
limitations, for the period December 1, 2007 through November 30,
2008, and established for the first time an adjustment for the difference
between forecasted net power costs and the amount included in base rates for the
period December 1, 2008 through November 30, 2009. In the 2009 PCAM
application, PacifiCorp requested a $2 million reduction to the current
annual surcharge rate based on the results for the twelve-month period ended
November 30, 2008, as well as a $16 million increase to the annual
surcharge rate for the forecasted twelve-month period ending November 30,
2009, resulting in a net increase to the annual surcharge rate of
$14 million on a combined basis. In March 2009, the WPSC approved
PacifiCorp’s motion to implement an interim rate increase of $7 million,
effective April 1, 2009 consistent with the interim PCAM increase agreed to
in the 2008 general rate case settlement agreement. In July 2009, a
stipulation agreement was signed by the major participants in the case
requesting that the April 2009 interim rate increase become the permanent
rate for the entire amortization period through March 31, 2010, effectively
reducing the net increase of $14 million sought in the application to
$7 million, or an average price increase of 1%. In August 2009, the WPSC
held a public hearing to consider the stipulation agreement, and after
considering the evidence, the WPSC issued a bench decision approving the
stipulation effective September 1, 2009.
In
October 2009, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the WPSC requesting
a rate increase of $71 million. Power costs are included in the general
rate case, reflecting increased coal costs and the expiration of low cost
long-term power purchase contracts. The application is based on a test period
ending December 31, 2010. Two regulatory policy issues related to the tax
treatment of equity AFUDC and the accounting for coal stripping costs are
included in the case, which if approved by the WPSC, will reduce the requested
rate increase by $9 million to an overall requested increase of
$62 million, or an average price increase of 12%. The application requests
a rate effective date of August 1, 2010. The WPSC has scheduled public
hearings for April 2010.
In
January 2010, PacifiCorp filed its annual PCAM application with the WPSC
requesting recovery of $8 million in deferred net power costs.
Washington
In
February 2008, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the WUTC for an
annual increase of $35 million. In August 2008, PacifiCorp filed with
the WUTC an all-party settlement agreement in which the parties agreed to an
overall rate increase of $20 million, or 9%. The settlement was approved by
the WUTC in October 2008 with the new rates effective October 15,
2008. The increase is composed of an $18 million increase to base rates, as
well as a $2 million annual surcharge for approximately three years related
to recovery of higher power costs incurred in 2005 due to poor hydroelectric
conditions. PacifiCorp agreed to drop the current proposal for a generation cost
adjustment mechanism and further committed not to propose such a mechanism in
the next general rate case.
In
February 2009, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the WUTC for an
annual increase of $39 million. The filing included a request to begin
collection of a deferral for costs associated with the 520-MW Chehalis natural
gas-fired generating facility prior to its inclusion in rate base beginning in
January 2010. The associated costs are estimated at $15 million.
PacifiCorp has proposed to recover these costs through an extension of its
hydroelectric deferral mechanism, thereby not affecting current customer rates.
In August 2009, PacifiCorp filed an all-party settlement agreement
proposing an annual increase of $14 million, or an average price increase
of 5%. In December 2009, the WUTC approved the all-party settlement
agreement. The new rates became effective January 1, 2010.
48
Idaho
In
September 2008, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the IPUC for an
annual increase of $6 million. In February 2009, a settlement signed
by PacifiCorp, the IPUC staff and intervening parties was filed with the IPUC
resolving all issues in the 2008 general rate case. The agreement stipulated a
$4 million increase, or an average price increase of 3%, for non-contract
retail customers in Idaho. As part of the stipulation, intervening parties
acknowledged that PacifiCorp’s acquisition of the 520-MW Chehalis natural
gas-fired generating facility was prudent and the investment should be included
in PacifiCorp’s revenue requirement, and that PacifiCorp had demonstrated that
its DSM programs are prudent. The parties also agreed on a base level of net
power costs for any future ECAM calculations. In April 2009, the IPUC
issued an order approving the stipulation effective April 18,
2009.
In
June 2009, an agreement was reached with parties to the ECAM docket
allowing for the implementation of an ECAM to recover the difference between the
base level of net power costs recovered in rates and actual costs incurred,
subject to the calculation methodology of the mechanism. In September 2009,
the IPUC issued an order approving the ECAM stipulation as filed with an
effective date of July 1, 2009. In February 2010, PacifiCorp filed an
ECAM application with the IPUC requesting recovery of $2 million in
deferred net power costs.
California
In
February 2009, PacifiCorp filed a post-test-year adjustment mechanism
(“PTAM”) with the CPUC for major capital additions amounting to a rate increase
of $1 million, or an average price increase of 2%. The filing included the
addition of four major renewable resources: the 99-MW Seven Mile Hill, the 99-MW
Glenrock, the 39-MW Glenrock III and the 99-MW Rolling Hills wind-powered
generating facilities. The rates became effective March 19, 2009. In
October 2009, PacifiCorp filed a PTAM with the CPUC for major capital
additions amounting to a rate increase of $1 million, or an average price
increase of 1%. The filing included the addition of two major renewable
resources: the 99-MW High Plains and the 28-MW McFadden Ridge I
wind-powered generating facilities. The rates became effective November 21,
2009.
In
February 2009, PacifiCorp filed an application to extend its PTAM attrition
adjustment (an adjustment for inflation) through 2010 and to delay filing its
next general rate case by one year. The application was approved by the CPUC in
April 2009. In October 2009, PacifiCorp filed its annual PTAM
attrition adjustment with the CPUC. The filing requested an increase of
$1 million, or an average price increase of 1%. The rates became effective
January 1, 2010.
In
July 2009, PacifiCorp made its annual filing under the ECAC requesting a
rate reduction of $5 million, or an average price decrease of 5%, due to a
decrease in net power costs. In December 2009, the CPUC approved the ECAC
with an effective date of January 1, 2010.
In
November 2009, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the CPUC requesting an
annual increase of $8 million, or an average price increase of 10%. If
approved by the CPUC, the rates will be effective January 1,
2011.
49
Environmental
Laws and Regulation
PacifiCorp
is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air and
water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other
environmental matters that have the potential to impact PacifiCorp’s current and
future operations. In addition to imposing continuing compliance obligations,
these laws and regulations provide authority to levy substantial penalties for
noncompliance including fines, injunctive relief and other sanctions. These laws
and regulations are administered by the EPA and various other state and local
agencies. All such laws and regulations are subject to a range of
interpretation, which may ultimately be resolved by the courts. Environmental
laws and regulations continue to evolve, and PacifiCorp is unable to predict the
impact of the changing laws and regulations on its operations and consolidated
financial results. PacifiCorp believes it is in material compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations. Refer to “Future Uses of Cash” for discussion
of PacifiCorp’s forecasted environmental-related capital
expenditures.
Clean
Air Standards
The Clean
Air Act is a federal law, administered by the EPA, that provides a framework for
protecting and improving the nation’s air quality and controlling sources of air
emissions. The implementation of new standards is generally outlined in State
Implementation Plans (“SIPs”). SIPs, which are a collection of regulations,
programs and policies to be followed are subject to public hearings, must be
approved by the EPA and vary by state. Some states may adopt additional or more
stringent requirements than those implemented by the EPA. The major Clean Air
Act programs, which most directly affect PacifiCorp’s operations, are described
below.
50
National
Ambient Air Quality Standards
Under the
authority of the Clean Air Act, the EPA sets minimum national ambient air
quality standards for six principal pollutants, consisting of carbon monoxide,
lead, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, ozone and SO2,
considered harmful to public health and the environment. Areas that achieve the
standards, as determined by ambient air quality monitoring, are characterized as
being in attainment, while those that fail to meet the standards are designated
as being nonattainment areas. Generally, sources of emissions in a nonattainment
area that are determined to contribute to the nonattainment are required to
reduce emissions. Most air quality standards require measurement over a defined
period of time to determine the average concentration of the pollutant
present.
On
December 14, 2009, the EPA designated the Utah counties of Davis and Salt Lake,
as well as portions of Box Elder, Cache, Tooele, Utah and Weber counties, to be
in nonattainment of the fine particulate matter standard. This designation has
the potential to impact PacifiCorp’s Little Mountain, Lake Side and Gadsby
facilities, depending on the requirements to be established in the Utah SIP. The
impact on the PacifiCorp facilities is not anticipated to be
significant.
In
January 2010, the EPA proposed a rule to strengthen the national ambient
air quality standard for ground level ozone. The proposed rule arises out of
legal challenges claiming that the March 2008 rule that reduced the standard
from 80 parts per billion to 75 parts per billion was not strict enough. The new
rule proposes a standard between 60 and 70 parts per billion. The EPA expects to
issue final standards later in 2010 with SIPs submitted in 2013.
In
January 2010, the EPA finalized a one-hour air quality standard for nitrogen
dioxide at 0.10 part per million. State attainment designations must be
submitted to the EPA by January 1, 2011 and the EPA must finalize the
designations by January 1, 2012.
In
November 2009, the EPA proposed a new national ambient air quality standard for
SO2 to
a level of between 50 and 100 parts per billion measured over one hour. The
existing primary standards for SO2 are 140
parts per billion measured over 24 hours and 30 parts per billion measured over
an entire year. The EPA is under a consent decree to take final action on the
proposed standards by June 2010.
If the
stricter standards are implemented, the number of counties designated as
nonattainment areas may increase. Businesses operating in newly designated
nonattainment counties could face increased regulation and costs to monitor or
reduce emissions. For instance, existing major emissions sources may have to
install reasonably available control technologies to achieve certain reductions
in emissions and undertake additional monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting.
The construction or modification of facilities that are sources of emissions
could become more difficult in nonattainment areas. Until the EPA issues the
final rules and any legal challenges are settled, the impacts on PacifiCorp
cannot be determined.
51
Clean
Air Mercury Rule
The Clean
Air Mercury Rule (“CAMR”), issued by the EPA in March 2005, was the United
States’ first attempt to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired generating
facilities through the use of a market-based cap-and-trade system. The CAMR,
which mandated emissions reductions of approximately 70% by 2018, was overturned
by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
(“D.C. Circuit”) in February 2008. The EPA plans to propose a new rule that
will require coal-fired generating facilities to reduce mercury emissions by
utilizing a mandated “Maximum Achievable Control Technology” rather than a
cap-and-trade system. Under a consent decree, the EPA must issue a proposed rule
to regulate mercury emission by March 2011 and a final rule no later than
November 2011. If adopted, the new rule will likely result in incremental
costs to install and maintain mercury emissions control equipment at each of
PacifiCorp’s coal-fired generating facilities and would increase the cost of
providing service to customers. Until the EPA issues the proposed and final
rules, the impacts on PacifiCorp cannot be determined.
Clean
Air Interstate Rule
The EPA
promulgated the CAIR in March 2005 to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides
NOx
and SO2,
precursors of ozone and particulate matter, from down-wind sources. The CAIR
required states in the eastern United States to reduce emissions by implementing
a plan based on a market-based cap-and-trade system, emission reductions, or
both. The CAIR created separate trading programs for NOx and
SO2
emission credits. The NOx and
SO2
emissions reductions were planned to be accomplished in two phases, in 2009-2010
and 2015.
In
July 2008, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit issued a unanimous
decision vacating the CAIR. In December 2008, the D.C. Circuit issued an
opinion remanding, without vacating, the CAIR back to the EPA to conduct
proceedings to fix the flaws in CAIR consistent with the D.C. Circuit’s
July 2008 ruling. The D.C. Circuit did not impose a schedule for completion
on the EPA in its ruling, and the EPA informed the D.C. Circuit that development
and finalization of a replacement rule could take approximately two
years.
PacifiCorp’s
generating facilities are not subject to the CAIR. The impact of the replacement
rule cannot be determined until the EPA issues its final rule. It is possible
that the existing CAIR may be replaced with more stringent requirements to
reduce SO2 and
NOx
emissions and that these requirements could be extended to the western United
States through regulation or legislation such as the Clean Air Act Amendments of
2010, introduced in February 2010 by Senators Carper and Alexander. However,
the provisions are not anticipated to have a material impact on
PacifiCorp.
Regional
Haze
The EPA
has initiated a regional haze program intended to improve visibility in
designated federally protected areas (“Class I areas”). Some of PacifiCorp’s
generating facilities meet the threshold applicability criteria under the Clean
Air Visibility Rules. In accordance with the federal requirements, states were
required to submit SIPs by December 2007 to demonstrate reasonable progress
towards achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas by requiring
emission controls, known as best available retrofit technology, on sources
constructed between 1962 and 1977 with emissions that are anticipated to cause
or contribute to impairment of visibility. Wyoming has not yet submitted its
SIP. Wyoming issued best available retrofit technology permits to
PacifiCorp on December 31, 2009, requiring PacifiCorp to implement emission
control projects that are consistent with the planned emission reduction
projects at PacifiCorp’s Wyoming generating facilities. PacifiCorp has appealed
certain provisions of the Naughton and Jim Bridger generating facilities'
permits. Utah submitted its SIP and suggested that the emission reduction
projects planned by PacifiCorp are sufficient to meet its initial emission
reduction requirements. In January 2009, the EPA made a finding that
37 states, including Wyoming, had failed to file a SIP that met some or all
of the basic regional haze program requirements. As a result, Wyoming has two
years from January 2009 to file and obtain the EPA’s approval of a SIP that
meets all of the regional haze program requirements or the state will be subject
to a federal implementation plan administered by the EPA. PacifiCorp believes
that its planned emission reduction projects will satisfy the regional haze
requirements in Utah and Wyoming. It is possible that additional controls may be
required after the respective SIPs have been submitted and approved or that the
timing of installation of planned controls could change.
52
New
Source Review
Under
existing New Source Review (“NSR”) provisions of the Clean Air Act, any facility
that emits regulated pollutants is required to obtain a permit from the EPA or a
state regulatory agency prior to (a) beginning construction of a new major
stationary source of a regulated pollutant or (b) making a physical or
operational change to an existing stationary source of such pollutants that
increases certain levels of emissions, unless the changes are exempt under the
regulations (including routine maintenance, repair and replacement of
equipment). In general, projects subject to NSR regulations require
pre-construction review and permitting under the Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (“PSD”) provisions of the Clean Air Act. Under the PSD program, a
project that emits threshold levels of regulated pollutants must undergo an
analysis to determine the best available control technology and evaluate the
most effective emissions controls after consideration of a number of factors.
Violations of NSR regulations, which may be alleged by the EPA, states,
environmental groups and others, potentially subject a company to material fines
and other sanctions and remedies, including installation of enhanced pollution
controls and funding of supplemental environmental projects.
As part
of an industry-wide investigation to assess compliance with the NSR and PSD
provisions, the EPA has requested information and supporting documentation from
numerous utilities regarding their capital projects for various generating
facilities. A NSR enforcement case against an unrelated utility has been decided
by the United States Supreme Court, holding that an increase in the annual
emissions of a generating facility, when combined with a modification (i.e., a
physical or operational change), may trigger NSR permitting. Between 2001 and
2003, PacifiCorp responded to requests for information relating to their capital
projects at their generating facilities. PacifiCorp has been engaged in periodic
discussions with the EPA over several years regarding PacifiCorp’s historical
projects and their compliance with NSR and PSD provisions. Final resolution has
not been achieved. PacifiCorp cannot predict the outcome of its discussions with
the EPA at this time; however, PacifiCorp could be required to install
additional emissions controls and incur additional costs and penalties in the
event it is determined that PacifiCorp’s historic projects did not meet all
regulatory requirements.
Numerous
changes have been proposed to the NSR rules and regulations over the last
several years. In addition to the proposed changes, differing interpretations by
the EPA and the courts, and the recent change in administration, create risk and
uncertainty for entities when seeking permits for new projects and installing
emission controls at existing facilities under NSR requirements. PacifiCorp
monitors these changes and interpretations to ensure permitting activities are
conducted in accordance with the applicable requirements.
Climate
Change
The
increased global attention to climate change has resulted in significant
measures being proposed at the federal level to regulate GHG emissions. The
United States Congress and federal policy makers, with President Obama’s
support, are considering comprehensive climate change legislation such as the
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (“Waxman-Markey bill”), which
includes a market-based cap-and-trade program that is intended to reduce GHG
emissions 83% below 2005 levels by 2050. In December 2009, the EPA
published its findings that GHG threaten the public health and welfare and is
pursuing regulation of GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act. In early 2010,
legislation and resolutions were introduced in the United States Congress that
would disapprove the findings submitted by the EPA and clarify that the United
States Congress did not intend to regulate GHG emissions under the Clean Air
Act. To date, two bills, one by Representative Early Pomeroy and one by
Representatives Ike Skelton, Collin Peterson and Jo Ann Emerson, have been
introduced in the United States House of Representatives seeking to amend the
Clean Air Act to preclude the EPA from regulating GHG emissions under the Clean
Air Act. In addition, a disapproval resolution has been introduced by Senator
Lisa Murkowski and others in the United States Senate disapproving the EPA’s GHG
endangerment finding. Litigation has also been filed in the D.C. Circuit
challenging the EPA’s GHG endangerment finding, including an action by twelve
members of the United States House of Representatives. An additional 15 lawsuits
have been filed by states, various industry groups, and others, petitioning the
court for review of the endangerment finding.
PacifiCorp
supports the implementation of reasonable emissions caps, but opposes the
trading mechanism as imposing additional costs that do not result in decreased
emissions. PacifiCorp also believes that any law or regulation should provide a
reasonable transition period to allow the phase in of low-carbon generating
technologies that will achieve sustainable and cost-effective GHG emissions
reduction benefits.
53
While the
debate continues at the federal and international level over the direction of
climate change policy, several states have developed or are developing
state-specific laws or regional legislative initiatives to report or mitigate
GHG emissions. In addition, governmental, non-governmental and environmental
organizations have become more active in pursuing litigation under existing
laws.
PacifiCorp
voluntarily reports its GHG emissions to the California Climate Action Registry
and The Climate Registry. In September 2009, the EPA issued its final rule
regarding mandatory reporting of GHG (“GHG Reporting”) beginning January 1,
2010. Under GHG Reporting, suppliers of fossil fuels, manufacturers of vehicles
and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG
are required to submit annual reports to the EPA. PacifiCorp is subject to this
requirement and will submit its first report by March 31,
2011.
PacifiCorp
is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner. Examples of
PacifiCorp’s significant investments in programs and facilities that will
mitigate its GHG emissions include:
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PacifiCorp
is the second largest owner of wind-powered generation capacity in the
United States among rate-regulated utilities. Over the last three years,
PacifiCorp has added 787 MW of owned wind generation capacity at a
total cost of $1.6 billion to its portfolio of generating assets.
PacifiCorp currently owns 921 MW of wind-powered generation capacity,
excluding its 111-MW Dunlap Ranch I wind-powered generating facility that
is currently under construction. Additionally, PacifiCorp has purchase
power agreements with 705 MW of wind-powered generation capacity.
Other renewable resources owned or contracted total an incremental
capacity of 105 MW.
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PacifiCorp
owns 1,158 MW of hydroelectric generation
capacity.
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PacifiCorp’s
Energy Gateway Transmission Expansion Program represents a plan to build
approximately 2,000 miles of new high-voltage transmission lines at a
cost exceeding $6 billion. The plan includes several transmission
line segments that will: (a) address customer load growth;
(b) improve system reliability; (c) reduce transmission system
constraints; (d) provide access to diverse resource areas, including
renewable resources; and (e) improve the flow of electricity
throughout PacifiCorp’s six-state service area and the Western United
States.
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PacifiCorp
has offered customers a comprehensive set of demand-side management
programs for more than 20 years. The programs assist customers to manage
the timing of their usage, as well as to reduce overall energy
consumption, resulting in lower utility
bills.
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The
impact of pending federal, regional, state and international accords,
legislation, regulation, or judicial proceedings related to climate change
cannot be quantified in any meaningful range at this time. New laws, regulations
or rules limiting GHG emissions could have a material adverse impact on
PacifiCorp, the United States and the global economy. Companies and industries
with higher GHG emissions, such as utilities with significant coal-fired
generating facilities, will be subject to more direct impacts and greater
financial and regulatory risks. The impact is dependent on numerous factors,
none of which can be meaningfully quantified at this time. These factors
include, but are not limited to, the magnitude and timing of GHG emissions
reduction requirements; the design of the requirements; the cost, availability
and effectiveness of emission control technology; the price, distribution method
and availability of offsets and allowances used for compliance;
government-imposed compliance costs; and the existence and nature of incremental
cost recovery mechanisms. Examples of how new laws and regulations may impact
PacifiCorp include:
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Additional
costs may be incurred to purchase required emission allowances under the
proposed market-based cap-and-trade system in excess of allocations that
are received at no cost. These purchases would be necessary until new
technologies could be developed and deployed to reduce emissions or lower
carbon generation is available;
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Acquiring
and renewing construction and operating permits for new and existing
facilities may be costly and
difficult;
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Additional
costs may be incurred to purchase and deploy new generating
technologies;
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Costs
may be incurred to retire existing coal facilities before the end of their
otherwise useful lives or to convert them to burn fuels, such as natural
gas or biomass, that result in lower
emissions;
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Operating
costs may be higher and unit outputs may be lower;
and
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Higher
interest and financing costs and reduced access to capital markets may
result to the extent that financial markets view climate change and GHG
emissions as a financial risk.
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54
PacifiCorp
expects it will be allowed to recover the prudently incurred costs to comply
with climate change requirements.
The
impact of events or conditions caused by climate change, whether from natural
processes or human activities, could vary widely, from highly localized to
worldwide, and the extent to which a utility’s operations may be affected is
uncertain. Climate change may cause physical and financial risk through, among
other things, sea level rise, changes in precipitation and extreme weather
events. Consumer demand for energy may increase or decrease, based on overall
changes in weather and as customers promote lower energy consumption through the
continued use of energy efficiency programs or other means. Availability of
resources to generate electricity, such as water for hydroelectric production
and cooling purposes, may also be impacted by climate change and could influence
PacifiCorp’s existing and future electricity generation portfolio. These issues
may have a direct impact on the costs of electricity production and increase the
price customers pay or their demand for electricity.
International
Accords
The
December 2009 Copenhagen Accord called on officials from developed nations to
voluntarily commit to quantified economy-wide emissions targets for 2020 by
January 31, 2010. In January 2010, the Obama administration formally declared
its desire to be associated with the Copenhagen Accord, informing the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of the goal of reducing United
States GHG emissions approximately 17% from 2005 levels by 2020, contingent upon
the enactment of United States energy and climate change legislation. The United
States’ goal is not binding or enforceable absent from further action by the
United States Congress to enact climate change legislation.
Federal
Legislation
In June
2009, the United States House of Representatives passed the Waxman-Markey bill.
In addition to a federal renewable portfolio standard, which would require
utilities to obtain a portion of their energy from certain qualifying renewable
sources and energy efficiency measures, the bill requires a reduction in GHG
emissions beginning in 2012, with emission reduction targets of 3% below 2005
levels by 2012; 17% below 2005 levels by 2020; 42% below 2005 levels by 2030;
and 83% below 2005 levels by 2050 under a cap-and-trade program. In September
2009, a similar bill was introduced in the United States Senate by Senators
Barbara Boxer and John Kerry, which would require a reduction in GHG emissions
beginning in 2012 with emission reduction targets consistent with the
Waxman-Markey bill, with the exception of the 2020 target, which requires 20%
reductions below 2005 levels.
Greenhouse
Gas Tailoring Rule
The EPA
published a proposed GHG “tailoring rule” in October 2009 that would require
sources of GHG emissions in excess of 25,000 tons of CO2 equivalent
to conduct a determination of best available control technology under the PSD
provisions for new and modified sources. In addition, the proposal would require
sources of CO2 equivalent
emissions of 25,000 tons or more to obtain a Title V operating permit or
incorporate GHG emissions into existing sources’ Title V permits when they are
renewed. The EPA is currently working to finalize the rules with an anticipated
effective date for stationary sources beginning in 2011. Until final rules are
issued, PacifiCorp cannot determine the impact on its facilities. Several
organizations have indicated that they intend to challenge the EPA’s final GHG
tailoring rule.
55
Regional
and State Activities
Several
states have developed state-specific laws or regional legislative initiatives to
report or mitigate GHG emissions that are expected to impact PacifiCorp,
including:
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The
Western Climate Initiative, a comprehensive regional effort to reduce GHG
emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020 through a cap-and-trade program
that includes the electricity sector. The Western Climate Initiative
includes the states of California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and
Washington and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba,
Ontario and Quebec. The state and provincial partners have agreed to begin
reporting GHG emissions in 2011 for emissions that occur in 2010. The
first phase of the cap-and-trade program will begin on January 1,
2012.
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An
executive order signed by California’s governor in June 2005 would reduce
GHG emissions in that state to 2000 levels by 2010, to 1990 levels by 2020
and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. In addition, California has adopted
legislation that imposes a GHG emission performance standard to all
electricity generated within the state or delivered from outside the state
that is no higher than the GHG emission levels of a state-of-the-art
combined-cycle natural gas-fired generating facility, as well as
legislation that adopts an economy-wide cap on GHG emissions to 1990
levels by 2020. An effort is currently underway to gather a sufficient
number of signatures to institute a California ballot initiative,
referenced as the “California Jobs Initiative”, which seeks to place
before the voters a requirement to suspend GHG regulations promulgated
under California’s GHG emission reduction legislation (Assembly Bill 32)
until California’s unemployment rate is lowered to
5.5%.
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Over
the past three years, the states of California, Washington and Oregon have
adopted GHG emissions performance standards for base load electrical
generating resources. Under the laws in all three states, the emissions
performance standards provide that emissions must not exceed 1,100 lbs of
CO2 per
MWh. These GHG emissions performance standards generally prohibit electric
utilities from entering into long-term financial commitments (e.g., new
ownership investments, upgrades, or new or renewed contracts with a term
of 5 or more years) unless any base load generation supplied under
long-term financial commitments comply with the GHG emissions performance
standards.
|
|
·
|
The
Washington and Oregon governors enacted legislation in May 2007 and August
2007, respectively, establishing goals for the reduction of GHG emissions
in their respective states. Washington’s goals seek to (a) reduce
emissions to 1990 levels by 2020; (b) reduce emissions to 25% below 1990
levels by 2035; and (c) reduce emissions to 50% below 1990 levels by 2050,
or 70% below Washington’s forecasted emissions in 2050. Oregon’s goals
seek to (a) cease the growth of Oregon GHG emissions by 2010; (b) reduce
GHG levels to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; and (c) reduce GHG levels to
at least 75% below 1990 levels by 2050. Each state’s legislation also
calls for state government to develop policy recommendations in the future
to assist in the monitoring and achievement of these
goals.
|
Greenhouse
Gas Litigation
PacifiCorp
closely monitors ongoing environmental litigation. Many of the pending cases
described below relate to lawsuits against industry that attempt to link GHG
emissions to public or private harm. PacifiCorp believes the cases are without
merit, despite recent decisions where United States Court of Appeals reversed
district court rulings dismissing the cases in 2009. The lower courts initially
refrained from adjudicating the cases under the “political question” doctrine,
because of their inherently political nature. Nevertheless, an adverse ruling in
any of these cases would likely result in increased regulation of GHG emitters,
including PacifiCorp’s generating facilities, and financial
uncertainty.
In
September 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the
“Second Circuit”) issued its opinion in the case of Connecticut v. American Electric
Power, et al, which remanded to the lower court a nuisance action by
eight states and the City of New York against five large utility emitters of
CO2.
The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the
“Southern District of New York”) dismissed the case in 2005, holding that the
claims that GHG emissions from the defendants’ coal-fueled generating facilities
were causing harmful climate change and should be enjoined as a public nuisance
under federal common law presented a “political question” that the court lacked
jurisdiction to decide. The Second Circuit rejected this conclusion and stated
the Southern District of New York was not precluded from determining the case on
its merits.
