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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2005

 

 

Commission

Registrant; State of Incorporation

IRS Employer

File Number

Address; and Telephone Number

Identification No.

     
     
     

001-01245

WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY

39-0476280

 

(A Wisconsin Corporation)

 
 

231 West Michigan Street

 
 

P.O. Box 2046

 
 

Milwaukee, WI 53201

 
 

(414) 221-2345

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes [X]    No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes [  ]    No [X]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date (March 31, 2005):

 

Common Stock, $10 Par Value,

33,289,327 shares outstanding.

All of the common stock of Wisconsin Electric Power Company is owned by Wisconsin Energy Corporation.

 





 

 

 

WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY

 
 

                                    

 
     
 

FORM 10-Q REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2005

 
     
     
     
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

 

Page

     
 

Introduction ............................................................................................................................

 3

     
     
 

Part I -- Financial Information

 
     

1.

Financial Statements

 
     
 

    Consolidated Condensed Income Statements .....................................................................

 4

     
 

    Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets ............................................................................

 5

     
 

    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows ..........................................................

 6

     
 

    Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements ....................................................

 7

     

2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of

 
 

    Financial Condition and Results of Operations ...................................................................

10

     

3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ..................................................

25

     

4.

Controls and Procedures .........................................................................................................

25

     
 

Part II -- Other Information

 
     

1.

Legal Proceedings ..................................................................................................................

26

     

4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............................................................

27

     

6.

Exhibits ...................................................................................................................................

27

     
 

Signatures ..............................................................................................................................

28

 



2


 

 

INTRODUCTION

Wisconsin Electric Power Company (Wisconsin Electric), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (Wisconsin Energy), was incorporated in the state of Wisconsin in 1896. We maintain our principal executive offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Unless qualified by their context when used in this document, the terms the Company, our, us or we refer to Wisconsin Electric and its subsidiary.

We conduct our operations primarily in three operating segments: an electric utility segment, a natural gas utility segment and a steam utility segment. We serve approximately 1,085,000 electric customers in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, approximately 440,000 gas customers in Wisconsin and about 460 steam customers in metro Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For further financial information about our business segments, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 7 -- Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Wisconsin Energy is also the parent company of Wisconsin Gas LLC (Wisconsin Gas), a natural gas distribution utility, which serves customers throughout Wisconsin; Edison Sault Electric Company (Edison Sault), an electric utility which serves customers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; and W.E. Power, LLC (We Power), an unregulated company that was formed in 2001 to design, construct, own, finance and lease to us the new generating capacity included in Wisconsin Energy's Power the Future strategy, which is described further in this report. We have combined common functions with Wisconsin Gas and operate under the trade name of "We Energies".

Other:   Bostco LLC (Bostco) is our non-utility subsidiary that develops and invests in real estate. As of March 31, 2005, Bostco had $41.4 million of assets.

We have prepared the unaudited interim financial statements presented in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We have condensed or omitted some information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles pursuant to these rules and regulations. Our financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 



3


 

PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31

2005

2004

(Millions of Dollars)

Operating Revenues

$759.7

$741.7

Operating Expenses

Fuel and purchased power

157.3

142.5

Cost of gas sold

174.4

162.4

Other operation and maintenance

216.3

209.4

Depreciation, decommissioning

and amortization

69.8

63.6

Property and revenue taxes

20.3

19.4

Total Operating Expenses

638.1

597.3

Operating Income

121.6

144.4

Other Income, Net

13.6

8.6

Interest Expense

22.6

23.3

Income Before Income Taxes

112.6

129.7

Income Taxes

41.9

49.7

Net Income

70.7

80.0

Preferred Stock Dividend Requirement

0.3

0.3

Earnings Available

for Common Stockholder

$70.4

$79.7

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of

these financial statements.

 

 

 



4


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

March 31, 2005

December 31, 2004

(Millions of Dollars)

Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment

In service

$6,891.3

$6,873.0

Accumulated depreciation

(2,660.9

)

(2,637.9

)

4,230.4

4,235.1

Construction work in progress

191.7

153.6

Leased facilities, net

97.5

98.9

Nuclear fuel, net

81.7

85.0

Net Property, Plant and Equipment

4,601.3

4,572.6

Investments

Nuclear decommissioning trust fund

729.0

737.8

Equity investment in transmission affiliate

167.6

165.3

Other

0.5

0.5

Total Investments

897.1

903.6

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

12.5

26.1

Accounts receivable

291.4

253.3

Accrued revenues

131.9

164.5

Materials, supplies and inventories

180.6

273.8

Other

69.9

88.3

Total Current Assets

686.3

806.0

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

Regulatory assets

657.1

644.7

Other

114.5

123.4

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

771.6

768.1

Total Assets

$6,956.3

$7,050.3

Capitalization and Liabilities

Capitalization

Common equity

$2,231.0

$2,204.2

Preferred stock

30.4

30.4

Long-term debt

1,676.6

1,683.1

Total Capitalization

3,938.0

3,917.7

Current Liabilities

Long-term debt due currently

21.9

23.7

Short-term debt

74.9

189.5

Accounts payable

217.4

249.8

Accrued liabilities

148.9

112.2

Other

103.3

93.0

Total Current Liabilities

566.4

668.2

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

Asset retirement obligations

765.6

762.2

Regulatory liabilities

592.5

600.2

Deferred income taxes - long-term

537.7

548.5

Other

556.1

553.5

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

2,451.9

2,464.4

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

$6,956.3

$7,050.3

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of

these financial statements.

 

 

 



5


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31

2005

2004

(Millions of Dollars)

Operating Activities

Net income

$70.7

$80.0

Reconciliation to cash

Depreciation, decommissioning and amortization

75.1

68.9

Nuclear fuel expense amortization

6.8

6.7

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

(7.6

)

(6.3

)

Distribution from unconsolidated affiliate

5.4

4.5

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net

(15.3

)

(4.3

)

Accrued income taxes, net

42.7

11.6

Change in -

Accounts receivable and accrued revenues

(5.5

)

(7.0

)

Inventories

93.2

79.9

Other current assets

18.4

7.6

Accounts payable

(33.4

)

(3.3

)

Other current liabilities

7.7

30.9

Other

(3.5

)

24.2

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

254.7

293.4

Investing Activities

Capital expenditures

(88.2

)

(72.6

)

Nuclear fuel

(3.8

)

(0.5

)

Nuclear decommissioning funding

(4.4

)

(4.4

)

Other

(3.5

)

(8.3

)

Cash Used in Investing Activities

(99.9

)

(85.8

)

Financing Activities

Dividends paid on common stock

(44.9

)

(44.9

)

Dividends paid on preferred stock

(0.3

)

(0.3

)

Retirement of long-term debt

(8.6

)

(7.1

)

Change in short-term debt

(114.6

)

(165.3

)

Cash Used in Financing Activities

(168.4

)

(217.6

)

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(13.6

)

(10.0

)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

26.1

20.0

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$12.5

$10.0

Supplemental Information - Cash Paid For

Interest (net of amount capitalized)

$7.4

$13.2

Income taxes (net of refunds)

$15.0

$15.5

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of

these financial statements.

