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22-Feb-2008
Annual Report
This combined management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (MD&A) relates to the consolidated financial statements included in this report of two separate registrants: Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) and Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison of New York) and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto. As used in this report, the term the "Companies" refers to Con Edison and Con Edison of New York. Con Edison of New York is a subsidiary of Con Edison and, as such, information in this MD&A about Con Edison of New York applies to Con Edison.
Information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements referred to in this discussion and analysis is incorporated by reference herein. The use of terms such as "see" or "refer to" shall be deemed to incorporate by reference into this discussion and analysis the information to which reference is made.
Corporate Overview
Con Edison's principal business operations are those of its utility companies,
Con Edison of New York and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), together
known as the "Utilities." Con Edison also has competitive energy businesses (see
"Competitive Energy Businesses," below). Certain financial data of Con Edison's
businesses is presented below:
At
Twelve months ended December 31,
December 31, 2007 2007
Operating Net
(Millions of Dollars) Revenues Income Assets
Con Edison of New York $ 9,885 75% $ 844 91% $ 24,559 87%
O&R 936 7% 46 5% 1,862 6%
Total Utilities 10,821 82% 890 96% 26,421 93%
Con Edison Development(a) 899 7% 29 3% 377 1%
Con Edison Energy(a) 34 -% - -% 183 1%
Con Edison Solutions(a) 1,383 11% 29 3% 204 1%
Other(b) (17 ) -% (23 ) (2)% 252 1%
Total continuing operations 13,120 100% 925 100% 27,437 97%
Discontinued operations/held for sale(c) - -% 4 - % 906 3%
Total Con Edison $ 13,120 100% $ 929 100% $ 28,343 100%
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(a) Net income from continuing operations of the competitive energy businesses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 includes $(5) million of net after-tax mark-to-market gains/(losses) (Con Edison Development, $(16) million and Con Edison Solutions, $11 million).
(b) Represents inter-company and parent company accounting. See "Results of Operations," below.
(c) Represents the discontinued operations of Con Edison Development.
Con Edison's net income for common stock in 2007 was $929 million or $3.49 a share. Net income for common stock in 2006 and 2005 was $737 million or $2.96 a share and $719 million or $2.95 a share, respectively. See "Results of Operations-Summary," below.
Con Edison's principal business segments are Con Edison of New York's regulated electric, gas and steam utility activities, O&R's regulated electric and gas utility activities and Con Edison's competitive energy businesses. Con Edison of New York's principal business segments are its regulated electric, gas and steam utility activities. For segment financial information, see Note N to the financial statements and "Results of Operations," below.
For information about factors that could have a material adverse effect on the Companies, see "Risk Factors," below.
Regulated Utilities
Con Edison of New York provides electric service to approximately 3.2 million customers and gas service to approximately 1.1 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. The company also provides steam service in parts of Manhattan. O&R, along with its regulated utility businesses, provides electric service to approximately 0.3 million customers in southeastern New York and adjacent areas of northern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania and gas service to over 0.1 million customers in southeastern New York and adjacent areas of eastern Pennsylvania.
The Utilities are primarily "wires and pipes" energy delivery businesses that deliver energy in their service areas subject to extensive federal and state regulation. The Utilities' customers buy this energy from the Utilities, or from other suppliers through the Utilities' retail access programs. The Utilities purchase substantially all of the energy they sell to customers pursuant to firm contracts or through wholesale energy markets, and recover (generally on a current basis) the cost of the energy sold, pursuant to approved rate plans.
Con Edison anticipates that the Utilities will continue to provide substantially all of its earnings over the next few years. The Utilities' earnings will depend on various factors including demand for utility service and the Utilities' ability to charge rates for their services that reflect the costs of service, including a return on invested equity capital. The factors affecting demand for utility service include growth of customer demand, weather, market prices for energy, economic conditions and measures that promote energy efficiency. Demand for electric service peaks during the summer air conditioning season. Demand for gas and steam service peaks during the winter heating season.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION ANDANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(COMBINED FOR CON EDISON AND CON EDISON OF NEW YORK) - CONTINUED
Because the energy delivery infrastructure must be adequate to meet demand in peak periods with a high level of reliability, the Utilities' capital investment plans reflect in great part past actual electric peak demand adjusted to summer design weather conditions, as well as forecast growth in peak usage. The weather during the summer of 2007 was cooler than design conditions. The highest peak electric demand reached in 2007 was 12,807 MW for Con Edison of New York on August 8, 2007 and 1,474 MW for O&R on July 10, 2007. The Utilities estimate that, under design weather conditions, the 2008 peak electric demand in their respective service areas will be 13,775 MW for Con Edison of New York and 1,645 MW for O&R. The Con Edison of New York forecasted peak demand includes the impact of permanent demand reduction programs. The average annual growth rate of the peak electric demand over the next five years at design conditions is estimated to be approximately 1.2 percent for Con Edison of New York and 2.5 percent for O&R. The Companies anticipate an ongoing need for substantial capital investment in order to meet this growth in peak usage with the high level of reliability that they currently provide (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources-Capital Requirements," below).