56
In
October 2009, a three judge panel in the United States Court of Appeals for the
Fifth Circuit (the “Fifth Circuit”) issued its opinion in the case of Ned Comer, et al. v. Murphy Oil USA,
et al., a putative class action lawsuit against insurance, oil, coal and
chemical companies, based on claims that the defendants’ GHG emissions
contributed to global warming that in turn caused a rise in sea levels and added
to the ferocity of Hurricane Katrina, which combined to damage the plaintiff’s
private property, as well as public property. In 2007, the United States
District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (the “Southern District
of Mississippi”) dismissed the case based on the lack of standing and further
held that the claims were barred by the political question doctrine. The Fifth
Circuit reversed the lower court decision and held that the plaintiffs had
standing to assert their public and private nuisance, trespass and negligence
claims, and concluded that the claims did not present a political question. The
case was remanded to the Southern District of Mississippi for further
proceedings with the court noting that it had not determined, and would leave to
the lower court to analyze, whether the alleged chain of causation satisfies the
proximate cause requirement under Mississippi state common law.
In
October 2009, the United States District Court for the Northern District of
California (the “Northern District of California”) granted the defendants’
motions to dismiss in the case of Native Village of Kivalina v.
ExxonMobil Corporation, et al. The plaintiffs filed their complaint in
February 2008, asserting claims against 24 defendants, including electric
generating companies, oil companies and a coal company, for public nuisance
under state and federal common law based on the defendants’ GHG emissions. MEHC
was a named defendant in the Kivalina case. The Northern District of California
dismissed all of the plaintiffs’ federal claims, holding that the court lacked
subject matter jurisdiction to hear the claims under the political question
doctrine, and that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring their claims. The
Northern District of California declined to hear the state law claims and the
case was dismissed with prejudice to their future presentation in an appropriate
state court.
Several
lawsuits have also been filed against governmental agencies, most notably Massachusetts v. EPA. In
April 2007, in Massachusetts v. EPA, the United States Supreme Court found that
GHG are air pollutants and are covered by the Clean Air Act. The United States
Supreme Court decision resulted from a petition for rulemaking filed by more
than a dozen environmental, renewable energy and other organizations. The court
held that the EPA must determine whether or not GHG emissions contribute to air
pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or
welfare, or whether the science is too uncertain to make a reasoned decision. In
December 2009, the EPA determined that GHG emissions in the atmosphere threaten
the public health and welfare of current and future generations and is pursuing
regulation of GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act. Unless superseded by
congressional action, the EPA ruling is likely to lead to stricter emission
limits.
Renewable
Portfolio Standards
The
renewable portfolio standards (“RPS”) described below could significantly impact
PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results. Resources that meet the qualifying
electricity requirements under the RPS vary from state to state. Each state’s
RPS requires some form of compliance reporting and PacifiCorp can be subject to
penalties in the event of noncompliance.
In
November 2006, Washington voters approved a ballot initiative establishing a RPS
requirement for qualifying electric utilities, including PacifiCorp. The
requirements are 3% of retail sales by January 1, 2012 through 2015, 9% of
retail sales by January 1, 2016 through 2019 and 15% of retail sales by
January 1, 2020. The WUTC has adopted final rules to implement the
initiative.
In June
2007, the Oregon Renewable Energy Act (“OREA”) was adopted, providing a
comprehensive renewable energy policy for Oregon. Subject to certain exemptions
and cost limitations established in the OREA, PacifiCorp and other qualifying
electric utilities must meet minimum qualifying electricity requirements for
electricity sold to retail customers of at least 5% in 2011 through 2014, 15% in
2015 through 2019, 20% in 2020 through 2024, and 25% in 2025 and subsequent
years. As required by the OREA, the OPUC has approved an automatic adjustment
clause to allow an electric utility, including PacifiCorp, to recover prudently
incurred costs of its investments in renewable energy generating facilities and
associated transmission costs.
57
California
law requires electric utilities to increase their procurement of renewable
resources by at least 1% of their annual retail electricity sales per year so
that 20% of their annual electricity sales are procured from renewable resources
by no later than December 31, 2010. In May 2008, PacifiCorp and other small
multi-jurisdictional utilities (“SMJU”) received further guidance from the CPUC
on the treatment of SMJUs in the California RPS program. In August 2008,
concurrent with its annual RPS compliance filing, PacifiCorp, joined by another
SMJU, filed a Joint Motion for Review of the decision, including banking of RPS
procurement made while it awaited further guidance from the CPUC on the
treatment of SMJUs during the 2004-2006 period. In May 2009, the CPUC
denied the Joint Motion for Review.
In
September 2009, California’s governor issued Executive Order S-21-09
requiring the California Air Resources Board to adopt a regulation consistent
with a 33% renewable electricity energy target established in Executive Order
S-14-08 by July 31, 2010 that will encourage the creation and use of
renewable energy sources and build on the existing RPS program.
In
March 2008, Utah’s governor signed Utah Senate Bill 202. Among other
things, this law provides that, beginning in the year 2025, 20% of adjusted
retail electric sales of all Utah utilities be supplied by renewable energy, if
it is cost effective. Retail electric sales will be adjusted by deducting the
amount of generation from sources that produce zero or reduced carbon emissions,
and for sales avoided as a result of energy efficiency and demand-side
management programs. Qualifying renewable energy sources can be located anywhere
in the WECC areas, and renewable energy credits can be used.
Water
Quality Standards
The
federal Water Pollution Control Act (“Clean Water Act”) establishes the
framework for maintaining and improving water quality in the United States
through a program that regulates, among other things, discharges to and
withdrawals from waterways. The Clean Water Act requires that cooling water
intake structures reflect the “best technology available for minimizing adverse
environmental impact” to aquatic organisms. In July 2004, the EPA established
significant new technology-based performance standards for existing electric
generating facilities that take in more than 50 million gallons of water
per day. These rules are aimed at minimizing the adverse environmental impacts
of cooling water intake structures by reducing the number of aquatic organisms
lost as a result of water withdrawals. In response to a legal challenge to the
rule, in January 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
(“Second Circuit”) remanded almost all aspects of the rule to the EPA, without
addressing whether companies with cooling water intake structures were required
to comply with these requirements. On appeal from the Second Circuit, in April
2009, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the EPA permissibly relied on a
cost-benefit analysis in setting the national performance standards regarding
“best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact” at
cooling water intake structures and in providing for cost-benefit variances from
those standards as part of the §316(b) Clean Water Act Phase II regulations. The
United States Supreme Court remanded the case back to the Second Circuit to
conduct further proceedings consistent with its opinion. Compliance and the
potential costs of compliance, therefore, cannot be ascertained until such time
as the Second Circuit takes action or further action is taken by the EPA.
Currently, PacifiCorp’s Dave Johnston Plant, which has water cooling towers,
exceeds the 50 million gallons of water per day intake threshold. In the
event that PacifiCorp’s existing intake structures require modification or
alternative technology required by new rules, expenditures to comply with these
requirements could be significant. PacifiCorp believes that it currently has, or
has initiated the process to receive, all required water quality
permits.
58
Coal
Combustion Byproduct Disposal
In
December 2008, an ash impoundment dike at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s
Kingston power plant collapsed after heavy rain, releasing a significant
amount of fly ash and bottom ash, coal combustion byproducts, and water to the
surrounding area. In light of this incident, federal and state officials have
called for greater regulation of coal combustion storage and disposal. The EPA
is currently considering the regulation of coal combustion byproducts under the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and a proposed rule addressing these
materials is imminent. PacifiCorp operates 16 surface impoundments and
6 landfills that contain coal combustion byproducts. These ash impoundments
and landfills may be impacted by additional regulation, particularly if the
materials are regulated as hazardous waste under Subtitle C of the Resource
Conservation Act, and could pose significant additional costs associated with
ash management and disposal activities at PacifiCorp’s coal-fired generating
facilities. The impact of any new regulations on coal combustion byproducts
cannot be determined at this time.
Other
Other
laws, regulations and agencies to which PacifiCorp is subject include, but are
not limited to:
|
·
|
The
federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act and similar state laws may require any current or former owners or
operators of a disposal site, as well as transporters or generators of
hazardous substances sent to such disposal site, to share in environmental
remediation costs. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional
information regarding environmental
contingencies.
|
|
·
|
The
federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and similar
state statutes establish operational, reclamation and closure standards
that must be met during and upon completion of mining activities. Refer to
Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8
of this Form 10-K for additional information regarding mine
reclamation obligations.
|
|
·
|
The
FERC oversees the relicensing of existing hydroelectric systems and is
also responsible for the oversight and issuance of licenses for new
construction of hydroelectric systems, dam safety inspections and
environmental monitoring. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional
information regarding the relicensing of certain of PacifiCorp’s existing
hydroelectric facilities.
|
Credit
Ratings
PacifiCorp’s
senior secured and senior unsecured credit ratings are as follows:
Fitch
|
Moody’s
|
Standard
& Poor’s
|
|||
Senior secured debt
|
A-
|
A2
|
A
|
||
Senior unsecured debt
|
BBB+
|
Baa1
|
A-
|
||
Outlook
|
Stable
|
Stable
|
Stable
|
Debt and
preferred securities of PacifiCorp are rated by the credit rating agencies.
Assigned credit ratings are based on each rating agency’s assessment of
PacifiCorp’s ability to, in general, meet the obligations of its issued debt.
The credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and
there is no assurance that a particular credit rating will continue for any
given period of time.
PacifiCorp
has no credit rating-downgrade triggers that would accelerate the maturity dates
of outstanding debt and a change in ratings is not an event of default under the
applicable debt instruments. PacifiCorp’s unsecured revolving credit facilities
do not require the maintenance of a minimum credit rating level in order to draw
upon their availability. However, commitment fees and interest rates under the
credit facilities are tied to credit ratings and increase or decrease when the
ratings change. A ratings downgrade could also increase the future cost of
commercial paper, short- and long-term debt issuances or new credit facilities.
Certain authorizations or exemptions by regulatory commissions for the issuance
of securities are valid as long as PacifiCorp maintains investment grade ratings
on senior secured debt. A downgrade below that level would necessitate new
regulatory applications and approvals.
59
In
accordance with industry practice, certain agreements, including derivative
contracts, contain provisions that require PacifiCorp to maintain specific
credit ratings on its unsecured debt from one or more of the major credit rating
agencies. These agreements, including derivative contracts, may either
specifically provide bilateral rights to demand cash or other security if credit
exposures on a net basis exceed specified rating-dependent threshold levels
(“credit-risk-related contingent features”) or provide the right for
counterparties to demand “adequate assurance” in the event of a material adverse
change in PacifiCorp’s creditworthiness. These rights can vary by contract and
by counterparty. As of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s credit ratings from
the three recognized credit rating agencies were investment grade. If all
credit-risk-related contingent features or adequate assurance provisions for
these agreements, including derivative contracts, had been triggered as of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp would have been required to post
$310 million of additional collateral. PacifiCorp’s collateral requirements
could fluctuate considerably due to market price volatility, changes in credit
ratings or other factors. Refer to Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a
discussion of PacifiCorp’s collateral requirements specific to PacifiCorp’s
derivative contracts.
Limitations
In
addition to PacifiCorp’s capital structure objectives, its debt capacity is also
governed by its contractual and regulatory commitments.
PacifiCorp’s
revolving credit and other financing agreements contain customary covenants and
default provisions, including a covenant not to exceed a specified
debt-to-capitalization ratio of 0.65 to 1.0. Management believes that
PacifiCorp could have borrowed an additional $6.0 billion as of
December 31, 2009 without exceeding this threshold. Any additional
borrowings would be subject to market conditions and amounts may be further
limited by regulatory authorizations or by covenants and tests contained in
other financing agreements.
The state
regulatory orders that authorized the acquisition by MEHC contain restrictions
on PacifiCorp’s ability to pay common dividends to the extent that they would
reduce PacifiCorp’s common stock equity below specified percentages of defined
capitalization.
As of
December 31, 2009, the most restrictive of these commitments prohibits
PacifiCorp from making any distribution to MEHC or PPW Holdings LLC
(PacifiCorp’s direct parent company and a direct subsidiary of MEHC) without
prior state regulatory approval to the extent that it would reduce PacifiCorp’s
common stock equity below 47.25% of its total capitalization, excluding
short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt. This minimum level of
common equity declines to 46.25% for the year ending December 31, 2010,
45.25% for the year ending December 31, 2011 and 44% thereafter. The terms of this commitment treat 50% of
PacifiCorp’s remaining balance of preferred stock in existence prior to the
acquisition of PacifiCorp by MEHC as common equity. As of December 31,
2009, PacifiCorp’s actual common stock equity percentage, as calculated under
this measure, was 51%, and PacifiCorp was permitted to dividend
$928 million under this commitment.
These
commitments also restrict PacifiCorp from making any distributions to either
PPW Holdings LLC or MEHC if PacifiCorp’s unsecured debt is rated BBB-
or lower by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Fitch Ratings or
Baa3 or lower by Moody’s Investor Service, as indicated by two of the three
rating services. As of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s unsecured debt was
rated A- by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, BBB+ by
Fitch Ratings and Baa1 by Moody’s Investor Service.
Inflation
Historically,
overall inflation and changing prices in the economies where PacifiCorp operates
have not had a significant impact on PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial
results. PacifiCorp operates under a cost-of-service based rate structure
administered by various state commissions and the FERC. Under these rate
structures, PacifiCorp is allowed to include prudent costs in its rates,
including the impact of inflation. PacifiCorp attempts to minimize the potential
impact of inflation on its operations by employing prudent risk management and
hedging strategies and by considering, among other areas, its impact on
purchases of energy, operating expenses, materials and equipment costs, contract
negotiations, future capital spending programs and long-term debt issuances.
There can be no assurance that such actions will be successful.
60
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
PacifiCorp
from time to time enters into arrangements in the normal course of business to
facilitate commercial transactions with third parties that involve guarantees or
similar arrangements. PacifiCorp currently has indemnification obligations for
breaches of warranties or covenants in connection with the sale of certain
assets. In addition, PacifiCorp evaluates potential obligations that arise out
of variable interests in unconsolidated entities, determined in accordance with
authoritative accounting guidance. PacifiCorp believes that the likelihood that
it would be required to perform or otherwise incur any significant losses
associated with any of these obligations is remote. Refer to Notes 10
and 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this
Form 10-K for more information on these obligations and
arrangements.
New
Accounting Pronouncements
For a
discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting PacifiCorp, refer to
Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this
Form 10-K.
Critical
Accounting Estimates
Certain
accounting measurements require management to make estimates and judgments
concerning transactions that will be settled several years in the future.
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Financial Statements based on such
estimates involve numerous assumptions subject to varying and potentially
significant degrees of judgment and uncertainty. Accordingly, the amounts
currently reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements will likely change
in the future as additional information becomes available. The following
critical accounting estimates are impacted significantly by PacifiCorp’s
methods, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated
Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with PacifiCorp’s Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies included in Note 2 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Accounting
for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation
PacifiCorp
prepares its financial statements in accordance with authoritative guidance for
regulated operations, which recognizes the economic effects of regulation.
Accordingly, PacifiCorp is required to defer the recognition of certain costs or
income if it is probable that, through the ratemaking process, there will be a
corresponding increase or decrease in future regulated rates.
PacifiCorp
continually evaluates the applicability of the guidance for regulated operations
and assesses whether its regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of
future inclusion in regulated rates by considering factors such as a change in
the regulator’s approach to setting rates from cost-based ratemaking to another
form of regulation, other regulatory actions or the impact of competition, which
could limit PacifiCorp’s ability to recover its costs. Based upon this
continuous assessment, PacifiCorp believes the application of the guidance for
regulated operations is appropriate and its existing regulatory assets and
liabilities are probable of inclusion in regulated rates. The assessment
reflects the current political and regulatory climate at both the state and
federal levels and is subject to change in the future. If it becomes no longer
probable that these costs or income will be included in regulated rates, the
related regulatory assets and liabilities will be written off to operating
income, refunded to customers or reflected as an adjustment to future regulated
rates. Total regulatory assets were $1.539 billion and total regulatory
liabilities were $838 million as of December 31, 2009. Refer to
Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this
Form 10-K for additional information regarding PacifiCorp’s regulatory
assets and liabilities.
61
Derivatives
PacifiCorp
is exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in commodity prices and interest
rates. Exposures to commodity prices consist mainly of variations in the price
of fuel to generate electricity and wholesale electricity that is purchased or
sold. Electricity and natural gas prices are subject to wide price swings as
supply and demand for these commodities are impacted by, among many other
unpredictable items, changing weather, market liquidity, generating facility
availability, customer usage, storage and transmission and transportation
constraints. Interest rate risk exists on variable-rate debt, commercial paper
and future debt issuances. PacifiCorp has established a risk management process
that is designed to identify, assess, monitor, report, manage and mitigate each
of the various types of risk involved in its business. PacifiCorp may employ a
number of different derivative contracts, including forwards, futures, options,
swaps and other agreements, to manage price risk for electricity and other
commodities and interest rate risk. PacifiCorp does not hedge all of its
commodity price and interest rate risks, thereby exposing the unhedged portion
to changes in market prices.
Measurement
Principles
Derivative
contracts are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or
liabilities and are stated at fair value unless they are designated as normal
purchases and normal sales and qualify for the exception afforded by accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. When available,
the fair value of derivative contracts is determined using unadjusted quoted
prices for identical contracts on the applicable exchange in which PacifiCorp
transacts. When quoted prices for identical contracts are not available,
PacifiCorp uses forward price curves. Forward price curves represent
PacifiCorp’s estimates of the prices at which a buyer or seller could contract
today for delivery or settlement at future dates. PacifiCorp bases its forward
price curves upon market price quotations, when available, or internally
developed and commercial models, with internal and external fundamental data
inputs. Market price quotations are obtained from independent energy brokers,
exchanges, direct communication with market participants and actual transactions
executed by PacifiCorp. Market price quotations for certain major electricity
and natural gas trading hubs are generally readily obtainable for the first six
years; therefore, PacifiCorp’s forward price curves for those locations and
periods reflect observable market quotes. Market price quotations for other
electricity and natural gas trading hubs are not as readily obtainable for the
first six years. Given that limited market data exists for these contracts, as
well as for those contracts that are not actively traded, PacifiCorp uses
forward price curves derived from internal models based on perceived pricing
relationships to major trading hubs that are based on significant unobservable
inputs. The fair value of these derivative contracts is a function of underlying
forward commodity prices, interest rates, currency rates, related volatility,
counterparty creditworthiness and duration of contracts. The assumptions used in
these models are critical, since any changes in assumptions could have a
significant impact on the fair value of the contracts.
Contracts
with explicit or embedded optionality are valued by separating each contract
into its physical and financial forward, swap and option components. Forward and
swap components are valued against the appropriate forward price curve. Option
components are valued using Black-Scholes-type models, such as European option,
Asian option, spread option and best-of option, with the appropriate forward
price curve and other inputs.
Classification
and Recognition Methodology
Almost
all of PacifiCorp’s derivative contracts are probable of inclusion in regulated
rates or are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Therefore, changes in the fair
value of derivative contracts are generally recorded as net regulatory assets or
liabilities or accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”).
Accordingly, amounts are generally not recognized in earnings until the
contracts are settled and the forecasted transaction has occurred. As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had $367 million recorded as net
regulatory assets and $- million recorded as AOCI, before tax, related to
derivative contracts on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If it becomes no longer
probable that a derivative will be included in regulated rates, the regulatory
asset or liability will be written off and recognized in earnings. For
PacifiCorp’s derivatives designated as hedging contracts, PacifiCorp
discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it has determined that a
derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, or when it is no longer
probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur. When hedge
accounting is discontinued because the derivative no longer qualifies as an
effective hedge, future changes in the value of the derivative are charged to
earnings. Gains and losses related to discontinued hedges that were previously
recorded in AOCI will remain in AOCI until the contract settles and the hedged
item is recognized in earnings, unless it becomes probable that the hedged
forecasted transaction will not occur, at which time associated deferred amounts
in AOCI are immediately recognized in earnings.
62
Pension
and Other Postretirement Benefits
PacifiCorp
sponsors defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans that
cover the majority of its employees. In addition, certain bargaining unit
employees participate in joint trust plans to which PacifiCorp contributes.
PacifiCorp recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension and other
postretirement benefit plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Funded status
is the fair value of plan assets minus the benefit obligation as of the
measurement date. As of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp recognized a net
liability totaling $569 million for the under-funded status of its defined
benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. As of December 31,
2009, amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost and
that were included in regulatory assets totaled $599 million and AOCI
totaled $9 million.
The
expense and benefit obligations relating to these defined benefit pension and
other postretirement benefit plans are based on actuarial valuations. Inherent
in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates, expected
long-term rate of return on plan assets and healthcare cost trend rates. These
actuarial assumptions are reviewed annually and modified as appropriate.
PacifiCorp believes that the assumptions utilized in recording obligations under
the plans are reasonable based on prior experience and current market
conditions. Refer to Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for disclosures about PacifiCorp’s defined
benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans, including the key
assumptions used to calculate the funded status and net periodic benefit cost
for these plans as of and for the year ended December 31,
2009.
PacifiCorp
chooses a discount rate based upon high quality fixed-income investment yields
in effect as of the measurement date that corresponds to the expected benefit
period. The pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities, as well as
expenses, increase as the discount rate is reduced.
In
establishing its assumption as to the expected long-term rate of return on plan
assets, PacifiCorp reviews the expected asset allocation and develops return
assumptions for each asset class based on historical performance and
forward-looking views of the financial markets. Pension and other postretirement
benefit expenses increase as the expected long-term rate of return on plan
assets decreases. PacifiCorp regularly reviews its actual asset allocations and
periodically rebalances its investments to its targeted allocations when
considered appropriate.
PacifiCorp
chooses a healthcare cost trend rate that reflects the near and long-term
expectations of increases in medical costs and corresponds to the expected
benefit payment periods. The healthcare cost trend rate gradually declines to 5%
in 2016, at which point the rate is assumed to remain constant. Refer to
Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of
this Form 10-K for healthcare cost trend rate sensitivity
disclosures.
The
actuarial assumptions used may differ materially from period to period due to
changing market and economic conditions. These differences may result in a
significant impact to the amount of pension and other postretirement benefit
expense recorded and the funded status. If changes were to occur for the
following assumptions, the approximate effect on the Consolidated Financial
Statements would be as follows (in millions):
Other
Postretirement
|
||||||||||||||||
Pension
Plans
|
Benefit
Plan
|
|||||||||||||||
+0.5% | -0.5% | +0.5% | -0.5% | |||||||||||||
Effect
on December 31, 2009 Benefit Obligations:
|
||||||||||||||||
Discount
rate
|
$ | (63 | ) | $ | 69 | $ | (30 | ) | $ | 34 | ||||||
Effect
on 2009 Periodic Cost:
|
||||||||||||||||
Discount
rate
|
$ | (4 | ) | $ | 4 | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||
Expected
rate of return on plan assets
|
(5 | ) | 5 | (2 | ) | 2 |
A variety
of factors affect the funded status of the plans, including asset returns,
discount rates, plan changes and the plan funding practices of PacifiCorp.
Federal laws may require PacifiCorp to increase future contributions to its
pension plans and there may be more volatility in annual contributions than
historically experienced, which could have a material impact on consolidated
financial results.
63
Income
Taxes
In
determining PacifiCorp’s income taxes, management is required to interpret
complex tax laws and regulations, which includes consideration of regulatory
implications imposed by PacifiCorp’s various regulatory jurisdictions. In
preparing tax returns, PacifiCorp is subject to continuous examinations by
federal, state and local tax authorities that may give rise to different
interpretations of these complex laws and regulations. Due to the nature of the
examination process, it generally takes years before these examinations are
completed and these matters are resolved. Although the ultimate resolution of
PacifiCorp’s federal, state and local tax examinations is uncertain, PacifiCorp
believes it has made adequate provisions for these tax positions. The aggregate
amount of any additional tax liabilities that may result from these
examinations, if any, is not expected to have a material adverse impact on
PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results. Assets and liabilities are
established for uncertain tax positions taken or positions expected to be taken
in income tax returns when such positions are judged to not meet the
“more-likely-than-not” threshold based on the technical merits of the
position.
PacifiCorp
is required to pass income tax benefits related to certain property-related
basis differences and other various differences on to its customers in most
state jurisdictions. These amounts were recognized as a net regulatory asset
totaling $401 million as of December 31, 2009 and will be included in
regulated rates when the temporary differences reverse. Management believes the
existing net regulatory assets are probable of inclusion in regulated rates. If
it becomes no longer probable that these costs will be included in regulated
rates, the related regulatory asset will be written off to operating
income.
Revenue
Recognition – Unbilled Revenue
Unbilled
revenue was $214 million as of December 31, 2009. Revenue is
recognized as electricity is delivered or services are provided. The
determination of customer billings is based on a systematic reading of meters.
At the end of each month, amounts of energy provided to customers since the date
of the last meter reading are estimated, and the corresponding unbilled revenue
is recorded. Factors that can impact the estimate of unbilled energy include,
but are not limited to, seasonal weather patterns compared to normal, total
volumes supplied to the system, line losses, economic impacts and composition of
customer classes. Estimates are generally reversed in the following month and
actual revenue is recorded based on subsequent meter readings. Historically, any
differences between the actual and estimated amounts have been
immaterial.
64
Item 7A.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk
|
PacifiCorp’s
Consolidated Balance Sheets include assets and liabilities with fair values that
are subject to market risks. PacifiCorp’s significant market risks are primarily
associated with commodity prices and interest rates. The following sections
address the significant market risks associated with PacifiCorp’s business
activities. PacifiCorp has also established guidelines for credit risk
management. Refer to Notes 2, 6 and 7 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional
information regarding PacifiCorp’s accounting for derivative
contracts.
Risk
Management
PacifiCorp
has a risk management committee that is responsible for the oversight of market
and credit risk relating to the commodity transactions of PacifiCorp. To limit
PacifiCorp’s exposure to market and credit risk, the risk management committee
recommends, and executive management establishes, policies, limits and commodity
strategies, which are reviewed frequently to respond to changing market
conditions.
Risk is
an inherent part of PacifiCorp’s business and activities. PacifiCorp has
established a risk management process that is designed to identify, assess,
monitor, report, manage and mitigate each of the various types of risk involved
in PacifiCorp’s business. To assist in managing the volatility relating to these
exposures, PacifiCorp enters into various transactions, including derivative
transactions, consistent with PacifiCorp’s risk management policy and
procedures. The risk management policy governs energy transactions and is
designed for hedging PacifiCorp’s existing energy and asset exposures, and to a
limited extent, the policy permits arbitrage and trading activities to take
advantage of market inefficiencies. The policy also governs the types of
transactions authorized for use and establishes guidelines for credit risk
management and management information systems required to effectively monitor
such derivative use. PacifiCorp’s risk management policy provides for the use of
only those contracts that have a similar volume or price relationship to its
portfolio of assets, liabilities or anticipated transactions, thereby ensuring
that such contracts will be primarily used for hedging. PacifiCorp does not
engage in a material amount of proprietary trading activities.
Commodity
Price Risk
PacifiCorp
is principally exposed to electricity and natural gas commodity price risk as
PacifiCorp has an obligation to serve retail customer load in its service
territory. PacifiCorp’s load and generation assets represent substantial
underlying commodity positions. Exposures to commodity prices consist mainly of
variations in the price of fuel to generate electricity and wholesale
electricity that is purchased and sold. Electricity and natural gas prices are
subject to wide price swings as supply and demand for these commodities are
impacted by, among many other unpredictable items, changing weather, market
liquidity, generating facility availability, customer usage and storage,
transmission and transportation constraints. To mitigate a portion of its
commodity price risk, PacifiCorp uses commodity contracts, which may be
derivatives, including forwards, futures, options, swaps and other agreements,
to effectively secure future supply or sell future production generally at fixed
prices. PacifiCorp does not hedge all of its commodity price risk, thereby
exposing the unhedged portion to changes in market prices. The settled cost of
these contracts is generally included in regulated rates. PacifiCorp’s energy
purchase and sales activities are governed by PacifiCorp’s risk management
policy and the risk levels established as part of that policy. Forward contracts
are used to economically hedge both committed and forecasted energy purchases
and sales. Accordingly, the net unrealized gains and losses on those forward
contracts that are accounted for as derivatives, and that are probable of
inclusion in regulated rates, are recorded as net regulatory assets or
liabilities. Consolidated financial results may be negatively impacted if the
costs of wholesale electricity and fuel are higher than what is permitted to be
included in regulated rates.