 



6


 

 

 

 

 

 

WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 

 1. -- GENERAL INFORMATION

Our accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, we have included all adjustments, normal and recurring in nature, necessary to a fair presentation of the results of operations, cash flows and financial position in the accompanying income statements, statements of cash flows and balance sheets. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire fiscal year 2005 because of seasonal and other factors.

We have modified certain cash flow presentations. Prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to their current year presentation.

 

 2. -- VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46). This standard requires an enterprise that is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity to consolidate that entity. We applied the Interpretation to any existing interests in variable interest entities beginning in the third quarter of 2003. In October 2003, the FASB deferred the adoption of FIN 46 for all entities commonly referred to as special-purpose entities to the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2003. In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46R, which revised FIN 46 and deferred the effective date for interests held in variable interest entities other than special purpose entities to financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004. We adopted FIN 46R in the first quarter of 2004.

We continue to evaluate our tolling and purchased power agreements with third parties on a quarterly basis. After making an exhaustive effort, we concluded that for three of these agreements, we are unable to obtain the information necessary to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities. Pursuant to the terms of two of the three agreements, we deliver fuel to the entity's facilities and receive electric power. We pay the entity a "toll" to convert our fuel into the electric energy. The output of the facility is available for us to dispatch during the term of the respective agreement. In the other agreement, we have rights to the firm capacity of the entity's facility. We have approximately $721.1 million of required payments over the remaining term of these three agreements, which expire over the next 18 years. We believe the required payments will continue to be recoverable in rates. We account for one of these agreements as a capital lease.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FIN 46R - 5, Implicit Variable Interests under FASB Interpretation 46 (revised December 2003). This statement requires that holdings of implicit variable interests are evaluated when applying Interpretation 46R. An implicit variable interest is defined as an implied pecuniary interest in an entity that changes with changes in the fair value of the entity's net assets exclusive of variable interests. We are currently evaluating FSP FIN 46R - 5.

 

 3. -- ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, primarily applies to the future decommissioning costs for our Point Beach Nuclear Plant (Point Beach). SFAS 143 also applies to a

7


smaller extent to several other utility assets including the dismantlement of certain hydro facilities and the removal of certain coal handling equipment and water intake facilities located on lakebeds. We have not recorded any asset retirement obligations for the removal of the coal handling equipment or for the water intake facilities located on lakebeds, because the associated liability cannot reasonably be estimated.

The following table presents the change in our asset retirement obligations, which are included on the consolidated balance sheet in Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities.

 

Balance at
12/31/04

Liabilities
Incurred

Liabilities
Settled


Accretion

Cash Flow
Revisions

Balance at
03/31/05

 
 

(Millions of Dollars)

Asset Retirement

           

   Obligations

$762.2       

$   -       

($6.2)      

$9.6       

$   -       

$765.6       

In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations (FIN 47), an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143. FIN 47 defines the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in Statement No. 143. As defined in FIN 47, a conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. We are currently evaluating FIN 47 but we do not expect an impact on the results of our regulated operations due to the regulatory treatment of asset retirement costs. FIN 47 will be effective for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.

 

 4. -- COMMON EQUITY

Comprehensive Income:   Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to owners. We had the following total comprehensive income during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

   

Three Months Ended March 31

Comprehensive Income

2005

2004

   

(Millions of Dollars)

         

Net Income

 

$70.7      

 

$80.0     

Other Comprehensive (Loss)

       

  Hedging

(0.2)     

(0.1)    

Total Other Comprehensive (Loss)

(0.2)     

(0.1)    

Total Comprehensive Income

$70.5      

$79.9     

 

 5. -- BENEFITS

The components of our net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:



8


   

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Post-retirement
Benefits

     

   

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

   

(Millions of Dollars)

Three Months Ended March 31

               

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

               

    Service cost

 

$7.9  

 

$6.8  

 

$2.7  

 

$3.1  

    Interest cost

 

17.6  

 

13.8  

 

4.1  

 

4.6  

    Expected return on plan assets

 

(19.7) 

 

(14.9) 

 

(1.1) 

 

(1.8) 

Amortization of:

               

    Transition (asset) obligation

 

-    

 

(0.5) 

 

-    

 

0.4  

    Prior service cost

 

1.6  

 

1.2  

 

-    

 

-    

    Actuarial loss

 

3.6  

 

2.9  

 

1.7  

 

1.8  

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

$11.0  

 

$9.3  

 

$7.4  

 

$8.1  

 

We previously disclosed that we expect to contribute $4.5 million to fund pension benefits in 2005, none of which will be for our qualified plans since there is no minimum required by law. Contributions to other post-retirement benefit plans are discretionary.

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-retirement Benefits:   In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Act) was signed into law. The Act introduced a prescription drug benefit program under Medicare as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans. In the second quarter of 2004, the FASB issued FSP SFAS 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

In accordance with FSP 106-2, we chose to recognize the effects of the Act retroactively effective January 1, 2004 with the impacts calculated actuarially. In January 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released final regulations to implement the new prescription drug benefit under Part D of Medicare. It was determined that the employer sponsored plans meet these regulations and that the previously determined actuarial measurements are still accurate.

Severance Plans:   We incurred $22.3 million ($13.4 million after-tax) of severance costs in 2004. The majority of the severance costs related to an enhanced severance package offered to selected management employees who voluntarily resigned in the fourth quarter of 2004. During the first quarter of 2005, we made severance related payments that reduced the reserve for severance benefits from $6.6 million at December 31, 2004 to $2.6 million as of March 31, 2005.

 

 6. -- GUARANTEES

We enter into various guarantees to provide financial and performance assurance to third parties. As of March 31, 2005, we had the following guarantees:

Maximum
Potential
Future
Payments

 



Outstanding at
March 31, 2005

   


Liability
Recorded at
March 31, 2005

           

$232.6       

 

$0.1       

   

$   -         

We guarantee the potential retrospective premiums that could be assessed under our nuclear insurance program.



9


Postemployment benefits:   Postemployment benefits provided to former or inactive employees are recognized when an event occurs. The estimated liability, excluding severance benefits, for such benefits was $12.7 million as of March 31, 2005 and $12.0 million as of December 31, 2004.

