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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

_________________

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

OR

     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
         
Commission   Registrants; State of Incorporation;   IRS Employer
File Number   Addresses; and Telephone Number   Identification No.
1-8962  
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
  86-0512431
   
(An Arizona corporation)
   
   
400 North Fifth Street, P.O. Box 53999
   
   
Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999
   
   
(602) 250-1000
   
1-4473  
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
  86-0011170
   
(An Arizona corporation)
   
   
400 North Fifth Street, P.O. Box 53999
   
   
Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999
   
   
(602) 250-1000
   

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

         
 
    Title Of Each Class   Name Of Each Exchange On Which Registered
 
       
 
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
  Common Stock,   New York Stock Exchange
  No Par Value   Pacific Stock Exchange
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
  None   None
 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

     Indicate by check mark whether each 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 þ No o

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or in any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

     Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

         
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
  Yes x   No o
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
  Yes o   No þ

     State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of each registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter:

     
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
  $3,673,440,593 as of June 30, 2004
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
  $0 as of June 30, 2004

The number of shares outstanding of each registrant’s common stock as of March 14, 2005

     
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
  92,080,964 shares
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
  Common Stock, $2.50 par value, 71,264,947 shares. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is the sole holder of Arizona Public Service Company’s Common Stock.
 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2005 are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
 
 

     Arizona Public Service Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.

     This combined Form 10-K is separately filed by Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and Arizona Public Service Company. Each registrant is filing on its own behalf all of the information contained in this Form 10-K that relates to such registrant. Neither registrant is filing any information that does not relate to such registrant, and therefore makes no representation as to any such information.

 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

             
            Page
GLOSSARY   1
 
           
PART I   4
  Item 1.   Business   4
  Item 2.   Properties   19
  Item 3.   Legal Proceedings   24
  Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   24
    Supplemental Item.    
      Executive Officers of Pinnacle West   25
 
           
PART II   27
  Item 5.   Market for Registrants’ Common Equity, Pinnacle West Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities   27
  Item 6.   Selected Financial Data   28
  Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   30
  Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.   62
  Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   63
  Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   148
  Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures   148
  Item 9B.   Other Information   149
 
           
PART III   149
  Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of Pinnacle West   149
  Item 11.   Executive Compensation   149
  Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters   149
  Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions   152
  Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services   152
 
           
PART IV   153
  Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules   153
 
           
SIGNATURES   191
 Exhibit 10.1
 Exhibit 10.79.2
 Exhibit 10.95
 Exhibit 10.96
 Exhibit 10.97
 Exhibit 10.98
 Exhibit 10.99
 Exhibit 10.100
 Exhibit 10.101
 Exhibit 10.102
 Exhibit 10.103
 Exhibit 10.104
 Exhibit 10.105
 Exhibit 12.1
 Exhibit 12.2
 Exhibit 21.1
 Exhibit 23.1
 Exhibit 23.2
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 31.3
 Exhibit 31.4
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2
 Exhibit 99.31
 Exhibit 99.32

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GLOSSARY

ACC – Arizona Corporation Commission

ADEQ – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

AFUDC – allowance for funds used during construction

AISA – Arizona Independent Scheduling Administrator

ALJ – Administrative Law Judge

ANPP – Arizona Nuclear Power Project, also known as Palo Verde

APS – Arizona Public Service Company, a subsidiary of the Company

APS Energy Services – APS Energy Services Company, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company

CC&N – Certificate of Convenience and Necessity

Cholla – Cholla Power Plant

Citizens – Citizens Communications Company

Clean Air Act – Clean Air Act, as amended

Company – Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

CPUC – California Public Utility Commission

DOE – United States Department of Energy

EITF – FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force

El Dorado – El Dorado Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Company

EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency

ERMC – Energy Risk Management Committee

FASB – Financial Accounting Standards Board

FERC – United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FIN – FASB Interpretation

Financing Order – ACC Order that authorized APS’ $500 million loan to Pinnacle West Energy in May 2003

FIP – Federal Implementation Plan

Four Corners – Four Corners Power Plant

FSP – FASB Staff Position

GAAP – accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America

IRS – United States Internal Revenue Service

ISO – California Independent System Operator

kW – kilowatt, one thousand watts

kWh – kilowatt-hour, one thousand watts per hour

 


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Moody’s – Moody’s Investors Service

MW – megawatt, one million watts

MWh – megawatt-hours, one million watts per hour

NAC – collectively, NAC Holding Inc. and NAC International Inc., subsidiaries of El Dorado that were sold in November 2004

Native Load – retail and wholesale sales supplied under traditional cost-based rate regulation

1999 Settlement Agreement – comprehensive settlement agreement related to the implementation of retail electric competition

NRC – United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Nuclear Waste Act – Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended

OCI – other comprehensive income

Palo Verde – Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, also known as ANPP

PG&E – PG&E Corporation

Pinnacle West – Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, the Company

Pinnacle West Energy – Pinnacle West Energy Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company

PPL Sundance – PPL Sundance Energy, LLC

PRP – potentially responsible parties under the Superfund Act

PSA – power supply adjuster

PWEC Dedicated Assets – the following Pinnacle West Energy power plants, each of which is dedicated to serving APS’ customers: Redhawk Units 1 and 2, West Phoenix Units 4 and 5 and Saguaro Unit 3

PX – California Power Exchange

RFP – request for proposals

RTO – regional transmission organization

Rules – ACC retail electric competition rules

Salt River Project – Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District

SCE – Southern California Edison Company

SEC – United States Securities and Exchange Commission

SFAS – Statement of Financial Accounting Standards

SIP – State Implementation Plan

SNWA – Southern Nevada Water Authority

Spark Spread – Excess of market power price over market gas price at a specific location

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SPE – special-purpose entity

Standard & Poor’s – Standard & Poor’s Corporation

SunCor – SunCor Development Company, a subsidiary of the Company

Sundance Plant – PPL Sundance’s 450-megawatt generating facility located approximately 55 miles southeast of Phoenix, Arizona

Superfund – Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

T&D – transmission and distribution

Track A Order – ACC order dated September 10, 2002 regarding generation asset transfers and related issues

Track B Order – ACC order dated March 14, 2003 regarding competitive solicitation requirements for power purchases by Arizona’s investor-owned electric utilities

Trading – energy-related activities entered into with the objective of generating profits on changes in market prices

2004 Settlement Agreement – an agreement proposing terms under which APS’ general rate case would be settled

VIE – variable interest entity

WestConnect – WestConnect RTO, LLC, a proposed RTO to be formed by owners of electric transmission lines in the southwestern United States

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INTRODUCTION

Filing Format

     This Annual Report on Form 10-K is a combined report being filed by two separate registrants: Pinnacle West and APS. The information required with respect to each company is set forth within the applicable items.