65
PacifiCorp
measures the market risk in its electricity and natural gas portfolio daily,
utilizing a historical Value-at-Risk (“VaR”) approach and other
measurements of net position. PacifiCorp also monitors its portfolio exposure to
market risk in comparison to established thresholds and measures its open
positions subject to price risk in terms of quantity at each delivery location
for each forward time period. VaR computations for the electricity and natural
gas commodity portfolio are based on a historical simulation technique,
utilizing historical price changes over a specified (holding) period to simulate
potential forward energy market price curve movements to estimate the potential
unfavorable impact of such price changes on the portfolio positions. The
quantification of market risk using VaR provides a consistent measure of risk
across PacifiCorp’s continually changing portfolio. VaR represents an estimate
of possible changes at a given level of confidence in fair value that would be
measured on its portfolio assuming hypothetical movements in forward market
prices and is not necessarily indicative of actual results that may
occur.
PacifiCorp’s
VaR computations utilize several key assumptions. The calculation includes
short-term commodity contracts, the expected resource and demand obligations
from PacifiCorp’s long-term contracts, the expected generation levels from
PacifiCorp’s generation assets and the expected retail and wholesale load
levels. The portfolio reflects flexibility contained in contracts and assets,
which accommodate the normal variability in PacifiCorp’s demand obligations and
generation availability. These contracts and assets are valued to reflect the
variability PacifiCorp experiences as a load-serving entity. Contracts or assets
that contain flexible elements are often referred to as having embedded options
or option characteristics. These options provide for energy volume changes that
are sensitive to market price changes. Therefore, changes in the option values
affect the energy position of the portfolio with respect to market prices, and
this effect is calculated daily. When measuring portfolio exposure through VaR,
these position changes that result from the option sensitivity are held constant
through the historical simulation. PacifiCorp’s VaR methodology is based on a
48-month forward position, 95% confidence interval and one-day holding
period.
As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s estimated potential one-day unfavorable
impact on fair value of the electricity and natural gas commodity portfolio over
the next 48 months was $22 million, as measured by the VaR
computations described above, compared to $12 million as of
December 31, 2008. The minimum, average and maximum daily VaR (one-day
holding periods) were as follows for the years ended December 31
(in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Minimum
VaR (measured)
|
$ | 11 | $ | 9 | $ | 7 | ||||||
Average
VaR (calculated)
|
18 | 14 | 12 | |||||||||
Maximum
VaR (measured)
|
23 | 23 | 20 |
PacifiCorp
maintained compliance with its VaR limit procedures during the year ended
December 31, 2009. Changes in markets inconsistent with historical trends
or assumptions used could cause actual results to exceed predicted
limits.
66
Fair
Value of Derivatives
The
following table shows summarized information with respect to valuation
techniques and contractual maturities of PacifiCorp’s energy-related contracts
qualifying as derivatives as of December 31, 2009
(in millions):
Fair
Value of Contracts at Period-End
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Maturity
|
Maturity in
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||
Less Than
|
Maturity
|
Maturity
|
Excess of
|
Fair
|
||||||||||||||||
1 Year
|
1-3 Years
|
4-5 Years
|
5 Years
|
Value
|
||||||||||||||||
Non-trading
(1):
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Values
based on quoted market prices from third-party sources
|
$ | 68 | $ | (28 | ) | $ | (8 | ) | $ | - | $ | 32 | ||||||||
Values
based on models and other valuation methods
|
(45 | ) | (93 | ) | (98 | ) | (140 | ) | (376 | ) | ||||||||||
Total
non-trading
|
$ | 23 | $ | (121 | ) | $ | (106 | ) | $ | (140 | ) | $ | (344 | ) | ||||||
Net
regulatory asset (liability)
|
$ | (30 | ) | $ | 151 | $ | 106 | $ | 140 | $ | 367 |
(1)
|
Net
derivative assets (liabilities) include a net cash collateral receivable
of $25 million.
|
Standardized
derivative contracts that are valued using market quotations are classified as
“values based on quoted market prices from third-party sources.” All remaining
contracts, which include non-standard contracts and contracts for which market
prices are not routinely quoted, are classified as “values based on models and
other valuation methods.” Both classifications utilize market curves as
appropriate. PacifiCorp’s valuation models are updated daily to reflect current
market information, and evaluations and refinements of model assumptions are
performed on a periodic basis.
The table
that follows summarizes PacifiCorp’s commodity risk on energy derivative
contracts, excluding collateral netting of $25 million and $82 million, as of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and shows the effects of a
hypothetical 10% increase and a 10% decrease in forward market prices by the
expected volumes for these contracts as of that date. The selected hypothetical
change does not reflect what could be considered the best or worst case
scenarios (dollars in millions).
Fair Value –
Asset (Liability)
|
Hypothetical
Price Change
|
Estimated
Fair Value after Hypothetical Change in Price
|
|||||||
As
of December 31, 2009
|
$ | (369 | ) |
10%
increase
|
$ | (362 | ) | ||
10%
decrease
|
(376 | ) | |||||||
As
of December 31, 2008
|
$ | (442 | ) |
10%
increase
|
$ | (415 | ) | ||
10%
decrease
|
(469 | ) |
67
Interest
Rate Risk
The
following table summarizes PacifiCorp’s fixed-rate long-term debt and the
estimated total fair values which would result from hypothetical increases or
decreases in interest rates in effect as of December 31. Because of their
fixed interest rates, these instruments do not expose PacifiCorp to the risk of
earnings loss due to changes in market interest rates. In general, such
increases and decreases in fair value would impact earnings and cash flows only
if PacifiCorp were to reacquire all or a portion of these instruments prior to
their maturity. It is assumed that the changes occur immediately and uniformly
to each debt instrument. The hypothetical changes in market interest rates do
not reflect what could be deemed best or worst case scenarios. For these
reasons, actual results might differ from those reflected in the table (dollars
in millions).
Estimated
Fair Value after Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates
|
||||||||||||||||
(bp
= basis points)
|
||||||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Fair
|
100 bp | 100 bp | |||||||||||||
Value
|
Value
|
decrease
|
increase
|
|||||||||||||
As
of December 31, 2009
|
$ | 5,702 | $ | 6,188 | $ | 6,868 | $ | 5,614 | ||||||||
As
of December 31, 2008
|
$ | 4,848 | $ | 5,114 | $ | 5,658 | $ | 4,648 |
As of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, PacifiCorp had $655 million of
variable-rate long-term tax exempt bond obligations. Currently,
$113 million of these bonds have fixed term interest rates, with
$45 million having interest rates scheduled to reset in 2010 and an
additional $68 million scheduled to reset in 2013. As of December 31,
2009, PacifiCorp had no short-term debt outstanding. As of December 31,
2008, PacifiCorp had variable-rate short-term debt totaling $85 million.
These variable-rate obligations expose PacifiCorp to the risk of increased
interest expense in the event of increases in short-term interest rates. This
market risk is not hedged; however, if the variable interest rates were to
increase by 10% from December 31 levels, it would not have a material
effect on PacifiCorp’s consolidated annual interest expense in either year. The
carrying amount of variable-rate long-term obligations approximates fair
value.
Credit
Risk
PacifiCorp
extends unsecured credit to other utilities, energy marketers, financial
institutions and other market participants in conjunction with wholesale energy
supply and marketing activities. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss that
might occur as a result of nonperformance by counterparties on their contractual
obligations to make or take delivery of electricity, natural gas or other
commodities and to make financial settlements of these obligations. Credit risk
may be concentrated to the extent that one or more groups of counterparties have
similar economic, industry or other characteristics that would cause their
ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in
market or other conditions. In addition, credit risk includes not only the risk
that a counterparty may default due to circumstances relating directly to it,
but also the risk that a counterparty may default due to circumstances involving
other market participants that have a direct or indirect relationship with the
counterparty.
PacifiCorp
analyzes the financial condition of each significant wholesale counterparty
before entering into any transactions, establishes limits on the amount of
unsecured credit to be extended to each counterparty and evaluates the
appropriateness of unsecured credit limits on an ongoing basis. To mitigate
exposure to the financial risks of wholesale counterparties, PacifiCorp enters
into netting and collateral arrangements that may include margining and
cross-product netting agreements and obtaining third-party guarantees, letters
of credit and cash deposits. Counterparties may be assessed interest fees for
delayed payments. If required, PacifiCorp exercises rights under these
arrangements, including calling on the counterparty’s credit support
arrangement.
68
As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s aggregate credit exposure from wholesale
activities totaled $846 million, based on settlement and mark-to-market
exposures, net of collateral. As of December 31, 2009, $660 million,
or 78%, of PacifiCorp’s credit exposure was with counterparties having
investment grade credit ratings by either Moody’s Investor Service or Standard
& Poor’s Rating Services. As of December 31, 2009, $4 million, or
less than 1%, of such credit exposure was with counterparties having externally
rated “non-investment grade” credit ratings, while an additional
$182 million, or 22%, was with counterparties having financial
characteristics deemed equivalent to “non-investment grade” by PacifiCorp based
on internal review. As of December 31, 2009, two counterparties comprised
$351 million, or 41%, of the aggregate credit exposure. One counterparty is
rated investment grade by Moody’s Investor Service and Standard & Poor’s
Rating Services and PacifiCorp is not aware of any factors that would likely
result in a downgrade of the counterparty’s credit ratings to below investment
grade over the remaining term of transactions outstanding as of
December 31, 2009. The other counterparty has a non-investment grade credit
rating based on internal review as of December 31, 2009.
69
Item 8.
|
Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data
|
70
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Board of Directors and Shareholders
PacifiCorp
Portland,
Oregon
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PacifiCorp and
subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, changes in equity and
comprehensive income for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over
financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of PacifiCorp and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
/s/Deloitte
& Touche LLP
Portland,
Oregon
March 1,
2010
71
PACIFICORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts
in millions)
As
of December 31,
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Current
assets:
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 117 | $ | 59 | ||||
Accounts
receivable, net
|
619 | 609 | ||||||
Income
taxes receivable from affiliates
|
249 | 43 | ||||||
Inventories:
|
||||||||
Materials
and supplies
|
192 | 184 | ||||||
Fuel
|
187 | 155 | ||||||
Derivative
contracts
|
108 | 174 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
39 | 74 | ||||||
Other
current assets
|
61 | 78 | ||||||
Total
current assets
|
1,572 | 1,376 | ||||||
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
15,537 | 13,824 | ||||||
Regulatory
assets
|
1,539 | 1,624 | ||||||
Derivative
contracts
|
43 | 86 | ||||||
Investments
and other assets
|
275 | 257 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 18,966 | $ | 17,167 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
72
PACIFICORP
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(Amounts
in millions)
As
of December 31,
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES
AND EQUITY
|
||||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$ | 553 | $ | 757 | ||||
Accrued
employee expenses
|
76 | 77 | ||||||
Accrued
interest
|
111 | 89 | ||||||
Accrued
taxes
|
67 | 73 | ||||||
Derivative
contracts
|
85 | 130 | ||||||
Short-term
debt
|
- | 85 | ||||||
Current
portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
|
16 | 144 | ||||||
Other
current liabilities
|
105 | 111 | ||||||
Total
current liabilities
|
1,013 | 1,466 | ||||||
Regulatory
liabilities
|
838 | 821 | ||||||
Derivative
contracts
|
410 | 490 | ||||||
Long-term
debt and capital lease obligations
|
6,400 | 5,424 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
2,625 | 2,025 | ||||||
Other
long-term liabilities
|
948 | 874 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
12,234 | 11,100 | ||||||
Commitments
and contingencies (Note 13)
|
||||||||
Equity:
|
||||||||
PacifiCorp
shareholders’ equity:
|
||||||||
Preferred
stock
|
41 | 41 | ||||||
Common
equity:
|
||||||||
Common
stock – 750 shares authorized, no par value,
357 shares issued and outstanding
|
- | - | ||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
4,379 | 4,254 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
2,234 | 1,694 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss, net
|
(6 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||
Total
common equity
|
6,607 | 5,946 | ||||||
Total
PacifiCorp shareholders’ equity
|
6,648 | 5,987 | ||||||
Noncontrolling
interest
|
84 | 80 | ||||||
Total
equity
|
6,732 | 6,067 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and equity
|
$ | 18,966 | $ | 17,167 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
73
PACIFICORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts
in millions)
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Operating
revenue
|
$ | 4,457 | $ | 4,498 | $ | 4,258 | ||||||
Operating
costs and expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Energy
costs
|
1,677 | 1,957 | 1,768 | |||||||||
Operations
and maintenance
|
1,035 | 985 | 998 | |||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
549 | 490 | 497 | |||||||||
Taxes,
other than income taxes
|
136 | 112 | 101 | |||||||||
Total
operating costs and expenses
|
3,397 | 3,544 | 3,364 | |||||||||
Operating
income
|
1,060 | 954 | 894 | |||||||||
Other
income (expense):
|
||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
(394 | ) | (343 | ) | (314 | ) | ||||||
Allowance
for borrowed funds
|
35 | 34 | 29 | |||||||||
Allowance
for equity funds
|
64 | 47 | 41 | |||||||||
Interest
income
|
19 | 11 | 15 | |||||||||
Total
other income (expense)
|
(276 | ) | (251 | ) | (229 | ) | ||||||
Income
before income tax expense
|
784 | 703 | 665 | |||||||||
Income
tax expense
|
234 | 238 | 220 | |||||||||
Net
income
|
550 | 465 | 445 | |||||||||
Net
income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
8 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||
Net
income attributable to PacifiCorp
|
$ | 542 | $ | 458 | $ | 439 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
74
PACIFICORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts
in millions)
Years Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 550 | $ | 465 | $ | 445 | ||||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating
activities:
|
||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
549 | 490 | 497 | |||||||||
Provision
for deferred income taxes
|
645 | 308 | 39 | |||||||||
Changes
in regulatory assets and liabilities
|
5 | (37 | ) | (45 | ) | |||||||
Other, net
|
(32 | ) | (10 | ) | 3 | |||||||
Changes
in other operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from
acquisition:
|
||||||||||||
Accounts
receivable and other assets
|
(5 | ) | 3 | (81 | ) | |||||||
Derivative
collateral, net
|
57 | (82 | ) | - | ||||||||
Inventories
|
(39 | ) | (52 | ) | (48 | ) | ||||||
Income
taxes – affiliates, net
|
(206 | ) | (20 | ) | 21 | |||||||
Accounts
payable and other liabilities
|
(24 | ) | (73 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||||
Net
cash flows from operating activities
|
1,500 | 992 | 824 | |||||||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
(2,328 | ) | (1,789 | ) | (1,519 | ) | ||||||
Acquisition,
net of cash acquired
|
- | (308 | ) | - | ||||||||
Purchases
of available-for-sale securities
|
(21 | ) | (52 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds
from sales of available-for-sale securities
|
36 | 67 | 30 | |||||||||
Other,
net
|
5 | 6 | 17 | |||||||||
Net
cash flows from investing activities
|
(2,308 | ) | (2,076 | ) | (1,497 | ) | ||||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Net
(repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt
|
(85 | ) | 85 | (397 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds
from long-term debt
|
992 | 797 | 1,193 | |||||||||
Proceeds
from previously reacquired long-term debt
|
- | 216 | - | |||||||||
Proceeds
from equity contributions
|
125 | 450 | 200 | |||||||||
Preferred
stock dividends paid
|
(2 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||
Reacquired
long-term debt
|
- | (216 | ) | - | ||||||||
Repayments
and redemptions of long-term debt and capital lease
obligations
|
(144 | ) | (413 | ) | (127 | ) | ||||||
Redemptions
of preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption
|
- | - | (38 | ) | ||||||||
Other, net
|
(20 | ) | (2 | ) | 13 | |||||||
Net
cash flows from financing activities
|
866 | 915 | 842 | |||||||||
Net
change in cash and cash equivalents
|
58 | (169 | ) | 169 | ||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
59 | 228 | 59 | |||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
$ | 117 | $ | 59 | $ | 228 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
75
PACIFICORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Amounts
in millions)
PacifiCorp
Shareholders’ Equity
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
|
Other
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred
|
Common
|
Paid-in
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
Noncontrolling
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock
|
Stock
|
Capital
|
Earnings
|
Loss,
Net
|
Interest
|
Equity
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2007
|
$ | 41 | $ | - | $ | 3,600 | $ | 789 | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 66 | $ | 4,492 | |||||||||||||
Net
income
|
- | - | - | 439 | - | 6 | 445 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions
|
- | - | 200 | - | - | 46 | 246 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions
|
- | - | - | - | - | (39 | ) | (39 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Preferred
stock dividends declared
|
- | - | - | (2 | ) | - | - | (2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other
equity transactions
|
- | - | 4 | 13 | - | - | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
41 | - | 3,804 | 1,239 | (4 | ) | 79 | 5,159 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
- | - | - | 458 | - | 7 | 465 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other
comprehensive income
|
- | - | - | - | 2 | - | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions
|
- | - | 450 | - | - | 45 | 495 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions
|
- | - | - | - | - | (42 | ) | (42 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Preferred
stock dividends declared
|
- | - | - | (2 | ) | - | - | (2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other
equity transactions
|
- | - | - | (1 | ) | - | (9 | ) | (10 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2008
|
41 | - | 4,254 | 1,694 | (2 | ) | 80 | 6,067 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
- | - | - | 542 | - | 8 | 550 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other
comprehensive income
|
- | - | - | - | (4 | ) | - | (4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Contributions
|
- | - | 125 | - | - | 28 | 153 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions
|
- | - | - | - | - | (38 | ) | (38 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Preferred
stock dividends declared
|
- | - | - | (2 | ) | - | - | (2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other
equity transactions
|
- | - | - | - | - | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2009
|
$ | 41 | $ | - | $ | 4,379 | $ | 2,234 | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 84 | $ | 6,732 | |||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
76
PACIFICORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts
in millions)
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 550 | $ | 465 | $ | 445 | ||||||
Other
comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
|
||||||||||||
Unrecognized
amounts on retirement benefits, net of tax of $(1), $-
and $2
|
(4 | ) | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Fair
value adjustment on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $-, $- and
$(1)
|
- | - | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Total
other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
|
(4 | ) | 2 | - | ||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
546 | 467 | 445 | |||||||||
Comprehensive
income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
8 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||
Comprehensive
income attributable to PacifiCorp
|
$ | 538 | $ | 460 | $ | 439 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
77
PACIFICORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Organization
and Operations
PacifiCorp,
which includes PacifiCorp and its subsidiaries, is a United States regulated
electric company serving 1.7 million retail customers, including
residential, commercial, industrial and other customers in portions of the
states of Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California. PacifiCorp
owns, or has interests in, a number of thermal, hydroelectric, wind-powered and
geothermal generating facilities, as well as electric transmission and
distribution assets. PacifiCorp also buys and sells electricity on the wholesale
market with public and private utilities, energy marketing companies and
incorporated municipalities. PacifiCorp is subject to comprehensive state and
federal regulation. PacifiCorp’s subsidiaries support its electric utility
operations by providing coal mining facilities and services and environmental
remediation services. PacifiCorp is an indirect subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy
Holdings Company (“MEHC”), a holding company based in Des Moines, Iowa that owns
subsidiaries principally engaged in energy businesses. MEHC is a consolidated
subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire Hathaway”).
(2) Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis
of Consolidation and Presentation
The
Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of PacifiCorp and its
subsidiaries in which it holds a controlling financial interest as of the
financial statement date, including Bridger Coal Company in which PacifiCorp has
a two-thirds interest. The Consolidated Statements of Operations include the
revenues and expenses of an acquired entity from the date of acquisition.
Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Certain
amounts in the prior year Consolidated Financial Statements have been
reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications
did not impact previously reported operating income, net income attributable to
PacifiCorp or retained earnings.
Use
of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements
The
preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period.
These estimates include, but are not limited to, unbilled revenue; valuation of
certain financial assets and liabilities, including derivative contracts;
effects of regulation; long-lived asset recovery; accounting for contingencies,
including environmental, regulatory and income tax matters; asset retirement
obligations (“AROs”); and certain assumptions made in accounting for pension and
other postretirement benefits. Actual results may differ from the estimates used
in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Accounting
for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation
PacifiCorp
prepares its financial statements in accordance with authoritative guidance for
regulated operations, which recognizes the economic effects of regulation.
Accordingly, PacifiCorp is required to defer the recognition of certain costs or
income if it is probable that, through the ratemaking process, there will
be a corresponding increase or decrease in future regulated rates.
78
PacifiCorp
continually evaluates the applicability of the guidance for regulated operations
and assesses whether its regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of
future inclusion in regulated rates by considering factors such as a change in
the regulator’s approach to setting rates from cost-based ratemaking to another
form of regulation, other regulatory actions or the impact of competition which
could limit PacifiCorp’s ability to recover its costs. Based upon this
continuous assessment, PacifiCorp believes the application of the guidance for
regulated operations is appropriate and its existing regulatory assets and
liabilities are probable of inclusion in regulated rates. The assessment
reflects the current political and regulatory climate at both the state and
federal levels and is subject to change in the future. If it becomes no longer
probable that these costs or income will be included in regulated rates, the
related regulatory assets and liabilities will be written off to operating
income, refunded to customers or reflected as an adjustment to future regulated
rates.
Fair
Value Measurements
As
defined under GAAP, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an
asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants in the
principal market or in the most advantageous market when no principal market
exists. Market participants are assumed to be independent, knowledgeable, and
able and willing to transact. Nonperformance or credit risk is considered when
determining the fair value of assets and liabilities. Considerable judgment may
be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair
value.
Cash
Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Investments
Cash
equivalents consist of funds invested in commercial paper, money market accounts
and in other investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.
Cash and cash equivalents exclude amounts where availability is restricted by
legal requirements, loan agreements or other contractual provisions. Restricted
amounts are included in other current assets and investments and other assets on
the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Investments
PacifiCorp’s
management determines the appropriate classifications of investments in debt and
equity securities at the acquisition date and reevaluates the classifications at
each balance sheet date. PacifiCorp’s investments in debt and equity securities
are classified as available-for-sale.
Available-for-sale
securities are carried at fair value with realized gains and losses, as
determined on a specific identification basis, recognized in earnings and
unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) (“AOCI”), net of tax. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on the
trust fund related to the final reclamation of leased coal mining property are
recorded as net regulatory assets or liabilities since PacifiCorp expects costs
associated with these activities to be included in regulated rates.
If in
management’s judgment a decline in the fair value of an investment below cost is
other than temporary, the cost of the investment is written down to fair value.
Factors considered in judging whether an impairment is other than temporary
include: the financial condition, business prospects and creditworthiness of the
issuer; the length of time that fair value has been less than cost; the relative
amount of the decline; and whether or not PacifiCorp anticipates the fair value
of the investment to recover prior to the expected time of sale. Impairment
losses on equity securities are charged to earnings. With respect to an
investment in a debt security, any resulting impairment loss is recognized in
earnings if PacifiCorp intends to sell or expects to be required to sell the
debt security before amortized cost is recovered. If PacifiCorp does not expect
to ultimately recover the amortized cost basis, even if it does not intend to
sell the security, the credit loss component is recognized in earnings and any
difference between fair value and the amortized cost basis, net of the credit
loss, is reflected in other comprehensive income (loss). A regulatory asset or
liability is established for those investment losses or gains that are probable
of inclusion in regulated rates.
79
Allowance
for Doubtful Accounts
The
allowance for doubtful accounts is based on PacifiCorp’s assessment of the
collectibility of payments from its customers. This assessment requires judgment
regarding the ability of customers to pay the amounts owed to PacifiCorp or the
outcome of any pending disputes. The change in the balance of the allowance for
doubtful accounts, which is included in accounts receivable, net on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets is summarized as follows for the years ended
December 31 (in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Beginning
balance
|
$ | 9 | $ | 7 | $ | 12 | ||||||
Charged
to operating costs and expenses, net
|
12 | 14 | 9 | |||||||||
Write-offs,
net
|
(14 | ) | (12 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||
Ending
balance
|
$ | 7 | $ | 9 | $ | 7 |
Derivatives
PacifiCorp
employs a number of different derivative contracts, including forwards, futures,
options, swaps and other agreements, to manage price risk for electricity,
natural gas and other commodities and interest rate risk. Derivative contracts
are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities
and are stated at fair value unless they are designated as normal purchases and
normal sales and qualify for the exception afforded by GAAP. Derivative balances
reflect reductions permitted under master netting arrangements with
counterparties and cash collateral paid or received under such
agreements.
Commodity
derivatives used in normal business operations that are settled by physical
delivery, among other criteria, are eligible for and may be designated as normal
purchases and normal sales. Normal purchases and normal sales are not
marked-to-market and operating revenue or energy costs are recognized on the
Consolidated Statements of Operations when the contracts settle.
For
PacifiCorp’s derivatives designated as hedging contracts, PacifiCorp formally
assesses, at inception and thereafter, whether the hedging contract is highly
effective in offsetting changes in the hedged item. PacifiCorp formally
documents hedging activity by transaction type and risk management
strategy.
Changes
in the fair value of a derivative designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge,
to the extent effective, are included on the Consolidated Statements of Changes
in Equity as AOCI, net of tax, until the contract settles and the hedged item is
recognized in earnings. PacifiCorp discontinues hedge accounting prospectively
when it has determined that a derivative no longer qualifies as an effective
hedge, or when it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction
will occur. When hedge accounting is discontinued because the derivative no
longer qualifies as an effective hedge, future changes in the value of the
derivative are charged to earnings. Gains and losses related to discontinued
hedges that were previously recorded in AOCI will remain in AOCI until the
contract settles and the hedged item is recognized in earnings, unless it
becomes probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, at which
time associated deferred amounts in AOCI are immediately recognized in
earnings.
80
For
PacifiCorp’s derivatives not designated as hedging contracts, the settled amount
is generally included in regulated rates. Accordingly, the net unrealized gains
and losses associated with interim price movements on contracts that are
accounted for as derivatives and probable of inclusion in regulated rates are
recorded as net regulatory assets and liabilities. For contracts not probable of
inclusion in regulated rates, changes in fair value are recognized in
earnings.
Inventories
Inventories
consist mainly of materials and supplies, coal stocks, natural gas and fuel oil,
which are stated at the lower of average cost or market.
Property,
Plant and Equipment, Net
General
Property,
plant and equipment is recorded at historical cost. PacifiCorp capitalizes all
construction-related material, direct labor and contract services, as well as
indirect construction costs, which includes debt and equity allowance for funds
used during construction (“AFUDC”). The cost of major additions and betterments
are capitalized, while costs for replacements, maintenance and repairs that do
not improve or extend the lives of the related assets are charged to operating
expense as incurred.
Depreciation
and amortization are generally computed by applying the composite or
straight-line method based on either estimated useful lives or mandated recovery
periods as prescribed by PacifiCorp’s various regulatory authorities. Periodic
depreciation studies are completed to determine the appropriate group lives, net
salvage and group depreciation rates. These studies are reviewed and rates are
ultimately approved by the various regulatory authorities. Net salvage includes
the estimated future residual values of the assets and any estimated removal
costs, including AROs and other costs of removal. Estimated removal costs that
are recovered through approved depreciation rates, but that do not meet the
requirements of a legal ARO, are reflected in the cost of removal regulatory
liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and as such costs are incurred,
the regulatory liability is reduced.
Generally
when PacifiCorp retires or sells a component of regulated property, plant and
equipment, it charges the original cost and any net proceeds from the
disposition to accumulated depreciation. Any gain or loss on disposals of all
other assets is recorded through earnings.
PacifiCorp
records debt and equity AFUDC, which represents the estimated costs of debt and
equity funds necessary to finance additions to property, plant and equipment.
AFUDC is capitalized as a component of property, plant and equipment, with
offsetting credits to the Consolidated Statements of Operations. After
construction is completed, PacifiCorp is permitted to earn a return on these
costs as a component of the related asset, as well as recover these costs
through depreciation expense over the useful life of the related
assets.