 

 7. -- SEGMENT INFORMATION

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable operating segments for the three month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 is shown in the following table.

Wisconsin Electric

 

Reportable Operating Segments

   

Power Company

 

Electric

 

Gas

 

Steam

 

Total

   

(Millions of Dollars)

Three Months Ended

               

                 

March 31, 2005

               

  Operating Revenues (a)

 

$516.7      

 

$233.8      

 

$9.2      

 

$759.7      

  Operating Income

 

$87.7      

 

$31.4      

 

$2.5      

 

$121.6      

                 

March 31, 2004

               

  Operating Revenues (a)

 

$510.1      

 

$222.8      

 

$8.8      

 

$741.7      

  Operating Income

 

$112.8      

 

$29.7      

 

$1.9      

 

$144.4      

                 

(a)

We account for all intersegment revenues at tariff rates established by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW). Intersegment revenues are not material.

 

 8. -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Environmental Matters:   We periodically review our exposure for remediation costs as evidence becomes available indicating that our remediation liability has changed. Based on current information, we believe that future costs in excess of the amounts accrued and/or disclosed on all presently known and quantifiable environmental contingencies will not be material to our financial position or results of operations.

 

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                 AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Factors Regarding Forward -- Looking Statements:   Certain statements contained herein are "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Statements include, among other things, statements regarding management's expectations and projections regarding completion of construction projects, regulatory matters, fuel costs, sources of electric energy supply, gas deliveries, remediation costs, environmental and other capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other matters. Also, Forward-Looking Statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward looking terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects" or similar terms or variations of these terms. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in Forward-Looking Stat ements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Cautionary Factors" in this Item 2, as well as other matters described under the heading

10


"Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources" in this Item 2, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC or otherwise described throughout this document.

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005

 

EARNINGS

We had net income of $70.7 million for the first quarter of 2005, a decrease of $9.3 million or 11.6% from the first quarter of 2004. Net income declined primarily due to increased fuel and purchased power costs and a weather-related decline in electric sales during 2005. A more detailed analysis of our financial results follows.

 

Electric Utility Revenues and Sales

The following table compares our electric utility operating revenues and megawatt-hour sales by customer class during the first quarter of 2005 with similar information for the first quarter of 2004 including favorable (better (B)) or unfavorable (worse (W)) variances.

   

Three Months Ended March 31

   

Electric Revenues

 

Megawatt-Hour Sales

Electric Utility Operations

 

2005

 

B (W)

 

2004

 

2005

 

B (W)

 

2004

   

(Millions of Dollars)

 

(Thousands)

Operating Revenues

                       

  Residential

 

$186.2  

 

$3.0  

 

$183.2  

 

2,007.4  

 

(53.8) 

 

2,061.2  

  Small Commercial/Industrial

 

162.3  

 

8.1  

 

154.2  

 

2,152.1  

 

24.5  

 

2,127.6  

  Large Commercial/Industrial

 

130.4  

 

4.8  

 

125.6  

 

2,708.0  

 

(43.9) 

 

2,751.9  

  Other-Retail/Municipal

 

24.1  

 

4.9  

 

19.2  

 

635.9  

 

87.1  

 

548.8  

  Resale-Utilities

 

5.5  

 

(14.2) 

 

19.7  

 

156.8  

 

(291.4) 

 

448.2  

  Other Operating Revenues

8.2  

-      

8.2  

-      

-      

-      

Total Operating Revenues

$516.7  

$6.6  

$510.1  

7,660.2  

(277.5) 

7,937.7  

Weather -- Degree Days (a)

                       

  Heating (3,266 Normal)

             

3,288  

 

(77)  

 

3,365  

(a)

As measured at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Normal degree days are based upon a twenty-year moving average.

 

During the first quarter of 2005, total electric utility operating revenues increased by $6.6 million or 1.3% when compared with the first quarter of 2004. This net increase reflected pricing increases of approximately $19.7 million, offset by lower volume sales to other utilities. The most significant impact to rates was the May 2004 order received from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) authorizing an annualized increase in electric rates of approximately $59.0 million to cover construction costs associated with Wisconsin Energy's Power the Future program and to recover low income uncollectible expenses transferred to Wisconsin's public benefits fund. This rate increase was not in effect in the first quarter of 2004.

Total electric megawatt-hour sales volumes decreased by 277.5 thousand megawatt-hours or 3.5% during the first quarter of 2005 compared with the same period in 2004. As measured by heating degree days,

11


the first quarter of 2005 was 2.3% warmer than the first quarter of 2004, limiting heating load sales to residential customers who are more weather sensitive and contribute higher margins than other customer classes. Residential sales were down 2.6% due to less favorable weather. Sales volumes to other utilities were down 65.0% due to a decrease in availability of opportunity sales.

 

Fuel and Purchased Power

Total fuel and purchased power expenses increased by $14.8 million or 10.4% when compared to the first quarter of 2004. This increase is due to higher average fuel and purchased power costs which were compounded by increases of purchased power. The cost per megawatt hour of purchased power was $8.94 or 24.3% higher than during the first quarter of 2004, primarily due to higher natural gas costs.

In April 2005, Point Beach Nuclear Unit 2 shut down for its normal refueling outage, which is scheduled approximately every 18 months. Point Beach Nuclear Unit 1 is scheduled to have a refueling outage over the third and fourth quarters of 2005. During these outages, we will replace the reactor vessel heads in each unit. This work, along with other planned maintenance, is expected to result in longer than normal outages. For more information regarding the scheduled refueling outages, see Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis -- Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Nuclear Operations.

 

Gas Utility Revenues, Gross Margin and Therm Deliveries

A comparison follows of gas utility operating revenues, gross margin and gas deliveries during the first quarter of 2005 with similar information for the first quarter of 2004. We believe gross margin is a better performance indicator than revenues because changes in the cost of gas sold flow through to revenue under gas cost recovery mechanisms. Between the comparative periods, total gas operating revenues increased by $11.0 million, or 4.9%.

Three Months Ended March 31

2005

B (W)

2004

 

(Millions of Dollars)

             

Operating Revenues

 

$233.8   

 

$11.0   

 

$222.8   

Cost of Gas Sold

 

174.4   

 

(12.0)  

 

162.4   

Gross Margin

$59.4   

($1.0)  

$60.4   

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2005, gas utility gross margin decreased by $1.0 million or 1.7% when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2004. This net decrease reflects lower total therm deliveries primarily due to weather. As measured by heating degree days, the first quarter of 2005 was 2.3% warmer than the first quarter of 2004.