     The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included under Item 7 of this report is divided into the following two sections:

  •   Pinnacle West Consolidated—This section describes the financial condition and results of operations of Pinnacle West and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. It includes discussions of Pinnacle West’s regulated utility and non-utility operations. A substantial part of Pinnacle West’s revenues and earnings are derived from its regulated utility, APS.
 
  •   APS—This section includes a detailed description of the results of operations and contractual obligations of APS.

     Item 8 of this report includes Consolidated Financial Statements of Pinnacle West and Financial Statements of APS. Item 8 also includes Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements, the majority of which also relate to APS, and Supplemental Notes to APS’ Financial Statements.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

General

     Pinnacle West was incorporated in 1985 under the laws of the State of Arizona and owns all of the outstanding equity securities of APS, its major subsidiary. APS is a vertically-integrated electric utility that provides either retail or wholesale electric service to most of the state of Arizona, with the major exceptions of about one-half of the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Tucson metropolitan area and Mohave County in northwestern Arizona. Through its marketing and trading division, APS also generates, sells and delivers electricity to wholesale customers in the western United States.

     Pinnacle West’s other significant subsidiaries are Pinnacle West Energy, which owns and operates unregulated generating plants; APS Energy Services, which provides competitive energy services and products in the western United States; and SunCor, which is engaged in real estate development activities. Each of these subsidiaries is discussed in greater detail below. See “Business of Pinnacle West Energy Corporation,” “Business of APS Energy Services Company, Inc.” and “Business of SunCor Development Company” in this Item 1.

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Business Segments

     Pinnacle West has three principal business segments (determined by products, services and the regulatory environment):

  •   the regulated electricity segment (70% of operating revenues in 2004), which consists of traditional regulated retail and wholesale electricity businesses (primarily electric service to Native Load customers) and related activities, and includes electricity generation, transmission and distribution;
 
  •   the marketing and trading segment (16% of operating revenues in 2004), which consists of competitive energy business activities, including wholesale marketing and trading and APS Energy Services’ commodity-related energy services; and
 
  •   the real estate segment (12% of operating revenues in 2004), which consists of SunCor’s real estate development and investment activities.

     See Note 17 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for financial information about the business segments.

APS General Rate Case

     APS’ general rate case pending before the ACC is the key issue affecting Pinnacle West’s and APS’ outlook. As discussed in greater detail in Note 3 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, on August 18, 2004, a substantial majority of the parties to the rate case, including APS, the ACC staff, the Arizona Residential Utility Consumer Office, other customer and advocacy groups, and merchant power plant intervenors entered into the 2004 Settlement Agreement, which proposes terms under which the rate case would be settled.

     On February 28, 2005, the administrative law judge issued a recommended order, proposing ACC approval of the 2004 Settlement Agreement with two changes related to the PSA. On March 14, 2005, the parties to the 2004 Settlement Agreement jointly filed suggested changes to the recommended order addressing, among other things, the recommended order’s proposed treatment of the PSA. The ACC has scheduled open meetings on March 25 and March 28, 2005 to consider the recommended order and suggested changes. APS cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Employees

     At December 31, 2004, Pinnacle West employed about 7,200 people, including the employees of its subsidiaries. Of these employees, about 6,100 were employees of APS, including employees at jointly-owned generating facilities for which APS serves as the generating facility manager. About 1,100 people were employed by Pinnacle West and its other subsidiaries. Pinnacle West’s principal executive offices are located at 400 North Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 (telephone 602-250-1000).

Available Information

     Pinnacle West makes available free of charge on or through its internet site, (www.pinnaclewest.com) the following filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC: its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, its Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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     Pinnacle West also has a Corporate Governance webpage. You can access Pinnacle West’s Corporate Governance webpage through its internet site, www.pinnaclewest.com, by clicking on the “About Us” link to the heading “Corporate Commitments.” Pinnacle West posts the following on its Corporate Governance webpage:

  •   Corporate Governance Guidelines;
 
  •   Board Committee Summary;
 
  •   Charters for Pinnacle West’s Audit Committee, Corporate Governance Committee, Finance and Operating Committee and Human Resources Committee;
 
  •   Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals; and
 
  •   Ethics Policy and Standards of Business Practices.

     Pinnacle West will post any amendments to the Code of Ethics and Ethics Policy and Standards of Business Practices, and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange, on its internet site. The information on Pinnacle West’s internet site is not incorporated by reference into this report.

     You can request a copy of these documents by contacting Pinnacle West at the following address: Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, Office of the Secretary, Station 9068, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999 (telephone 602-250-3252) .