Asset Retirement
Obligations
PacifiCorp
recognizes AROs when it has a legal obligation to perform decommissioning,
reclamation or removal activities upon retirement of an asset. PacifiCorp’s AROs
are primarily related to final reclamation of leased coal mining property. The
fair value of an ARO liability is recognized in the period in which it is
incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made, and is added to
the carrying amount of the associated asset, which is then depreciated over the
remaining useful life of the asset. Subsequent to the initial recognition, the
ARO liability is adjusted for any revisions to the expected value of the
retirement obligation (with corresponding adjustments to property, plant and
equipment) and for accretion of the ARO liability due to the passage of time.
The difference between the ARO liability, the corresponding ARO asset included
in property, plant and equipment and amounts recovered in rates to satisfy such
liabilities is recorded as a regulatory asset or liability.
81
Revenue
Recognition
Revenue
is recognized as electricity is delivered or services are provided. Revenue
recognized includes unbilled, as well as billed, amounts. As of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, unbilled revenue was $214 million and
$211 million, respectively, and is included in accounts receivable, net on
the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Rates charged are established by regulators or
contractual agreements.
The
determination of sales to individual customers is based on the reading of the
customer’s meter, which is performed on a systematic basis throughout the month.
At the end of each month, amounts of energy provided to customers since the date
of the last meter reading are estimated, and the corresponding unbilled revenue
is recorded. The estimate is reversed in the following month and actual revenue
is recorded based on subsequent meter readings.
The
monthly unbilled revenues of PacifiCorp are determined by the estimation of
unbilled energy provided during the period, the assignment of unbilled energy
provided to customer classes and the average rate per customer class. Factors
that can impact the estimate of unbilled energy provided include, but are not
limited to, seasonal weather patterns, customer usage patterns, historical
trends, volumes, line losses, retail rate changes and composition of customer
classes.
PacifiCorp
records sales, franchise and excise taxes collected directly from customers and
remitted directly to the taxing authorities on a net basis on the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
Income
Taxes
Berkshire
Hathaway includes PacifiCorp in its United States federal income tax return.
Consistent with established regulatory practice, PacifiCorp’s provision for
income taxes has been computed on a stand-alone basis.
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are based on differences between the financial
statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using estimated tax rates
expected to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to
reverse. Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities that are
associated with components of other comprehensive income are charged or credited
directly to other comprehensive income. Changes in deferred income tax assets
and liabilities that are associated with income tax benefits related to certain
property-related basis differences and other various differences that PacifiCorp
is required to pass on to its customers in most state jurisdictions are charged
or credited directly to a regulatory asset or liability. These amounts were
recognized as a net regulatory asset totaling $401 million and
$409 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and will
be included in regulated rates when the temporary differences reverse. Other
changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities are included as a
component of income tax expense.
Investment
tax credits are generally deferred and amortized over the estimated useful lives
of the related properties or as prescribed by various regulatory jurisdictions.
Investment tax credits included in other long-term liabilities on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets were $46 million and $50 million as of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
In
determining PacifiCorp’s income taxes, management is required to interpret
complex tax laws and regulations, which includes consideration of regulatory
implications imposed by PacifiCorp’s various regulatory jurisdictions. In
preparing tax returns, PacifiCorp is subject to continuous examinations by
federal, state and local tax authorities that may give rise to different
interpretations of these complex laws and regulations. Due to the nature of the
examination process, it generally takes years before these examinations are
completed and these matters are resolved. Although the ultimate resolution of
PacifiCorp’s federal, state and local tax examinations is uncertain, PacifiCorp
believes it has made adequate provisions for these tax positions. The aggregate
amount of any additional tax liabilities that may result from these
examinations, if any, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on
PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results. Assets and liabilities are
established for uncertain tax positions taken or positions expected to be taken
in income tax returns when such positions are judged to not meet the
“more-likely-than-not” threshold based on the technical merits of the position.
PacifiCorp’s unrecognized tax benefits are primarily included in accrued taxes
and other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Estimated
interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions are included
as a component of income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
82
Segment
Information
PacifiCorp
currently has one segment, which includes its regulated electric utility
operations.
New
Accounting Pronouncements
In
January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06 (“ASU No. 2010-06”),
which amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820,
“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC Topic 820”). ASU
No. 2010-06 requires disclosure of (a) the amount of significant
transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy
and the reasons for those transfers and (b) gross presentation of
purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the Level 3 fair value
measurement rollforward. This guidance clarifies that existing fair value
measurement disclosures should be presented for each class of assets and
liabilities. The existing disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs
used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value
measurements have also been clarified to ensure such disclosures are presented
for the Levels 2 and 3 fair value measurements. This guidance is
effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2009, with the exception of the disclosure requirement to
present purchases, sales, issuances and settlements gross in the Level 3
fair value measurement rollforward, which is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those
fiscal years. PacifiCorp is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this
guidance on its disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
In August
2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-05, which amends ASC Topic 820. ASU
No. 2009-05 clarifies how to measure the fair value of a liability for
which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not
available. This guidance also clarifies that both a quoted price in an active
market for the identical liability at the measurement date and the quoted price
for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market when no
adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required represent Level 1
fair value measurements. PacifiCorp adopted this guidance as of October 1,
2009 and the adoption did not have a material impact on PacifiCorp’s
consolidated financial results and disclosures included within Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
In
June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance (included in ASC
Topic 810, “Consolidation”) that requires a primarily qualitative analysis
to determine if an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest
entity. This analysis is based on whether the enterprise has (a) the power
to direct the activities of the variable interest entity that most significantly
impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb
losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could
potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. In addition,
enterprises are required to more frequently reassess whether an entity is a
variable interest entity and whether the enterprise is the primary beneficiary
of the variable interest entity. Finally, the guidance for consolidation or
deconsolidation of a variable interest entity is amended and disclosure
requirements about an enterprise’s involvement with a variable interest entity
are enhanced. This guidance is effective as of the beginning of the first annual
reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods
within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting
periods thereafter, with early application prohibited. PacifiCorp has determined
that its coal mining joint venture, Bridger Coal Company, will be deconsolidated
on a prospective basis and accounted for under the equity method of accounting
effective January 1, 2010, as the power to direct the activities that most
significantly impact Bridger Coal Company’s economic performance are shared with
the joint venture partner. The deconsolidation of Bridger Coal Company will
result in a decrease in assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest equity
of $192 million, $108 million and $84 million,
respectively.
83
In
April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance (included in ASC
Topic 320, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”) that
amends current other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities to
require a new other-than-temporary impairment model that shifts the focus from
an entity’s intent to hold the debt security until recovery to its intent, or
expected requirement, to sell the debt security. In addition, this guidance
expands the already required annual disclosures about other-than-temporary
impairment for debt and equity securities, requires companies to include these
expanded disclosures in interim financial statements and addresses whether an
other-than-temporary impairment should be recognized in earnings, other
comprehensive income or some combination thereof. PacifiCorp adopted this
guidance as of April 1, 2009 and the adoption did not have a material
impact on PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results and disclosures included
within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In
April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance (included in ASC
Topic 820) that clarifies the determination of fair value when a market is
not active and if a transaction is not orderly. In addition, this guidance
amends previous GAAP to require disclosures in interim and annual periods of the
inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and a discussion of
changes in valuation techniques and related inputs, if any, during the period
and defines “major categories” consistent with those described in previously
existing GAAP. PacifiCorp adopted this guidance as of April 1, 2009 and the
adoption did not have a material impact on PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial
results and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
In
December 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance (included in ASC
Topic 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits”) that requires
enhanced disclosures about plan assets of defined benefit pension and other
postretirement benefit plans to enable investors to better understand how
investment allocation decisions are made and the major categories of plan
assets. In addition, this guidance requires disclosure of the inputs and
valuation techniques used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value
measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets and
establishes disclosure requirements for significant concentrations of risk
within plan assets. PacifiCorp adopted this guidance as of December 31,
2009 and included the required disclosures within Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements. Refer to Note 11 for additional
discussion.
In
March 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance (included in ASC
Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”) that requires enhanced disclosures
about derivative contracts and hedging activities to enable investors to better
understand how and why an entity uses derivative contracts and their effects on
an entity’s financial results. PacifiCorp adopted this guidance as of
March 31, 2009 and included the required disclosures within Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Note 7 for additional
discussion.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance (included in ASC
Topic 810, “Consolidation”) that establishes accounting and reporting
standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the
deconsolidation of a subsidiary. PacifiCorp adopted this guidance as of
January 1, 2009. As a result, PacifiCorp has presented noncontrolling
interest as a separate component of equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Previously, these amounts were included in other long-term liabilities on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. Also, PacifiCorp has presented net income
attributable to noncontrolling interest separately on the Consolidated
Statements of Operations. Previously, these amounts were reported as operating
expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This guidance has been
applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
84
(3) Property,
Plant and Equipment, Net
Property,
plant and equipment, net consists of the following as of December 31 (in
millions):
Depreciation
Life
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Property,
plant and equipment:
|
|||||||||
Generation
|
15
– 80 years
|
$ | 9,022 | $ | 8,155 | ||||
Transmission
|
25
– 75 years
|
3,346 | 3,057 | ||||||
Distribution
|
44
– 52 years
|
5,332 | 5,109 | ||||||
Intangible
plant (1)
|
5 –
50 years
|
752 | 721 | ||||||
Other
|
5 –
29 years
|
1,878 | 1,837 | ||||||
Property,
plant and equipment in service
|
20,330 | 18,879 | |||||||
Accumulated
depreciation and amortization
|
(6,623 | ) | (6,275 | ) | |||||
Net
property, plant and equipment in service
|
13,707 | 12,604 | |||||||
Construction
work-in-progress
|
1,830 | 1,220 | |||||||
Total
property, plant and equipment, net
|
$ | 15,537 | $ | 13,824 |
(1)
|
Computer
software costs included in intangible plant are initially assigned a
depreciable life of 5 to 10 years.
|
Utility
Plant Acquisition
On
September 15, 2008, after having received the required regulatory
approvals, PacifiCorp acquired from TNA Merchant Projects, Inc., an affiliate of
Suez Energy North America, Inc., 100% of the equity interests of
Chehalis Power Generating, LLC, an entity owning a 520-megawatt (“MW”)
natural gas-fired generating facility located in Chehalis, Washington. The total
cash purchase price was $308 million and the estimated fair value of the
acquired entity was primarily allocated to the facility. Chehalis Power
Generating, LLC was merged into PacifiCorp immediately following the
acquisition. The results of the facility’s operations have been included in
PacifiCorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements since the acquisition
date.
Unallocated
Acquisition Adjustments
PacifiCorp
has unallocated acquisition adjustments that represent the excess of costs of
the acquired interests in property, plant and equipment purchased from the
entity that first devoted the assets to utility service over their net book
value in those assets. These unallocated acquisition adjustments included in
other property, plant and equipment had an original cost of $157 million as
of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and accumulated depreciation of
$96 million and $91 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
Depreciation
Study
In
August 2007, PacifiCorp filed applications with the regulatory commissions
in Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington and Idaho to change its rates of
depreciation prospectively based on a new depreciation study. PacifiCorp
received approval to change the depreciation rates effective January 1,
2008. The Oregon Public Utility Commission (“OPUC”) order required additional
modifications related to the depreciation lives of coal-fired generating
facilities, which were approved in August 2008. The revised depreciation
rates generally reflect an extension of the lives of PacifiCorp’s assets. The
most significant change resulted in an increase in the range of depreciable
lives for steam plant from 20 – 43 years to
20 - 57 years. The revised depreciation rates resulted in a
benefit to income before income tax expense during the year ended
December 31, 2008 of approximately $47 million.
85
(4) Jointly
Owned Utility Facilities
Under
joint facility ownership agreements with other utilities, PacifiCorp, as a
tenant in common, has undivided interests in jointly owned generation and
transmission facilities. PacifiCorp accounts for its proportionate share of each
facility, and each joint owner has provided financing for its share of each
generating facility or transmission line. Operating costs of each facility are
assigned to joint owners based on their percentage of ownership or energy
production, depending on the nature of the cost. Operating costs and expenses on
the Consolidated Statements of Operations include PacifiCorp’s share of the
expenses of these facilities.
The
amounts shown in the table below represent PacifiCorp’s share in each jointly
owned facility as of December 31, 2009
(dollars in millions):
Facility
|
Accumulated
|
Construction
|
||||||||||||||
PacifiCorp
|
in
|
Depreciation
and
|
Work-in-
|
|||||||||||||
Share
|
Service
|
Amortization
|
Progress
|
|||||||||||||
Jim
Bridger Nos. 1 – 4 (1)
|
67 | % | $ | 1,031 | $ | 489 | $ | 42 | ||||||||
Wyodak
(1)
|
80 | 339 | 178 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Hunter
No. 1
|
94 | 306 | 155 | 35 | ||||||||||||
Colstrip
Nos. 3 and 4 (1)
|
10 | 248 | 125 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Hunter
No. 2
|
60 | 194 | 93 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Hermiston
(2)
|
50 | 174 | 45 | - | ||||||||||||
Craig
Nos. 1 and 2
|
19 | 168 | 83 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Hayden
No. 1
|
25 | 46 | 23 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Foote
Creek
|
79 | 37 | 16 | - | ||||||||||||
Hayden
No. 2
|
13 | 28 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Other
transmission and distribution facilities
|
Various
|
84 | 21 | 29 | ||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 2,655 | $ | 1,243 | $ | 156 |
(1)
|
Includes
transmission lines and substations.
|
(2)
|
PacifiCorp
has contracted to purchase the remaining 50% of the output of the
Hermiston generating facility.
|
86
(5) Regulatory
Matters
Regulatory
Assets and Liabilities
Regulatory
assets represent costs that are expected to be recovered in future regulated
rates. PacifiCorp’s regulatory assets reflected on the Consolidated Balance
Sheets consist of the following as of December 31
(in millions):
Weighted
|
|||||||||
Average
|
|||||||||
Remaining
|
|||||||||
Life
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Employee
benefit plans (1)
|
9
years
|
$ | 576 | $ | 564 | ||||
Net
unrealized loss on derivative contracts (2)
|
7
years
|
367 | 442 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes (3)
|
33
years
|
422 | 440 | ||||||
Other
|
Various
|
174 | 178 | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 1,539 | $ | 1,624 |
(1)
|
Substantially
represents amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic
benefit cost that are expected to be included in regulated rates when
recognized. Amounts are partially offset by $19 million and
$26 million of the unamortized portion of net regulatory deferrals
related to curtailment gains and the measurement date change transitional
adjustment as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
|
(2)
|
Amounts
represent net unrealized losses related to derivative contracts for which
the settled amounts are expected to be included in regulated
rates.
|
(3)
|
Represents
deferred income tax assets and liabilities that are associated with income
tax benefits related to certain property-related basis differences and
other various differences that PacifiCorp is required to pass on to its
customers in most state
jurisdictions.
|
PacifiCorp
had regulatory assets not earning a return on investment of $1.385 billion
and $1.460 billion as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
Regulatory
liabilities represent income to be recognized or amounts to be returned to
customers in future periods. PacifiCorp’s regulatory liabilities reflected on
the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following as of December 31
(in millions):
Weighted
|
|||||||||
Average
|
|||||||||
Remaining
|
|||||||||
Life
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Cost
of removal (1)
|
33
years
|
$ | 755 | $ | 732 | ||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
Various
|
21 | 31 | ||||||
Other
|
Various
|
62 | 58 | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 838 | $ | 821 |
(1)
|
Amounts
represent estimated costs, as accrued through depreciation rates and
exclusive of ARO liabilities, of removing electric utility assets in
accordance with accepted regulatory
practices.
|
87
Rate
Matters
Oregon
Senate Bill 408 (“SB 408”)
SB 408
requires PacifiCorp and other large regulated, investor-owned utilities that
provide electric or natural gas service to Oregon customers to file an annual
report each October with the OPUC comparing income taxes collected and income
taxes paid, as defined by the statute and its administrative rules. If after its
review, the OPUC determines the amount of income taxes collected differs from
the amount of income taxes paid by more than $100,000, the OPUC must require the
public utility to establish an automatic adjustment clause to account for the
difference.
In
April 2008, the OPUC approved the recovery of $35 million, plus
interest, related to the 2006 tax year. The OPUC’s April 2008 order on
PacifiCorp’s 2006 tax report is being challenged by the Industrial Customers of
Northwest Utilities, which filed a petition in May 2008 with the Oregon Court of
Appeals seeking judicial review of the April 2008 order. PacifiCorp
believes the outcome of these proceedings will not have a material impact on its
consolidated financial results.
In
October 2009, PacifiCorp filed its 2008 tax report under SB 408.
PacifiCorp’s filing for the 2008 tax year indicated that PacifiCorp paid
$38 million more in income taxes than was collected in rates from its
retail customers. In January 2010, PacifiCorp entered into a stipulation
with OPUC staff and the Citizens’ Utility Board of Oregon, which if approved by
the OPUC, would authorize a lower recovery totaling $2 million, including
interest. The OPUC has until April 2010 to issue an order. No amounts have
been recorded in relation to the 2008 tax report.
88
(6)
|
Fair
Value Measurements
|
The
carrying amounts of PacifiCorp’s cash, certain cash equivalents, receivables,
payables, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings approximate fair value
because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. PacifiCorp has various
financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on the
Consolidated Financial Statements using inputs from the three levels of the fair
value hierarchy. A financial asset or liability classification within the
hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to
the fair value measurement. The three levels are as follows:
|
·
|
Level
1 – Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical
assets or liabilities that PacifiCorp has the ability to access at the
measurement date.
|
|
·
|
Level
2 – Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in
active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or
liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted
prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are
derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by
correlation or other means (market corroborated
inputs).
|
|
·
|
Level
3 – Unobservable inputs reflect PacifiCorp’s judgments about the
assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or
liability since limited market data exists. PacifiCorp develops these
inputs based on the best information available, including its own
data.
|
The
following table presents PacifiCorp’s assets and liabilities recognized on the
Consolidated Balance Sheet and measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of
December 31, 2009 (in millions):
Input
Levels for Fair Value Measurements
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Description
|
Level
1
|
Level
2
|
Level
3
|
Other (1)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Assets (2):
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Investments
in available-for-sale securities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Money
market mutual funds (3)
|
$ | 123 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 123 | ||||||||||
Debt
securities
|
1 | 33 | - | - | 34 | |||||||||||||||
Equity
securities
|
36 | 8 | - | - | 44 | |||||||||||||||
Commodity
derivatives
|
- | 285 | 6 | (140 | ) | 151 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 160 | $ | 326 | $ | 6 | $ | (140 | ) | $ | 352 | ||||||||||
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity
derivatives
|
$ | - | $ | (274 | ) | $ | (386 | ) | $ | 165 | $ | (495 | ) |
(1)
|
Primarily
represents netting under master netting arrangements and a net cash
collateral receivable of $25 million.
|
(2)
|
Refer
to Note 11 for information regarding the fair value of pension and
other postretirement benefit plan assets as it is excluded from these
amounts.
|
(3)
|
Amounts
are included in cash and cash equivalents, other current assets, and
investments and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair
value of these money market mutual funds approximates
cost.
|
89
The
following table presents PacifiCorp’s assets and liabilities recognized on the
Consolidated Balance Sheet and measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of
December 31, 2008 (in millions):
Input
Levels for Fair Value Measurements
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Description
|
Level
1
|
Level
2
|
Level
3
|
Other
(1)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Assets (2):
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Investments
in available-for-sale securities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Money
market mutual funds (3)
|
$ | 51 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 51 | ||||||||||
Debt
securities
|
- | 42 | - | - | 42 | |||||||||||||||
Equity
securities
|
30 | 6 | - | - | 36 | |||||||||||||||
Commodity
derivatives
|
- | 474 | 88 | (302 | ) | 260 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 81 | $ | 522 | $ | 88 | $ | (302 | ) | $ | 389 | ||||||||||
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity
derivatives
|
$ | - | $ | (485 | ) | $ | (496 | ) | $ | 361 | $ | (620 | ) |
(1)
|
Primarily
represents netting under master netting arrangements and a net cash
collateral receivable of $82 million.
|
(2)
|
Does
not include investments in either pension or other postretirement benefit
plan assets.
|
(3)
|
Amounts
are included in cash and cash equivalents, other current assets, and
investments and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair
value of these money market mutual funds approximates
cost.
|
PacifiCorp’s
investments in money market mutual funds and debt and equity securities are
accounted for as available-for-sale securities and are stated at fair value.
When available, a readily observable quoted market price or net asset value of
an identical security in an active market is used to record the fair value. In
the absence of a quoted market price or net asset value of an identical
security, the fair value is determined using pricing models or net asset values
based on observable market inputs and quoted market prices of securities with
similar characteristics.
When
available, the fair value of derivative contracts is determined using unadjusted
quoted prices for identical contracts on the applicable exchange in which
PacifiCorp transacts. When quoted prices for identical contracts are not
available, PacifiCorp uses forward price curves derived from market price
quotations, when available, or internally developed and commercial models, with
internal and external fundamental data inputs. Market price quotations are
obtained from independent energy brokers, exchanges, direct communication with
market participants and actual transactions executed by PacifiCorp. Market price
quotations for certain major electricity and natural gas trading hubs are
generally readily obtainable for the first six years; therefore, PacifiCorp’s
forward price curves for those locations and periods reflect observable market
quotes. Market price quotations for other electricity and natural gas trading
hubs are not as readily obtainable for the first six years. Given that limited
market data exists for these contracts, as well as for those contracts that are
not actively traded, PacifiCorp uses forward price curves derived from internal
models based on perceived pricing relationships to major trading hubs that are
based on significant unobservable inputs. Refer to Note 7 for further
discussion regarding PacifiCorp’s risk management and hedging
activities.
Contracts
with explicit or embedded optionality are valued by separating each contract
into its physical and financial forward, swap and option components. Forward and
swap components are valued against the appropriate forward price curve. Option
components are valued using Black-Scholes-type models, such as European option,
Asian option, spread option and best-of option, with the appropriate forward
price curve and other inputs.
90
The
following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of PacifiCorp’s
commodity derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a
recurring basis using significant Level 3 inputs for the years ended
December 31 (in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Beginning
balance
|
$ | (408 | ) | $ | (311 | ) | ||
Changes
in fair value recognized in regulatory assets
|
(5 | ) | (98 | ) | ||||
Purchases,
sales, issuances and settlements
|
56 | (12 | ) | |||||
Net
transfers into or out of Level 3
|
(23 | ) | 13 | |||||
Ending
balance
|
$ | (380 | ) | $ | (408 | ) |
PacifiCorp’s
long-term debt is carried at cost on the Consolidated Financial Statements. The
fair value of PacifiCorp’s long-term debt has been estimated based on quoted
market prices, where available, or at the present value of future cash flows
discounted at rates consistent with comparable maturities with similar credit
risks. The carrying amount of PacifiCorp’s variable-rate long-term debt
approximates fair value because of the frequent repricing of these instruments
at market rates. The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated
fair value of PacifiCorp’s long-term debt as of December 31
(in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Fair
|
Carrying
|
Fair
|
|||||||||||||
Amount
|
Value
|
Amount
|
Value
|
|||||||||||||
Long-term
debt
|
$ | 6,357 | $ | 6,843 | $ | 5,503 | $ | 5,769 |
91
(7) Risk
Management and Hedging Activities
PacifiCorp
is exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in commodity prices and interest
rates. PacifiCorp is principally exposed to electricity and natural gas
commodity price risk as it has an obligation to serve retail customer load in
its regulated service territories. PacifiCorp’s load and generation assets
represent substantial underlying commodity positions. Exposures to commodity
prices consist mainly of variations in the price of fuel required to generate
electricity and wholesale electricity that is purchased and sold. Electricity
and natural gas prices are subject to wide price swings as supply and demand for
these commodities are impacted by, among many other unpredictable items,
changing weather, market liquidity, generating facility availability, customer
usage, storage, and transmission and transportation constraints. Interest rate
risk exists on variable-rate debt, commercial paper and future debt issuances.
PacifiCorp does not engage in a material amount of proprietary trading
activities.
PacifiCorp
has established a risk management process that is designed to identify, assess,
monitor, report, manage and mitigate each of the various types of risk involved
in its business. To mitigate a portion of its commodity risk, PacifiCorp uses
commodity derivative contracts, including forwards, futures, options, swaps and
other agreements, to effectively secure future supply or sell future production
generally at fixed prices. PacifiCorp manages its interest rate risk by limiting
its exposure to variable interest rates and by monitoring market changes in
interest rates. PacifiCorp may from time to time enter into interest rate
derivative contracts, such as interest rate swaps or locks, to effectively
modify PacifiCorp’s exposure to interest rate risk. No interest rate derivatives
were in place during the periods presented. PacifiCorp does not hedge all of its
commodity price and interest rate risks, thereby exposing the unhedged portion
to changes in market prices.
There
have been no significant changes in PacifiCorp’s accounting policies related to
derivatives. Refer to Notes 2 and 6 for additional information on
derivative contracts.
The
following table, which excludes contracts that qualify for the normal purchases
and normal sales exception afforded by GAAP, summarizes the fair value of
PacifiCorp’s derivative contracts, on a gross basis, and reconciles those
amounts to the amounts presented on a net basis on the Consolidated Balance
Sheet as of December 31, 2009 (in millions):
Balance
Sheet Locations
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative Assets
|
Derivative Liabilities
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Current
|
Noncurrent
|
Current
|
Noncurrent
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||
Not
Designated as Hedging Contracts (1)(2):
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity
assets
|
$ | 191 | $ | 61 | $ | 8 | $ | 31 | $ | 291 | ||||||||||
Commodity
liabilities
|
(29 | ) | (17 | ) | (142 | ) | (472 | ) | (660 | ) | ||||||||||
Total
|
162 | 44 | (134 | ) | (441 | ) | (369 | ) | ||||||||||||
Designated
as Cash Flow Hedging Contracts:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity
assets
|
- | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Commodity
liabilities
|
- | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
- | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Total
derivatives
|
162 | 44 | (134 | ) | (441 | ) | (369 | ) | ||||||||||||
Cash
collateral receivable (payable)
|
(54 | ) | (1 | ) | 49 | 31 | 25 | |||||||||||||
Total
derivatives – net basis
|
$ | 108 | $ | 43 | $ | (85 | ) | $ | (410 | ) | $ | (344 | ) |
(1)
|
Derivative
contracts within these categories are subject to master netting
arrangements and are presented on a net basis in the Consolidated Balance
Sheet.
|
(2)
|
The
majority of PacifiCorp’s commodity derivatives not designated as hedging
contracts are expected to be included in regulated rates and as of
December 31, 2009, a net regulatory asset of $367 million was
recorded related to the net derivative liabilities of
$369 million.
|
92
Not
Designated as Hedging Contracts
For
PacifiCorp’s commodity derivatives not designated as hedging contracts, the
settled amount is generally included in regulated rates. Accordingly, the net
unrealized gains and losses associated with interim price movements on contracts
that are accounted for as derivatives and probable of inclusion in regulated
rates are recorded as net regulatory assets. The following table reconciles the
beginning and ending balances of PacifiCorp’s net regulatory assets and
summarizes the pre-tax gains and losses on commodity derivative contracts
recognized in net regulatory assets, as well as amounts reclassified to earnings
for the year ended December 31(in millions):
2009
|
||||
Beginning
balance
|
$ | 442 | ||
Changes
in fair value recognized in net regulatory assets
|
(74 | ) | ||
Gains
reclassified to earnings – operating revenue
|
222 | |||
Losses
reclassified to earnings – energy costs
|
(223 | ) | ||
Ending balance
|
$ | 367 |
For
PacifiCorp’s derivatives not designated as hedging contracts and for which
changes in fair value are not recorded as a net regulatory asset or liability,
unrealized gains and losses are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of
Operations as revenue for sales contracts, energy costs and operating expenses
for purchases contracts and electricity and natural gas swap contracts and
interest expense for interest rate derivatives. The following table summarizes
the pre-tax gains (losses) included within the Consolidated Statement of
Operations associated with PacifiCorp’s derivative contracts not designated as
hedging contracts and not recorded as a net regulatory asset or liability for
the year ended December 31 (in millions):
2009
|
||||
Commodity derivatives:
|
||||
Operating revenue
|
$ | 5 | ||
Energy costs
|
1 | |||
Operations and maintenance
|
- | |||
Total
|
$ | 6 |
Designated
as Cash Flow Hedging Contracts
PacifiCorp
uses derivative contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges to hedge electricity
and natural gas commodity prices. The gains and losses on these derivative
contracts are recognized in other comprehensive income. Derivative contracts
accounted for as cash flow hedges were not material for the year ended
December 31, 2009. Hedge ineffectiveness is recognized in income as
operating revenue or energy costs depending upon the nature of the item being
hedged. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, hedge
ineffectiveness was insignificant.
