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| ETR > SEC Filings for ETR > Form 10-Q on 7-Nov-2008 | All Recent SEC Filings |
7-Nov-2008
Quarterly Report
Entergy operates primarily through two business segments: Utility and Non-Utility Nuclear.
º Utility generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in a
four-state service territory that includes portions of Arkansas,
Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, including the City of New Orleans; and
operates a small natural gas distribution business.
º Non-Utility Nuclear owns and operates six nuclear power plants located in
the northern United States and sells the electric power produced by those
plants primarily to wholesale customers. This business also provides
services to other nuclear power plant owners.
In addition to its two primary, reportable, operating segments, Entergy also operates the non-nuclear wholesale assets business. The non-nuclear wholesale assets business sells to wholesale customers the electric power produced by power plants that it owns while it focuses on improving performance and exploring sales or restructuring opportunities for its power plants.
Plan to Pursue Separation of Non-Utility Nuclear
In November 2007, the Board approved a plan to pursue a separation of the Non-Utility Nuclear business from Entergy through a tax-free spin-off of the Non-Utility Nuclear business to Entergy shareholders. Upon completion of the spin-off, Enexus Energy Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy and formerly referred to as SpinCo, will be a new, separate, and publicly-traded company. In addition, under the plan, Enexus and Entergy are expected to enter into a nuclear services business joint venture, EquaGen LLC, with 50% ownership by Enexus and 50% ownership by Entergy. The EquaGen board of managers will be comprised of equal membership from both Entergy and Enexus.
Upon completion of the spin-off, Entergy Corporation's shareholders will own 100% of the common stock in both Enexus and Entergy. Entergy expects that Enexus' business will be substantially comprised of Non-Utility Nuclear's assets, including its six nuclear power plants, and Non-Utility Nuclear's power marketing operation. Entergy Corporation's remaining business will primarily be comprised of the Utility business. EquaGen is expected to operate the nuclear assets owned by Enexus, and provide certain services to the Utility's nuclear operations. EquaGen is also expected to offer nuclear services to third parties, including decommissioning, plant relicensing, plant operations, and ancillary services.
Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., the current NRC-licensed operator of the Non-Utility Nuclear plants, filed an application in July 2007 with the NRC seeking indirect transfer of control of the operating licenses for the six Non-Utility Nuclear power plants, and supplemented that application in December 2007 to incorporate the planned business separation. Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., which is expected to be wholly-owned by EquaGen, will remain the operator of the plants after the separation. Entergy Operations, Inc., the current NRC-licensed operator of Entergy's five Utility nuclear plants, will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy and will continue to be the operator of the Utility nuclear plants. In the December 2007 supplement to the NRC application, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. provided additional information regarding the spin-off transaction, organizational structure, technical and financial qualifications, and general corporate information. The NRC published a notice in the Federal Register establishing a period for the public to submit a request for hearing or petition to intervene in a hearing proceeding. The NRC notice period expired on February 5, 2008 and two petitions to intervene in the hearing proceeding were filed before the deadline. Each of the petitions opposes the NRC's approval of the license transfer on various grounds, including contentions that the approval request is not adequately supported regarding the basis for the proposed structure, the adequacy of decommissioning funding, and the adequacy of financial qualifications. Entergy submitted answers to the petitions on March 31 and April 8. On August 22, 2008, the NRC issued an order denying all of the petitions to intervene based upon the petitioners' failure to demonstrate the requisite standing to pursue their hearing requests. One of the petitioner groups filed a motion for reconsideration on September 4, 2008 and on September 15,
2008, Entergy filed a response opposing the motion forreconsideration. On September 23, 2008, the NRC issued an order denying the motion for reconsideration based upon several procedural errors.
Because resolution of any hearing requests is not a prerequisite to obtaining the required NRC approval, on July 28, 2008, the NRC staff approved the license transfers associated with the new ownership structure of EquaGen, the licensed operator, as well as the transfers to Enexus of the NRC licenses for Big Rock Point, FitzPatrick, Indian Point Units 1, 2 and 3, Palisades, Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee. The review conducted by the NRC staff included matters such as the financial and technical qualifications of the new organizations, as well as decommissioning funding assurance. In connection with the NRC approvals, Enexus agreed to enter into a financial support agreement with the entities licensed to own the nuclear power plants in the total amount of $700 million to support the operating costs for all six operating nuclear power plants.
Pursuant to Federal Power Act Section 203, on February 21, 2008, an application was filed with the FERC requesting approval for the indirect disposition and transfer of control of jurisdictional facilities of a public utility. In June 2008 the FERC issued an order authorizing the requested indirect disposition and transfer of control.
On January 28, 2008, Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. requested approval from the Vermont Public Service Board (VPSB) for the indirect transfer of control, consent to pledge assets, issue guarantees and assign material contracts, amendment to certificate of public good, and replacement of guaranty and substitution of a credit support agreement for Vermont Yankee. Two Vermont utilities that buy power from Vermont Yankee, the regional planning commission for the area served by Vermont Yankee, a municipality in which the Vermont Yankee training center is located, the union that represents certain Vermont Yankee employees, and two unions that represent certain employees at the Pilgrim plant in Massachusetts petitioned to intervene. Although the Pilgrim unions' petition to intervene was denied, the Pilgrim unions filed for reconsideration or, in the alternative, for participation as amicus curiae, and the VPSB has allowed the unions to participate as amicus curiae. Discovery is underway in this proceeding, in which parties can ask questions about or request the production of documents related to the transaction.