Forward-Looking Statements

     This document contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations, and neither Pinnacle West nor APS assumes any obligation to update these statements or make any further statements on any of these issues, except as required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “estimate,” “predict,” “hope,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “require,” “intend,” “assume” and similar words. Because actual results may differ materially from expectations, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. A number of factors could cause future results to differ materially from historical results, or from results or outcomes currently expected or sought by Pinnacle West or APS. In addition to the “Risk Factors” described in Exhibits 99.31 and 99.32 to this report, these factors include, but are not limited to:

  •   state and federal regulatory and legislative decisions and actions, including the outcome of the rate case APS filed with the ACC on June 27, 2003 and the wholesale electric price mitigation plan adopted by the FERC;
 
  •   the outcome of regulatory, legislative and judicial proceedings relating to the restructuring;
 
  •   the ongoing restructuring of the electric industry, including the introduction of retail electric competition in Arizona and decisions impacting wholesale competition;
 
  •   market prices for electricity and natural gas;
 
  •   power plant performance and outages, including transmission outages and constraints;
 
  •   weather variations affecting local and regional customer energy usage;
 
  •   customer growth and energy usage;

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  •   regional economic and market conditions, including the results of litigation and other proceedings resulting from the California energy situation, volatile purchased power and fuel costs and the completion of generation and transmission construction in the region, which could affect customer growth and the cost of power supplies;
 
  •   the cost of debt and equity capital and access to capital markets;
 
  •   the uncertainty that current credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time;
 
  •   our ability to compete successfully outside traditional regulated markets (including the wholesale market);
 
  •   the performance of our marketing and trading activities due to volatile market liquidity and any deteriorating counterparty credit and the use of derivative contracts in our business (including the interpretation of the subjective and complex accounting rules related to these contracts);
 
  •   changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the interpretation of those principles;
 
  •   the performance of the stock market and the changing interest rate environment, which affect the amount of required contributions to Pinnacle West’s pension plan and APS’ nuclear decommissioning trust funds, as well as the reported costs of providing pension and other postretirement benefits;
 
  •   technological developments in the electric industry;
 
  •   the strength of the real estate market in SunCor’s market areas, which include Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico and Utah; and
 
  •   other uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Pinnacle West and APS.

REGULATION AND COMPETITION

Retail

     The ACC regulates APS’ retail electric rates and its issuance of securities. The ACC must also approve any transfer of APS’ property used to provide retail electric service and approve or receive prior notification of certain transactions between Pinnacle West, APS and their respective affiliates. See Note 3 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for a discussion of the status of electric industry restructuring in Arizona.

     The electric utility industry has undergone significant regulatory change in the last few years regarding competition in the sale of electricity and related services. However, many states, including Arizona, have reexamined retail electric competition.

     As of January 1, 2001, all of APS’ retail customers were eligible to choose alternate energy suppliers. However, there are currently no active retail competitors offering unbundled energy or other utility services to APS’ customers. As a result, APS cannot predict when, and the extent to which, additional competitors will re-enter APS’ service territory. Also, regulatory developments and legal challenges to the Rules have raised considerable uncertainty about the status and pace of retail electric competition and of electric restructuring in Arizona. See “Retail Electric Competition Rules” in Note 3 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information.

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     APS is subject to varying degrees of competition from other investor-owned utilities in Arizona (such as Tucson Electric Power Company and Southwest Gas Corporation) as well as cooperatives, municipalities, electrical districts and similar types of governmental or non-profit organizations (principally Salt River Project). APS also faces competition from low-cost, hydroelectric power and parties that have access to low-priced preferential, federal power and other governmental subsidies. In addition, some customers, particularly industrial and large commercial customers, may own and operate generation facilities to meet their own energy requirements.

Wholesale

     General

     The FERC regulates rates for wholesale power sales and transmission services. During 2004, approximately 9.4% of APS’ electric operating revenues resulted from such sales and services. In early 2003, Pinnacle West moved its marketing and trading division to APS for all future marketing and trading activities (existing wholesale contracts remained at Pinnacle West) as a result of the ACC’s Track A Order prohibiting the previously required transfer of APS’ generating assets to Pinnacle West Energy (see “Track A Order” in Note 3 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8).

     The marketing and trading division focuses primarily on managing APS’ purchased power and fuel risks in connection with its costs of serving retail customer energy requirements. The division also sells, in the wholesale market, APS and Pinnacle West Energy generation output that is not needed for APS’ Native Load and, in doing so, competes with other utilities, power marketers and independent power producers. Additionally, the marketing and trading division, subject to specified parameters, markets, hedges and trades in electricity, fuels and emissions allowances and credits.

     Market-Based Rate Proceeding

     On August 11, 2004, Pinnacle West, APS, Pinnacle West Energy and APS Energy Services (collectively, the “Pinnacle West Companies”) submitted to the FERC an update to their three-year market-based rate review, pursuant to the FERC’s order implementing a new generation market power analysis. On December 20, 2004, the FERC issued an order approving the Pinnacle West Companies’ market-based rates for control areas other than those of APS, Public Service Company of New Mexico and Tucson Electric Power Company. With respect to these three control areas, the FERC required that the Pinnacle West Companies submit additional data, and on February 18, 2005, the Pinnacle West Companies made such a filing. To the extent the FERC does not permit the Pinnacle West Companies to make sales at market-based rates in these control areas, the Pinnacle West Companies will still be permitted to make sales at cost-based rates in the three control areas. We cannot currently predict the outcome of this proceeding, but we do not believe that having such sales limited to cost-based rates will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

     Regional Transmission Organizations

     Federal In a December 1999 order, the FERC established characteristics and functions that must be met by utilities in forming and operating RTOs. The characteristics for an acceptable RTO include independence from market participants, operational control over a region large enough to

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support efficient and nondiscriminatory markets and exclusive authority to maintain short-term reliability. Additionally, in a pending notice of proposed rulemaking, the FERC is considering implementing a standard market design for wholesale markets.