The Utilities have rate plans approved by state utility regulators that cover the rates they can charge their customers. Con Edison of New York's electric, gas and steam rate plans are effective through March 31, 2008, September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2008, respectively. In May 2007, Con Edison of New York filed a request with the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for new electric rates to be effective April 1, 2008. In November 2007, Con Edison of New York filed a request for a new steam rate plan, to be effective October 1, 2008. O&R's rate plans for its electric and gas service in New York and its subsidiary's electric service in New Jersey extend through June 30, 2008, October 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, respectively. In August 2007, O&R filed for new electric rates for its New York customers to be effective July 10, 2008. Pursuant to the Utilities' rate plans, charges to customers generally may not be changed during the respective terms of the rate plans other than for recovery of the costs incurred for energy supply, for specified increases provided in the rate plans and for limited other exceptions. The New York rate plans generally require the Utilities to share with customers earnings in excess of specified rates of return on common equity capital. Changes in delivery volumes are reflected in operating income (except to the extent that weather-normalization or revenue decoupling provisions apply to the gas businesses, and subject to provisions in the rate plans for sharing above-target earnings with customers). See "Regulatory Matters" below and "Recoverable Energy Costs" and "Rate Agreements" in Notes A and B, respectively, to the financial statements.
Accounting rules and regulations for public utilities include Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," pursuant to which the economic effects of rate regulation are reflected in financial statements. See "Application of Critical Accounting Policies," below.
Competitive Energy Businesses
Con Edison's competitive energy businesses participate in segments of the electricity industry that are less comprehensively regulated than the Utilities. These segments include the operation of electric generation facilities, trading of electricity and fuel, sales of electricity to wholesale and retail customers and sales of certain energy-related goods and services. At December 31, 2007, Con Edison's equity investment in its competitive energy businesses was $615 million and their assets, including those held for sale (see below), amounted to $1.7 billion.
Consolidated Edison Solutions, Inc. (Con Edison Solutions) sells electricity directly to delivery-service customers of utilities primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions (including some of the Utilities' customers) and also offers energy-related services. Con Edison Solutions does not sell electricity to the Utilities. The company sold approximately 12.2 million MWHs of electricity to customers in 2007.
Consolidated Edison Development, Inc. (Con Edison Development) owns, leases or operates generating plants and participates in other infrastructure projects. At December 31, 2007, the company owned or leased the equivalent of 1,739 MWs of capacity in electric generating facilities of which 203 MWs are sold under long-term purchase power agreements and the balance is sold on the wholesale electricity markets. In addition, the company sells electricity at wholesale to utilities. In December 2007, Con Edison Development and its subsidiary, CED/SCS Newington, LLC, agreed to sell their ownership interests in power generating projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 1,706 MW. See Note U to the financial statements.
Consolidated Edison Energy, Inc. (Con Edison Energy) procures electric energy and capacity for Con Edison Solutions and fuel for Con Edison Development and others. It sells the electric capacity and energy produced by plants owned, leased or operated by Con Edison Development and others. The company also provides energy risk management services to Con Edison Solutions and Con Edison Development, offers these services to others and enters into wholesale supply transactions.
The competitive energy businesses are focusing on increasing their customer base and gross margins and completing the sale
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION ANDANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(COMBINED FOR CON EDISON AND CON EDISON OF NEW YORK) - CONTINUED
of the generating projects discussed above. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources-Capital Requirements" and "Capital Resources," below.
Discontinued Operations
In March 2006, Con Edison completed the sale of Con Edison Communications, LLC (Con Edison Communications) to RCN Corporation. In December 2007, Con Edison Development and its subsidiary, CED/SCS Newington, LLC, agreed to sell their ownership interests in power generating projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 1,706 MW. See Notes T and U to the financial statements.
Results of Operations-Summary
Con Edison's earnings per share in 2007 were $3.49 ($3.47 on a diluted basis). In 2006, earnings per share were $2.96 ($2.95 on a diluted basis). Earnings per share in 2005 were $2.95 ($2.94 on a diluted basis).
Net income for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 2007 2006 2005
Con Edison of New York $ 844 $ 686 $ 694
O&R 46 45 49
Competitive energy businesses(a) 58 40 13
Other(b) (23 ) (31 ) (11 )
Total continuing operations 925 740 745
Discontinued operations(c) 4 (3 ) (26 )
Con Edison $ 929 $ 737 $ 719
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(a) Includes $(5) million, $(15) million and $(8) million of net after-tax mark-to-market losses in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
(b) Other consists of inter-company and parent company accounting. See "Results of Operations," below.