The following table compares our gas utility gross margin and natural gas therm deliveries by customer class during the first quarter of 2005 with similar information for the first quarter of 2004.



12


Three Months Ended March 31

   

Gross Margin

 

Therm Deliveries

Gas Utility Operations

 

2005

 

B (W)

 

2004

 

2005

 

B (W)

 

2004

   

(Millions of Dollars)

 

(Millions)

Customer Class

                       

  Residential

 

$39.5   

 

($0.5)  

 

$40.0   

 

163.6   

 

(4.0)  

 

167.6   

  Commercial/Industrial

 

14.1   

 

(0.3)  

 

14.4   

 

92.4   

 

(3.0)  

 

95.4   

  Interruptible

 

0.2   

 

-      

 

0.2   

 

2.3   

 

(0.2)  

 

2.5   

    Total Retail Gas Sales

 

53.8   

 

(0.8)  

 

54.6   

 

258.3   

 

(7.2)  

 

265.5   

  Transported Gas

 

4.9   

 

(0.2)  

 

5.1   

 

92.0   

 

(3.1)  

 

95.1   

  Other

 

0.7   

 

-      

 

0.7   

 

-     

 

-    

 

-     

Total

 

$59.4   

 

($1.0)  

 

$60.4   

 

350.3   

 

(10.3)  

 

360.6   

Weather -- Degree Days (a)

                       

  Heating (3,266 Normal)

             

3,288   

 

(77)   

 

3,365   

(a)

As measured at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Normal degree days are based upon a twenty-year moving average.

 

Other Operation and Maintenance Expenses

Other operation and maintenance expenses increased by $6.9 million or 3.3% during the first quarter of 2005 compared with the first quarter of 2004. The largest increase relates to $14.5 million of costs related to the Port Washington Generating Station lease and conservation programs. These costs were recognized in connection with the May 2004 limited rate increase which provided revenues on virtually a dollar for dollar basis. In addition, benefits costs have increased approximately $2.0 million due to increased medical and pension costs. Partially offsetting these increases were reductions in bad debt costs of $2.4 million due to the implementation of escrow accounting for residential bad debts in the first quarter of 2005. We did not receive similar authority from the PSCW to defer 2004 residential bad debt costs until the second quarter of 2004. In addition, we estimate that employee costs were down approximately $3.8 million due to the voluntary severance programs that were in effect in 2004.

 

Depreciation, Decommissioning and Amortization

Depreciation, Decommissioning and Amortization expenses increased by $6.2 million or 9.7% during the first quarter of 2005. The variance is due primarily to a decommissioning expense reduction in the first quarter of 2004 of $7.7 million to reflect the regulatory treatment of income taxes associated with gains in decommissioning trusts. This same benefit was not recognized in the first quarter of 2005.

 

Other Income, Net

Other income, net increased by $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. This increase is primarily due to an increase of $1.3 million in our interest in the earnings of our transmission affiliate during the first quarter of 2005, the recognition of additional carrying costs on deferred electric transmission costs and an increase of $1.5 million for equity-related Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) due to a higher average balance of utility construction projects between the comparative periods.

 



13


Income Taxes

For the first quarter of 2005, our effective tax rate was 37.2% compared with a 38.3% rate during the first quarter of 2004.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CASH FLOWS

The following summarizes our cash flows during the first three months of 2005 and 2004:

   

Three Months Ended March 31

Wisconsin Electric Power Company

 

2005

 

2004

   

(Millions of Dollars)

Cash Provided by (Used in)

       

   Operating Activities

 

$254.7       

 

$293.4       

   Investing Activities

 

($99.9)      

 

($85.8)      

   Financing Activities

 

($168.4)      

 

($217.6)      

 

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities decreased to $254.7 million during the first three months of 2005 compared with $293.4 million during the same period in 2004. This decrease was due in large part to higher deferred costs and decreased cash earnings between the comparative periods.

 

Investing Activities

During the first three months of 2005, we invested a total of $99.9 million in our business compared to $85.8 million during the same period in 2004. This increase is related to environmental projects at certain of our power plants.

 

Financing Activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we used $168.4 million for financing activities compared with using $217.6 million for financing activities during the first three months of 2004. We reduced total debt by $123.2 million during the first three months of 2005 compared with a $172.4 million reduction in total debt during the first three months of 2004.

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND REQUIREMENTS

Capital Resources

We anticipate meeting our capital requirements during the remaining nine months of 2005 primarily through internally generated funds and short-term borrowings, supplemented by the issuance of intermediate or long-term debt securities depending on market conditions and other factors. Beyond 2005, we anticipate meeting our capital requirements through internally generated funds supplemented, when required, by the issuance of debt securities.



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We have access to the capital markets and have been able to generate funds internally and externally to meet our capital requirements. Our ability to attract the necessary financial capital at reasonable terms is critical to our overall strategic plan. We believe that we have adequate capacity to fund our operations for the foreseeable future through our borrowing arrangements and internally generated cash.

In March 2004, the Governor of Wisconsin signed into law a measure that gives utilities the ability to securitize the portion of customer bills that recovers the cost of certain investments intended to improve the environment. The measure would result in a lower cost to customers when compared to traditional financing and ratemaking. In June 2004, we filed an application with the PSCW that sought authority to issue up to $500 million of environmental trust bonds pursuant to this legislation. In October 2004, the PSCW approved an order authorizing us to issue environmental trust bonds to finance the recovery of $425 million of environmental control costs plus up-front financing costs. The proposed terms of the bonds are subject to further PSCW approval prior to issuance. In January 2005, we notified the PSCW that we would not issue the environmental trust bonds until the satisfactory resolution of tax rulings associated with the proposed securitization and the resolution of th e Elm Road proceedings before the Supreme Court of Wisconsin associated with Wisconsin Energy's Power the Future strategy. The issuance would also be dependent upon market conditions.

Our credit agreements provide liquidity support for our obligations with respect to commercial paper.

As of March 31, 2005, we have approximately $357.0 million of available unused lines of bank back-up credit facilities on a consolidated basis. On March 31, 2005, we had approximately $74.9 million of total consolidated short-term debt outstanding.