93
Derivative
Contract Volumes
The
following table summarizes the net notional amounts of outstanding derivative
contracts with fixed price terms that comprise the mark-to-market values as of
December 31 (in millions):
Unit of
|
|||||
Measure
|
2009
|
||||
Commodity contracts:
|
|||||
Electricity sales
|
Megawatt
hours
|
(22 | ) | ||
Natural gas purchases
|
Decatherms
|
201 | |||
Fuel
purchases
|
Gallons
|
14 |
Credit
Risk
PacifiCorp
extends unsecured credit to other utilities, energy marketers, financial
institutions and other market participants in conjunction with wholesale energy
supply and marketing activities. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss that
might occur as a result of nonperformance by counterparties on their contractual
obligations to make or take delivery of electricity, natural gas or other
commodities and to make financial settlements of these obligations. Credit risk
may be concentrated to the extent that one or more groups of counterparties have
similar economic, industry or other characteristics that would cause their
ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in
market or other conditions. In addition, credit risk includes not only the risk
that a counterparty may default due to circumstances relating directly to it,
but also the risk that a counterparty may default due to circumstances involving
other market participants that have a direct or indirect relationship with the
counterparty.
PacifiCorp
analyzes the financial condition of each significant wholesale counterparty
before entering into any transactions, establishes limits on the amount of
unsecured credit to be extended to each counterparty and evaluates the
appropriateness of unsecured credit limits on an ongoing basis. To mitigate
exposure to the financial risks of wholesale counterparties, PacifiCorp enters
into netting and collateral arrangements that may include margining and
cross-product netting agreements and obtaining third-party guarantees, letters
of credit and cash deposits. Counterparties may be assessed interest fees for
delayed payments. If required, PacifiCorp exercises rights under these
arrangements, including calling on the counterparty’s credit support
arrangement.
Collateral
and Contingent Features
In
accordance with industry practice, certain derivative contracts contain
provisions that require PacifiCorp to maintain specific credit ratings from one
or more of the major credit rating agencies on its unsecured debt. These
derivative contracts may either specifically provide bilateral rights to demand
cash or other security if credit exposures on a net basis exceed specified
rating-dependent threshold levels (“credit-risk-related contingent features”) or
provide the right for counterparties to demand “adequate assurance” in the event
of a material adverse change in PacifiCorp’s creditworthiness. These rights can
vary by contract and by counterparty. As of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s
credit ratings from the three recognized credit rating agencies were investment
grade.
The
aggregate fair value of PacifiCorp’s derivative contracts in liability positions
with specific credit-risk-related contingent features totaled $353 million
as of December 31, 2009, for which PacifiCorp had posted collateral of
$80 million. If all credit-risk-related contingent features for derivative
contracts in liability positions had been triggered as of December 31,
2009, PacifiCorp would have been required to post $159 million of
additional collateral. PacifiCorp’s collateral requirements could fluctuate
considerably due to market price volatility, changes in credit ratings or other
factors.
94
(8) Short-Term
Borrowings and Other Financing Agreements
PacifiCorp
has two unsecured revolving credit facilities totaling $1.395 billion. The
credit facilities include a fixed or variable borrowing option for which rates
vary based on the borrowing option and PacifiCorp’s credit ratings for its
senior unsecured long-term debt securities. These facilities support
PacifiCorp’s commercial paper program and certain variable-rate tax-exempt bond
obligations. As of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had letters of credit
issued under the credit agreements totaling $220 million to support
variable-rate tax-exempt bond obligations and had no borrowings outstanding
under its credit facilities. In addition, the credit facilities support
$38 million of unenhanced variable-rate tax-exempt bond obligations as of
December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2008, PacifiCorp had outstanding
commercial paper borrowings of $85 million at an average rate of 1%. Each
revolving credit agreement requires that PacifiCorp’s ratio of consolidated
debt, including current maturities, to total capitalization at no time exceed
0.65 to 1.0. PacifiCorp was in compliance with the covenants of its revolving
credit and the other above-noted financing agreements as of December 31,
2009.
The
following table summarizes PacifiCorp’s availability under its two unsecured
revolving credit facilities as of December 31, 2009 (in
millions):
Total
unsecured revolving credit facilities
|
$ | 1,395 | ||
Less:
|
||||
Short-term
debt (credit facility borrowings or commercial paper)
|
- | |||
Support
for unenhanced variable-rate tax-exempt bond obligations
|
(38 | ) | ||
Letters
of credit supporting variable-rate tax-exempt bond
obligations
|
(220 | ) | ||
Net
unsecured revolving credit facilities available
|
$ | 1,137 | ||
Total
bank commitment amounts under credit agreements:
|
||||
January 1,
2010 through July 6, 2011
|
$ | 1,395 | ||
July 7,
2011 through July 6, 2012
|
1,355 | |||
July 7,
2012 through October 23, 2012
|
1,265 | |||
October 24,
2012 through July 6, 2013
|
630 |
As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had approximately $15 million of
additional letters of credit issued on its behalf to provide credit support for
certain transactions as required by third parties. These committed bank
arrangements were all fully available as of December 31, 2009 and have
provisions that automatically extend the annual expiration dates for an
additional year unless the issuing bank elects not to renew a letter of credit
prior to the expiration date.
95
(9) Long-Term
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
PacifiCorp’s
long-term debt and capital lease obligations were as follows as of
December 31 (in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Average
|
Average
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Interest
|
Interest
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Par
Value
|
Amount
|
Rate
|
Amount
|
Rate
|
||||||||||||||||
First
mortgage bonds:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
5.0%
to 9.2%, due through 2014
|
$ | 1,047 | $ | 1,047 | 6.5 | % | $ | 1,185 | 6.6 | % | ||||||||||
5.5%
to 8.7%, due 2015 to 2019
|
862 | 858 | 5.6 | 511 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||
6.7%
to 8.5%, due 2021 to 2023
|
324 | 324 | 7.7 | 324 | 7.7 | |||||||||||||||
6.7%
due 2026
|
100 | 100 | 6.7 | 100 | 6.7 | |||||||||||||||
5.9%
to 7.7% due 2031 to 2034
|
500 | 499 | 7.0 | 499 | 7.0 | |||||||||||||||
5.3%
to 6.4%, due 2035 to 2039
|
2,800 | 2,790 | 6.0 | 2,145 | 6.0 | |||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt
bond obligations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Variable
rates, due 2013 (1)
|
41 | 41 | 0.3 | 41 | 0.8 | |||||||||||||||
Variable
rates, due 2014 to 2025
|
325 | 325 | 0.5 | 325 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||
Variable
rates, due 2024 (1)
|
176 | 176 | 0.2 | 176 | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||
Variable
rates, due 2014 to 2025 (1)
(2)
|
113 | 113 | 3.8 | 113 | 3.8 | |||||||||||||||
5.6%
to 5.7%, due 2021 to 2023 (1)
|
71 | 71 | 5.6 | 71 | 5.6 | |||||||||||||||
6.2%
due 2030
|
13 | 13 | 6.2 | 13 | 6.2 | |||||||||||||||
Total
long-term debt
|
6,372 | 6,357 | 5,503 | |||||||||||||||||
Capital
lease obligations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
8.8%
to 14.8%, due through 2036
|
59 | 59 | 11.7 | 65 | 11.6 | |||||||||||||||
Total
long-term debt and capital lease obligations
|
$ | 6,431 | $ | 6,416 | $ | 5,568 | ||||||||||||||
Reflected
as:
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Current
portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
|
$ | 16 | $ | 144 | ||||
Long-term
debt and capital lease obligations
|
6,400 | 5,424 | ||||||
Total
long-term debt and capital lease obligations
|
$ | 6,416 | $ | 5,568 |
(1)
|
Secured
by pledged first mortgage bonds generally at the same interest rates,
maturity dates and redemption provisions as the tax-exempt bond
obligations.
|
(2)
|
Interest
rates currently fixed for a term at 3.4% to 4.1%, with $45 million
and $68 million scheduled to reset in 2010 and 2013,
respectively.
|
The
issuance of PacifiCorp’s first mortgage bonds is limited by available property,
earnings tests and other provisions of PacifiCorp’s mortgage. Approximately
$19.8 billion of the eligible assets (based on original cost) of PacifiCorp
were subject to the lien of the mortgage as of December 31,
2009.
In
January 2009, PacifiCorp issued $350 million of its 5.50% First
Mortgage Bonds due January 15, 2019 and $650 million of its 6.00%
First Mortgage Bonds due January 15, 2039. The net proceeds were used to
repay short-term debt, fund capital expenditures and for general corporate
purposes.
96
In
September 2008, PacifiCorp acquired $216 million of its insured
variable-rate tax-exempt bond obligations due to the significant reduction in
market liquidity for insured variable-rate obligations. In November 2008,
the associated insurance and related standby bond purchase agreements were
terminated and these variable-rate long-term debt obligations were remarketed
with credit enhancement and liquidity support provided by $220 million of
letters of credit issued under PacifiCorp’s two unsecured revolving credit
facilities.
In
July 2008, PacifiCorp issued $500 million of its 5.65% First Mortgage
Bonds due July 15, 2018 and $300 million of its 6.35% First Mortgage
Bonds due July 15, 2038.
PacifiCorp
has regulatory authority from the OPUC to issue an additional $2.0 billion
of long-term debt. Current authority from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
would permit $200 million of additional long-term debt issuances, and
PacifiCorp is currently seeking authority for a total of $2.0 billion.
PacifiCorp must make a notice filing with the Washington Utilities and
Transportation Commission prior to any future issuance.
As of
December 31, 2009, $5.2 billion of first mortgage bonds were
redeemable at PacifiCorp’s option at redemption prices dependent upon United
States Treasury yields. As of December 31, 2009, $542 million of
variable-rate tax-exempt bond obligations and $84 million of fixed-rate
tax-exempt bond obligations were redeemable at PacifiCorp’s option at par. The
remaining long-term debt was not redeemable as of December 31,
2009.
As of
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had $517 million of letters of credit
available to provide credit enhancement and liquidity support for variable-rate
tax-exempt bond obligations totaling $504 million plus interest. These
committed bank arrangements were fully available as of December 31, 2009
and expire periodically through May 2012.
PacifiCorp’s
letters of credit generally contain similar covenants and default provisions to
those contained in PacifiCorp’s revolving credit agreement, including a covenant
not to exceed a specified debt-to-capitalization ratio of 0.65 to 1.0.
PacifiCorp monitors these covenants on a regular basis in order to ensure that
events of default will not occur and as of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp
was in compliance with these covenants.
PacifiCorp
has entered into long-term agreements that qualify as capital leases and expire
at various dates through October 2036 for transportation services, power
purchase agreements, real estate and for the use of certain equipment. The
transportation services agreements included as capital leases are for the right
to use pipeline facilities to provide natural gas to three of PacifiCorp’s
generating facilities. Net assets accounted for as capital leases of
$59 million and $65 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively, were included in property, plant and equipment, net in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of
December 31, 2009, the annual maturities of long-term debt and capital
lease obligations, excluding unamortized discounts, for 2010 and thereafter are
as follows (in millions):
Long-Term
|
Capital Lease
|
|||||||||||
Debt
|
Obligations
|
Total
|
||||||||||
2010
|
$ | 14 | $ | 9 | $ | 23 | ||||||
2011
|
587 | 8 | 595 | |||||||||
2012
|
17 | 8 | 25 | |||||||||
2013
|
261 | 12 | 273 | |||||||||
2014
|
253 | 8 | 261 | |||||||||
Thereafter
|
5,240 | 94 | 5,334 | |||||||||
Total
|
6,372 | 139 | 6,511 | |||||||||
Unamortized
discount
|
(15 | ) | - | (15 | ) | |||||||
Amounts
representing interest
|
- | (80 | ) | (80 | ) | |||||||
Total
|
$ | 6,357 | $ | 59 | $ | 6,416 |
97
(10) Asset
Retirement Obligations
PacifiCorp
estimates its ARO liabilities based upon detailed engineering calculations of
the amount and timing of future cash spending for a third party to perform the
required work. Spending estimates are escalated for inflation and then
discounted at a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate. Changes in estimates could
occur for a number of reasons, including plan revisions, inflation and changes
in the amount and timing of the expected work.
PacifiCorp
does not recognize liabilities for AROs for which the fair value cannot be
reasonably estimated. Due to the indeterminate removal date, the fair value of
the associated liabilities on certain transmission, distribution and other
assets cannot currently be estimated and no amounts are recognized on the
accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements other than those included in the
regulatory removal cost liability established via approved depreciation
rates.
The
change in the balance of the total ARO liability, which is included in other
current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, is summarized as follows as
of December 31 (in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Balance,
January 1
|
$ | 165 | $ | 185 | ||||
Additions
|
3 | 2 | ||||||
Retirements
|
(20 | ) | (24 | ) | ||||
Change
in estimated costs (1)
|
24 | (8 | ) | |||||
Accretion
|
9 | 10 | ||||||
Balance,
December 31
|
$ | 181 | $ | 165 | ||||
Reflected
as:
|
||||||||
Other current
liabilities
|
$ | 15 | $ | 27 | ||||
Other long-term
liabilities
|
166 | 138 | ||||||
$ | 181 | $ | 165 | |||||
Investment
trusts (2)
|
$ | 81 | $ | 83 |
(1)
|
Results
from changes in the timing and amounts of estimated cash flows for certain
plant and mine reclamation.
|
(2)
|
Substantially
represents PacifiCorp’s trust for final reclamation of the Jim Bridger
mine, including the noncontrolling interest joint-owner portion. Amount is
included in other current assets and investments and other assets on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets.
|
PacifiCorp’s
coal mining operations are subject to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977 and similar state statutes that establish operational, reclamation
and closure standards that must be met during and upon completion of mining
activities. These statutes mandate that mining property be restored consistent
with specific standards and the approved reclamation plan. PacifiCorp incurs
expenditures for both ongoing and final reclamation. PacifiCorp’s ARO
liabilities consist principally of mine reclamation obligations for its Jim
Bridger mine that were $79 million and $84 million as of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Certain
of PacifiCorp’s decommissioning and reclamation obligations relate to jointly
owned facilities and mine sites. For decommissioning, PacifiCorp is committed to
pay a proportionate share of the decommissioning costs based upon its ownership
percentage, or in the case of mine reclamation obligations, PacifiCorp has
committed to pay a proportionate share of mine reclamation costs based on the
amount of coal purchased by PacifiCorp. In the event of default by any of the
other joint participants, PacifiCorp potentially may be obligated to absorb,
directly or by paying additional sums to the entity, a proportionate share of
the defaulting party’s liability. PacifiCorp’s estimated share of the
decommissioning and reclamation obligations are primarily recorded as ARO
liabilities.
98
(11) Employee Benefit Plans
PacifiCorp
sponsors defined benefit pension plans that cover the majority of its employees
and also provides certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits
through various plans for eligible retirees. In addition, PacifiCorp sponsors a
defined contribution 401(k) employee savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”).
Non-union employees hired on or after January 1, 2008 and certain union new
hires are not eligible to participate in the PacifiCorp Retirement Plan
(the “Retirement Plan”). These employees are eligible to receive enhanced
benefits under the 401(k) Plan.
Pension
and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
PacifiCorp’s
pension plans include a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, the
Retirement Plan; the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”);
and certain joint trust union plans to which PacifiCorp contributes on behalf of
certain bargaining units. All non-union Retirement Plan participants, as well as
certain union participants, earn benefits based on a cash balance formula.
Certain union employees covered under the Retirement Plan continue to earn
benefits based on the employee’s years of service and average monthly pay in the
60 consecutive months of highest pay out of the last 120 months, with
adjustments to reflect benefits estimated to be received from social
security.
The cost
of other postretirement benefits, including healthcare and life insurance
benefits for eligible retirees, is accrued over the active service period of
employees. PacifiCorp funds these other postretirement benefits through a
combination of funding vehicles. PacifiCorp also contributes to joint trust
union plans for postretirement benefits offered to certain bargaining
units.
Measurement
Date Change
PacifiCorp
adopted the measurement date provisions included in the authoritative guidance
for retirement benefits at December 31, 2008, which requires that an
employer measure plan assets and benefit obligations at the end of the
employer’s fiscal year. Effective December 31, 2008, PacifiCorp changed its
measurement date from September 30 to December 31 and recorded a
$14 million transitional adjustment. The components of the measurement date
change transitional adjustment were as follows on a pre-tax basis (in
millions):
Pension
|
Other
Postretirement
|
Total
|
||||||||||
Service
cost
|
$ | 7 | $ | 2 | $ | 9 | ||||||
Interest
cost
|
16 | 8 | 24 | |||||||||
Expected
return on plan assets
|
(18 | ) | (7 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||
Net
amortization
|
2 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||
Total
|
$ | 7 | $ | 7 | $ | 14 |
The $14
million transitional adjustment included $12 million recorded as an
increase in regulatory assets for the portion considered probable of inclusion
in regulated rates and $2 million recorded as a reduction ($1 million
after-tax) in retained earnings for the portion not considered probable of
inclusion in regulated rates. The $12 million increase to regulatory assets
is being amortized over three to 10 years based on agreements with various
state regulatory commissions. The recognition of service cost, interest cost and
expected return on plan assets, totaling $8 million, resulted in an
increase in pension and other postretirement liabilities. The $6 million
net amortization represents recognition of prior service cost, net transition
obligation and actuarial net loss and resulted in a reduction in regulatory
assets.
Curtailments
In
August 2008, non-union employee participants in the Retirement Plan were
offered the option to continue to receive pay credits in their current cash
balance formula of the Retirement Plan or receive equivalent fixed contributions
to the 401(k) Plan. The election was effective January 1, 2009 and
resulted in the recognition of a $38 million curtailment gain. PacifiCorp
recorded $36 million of the curtailment gain as a reduction to regulatory
assets as of December 31, 2008, representing the amount to be returned to
customers in rates. The reduction to regulatory assets is being amortized over a
period of three to 10 years based on agreements with various state
regulatory commissions.
99
Effective
December 31, 2007, Local Union No. 659 of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“Local 659”) elected to cease
participation in the Retirement Plan and participate only in the
401(k) Plan with enhanced benefits. As a result of this election, the
Local 659 participants’ Retirement Plan benefits were frozen as of
December 31, 2007. This change resulted in a $2 million curtailment
gain that was recorded as a reduction to regulatory assets as of
December 31, 2008 based on the requirement to return the amount to
customers in rates. The reduction to regulatory assets is being amortized over a
period of three to 10 years based on agreements with various state
regulatory commissions. Also as a result of this change, PacifiCorp’s pension
liability and regulatory assets each decreased by $13 million.
Effective
March 31, 2010, Utility Workers Union of America Local Union No. 127
(“Local 127”) will cease participation in the Retirement Plan and
participate only in the 401(k) Plan with enhanced benefits. As a result,
the Local 127 participants’ Retirement Plan benefits will be frozen on
March 31, 2010. The impacts of this change are not expected to
significantly impact PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results.
Change
in Benefit Formula
Effective
June 1, 2007, PacifiCorp switched from a traditional final-average-pay
formula for the Retirement Plan to a cash balance formula for its non-union
employees. As a result of the change, benefits under the traditional
final-average-pay formula were frozen as of May 31, 2007 for non-union
employees, and PacifiCorp’s pension liability and regulatory assets each
decreased by $111 million.
Net
Periodic Benefit Cost
For
purposes of calculating the expected return on plan assets, a market-related
value is used. The market-related value of plan assets is calculated by
spreading the difference between expected and actual investment returns over a
five-year period beginning after the first year in which they
occur.
Net
periodic benefit cost for the plans included the following components for the
years ended December 31 (in millions):
Pension
|
Other
Postretirement
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
(2)
|
2007
|
2009
|
2008
(2)
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Service
cost (1)
|
$ | 16 | $ | 27 | $ | 29 | $ | 5 | $ | 7 | $ | 7 | ||||||||||||
Interest
cost
|
71 | 67 | 71 | 33 | 33 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||
Expected
return on plan assets
|
(70 | ) | (72 | ) | (68 | ) | (29 | ) | (28 | ) | (26 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net
amortization
|
10 | 7 | 23 | 12 | 15 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
amortization of regulatory assets
|
(8 | ) | - | - | 1 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Cost
of termination benefits
|
- | - | 1 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Curtailment
gain
|
- | (2 | ) | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Net
periodic benefit cost
|
$ | 19 | $ | 27 | $ | 56 | $ | 22 | $ | 27 | $ | 33 |
(1)
|
Service
cost excludes $13 million, $13 million and $12 million of
contributions to the joint trust union plans during the years ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
|
(2)
|
Excludes
the impact of the measurement date change and the portion of the
curtailment gains required to be returned to customers in rates. Refer to
“Measurement Date Change” and “Curtailments”
above.
|
100
Funded
Status
The
following table is a reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets for the
years ended December 31 (in millions):
Pension
|
Other
Postretirement
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Plan
assets at fair value, beginning of year
|
$ | 692 | $ | 963 | $ | 284 | $ | 378 | ||||||||
Employer
contributions
|
54 | 70 | 24 | 42 | ||||||||||||
Participant
contributions
|
- | - | 9 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Actual
return on plan assets
|
160 | (224 | ) | 70 | (103 | ) | ||||||||||
Benefits
paid
|
(81 | ) | (117 | ) | (37 | ) | (47 | ) | ||||||||
Plan
assets at fair value, end of year
|
$ | 825 | $ | 692 | $ | 350 | $ | 284 |
The
following table is a reconciliation of the benefit obligations for the years
ended December 31 (in millions):
Pension
|
Other
Postretirement
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Benefit
obligation, beginning of year
|
$ | 1,070 | $ | 1,111 | $ | 489 | $ | 536 | ||||||||
Service
cost (1)
|
16 | 34 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Interest
cost (1)
|
71 | 83 | 33 | 41 | ||||||||||||
Participant
contributions
|
- | - | 9 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Plan
amendments
|
(1 | ) | (7 | ) | (4 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||||||
Curtailment
|
- | (13 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||
Actuarial
loss (gain)
|
124 | (21 | ) | 47 | (56 | ) | ||||||||||
Benefits
paid, net of Medicare subsidy
|
(81 | ) | (117 | ) | (34 | ) | (43 | ) | ||||||||
Cost
of termination benefits
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Benefit
obligation, end of year
|
$ | 1,199 | $ | 1,070 | $ | 545 | $ | 489 | ||||||||
Accumulated
benefit obligation, end of year
|
$ | 1,178 | $ | 1,048 |
(1)
|
Included
in the pension and other postretirement liabilities in connection with the
measurement date change in 2008 was additional service cost of
$7 million and $2 million and additional interest cost of
$16 million and $8 million for the pension and other
postretirement benefit plans,
respectively.
|
101
The
funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized on the Consolidated
Balance Sheets are as follows as of December 31
(in millions):
Pension
|
Other
Postretirement
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Plan
assets at fair value, end of year
|
$ | 825 | $ | 692 | $ | 350 | $ | 284 | ||||||||
Less
– Benefit
obligation, end of year
|
1,199 | 1,070 | 545 | 489 | ||||||||||||
Funded
status
|
$ | (374 | ) | $ | (378 | ) | $ | (195 | ) | $ | (205 | ) | ||||
Amounts
recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
|
||||||||||||||||
Other
current liabilities
|
$ | (4 | ) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Other
long-term liabilities
|
(370 | ) | (374 | ) | (195 | ) | (205 | ) | ||||||||
Amounts
recognized
|
$ | (374 | ) | $ | (378 | ) | $ | (195 | ) | $ | (205 | ) |
The SERP
has no plan assets; however, PacifiCorp has a Rabbi trust that holds
corporate-owned life insurance and other investments to provide funding for the
future cash requirements of the SERP. The cash surrender value of all of the
policies included in the Rabbi trust, net of amounts borrowed against the cash
surrender value, plus the fair market value of other Rabbi trust investments,
was $39 million and $38 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. These assets are not included in the plan assets in the above
table, but are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The portion of the
pension plans’ projected benefit obligation related to the SERP was
$55 million and $50 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. The SERP’s accumulated benefit obligation totaled $55 million
and $50 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
Unrecognized
Amounts
The
portion of the funded status of the plans not yet recognized in net periodic
benefit cost is as follows as of December 31 (in millions):
Pension
|
Other
Postretirement
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Amounts
not yet recognized as components of net periodic benefit
cost:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
loss
|
$ | 523 | $ | 508 | $ | 135 | $ | 128 | ||||||||
Prior
service (credit) cost
|
(60 | ) | (68 | ) | - | 1 | ||||||||||
Net
transition obligation
|
- | - | 29 | 45 | ||||||||||||
Regulatory
deferrals (1)
|
(24 | ) | (32 | ) | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 439 | $ | 408 | $ | 169 | $ | 180 |
(1)
|
Consists
of amounts related to the portion of the curtailment gains and the
measurement date change transitional adjustment that are considered
probable of inclusion in regulated
rates.
|
102
A
reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of amounts not yet
recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended
December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows (in millions):
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||
Other
|
||||||||||||
Regulatory
|
Comprehensive
|
|||||||||||
Asset
|
Loss,
Net
|
Total
|
||||||||||
Pension
|
||||||||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2008
|
$ | 132 | $ | 6 | $ | 138 | ||||||
Net
loss (gain) arising during the year
|
293 | (2 | ) | 291 | ||||||||
Prior
service credit arising during the year
|
(7 | ) | - | (7 | ) | |||||||
Curtailment
gains
|
(11 | ) | - | (11 | ) | |||||||
Measurement
date change
|
6 | - | 6 | |||||||||
Net
amortization (1)
|
(9 | ) | - | (9 | ) | |||||||
Total
|
272 | (2 | ) | 270 | ||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2008
|
$ | 404 | $ | 4 | $ | 408 | ||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2009
|
$ | 404 | $ | 4 | $ | 408 | ||||||
Net
loss arising during the year
|
29 | 5 | 34 | |||||||||
Prior
service credit arising during the year
|
(1 | ) | - | (1 | ) | |||||||
Net
amortization
|
(2 | ) | - | (2 | ) | |||||||
Total
|
26 | 5 | 31 | |||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2009
|
$ | 430 | $ | 9 | $ | 439 |
Deferred
|
||||||||||||
Regulatory
|
Income
|
|||||||||||
Asset
|
Taxes
|
Total
|
||||||||||
Other Postretirement
|
||||||||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2008
|
$ | 95 | $ | 27 | $ | 122 | ||||||
Net
loss (gain) arising during the year
|
91 | (7 | ) | 84 | ||||||||
Prior
service credit arising during the year
|
(13 | ) | - | (13 | ) | |||||||
Measurement
date change
|
6 | - | 6 | |||||||||
Net
amortization (1)
|
(19 | ) | - | (19 | ) | |||||||
Total
|
65 | (7 | ) | 58 | ||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2008
|
$ | 160 | $ | 20 | $ | 180 | ||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2009
|
$ | 160 | $ | 20 | $ | 180 | ||||||
Net
loss arising during the year
|
4 | 3 | 7 | |||||||||
Prior
service credit arising during the year
|
(1 | ) | - | (1 | ) | |||||||
Transition
obligation credit arising during the year
|
(3 | ) | - | (3 | ) | |||||||
Net
amortization
|
(14 | ) | - | (14 | ) | |||||||
Total
|
(14 | ) | 3 | (11 | ) | |||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2009
|
$ | 146 | $ | 23 | $ | 169 |
(1)
|
Included
in the net amortization for 2008 was $2 million and $4 million
for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans, respectively, in
connection with the measurement date change in
2008.
|
The net
loss, prior service credit, net transition obligation and regulatory deferrals
that will be amortized in 2010 into net periodic benefit cost are estimated to
be as follows (in millions):
Net
|
Prior Service
|
Net Transition
|
Regulatory
|
|||||||||||||||||
Loss
|
Credit
|
Obligation
|
Deferrals
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||
Pension
|
$ | 32 | $ | (9 | ) | $ | - | $ | (9 | ) | $ | 14 | ||||||||
Other
postretirement
|
4 | - | 10 | 1 | 15 | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 36 | $ | (9 | ) | $ | 10 | $ | (8 | ) | $ | 29 |
103
Plan
Assumptions
Assumptions
used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost were as
follows for the years ended December 31:
Pension
|
Other
Postretirement
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Benefit
obligations as of the measurement date:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount rate
|
5.80 | % | 6.90 | % | 6.30 | % | 5.85 | % | 6.90 | % | 6.45 | % | ||||||||||||
Rate of compensation increase
|
3.00 | 3.50 | 4.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
benefit cost for the period ended:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount rate
|
6.90 | % | 6.30 | % | 5.76 | % | 6.90 | % | 6.45 | % | 6.00 | % | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets
|
7.75 | 7.75 | 8.00 | 7.75 | 7.75 | 8.00 | ||||||||||||||||||
Rate of compensation increase
|
3.50 | 4.00 | 4.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
In
establishing its assumption as to the expected return on plan assets, PacifiCorp
reviews the expected asset allocation and develops return assumptions for each
asset class based on historical performance and forward-looking views of the
financial markets.