(c) Represents the discontinued operations of certain of Con Edison Development's generation projects and Con Edison Communications. See Notes T and U to the financial statements.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION ANDANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(COMBINED FOR CON EDISON AND CON EDISON OF NEW YORK) - CONTINUED
The Companies' results of operations for 2007, as compared with 2006, reflect sales growth, the Utilities' rate plans (which are designed to recover increases in certain operations and maintenance expenses, depreciation and property taxes, and interest charges), the impact of storms and weather in 2007. The following table presents the estimated effect on earnings per share and net income from continuing operations for 2007 as compared with 2006 and 2006 as compared with 2005, resulting from these and other major factors:
2007 vs. 2006 2006 vs. 2005
Net Income Net Income
Earnings (Millions of Earnings (Millions of
per Share Dollars) per Share Dollars)
Con Edison of New York
Sales growth $ 0.18 $ 46 $ 0.12 $ 28
Impact of weather 0.11 28 (0.32 ) (79 )
Electric rate agreement 0.44 109 0.74 181
Gas rate agreement 0.05 12 0.09 22
Net transfers to firm gas service 0.05 14 - -
Steam rate agreement 0.08 19 0.07 18
Resolution of deferred tax
amortization petition 0.06 17 - -
Operations and maintenance expense (0.15 ) (37 ) (0.41 ) (98 )
Depreciation and property taxes (0.28 ) (69 ) (0.27 ) (66 )
Interest charges (0.04 ) (10 ) (0.20 ) (48 )
Other (includes dilutive effect of
new stock issuances) (0.08 ) 29 0.08 34
Total Con Edison of New York 0.42 158 (0.10 ) (8 )
Orange and Rockland Utilities (0.01 ) 1 (0.02 ) (4 )
Competitive energy businesses
Earnings excluding net
mark-to-market effects 0.01 8 0.12 34
Net mark-to-market effects 0.04 10 (0.03 ) (7 )
Other, including parent company
expenses 0.05 8 (0.05 ) (20 )
Discontinued operations 0.02 7 0.09 23
Total variations $ 0.53 $ 192 $ 0.01 $ 18
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See "Results of Operations" below for further discussion and analysis of results of operations.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION ANDANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(COMBINED FOR CON EDISON AND CON EDISON OF NEW YORK) - CONTINUED
Risk Factors
The Companies' businesses are influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. These risk factors include:
The Utilities' Revenues And Results Of Operations Reflect Regulatory Actions-The Utilities have rate plans approved by state utility regulators that cover the prices they can charge their customers. The prices are generally designed to cover the Utilities' cost of service (including a return on equity) and generally may not be changed during the specified terms of the rate plans other than for the recovery of energy costs and limited other exceptions. The rate plans generally include earnings adjustments for meeting or failing to meet certain standards. Certain of the plans require action by regulators at their expiration dates, which may include approval of new plans with different provisions. Regulators may also take actions affecting the company outside of the framework of the approved rate plans. The regulators in the states in which the Utilities provide service generally permit the Utilities to recover from their customers the cost of service, other than any cost that is determined to have been imprudently incurred. Regulatory policies are subject to change. The Utilities' regulatory filings can involve complex accounting and other calculations. See "Application of Critical Accounting Polices" and "Regulatory Matters," below.
Con Edison's Ability To Pay Dividends Or Interest Is Subject To Regulatory Restrictions-Con Edison's ability to pay dividends on its common stock or interest on its external borrowings depends primarily on the dividends and other distributions it receives from its businesses. The dividends that the Utilities may pay to Con Edison are generally limited to not more than 100 percent of their respective income available for dividends calculated on a two-year rolling average basis, with certain exceptions. See "Dividends" in Note C to the financial statements.
The Companies Purchase Energy For Their Customers-A disruption in the wholesale energy markets or in the Companies' energy supply arrangements could adversely affect their ability to meet their customers' energy needs and the Companies' results of operations. The Companies have policies to manage the economic risks related to energy supply, including related hedging transactions and the risk of a counterparty's non-performance. The Utilities generally recover their prudently incurred fuel, purchased power and gas costs, including the cost of hedging transactions, in accordance with rate provisions approved by state regulators. Con Edison's competitive energy businesses enter into hedging transactions to manage their commodity-related price and volumetric risks. See "Financial and Commodity Market Risks," below.