We review our bank back-up credit facility needs on an ongoing basis and expect to be able to maintain adequate credit facilities to support our operations. The following table summarizes such facilities at March 31, 2005:

Total Facility

 

Letters
of Credit

 

Credit Available

 

Facility
Maturity

 

Facility
Term

(Millions of Dollars)

$250.0

$18.0

$232.0

June-2007

3 year

$125.0

$ -    

$125.0

Nov-2007

3 year

The following table shows our consolidated capitalization structure at March 31, 2005 and at December 31, 2004:

Capitalization Structure

 

March 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

   

(Millions of Dollars)

                 

Common Equity

 

$2,231.0 

 

55.3%

 

$2,204.2 

 

53.4%

Preferred Stock

 

30.4 

 

0.7%

 

30.4 

 

0.7%

Long-Term Debt (including

               

  current maturities)

 

1,698.5 

 

42.1%

 

1,706.8 

 

41.3%

Short-Term Debt

 

74.9 

 

1.9%

 

189.5 

 

4.6%

     Total

$4,034.8 

100.0%

$4,130.9 

100.0%

 

Access to capital markets at a reasonable cost is determined in large part by credit quality. The following table summarizes the ratings of our debt securities and preferred stock by Standard & Poors Corporation (S&P), Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch) as of March 31, 2005.



15


 

S&P

Moody's

Fitch

       

   Commercial Paper

A-2

P-1

F1

   Secured Senior Debt

A-

Aa3

AA-

   Unsecured Debt

A-

A1

A+

   Preferred Stock

BBB

A3

A

 

On March 29, 2005, S&P affirmed our security ratings and changed our security rating outlook from stable to negative.

The security rating outlooks assigned by Moody's and Fitch are all stable.

We believe these security ratings should provide a significant degree of flexibility in obtaining funds on competitive terms. However, these security ratings reflect the views of the rating agencies only. An explanation of the significance of these ratings may be obtained from each rating agency. Such ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, but rather an indication of creditworthiness. Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency if it decides that the circumstances warrant the change. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

Capital Requirements

Capital requirements during the remainder of 2005 are expected to be principally for capital expenditures and nuclear fuel. Our 2005 annual consolidated capital expenditure budget, excluding the purchase of nuclear fuel, is approximately $460.0 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements:   We are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk as a part of our normal course of business, including financial guarantees and letters of credit which support commodity contracts and other payment obligations. We continue to believe that these agreements do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to our investors. For further information, see Note 6 -- Guarantees in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have identified three tolling and purchased power agreements with third parties but have been unable to determine if we are the primary beneficiary of any of these three variable interest entities as defined by (FASB Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46). As a result, we do not consolidate these entities. Instead, we account for one of these contracts as a capital lease and for the other two contracts as operating leases. We have included our contractual obligations under all three of these contracts in our evaluation of Contractual Obligations/Commercial Commitments discussed below. For additional information, see Note 2 -- Variable Interest Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Contractual Obligations/Commercial Commitments:    Our total contractual obligations and other commercial commitments are approximately $5.9 billion as of March 31, 2005 compared with $5.6 billion as of December 31, 2004. This increase primarily reflects purchase obligations under new coal supply contracts.



16


 

FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS, LIQUDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

MARKET RISKS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT RISKS

Construction Risk:   In December 2002, the PSCW issued a written order granting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to commence construction of We Power's Port Washington Generating Station (Port Washington units) consisting of two 545-megawatt natural gas-fired combined cycle generating units on the site of our existing Port Washington Power Plant. The order approves key financial terms of the leased generation contracts including fixed construction costs of the two Port Washington units at $309.6 million and $280.3 million (2001 dollars), respectively, subject to escalation at the GDP inflation rate and force majeure and excused events provisions. For additional information, see Power the Future -- Port Washington below.

In addition, in November 2003, the PSCW issued a written order granting a CPCN for We Power to commence construction of two 615-megawatt super critical pulverized coal generating units (Elm Road units) on the site of our existing Oak Creek Power Plant. The order approves key financial terms of the leased generation contracts including a target construction cost of the two Elm Road units of $2.191 billion. For additional information, see Power the Future -- Elm Road below.

Large construction projects of this type are subject to usual construction risks over which we will have limited or no control and which might adversely affect project costs and completion time. These risks include, but are not limited to, shortages of, the inability to obtain or the cost of labor or materials, the inability of the general contractor or subcontractors to perform under their contracts, strikes, adverse weather conditions, the inability to obtain necessary permits in a timely manner and changes in applicable laws or regulations, governmental actions and events in the global economy. If final costs for the construction of the Port Washington units exceed the fixed costs allowed in the PSCW order, this excess will not adjust the amount of the lease payments recovered from us. If final costs of the Elm Road project are within 5% of the target cost, and the additional costs are deemed to be prudent by the PSCW, the final lease payments for the Elm Road units recovered from us would be adjust ed to reflect the actual construction costs. Costs above the 5% cap would not be included in lease payments or recovered from customers absent a finding by the PSCW of extraordinary circumstances such as force majeure conditions.

Credit Rating Risk:   We do not have any credit agreements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. We do have certain agreements in the form of commodity and energy services contracts and employee benefit plans that could require, in the event of a credit ratings change to below investment grade, a termination payment if collateral is not provided or an accelerated payment. At March 31, 2005, we estimate that the potential payments under these agreements that could result from credit rating downgrades totaled approximately $96.4 million.

Commodity Price Risk:    In the normal course of business we utilize contracts of various duration for the forward sale and purchase of electricity. This is done to effectively manage utilization of our available generating capacity and energy during periods when available power resources are expected to exceed the requirements of our obligations. This practice may also include forward contracts for the purchase of power during periods when the anticipated market price of electric energy is below expected incremental power production costs. In addition, effective April 1, 2005, we became market participants in the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (Midwest ISO) bid-based energy market. For additional information on the Midwest ISO's bid-based energy market see Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters -- Other Utility Rate Matters and Industry Restructuring and Competition below. We manage our fuel and gas supply costs through a portfolio of short and long-term procurement contracts with various suppliers for the purchase of coal, uranium, natural gas and fuel oil.



17


Power the Future

Under Wisconsin Energy's Power the Future strategy, we expect to meet a significant portion of our future generation needs through new plants that are being constructed by We Power. The new plants will be leased to us under long-term leases, and we expect to recover the lease payments in our electric rates.

Port Washington:    In July 2003, We Power began construction of Unit 1, and we expect the unit to be operational early in the third quarter of 2005. In October 2003, We Power received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to transfer by long-term lease certain associated FERC jurisdictional assets to us. In May 2004, Wisconsin Energy filed an updated demand and energy forecast with the PSCW to document market demand for additional generating capacity. We Power began site preparation of Unit 2 in May 2004. We expect Unit 2 to be operational in 2008.

Elm Road:   In November 2003, the PSCW issued an order (the Elm Road Order) granting Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric, and We Power a CPCN to commence construction of the Elm Road units to be located on the site of our existing Oak Creek Power Plant. The first unit was scheduled to be operational in 2009 and the second unit was scheduled to be operational in 2010. The CPCN was granted contingent upon us obtaining the necessary environmental permits. We Power expects to have co-owners that will have an interest in the project of approximately 17%.