Assumed
healthcare cost trend rates were as follows as of December 31:
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Healthcare
cost trend rate assumed for next year – under 65
|
8 | % | 8 | % | ||||
Healthcare
cost trend rate assumed for next year – over 65
|
8 | 6 | ||||||
Rate
that the cost trend rate gradually declines to
|
5 | 5 | ||||||
Year
that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain at – under 65
|
2016 | 2012 | ||||||
Year
that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain at – over 65
|
2016 | 2010 |
A
one-percentage-point change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have
the following effects (in millions):
Increase
(Decrease)
|
||||||||
One
Percentage-Point
|
One
Percentage-Point
|
|||||||
Increase
|
Decrease
|
|||||||
Effect
on total service and interest cost
|
$ | 3 | $ | (2 | ) | |||
Effect
on other postretirement benefit obligation
|
31 | (26 | ) |
104
Contributions
and Benefit Payments
Employer
contributions to the pension, other postretirement benefit and joint trust union
plans are expected to be $109 million, $25 million and
$13 million, respectively, during 2010. Funding to PacifiCorp’s Retirement
Plan trust is based upon the actuarially determined costs of the plan and the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended.
PacifiCorp considers contributing additional amounts from time to time in order
to achieve certain funding levels specified under the Pension Protection Act of
2006, as amended. PacifiCorp’s funding policy for its other postretirement
benefit plans is to contribute an amount equal to the sum of the net periodic
benefit cost and the Medicare subsidies expected to be earned during the
period.
The
Plan’s expected benefit payments to participants for its pension and other
postretirement benefit plans for 2010 through 2014 and for the five years
thereafter are summarized below (in millions):
Projected
Benefit Payments
|
||||||||||||||||
Other
Postretirement
|
||||||||||||||||
Pension
|
Gross
|
Medicare Subsidy
|
Net
of Subsidy
|
|||||||||||||
2010
|
$ | 99 | $ | 34 | $ | (3 | ) | $ | 31 | |||||||
2011
|
102 | 37 | (3 | ) | 34 | |||||||||||
2012
|
104 | 39 | (4 | ) | 35 | |||||||||||
2013
|
111 | 41 | (4 | ) | 37 | |||||||||||
2014
|
116 | 43 | (5 | ) | 38 | |||||||||||
2015
– 2019
|
525 | 239 | (32 | ) | 207 |
Plan
Assets
Investment
Policy and Asset Allocation
PacifiCorp’s
investment policy for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans is to
balance risk and return through a diversified portfolio of fixed income
securities, equity securities and other alternative investments. Maturities for
fixed income securities are managed to targets consistent with prudent risk
tolerances. The plans retain outside investment advisors to manage plan
investments within the parameters outlined by the PacifiCorp Pension Committee.
PacifiCorp manages the investment portfolio in line with the investment policy
with sufficient liquidity to meet near-term benefit payments. The return on
assets assumption for each plan is based on a weighted-average of the expected
performance for the types of assets in which the plans invest.
PacifiCorp’s
target allocations (percentage of plan assets) for the pension and other
postretirement benefit plan assets are as follows as of December 31,
2009:
Pension(1)
|
Other
Postretirement(1)
|
||
%
|
%
|
||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
0 –
1
|
0 –
1
|
|
Equity
securities (2)
|
53
– 57
|
61
– 65
|
|
Fixed-income
securities
(2)
|
33
– 37
|
33
– 37
|
|
Limited
partnership interests
|
8 –
12
|
1 –
3
|
(1)
|
PacifiCorp’s
pension plan trust includes a separate account that is used to fund
benefits for the other postretirement benefit plan. In addition to this
separate account, the assets for the other postretirement benefit plans
are held in two Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiaries Association (“VEBA”)
trusts, each of which has its own investment allocation strategies. Target
allocations for the other postretirement benefit plans include the
separate account of the pension plan trust and the two VEBA
trusts.
|
(2)
|
For
purposes of target allocation percentages, investment funds have been
allocated based on the underlying investments in equity and fixed-income
securities.
|
105
The
following table presents the fair value of PacifiCorp’s plan assets, by major
category, as of December 31, 2009 (in millions):
Input
Levels for Fair Value Measurements
|
||||||||||||||||
Level
1 (1)
|
Level
2 (1)
|
Level
3 (1)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
Pension
|
||||||||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | - | $ | 4 | $ | - | $ | 4 | ||||||||
Fixed-income
securities:
|
||||||||||||||||
United
States government obligations
|
20 | - | - | 20 | ||||||||||||
Corporate
obligations
|
- | 44 | - | 44 | ||||||||||||
International
government obligations
|
- | 65 | - | 65 | ||||||||||||
Municipal
obligation
|
- | 2 | - | 2 | ||||||||||||
Agency,
asset and mortgage-backed obligations
|
- | 43 | - | 43 | ||||||||||||
Equity
securities:
|
||||||||||||||||
United
States equity securities
|
296 | - | - | 296 | ||||||||||||
International
equity securities
|
4 | - | - | 4 | ||||||||||||
Investment
funds (2)
|
95 | 168 | - | 263 | ||||||||||||
Limited
partnership interests (3)
|
- | - | 80 | 80 | ||||||||||||
Total
(4)
|
$ | 415 | $ | 326 | $ | 80 | $ | 821 | ||||||||
Other postretirement
|
||||||||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 3 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 3 | ||||||||
Fixed-income
securities:
|
||||||||||||||||
United
States government obligations
|
2 | - | - | 2 | ||||||||||||
Corporate
obligations
|
- | 4 | - | 4 | ||||||||||||
International
government obligations
|
- | 6 | - | 6 | ||||||||||||
Agency,
asset and mortgage-backed obligations
|
- | 4 | - | 4 | ||||||||||||
Equity
securities:
|
||||||||||||||||
United
States equity securities
|
115 | - | - | 115 | ||||||||||||
International
equity securities
|
2 | - | - | 2 | ||||||||||||
Investment
funds (2)
|
101 | 104 | - | 205 | ||||||||||||
Limited
partnership interests (3)
|
- | - | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Total
(4)
|
$ | 223 | $ | 118 | $ | 8 | $ | 349 |
(1)
|
Refer
to Note 6 for additional discussion regarding the three levels of the fair
value hierarchy.
|
(2)
|
Investment
funds for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans include
investments of 14% and 29%, respectively, in United States equity
securities; 49% and 23%, respectively, in international equity securities;
13% and 17%, respectively, in United States government obligations; 8% and
10%, respectively, in corporate obligations; 9% and 11%, respectively, in
international government obligations; and 7% and 10%, respectively, in
agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations.
|
(3)
|
Limited
partnership interests include several private equity funds that invest
primarily in buyout, growth equity and venture capital.
|
(4)
|
Net
receivables of $4 million and $1 million, respectively, related
to the pension and other postretirement benefit plans are excluded from
the fair value measurement
hierarchy.
|
When
available, a readily observable quoted market price or net asset value of an
identical security in an active market is used to record the fair value. In the
absence of a quoted market price or net asset value of an identical security,
the fair value is determined using pricing models or net asset values based on
observable market inputs and quoted market prices of securities with similar
characteristics. When observable market data is not available, the fair value is
determined using unobservable inputs, such as estimated future cash flows,
purchase multiples paid in other comparable third-party transactions or other
information. Investments in limited partnerships are valued at estimated fair
value based on the Plan’s proportionate share of the partnerships’ fair value as
recorded in the partnerships’ most recently available financial statements
adjusted for recent activity and forecasted returns. The fair values recorded in
the partnerships’ financial statements are generally determined based on closing
public market prices for publicly traded securities and as determined by the
general partners for other investments based on factors including estimated
future cash flows, purchase multiples paid in other comparable third-party
transactions, comparable public company trading multiples and other
information.
106
The
following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of PacifiCorp’s
plan assets measured at fair value using significant Level 3 inputs for the
year ended December 31, 2009 (in millions):
Limited
Partnership Interests
|
||||||||
Pension
|
Other
Postretirement
|
|||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2009
|
$ | 78 | $ | 7 | ||||
Actual
return on plan assets still held at period end (1)
|
5 | 1 | ||||||
Purchases,
sales, issuances and settlements
|
(3 | ) | - | |||||
Balance,
December 31, 2009
|
$ | 80 | $ | 8 |
(1)
|
Actual
return on pension plan assets for limited partnership interests consisted
of unrealized appreciation of $5 million related to assets held at
December 31, 2009.
|
Defined
Contribution Plan
PacifiCorp’s
401(k) Plan covers substantially all employees. PacifiCorp’s contributions
are based primarily on each participant’s level of contribution and cannot
exceed the maximum allowable for tax purposes to the 401(k) Plan.
PacifiCorp’s contributions were $34 million, $23 million and
$19 million during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007,
respectively. As previously described, certain participants now receive enhanced
benefits in the 401(k) Plan and no longer accrue benefits in the Retirement
Plan.
107
(12) Income
Taxes
Income
tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the years ended
December 31 (in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Current:
|
||||||||||||
Federal
|
$ | (417 | ) | $ | (64 | ) | $ | 162 | ||||
State
|
6 | (6 | ) | 19 | ||||||||
Total
|
(411 | ) | (70 | ) | 181 | |||||||
Deferred:
|
||||||||||||
Federal
|
619 | 276 | 41 | |||||||||
State
|
30 | 36 | 6 | |||||||||
Total
|
649 | 312 | 47 | |||||||||
Investment
tax credits
|
(4 | ) | (4 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||
Total
income tax expense
|
$ | 234 | $ | 238 | $ | 220 |
A
reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income
tax rate applicable to income before income tax expense is as follows for the
years ended December 31:
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Federal
statutory tax rate
|
35 | % | 35 | % | 35 | % | ||||||
State
taxes, net of federal benefit
|
3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Tax
credits (1)
|
(6 | ) | (5 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||||
Other
|
(2 | ) | 1 | (2 | ) | |||||||
Effective
income tax rate
|
30 | % | 34 | % | 33 | % |
(1)
|
Primarily
attributable to the impact of federal renewable electricity production tax
credits related to qualifying wind-powered generating facilities that
extend 10 years from the date the facilities were placed in
service.
|
108
The net
deferred income tax liability consists of the following as of December 31
(in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Deferred
tax assets:
|
||||||||
Regulatory
liabilities
|
$ | 326 | $ | 319 | ||||
Employee
benefits
|
247 | 249 | ||||||
Derivative
contracts
|
140 | 169 | ||||||
Other
|
169 | 153 | ||||||
882 | 890 | |||||||
Deferred
tax liabilities:
|
||||||||
Property,
plant and equipment
|
(2,599 | ) | (1,940 | ) | ||||
Regulatory
assets
|
(838 | ) | (881 | ) | ||||
Other
|
(31 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||
(3,468 | ) | (2,841 | ) | |||||
Net
deferred tax liability
|
$ | (2,586 | ) | $ | (1,951 | ) | ||
Reflected
as:
|
||||||||
Deferred
income taxes – current assets
|
$ | 39 | $ | 74 | ||||
Deferred
income taxes – non-current liabilities
|
(2,625 | ) | (2,025 | ) | ||||
$ | (2,586 | ) | $ | (1,951 | ) |
The sale
of PacifiCorp to MEHC on March 21, 2006 triggered certain tax related
events that remain unsettled. PacifiCorp does not believe that the tax, if any,
arising from the ultimate settlement of these events will have a material impact
on its consolidated financial results.
As of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, PacifiCorp had a net liability of
$75 million and a net asset of $13 million, respectively, for
uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the net
liability for uncertain tax positions included $6 million and the net asset
for uncertain tax positions included $14 million, respectively, of tax
positions that, if recognized, would have an impact on the effective tax rate.
The remaining unrecognized tax benefits relate to positions for which ultimate
deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty as to the
timing of such deductibility. Recognition of these tax benefits, other than
applicable interest and penalties, would not affect PacifiCorp’s effective tax
rate. The current portion of uncertain tax positions is included in accrued
taxes and the non-current portion is included in other long-term liabilities in
the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The
United States Internal Revenue Service has closed its examination of
PacifiCorp’s income tax returns through the 2003 tax year. In most cases, state
jurisdictions have closed their examinations of PacifiCorp’s income tax returns
through 1993.
PacifiCorp
adopted authoritative guidance related to uncertain tax positions (included in
ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”) effective January 1, 2007 and had a net
asset of $22 million for uncertain tax positions. PacifiCorp recognized a
net increase in the asset of $22 million as a cumulative effect of adopting
this guidance, which was offset by increases in beginning retained earnings of
$13 million and deferred income tax liabilities of $9 million on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets.
109
(13) Commitments
and Contingencies
PacifiCorp
is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of
business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. PacifiCorp
does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material
effect on its consolidated financial results. PacifiCorp is also involved in
other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek
to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts and are
described below.
Legal
Matters
In
February 2007, the Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor Council filed a
complaint against PacifiCorp in the federal district court in Cheyenne, Wyoming,
alleging violations of the Wyoming state opacity standards at PacifiCorp’s Jim
Bridger generating facility in Wyoming. Under Wyoming state requirements, which
are part of the Jim Bridger generating facility’s Title V permit and are
enforceable by private citizens under the federal Clean Air Act, a potential
source of pollutants such as a coal-fired generating facility must meet minimum
standards for opacity, which is a measurement of light that is obscured in the
flue of a generating facility. The complaint alleged thousands of violations of
asserted six-minute compliance periods and sought an injunction ordering the Jim
Bridger generating facility’s compliance with opacity limits, civil penalties of
$32,500 per day per violation and the plaintiffs’ costs of litigation. In
August 2009, the court ruled on a number of summary judgment motions by
which it determined that the plaintiffs have sufficient legal standing to
proceed with their complaint and that all other issues raised in the summary
judgment motions will be resolved at trial. In February 2010, PacifiCorp, the
Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor Council reached an agreement in principle to
settle all outstanding claims in the action. The settlement will be memorialized
in a consent decree to be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency for
review and also with the court for review and approval. If approved by the court
as expected, the settlement is not expected to have a material impact on
PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial results.
Environmental
Regulation
Environmental
Matters
PacifiCorp
is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air and
water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other
environmental matters that have the potential to impact PacifiCorp’s current and
future operations. PacifiCorp believes it is in material compliance with current
environmental requirements.
New
Source Review
As part
of an industry-wide investigation to assess compliance with the New Source
Review (“NSR”) and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (“PSD”) provisions,
the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) has requested
from numerous utilities information and supporting documentation regarding their
capital projects for various generating facilities. Between 2001 and 2003,
PacifiCorp responded to requests for information relating to its capital
projects at its generating facilities, and it has been engaged in periodic
discussions with the EPA over several years regarding its historical projects
and their compliance with NSR and PSD provisions. An NSR enforcement case
against another utility has been decided by the United States Supreme Court,
holding that an increase in annual emissions of a generating facility, when
combined with a modification (i.e., a physical or operational change), may
trigger NSR permitting. PacifiCorp could be required to install additional
emissions controls, and incur additional costs and penalties, in the event it is
determined that PacifiCorp’s historical projects did not meet all regulatory
requirements. The impact of these
additional emissions controls, costs and penalties, if any, on PacifiCorp’s
consolidated financial results cannot be determined at this
time.
110
Accrued
Environmental Costs
PacifiCorp
is fully or partly responsible for environmental remediation at various
contaminated sites, including sites that are or were part of PacifiCorp’s
operations and sites owned by third parties. PacifiCorp accrues environmental
remediation expenses when the expenses are believed to be probable and can be
reasonably estimated. The quantification of environmental exposures is based on
many factors, including changing laws and regulations, advancements in
environmental technologies, the quality of available site-specific information,
site investigation results, expected remediation or settlement timelines,
PacifiCorp’s proportionate responsibility, contractual indemnities and coverage
provided by insurance policies. The liability recorded as of December 31,
2009 and 2008 was $18 million and $26 million, respectively, and is
included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. Environmental remediation liabilities that
separately result from the normal operation of long-lived assets and that are
legal obligations associated with the retirement of those assets are separately
accounted for as AROs.
Hydroelectric
Relicensing
PacifiCorp’s
hydroelectric portfolio consists of 47 generating facilities with an
aggregate facility net owned capacity of 1,158 MW. The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”) regulates 98% of the net capacity of
this portfolio through 16 individual licenses, which typically have terms
of 30 to 50 years. PacifiCorp expects to incur ongoing operating and
maintenance expense and capital expenditures associated with the terms of its
renewed hydroelectric licenses and settlement agreements, including natural
resource enhancements. PacifiCorp’s Klamath hydroelectric system is currently
operating under annual licenses. Substantially all of PacifiCorp’s remaining
hydroelectric generating facilities are operating under licenses that expire
between 2030 and 2058.
Klamath Hydroelectric System
– Klamath River, Oregon and California
In
February 2004, PacifiCorp filed with the FERC a final application for a new
license to operate the 170-MW Klamath hydroelectric system in anticipation of
the March 2006 expiration of the existing license. PacifiCorp is currently
operating under an annual license issued by the FERC and expects to continue
operating under annual licenses until the relicensing process is complete or the
system’s four mainstem dams are removed. As part of the relicensing process, the
FERC is required to perform an environmental review and in November 2007, the
FERC issued its final environmental impact statement. The United States Fish and
Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service issued final
biological opinions in December 2007 analyzing the Klamath hydroelectric
system’s impact on endangered species under a new FERC license consistent with
the FERC staff’s recommended license alternative and terms and conditions issued
by the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce. These terms and
conditions include construction of upstream and downstream fish passage
facilities at the Klamath hydroelectric system’s four mainstem dams. Prior to
the FERC issuing a final license, PacifiCorp is required to obtain water quality
certifications from Oregon and California. PacifiCorp currently has water
quality applications pending in Oregon and California.
In
November 2008, PacifiCorp signed a non-binding agreement in principle (“AIP”)
that laid out a framework for the disposition of PacifiCorp’s Klamath
hydroelectric system relicensing process, including a path toward potential dam
transfer and removal by an entity other than PacifiCorp no earlier than 2020.
Subsequent to release of the AIP, negotiations between the parties continued
with an expanded group of stakeholders. A final draft of the Klamath
Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (“KHSA”) was released in January 2010
for public review. The parties to the KHSA, which include PacifiCorp, the United
States Department of the Interior, the United States Department of Commerce, the
State of California, the State of Oregon and various other governmental and
non-governmental settlement parties, signed the KHSA in February 2010.
Federal legislation to endorse and enact provisions of the KHSA is expected to
be introduced in the United States Congress in 2010.
Under the
terms of the KHSA, the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce
will conduct scientific and engineering studies and consult with state, local
and tribal governments and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to determine by
March 31, 2012 whether removal of the Klamath hydroelectric system’s four
mainstem dams will advance restoration of the salmonid fisheries of the Klamath
Basin and is in the public interest. This determination will be made by the
United States Secretary of the Interior. If it is determined that dam removal
should proceed, dam removal is expected to commence no earlier than
2020.
111
Under the
KHSA, PacifiCorp and its customers are protected from uncapped dam removal costs
and liabilities. For dam removal to occur, federal legislation consistent with
the KHSA must be enacted to provide, among other things, protection for
PacifiCorp from all liabilities associated with dam removal activities. In
addition, the KHSA limits PacifiCorp’s contribution to dam removal costs to no
more than $200 million, of which up to $184 million would be collected
from PacifiCorp’s Oregon customers with the remainder to be collected from
PacifiCorp’s California customers. An additional $250 million for dam
removal costs is expected to be raised through a California bond measure. If dam
removal costs exceed $200 million and if the State of California is unable to
raise the funds necessary for dam removal costs, sufficient funds would need to
be obtained elsewhere in order for the KHSA and dam removal to
proceed.
Actual
removal of a facility would occur only after all permits for removal are
obtained and the facility and associated land are transferred to a dam removal
entity. Prior to potential removal of a facility, the facility will generally
continue to operate as it does currently. However, PacifiCorp is responsible for
implementing interim measures to provide additional resource protections, water
quality improvements, habitat enhancement for aquatic species and increased
funding for hatchery operations in the Klamath River Basin.
In
July 2009, Oregon’s governor signed a bill authorizing PacifiCorp to
collect surcharges from its Oregon customers for Oregon’s share of the customer
contribution for the cost of removing the Klamath hydroelectric system’s four
mainstem dams. PacifiCorp expects collection from Oregon customers to begin in
March 2010. Also in March 2010, PacifiCorp will file with the California Public
Utilities Commission to obtain approval to begin collecting a surcharge from its
California customers.
As of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, PacifiCorp had $67 million and
$57 million, respectively, in costs related to the relicensing of the
Klamath hydroelectric system included in construction work-in-progress within
property, plant and equipment, net in the Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
Hydroelectric
Commitments
As
described above, certain of PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric licenses contain
requirements for PacifiCorp to make certain capital and operating expenditures
related to its hydroelectric facilities. PacifiCorp estimates it is obligated to
make capital expenditures of approximately $266 million over the next 10
years related to these licenses.
FERC
Issues
FERC
Investigation
During
2007, the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (the “WECC”) audited
PacifiCorp’s compliance with several of the reliability standards developed by
the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (the “NERC”). In
April 2008, PacifiCorp received notice of a preliminary non-public
investigation from the FERC and the NERC to determine whether an outage that
occurred in PacifiCorp’s transmission system in February 2008 involved any
violations of reliability standards. In November 2008, PacifiCorp received
preliminary findings from the FERC staff regarding its non-public
investigation into the February 2008 outage. Also in November 2008, in
conjunction with the reliability standards review, the FERC assumed control of
certain aspects of the WECC’s 2007 audit. PacifiCorp has engaged in
discussions with FERC staff regarding findings related to the WECC audit and the
non-public investigation. However, PacifiCorp cannot predict the impact of
the audit or the non-public investigation on its consolidated financial results
at this time.
112
Northwest
Refund Case
In
June 2003, the FERC terminated its proceeding relating to the possibility
of requiring refunds for wholesale spot-market bilateral sales in the Pacific
Northwest between December 2000 and June 2001. The FERC concluded that
ordering refunds would not be an appropriate resolution of the matter. In
November 2003, the FERC issued its final order denying rehearing. Several
market participants, excluding PacifiCorp, filed petitions in the United States
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (the “Ninth Circuit”) for review of
the FERC’s final order. In August 2007, the Ninth Circuit concluded that
the FERC failed to adequately explain how it considered or examined new evidence
showing intentional market manipulation in California and its potential ties to
the Pacific Northwest, and that the FERC should not have excluded from the
Pacific Northwest refund proceeding purchases of energy in the Pacific Northwest
spot market made by the California Energy Resources Scheduling (“CERS”) division
of the California Department of Water Resources. Without issuing the mandate
order, the Ninth Circuit remanded the case to the FERC to (a) address the
new market manipulation evidence in detail and account for it in any future
orders regarding the award or denial of refunds in the proceedings;
(b) include sales to CERS in its analysis; and (c) further consider
its refund decision in light of related, intervening opinions of the court. The
Ninth Circuit offered no opinion on the FERC’s findings based on the record
established by the administrative law judge and did not rule on the merits of
the FERC’s November 2003 decision to deny refunds. In April 2009, the
Ninth Circuit issued a formal mandate order, completing the remand of the case
to the FERC, which has not yet undertaken further action. PacifiCorp cannot
predict the future course of this proceeding and its impact on its consolidated
financial results, if any, at this time.
Purchase
Obligations
PacifiCorp
has the following unconditional purchase obligations as of December 31,
2009 that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Minimum payments
required for the years ending December 31 (in millions):
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
Thereafter
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased
electricity
|
$ | 262 | $ | 165 | $ | 124 | $ | 127 | $ | 98 | $ | 596 | $ | 1,372 | ||||||||||||||
Fuel
|
554 | 366 | 225 | 213 | 207 | 1,198 | 2,763 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Construction
|
677 | 172 | 32 | 7 | 18 | 99 | 1,005 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transmission
|
117 | 111 | 101 | 89 | 75 | 775 | 1,268 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating
leases
|
5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 40 | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other
|
107 | 29 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 43 | 205 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total
commitments
|
$ | 1,722 | $ | 848 | $ | 496 | $ | 450 | $ | 407 | $ | 2,751 | $ | 6,674 |
Purchased
Electricity
As part
of its energy resource portfolio, PacifiCorp acquires a portion of its
electricity through long-term purchases and exchange agreements. PacifiCorp has
several power purchase agreements with wind-powered and other generating
facilities that are not included in the table above as the payments are based on
the amount of energy generated and there are no minimum payments.
Included
in the minimum fixed annual payments for purchased electricity above are
commitments to purchase electricity from several hydroelectric systems under
long-term arrangements with public utility districts. These purchases are made
on a “cost-of-service” basis for a stated percentage of system output and for a
like percentage of system operating expenses and debt service. These costs are
included in energy costs on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
PacifiCorp is required to pay its portion of operating costs and its portion of
the debt service, whether or not any electricity is produced. These arrangements
accounted for less than 5% of PacifiCorp’s 2009, 2008 and 2007 energy
sources.
Fuel
PacifiCorp
has “take or pay” coal and natural gas contracts that require minimum
payments.
113
Construction
PacifiCorp
has an ongoing construction program to meet increased electricity usage,
customer growth and system reliability objectives. As of December 31, 2009,
PacifiCorp had estimated long-term purchase obligations related to its
construction program primarily for the installation of emissions control
equipment, certain segments of the Energy Gateway Transmission Expansion Program
and for new wind-powered generating facilities. Amounts included in the purchase
obligations table above relate to firm commitments. The amounts described below
include amounts to which PacifiCorp is not yet firmly committed through a
purchase order or other agreement.
PacifiCorp’s
Energy Gateway Transmission Expansion Program represents a plan to build
approximately 2,000 miles of new high-voltage transmission lines, with an
estimated cost exceeding $6 billion, primarily in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho,
Oregon and the desert Southwest. The plan includes several transmission line
segments that will: (a) address customer load growth; (b) improve
system reliability; (c) reduce transmission system constraints;
(d) provide access to diverse resource areas, including renewable
resources; and (e) improve the flow of electricity throughout PacifiCorp’s
six-state service area and the Western United States. Proposed transmission line
segments are re-evaluated to ensure maximum benefits and timing before
committing to move forward with permitting and construction. The first major
transmission segments associated with this plan are expected to be placed in
service during 2010, with other segments placed in service through 2019,
depending on siting, permitting and construction schedules.
As part
of the March 2006 acquisition of PacifiCorp, MEHC and PacifiCorp made a number
of commitments to the state regulatory commissions in all six states in which
PacifiCorp has retail customers. These commitments are generally being
implemented over several years following the acquisition and are subject to
subsequent regulatory review and approval. As of December 31, 2009, the
status of the key financial commitments was as follows:
|
·
|
Invest
approximately $812 million in emissions reduction technology for
PacifiCorp’s existing coal-fired generating facilities. Through
December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had spent a total of $865 million,
including non-cash equity AFUDC, on these emissions reduction projects.
