[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| Commission
File No. |
Name of Registrant, State of Incorporation,
Address
of Principal Executive Offices, and Telephone No. |
IRS Employer
Identification No. |
||
| 000-49965 | MGE Energy, Inc.
(a Wisconsin Corporation) |
39-2040501 | ||
| 000-1125 | Madison Gas and Electric Company
(a Wisconsin Corporation) 133 South Blair Street Madison, Wisconsin 53703 (608) 252-7000 |
39-0444025 | ||
| www.mge.com and/or www.mgeenergy.com (Web sites) |
None.
| Title of Class | |
| MGE Energy, Inc. Madison Gas and Electric Company |
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Per Share Cumulative Preferred Stock, $25 Par Value Per Share |
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrants (1) have 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 registrants were required to file such reports) and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
Indicate by checkmark 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 registrants' 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. X
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrants are accelerated filers (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
| MGE Energy, Inc. Madison Gas and Electric Company |
Yes X No Yes No X |
The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity held by nonaffiliates of each registrant as of June 30, 2003, was as follows:
| MGE Energy, Inc. | $560,764,000 |
| Madison Gas and Electric Company | $0 |
The number of shares outstanding of each registrant's common stock as of March 1,
2004, was as follows:
| MGE Energy, Inc. Madison Gas and Electric Company |
18,441,740 17,347,889 |
Portions of MGE Energy, Inc.'s definitive proxy statement to be filed prior to April 29, 2004, relating to its annual meeting of shareholders, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K.
Madison Gas and Electric Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (I)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore omitting (i.) the information otherwise required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K relating to a list of subsidiaries of the registrant as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(b), (ii.) the information otherwise required by Item 6 relating to Selected Financial Data, (iii.) the information otherwise required by Item 10 relating to Directors and Executive Officers as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(c), (iv.) the information otherwise required by Item 11 relating to executive compensation as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(c), (v.) the information otherwise required by Item 12 relating to Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, and (vi.) the information otherwise required by Item 13 to Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
Where to Find More Information
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrants.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.
Signatures - Madison Gas and Electric Company
This combined Form 10-K is being filed separately by MGE Energy, Inc. (MGE Energy) and Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE). MGE is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGE Energy and represents a substantial portion of its assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and operations. Thus, all information contained in this report relates to, and is filed by, MGE Energy. Information that is specifically identified in this report as relating solely to MGE Energy, such as its financial statements and information relating to its nonutility business, does not relate to, and is not filed by, MGE. MGE makes no representation as to that information.
This report, and other documents filed by MGE Energy and MGE with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's current assumptions and estimates regarding future performance and economic conditions--especially as they relate to future load growth, revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, financial resources, regulatory matters, and the scope and expense associated with future environmental regulation. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Both MGE Energy and MGE caution investors that these forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied. Some of those risks and uncertainties include:
- Weather, which enters into the calculation of MGE's rates for service and which affects the demand for electricity and gas and the projected and actual need for electric generation capacity to serve customers.
- Economic and market conditions in MGE's service territory, which affect demand for electricity and gas and, consequently, our revenues and expenses as well as capital investment requirements to extend, improve, or reinforce the existing electricity and gas distribution systems.
- Magnitude and timing of capital expenditures, which affect capital needs, financing costs, and operating expenses.
- Regulatory environment in which we operate, which can affect the way in which we do business as well as the accounting treatment of expenses that we incur and our ability to continue carrying specified assets and liabilities on our books.
- Environmental regulation, which can affect the way in which we operate, our operating expenses, and our capital expenditures.
- Availability and cost of power supplies, which affect operating expenses and capital expenditure decisions with respect to sources of new generation.
- Completion of the West Campus Cogeneration Facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which provides MGE Energy with an opportunity if construction is completed on or ahead of schedule, but exposes it to liquidated damages if construction is delayed or the facility fails to operate according to specifications.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this report. MGE Energy and MGE undertake no obligation to publicly release any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report.
Where to Find More Information
The public may read and copy any reports or other information that MGE Energy and MGE file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. These documents are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services, the Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, MGE Energy's Web site at http://www.mgeenergy.com, and MGE's Web site at http://www.mge.com. Copies may be obtained from our Web sites free of charge.
Abbreviations, acronyms, and definitions used in the text and notes of this report are defined below.
| AFUDC | allowance for funds used during construction |
| AMR | automated meter reading |
| ANR | ANR Pipeline Company |
| APB | Accounting Principles Board |
| ATC | American Transmission Company LLC |
| Alliant | Alliant Energy Corporation |
| Blount | Blount Station |
| CPCN | Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity |
| CO2 | carbon dioxide |
| Columbia | Columbia Energy Center |
| cooling degree days | Measure of the extent to which the average daily temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, increasing demand for cooling |
| DNR | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| DOA | Wisconsin Department of Administration |
| DOE | U.S. Department of Energy |
| Dth | dekatherms |
| EITF | Emerging Issues Task Force |
| Electric Margin | electric revenues less fuel and purchased power |
| EPA | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
| EPC Agreement | Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Agreement |
| FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board |
| FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
| FIN | Financial Interpretation No. |
| FTR | Financial Transmission Rights |
| gas margin | gas revenues less gas purchased |
| GCIM | gas cost incentive mechanism |
| interconnection agreement | Generation-Transmission Interconnection Agreement |
| heating degree days | Measure of the extent to which the average daily temperature is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, increasing demand for heating |
| Kewaunee | Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant |
| kV | kilovolt |
| kWh | kilowatt-hour |
| LMP | Locational Marginal Pricing |
| MACT | Maximum available control technology |
| MAIN | Mid-America Interconnected Network, Inc. |
| MAPP | Mid-Continent Area Power Pool |
| MGE Energy | MGE Energy, Inc. |
| MGE Construct | MGE Construct LLC |
| MGE Power West Campus | MGE Power West Campus, LLC |
| MGE | Madison Gas and Electric Company |
| MGE Power | MGE Power LLC |
| Midwest ISO | Midwest Independent System Operator |
| Moody's | Moody's Investors Service, Inc. |
| MW | megawatt |
| MWh | megawatt-hour |
| Nasdaq | The Nasdaq National Stock Market |
| NNG | Northern Natural Gas Company |
| NOx | nitrogen oxide |
| NOx SIP Call | Nitrogen oxide State Implementation Plan (federal rule 40 CFR Part 96, commonly known as the NOx SIP Call) |
| NRC | Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
| PGA clause | Purchased Gas Adjustment clause |
| PSCW | Public Service Commission of Wisconsin |
| RTC | Regional Transmission Committee |
| RTO | Regional Transmission Organization |
| S&P | Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. |
| SAB | Staff Accounting Bulletin |
| SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission |
| SFAS | Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (issued by the FASB) |
| SO2 | sulfur dioxide |
| the State | State of Wisconsin |
| UW | University of Wisconsin at Madison |
| VIE | Variable Interest Entity |
| VOC | volatile organic compounds |
| WCCF | West Campus Cogeneration Facility |
| Working capital | current assets less current liabilities |
| WPSC | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
| York | York International Corporation |
MGE Energy operates in three business segments:
- Electric utility operations--generating and distributing electricity through MGE.