Energy Market Prices Are Volatile-The impact of changing energy market prices on the Companies is mitigated by their energy management policies and rate provisions pursuant to which the Utilities recover energy supply costs. See "Financial and Commodity Market Risks," below. High energy market prices result in increases in energy costs billed to customers that could result in decreased energy usage. If this were to occur, until the Utilities' rates were adjusted to offset the effect of decreased usage, the Utilities would have decreased energy delivery revenues. Prices for electricity, fuel oil and gas could also affect the value of Con Edison's competitive energy businesses.
The Utilities Have A Substantial Ongoing Utility Construction Program-The Utilities estimate that their construction expenditures will exceed $8 billion over the next three years. The ongoing construction program includes large energy transmission, substation and distribution system projects. The failure to complete these projects in a timely manner could adversely affect the Utilities' ability to meet their customers' growing energy needs with the high level of reliability that they currently provide. The Utilities expect to use internally-generated funds, equity contributions from Con Edison and external borrowing to fund the construction expenditures.
The Companies Are Active Participants in Financial Markets-Changes in financial market conditions or in the Companies' credit ratings could adversely affect their ability and their cost to borrow funds. The Companies' commercial paper and unsecured debt are rated by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. (Moody's), Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). The interest rates on $636 million of Con Edison of New York tax-exempt debt and $99 million of O&R tax-exempt debt are also affected by the credit ratings of bond insurers. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Capital Resources," below. Changes to financial market conditions could also adversely affect the return on investment of the plan assets for the Companies' pension and other postretirement benefit plans. See "Application of Critical Accounting Policies-Accounting for Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits" and "Financial and Commodity Market Risks," below.
The Companies Operate Essential Energy Facilities And Other Systems-The Utilities provide electricity, gas and steam service using energy facilities that are located either in, or close to, public places. A failure of, or damage to, these facilities could result in bodily injury or death, property damage, the release of hazardous substances or extended service interruptions. See "Power Outage Proceedings" in Note B to the financial statements and
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION ANDANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(COMBINED FOR CON EDISON AND CON EDISON OF NEW YORK) - CONTINUED
"Manhattan Steam Main Rupture" in Note H to the financial statements. The Companies have information systems relating to their operations, billing, accounting and other matters, the failure of which could adversely affect the Companies' operations and liquidity. In the event of failure or damage to these facilities or systems, the Utilities could incur substantial liability, higher costs and increased regulatory requirements. The Utilities have training, operating, security, maintenance and capital programs designed to provide for the safe and reliable operation of their energy facilities and information systems.
Con Edison's Competitive Energy Businesses Are In Evolving Markets-Con Edison's competitive energy businesses are active in evolving markets that are affected by the actions of governmental agencies, other organizations (such as independent system operators) and other competitive businesses. Compared to the Utilities, the profitability of their products and services and the recoverability of Con Edison's investment in these competitive energy businesses is not as predictable.
The Companies May Be Affected By The Application Of Critical Accounting Policies And Rules-The application of the Companies' critical accounting policies reflects complex judgments, assumptions and estimates. These policies, which are described in "Application of Critical Accounting Policies," below, include industry specific accounting applicable to regulated public utilities, the accounting and funding rules applicable to pensions and other postretirement benefits, and accounting for contingencies, long-lived assets, derivative instruments, goodwill and leases. New accounting policies or rules or changes to current accounting policies, rules or interpretations of such policies or rules that affect the Companies' financial statements may be adopted by the relevant accounting or other authorities.
The Companies Are Exposed To Risks Relating To Environmental Matters-Hazardous substances, such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and coal tar, have been used or produced in the course of the Utilities' operations and are present on properties or in facilities and equipment currently or previously owned by them. See "Environmental Matters" in Item 1 and Note G to the financial statements. Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are found wherever electricity is used. If a causal relationship between EMF and adverse health effects were established, there could be a material adverse effect on the Companies. Negative perceptions about EMF can make it more difficult to construct facilities needed for the Companies' operations.
The Companies Are Subject To Extensive Government Regulation And Taxation-The Companies' operations require numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various federal, state and local governmental agencies. The Companies' federal income tax returns reflect certain tax positions with which the Internal Revenue Service does not or may not agree, including tax positions with respect to Con Edison's lease in/lease out transactions and the deduction of certain construction-related costs for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. See Notes J and L to the financial statements. The Companies may be subject to new laws or regulations or the revision or reinterpretation of existing laws or regulations which could have a material adverse effect on the Companies.
The Companies Face Risks That Are Beyond Their Control-The Companies' results of operations can be affected by circumstances or events that are beyond their control. Weather directly influences the demand for electricity, gas and steam service, and can affect the price of energy commodities. Economic conditions can affect customers' demand and ability to pay for service. The cost of repairing damage to the Companies' facilities and the potential disruption of their operations due to heat, storms, natural disasters, wars, terrorist acts, . . .
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