During 2010, PacifiCorp expects to file notification of its completion of
this commitment with the applicable state regulatory
commissions.
|
|
·
|
Invest
in certain transmission and distribution system projects that would
enhance reliability, facilitate the receipt of renewable resources and
enable further system optimization in an amount that was originally
estimated to be approximately $520 million at the date of the
acquisition. Through December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had spent a total
of $796 million in capital expenditures, including non-cash equity
AFUDC, which was in excess of the original estimate due to the evolving
nature of the projects agreed to in the commitment. This amount includes
costs for the transmission expansion program discussed
above.
|
Transmission
PacifiCorp
has agreements for the right to transmit electricity over other entities’
transmission lines to facilitate delivery to PacifiCorp’s
customers.
Operating
Leases
PacifiCorp
leases offices, certain operating facilities, land and equipment under operating
leases that expire at various dates through the year ending December 31,
2092. Certain leases contain renewal options for varying periods and escalation
clauses for adjusting rent to reflect changes in price indices. These leases
generally require PacifiCorp to pay for insurance, taxes and maintenance
applicable to the leased property.
Net rent
expense was $13 million, $16 million and $24 million during the
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Other
PacifiCorp
has purchase obligations related to equipment maintenance and various other
service and maintenance agreements.
114
(14) Preferred
Stock
PacifiCorp’s
preferred stock, not subject to mandatory redemption, was as follows as of
December 31 (shares in thousands, dollars in millions, except per share
amounts):
Redemption
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||||||||||||||
Price Per Share
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
||||||||||||||||
Series:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Serial
Preferred, $100 stated value,
3,500 shares authorized
|
||||||||||||||||||||
4.52% to 4.72%
|
$102.3 to $103.5 | 157 | $ | 15 | 157 | $ | 15 | |||||||||||||
5.00% to 5.40%
|
$100.0 to $101.0 | 108 | 10 | 108 | 10 | |||||||||||||||
6.00% |
Non-redeemable
|
6 | 1 | 6 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
7.00% |
Non-redeemable
|
18 | 2 | 18 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
5% Preferred,
$100 stated value,
127 shares authorized
|
$110.0 | 126 | 13 | 126 | 13 | |||||||||||||||
415 | $ | 41 | 415 | $ | 41 |
Generally,
preferred stock is redeemable at stipulated prices plus accrued dividends,
subject to certain restrictions. In the event of voluntary liquidation, all
preferred stock is entitled to stated value or a specified preference amount per
share plus accrued dividends. Upon involuntary liquidation, all preferred stock
is entitled to stated value plus accrued dividends. Dividends on all preferred
stock are cumulative. Holders also have the right to elect members to the
PacifiCorp board of directors in the event dividends payable are in default in
an amount equal to four full quarterly payments.
Dividends
declared but not yet due for payment on preferred stock were $1 million as
of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
(15) Common
Shareholder’s Equity
Through
PPW Holdings LLC, MEHC is the sole shareholder of PacifiCorp’s common
stock. The state regulatory orders that authorized MEHC’s acquisition of
PacifiCorp contain restrictions on PacifiCorp’s ability to pay dividends to the
extent that they would reduce PacifiCorp’s common stock equity below specified
percentages of defined capitalization.
As of
December 31, 2009, the most restrictive of these commitments prohibits
PacifiCorp from making any distribution to PPW Holdings LLC or MEHC
without prior state regulatory approval to the extent that it would reduce
PacifiCorp’s common stock equity below 47.25% of its total capitalization,
excluding short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt. This minimum level of common equity
declines to 46.25% for the year ending December 31, 2010, 45.25% for the
year ending December 31, 2011 and 44% thereafter. The terms
of this commitment treat 50% of PacifiCorp’s remaining balance of preferred
stock in existence prior to the acquisition of PacifiCorp by MEHC as common
equity. As of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s actual common stock equity
percentage, as calculated under this measure, was 51%, and PacifiCorp was
permitted to dividend $928 million under this commitment.
These
commitments also restrict PacifiCorp from making any distributions to either PPW
Holdings LLC or MEHC if PacifiCorp’s unsecured debt rating is BBB- or lower by
Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Fitch Ratings or Baa3 or
lower by Moody’s Investor Service, as indicated by two of the three rating
services. As of December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp’s unsecured debt rating was
A- by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, BBB+ by Fitch Ratings and
Baa1 by Moody’s Investor Service.
PacifiCorp
is also subject to a maximum debt-to-total capitalization percentage under
various financing agreements as further discussed in Notes 8
and 9.
115
(16) Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss, net is included in PacifiCorp shareholders’ equity on
the Consolidated Balance Sheets and consists of unrecognized amounts on
retirement benefits of $6 million, net of tax of $3 million, and
$2 million, net of tax of $2 million, as of December 31, 2009 and
2008, respectively.
(17) Variable-Interest
Entities
PacifiCorp
holds an undivided interest in 50% of the 474-MW Hermiston generating facility
(refer to Note 4), procures 100% of the fuel input into the generating
facility and subsequently receives 100% of the generated electricity, 50% of
which is acquired through a long-term power purchase agreement. As a result,
PacifiCorp holds a variable interest in the joint owner of the remaining 50% of
the facility and is the primary beneficiary. PacifiCorp has been unable to
obtain the information necessary to consolidate the entity because the entity
has not agreed to supply the information due to the lack of a contractual
obligation to do so. PacifiCorp continues to request from the entity the
information necessary to perform the consolidation; however, no information has
yet been provided by the entity. Cost of the electricity purchased from the
joint owner was $36 million during each of the years ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The entity is operated by the equity
owners and PacifiCorp has no risk of loss in relation to the entity in the event
of a disaster.
(18) Related-Party
Transactions
PacifiCorp
has an intercompany administrative services agreement with its indirect parent
company, MEHC. Services provided by PacifiCorp and charged to affiliates relate
primarily to administrative services, financial statement preparation and
direct-assigned employees. Receivables associated with these activities were
$- million and $1 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. Services provided by affiliates and charged to PacifiCorp relate
primarily to the administrative services provided under the intercompany
administrative services agreement among MEHC and its affiliates. These expenses
totaled $9 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2009,
2008 and 2007. Payables associated with these expenses were $2 million and
$1 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
PacifiCorp
engages in various transactions with several of its affiliated companies in the
ordinary course of business. Services provided by affiliates in the ordinary
course of business and charged to PacifiCorp relate primarily to the
transportation of natural gas and relocation services. These expenses totaled
$3 million, $6 million and $5 million during the years ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Payables associated with
these expenses were $1 million and $2 million as of December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively.
PacifiCorp
has long-term transportation contracts with Burlington Northern Santa Fe,
LLC (“BNSF”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and
PacifiCorp’s ultimate parent company. Transportation costs under these contracts
were $29 million, $32 million and $31 million during the years
ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, PacifiCorp had $1 million and
$2 million of accounts payable to BNSF outstanding under these contracts,
including indirect payables related to a jointly owned facility.
PacifiCorp
participates in a captive insurance program provided by MEHC Insurance Services
Ltd. (“MISL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of MEHC. MISL covers all or significant
portions of the property damage and liability insurance deductibles in many of
PacifiCorp’s current policies, as well as overhead distribution and transmission
line property damage. PacifiCorp has no equity interest in MISL and has no
obligation to contribute equity or loan funds to MISL. Premium amounts are
established based on a combination of actuarial assessments and market rates to
cover loss claims, administrative expenses and appropriate reserves, but as a
result of regulatory commitments are capped through December 31, 2010.
Certain costs associated with the program are prepaid and amortized over the
policy coverage period expiring March 20, 2010. Premium expenses were
$7 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and
2007. Prepayments to MISL were $2 million as of December 31, 2009 and
2008. Receivables for claims were $10 million and $7 million as of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
PacifiCorp
is party to a tax-sharing agreement and is part of the Berkshire Hathaway
United States federal income tax return. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008,
income taxes receivable from MEHC were $249 million and $43 million,
respectively.
116
(19) Supplemental
Cash Flows Information
The
summary of supplemental cash flows information is as follows for the years ended
December 31 (in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
Interest
paid, net of amounts capitalized
|
$ | 325 | $ | 280 | $ | 251 | ||||||
Income
taxes (received) paid, net
|
$ | (252 | ) | $ | (53 | ) | $ | 151 |
Supplemental
disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Property,
plant and equipment additions in accounts payable
|
$ | 251 | $ | 405 | $ | 107 | ||||||
Property,
plant and equipment acquired under capital lease
obligations
|
$ | - | $ | 17 | $ | - |
(20) Unaudited
Quarterly Operating Results (in millions)
Three-Month
Periods Ended
|
||||||||||||||||
March 31,
|
June 30,
|
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||||||||
2009
|
2009
|
2009
|
2009
|
|||||||||||||
Operating
revenue
|
$ | 1,116 | $ | 1,016 | $ | 1,146 | $ | 1,179 | ||||||||
Operating
income
|
259 | 228 | 293 | 280 | ||||||||||||
Net
income
|
126 | 110 | 166 | 148 | ||||||||||||
Net
income attributable to PacifiCorp
|
123 | 110 | 162 | 147 |
Three-Month
Periods Ended
|
||||||||||||||||
March
31,
|
June 30,
|
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||||||||
2008
|
2008
|
2008
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Operating
revenue
|
$ | 1,095 | $ | 1,055 | $ | 1,245 | $ | 1,103 | ||||||||
Operating
income
|
229 | 213 | 276 | 236 | ||||||||||||
Net
income
|
107 | 96 | 139 | 123 | ||||||||||||
Net
income attributable to PacifiCorp
|
108 | 99 | 132 | 119 |
117
Item 9.
|
Changes in and Disagreements
with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
|
None.
Item 9A(T). Controls and
Procedures
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
At the
end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, PacifiCorp
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of
PacifiCorp’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (principal
executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (principal financial
officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of PacifiCorp’s
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)
promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based
upon that evaluation, PacifiCorp’s management, including the Chief Executive
Officer (principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (principal
financial officer), concluded that PacifiCorp’s disclosure controls and
procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by
PacifiCorp in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management,
including PacifiCorp’s Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), or persons performing
similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure. There has been no change in PacifiCorp’s internal control over
financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, PacifiCorp’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management
of PacifiCorp is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the
participation of PacifiCorp’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (principal
financial officer), PacifiCorp’s management conducted an evaluation of the
effectiveness of PacifiCorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2009 as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Rule 13a-15(c). In making this assessment, PacifiCorp’s management used the
criteria set forth in the framework in “Internal Control – Integrated
Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission. Based on the evaluation conducted under the framework in “Internal
Control – Integrated Framework,” PacifiCorp’s management concluded that
PacifiCorp’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of
December 31, 2009.
This
report does not include an attestation report of PacifiCorp’s registered public
accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s report was not subject to attestation by PacifiCorp’s registered
public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit
PacifiCorp to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
PacifiCorp
March 1,
2010
Item 9B.
|
Other
Information
|
None.
118
PART
III
Item 10.
|
Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate
Governance
|
There are
no family relationships among the executive officers, nor any arrangements or
understandings between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to
which the executive officer was appointed. Set forth below is certain
information, as of January 31, 2010, with respect to each of the current
directors and executive officers of PacifiCorp:
Gregory E. Abel, 47, Chairman
of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Abel was elected
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors in
March 2006. Mr. Abel is also the President and Chief Executive Officer
and a director of MEHC. Mr. Abel joined MEHC in 1992.
Douglas L. Anderson, 51,
Director. Mr. Anderson has been a director since March 2006.
Mr. Anderson is the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of MEHC. Mr. Anderson joined MEHC in 1993.
Micheal G. Dunn, 44, was
elected President of PacifiCorp Energy and director of PacifiCorp effective
February 1, 2010. Mr. Dunn had previously served as President of
Kern River Gas Transmission Company (“Kern River”) since June 2007. Prior
to that, Mr. Dunn served as Vice President of Operations, Information
Technology and Engineering at Kern River since March 2005. Kern River is an
indirect subsidiary of MEHC.
Brent E. Gale, 58, Director.
Mr. Gale has been a director since March 2006. Mr. Gale was
appointed Senior Vice President of Regulation and Legislation of MEHC in
March 2006. Mr. Gale had previously been Senior Vice President of
MidAmerican Energy Company, a MEHC subsidiary, since July 2004.
Mr. Gale has served in various legal, regulatory legislative and strategic
positions with MEHC and its predecessors since 1976.
Patrick J. Goodman, 43,
Director. Mr. Goodman has been a director since March 2006.
Mr. Goodman was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of MEHC in 1999. Mr. Goodman joined MEHC in 1995.
Natalie L. Hocken, 40,
Director. Ms. Hocken has been a director since August 2007. Ms. Hocken
has served as Vice President and General Counsel of Pacific Power, a division of
PacifiCorp, since January 2007. Ms. Hocken previously served as
Assistant General Counsel and Senior Counsel for PacifiCorp. Ms. Hocken
joined PacifiCorp in 2002.
Mark C. Moench, 54, Senior
Vice President and General Counsel and Director. Mr. Moench was named
PacifiCorp Senior Vice President and General Counsel in February 2007.
Mr. Moench joined PacifiCorp as Senior Vice President and General Counsel
of Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp, and was elected director in
March 2006. Mr. Moench previously served as Senior Vice President,
Law, of MEHC with responsibility for regulatory approvals of the PacifiCorp
acquisition since June 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Moench was Vice
President and General Counsel of Kern River since 2002.
R. Patrick Reiten, 48,
President, Pacific Power and Director. Mr. Reiten was elected President of
Pacific Power and director in September 2006. Mr. Reiten previously
served as President and Chief Executive Officer of PNGC Power since 2002.
Mr. Reiten joined PNGC Power in 1993 serving as Director of Government
Relations, then as Vice President of Marketing and Public Affairs.
Douglas K. Stuver, 46, Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Stuver was elected Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of PacifiCorp effective March 1, 2008. Mr.
Stuver joined PacifiCorp in March 2004 as Managing Director and Division
Controller of PacifiCorp’s commercial and trading business unit. In March 2006,
Mr. Stuver was appointed Managing Director and Division Controller of PacifiCorp
Energy, a division of PacifiCorp. Prior to joining PacifiCorp, Mr. Stuver served
as Vice President of Corporate Risk Management at Duke Energy
Corporation.
119
A. Richard Walje, 58,
President, Rocky Mountain Power and Director. Mr. Walje was elected
President of Rocky Mountain Power in March 2006. Mr. Walje has been a
director since July 2001. Mr. Walje previously served as PacifiCorp’s
Executive Vice President since April 2004 and as Chief Information Officer
since May 2000. Mr. Walje also served as Senior Vice President of
Corporate Business Services from May 2001 to April 2004 and as Vice
President for Transmission and Distribution Operations and Customer Service from
1998 to 2000. Mr. Walje has been with PacifiCorp since 1986.
Board’s
Role in the Risk Oversight Process
PacifiCorp’s
Board of Directors is comprised of a combination of MEHC senior executives and
PacifiCorp senior management who have direct and indirect responsibility for the
management and oversight of risk in their respective areas of responsibility.
The PacifiCorp Board of Directors has not established a separate risk management
and oversight committee.
Audit
Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
During
the year ended December 31, 2009, and as of the date of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K, PacifiCorp’s Board of Directors did not have an audit
committee. Because PacifiCorp’s common stock is indirectly, wholly owned by
MEHC, its Board of Directors consists primarily of MEHC and PacifiCorp employees
and it is not required to have an audit committee. However, the audit committee
of MEHC acts as the audit committee for PacifiCorp.
Code
of Ethics
PacifiCorp
has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer,
its principal financial and accounting officer, or persons acting in such
capacities, and certain other covered officers. The code of ethics is
incorporated by reference in the exhibits to this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
120
Item 11.
|
Executive
Compensation
|
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
Compensation
Philosophy and Overall Objectives
We and
our indirect parent company, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, or MEHC,
believe that the compensation paid to each of our Chief Executive Officer, or
CEO, our Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, and our three other most highly
compensated executive officers, to whom we refer collectively as our Named
Executive Officers, or NEOs, should be closely aligned with our overall
performance, and each NEO’s contribution to that performance, on both a short-
and long-term basis, and that such compensation should be sufficient to attract
and retain highly qualified leaders who can create significant value for our
organization. Our compensation programs are designed to provide our NEOs
meaningful incentives for superior corporate and individual performance.
Performance is evaluated on a subjective basis within the context of both
financial and non-financial objectives that we believe contribute to our
long-term success, among which are customer service, operational excellence,
financial strength, employee commitment and safety, environmental respect and
regulatory integrity.
How
is Compensation Determined
Our
compensation committee consists solely of the Chairman of our Board of
Directors, Mr. Gregory E. Abel. Mr. Abel also serves as our CEO
and as MEHC’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Abel is employed by
MEHC and receives no direct compensation from us. Mr. Abel is responsible
for the establishment and oversight of our compensation policy for our NEOs and
for approving base pay increases, incentive and performance awards, off-cycle
pay changes, and participation in other employee benefit plans and
programs.
Our
criteria for assessing executive performance and determining compensation in any
year is inherently subjective and is not based upon specific formulas or
weighting of factors. Given the uniqueness of each NEO’s duties, we do not
specifically use other companies as benchmarks when establishing our NEOs’
compensation.
Discussion
and Analysis of Specific Compensation Elements
Base
Salary
We
determine base salaries for all of our NEOs, other than Mr. Abel, by
reviewing our overall performance and each NEO’s performance, the value each NEO
brings to us and general labor market conditions. While base salary provides a
base level of compensation intended to be competitive with the external market,
the annual base salary adjustment for each NEO, other than Mr. Abel, is
determined on a subjective basis after consideration of these factors and is not
based on target percentiles or other formal criteria. All merit increases are
approved by Mr. Abel and take effect in the last payroll period of each year. An
increase or decrease in base salary may also result from a promotion or other
significant change in a NEO’s responsibility during the year. In 2009, base
salaries for all NEOs, other than Mr. Abel, increased on average by 2.9% and
became effective December 26, 2008. There have been no base salary changes
for our NEOs since the December 26, 2008 merit increase.
Short-Term
Incentive Compensation
The
objective of short-term incentive compensation is to reward the achievement of
significant annual corporate and business unit goals while also providing NEOs
with competitive total cash compensation.
121
Annual Incentive
Plan
Under our
Annual Incentive Plan, or AIP, all NEOs, other than Mr. Abel, are eligible
to earn an annual discretionary cash incentive award, which is determined by Mr.
Abel and is not based on a specific formula or cap. Mr. Abel establishes a
target bonus opportunity, expressed as a percentage of base salary and intended
to reflect fully effective performance, for each of the other NEOs prior to the
beginning of each year. Awards paid to a NEO under the AIP are based on a
variety of measures linked to each NEO’s performance, our overall performance
and each NEO’s contribution to that overall performance. An individual NEO’s
performance is measured against defined objectives that commonly include
financial and non-financial measures (e.g., customer service, operational
excellence, financial strength, employee commitment and safety, environmental
respect and regulatory integrity), as well as the NEO’s response to issues and
opportunities that arise during the year. Approved awards are paid prior to
year-end.
Performance
Awards
In
addition to the annual awards under the AIP, we may grant cash performance
awards periodically during the year to one or more NEOs, other than Mr. Abel, to
reward the accomplishment of significant non-recurring tasks or projects. These
awards are discretionary and approved by Mr. Abel. In January 2009, Mr.
Stuver received a performance award of $20,000 in recognition of efforts to
support our objectives.
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation
The
objective of long-term incentive compensation is to retain NEOs, reward their
exceptional performance and motivate them to create long-term, sustainable
value. Our current long-term incentive compensation program is cash-based. We do
not utilize stock option awards or other forms of equity-based
awards.
Long-Term Incentive
Partnership Plan
The MEHC
Long-Term Incentive Partnership Plan, or LTIP, is designed to retain key
employees and to align our interests and the interests of the participating
employees. All of our NEOs, other than Mr. Abel, participate in the LTIP. The
LTIP provides for annual discretionary awards based upon significant
accomplishments by the individual participants and the achievement of the
financial and non-financial objectives previously described. The goals are
developed with the objective of being attainable with a sustained, focused and
concerted effort and are determined and communicated in January of each plan
year. Participation is discretionary and is determined by both the Chairman of
the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of MEHC who recommend
awards to the MEHC compensation committee annually in the fourth quarter. Except
for limited situations of extraordinary performance, awards are capped at
1.5 times base salary and finalized in the first quarter of the following
year. These cash-based awards are subject to mandatory deferral and equal annual
vesting over a five-year period starting in the performance year. In 2009,
participants allocated the value of their deferral accounts among various
investment alternatives, which were determined by a vote of all participants.
Beginning in 2010, the investment allocation for each participant’s deferral
accounts has been determined by each participant rather than by the vote of all
participants. Gains or losses may be incurred based on the investment
performance. Participating NEOs may elect to defer all or a part of the award or
receive payment in cash after the five-year mandatory deferral and vesting
period. Vested balances (including any investment profits or losses thereon) of
terminating participants are paid at the time of termination.
122
Other
Employee Benefits
Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan
Our
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, or SERP, provides additional retirement
benefits to participants. Mr. Walje was the only NEO who participated in
our SERP during 2009, and we have no plans to add new participants in the
future. The SERP provides monthly retirement benefits of 50% of final average
pay plus 1% of final average pay for each fiscal year that we meet certain
performance goals set for such fiscal year. The maximum benefit is 65% of final
average pay. A participant’s final average pay equals the 60 consecutive
months of highest pay out of the last 120 months, and pay for this purpose
includes salary and annual incentive plan payments reflected in the Summary
Compensation Table below.
Deferred
Compensation Plan
Our
Executive Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan, or DCP, provides a means for all
NEOs, other than Mr. Abel, to make voluntary deferrals of up to 50% of base
salary and 100% of short-term incentive compensation awards. We include the DCP
as part of the participating NEO’s overall compensation in order to provide a
comprehensive, competitive package. The deferrals and any investment returns
grow on a tax-deferred basis. Amounts deferred under the DCP receive a rate of
return based on the returns of any combination of eight investment options
offered under the DCP and selected by the participant. The plan allows
participants to choose from three forms of distribution. The plan permits us to
make discretionary contributions on behalf of participants.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
Our NEOs
(excluding Mr. Abel) are not entitled to severance or enhanced benefits
upon termination of employment or change-in-control. Please refer to MEHC’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009
(File No. 001-14881) for information about potential post-termination
and change-in-control payments to Mr. Abel. However, upon any termination
of employment, our other NEOs would be entitled to the vested balances in the
Retirement Plan, SERP, LTIP and the DCP.
Compensation
Committee Report
Mr. Abel,
our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and sole member of our compensation
committee, has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
with management and, based on this review and discussion, has recommended to the
Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
123
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned by each of
our NEOs during the years indicated:
Change
in
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Value
and
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Nonqualified
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Base
|
Compensation
|
All
Other
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Name
and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
|
Bonus (1)
|
Earnings (2)
|
Compensation (3)
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||
Gregory
E. Abel (4)
|
2009
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||||
Chairman
and
|
2008
|
- | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
Chief
Executive Officer
|
2007
|
- | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
A.
Richard Walje
|
2009
|
351,900 | 583,217 | 733,231 | 54,617 | 1,722,965 | ||||||||||||||||
President,
Rocky Mountain
|
2008
|
345,000 | 328,769 | 267,902 | 10,283 | 951,954 | ||||||||||||||||
Power
|
2007
|
335,811 | 346,582 | 177,128 | 486,302 | 1,345,823 | ||||||||||||||||
R.
Patrick Reiten
|
2009
|
265,740 | 623,417 | 355 | 35,892 | 925,404 | ||||||||||||||||
President,
Pacific Power
|
2008
|
258,000 | 353,472 | 11,548 | 24,462 | 647,482 | ||||||||||||||||
2007
|
250,000 | 330,838 | 3,484 | 2,083 | 586,405 | |||||||||||||||||
A.
Robert Lasich (6)
|
2009
|
236,000 | 425,368 | 28,556 | 20,237 | 710,161 | ||||||||||||||||
President,
PacifiCorp Energy
|
2008
|
230,000 | 234,948 | 32,175 | 9,231 | 506,354 | ||||||||||||||||
2007
|
173,580 | 257,603 | 11,311 | 9,181 | 451,675 | |||||||||||||||||
Douglas
K. Stuver
|
2009
|
228,800 | 231,033 | 12,623 | 39,945 | 512,401 | ||||||||||||||||
Senior
Vice President and
|
2008
|
215,499 | 133,140 | 28,928 | 8,817 | 386,384 | ||||||||||||||||
Chief
Financial Officer
|
2007
|
- | - | - | - | - |
124
(1)
|
Consists
of annual cash incentive awards earned pursuant to the AIP for our NEOs,
performance award of $20,000 to Mr. Stuver, the vesting of LTIP awards and
associated vested earnings for Messrs. Walje, Reiten, Lasich and
Stuver. The breakout of AIP and LTIP awards for 2009 is as
follows:
|
LTIP
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Performance
|
Vested
|
Vested
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||
AIP
|
Award
|
Award
|
Earnings
|
in
Value (a)
|
||||||||||||||||
A. Richard
Walje
|
$ | 180,000 | $ | - | $ | 290,577 | $ | 112,640 | $ | 403,217 | ||||||||||
R. Patrick
Reiten
|
215,000 | - | 295,717 | 112,700 | 408,417 | |||||||||||||||
A. Robert
Lasich
|
162,250 | - | 177,836 | 85,282 | 263,118 | |||||||||||||||
Douglas K.
Stuver
|
85,000 | 20,000 | 90,915 | 35,118 | 126,033 |
(a)
|
Represents
vested award plus vested earnings.
|
The
ultimate payouts of LTIP awards are undeterminable as the amounts to be
paid may increase or decrease depending on investment performance. Net
income, the net income target goal and the matrix below were used in
determining the gross amount of the LTIP award available to the
participants. Net income for determining the award and the award are
subject to discretionary adjustment by both the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer and the compensation committee of
MEHC. In 2009, the gross award and per-point value were determined based
on the overall achievement of our financial and non-financial
objectives.
|
MEHC
Net Income
|
Award
|
||||
Less
than or equal to net income target goal
|
None
|
||||
Exceeds
net income target goal by 0.01% – 3.25%
|
15%
of excess
|
||||
Exceeds
net income target goal by 3.251% – 6.50%
|
15%
of the first 3.25% excess;
|
||||
25%
of excess over 3.25%
|
|||||
Exceeds
net income target goal by more than 6.50%
|
15%
of the first 3.25% excess;
|
||||
25%
of the next 3.25% excess;
|
|||||
35%
of excess over 6.50%
|
|||||
Points
are allocated among plan participants either as initial points or year-end
performance points. A nominating committee recommends the point
allocation, subject to approval by both the Chairman of the Board of
Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of MEHC, based upon a
discretionary evaluation of individual achievement of financial and
non-financial goals previously described herein. A participant’s award
equals the participant’s allocated points multiplied by the final
per-point value, capped at 1.5 times base salary except in extraordinary
circumstances.
|
(2)
|
Amounts
are based upon the aggregate increase in the actuarial present value of
all qualified and nonqualified defined benefit plans, which include the
SERP and the Retirement Plan, as applicable. Amounts are computed using
assumptions consistent with those used in preparing the related pension
disclosures in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of
this Form 10-K and are as of the pension plans’ measurement dates. No
participant in our DCP earned “above market” or “preferential” earnings on
amounts deferred.
|
(3)
|
Includes
contributions to our Employee Savings Plan (“401(k) Plan”) of $34,800 for
Mr. Walje, $35,892 for Mr. Reiten, $11,855 for Mr. Lasich and $34,655 for
Mr. Stuver. Also includes a one-time buyback of unused personal time in
the amounts of $13,534 for Mr. Walje and $7,770 for Mr.