- Gas utility operations--purchasing and distributing natural gas through MGE.
- Nonutility energy operations--constructing and owning new electric generating capacity through its wholly owned subsidiaries MGE Construct, MGE Power, and MGE Power West Campus.
MGE Energy became the holding company for MGE on August 12, 2002, when shareholders exchanged their shares of MGE common stock for shares of MGE Energy common stock. The share exchange had no accounting effect on MGE's recorded assets, liabilities, revenues, or expenses.
MGE's utility operations represent a substantial portion of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and operations of MGE Energy. MGE Energy's nonutility energy operations currently relate to the development of a cogeneration project on the UW-Madison campus.
MGE Energy was organized as a Wisconsin corporation in 2001. MGE was organized as a Wisconsin corporation in 1896. Their principal offices are located at 133 South Blair Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703.
As a public utility, MGE is subject to regulation by the PSCW and the FERC. The PSCW has authority to regulate most aspects of MGE's business including rates, accounts, issuance of securities, and plant and transmission line siting. FERC has jurisdiction, under the Federal Power Act, over certain accounting practices and certain other aspects of MGE's business.
MGE is also subject to regulation under local, state, and federal laws regarding air and water quality and solid waste disposal. See "Environmental" below.
MGE's business fluctuates based on changes in weather conditions, with gas revenues generally higher during the winter months due to heating needs and electricity revenues generally higher in the summer months due to cooling needs.
Electric Utility Operations
MGE generates and distributes electricity in a service area covering the 250-square-mile area of Dane County, Wisconsin. Its service area includes the city of Madison, Wisconsin.
At December 31, 2003, MGE supplied electric service to nearly 132,000 customers, of whom 117,000 were located in the cities of Fitchburg, Madison, Middleton, and Monona and 15,000 in adjacent areas. Of the total number of customers, approximately 114,500 were residential and 17,500 were commercial and industrial. Electric revenues for 2003 were comprised of residential (35%), commercial (49%), industrial (6%), sales to public authorities including the UW (8%), and sales to other utilities and other (2%). Electric revenues for 2002 were comprised of residential (36%), commercial (48%), industrial (6%), sales to public authorities including UW (7%), and sales to other utilities and other (3%). Electric operations accounted for approximately 60%, 65%, and 61% of MGE's total 2003, 2002, and 2001 revenues, respectively.
See Item 2, Properties, for a description of MGE's electric utility plant.
MGE is a member of MAIN, a regional reliability group. MAIN members work together to utilize better reserve generating capacity and coordinate long-range system planning and day-to-day operations. MAIN seeks to maintain adequate planning reserve margins for generation in the region.
MGE is part owner of ATC, a for-profit transmission company resulting from Reliability 2000 legislation enacted in Wisconsin. Part of that legislation mandated the creation of a statewide transmission company to own the investor-owned utilities' transmission assets. ATC's purpose is to provide reliable, economic transmission service to all customers in a fair and equitable manner. ATC plans, constructs, operates, maintains, and expands transmission facilities that it owns to provide adequate and reliable transmission of power.
Effective January 1, 2001, MGE transferred all of its electric utility transmission assets to ATC in exchange for an ownership interest. ATC is owned and governed by the utilities that contributed facilities or capital in accordance with Wisconsin Act 9. At December 31, 2003, MGE has approximately a 5% ownership interest in ATC. ATC is regulated by FERC for all rate terms and conditions of service and is a transmission-owning member of the Midwest ISO. MGE is a nontransmission-owning member of the Midwest ISO.
On February 1, 2002, MGE started taking network transmission service from the Midwest ISO. Midwest ISO is a nonprofit RTO approved by FERC. The Midwest ISO is responsible for monitoring the electric transmission system that delivers power from generating plants to wholesale power transmitters. Its role is to ensure equal access to the transmission system and to maintain or improve electric system reliability in the Midwest.
In connection with its role as a FERC-approved RTO, the Midwest ISO is in the process of developing a bid-based energy market, which is currently proposed to be implemented on December 1, 2004. In connection with the development of this energy market, the Midwest ISO is developing a market-based platform for valuing transmission congestion premised upon the LMP system that has been implemented in certain states. It is expected that the LMP system will include the ability to mitigate or eliminate congestion costs through the use of FTRs. The Midwest ISO will initially allocate FTRs, and it is anticipated that the FTRs will be available through an auction-based system run by the Midwest ISO. It is unknown at this time the quantity of FTRs that will be allocated by the Midwest ISO or what the financial impact of the LMP congestion pricing system might have on MGE.
Fuel supply and generation
MGE's net kWh requirements for 2003 were provided from the following sources: 61% from fossil-fueled steam plants, 38% from power purchases, and 1% from a combination of wind turbines, diesel generators, and combustion turbines. Sources used depended on generating unit availability, weather, and customer demand.
MGE has a 22% ownership interest in two 512-MW coal-burning units at Columbia. The coal inventory supply for the units decreased from 46 days on December 31, 2002, to 45 days on December 31, 2003. The co-owners' current goal is to maintain approximately a 35-day inventory. The units burn low-sulfur coal obtained (pursuant to long-term contracts) from the Powder River Basin coal fields located in Wyoming and Montana.
Gas Utility Operations
MGE transports and distributes natural gas in a service area covering 1,375 square miles in seven south-central Wisconsin counties. Its service area includes the city of Madison, Wisconsin.
On December 31, 2003, MGE supplied natural gas service to more than 129,000 customers in the cities of Elroy, Fitchburg, Lodi, Madison, Middleton, Monona, Prairie du Chien, Verona, and Viroqua; 24 villages; and all or parts of 46 townships. Gas revenues for 2003 were comprised of residential (58%), commercial (37%), industrial (2%), and transportation service and other (3%). Gas revenues for 2002 were comprised of residential (58%), commercial (37%), industrial (1%), and transportation service and other (4%). Gas operations accounted for approximately 40%, 35%, and 39% of MGE's total 2003, 2002, and 2001 revenues, respectively.