The construction of the Elm Road units is subject to a number of regulatory approvals and legal challenges by third parties. The most notable remaining legal challenges relate to the Elm Road CPCN.

In November 2004, a Dane County Circuit Court judge reviewing challenges to the PSCW's order authorizing We Power to build the Elm Road units on the site of our existing Oak Creek Power Plant vacated the CPCN and remanded it back to the PSCW for additional proceedings. The Court determined that the PSCW committed errors in determining the completeness of the application and in its decision on several other points.

We, the PSCW and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) filed motions for direct, expedited appeal in mid-December 2004 with the Supreme Court of Wisconsin. In January 2005, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin agreed to hear the appeal. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in this matter on March 30, 2005. We anticipate a decision to be issued no later than June 30, 2005.

We continue to work with the PSCW, the WDNR and other agencies to obtain all required permits and project approvals. The major permits and the status regarding these permits are discussed below.

In September 2003, several parties filed a request with the WDNR for a contested case hearing in connection with our application to the WDNR for a permit for wetlands and waterways alterations and construction on the bed of Lake Michigan for the construction of the Elm Road units. That request was granted and assigned to an administrative law judge. The hearing took place in August 2004 and post hearing briefings concluded in September 2004. In November 2004, the administrative law judge approved the WDNR's issuance of the wetlands and waterways permit (Chapter 30 permit) for the Elm Road units. In December 2004, two opponents filed a petition for review of the decision in Dane County Circuit Court. In January 2005, we filed a motion to dismiss the opponents' petition. The WDNR joined in this motion. In March 2005, the court dismissed the appeal based on improper filing procedures by the opponents. The opponents have appealed the court's dismissal to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.

We applied to the WDNR to modify the existing Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit at this location that is required for operation of the water intake and discharge system for the planned Elm Road and existing Oak Creek generating units. In March 2005, the WDNR determined that the proposed cooling water intake structure and water discharge system meets regulatory requirements and reissued the WPDES permit with specific limitations and conditions. The opponents

18


have filed a petition for judicial review in Dane County Circuit Court and a request for an administrative contested case hearing to challenge the WDNR's decision. Additionally, we have applied to the Army Corps of Engineers for the federal permit necessary for the construction of the Elm Road units. We anticipate a decision on this permit in the second quarter of 2005. A decision favorable to the project may be contested by project opponents.

In January 2004, the WDNR issued the Air Pollution Control and Construction Permit to us for the Elm Road units. In February 2004, certain project opponents filed a petition for judicial review in the Dane County Circuit Court. At the same time, the project opponents submitted a request for a contested case hearing with the WDNR which was granted. Petitioners subsequently agreed to dismiss their petition for judicial review. The contested case hearing was held in October 2004. In February 2005, an administrative law judge issued a decision affirming the WDNR January 2004 issuance of the Air Pollution Control and Construction Permit. In February 2005, the project opponents filed a petition for judicial review of the decision with the Dane County Circuit Court. A Dane County Circuit Court judge has been assigned to the matter, but no timetable for the judicial review has been set.

The terms of We Power's construction contract with Bechtel for the Elm Road units presently provide that full notice to proceed must be given to Bechtel by July 1, 2005. In order for Bechtel to be able to proceed on July 1, it must begin site mobilization activities in May. Wisconsin Energy is unable to state whether the project could proceed if delayed beyond July 1, 2005.

 

UTILITY RATES AND REGULATORY MATTERS

In the state of Wisconsin, our rates are governed by an order from the PSCW issued in March 2000 in connection with the approval of the WICOR acquisition. Under this order, we are restricted from increasing Wisconsin rates for a five year period ending December 31, 2005, with certain exceptions. Under the March 2000 order, a full rate review will be required by the PSCW for rates beginning in January 1, 2006. We expect to make filings in the second and third quarters of 2005 in connection with this PSCW review.

Limited Rate Adjustment Requests

2005 Revenue Deficiencies:   In May 2004, we filed an application with the PSCW for an increase in electric and steam rates for anticipated 2005 revenue deficiencies associated with (1) costs for the new Port Washington Generating Station and the Elm Road Generating Station being constructed as part of Wisconsin Energy's Power the Future strategy, (2) costs associated with our energy efficiency procurement plan and (3) costs associated with making changes to our steam utility systems as part of the reconstruction of the Marquette Interchange highway project in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The filing identified anticipated revenue deficiencies in 2005 attributable to Wisconsin in the amount of $84.8 million (4.5%) for our electric operations and $0.5 million (3.6%) for our steam operations. In January 2005, as a result of the litigation involving the Elm Road units, we amended this filing to reduce the total revenue request to $52.4 milli on. In April 2005, the PSCW made an oral decision to approve the request as modified. A final calculation of the increase cannot be made until the PSCW issues its written order.

2005 Fuel Recovery Filing:   In February 2005, we filed an application with the PSCW for an increase in electric rates in the amount of $114.9 million due to the increased costs of fuel and purchased power as a result of customer growth and the increase in the reliance upon natural gas as a fuel source. We received approval for the increase in fuel recoveries on an interim basis in March 2005. The revenues associated with this interim order will be subject to refund and the costs associated with the filing will be audited by the PSCW. Under the fuel rules, we would have to refund to customers any over recoveries of fuel costs plus interest at a rate of 12.2%.



19


 

Other Utility Rate Matters

Bad Debt Costs:   In December 2004, we filed with the PSCW a request to implement a pilot program, which, among other things, is designed to better match our collection efforts with the ability of low income customers to pay their bills. Included in this filing was a request to implement escrow accounting for all residential bad debt costs. In February 2005, the PSCW approved our pilot program and our request for escrow accounting. The final decision was received in March 2005. The escrow method of accounting for bad debt costs allows for deferral of bad debt expense that exceeds amounts allowed in rates.

Environmental Trust Financing:   In March 2004, the Governor of Wisconsin signed into law a measure that gives utilities the ability to securitize the portion of customer bills that recovers the cost of certain investments intended to improve the environment. The measure would result in a lower cost to customers when compared to traditional financing and ratemaking. In June 2004, we filed an application with the PSCW that sought authority to issue up to $500 million of environmental trust bonds pursuant to this legislation. In October 2004, the PSCW approved an order authorizing us to issue environmental trust bonds to finance the recovery of $425 million of environmental control costs plus up-front financing costs. The proposed terms of the bonds are subject to further PSCW approval prior to issuance. In January 2005, we notified the PSCW that we would not issue environmental trust bonds until the satisfactory resolution of tax rulings associated with the proposed securitization and the resolution of the Elm Road proceedings before the Supreme Court of Wisconsin associated with Wisconsin Energy's Power the Future strategy. The issuance would also be dependent upon market conditions.