In addition, the Vermont Department of Public Service (VDPS), which is the public advocate in proceedings before the VPSB, prefiled its initial and rebuttal testimony in the case in which the VDPS takes the position that Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. have not demonstrated that the restructuring promotes the public good because its benefits do not outweigh the risks, raising concerns that the target rating for Enexus' debt is below investment grade and that the company may not have the financial capability to withstand adverse financial developments, such as an extended outage. The VDPS testimony also expresses concern about the EquaGen joint venture structure and Enexus' ability, under the operating agreement between Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., to ensure that Vermont Yankee is well-operated. Two distribution utilities that buy Vermont Yankee power prefiled testimony that also expresses concerns about the structure but found that there was a small net benefit to the restructuring. The VPSB conducted hearings on July 28-30, 2008, during which it considered the testimony prefiled by Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., the VDPS, and the two distribution utilities. Post-hearing briefing is complete and a decision from the VPSB is pending.
On January 28, 2008, Entergy Nuclear FitzPatrick, LLC, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 2, LLC, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 3, LLC, and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., and corporate affiliate NewCo (now named Enexus) filed a petition with the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) requesting a declaratory ruling regarding corporate reorganization or in the alternative an order approving the transaction and an order approving debt financing. Petitioners also requested confirmation that the corporate reorganization will not have an effect on Entergy Nuclear FitzPatrick's, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 2's, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 3's, and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.'s status as lightly regulated entities in New York, given that they will continue to be competitive wholesale generators. The New York State Attorney General's Office, Westchester County, and Riverkeeper, Inc. have filed objections to the business separation and to the transfer of the FitzPatrick and Indian Point Energy Center nuclear power plants, arguing that the debt associated with the spin-off could threaten access to adequate financial resources for those nuclear power plants, that Entergy could potentially be able to terminate revenue
sharing agreements with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the entity from which Entergy purchased the FitzPatrick and Indian Point 3 nuclear power plants, and because the New York State Attorney General's Office believes Entergy must file an environmental impact statement assessing the proposed corporate restructuring. In addition to the New York State Attorney General's Office, several other parties have also requested to be added to the service list for this proceeding.
On May 23, 2008, the NYPSC issued its Order Establishing Further Procedures in this matter. In the order, the NYPSC determined that due to the nuclear power plants' unique role in supporting the reliability of electric service in New York, and their large size and unique operational concerns, a more searching inquiry of the transaction will be conducted than if other types of lightly-regulated generation were at issue. Accordingly, the NYPSC assigned an ALJ to preside over this proceeding and prescribed a sixty (60) day discovery period. The order provided that after at least sixty (60) days, the ALJ would establish when the discovery period would conclude. The NYPSC stated that the scope of discovery will be tightly bounded by the public interest inquiry relevant to this proceeding; namely, adequacy and security of support for the decommissioning of the New York nuclear facilities; financial sufficiency of the proposed capital structure in supporting continued operation of the facilities; and, arrangements for managing, operating and maintaining the facilities. The NYPSC also stated that during the discovery period, the NYPSC Staff may conduct technical conferences to assist in the development of a full record in this proceeding.
On July 23, 2008, the ALJs issued a ruling concerning discovery and seeking comments on a proposed process and schedule. In the ruling, the ALJs proposed a process for completing a limited, prescribed discovery process, to be followed three weeks later by the filing of initial comments addressing defined issues, with reply comments due two weeks after the initial comment deadline. Following receipt of all comments, a ruling will be made on whether, and to what extent, an evidentiary hearing is required. The ALJs asked the parties to address three specific topic areas: (1) the financial impacts related to the specific issues previously outlined by the NYPSC; (2) other obligations associated with the arrangement for managing, operating and maintaining the facilities; and (3) the extent that NYPA revenues from value sharing payments under the value sharing agreement between Entergy and NYPA would decrease. The ALJs have indicated that the potential financial effect of the termination of the value sharing payments on NYPA and New York electric consumers are factors the ALJs believe should be considered by the NYPSC in making its public interest determination.
In August 2008, Non-Utility Nuclear entered into a resolution of a dispute with NYPA over the applicability of the value sharing agreements to the FitzPatrick and Indian Point 3 nuclear power plants after the separation. Under the resolution, Non-Utility Nuclear agreed not to treat the separation as a "Cessation Event" that would terminate its obligation to make the payments under the value sharing agreements. As a result, after the separation, Enexus will continue to be obligated to make payments to NYPA due under the amended and restated value sharing agreements described above. For further discussion of the value sharing agreements, see Note 1 to the financial statements herein.