MGE can curtail gas deliveries to its interruptible customers. Approximately 4% of gas sold in 2003 was to interruptible customers.
Gas supply
MGE has physical interconnections with ANR and NNG. MGE's primary service territory, which includes Madison and the surrounding area, receives deliveries at one NNG and four ANR gate stations. MGE also receives deliveries at NNG gate stations located in Elroy, Prairie du Chien, Viroqua, and Crawford County. Interconnections with two major pipelines provide competition in interstate pipeline service and a more reliable and economical gas supply mix, which includes gas from Canada and from the mid-continent and Gulf/offshore regions in the United States.
During the winter months, when customer demand is high, MGE is primarily concerned with meeting its obligation to firm customers. MGE meets customer demand by using firm supplies under contracts finalized before the heating season, supplies in storage (injected during the summer), and other firm supplies purchased during the winter period.
By contract, a total of 4,946,852 Dth can be injected into ANR's storage fields from April 1 through October 31. These gas supplies are then available for withdrawal during the subsequent heating season, November 1 through March 31. ANR's storage fields are located in Michigan. Using storage allows MGE to buy gas supplies during the summer season, when prices are normally lower, and withdraw these supplies during the winter season, when prices are typically higher. Storage also gives MGE more flexibility in meeting daily load fluctuations. Storage quantities were close to planned levels on December 31, 2003.
MGE's contracts for firm transportation service include winter maximum daily quantities of:
- 143,650 Dth (including 86,078 Dth of storage withdrawals)
on ANR.
- 56,151 Dth on NNG.
- 2,457 Dth into Viroqua's NNG gate station.
Winter maximum daily quantities under these contracts are scheduled to increase an additional 15,000 Dth by November 2005.
Nonutility Energy Operations
MGE Energy, through subsidiaries, is seeking to develop generation sources that will assist MGE in meeting the electricity needs of its customers. It is currently engaged in the construction of a cogeneration facility on the UW-Madison campus and, with MGE, is examining other potential sources of electricity including new coal-fired plants through an initiative known as Power the Future as well as renewable forms of energy.
Decisions on the type of energy source and its size, timing, ownership, and financing depend upon a number of factors including the growth of customer demand in MGE's service area and surrounding areas, the effectiveness of customer demand management efforts, the costs and availability of alternative power sources, the availability of transmission capacity, issues associated with siting power generation sources, available financing and ownership structures, regulatory treatment and recovery, construction lead times and risks, and other factors. The decisions tend to involve long time horizons due to the lead time involved in siting and constructing new generation sources and the associated transmission infrastructure.
Power the Future Generation
On February 23, 2001, MGE secured an option to own a portion of the advanced technology, coal-fired, base-load generation proposed in We Energies' Power the Future plan. The plan included three new 600-MW coal-fired plants, which would be located in Wisconsin. On November 11, 2003, a PSCW order approved issuing a CPCN for We Energies' proposal for two of the coal facilities. Pursuant to an amended agreement reached on January 31, 2003, MGE has the option to acquire an undivided 8.33% (16.66% under certain conditions) ownership interest in each of the proposed coal plants or up to approximately 50 MW per unit. If the options on Units 1 and 2 are fully exercised, MGE Energy's share of capital costs is estimated to be $175 million. Unit 1 is expected to begin operating in 2009, and Unit 2 is scheduled to begin operating in 2010. MGE has filed its own Certificate of Authority with the PSCW for the coal facilities and a proposed lease structure with an MGE Energy affiliate. MGE expects PSCW approval on this filing in the first half of 2004.
WCCF
MGE Energy has undertaken, through MGE Construct, the construction of a chilled-water, steam, and electric generation facility on the UW-Madison campus. When completed in the spring of 2005, the facility will have the capacity to produce 20,000 tons of chilled water, 500,000 pounds per hour of steam, and approximately 150 MW of electricity. It will be jointly owned by the State, the UW, and MGE Power West Campus. MGE Power West Campus' share will be leased and the entire facility will be operated by MGE. The State and the UW will own a controlling interest in the chilled-water and steam plants in accordance with the EPC Agreement, which will be used to meet the UW's growing need for air-conditioning and steam-heat capacity. MGE Power West Campus will own a controlling interest in the electric generation plant, which will provide electricity for MGE's customers.
MGE Energy, MGE Power West Campus, and MGE Construct have assumed certain risks related to some of the executed agreements. In the EPC Agreement, MGE Power West Campus is responsible for cost overruns and MGE Construct is responsible for the construction process of the entire facility, paying liquidated damages relating to failure to achieve the Mechanical Completion Date Guarantee and/or the Acceptance Test Capacity Guarantee. MGE Energy is the guarantor of MGE Construct's obligations under the EPC Agreement.
The cost to construct WCCF is expected to be approximately $180 million in total, of which MGE Power West Campus' portion will be $103 million. On November 20, 2003, the State paid $19.4 million to MGE Construct for its share of construction costs incurred since its last payment in November 2002. MGE Construct now bills the State monthly for its share of the cost of WCCF in accordance with the EPC Agreement. As of December 31, 2003, MGE Power West Campus had incurred $48.6 million of costs on the project, which is reflected in construction work in progress on MGE Energy's and MGE's consolidated balance sheets. These costs largely represent amounts paid under long lead-time equipment contracts in order to meet project schedules.
Environmental
MGE is subject to local, state, and federal regulations concerning air quality, water quality, and solid waste disposal. Those regulations affect the manner in which MGE conducts its operations, the costs of those operations, as well as some capital and operating expenditures. It can also affect the siting, timing, and cost of new projects or other significant actions affecting the environment. MGE believes that it has met the requirements of current environmental regulations. MGE is not able to predict the direction of future regulations or if compliance with any such regulations will involve additional expenditures for pollution control equipment, plant modifications, or curtailment of operations. Such actions could reduce capacity or efficiency at existing plants or delay the construction and operation of future generating facilities.
The EPA and DNR regulate pollution and environmental control matters at MGE's electric generating plants. The DNR has primary jurisdiction over air and water quality as well as solid and hazardous waste standards.
The ongoing issue of global warming could result in significant costs to reduce CO2 emissions. MGE does not yet know the amounts of these expenditures or the period of time over which they may be required.