Lasich.
|
(4)
|
Mr. Abel
receives no direct compensation from us. We reimburse MEHC for the cost of
Mr. Abel’s time spent on matters supporting us, including
compensation paid to him by MEHC, pursuant to an intercompany
administrative services agreement among MEHC and its subsidiaries. Please
refer to MEHC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009 (File No. 001-14881) for executive
compensation information for
Mr. Abel.
|
(5)
|
On
January 13, 2010, Mr. Lasich accepted the position of Vice President and
General Counsel, Procurement for MEHC and accordingly resigned as
President of PacifiCorp Energy and as our director effective February 1,
2010.
|
125
Pension
Benefits
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the defined benefit
pension plan accounts held by each of our NEOs as of December 31,
2009:
Number
of Years of
|
Present
Value of
|
||||||||||
Name
|
Plan
Name
|
Credited
Service
|
Accumulated
Benefit
|
||||||||
Gregory
E. Abel
|
N/A | - | $ | - | |||||||
A.
Richard Walje
|
Retirement
|
22.83 | 781,135 | ||||||||
SERP
|
23.83 | 2,210,537 | |||||||||
R.
Patrick Reiten
|
Retirement
|
2.25 | 15,387 | ||||||||
A.
Robert Lasich
|
Retirement
|
3.75 | 75,980 | ||||||||
Douglas
K. Stuver
|
Retirement
|
4.75 | 77,740 |
We have
adopted a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, or the Retirement Plan,
for the majority of our employees, other than employees subject to collective
bargaining agreements that do not provide for coverage. Mr. Walje also
participates in our nonqualified SERP. Through May 31, 2007, participants
earned benefits at retirement payable for life based on length of service
through May 31, 2007 and average pay in the 60 consecutive months of
highest pay out of the 120 months prior to May 31, 2007, and pay for
this purpose included salary and annual incentive plan payments up to 10% of
base salary, but were limited to the Internal Revenue Code amounts specified in
§401(a)(17). Benefits were based on 1.3% of final average pay plus 0.65% of
final average pay in excess of covered compensation (as defined in Internal
Revenue Code §401(1)(5)(E)) times years of service.
The
Retirement Plan was restated effective June 1, 2007 to change from a
traditional final-average-pay formula as described above to a cash balance
formula for non-union participants. Benefits under the final-average-pay formula
were frozen as of May 31, 2007, and no future benefits will accrue under
that formula for non-union participants. Under the cash balance formula,
benefits are based on 6.5% (5.0% for employees hired after June 30, 2006 and
before January 1, 2008) of eligible compensation plus 4.0% of eligible
compensation in excess of compensation subject to Federal Insurance
Contributions Act withholding ($106,800 for 2009) to each participant’s account
(where such salary and incentive amounts are reduced for Internal Revenue
Code §401(a)(17) limits). However, the 4.0% portion of the formula was
eliminated on August 1, 2009 and therefore for 2009 benefits were based on
eligible compensation for the first seven months that exceeded $62,300
(7/12th of
$106,800). Interest is also credited to each participant’s account. Employees
who were age 40 or older as of May 31, 2007 receive certain additional
transition pay credits for five years from the effective date of the plan
restatement. Effective January 1, 2009, non-union participants were offered the
option to continue to receive pay credits in the Retirement Plan as of December
31, 2008 or receive equivalent fixed 401(k) contributions.
Participants
are entitled to receive full benefits upon retirement after age 65.
Participants are also entitled to receive reduced benefits upon early retirement
after age 55 with at least five years of service or when age plus
years of service equals 75.
Amounts
are computed using assumptions consistent with those used in preparing the
related pension disclosures in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in
Item 8 of this Form 10-K and are as of December 31, 2009, which is the
measurement date for the plans. Single life annuities were assumed for the SERP
calculations of the present value of accumulated benefits. For the Retirement
Plan calculations of the present value of accumulated benefits, the following
assumptions were used: 50.0% lump sum and 50.0% single life annuity.
The present value assumptions used in calculating the present value of
accumulated benefits for the SERP were as follows: a discount rate of 5.80%; an
expected retirement age of 60; and postretirement mortality using the
RP-2000 tables. The present value assumptions used in calculating the present
value of accumulated benefits for the Retirement Plan were as follows: a
discount rate of 5.80%; an expected retirement age of 65; postretirement
mortality using the RP-2000 tables projected to 2010; a lump sum interest rate
of 5.55%; and lump sum mortality using the Internal Revenue Code §417(e)(3)
Applicable Mortality Table for 2010.
126
In 2008,
non-union employee participants in the Retirement Plan were offered the option
to continue to receive pay credits in the Retirement Plan or receive equivalent
fixed contributions to the 401(k) plan, with any such election becoming
effective January 1, 2009. Messrs. Walje, Reiten and Stuver elected the
equivalent fixed 401(k) contribution option and, therefore, will no longer
receive pay credits in the Retirement Plan; however, they each will continue to
receive interest credits.
The SERP
provides monthly retirement benefits of 50% of final average pay plus 1% of
final average pay for each fiscal year that we meet certain performance goals
set for such fiscal year. The maximum benefit is 65% of final average pay. A
participant’s final average pay equals the 60 consecutive months of highest
pay out of the last 120 months, and pay for this purpose includes salary
and annual incentive plan payments reflected in the Summary Compensation Table
above. Mr. Walje has met the five-year participation requirement under the
plan for early retirement eligibility. Mr. Walje’s SERP benefit will be
reduced by a portion of his Social Security benefits, his regular retirement
benefit under the Retirement Plan, and 0.25% for each month benefit commencement
precedes age 60.
The above
reference for the number of years of service and the present value of
accumulated benefits for Mr. Lasich represents his service as a PacifiCorp
employee only and does not include any vested benefits earned under MidAmerican
Energy Company.
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the DCP accounts held
by each of our NEOs as of December 31, 2009:
Executive
|
Registrant
|
Aggregate
|
Aggregate
|
|||||||||||||
Contributions
|
Contributions(1)
|
Earnings
|
Balance
(2)
as of
|
|||||||||||||
Name
|
in
2009
|
in
2009
|
in
2009
|
December
31, 2009
|
||||||||||||
Gregory
E. Abel
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
A.
Richard Walje
|
- | 5,959 | 10,944 | 1,799,112 | ||||||||||||
R.
Patrick Reiten
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
A.
Robert Lasich
|
- | - | 15,775 | 134,147 | ||||||||||||
Douglas
K. Stuver
|
- | 5,290 | - | 5,290 |
(1)
|
The
contribution amounts shown for Mr. Walje and Mr. Stuver are included for
2009 in the “All Other Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation
Table and are not additional earned
compensation.
|
(2)
|
In
addition to the 2009 registrant contributions, the aggregate balance at
period-end for Mr. Lasich includes executive contribution amounts of
$65,000 and $85,000 for 2008 and 2007, respectively, in the “Bonus” column
and for Mr. Walje includes executive contribution amounts of $69,000 for
2008 in the “Salary” column and $120,000 for 2008 in the “Bonus” column of
the Summary Compensation Table.
|
Eligibility
for our DCP is restricted to select management and highly compensated employees.
The plan provides tax benefits to eligible participants by allowing them to
defer compensation on a pretax basis, thus reducing their current taxable
income. Deferrals and any investment returns grow on a tax-deferred basis, thus
participants pay no income tax until they receive distributions. The DCP permits
participants to make a voluntary deferral of up to 50% of base salary and 100%
of short-term incentive compensation awards. All deferrals are net of social
security taxes. Amounts deferred under the DCP receive a rate of return based on
the returns of any combination of eight investment options offered by the plan
and selected by the participant. Gains or losses are calculated daily, and
returns are posted to accounts based on participants’ fund allocation elections.
Participants can change their fund allocations as of the end of any day on which
the market is open.
127
The DCP
allows participants to maintain three accounts based upon when they want to
receive payments: retirement account, in-service account and education account.
Both the retirement and in-service accounts can be distributed as lump sums or
in up to 10 annual installments, except in the case of the four DCP transition
accounts that allow for a grandfathered payout based on the previous deferred
compensation plan distribution elections of lump sum, 5, 10 or 15 annual
installments. Effective December 31, 2006, no new money may be deferred
into the DCP transition accounts. The education account is distributed in four
annual installments. If a participant leaves employment prior to retirement
(age 55), all amounts in the participant’s account will be paid out in a
lump sum as soon as administratively practicable. Participants are 100% vested
in their deferrals and any investment gains or losses recorded in their
accounts.
Participants
in our LTIP also have the option of deferring all or a part of those awards
after the five-year mandatory deferral and vesting period. The provisions
governing the deferral of LTIP awards are similar to those described for the DCP
above.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
Our NEOs
(excluding Mr. Abel) are not entitled to severance or enhanced benefits
upon termination of employment or change-in-control. Please refer to MEHC’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (File
No. 001-14881) for information about potential post-termination
change-in-control payments to Mr. Abel.
The
following table sets forth the estimated enhancements to payments pursuant to
the termination scenarios indicated. Payments or benefits that are not enhanced
in form or amount upon the occurrence of a particular termination scenario,
which include 401(k) and nonqualified deferred compensation account balances and
those portions of long-term incentive payments and cash balance pension amounts
that would have otherwise been paid, are not included herein. All estimated
payments reflected in the table below assume termination on December 31, 2009,
and are payable as lump sums unless otherwise noted.
Termination
Scenario
|
Incentive
(1)
|
Pension
(2)
|
||||||
Gregory
E. Abel:
|
||||||||
Retirement, Voluntary and
Involuntary With or Without Cause
|
$ | - | $ | - | ||||
Death and
Disability
|
- | - | ||||||
A.
Richard Walje (3):
|
||||||||
Retirement, Voluntary and
Involuntary With or Without Cause
|
- | 364,894 | ||||||
Death and
Disability
|
723,144 | 364,894 | ||||||
R.
Patrick Reiten:
|
||||||||
Retirement, Voluntary and
Involuntary With or Without Cause
|
- | 3,276 | ||||||
Death and
Disability
|
778,934 | 3,276 | ||||||
A.
Robert Lasich:
|
||||||||
Retirement, Voluntary and
Involuntary With or Without Cause
|
- | 12,326 | ||||||
Death and
Disability
|
355,952 | 12,326 | ||||||
Douglas
K. Stuver:
|
||||||||
Retirement, Voluntary and
Involuntary With or Without Cause
|
- | 10,040 | ||||||
Death and
Disability
|
267,841 | 10,040 |
(1)
|
Amounts
represent the unvested portion of each NEOs LTIP account, which becomes
100% vested upon death or
disability.
|
(2)
|
Pension
values represent the excess of the present value of benefits payable under
each termination scenario over the amount already reflected in the Pension
Benefits table.
|
(3)
|
Mr.
Walje has already met the retirement criteria, therefore his termination
and death scenarios under the Retirement Plan are based on assuming 50%
lump sum payout and 50% annuity.
|
128
Director
Compensation Table
All of
our directors serving in 2009 were employees of PacifiCorp, or in the case of
Messrs. Anderson and Goodman, employees of MEHC, and did not receive
additional compensation for service as a director. The following table excludes
Messrs. Abel, Walje, Reiten and Lasich, for whom compensation information
is described in the Summary Compensation Table.
Change
in
|
||||||||||||
Pension
Value and
|
||||||||||||
Nonqualified
Deferred
|
All
Other
|
|||||||||||
Name
|
Compensation
Earnings (1)
|
Compensation
(2)
|
Total
|
|||||||||
Douglas
L. Anderson
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Brent
E. Gale
|
33,949 | 936,375 | 970,324 | |||||||||
Patrick
J. Goodman
|
- | - | - | |||||||||
Natalie
L. Hocken
|
11,466 | 495,489 | 506,955 | |||||||||
Mark
C. Moench
|
32,110 | 638,571 | 670,681 |
(1)
|
Amounts
included in change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation
earnings are based upon the aggregate increase in the actuarial present
value of all qualified and nonqualified defined benefit plans, which
include the SERP and the Retirement Plan, as applicable. Amounts are
computed using assumptions consistent with those used in preparing the
applicable pension disclosures included in our Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K and are as of the pension
plans’ measurement dates. No participant in our DCP earned “above market”
or “preferential” earnings on amounts deferred.
|
|
(2)
|
Amounts
shown for the year ended December 31, 2009, include:
|
|
(i)
|
Base
salary in the amounts of $287,000 for Mr. Gale, $184,881 for
Ms. Hocken and $218,754 for Mr. Moench.
|
|
(ii)
|
Performance
award of $25,000 to Mr. Gale in recognition of efforts to support our
objectives and $5,000, including gross-up of $2,294 to Mr. Moench for
efforts on PacifiCorp regulatory and legislative
matters.
|
|
(iii)
|
Contributions
to our 401(k) Plan of $5,485 for Mr. Gale, $33,731 for Ms. Hocken and
$11,679 for Mr. Moench.
|
|
(iv)
|
One-time
buyback of unused personal time in the amounts of $11,039 for Mr. Gale,
$6,125 for Ms. Hocken and $8,413 for Mr. Moench.
|
|
(v)
|
Life
insurance premium paid by us on behalf of Mr. Gale in the amount of
$12,850.
|
|
(vi)
|
Annual
cash incentive awards earned pursuant to the AIP for our directors, the
vesting of LTIP awards and associated vested earnings for Mr. Gale, Ms.
Hocken and Mr. Moench. The breakout of AIP and LTIP awards for 2009 is as
follows:
|
LTIP
|
||||||||||||||||
Vested
|
||||||||||||||||
AIP
|
Vested
Award
|
Earnings
|
Change
in Value (a)
|
|||||||||||||
Brent
E. Gale
|
$ | 140,000 | $ | 304,058 | $ | 150,943 | $ | 455,001 | ||||||||
Natalie
L. Hocken
|
135,000 | 103,135 | 32,617 | 135,752 | ||||||||||||
Mark
C. Moench
|
92,970 | 202,111 | 97,350 | 299,461 |
(a)
|
Represents
vested award plus vested earnings.
|
129
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Mr. Abel
is our Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO and also the President and
Chief Executive Officer of MEHC. None of our executive officers serve as a
member of the compensation committee of any company that has an executive
officer serving as a member of our Board of Directors. None of our executive
officers serve as a member of the board of directors of any company (other than
MEHC) that has an executive officer serving as a member of our compensation
committee. See also Item 13 of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
130
|
Item 12.
|
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
|
All
outstanding shares of our common stock are indirectly owned by MEHC,
666 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. MEHC is a consolidated
subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that, as of January 31, 2010, owns
89.5% of MEHC’s common stock. The balance of MEHC’s common stock is owned by
Walter Scott, Jr. (along with family members and related entities), a
member of MEHC’s Board of Directors, and Gregory E. Abel, PacifiCorp’s
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
None of
our executive officers or directors owns shares of our preferred stock. The
following table sets forth certain information as of January 31, 2010
regarding the beneficial ownership of common stock of MEHC and the Class A
and Class B common stock of Berkshire Hathaway held by each of our
directors, executive officers and all of our directors and executive officers as
a group as of January 31, 2010.
MEHC
|
Berkshire
Hathaway
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Common
Stock
|
Class
A Common Stock
|
Class
B Common Stock
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Beneficial
Owner
|
Number
of Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
|
Percentage
of Class (1)
|
Number
of Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
|
Percentage
of Class (1)
|
Number
of Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
|
Percentage
of Class (1)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Gregory
E. Abel (2)
|
595,940 | 0.8 | % | 1 | * | 1,600 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Douglas
L. Anderson
|
- | - | 4 | * | 200 | * | ||||||||||||||||||
Micheal
G. Dunn
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Brent
E. Gale
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Patrick
J. Goodman
|
- | - | 2 | * | 650 | * | ||||||||||||||||||
Natalie
L. Hocken
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
A.
Robert Lasich (3)
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Mark
C. Moench
|
- | - | 2 | * | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
R.
Patrick Reiten
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Douglas
K. Stuver
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
A.
Richard Walje
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
All
executive officers and directors as a group
(11 persons)
|
595,940 | 0.8 | % | 9 | * | 2,450 | * |
*
|
Indicates
beneficial ownership of less than one percent of all outstanding
shares.
|
(1)
|
Includes
shares of which the listed beneficial owner is deemed to have the right to
acquire beneficial ownership under Rule 13d-3(d) under the Securities
Exchange Act, including, among other things, shares which the listed
beneficial owner has the right to acquire within
60 days.
|
(2)
|
In
accordance with a shareholders’ agreement, as amended on December 7,
2005, based on an assumed value for MEHC’s common stock and the closing
price of Berkshire Hathaway common stock on January 31, 2010,
Mr. Abel would be entitled to exchange his shares of MEHC common
stock for 1,170 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock or
1,754,370 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock. Assuming
an exchange of all available MEHC shares into either Berkshire Hathaway
Class A stock or Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock, Mr. Abel
would beneficially own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of either
class of stock.
|
(3)
|
On
January 13, 2010, Mr. Lasich accepted the position of Vice President and
General Counsel, Procurement for MEHC and accordingly resigned as
President of PacifiCorp Energy and as our director effective February 1,
2010.
|
131
Other
Matters
Pursuant
to a shareholders’ agreement, as amended on December 7, 2005, Mr. Abel
is able to require Berkshire Hathaway to exchange any or all of his shares of
MEHC common stock for shares of Berkshire Hathaway common stock. The number of
shares of Berkshire Hathaway common stock to be exchanged is based on the fair
market value of MEHC common stock divided by the closing price of the Berkshire
Hathaway common stock on the day prior to the date of exchange.
Item 13.
|
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
|
Review,
Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
The
Berkshire Hathaway Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the MEHC Code of
Business Conduct, or the Codes, which apply to all of our directors, officers
and employees and those of our subsidiaries, generally govern the review,
approval or ratification of any related-person transaction. A related-person
transaction is one in which we or any of our subsidiaries participate and in
which one or more of our directors, executive officers, holders of more than
five percent of our voting securities or any of such persons’ immediate family
members have a direct or indirect material interest.
Under the
Codes, all of our directors and executive officers (including those of our
subsidiaries) must disclose to our legal department any material transaction or
relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict with
our interests. No action may be taken with respect to such transaction or
relationship until approved by the legal department. For our chief executive
officer and chief financial officer, prior approval for any such transaction or
relationship must be given by Berkshire Hathaway’s audit committee. In addition,
prior legal department approval must be obtained before a director or executive
officer can accept employment, offices or board positions in other for-profit
businesses, or engage in his or her own business that raises a potential
conflict or appearance of conflict with our interests.
Under an
intercompany administrative services agreement we have entered into with MEHC
and its other subsidiaries, the cost of certain administrative services provided
by MEHC to us or by us to MEHC, or shared with MEHC and other subsidiaries, are
directly charged or allocated to the entity receiving such services. This
agreement has been filed with the utility regulatory commissions in the states
where we serve retail customers. We also provide an annual report of all
transactions with our affiliates to our state regulatory commissions, who have
the authority to refuse recovery in retail rates for payments we make to our
affiliates deemed to have the effect of subsidizing the separate business
activities of MEHC or its other subsidiaries.
Refer to
Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of
this Form 10-K for additional information regarding related-party
transactions.
Director
Independence
Because
our common stock is indirectly, wholly owned by MEHC, our Board of Directors
consists primarily of MEHC and PacifiCorp employees and we are not required to
have independent directors or audit, nominating or compensation committees
consisting of independent directors.
Based on
the standards of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., on which the common stock of
our ultimate parent company, Berkshire Hathaway, is listed, our Board of
Directors has determined that none of our directors are considered independent
because of their employment by MEHC or PacifiCorp.
132
Item 14.
|
Principal
Accountant Fees and Services
|
Fees
and Pre-Approval Policy
The
following table shows PacifiCorp’s fees paid or accrued for audit and
audit-related services and fees paid for tax and all other services rendered by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Deloitte
Entities”) for each of the last two years (in millions):
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Audit
fees (1)
|
$ | 1.8 | $ | 2.1 | ||||
Audit-related
fees (2)
|
0.2 | 0.3 | ||||||
Tax
fees (3)
|
- | - | ||||||
All
other fees
|
- | - | ||||||
Total
aggregate fees billed
|
$ | 2.0 | $ | 2.4 |
(1)
|
Audit
fees include fees for the audit of PacifiCorp’s consolidated financial
statements and interim reviews of PacifiCorp’s quarterly financial
statements, audit services provided in connection with required statutory
audits, and comfort letters, consents and other services related to SEC
matters.
|
(2)
|
Audit-related
fees primarily include fees for assurance and related services for any
other statutory or regulatory requirements, audits of certain employee
benefit plans and consultations on various accounting and reporting
matters.
|
(3)
|
Tax
fees include fees for services relating to tax compliance, tax planning
and tax advice. These services include assistance regarding federal and
state tax compliance, tax return preparation and tax
audits.
|
The audit
committee of MEHC reviewed and approved the services rendered by the Deloitte
Entities in and for fiscal 2009 as set forth in the above table and concluded
that the non-audit services were compatible with maintaining the principal
accountant’s independence. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit
and non-audit services performed by the principal accountant require approval in
advance by the audit committee in order to assure that such services do not
impair the principal accountant’s independence from PacifiCorp. Accordingly, the
audit committee has an Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy
(the “Policy”) that sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant
to which services to be performed by the principal accountant are to be
pre-approved. Pursuant to the Policy, certain services described in detail in
the Policy may be pre-approved on an annual basis together with pre-approved
maximum fee levels for such services. The services eligible for annual
pre-approval consist of services that would be included under the categories of
audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees. If not pre-approved on an annual
basis, proposed services must otherwise be separately approved prior to being
performed by the principal accountant. In addition, any services that receive
annual pre-approval but exceed the pre-approved maximum fee level also will
require separate approval by the audit committee prior to being performed. The
Policy does not delegate to management the audit committee’s responsibilities to
pre-approve services performed by the principal accountant.
133
PART
IV
Item 15.
|
Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules
|
(a)
|
Financial
Statements and Schedules
|
|
(i)
|
Financial
Statements:
|
|
Financial
statements are included in Item 8.
|
||
(ii)
|
Financial
Statement Schedules:
|
|
All
schedules have been omitted because they are either not applicable, not
required or the information required to be set forth therein is included
on the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes
thereto.
|
||
(b)
|
Exhibits
|
|
The
exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part of
this Annual Report.
|
||
(c)
|
Financial
statements required by Regulation S-X, which are excluded from the Annual
Report by Rule 14a-3(b).
|
|
Not
applicable.
|
134
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on this 1st day
of March 2010.
PACIFICORP
|
|
/s/
Douglas K. Stuver
|
|
Douglas
K. Stuver
|
|
Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
(principal
financial and accounting officer)
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has
been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
/s/ Gregory E. Abel
|
Chairman
of the Board of Directors
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
Gregory
E. Abel
|
and
Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
(principal
executive officer)
|
||||
/s/ Douglas K. Stuver
|
Senior
Vice President and
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
Douglas
K. Stuver
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|||
(principal
financial and accounting officer)
|
||||
/s/ Douglas L. Anderson
|
Director
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
Douglas
L. Anderson
|
||||
/s/ Micheal G. Dunn
|
Director
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
Micheal
G. Dunn
|
||||
/s/ Brent E. Gale
|
Director
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
Brent
E. Gale
|
||||
/s/ Patrick J. Goodman
|
Director
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
Patrick
J. Goodman
|
||||
/s/ Natalie L. Hocken
|
Director
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
Natalie
L. Hocken
|
||||
/s/ Mark C. Moench
|
Director
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
Mark
C. Moench
|
||||
/s/ R. Patrick Reiten
|
Director
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
R.
Patrick Reiten
|
||||
/s/ A. Richard Walje
|
Director
|
March 1,
2010
|
||
A.
Richard Walje
|
||||
135
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|||
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
||
3.1*
|
Third
Restated Articles of Incorporation of PacifiCorp (Exhibit (3)b,
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996,
filed March 21, 1997, File No. 1-5152).
|
||
3.2*
|
Bylaws
of PacifiCorp, as amended May 23, 2005 (Exhibit 3.2, on Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006, filed
May 30, 2006, File No. 1-5152).
|
||
4.1*
|
Mortgage
and Deed of Trust dated as of January 9, 1989, between PacifiCorp and
JP Morgan Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank),
Trustee, Ex. 4-E, Form 8-B, File No. 1-5152, as
supplemented and modified by 23 Supplemental Indentures as
follows:
|
Exhibit No.
|
File Type
|
File Date
|
File Number
|
|||||
(4)(b)
|
SE
|
November 2, 1989
|
33-31861
|
|||||
(4)(a)
|
8-K
|
January 9, 1990
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4(a)
|
8-K
|
September 11, 1991
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4(a)
|
8-K
|
January 7, 1992
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4(a)
|
10-Q
|
Quarter ended March 31, 1992
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4(a)
|
10-Q
|
Quarter ended September 30, 1992
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4(a)
|
8-K
|
April 1, 1993
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4(a)
|
10-Q
|
Quarter ended September 30, 1993
|
1-5152
|
|||||
(4)b
|
10-Q
|
Quarter ended June 30, 1994
|
1-5152
|
|||||
(4)b
|
10-K
|
Year ended December 31, 1994
|
1-5152
|
|||||
(4)b
|
10-K
|
Year ended December 31, 1995
|
1-5152
|
|||||
(4)b
|
10-K
|
Year ended December 31, 1996
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4(b)
|
10-K
|
Year ended December 31, 1998
|
1-5152
|
|||||
99(a)
|
8-K
|
November 21, 2001
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4.1
|
10-Q
|
Quarter ended June 30, 2003
|
1-5152
|
|||||
99
|
8-K
|
September 8, 2003
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4
|
8-K
|
August 24, 2004
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4
|
8-K
|
June 13, 2005
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4.2
|
8-K
|
August 14, 2006
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4
|
8-K
|
March 14, 2007
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4.1
|
8-K
|
October 3, 2007
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4.1
|
8-K
|
July 17,
2008
|
1-5152
|
|||||
4.1
|
8-K
|
January
8, 2009
|
1-5152
|
4.2*
|
Third
Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. See 3.1 and 3.2
above.
|
In
reliance upon item 601(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, various instruments
defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant and its
subsidiaries are not being filed because the total amount authorized under each
such instrument does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Registrant hereby agrees to
furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon
request.
10.1
|
Summary
of Key Terms of Named Executive Officer and Employee Director
Compensation.
|
10.2*
|
PacifiCorp
Executive Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (Exhibit 10.3, Annual
Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed
February 29, 2008, File No. 1-5152).
|
10.3*
|
Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan (Exhibit 10.7, Annual Report on
Form 10-K, for the year ended March 31, 2005, filed May 27,
2005, File No. 1-5152).
|
136
10.4*
|
Amendment
No. 10 to PacifiCorp Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated
June 2, 2006 (Exhibit 10.5, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
filed August 7, 2006, File No. 1-5152).
|
10.5*
|
Amendment
No. 11 to PacifiCorp Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated
June 2, 2006 (Exhibit 10.6, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
filed August 7, 2006, File No. 1-5152).
|
10.6*
|
$700,000,000
Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 2007 among PacifiCorp, The
Banks Party thereto, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as Syndication Agent,
and Union Bank of California, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
(Exhibit 99, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed
November 2, 2007, File No. 1-5152).
|
10.7*
|
$800,000,000
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 6, 2006 among
PacifiCorp, The Banks Party Hereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank, and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc,
as Syndication Agent. (Exhibit 99, Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, filed August 4, 2006, File
No. 1-5152).
|
10.8*
|
First
Amendment dated as of April 15, 2009, amends that certain Credit
Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2007, among PacifiCorp, the banks
listed on the signatures pages thereto, the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as
Syndication Agent and Union Bank, N.A., (formerly known as Union Bank of
California, N.A.), as administrative agent for the banks.
(Exhibit 10.1, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 8,
2009, File No. 1-5152).
|
10.9*
|
First
Amendment dated as of April 15, 2009, amends that certain Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2006, among PacifiCorp, the
banks listed on the signature pages thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as
Administrative agent and issuing bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc,
as Syndication Agent. (Exhibit 10.2, Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, filed May 8, 2009, File
No. 1-5152).
|
10.10
|
Amendment No. 1 to the PacifiCorp Executive Voluntary Deferred
Compensation Plan dated October 28, 2008.
|
12.1
|
Statements
of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
|
12.2
|
Statements
of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
Preference Dividends.
|
14.1*
|
Code
of Ethics (Exhibit 14.1, Transition Report on Form 10-K for the
nine-month period ended December 31, 2006, filed March 2, 2007,
File No. 1-5152).
|
23.1
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
|
31.1
|
Principal
Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
31.2
|
Principal
Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.1
|
Principal
Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.2
|
Principal
Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
*Incorporated
herein by reference.
137