     On October 16, 2001, APS and other owners of electric transmission lines in the southwestern U.S. filed with the FERC a request for a declaratory order confirming that their proposal to form WestConnect RTO, LLC would satisfy the FERC’s requirements for the formation of an RTO. On October 10, 2002, the FERC issued an order finding that the WestConnect proposal, if modified to address specified issues, could meet the FERC’s RTO requirements and provide the basic framework for a standard market design for the southwestern U.S. See Arizona Public Service Co., 101 FERC ¶ 61,033, order on reh’g, 101 FERC ¶ 61,350, order on reh’g, 104 FERC ¶ 61,285 (2003). Since that time, APS has been evaluating a phased approach to RTO implementation in the desert Southwest. APS is currently participating with other entities in the southwestern U.S. in a cost/benefit analysis of implementing the WestConnect RTO, the results of which are expected to be completed in 2005.

     If APS ultimately joins an RTO, APS could incur increased transmission-related costs and receive reduced transmission service revenues; APS may be required to expand its transmission system according to decisions made by the RTO rather than its internal planning process; and APS may experience other impacts on its operations, cash flows or financial position that will not be quantifiable until the final tariffs and other material terms of the RTO are known.

     State The ACC’s retail electric competition Rules require the formation and implementation of an Arizona Independent Scheduling Administrator. The purpose of the AISA is to oversee the application of operating protocols to ensure statewide consistency for transmission access. The AISA is anticipated to be a temporary organization until the implementation of an independent system operator or RTO. APS participated in the creation of the AISA, a not-for-profit entity, and the filing at the FERC for approval of its operating protocols. An ACC proceeding reviewing the AISA is still pending.

BUSINESS OF ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY

General

     APS was incorporated in 1920 under the laws of the State of Arizona and currently has more than 989,500 customers. APS does not distribute any products. During 2004, no single purchaser or user of energy (other than Pinnacle West) accounted for more than 6.2% of electric revenues. See “Overview – General” and “Regulation and Competition” above for additional background information about APS’ business.

     At December 31, 2004, APS employed approximately 6,100 people, including employees at jointly-owned generating facilities for which APS serves as the generating facility manager. APS’ principal executive offices are located at 400 North Fifth Street, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999 (telephone 602-250-1000).

Purchased Power and Generating Fuel

     See “Properties – Capacity” in Item 2 for information about APS’ and Pinnacle West’s power plants by fuel types.

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     2004 Energy Mix

     Pinnacle West’s consolidated sources of energy during 2004 were: purchased power – 56.9%; coal – 20.8%; nuclear – 13.5%; gas – 8.7%; and other (includes oil, hydro and solar) – 0.1%. In accordance with GAAP, a substantial portion of our purchased power contracts was netted against wholesale sales contracts on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 18 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

     APS’ sources of energy during 2004 were: purchased power – 62.9%; coal – 21.4%; nuclear – 13.9%; gas – 1.7%; and other (includes oil, hydro and solar) – 0.1%. In accordance with GAAP, a substantial portion of our purchased power contracts was netted against wholesale sales contracts on the Statements of Income. See Note 18 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

     Coal Supply

     Cholla Cholla is a coal-fired power plant located in northeastern Arizona. It is a jointly-owned facility operated by APS. APS purchases most of Cholla’s coal requirements from a coal supplier that mines all of the coal under a long-term lease of coal reserves with the Navajo Nation, the federal government and private landholders. Cholla has sufficient coal under current contracts to ensure a reliable fuel supply through 2007. These contracts include expected requirements for low sulfur coal, which is required for certain limited operating conditions; however, if necessary, low sulfur coal may be purchased on the open market. APS may purchase a portion of Cholla’s coal requirements on the spot market to take advantage of competitive pricing options and to supplement coal required for increased operating capacity. Following expiration of current contracts, APS believes that competitive fuel supply options will exist to ensure the continued operation of Cholla for its useful life, and has evaluated the necessary plant modifications and operational requirements to convert to other fuel sources.

     Four Corners Four Corners is a coal-fired power plant located in the northwestern corner of New Mexico. It is a jointly-owned facility operated by APS. APS purchases all of Four Corners’ coal requirements from a supplier with a long-term lease of coal reserves with the Navajo Nation. The Four Corners coal contract runs through July 2016, with options to extend the contract for five to fifteen additional years beyond the current plant site lease expiration in 2017.

     Navajo Generating Station The Navajo Generating Station is a coal-fired power plant located in northern Arizona. It is a jointly-owned facility operated by Salt River Project. The Navajo Generating Station’s coal requirements are purchased from a supplier with long-term leases from the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. The Navajo Generating Station is under contract with its coal supplier through 2011, with options to extend through the current plant site lease expiration in 2019. The Navajo Generating Station lease waives certain taxes through the lease expiration in 2019. Items that may impact the fuel price include lease provisions that allow for a renegotiation of the coal royalty in 2007 and 2017 and a fuel contract requirement for a five-year price review in 2007. In addition, the potential closure of the Mohave Generating Station will impact the cost structure for the Black Mesa – Kayenta Mine complex, and may increase costs to the Navajo Generating Station, which is served by the Kayenta Mine.

     See “Legal Proceedings” in Item 3 for information about a lawsuit relating to royalties for coal paid by the participants at the Navajo Generating Station.

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     See “Properties – Capacity” in Item 2 for information about APS’ ownership interests in Cholla, Four Corners and the Navajo Generating Station. See Note 11 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for information regarding APS’ coal mine reclamation obligations.

     Natural Gas Supply

     See Note 11 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for a discussion of APS’ and Pinnacle West’s natural gas requirements.

     Nuclear Fuel Supply

     Palo Verde Fuel Cycle Palo Verde is a nuclear power plant located about 50 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona. It is a jointly-owned facility operated by APS. The fuel cycle for Palo Verde is comprised of the following stages:

  •   mining and milling of uranium ore to produce uranium concentrates;
 
  •   conversion of uranium concentrates to uranium hexafluoride;
 
  •   enrichment of uranium hexafluoride;
 
  •   fabrication of fuel assemblies;
 
  •   utilization of fuel assemblies in reactors; and
 
  •   storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel.