The National Environmental Policy Act and the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act require MGE to conduct a complete environmental review and issue a detailed environmental impact statement before obtaining necessary authorizations or permits from regulatory agencies for certain projects. This applies to any new projects, such as generating plants, or other major actions that could significantly affect the environment.
Air quality
Proposed eight-hour ozone standard. In 1997, the EPA promulgated a new eight-hour ozone ambient air-quality standard. EPA has recommended that Dane County be designated as in attainment with that eight-hour ozone standard based upon a review of preliminary monitoring data for the county. The final nonattainment designations will not be made by the EPA until later in 2004 and will be based upon final monitoring data for 2001 through 2003. That data currently shows Dane County air quality to be in attainment with the eight-hour ozone standard.
Dane County ozone levels have been increasing over time. MGE is working with the DNR and other Dane County sources to make voluntary reductions of ozone precursor emissions and prevent the county from being classified as a nonattainment area. If Dane County were classified as a nonattainment area, MGE facilities in Dane County may need to meet new limits for ozone precursor emissions.
Proposed utility MACT standards. Section 112 of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments requires the EPA to develop standards to control major sources of hazardous air pollutants to levels consistent with the lowest-emitting facilities in similar source categories. MGE operates several sources that may be subject to MACT standards including electric steam generating units; combustion turbines; reciprocating internal combustion engines; and industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers. All sources, except Blount and Columbia coal-fired units, are expected to be exempt from implementing additional emission-control strategies. The EPA is expected to finalize standards for electric-steam generating units in 2004. It is expected that MGE will be required to comply with new mercury limits by the current proposal date of December 2007. Complying with the MACT standards would likely increase capital expenditures and operating and maintenance expenses. Because the rules are still in the process of being developed and in the public comment stage, it is not possible to determine exactly what impact this compliance would have for MGE's generation facilities.
NOx SIP Call. On October 27, 1998, the EPA issued the "NOx SIP Call" rule that imposed a NOx emission budget for emission sources in Wisconsin. The NOx SIP Call was premised upon two theories: the downwind contribution of Wisconsin air emissions to existing one-hour ozone nonattainment areas and the downwind contribution of Wisconsin air emissions to potential future eight-hour nonattainment areas.
On March 2, 2000, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia held that the EPA "acted unlawfully by including Wisconsin in the [NOx] SIP Call" for purposes of the State's alleged impacts to downwind one-hour ozone nonattainment areas. However, the Court and EPA stayed that portion of the challenge concerning Wisconsin's alleged impacts on downwind, eight-hour ozone nonattainment areas. If that stay is lifted and that portion of the NOx SIP Call concerning eight-hour ozone nonattainment areas is upheld, the resulting NOx emission budget for Wisconsin could potentially affect the level of permissible NOx emissions from Blount, Columbia, and WCCF. The new NOx limits could increase capital expenditures and operating and maintenance expenses at those facilities.
Interstate Air Quality Rule. This proposed rule was introduced in December 2003 and would reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx in 29 eastern states and the District of Columbia in two phases. SO2 emissions would be reduced by 3.6 million tons in 2010 (approximately 40% below current levels) and by another 2 million tons per year when the rules are fully implemented (approximately 70% below current levels). Emissions of NOx would be cut by 1.5 million tons in 2010 (approximately 55% below current levels) and 1.8 million tons annually in 2015 (approximately 65% below current levels). The EPA is expected to finalize the rule by the end of 2005. It is expected that MGE will be required to comply with NOx and particulate limits by 2010. Complying with the rule would likely increase capital expenditures and operating and maintenance expenses at Blount and Columbia.
Columbia. In December 2000, February 2001, June 2002, and January 2003, Alliant received Requests for Information from the EPA seeking information concerning Columbia's compliance with the Clean Air Act. The requests appear to be part of an EPA initiative to assess the regulatory consequences of past investments in utility generation, energy efficiency, maintenance, and environmental protection within the utility sector. Alliant, the plant operator, has responded to all requests, but MGE has not been informed of any response from the EPA. The plant operator has not informed MGE of any definitive increase in capital expenditures or operating and maintenance expenses arising from the EPA's inquiry.
Water quality
MGE is subject to water quality regulations issued by the DNR. These regulations include categorical-effluent discharge standards and general water quality standards. The regulations limit discharges from MGE's plants into Lake Monona and other Wisconsin waters.
The categorical-effluent discharge standards require each discharger to use effluent-treatment processes equivalent to categorical "best practicable" or "best available" technologies under compliance schedules established under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The DNR has published categorical regulations for chemical and thermal discharges from electric-steam generating plants.
In February 2003, Columbia received a Notice of Violation from the DNR for exceeding limits in its Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. That matter has been referred to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for prosecution. In addition, the plant operator has been named in a Clean Water Act citizen suit action alleging similar violations. The Columbia plant operator has been working with the DNR to resolve the allegations raised in these proceedings. Resolving these issues may require additional capital expenditures to install and implement new treatment techniques. While it is possible that a court may impose a civil penalty in these proceedings, the operator believes it can resolve these issues in a manner that will not have a material adverse effect on the operator's financial conditions or results of operations. See Item 3, Legal Proceedings, regarding an action filed by Wisconsin Environmental Law Advocates U.A.
On February 16, 2004, EPA signed a rule establishing performance standards for cooling water intake structures at large power plants. The rule applies to structures that withdraw at least 50 million gallons per day of water and use 25% of that withdrawal for cooling. The rule will have no impact on MGE's wholly owned power plants but may impact power plants in which MGE has a partial interest.
Solid waste
MGE is listed as a potentially responsible party for a site the EPA has placed on the national priorities Superfund list. The Lenz Oil site in Lemont, Illinois, was used for storing and processing waste oil for several years. This site requires clean up under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. A group of companies, including MGE, is currently working on cleaning up the site.
Management believes that its share of the final cleanup costs will not result in any materially adverse effects on MGE's operations, cash flows, or financial position. Insurance may cover a portion of the cleanup costs. Management believes that the cleanup costs not covered by insurance will be recovered in current and future rates. MGE estimates its future expense to clean up this site could range from $0.1 million to $0.2 million. At December 31, 2003, MGE accrued a $0.1 million liability for this matter.
As a result of the Blount 69-kV transmission substation expansion, coal tar-contaminated soil and debris within the excavation zone are being removed and disposed of in accordance with a DNR-approved "Removal Action Work Plan." MGE estimates cleanup costs for this site will be $1.0 million. MGE has recorded a $1.0 million liability for the cleanup of this site with an offsetting regulatory asset (deferred charge). We expect to recover cleanup costs in future rates. Carrying costs associated with the cleanup expenditures will not be recoverable.