Midwest ISO Day 2:   In January 2005, we requested deferral accounting treatment from the PSCW for certain incremental costs or benefits that may occur due to the implementation on April 1, 2005 of the Midwest ISO Day 2 energy market. We received approval for this accounting treatment in March 2005. Additionally, in March 2005, we submitted a joint proposal to the PSCW with other utilities, requesting escrow accounting treatment for Midwest ISO Day 2 costs until each utility's first rate case following April 1, 2008. For additional information see Industry Restructuring and Competition -- Electric Transmission and Energy Markets -- Midwest ISO below.

Nuclear Refueling Outages - 2005:   In January 2005, we requested deferral accounting treatment for non-fuel operations and maintenance expenses related to the second nuclear refueling outage expected to occur in the fall of 2005. In March 2005, the PSCW denied this request.

 

NUCLEAR OPERATIONS

We own two 518-megawatt electric generating units (Unit 1 and Unit 2) at Point Beach Nuclear Plant in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. The Plant is operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC (NMC), a joint venture of the Company and affiliates of other unaffiliated utilities.

Each Unit at the Plant has a scheduled refueling outage approximately every 18 months. In 2004, Unit 1 had a scheduled refueling outage in the second quarter. In 2005 we have two scheduled outages. The Unit 2 outage began in April 2005 and the Unit 1 outage is scheduled over the third and fourth quarters. During these scheduled refueling outages we will replace the reactor vessel heads in each Unit. This work, along with other planned maintenance, is expected to result in longer than normal outages. During scheduled refueling outages, we incur significant operations and maintenance costs for work performed during the outages and we incur costs associated with replacement power.



20


 

INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING AND COMPETITION

Electric Transmission and Energy Markets

Midwest ISO:   On April 1, 2005, the Midwest ISO implemented a bid-based energy market. The market requires that all market participants submit day-ahead and/or real-time bids and offers for energy at locations across the Midwest ISO region. Midwest ISO then calculates the most efficient solution for all the bids and offers made into the market that day. The Midwest ISO is responsible to ensure that load requirements in the region are met reliably and efficiently, and to manage congestion on the transmission system.

As part of the energy market, the Midwest ISO implemented a Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP) system, a market-based platform for valuing transmission congestion. The LMP system includes the ability to mitigate or eliminate congestion costs through the use of Financial Transmission Rights (FTRs). FTRs are allocated to market participants by the Midwest ISO. The first allocation of FTRs was completed for the period of April 1, 2005 through August 31, 2005. As the Midwest ISO market only recently commenced operations, we are unable to predict at this time what, if any, financial impact the LMP congestion pricing system might have. The FTR allocation process will be performed again for the period from September 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006. It is unknown how many FTRs we will be granted during that allocation process and thus to what degree we will incur congestion charges.

To mitigate the risks of this new bid-based energy market, we requested deferral accounting treatment from the PSCW in January 2005 for certain incremental costs or benefits that may occur due to the implementation of the Midwest ISO Day 2 energy markets. Our request excluded LMP energy costs because these costs are subject to recovery under the Wisconsin Fuel Cost Adjustment Procedure. In March 2005, the PSCW approved our request. We submitted another joint proposal with other utilities in March 2005, requesting escrow accounting treatment for Midwest ISO Day 2 costs until each utility's first rate case following April 1, 2008.

Midwest ISO -- PJM Interconnection, L.L.C (PJM) Regional Transmission Charges:   The FERC permits transmission owning utilities that have not joined a regional transmission organization (RTO) to propose a charge to recover revenues that would be lost as a result of RTO membership. These lost revenues result from FERC's requirement that, within an RTO and for transmission between the electric transmission systems operated by the Midwest ISO and PJM, entities that currently pay a transmission charge to move energy through or out of a neighboring transmission system will no longer pay this charge to the neighboring transmission system owner or operator upon the neighboring transmission system owner or operator joining an RTO.

The FERC has ordered the elimination of through and out transmission charges for transactions between the Midwest ISO and the PJM, an RTO adjacent to the Midwest ISO that manages the transmission system extending from Northern Illinois to the Mid-Atlantic States. In addition, FERC ordered a seams elimination charge to be paid by Midwest ISO load serving entities from December 1, 2004 until March 31, 2006, to compensate transmission owners for the loss of revenues resulting from the joining of an RTO and/or FERC's elimination of through and out transmission charges between the Midwest ISO and PJM. The FERC ordered that certain existing transmission transactions continue to pay for through and out service from December 1, 2004 until March 31, 2006. The details of the seams elimination charge and the quantification of the existing transaction charge are the subject of a hearing process initiated by FERC in a February 2005 order. A decision from the hearing pro cess is expected in the second half of 2006. We are currently unable to determine the impacts on us; however we do not anticipate material financial impacts.



21


 

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

National Ambient Air Quality Standards:   In 2004, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began implementing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 8-hour ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) by designating nonattainment areas in the country. The states are currently developing rules to implement the new standards. Although specific emission control requirements are not yet defined, we believe that the revised standards will likely require significant reductions in SO2 and NOx emissions from coal-fired generating facilities. Reductions associated with the new fine particulate matter standards are expected to be implemented in stages after the year 2010 and extending to the year 2017.

Ozone Non-Attainment Standards:   The 1-hour ozone nonattainment rules currently being implemented by the state of Wisconsin and ozone transport rules implemented by the state of Michigan limit NOx emissions in phases over the next five years. We currently expect to incur total annual operation and maintenance costs of $1 to $2 million during the period 2004 through 2007 to comply with the Michigan and Wisconsin rules. In January 2000, the PSCW approved our comprehensive plan to meet the Wisconsin regulations, permitting recovery in rates of NOx emission reduction costs over an accelerated 10-year recovery period.

In April 2004, the EPA designated 10 counties in Southeastern Wisconsin as nonattainment areas for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. States will be required to develop and submit State Implementation Plans to the EPA by June 2007 to demonstrate how they intend to comply with the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. We expect reductions needed to achieve compliance with the 8-hour ozone attainment standard will be implemented in stages from 2007 through 2010. We believe that compliance with the NOx emission reductions requirements under the agreements with the WDNR and EPA will substantially mitigate costs to comply with the EPA's 8-hour ozone NAAQS. However, the timing of the requirements may be impacted by requiring earlier installation of NOx controls at some units, depending on how the states implement the rules.

In December 2004, the EPA designated PM 2.5 nonattainment areas in the country. All counties in the state of Wisconsin were designated as attainment with the standard.