     The Palo Verde participants have contracted for all of Palo Verde’s requirements for uranium concentrates and conversion services through 2008. The Palo Verde participants have also contracted for all of Palo Verde’s enrichment services through 2010 and fuel assembly fabrication services until at least 2015.

     Spent Nuclear Fuel and Waste Disposal See “Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station” in Note 11 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for a discussion of spent nuclear fuel and waste disposal.

     Purchased Power Agreements

     In addition to its own available generating capacity (see “Properties” in Item 2), APS purchases electricity under various arrangements. One of the most important of these is a long-term contract with Salt River Project. The amount of electricity available to APS is based in large part on customer demand within certain areas now served by APS pursuant to a related territorial agreement. The generating capacity available to APS pursuant to the contract is 350 MW. In 2004, APS received approximately 568,770 MWh of energy under the contract and paid about $54.9 million for capacity availability and energy received. This contract may be canceled by Salt River Project on three years’ notice. By letter dated June 7, 2004, Salt River Project gave notice to APS to reduce capacity by 150 MW effective June 16, 2007. To date, this letter is the only notice Salt River Project has given under the contract. APS may also cancel the contract on five years’ notice, which may be given no earlier than December 31, 2006.

     In September 1990, APS entered into a thirty-year seasonal capacity exchange agreement with PacifiCorp. Under this agreement, APS receives electricity from PacifiCorp during the summer

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peak season (from May 15 to September 15) and APS returns electricity to PacifiCorp during the winter season (from October 15 to February 15). Until 2020, APS and PacifiCorp each has 480 MW of capacity and a related amount of energy available to it under the agreement for its respective seasons. In 2004, APS received approximately 571,392 MWh of energy under the capacity exchange. APS must also make additional offers of energy to PacifiCorp each year through October 31, 2020. Pursuant to this requirement, during 2004, PacifiCorp received offers of 1,095,000 MWh and purchased about 246,275 MWh.

     Consistent with the ACC’s Track B Order, APS issued a request for proposals (“RFP”) in March 2003 and, as a result of that RFP, APS entered into contracts with three parties, including Pinnacle West Energy, to meet a portion of APS’ capacity and energy requirements for the years 2003 through 2006. See “Track B Order” in Note 3 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information about the contracts and the Track B Order.

Construction Program

     During the years 2002 through 2004, APS incurred approximately $1.4 billion in capital expenditures. APS’ capital expenditures for the years 2005 through 2007 are expected to be primarily for expanding transmission and distribution capabilities to meet growing customer needs, for upgrading existing utility property and for environmental purposes. APS’ capital expenditures were approximately $484 million in 2004. APS’ capital expenditures, including expenditures for environmental control facilities, for the years 2005 through 2007 have been estimated as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
    Estimate  
Major facilities:   2005     2006     2007  
 
                 
Delivery
  $ 390     $ 395     $ 440  
Generation
    352       158       195  
Other
    30       7       6  
 
                 
Total
  $ 772     $ 560     $ 641  
 
                 

     The above amounts exclude capitalized interest costs and include capitalized property taxes and approximately $30 million per year for nuclear fuel. The estimate for 2005 includes about $190 million for APS’ planned acquisition of the Sundance Plant. See “Request for Proposals and Asset Purchase Agreement” in Note 3 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for a discussion of the asset purchase agreement between APS and PPL Sundance. APS conducts a continuing review of its construction program.

     See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Needs and Resources by Company” in Item 7 for additional information about APS’ construction programs.

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Environmental Matters

     EPA Environmental Regulation

      Regional Haze Rules On April 22, 1999, the EPA announced final regional haze rules. These regulations require states to submit implementation plans by 2008 to eliminate all man-made emissions causing visibility impairment in certain specified areas, including Class I Areas in the Colorado Plateau, and to consider and potentially apply the best available retrofit technology (“BART”) for major stationary sources.

     The rules allow nine western states and tribes to follow an alternate implementation plan and schedule for the Class I Areas. This alternate implementation plan is known as the Annex Rule. Five western states, including Arizona, have submitted proposed State Implementation Plans to the EPA to implement the Annex Rule.

     On February 18, 2005, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia granted a petition for review of the Annex Rule, filed by the Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED). Center for Energy and Economic Development v. the EPA, No. 03-1222 (D.C. Cir.). APS, Phelps Dodge Corporation, and Environmental Defense were intervenors in the litigation in support of the EPA and the Annex Rule. Although the Court concluded that the EPA has the authority to promulgate a BART alternative, the Court ruled that the EPA must first conduct a BART analysis of eligible sources to demonstrate that the alternate plan would achieve greater reductions than BART. At this time, the EPA’s response to the CEED decision is uncertain. The Company cannot currently predict the outcome of this matter.

     Mercury On March 15, 2005, the EPA issued the Clean Air Mercury Rule to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. This rule establishes performance standards limiting mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and establishes a two phased market-based trading program. Under the trading program, the EPA has assigned each state a "budget" for reducing coal-fired power plant mercury emissions, and each state must submit to the EPA a plan detailing how it will meet its "budget." In the first phase of the program, beginning in 2010, mercury emissions will be reduced from a total of 48 tons per year to 38 tons. In 2018, mercury emissions will be further reduced to 15 tons. APS is currently evaluating the potential impact of this rule.

     Federal Implementation Plan In September 1999, the EPA proposed a FIP to set air quality standards at certain power plants, including the Navajo Generating Station and Four Corners. The FIP is similar to current Arizona regulation of the Navajo Generating Station and New Mexico regulation of Four Corners, with minor modifications. APS does not currently expect the FIP to have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

     Superfund Superfund establishes liability for the cleanup of hazardous substances found contaminating the soil, water or air. Those who generated, transported or disposed of hazardous substances at a contaminated site are among those who are PRPs. PRPs may be strictly, and often jointly and severally, liable for clean-up. On September 3, 2003, the EPA advised APS that the EPA

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considers APS to be a PRP in the Motorola 52nd Street Superfund Site, Operable Unit 3 (OU3) in Phoenix, Arizona. APS has facilities that are within this superfund site. APS and Pinnacle West have agreed with the EPA to perform certain investigative activities of the APS facilities within OU3. Because the investigation has not yet been completed and ultimate remediation requirements are not yet finalized, neither APS nor Pinnacle West can currently estimate the expenditures which may be required.