Environmental Cooperative Agreement
On September 26, 2002, MGE and the DNR signed an Environmental Cooperative Agreement under which MGE committed to work toward superior environmental performance at its Blount plant. Among other things, the five-year agreement requires MGE to evaluate combustion efficiency improvements, enhance new pollution control on Boiler 8, increase use of alternative fuels, attempt to increase beneficial reuse of fly ash and bottom ash, study cogeneration possibilities, and upgrade MGE's environmental management system to be consistent with ISO 14001 standards. Implementing these and other actions required by the agreement will increase capital expenditures and operating and maintenance expenses over the next five years.
As part of the agreement, MGE conducted a voluntary audit of Blount's compliance with various environmental laws. The auditors identified several conformance exceptions which were addressed and disclosed pursuant to a state statute that provides for qualified civil enforcement immunity. MGE believes that it has adequately responded to the audit's findings and does not anticipate any further action by the state regulators.
Employees
As of December 31, 2003, MGE had 691 full-time employees. Of these employees, 251 are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with Local Union 2304 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and 107 are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with Local Union No. 39 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union. Both collective bargaining agreements expire on May 1, 2006.
Executive Officers of the Registrants
| Executive |
Title |
Effective Date |
Service
Years as an Officer |
| Gary J. Wolter* Age: 49 |
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
President and Chief Executive Officer Senior Vice President - Administration and Secretary |
02/01/2002 02/01/2000 05/01/1995 |
14 |
| Lynn K. Hobbie** Age: 45 |
Senior Vice President Vice President - Marketing |
02/01/2000 05/01/1996 |
9 |
| Mark T. Maranger** Age: 55 |
Senior Vice President, MGE President and CEO, Wisconsin Fuel and Light Company |
04/09/2001 1996-2001 |
2 |
| James G. Bidlingmaier** Age: 57 |
Vice President - Admin. and Chief Information Officer Executive Director - Information Management Systems |
02/01/2000 09/01/1994 |
4 |
| Kristine A. Euclide** Age: 51 |
Vice President and General Counsel, MGE Partner in the law firm of Stafford Rosenbaum LLP Executive Assistant to County Executive of Dane County, Wisconsin, in which capacity she served as a senior policy advisor to the chief-elected official in Dane County. |
11/15/2001 1982-05/1997 06/99-11/2001 |
2 |
| Terry A. Hanson* Age: 52 |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Vice President - Finance |
10/01/2001 05/01/2000 11/01/1997 |
12 |
| Jeffrey C. Newman* Age: 41 |
Vice President and Treasurer Treasurer |
01/01/2001 11/01/1997 |
6 |
|
Note: Ages, years of service, and positions as of February 1, 2004. | *Executive officer of MGE Energy and MGE **Executive officer of MGE |
|||
MGE's net generating capability in service at December 31, 2003, was as follows:
| Plants |
Location |
Commercial Operation Date |
Fuel |
Net Capability (MW) |
No. of Units |
|||||
| Steam plants: | ||||||||||
| Columbia | Portage, WI | 1975 & 1978 | Low-sulfur coal | 225 (1,2,3) | 2 | |||||
| Blount | Madison, WI | 1957 & 1961 | Coal/gas | 97 | 2 | |||||
| 1938 & 1943 | Gas | 39 | 2 | |||||||
| 1949 | Coal/gas | 22 | 1 | |||||||
| 1964-1968 | Gas/oil | 35 | 4 | |||||||
| Combustion turbines | Madison, WI
Marinette, WI |
1964-2000 | Gas/oil | 174 | 6 | |||||
| Portable generators | Madison, WI | 1998-2001 | Diesel | 51 | 55 | |||||
| Wind turbines | Townships of Lincoln and Red River, WI | 1999 | Wind | 2 | 17 | |||||
| Total | 645 | |||||||||
|
(1) Base load generation. (2) MGE's 22% share of two 512-MW units. The other owners are Alliant, which operates Columbia, and WPSC. (3) See Item 3, Legal Proceedings. |
||||||||||
MGE sold its 17.8% ownership interest in Kewaunee to WPSC in 2001. Footnote 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report includes information regarding that sale along with a description of MGE's obligations for Kewaunee beyond the closing date. MGE exercised an option to buy electric capacity and energy from WPSC through September 23, 2003.
Major electric distribution lines and substations in service at December 31, 2003, are as follows:
| Miles | ||||
| Distribution lines: | Overhead | Underground | ||
| 69 kV | 7 | 1 | ||
| 13.8 kV and under | 960 | 898 | ||
| Distribution: | Substations | Installed Capacity (kVA) | ||
| 69-13.8 kV | 23 | 819,000 | ||
| 13.8-4 kV | 32 | 291,000 | ||
As required by Wisconsin law, MGE and other Wisconsin electric utilities transferred
their electric transmission assets to ATC on January 1, 2001. MGE received
an approximate 5% ownership interest in ATC in exchange for its transmission
plant and related deferred taxes and deferred investment tax credits. MGE receives
a return on its investment in ATC that is approximately equal to the return
it would have earned by retaining its transmission facilities. A small portion
of the 69-kV lines and substations has been classified as distribution assets.
Gas facilities include 2,234 miles of distribution mains.
MGE Energy
On November 6, 2003, Friends of Responsible Energy (FORE), an unincorporated citizen association, filed a petition with the Dane County, Wisconsin, Circuit Court seeking judicial review of various decisions made by the PSCW, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the UW, and the Wisconsin Department of Administration in connection with the WCCF. Those decisions include the grant of a CPCN by the PSCW and various environmental determinations made by the governmental parties. FORE alleges that those decisions were arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law and seeks to have them set aside or remanded for further review.
MGE Energy, along with MGE and MGE Power West Campus, have intervened as a party to the proceeding. MGE Energy believes the suit is not likely to cause any material adverse change in the WCCF or its construction schedule.
MGE
By letter dated October 23, 2003, the Wisconsin Environmental Law Advocates U.A. (WELA), an unincorporated, not-for-profit association, sent a Notice of Violation and Intent to File Suit under the Clean Water Act regarding alleged violations at Columbia to Alliant and to Wisconsin Power and Light (WPL), a subsidiary of Alliant, as well as to Columbia's joint owners and their parent companies. The notice is required by the Clean Water Act as a condition precedent to filing a lawsuit based on the alleged environmental law violations. The notice alleges numerous violations of the Clean Water Act and of Columbia's wastewater discharge permit. On December 16, 2003, WPL and Alliant responded to WELA that the majority of the allegations are inaccurate and of those that are accurate, the Wisconsin DNR had already begun enforcement and many of the violations have been corrected and have ceased. This notwithstanding, on December 29, 2003, WELA filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, against WPL and Alliant.