Entergy continues to seek regulatory approval from the NYPSC in a timely manner. On October 23, 2008, the ALJs issued notification to all parties that from their review of the submissions, all issues of fact and policy material to the relief requested by the petitioners have been thoroughly addressed by the parties, an adequate record for decision is available to the NYPSC, and no further formal proceedings are warranted. The ALJs will now submit a recommendation to the NYPSC with respect to the transaction.
In connection with, but prior to completion of, the separation, Enexus is currently expected to incur up to $4.5 billion of debt in the form of debt securities. The debt will be incurred in the following transactions:
º Enexus is expected to issue approximately $3.0 billion of debt securities
in partial consideration of Entergy's transfer to it of the Non-Utility
Nuclear business.
º These debt securities are expected to be exchanged for approximately $3.0
billion of debt securities that Entergy plans to issue prior to the
separation. As a result of the exchange (should the exchange occur), the
holders of the debt securities that Entergy plans to issue prior to the
separation will become holders of approximately $3.0 billion of Enexus debt
securities.
º Enexus is expected to incur the balance of the debt through the issuance of debt securities directly to third parties.
Out of the proceeds Enexus receives from the issuance of up to approximately $1.5 billion of debt securities to third parties, it expects to retain approximately $500 million, which it intends to use for working capital and other general corporate purposes. All of the remaining proceeds are expected to be transferred to Entergy to settle Enexus' intercompany indebtedness owed to Entergy, including indebtedness that Entergy will transfer to Enexus in the separation. Enexus will not receive any proceeds from either the issuance of the approximately $3.0 billion of its debt securities or the exchange of its debt securities for Entergy debt securities. Entergy expects to use the proceeds that it receives from the issuance of its debt securities to reduce outstanding Entergy debt or repurchase Entergy shares. The amount to be paid to Entergy, the amount and term of the debt Enexus will incur, and the type of debt and entity that will incur the debt have not been finally determined, but will be determined prior to the separation. A number of factors could affect this final determination, and the amount of debt ultimately incurred could be different from the amount disclosed. Additionally, Entergy expects Enexus to enter into a proposed senior secured credit facility and certain lien-based hedging arrangements and credit support facilities in respect of hedging, and may enter into other financing arrangements meant to support Enexus' working capital and general corporate needs and credit support obligations arising from hedging and normal course of business requirements.
Entergy continues to target receiving regulatory decisions regarding the spin-off transaction in the fourth quarter 2008. Due to unprecedented turmoil in the financial markets, however, it is uncertain whether financing fundamental to the spin-off transaction can be effected in the near-term. Entergy and Enexus intend to launch the financing when market conditions are favorable for such an issuance. Entergy expects the transaction to qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes for both Entergy and its shareholders, and Entergy has received a private letter ruling from the IRS regarding the tax free treatment. Final terms of the transactions and spin-off completion are subject to several conditions, including the final approval of the Board.
Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike
In September 2008, Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike caused catastrophic damage to portions of Entergy's service territories in Louisiana and Texas, and to a lesser extent in Arkansas and Mississippi. The storms resulted in widespread power outages, significant damage to distribution, transmission, and generation infrastructure, and the loss of sales during the power outages. Total restoration costs for the repair and/or replacement of Entergy's electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike are estimated to be in the range of $1.025 billion to $1.225 billion, as follows:
Company Hurricane Gustav Hurricane Ike
Restoration Costs Restoration Costs
($ in millions)
Entergy Arkansas 10-15 14-20
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana 210-250 65-75
Entergy Louisiana 230-270 10-15
Entergy Mississippi 10-15 -
Entergy New Orleans 40-50 1-5
Entergy Texas - 435-510
Total 500-600 525-625
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The Utility operating companies are considering all reasonable avenues to recover storm-related costs from Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike, including, but not limited to, accessing funded storm reserves; federal and local cost recovery mechanisms, including requests for Community Development Block Grant funding; securitization; and insurance, to the extent deductibles are met. In October 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans drew a total of $229 million from their funded storm reserves. Entergy Arkansas has requested a surcharge to recover $26 million of its storm restoration costs, as discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements,
and the other affected Utility operating companies expect to file for recovery of their storm restoration costs no later than the spring 2009. Entergy is currently evaluating the amount of the losses covered by insurance for Entergy and each of the affected Utility operating companies. Because most of the Hurricane Gustav damage was to distribution and transmission facilities that are generally not covered by property insurance, Entergy does not expect to meet its deductibles for that storm. Because Hurricane Ike caused more damage by flooding and also caused more damage to generation facilities as compared to Hurricane Gustav, it is more likely that Entergy will meet its deductibles for that storm.
Entergy has recorded accounts payable for the estimated costs incurred that were necessary to return customers to service. Entergy recorded corresponding regulatory assets of approximately $550 million and construction work in progress of approximately $430 million. Entergy recorded the regulatory assets in accordance with its accounting policies and based on the historic treatment of such costs in its service territories (except for Entergy Arkansas), because management believes that recovery through some form of regulatory mechanism is probable. Because Entergy has not gone through the regulatory process regarding these storm costs, however, there is an element of risk, and Entergy is unable to predict with certainty the degree of success it may have in its recovery initiatives, the amount of restoration costs that it may ultimately recover, or the timing of such recovery.
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