     Manufactured Gas Plant Sites APS is currently investigating properties, which it now owns or which were previously owned by it or its corporate predecessors, that were at one time sites of, or sites associated with, manufactured gas plants. APS is taking action to voluntarily remediate these sites. APS does not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

     Navajo Nation Environmental Issues

     Four Corners and the Navajo Generating Station are located on the Navajo Reservation and are held under easements granted by the federal government as well as leases from the Navajo Nation. APS is the Four Corners operating agent. APS owns all of Four Corners Units 1, 2 and 3, and a 15% interest in Four Corners Units 4 and 5. APS owns a 14% interest in Navajo Generating Station Units 1, 2 and 3.

     In July 1995, the Navajo Nation enacted the Navajo Nation Air Pollution Prevention and Control Act, the Navajo Nation Safe Drinking Water Act and the Navajo Nation Pesticide Act (collectively, the Navajo Acts). The Navajo Acts purport to give the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency authority to promulgate regulations covering air quality, drinking water and pesticide activities, including those activities that occur at Four Corners and the Navajo Generating Station. On October 17, 1995, the Four Corners participants and the Navajo Generating Station participants each filed a lawsuit in the District Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock District, challenging the applicability of the Navajo Nation as to Four Corners and Navajo Generating Station. The Court has stayed these proceedings pursuant to a request by the parties, and the parties are seeking to negotiate a settlement. APS cannot currently predict the outcome of this matter.

     In February 1998, the EPA issued regulations identifying those Clean Air Act provisions for which it is appropriate to treat Indian tribes in the same manner as states. The EPA has announced that it has not yet determined whether the Clean Air Act would supersede pre-existing binding agreements between the Navajo Nation and the Four Corners participants and the Navajo Generating Station participants that limit the Navajo Nation’s environmental regulatory authority over the Navajo Generating Station and Four Corners. APS believes that the Clean Air Act does not supersede these pre-existing agreements. The parties have reached tentative agreement on a resolution of the Clean Air Act issues. If such an agreement is executed by the parties and approved by the EPA, APS would dismiss the pending litigation to the extent the claims relate to the Clean Air Act. APS cannot currently predict the outcome of this matter.

     In April 2000, the Navajo Tribal Council approved operating permit regulations under the Navajo Nation Air Pollution Prevention and Control Act. APS believes the regulations fail to recognize that the Navajo Nation did not intend to assert jurisdiction over Four Corners and the Navajo Generating Station. On July 12, 2000, the Four Corners participants and the Navajo Generating Station participants each filed a petition with the Navajo Supreme Court for review of the

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operating permit regulations. Those proceedings have been stayed, pending the settlement negotiations mentioned above. APS cannot currently predict the outcome of this matter.

Water Supply

     Assured supplies of water are important for APS’ and Pinnacle West Energy’s generating plants. At the present time, APS and Pinnacle West Energy have adequate water to meet their needs. However, conflicting claims to limited amounts of water in the southwestern United States have resulted in numerous court actions.

     Both groundwater and surface water in areas important to APS’ operations have been the subject of inquiries, claims and legal proceedings, which will require a number of years to resolve. APS is one of a number of parties in a proceeding before a state court in New Mexico to adjudicate rights to a stream system from which water for Four Corners is derived. (State of New Mexico, in the relation of S.E. Reynolds, State Engineer vs. United States of America, City of Farmington, Utah International, Inc., et al., San Juan County, New Mexico, District Court No. 75-184). An agreement reached with the Navajo Nation in 1985, however, provides that if Four Corners loses a portion of its rights in the adjudication, the Navajo Nation will provide, for a then-agreed upon cost, sufficient water from its allocation to offset the loss.

     A summons served on APS in early 1986 required all water claimants in the Lower Gila River Watershed in Arizona to assert any claims to water on or before January 20, 1987, in an action pending in Maricopa County, Arizona, Superior Court. (In re The General Adjudication of All Rights to Use Water in the Gila River System and Source, Supreme Court Nos. WC-79-0001 through WC 79-0004 (Consolidated) [WC-1, WC-2, WC-3 and WC-4 (Consolidated)], Maricopa County Nos. W-1, W-2, W-3 and W-4 (Consolidated)). Palo Verde is located within the geographic area subject to the summons. APS’ rights and the rights of the Palo Verde participants to the use of groundwater and effluent at Palo Verde are potentially at issue in this action. As project manager of Palo Verde, APS filed claims that dispute the court’s jurisdiction over the Palo Verde participants’ groundwater rights and their contractual rights to effluent relating to Palo Verde. Alternatively, APS seeks confirmation of such rights. Three of APS’ other power plants and two of Pinnacle West Energy’s power plants are also located within the geographic area subject to the summons. APS’ claims dispute the court’s jurisdiction over its groundwater rights with respect to these plants. Alternatively, APS seeks confirmation of such rights. In November 1999, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a decision confirming that certain groundwater rights may be available to the federal government and Indian tribes. In addition, in September 2000, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a decision affirming the lower court’s criteria for resolving groundwater claims. Litigation on both of these issues will continue in the trial court. No trial date concerning APS’ water rights claims has been set in this matter.

     APS has also filed claims to water in the Little Colorado River Watershed in Arizona in an action pending in the Apache County, Arizona, Superior Court. (In re The General Adjudication of All Rights to Use Water in the Little Colorado River System and Source, Supreme Court No. WC-79-0006 WC-6, Apache County No. 6417). APS’ groundwater resource utilized at Cholla is within the geographic area subject to the adjudication and is therefore potentially at issue in the case. APS’ claims dispute the court’s jurisdiction over its groundwater rights. Alternatively, APS seeks confirmation of such rights. A number of parties are in the process of settlement negotiations with respect to certain claims in this matter. Other claims have been identified as ready for litigation in

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motions filed with the court. No trial date concerning APS’ water rights claims has been set in this matter.