MGE does not operate Columbia and was not named as a party in the litigation. WELA communicated to WPL and Alliant that it filed the action in order to formally assert its claims in order to ensure WELA's participation in any enforcement resolution expected to be sought by the Wisconsin DNR. Although the complaint was filed, WELA indicated that it would not serve it on WPL and Alliant while good faith settlement negotiations were ongoing or unless otherwise directed by the district court.
Also see "Environmental" under Item 1, Business, for a description of several environmental proceedings involving MGE.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
MGE Energy and MGE
None.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
MGE Energy
MGE Energy common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol MGEE. On March 1, 2004, there were approximately 18,948 registered shareholders of record. The following table shows high and low sale prices for the common stock on Nasdaq for each quarter over the past two years.
| Common stock price range | |||
| High | Low | ||
|
2003 |
|||
| First quarter | $29.95 | $25.00 | |
| Second quarter | $33.65 | $26.40 | |
| Third quarter | $35.84 | $28.65 | |
| Fourth quarter | $33.00 | $30.26 | |
|
2002* |
|||
| First quarter | $29.35 | $25.00 | |
| Second quarter | $28.64 | $25.77 | |
| Third quarter | $30.14 | $24.58 | |
| Fourth quarter | $29.75 | $25.32 | |
*On August 12, 2002, MGE Energy became the holding company for MGE following a share exchange and began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol MGEE. Prior to the share exchange, MGE traded on Nasdaq under the symbol MDSN.
MGE
As of March 1, 2004, there were outstanding 17,347,889 shares of common stock, all of which were held by MGE Energy. There is no market for shares of common stock of MGE.
Dividends
The following table sets forth MGE Energy's quarterly cash dividends paid during 2003 and 2002:
| 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||
|
|
1st Qtr. | 2nd Qtr. | 3rd Qtr. | 4th Qtr. | 1st Qtr.* | 2nd Qtr.* | 3rd Qtr. | 4th Qtr. | |
| MGE Energy | $0.336 | $0.336 | $0.338 | $0.338 | $0.333 | $0.333 | $0.336 | $0.336 | |
| *The dividends for the first two quarters of 2002 were paid by MGE. As a result of the share exchange described in Part I, Item 1, the dividends for the remainder of 2002 and all of 2003 were paid by MGE Energy. | |||||||||
The following table sets forth MGE's quarterly cash dividends paid during 2003 and 2002:
| 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||
|
|
1st Qtr. | 2nd Qtr. | 3rd Qtr. | 4th Qtr. | 1st Qtr. | 2nd Qtr. | 3rd Qtr. | 4th Qtr. | |
| MGE | $11,804 | $5,977 | $6,074 | $5,830 | $5,707 | $5,749 | $5,860 | $ - | |
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
| For the years ended December 31, | |||||||||
| Summary of Operations | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | ||||
| Operating revenues: | |||||||||
| Electric | $241,745 | $224,987 | $203,178 | $203,176 | $185,955 | ||||
| Gas | 159,802 | 122,109 | 130,533 | 120,932 | 88,079 | ||||
| Total | 401,547 | 347,096 | 333,711 | 324,108 | 274,034 | ||||
| Operating expenses | 330,124 | 278,105 | 274,340 | 258,411 | 219,910 | ||||
| Other general taxes | 11,592 | 10,861 | 10,864 | 10,180 | 9,306 | ||||
| Operating income | 59,831 | 58,130 | 48,507 | 55,517 | 44,818 | ||||
| Other income | 2,486 | 2,335 | 8,585 | 1,895 | 4,998 | ||||
| Interest expense | (11,776) | (12,545) | (13,789) | (14,305) | (12,194) | ||||
| Income before taxes | 50,541 | 47,920 | 43,303 | 43,107 | 37,622 | ||||
| Income tax provision | (19,901) | (18,727) | (15,941) | (15,752) | (13,876) | ||||
| Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle |
30,640 |
29,193 |
27,362 |
27,355 |
23,746 |
||||
| Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax benefit of $78* |
- |
- |
(117) |
- |
- |
||||
| Net income | $ 30,640 | $ 29,193 | $ 27,245 | $ 27,355 | $ 23,746 | ||||
| Average shares outstanding | 17,894 | 17,311 | 16,819 | 16,382 | 16,084 | ||||
| Earnings per share before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle |
$1.71 |
$1.69 |
$1.63 |
$1.67 |
$1.48 |
||||
| Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle |
- |
- |
(.01) |
- |
- |
||||
| Basic and diluted earnings per share | $1.71 | $1.69 | $1.62 | $1.67 | $1.48 | ||||
| Dividends paid per share | $1.348 | $1.338 | $1.328 | $1.318 | $1.308 | ||||
| Assets | |||||||||
| Electric | $445,728 | $414,827 | $376,568 | $399,634 | $345,964 | ||||
| Gas | 165,577 | 151,548 | 144,145 | 135,844 | 126,510 | ||||
| Assets not allocated | 56,136 | 52,799 | 39,903 | 52,496 | 38,499 | ||||
| Nonregulated | 54,246 | 20,639 | - | - | - | ||||
| Total | $721,687 | $639,813 | $560,616 | $587,974 | $510,973 | ||||
| Capitalization including Short-Term Debt | |||||||||
| Common shareholders' equity | $263,070 | $227,370 | $216,292 | $200,312 | $185,686 | ||||
| Long-term debt** | 222,204 | 192,149 | 177,600 | 183,637 | 159,799 | ||||
| Short-term debt | 31,680 | 34,298 | 9,500 | 44,000 | 15,750 | ||||
| Total Capitalization | $516,954 | $453,817 | $403,392 | $427,949 | $361,235 | ||||
*The change in accounting principle in 2001 is due to MGE's
adoption of SFAS No. 133.
**Includes current maturities.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.
General
MGE Energy is a holding company operating through subsidiaries in three business segments: electric utility operations, gas utility operations, and nonutility energy operations. Our principal subsidiary is MGE, which conducts our electric utility and gas utility operations. MGE generates and distributes electricity to nearly 132,000 customers in Dane County, Wisconsin, including the city of Madison, and purchases and distributes natural gas to more than 129,000 customers in the Wisconsin counties of Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Iowa, Juneau, Monroe, and Vernon. Other subsidiaries, which constitute our nonutility energy operations, have been formed to own and construct new electric generating capacity. Those subsidiaries are currently undertaking the construction of a 150-MW, electricity, steam, and chilled-water cogeneration facility on the UW-Madison campus.