The EPA issued the final Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) regulations in March 2005 to facilitate the states in meeting the 8-hour ozone and PM 2.5 standards by addressing the regional transport of SO2 and NOx. The proposed rules would require NOx and SO2 emission reductions in two phases from electric generating units located in a 28-state region within the eastern United States. Wisconsin and Michigan are affected states under CAIR. The states will develop implementation plans, and until those plans are in place, it is not possible to estimate the impact. However, we believe that compliance with the NOx and SO2 emission reductions requirements under the agreements with the WDNR and EPA will substantially mitigate costs to comply with the CAIR rule.

In our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, we previously disclosed that we expected to incur approximately $600 million of capital costs over the 10 years ending 2013 to comply with the EPA consent decree. There could be additional costs of compliance with the EPA consent decree should we elect to control rather than retire Units 5 and 6 at our Oak Creek Power Plant. We believe this additional cost may add approximately $150 million to $350 million to the estimate.

Mercury Emission Control Rulemaking:   As required by the 1990 amendments to the Federal Clean Air Act, the EPA issued a regulatory determination in December 2000 that utility mercury emissions should be regulated. The EPA issued the final Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) in March 2005. The compliance dates for the federal rule is 2010 for Phase I and 2018 for Phase II. Additional expenditures will be required to meet the first and second phases of the federal rules. Because the technology is under

22


development, it is difficult to estimate the cost. The expenditures for Phase I are not likely to be significant. We believe the range of possible expenditures for Phase II could be approximately $50 million to $200 million.

The federal rule is being challenged by a number of states including Wisconsin. Depending on the litigation, the timing for compliance may be affected. The construction air permit issued for Elm Road Generating Station is not impacted by the new rules.

The WDNR independently developed mercury emission control rules that affect electric utilities in Wisconsin. The mercury control rules became effective in October 2004. The rules require emission reductions of 40% by 2010 and 75% by 2015. The rules explicitly recognize an underlying state statutory restriction that state regulations cannot be more stringent than those included in any federal program. The rules state that the WDNR must adopt state rule changes within 18 months of publication of any federal rules. State rules are to be changed to be consistent with, and no more restrictive than, any federal rules. Our compliance planning estimates show that no additional emission control investments are likely to be needed to meet the state mercury rules. This is because the challenged federal rules are very likely to be in place prior to the compliance dates contained in the state rule.

 

ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

New Pronouncements:   In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R). In April 2005, the SEC deferred the effective date of SFAS 123R to January 1, 2006. This statement requires that the compensation costs relating to such transactions be recognized in the consolidated income statement. We are currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 123R and expect to adopt it on January 1, 2006. We have not yet determined the method of transition.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FSP FIN 46R - 5, Implicit Variable Interests under FASB Interpretation 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. This statement requires that holdings of implicit variable interests are evaluated when applying Interpretation 46R. An implicit variable interest is defined as an implied pecuniary interest in an entity that changes with changes in the fair value of the entity's net assets exclusive of variable interests. We are currently evaluating FSP FIN 46R - 5.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations (FIN 47), an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143. FIN 47 defines the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in Statement No. 143. As defined in FIN 47, a conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. We are currently evaluating FIN 47, but we do not expect an impact on the results of our regulated operations due to the regulatory treatment of asset retirement costs. FIN 47 will be effective for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.

 

CAUTIONARY FACTORS

This report and other documents or oral presentations contain or may contain forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. When used in written documents or oral presentations, the terms "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible,"

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"potential," "projects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition to the assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with these statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements or otherwise affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, among others, the following:

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

*****

For certain other information which may impact our future financial condition or results of operations, see Item 1, Financial Statements -- Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, in Part I of this report as well as Item 1, Legal Proceedings, in Part II of this report.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For information concerning market risk exposures at Wisconsin Electric Power Company, see Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Market Risks and Other Significant Risks in Part I of this report. For information concerning other market risk exposures, see Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Market Risks and Other Significant Risks, in Part II of Wisconsin Electric's 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures:   Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and

25


procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:   There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The following should be read in conjunction with Item 3, Legal Proceedings, in Part I of our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition to those legal proceedings discussed in our reports to the SEC, we are currently, and from time to time, subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

 

UTILITY RATES AND REGULATORY MATTERS

See Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters in Part I of this report for information concerning rate matters in the jurisdictions where we do business.

Power the Future:   See Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Power the Future in Part I of this report for information concerning recent PSCW and other actions related to Wisconsin Energy's Power the Future strategy.

 

OTHER MATTERS

Stray Voltage:   In recent years, several actions by dairy farmers have been commenced or claims made against us for loss of milk production and other damages to livestock allegedly caused by stray voltage resulting from the operation of our electrical system.

On June 25, 2003, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin upheld a Court of Appeals decision that affirmed a jury's verdict against us, awarding $1.2 million to the plaintiffs in a stray voltage lawsuit. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin rejected the argument that if a utility company's measurement of stray voltage is below the PSCW "level of concern," such company cannot be found negligent in stray voltage cases. The Supreme Court decision held that PSCW regulations regarding stray voltage were only minimum standards to be considered by a jury in stray voltage litigation. However, the Supreme Court remanded

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back to the trial court its requirement imposed on us to replace a cable with an ungrounded distribution line. In February 2005, the parties reached an agreement to settle all remaining issues in the case.

On February 26, 2004, a Wisconsin jury awarded $850,000 to a dairy farmer who alleged that our distribution system caused damages to his livestock. We have filed an appeal in this decision. The claim made against us in this case is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements. One other stray voltage case was pending against us; however, in March 2005 the parties reached an agreement to settle all issues in the case. The settlement did not have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

Even though any claims which may be made against us with respect to stray voltage and ground currents are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, we continue to evaluate various options and strategies to mitigate this risk.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

At our 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on April 29, 2005 for which we did not solicit proxies, nine incumbent directors as listed in our Information Statement dated March 21, 2005 (Information Statement) were elected for one year terms. Each director received 33,289,327 votes (100% of votes cast). Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote. Any shares not voted, whether by withheld authority or otherwise, have no effect in the election of directors. There was no solicitation in opposition to the nominees in the Information Statement.

Further information concerning these matters is contained in the Information Statement.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.

   

31  

Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certifications

   

31.1  

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

31.2  

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

32  

Section 1350 Certifications

   

32.1  

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

32.2  

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.



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SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY

 

(Registrant)

   
 

/s/STEPHEN P. DICKSON                          

Date: May 6, 2005

Stephen P. Dickson, Controller, Principal Accounting Officer and duly authorized officer



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