     Although the above matters remain subject to further evaluation, Pinnacle West expects that the described litigation will not have a material adverse impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

     The Four Corners region, in which Four Corners is located, has been experiencing drought conditions that may affect the water supply for the plants if adequate moisture is not received in the watershed that supplies the area. APS is continuing to work with area stakeholders to implement agreements to minimize the effect, if any, on operations of the plant for 2005 and later years. The effect of the drought cannot be fully assessed at this time, and APS cannot predict the ultimate outcome, if any, of the drought or whether the drought will adversely affect the amount of power available, or the price thereof, from Four Corners.

BUSINESS OF PINNACLE WEST ENERGY CORPORATION

     Pinnacle West Energy was incorporated in 1999 under the laws of the State of Arizona and is engaged principally in the operation of unregulated generating plants. Pinnacle West Energy had approximately 100 employees as of December 31, 2004. Pinnacle West Energy’s principal offices are located at 400 North Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 (telephone 602-250-4145).

     See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 for a discussion of Pinnacle West Energy’s capital requirements.

     Pinnacle West Energy owns the PWEC Dedicated Assets as well as an interest in Silverhawk. The PWEC Dedicated Assets were built as a result of what APS believed was a regulatory restriction against APS’ construction of additional plants and based on the requirement in the 1999 Settlement Agreement that APS transfer its generation assets. As discussed under “APS General Rate Case; 2004 Settlement Agreement” in Note 3 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, as part of the proposed settlement of APS’ general rate case, APS would acquire the PWEC Dedicated Assets from Pinnacle West Energy. Silverhawk, which is Pinnacle West Energy’s only power plant not included in the PWEC Dedicated Assets, is a 570 MW combined cycle power plant located 20 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada in which Pinnacle West Energy has a 75% ownership interest. See “Properties” in Item 2 for a summary of the generating plants owned by Pinnacle West Energy.

     At December 31, 2004, Pinnacle West Energy had total assets of $1.3 billion, of which $1.0 billion related to the PWEC Dedicated Assets. Pinnacle West Energy had a pretax loss of $47 million in 2004, a net loss of $1 million in 2003 and a net loss of $19 million in 2002. Income taxes related to Pinnacle West Energy were recorded by Pinnacle West in 2004.

BUSINESS OF APS ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, INC.

     APS Energy Services was incorporated in 1998 under the laws of the State of Arizona and provides competitive commodity-related energy services (such as direct access commodity contracts, energy procurement and energy supply consultation) and energy-related products and services (such as energy master planning, energy use consultation and facility audits, cogeneration analysis and installation and project management) to commercial, industrial and institutional retail customers in

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the western United States. APS Energy Services had approximately 100 employees as of December 31, 2004. APS Energy Services’ principal offices are located at 400 East Van Buren Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 (telephone 602-250-5000).

     APS Energy Services had net income of $3 million in 2004, net income of $16 million in 2003, and pretax income of $28 million in 2002. Income taxes related to APS Energy Services were recorded by Pinnacle West prior to 2003. At December 31, 2004, APS Energy Services had total assets of $77 million.

BUSINESS OF SUNCOR DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

     SunCor was incorporated in 1965 under the laws of the State of Arizona and is a developer of residential, commercial and industrial real estate projects in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico and Utah. The principal executive offices of SunCor are located at 80 East Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 410, Tempe, Arizona 85281 (telephone 480-317-6800). SunCor and its subsidiaries had approximately 800 employees at December 31, 2004.

     At December 31, 2004, SunCor had total assets of about $464 million. SunCor’s assets consist primarily of land with improvements, commercial buildings, golf courses and other real estate investments. SunCor intends to continue its focus on real estate development of master-planned communities, mixed-use residential, commercial, office and industrial projects.

     SunCor projects under development include seven master-planned communities and several commercial projects. The commercial projects and four of the master-planned communities are in Arizona. Other master-planned communities are located near St. George, Utah, Boise, Idaho and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

     SunCor has implemented an accelerated asset sales program for 2003 through 2005. As a result of this program, SunCor expects to have net income of approximately $50 million in 2005. SunCor also expects to make a cash distribution of approximately $80 million to $100 million to the parent in 2005.

     For the past three years, SunCor’s operating revenues were approximately: $360 million in 2004; $362 million in 2003; and $201 million in 2002. SunCor’s net income was approximately $45 million in 2004; $56 million in 2003; and $19 million in 2002. Certain components of SunCor’s real estate sales activities, which are included in the real estate segment, are required to be reported as discontinued operations on Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Statements of Income in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” See Note 22 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

     See Note 6 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for information regarding SunCor’s long-term debt and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 for a discussion of SunCor’s capital requirements.

BUSINESS OF EL DORADO INVESTMENT COMPANY

     El Dorado was incorporated in 1983 under the laws of the State of Arizona. El Dorado owns minority interests in several energy-related investments and Arizona community-based ventures. El

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Dorado’s short-term goal is to prudently realize the value of its existing investments. On a long-term basis, Pinnacle West may use El Dorado, when appropriate, for investments that are strategic to the business of generating, distributing and marketing electricity. El Dorado’s offices are located at 400 North Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 (telephone 602-250-3517).