We became the holding company for MGE on August 12, 2002, when MGE shareholders exchanged their shares of MGE common stock for shares of our common stock. The share exchange had no accounting effect on MGE's recorded assets, liabilities, revenues, or expenses.
MGE's electric and gas utility operations represent a substantial part of our assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Our nonutility operations, relating, principally, to the development of a cogeneration project on the UW-Madison campus, are not significant at this time. Consequently, the following discussion focuses mainly on the results of operations and financial condition of MGE.
Executive Summary
In 2003, our utility operations experienced an increase in gas deliveries offset by a slight decline in electric sales due to cooler-than-normal summer weather. Operation and maintenance expenses increased due to higher employee benefit costs associated with pensions and health care, higher transmission costs, and higher distribution and maintenance costs. We also experienced lower interest costs as a result of debt refinancings that were completed in 2002 as well as the generally lower interest rates for our variable and short-term debt during 2003.
Our liquidity and capital position remained strong during 2003, although our overall debt increased as a result of a cogeneration facility that MGE Power West Campus is constructing on the UW-Madison campus. We anticipate relying on short- and long-term borrowings to support that construction and the associated capital expenditures. We also anticipate a need for additional equity capital during 2004 beyond the amounts we are able to raise through our Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan.
Our primary focus today and for the foreseeable future is our core utility customers at MGE. MGE continues to face the challenge of providing its customers with reliable power at competitive prices. It plans to meet this challenge by building more efficient generation projects and continuing its efforts to control its operational costs. We believe it is critical to continue maintaining a strong credit standing and financial strength in MGE as well as the parent company in order to accomplish these goals.
Results of Operations
Earnings Overview - MGE Energy
In 2003, our earnings were $30.6 million, or $1.71 per share. MGE's increase in base rates to cover, in large part, rising fuel costs led to an increase in utility revenues. Electric retail sales declined slightly, but retail gas deliveries increased 6.4%. Operations and maintenance costs increased due to higher costs for employee benefits (health care, pension, etc.), transmission wheeling charges, distribution costs, and maintenance. These costs were somewhat offset by a decrease in depreciation costs, as MGE was no longer required to contribute to the decommissioning fund for Kewaunee in 2003. Also, MGE Energy benefited from lower interest costs due to refinancing a large portion of its long-term debt in 2002 and the lower interest rates on its variable rate and short-term debt in 2003.
In 2002, our earnings were $29.2 million, or $1.69 per share. MGE's 5.5% increase in electric retail sales, coupled with an increase in base rates to cover rising fuel costs, contributed to a 10.7% increase in electric revenues. Purchased power costs increased substantially. 2002 was the first full year MGE purchased 90 MW of capacity and energy to replace its share of generation lost from Kewaunee. MGE sold its interest in Kewaunee to WPSC in September 2001. As a result, MGE's operations and maintenance costs were lower in 2002. MGE's gas margin increased $4.2 million due to growth in gas deliveries.
In 2001, MGE Energy's earnings were $27.2 million, or $1.62 per share. Electric revenues remained constant despite a third-quarter pretax adjustment of approximately $4.5 million, reducing electric unbilled revenues. Electric operating income was down due to increased fuel costs, transmission wheeling expenses paid to ATC, and higher distribution expenses. Gas operating income mainly decreased because warm weather in the fourth quarter resulted in lower gas deliveries. Other income increased substantially due to MGE's equity in earnings of ATC, gains on weather hedge instruments, and lower charitable contributions. Interest expense was down due to lower interest rates and less short-term debt.
Electric Utility Operations
Electric sales and revenues
The following table compares MGE's electric retail revenues and electric kWh sales by customer class during each of the years ended December 31:
|
|
Revenues | kWh Sales | |||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||||
| Residential | $ 85,164 | $ 81,258 | $ 71,401 | 800,535 | 839,005 | 771,094 | |||||
| Commercial | 119,585 | 108,842 | 99,214 | 1,651,578 | 1,640,190 | 1,543,866 | |||||
| Industrial | 14,555 | 12,949 | 13,845 | 299,449 | 296,220 | 314,448 | |||||
| Other - retail/municipal | 17,975 | 16,585 | 15,271 | 324,188 | 323,380 | 307,132 | |||||
| Total retail | 237,279 | 219,634 | 199,731 | 3,075,750 | 3,098,795 | 2,936,540 | |||||
| Sales for resale | 5,184 | 2,659 | 1,659 | 106,569 | 59,616 | 69,544 | |||||
| Other revenues | (718) | 2,694 | 1,788 | - | - | - | |||||
| Total | $241,745 | $224,987 | $203,178 | 3,182,319 | 3,158,411 | 3,006,084 | |||||
| Cooling degree days (normal 629) |
NA |
NA |
NA |
555 |
752 |
643 |
|||||
Electric operating revenues were up 7.4% and 10.7% in 2003 and 2002 due to the following:
|
|
2003 | 2002 |
| Rate changes | $19.3 | $ 8.9 |
| Sales for resale | 2.5 | 1.0 |
| Volume | (1.6) | 11.0 |
| Other effects | (3.4) | 0.9 |
| Total | $16.8 | $21.8 |
- Rates. The PSCW authorized increases in MGE's electric rates effective March 1, 2003, and January 1, 2002, to cover rising fuel costs, increased system demands, and the installation of an AMR system. Revenues in 2003 also reflect a surcharge of 2% on electric rates, effective October 24, 2002, and ending October 23, 2003, which the PSCW authorized to recover deferred costs associated with forming ATC and ongoing incremental transmission costs. See Footnote 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
- Sales for resale. The change in 2003 reflects higher sales volume as the result of a contract to sell 25 MW of electric capacity to Alliant from January through August 2003. The change in 2002 was attributable to higher prices, although the volume of sales was 14.3% lower due to lower off-peak sales during the first half of that year.
- Volume. Electric retail sales were slightly lower in 2003 due to cooler-than-normal summer temperatures, as reflected in the 26.2% reduction in cooling degree days. The opposite effect was felt in 2002 when warmer-than-normal temperatures caused electric retail sales to increase 5.5%. Total cooling degree days were up 17% in 2002.