     El Dorado had pretax income of $40 million in 2004, pretax income of $7 million in 2003, and a pretax loss of $55 million in 2002. Pinnacle West records income taxes related to El Dorado. El Dorado sold its investment in NAC on November 18, 2004, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $4 million and is classified as discontinued operations in 2004. All related revenue and expenses for NAC have been reclassified to discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 (see Note 22 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8). In addition, the year ended 2004 includes a $35 million gain ($21 million after tax) related to the sale of El Dorado’s limited partnership interest in the Phoenix Suns. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 for additional information. At December 31, 2004, El Dorado had total assets of $23 million.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Capacity

     APS’ and Pinnacle West Energy’s generating facilities are described below. For APS’ plants, the “net accredited capacities” are reported, consistent with industry practice for regulated utilities. For Pinnacle West Energy, the “permitted capacities” are reported, consistent with industry practice for unregulated plants.

APS – Net Accredited Capacity

     APS’ present generating facilities have net accredited capacities as follows:

         
    Capacity (kW)  
Coal:
       
Units 1, 2 and 3 at Four Corners
    560,000  
15% owned Units 4 and 5 at Four Corners
    222,000  
Units 1, 2 and 3 at Cholla
    615,000  
14% owned Units 1, 2 and 3 at the Navajo Generating Station
    315,000  
 
     
Subtotal
    1,712,000  
 
     
Gas or Oil:
       
Two steam units at Ocotillo and two steam units at Saguaro
    430,000  
Eleven combustion turbine units
    493,000  
Three combined cycle units
    255,000  
 
     
Subtotal
    1,178,000  
 
     
Nuclear:
       
29.1% owned or leased Units 1, 2, and 3 at Palo Verde
    1,107,000  
 
     
Hydro and Solar
    9,510  
 
     
Total APS facilities
    4,006,510  
 
     
Pinnacle West Energy – Permitted Capacities
       
Pinnacle West Energy’s present generating facilities have permitted capacities as follows:
       
Gas or Oil:
       
Two combined cycle units at Redhawk, two combined cycle units at West Phoenix and 75% ownership of one combined cycle unit at Silverhawk
    2,138,000  
One combustion turbine unit at Saguaro
    80,000  
 
     
Total Pinnacle West Energy facilities
    2,218,000  
 
     

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Reserve Margin

     APS’ 2004 peak one-hour demand on its electric system was recorded on August 11, 2004 at 6,402,100 kW, compared to the 2003 peak of 6,332,400 kW recorded on July 14, 2003. Taking into account additional capacity then available to APS under long-term purchase power contracts as well as APS’ and Pinnacle West Energy’s generating capacity, APS’ capability of meeting system demand on August 11, 2004, amounted to 6,388,600 kW, for an installed reserve margin of negative 0.3%. The power actually available to APS from its resources fluctuates from time to time due in part to planned and unplanned plant and transmission outages and technical problems. The available capacity from sources actually operable at the time of the 2004 peak amounted to 3,570,600 kW, for a margin of negative 52.6%. Firm purchases totaling 4,187,000 kW, including short-term seasonal purchases and unit contingent purchases, were in place at the time of the peak, ensuring the ability to meet the load requirement with an actual reserve margin of 6.9 %.

     See “Business of Arizona Public Service Company – Purchased Power and Generating Fuel – Purchased Power Agreements” in Item 1 for information about certain of APS’ long-term power agreements.

Plant Sites Leased from Navajo Nation

     The Navajo Generating Station and Four Corners are located on land held under easements from the federal government and also under leases from the Navajo Nation. These are long-term agreements with options to extend, and APS does not believe that the risks with respect to enforcement of these easements and leases are material. The majority of coal contracted for use in these plants and certain associated transmission lines are also located on Indian reservations. See “Business of Arizona Public Service Company – Purchased Power and Generating Fuel – Coal Supply” in Item 1.

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

     Regulatory

     Operation of each of the three Palo Verde units requires an operating license from the NRC. The NRC issued full power operating licenses for Unit 1 in June 1985, Unit 2 in April 1986 and Unit 3 in November 1987. The full power operating licenses, each valid for a period of approximately 40 years, authorize APS, as operating agent for Palo Verde, to operate the three Palo Verde units at full power.

     Nuclear Decommissioning Costs

     The NRC rules on financial assurance requirements for the decommissioning of nuclear power plants provide that a licensee may use a trust as the exclusive financial assurance mechanism if the licensee recovers estimated total decommissioning costs through cost-of-service rates or through a “non-bypassable charge.” The “non-bypassable systems benefits” charge is the charge that the ACC has approved for APS’ recovery of certain types of costs, including costs for low income programs, demand side management, consumer education, environmental, renewables, etc. “Non-bypassable” means that if a customer chooses to take energy from an “energy service provider” other than APS, the customer will still have to pay this charge as part of the customer’s APS electric bill.

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     Other mechanisms are prescribed, including prepayment, if the requirements for exclusive reliance on an external sinking fund mechanism are not met. APS currently relies on an external sinking fund mechanism to meet the NRC financial assurance requirements for its interests in Palo Verde Units 1, 2 and 3. The decommissioning costs of Palo Verde Units 1, 2 and 3 are currently included in APS’ ACC jurisdictional rates. The Rules provide that decommissioning costs are recoverable through a non-bypassable “system benefits” charge, which would allow APS to maintain its external sinking fund mechanism. See Note 12 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information about APS’ nuclear decommissioning costs.

     Palo Verde Liability and Insurance Matters

     See “Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station” in Note 11 of Notes to Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for a discussion of the insurance maintained by the Palo Verde participants, including APS, for Palo Verde.

Property Not Held in Fee or Subject to Encumbrances

     Jointly-Owned Facilities

     APS shares ownership of some of its generating and transmission facilities with other companies. Pinnacle West Energy shares ownership of its Silverhawk plant. The following table shows APS’ and Pinnacle West Energy’s interests in those jointly-owned facilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2004:

         
    Percent Owned  
APS:
       
Generating facilities:
       
Palo Verde Units 1 and 3
    29.1 %
Palo Verde Unit 2 (see “Palo Verde Leases” below)
    17.0 %
Four Corners Units 4 and 5
    15.0 %
Navajo Generating Station Units 1, 2, and 3
    14.0 %
Cholla common facilities (a)
    62.4