- Other effects. The other effects in 2003 reflect a fuel credit that was in effect from mid-August through year-end. In 2002, the increase was associated with a vendor settlement and a true-up for a spring 2000 outage at Kewaunee.
In 2001, MGE changed its method for incorporating unbilled consumption from prior periods into calculating amounts available for sale to customers. The revised calculation determines unbilled quantities available for sale in the current month based on the current month and the trailing two months. MGE previously brought forward the unbilled quantity from prior months, which had the effect of accumulating any underestimated line loss amounts. The three months is based on an assumption (which MGE believes is reasonable) that all electricity consumed by all classes of customers is billed within three months. MGE also determined the ratio of unbilled-to-billed sales had a sufficient relationship to include that statistic in validating results of its estimation methodology. This is in addition to the ratio between unbilled sales and accounts receivable that was previously used. See Footnote 1.c. for more information regarding the unbilled revenue estimation methodology.
Electric fuel and purchased power
In 2003, fuel used for electric generation increased $3.3 million, or 8.8%, primarily due to a rise in the cost of natural gas used at certain MGE generating plants. MGE's internal generation increased 2.5% in 2003. Purchased power expense increased $4.9 million, or 11.0%, primarily due to an increase in the cost of natural gas ($6.4 million). The average price for purchased power was $39.309 per MWh in 2003 compared to $34.210 in 2002, an increase of 14.9%. The increase in purchased power expense was partially offset by a 3.4% decrease in volume ($1.5 million) resulting from the expiration of a 90-MW purchased power agreement with WPSC in September 2003.
In 2002, fuel used for electric generation decreased $2.1 million, or 5.2%, due to the following:
- Fuel costs for MGE's electric generating units (excluding Columbia) decreased $1.5 million, or 7.3%. MGE relied less on certain generating units because higher fuel costs made it generally cheaper to buy electricity than operate those units.
- Nuclear fuel expense decreased $2.3 million, or 89.5%, since MGE sold its ownership interest in Kewaunee in 2001.
- Fuel costs for the Columbia units increased $1.7 million, or 9.5%, due to higher coal costs.
In 2002, purchased power expense increased $26.3 million, or 143.6%. MGE purchased electric capacity and energy to replace the energy generation lost from selling its ownership interest in Kewaunee and to meet expected load growth. In June 2001, MGE exercised an option to buy 90 MW of electric capacity and energy at a fixed price from WPSC from September 24, 2001, through September 23, 2003.
Electric operating expenses
Electric operating expense increased $13.3 million, or 35.4%, in 2003 and decreased $0.8 million, or 1.4%, in 2002. The following changes contributed to the net change in electric operating expenses for the indicated year:
|
|
2003 | 2002 | |
| Increased transmission costs due to growing reliance on purchased power | $ 3.5 | $ 0.6 | |
| Amortization of deferred costs related to ATC's formation
and incremental operating costs |
2.8 |
- |
|
| Increased health and pension expenses due to rising health
care costs and lower investment returns on plan assets |
3.7 |
2.6 |
|
| Increased outside service expenses associated with holding
company formation and participation in Power the Future proposal |
- |
1.2 |
|
| Decreased operating expenses as a result of sale of interest in Kewaunee | - | (5.3) | |
| Increased miscellaneous distribution expenses | 0.7 | - | |
| Increased regulatory expenses due to filing a CPCN for
authority to build WCCF |
0.6 |
- |
|
| Increased/(decreased) miscellaneous steam power expenses* | 0.5 | (0.4) | |
| Increased miscellaneous electric operating expenses | 1.5 | 0.5 | |
| Total electric operating expenses | $13.3 | $(0.8) | |
| *Amount for 2002 reflects a decrease of $1.1 million, or 41.9%, as a result of MGE's recovery through rates of some carrying costs for actions taken at Columbia to reduce NOx emissions, partially offset by increased expenses for Columbia of $0.7 million, or 27.8%, as a result of increased administrative and general overheads ($0.4 million) and employee pensions and benefits ($0.3 million). |
|||
Maintenance expense
In 2003, electric maintenance expense increased $3.6 million, or 30.8%. This is due to the following factors:
- Increase in maintenance of distribution assets ($2.1 million), including substation work, transformers, and overhead and underground lines. Maintenance and system upgrades help to improve the reliability of MGE's electric distribution system.
- Increase in other maintenance sources, including electric generating assets and Columbia ($1.5 million).
In 2002, electric maintenance expense was down $2.5 million, or 20.2%. This decrease is the net result of the following two factors:
- Maintenance expenses declined ($3.1 million) since MGE sold its 17.8% ownership interest in Kewaunee to WPSC.
- Maintenance expenses at Columbia increased ($0.6 million) as a result of a scheduled seven-week outage during April and May 2002.
Depreciation
Electric depreciation expense decreased $6.6 million and $6.7 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. The decrease in 2003 reflects lower decommissioning expense ($8.2 million) as a result of the sale of Kewaunee, offset in part by $1.6 million of increased depreciation associated with an increase in electric plant assets. The decrease in 2002 reflects reduced decommissioning expense ($4.0 million), reduced depreciation due to the sale of Kewaunee ($3.4 million, see Footnote 18), and is partially offset by increased depreciation expense for the addition of electric assets ($0.7 million).
Gas Utility Operations
Gas deliveries and revenues
The following table compares MGE's gas retail revenues and gas delivered by customer class during each of the years ended December 31:
|
|
Revenues | Therms delivered | |||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||||
| Residential | $ 92,472 | $ 71,341 | $ 75,478 | 97,767 | 91,470 | 82,637 | |||||
| Commercial/industrial | 62,025 | 46,248 | 50,828 | 82,580 | 78,010 | 71,169 | |||||
| Total retail | 154,497 | 117,589 | 126,306 | 180,347 | 169,480 | 153,806 | |||||
| Gas transportation | 3,394 | 3,238 | 2,934 | 50,012 | 55,614 | 47,524 | |||||
| Other revenues | 1,911 | 1,282 | 1,293 | - | - | - | |||||
| Total | $159,802 | $122,109 | $130,533 | 230,359 | 225,094 | 201,330 | |||||
| Heating degree days (normal 7,209) |
NA |
NA |
NA |
7,366 |
6,957 |
6,706 |
|||||
Gas revenues were up 30.9% in 2003 and decreased 6.5% in 2002 due to the following:
|
|
2003 | 2002 | |
| Gas costs/rates | $29.4 | $(21.5) | |
| Gas deliveries | 7.5 |