UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2004 |
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or |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the transition period from to |
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Commission file number 333-59348
MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
33-0868558 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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One Financial Place 440 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3500 Chicago, Illinois (Address of principal executive offices) |
60605 (Zip Code) |
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 583-6000 |
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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 ý NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO ý
Number of units outstanding of the registrant's Membership Interests as of May 7, 2004: 100 units (all units held by an affiliate of the registrant).
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PART I Financial Information |
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Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
1 |
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Item 2. |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
11 |
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Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
29 |
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Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures |
29 |
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PART II Other Information |
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Item 6. |
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
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Signatures |
32 |
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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2004 |
2003 |
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| Operating Revenues | |||||||||
| Energy revenues | $ | 71,723 | $ | 91,089 | |||||
| Capacity revenues | 25,688 | 32,339 | |||||||
| Energy and capacity revenues from marketing affiliate | 137,533 | 88,859 | |||||||
| Loss from price risk management | (1,687 | ) | (2,389 | ) | |||||
| Total operating revenues | 233,257 | 209,898 | |||||||
Operating Expenses |
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| Fuel | 116,356 | 116,993 | |||||||
| Plant operations | 71,006 | 80,943 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 36,636 | 48,185 | |||||||
| Administrative and general | 8,132 | 5,399 | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 232,130 | 251,520 | |||||||
Operating income (loss) |
1,127 |
(41,622 |
) |
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Other Income (Expense) |
|||||||||
| Interest and other income | 28,202 | 28,170 | |||||||
| Interest expense | (81,222 | ) | (86,230 | ) | |||||
| Total other expense | (53,020 | ) | (58,060 | ) | |||||
| Loss before income taxes | (51,893 | ) | (99,682 | ) | |||||
| Benefit for income taxes | 20,019 | 38,313 | |||||||
| Loss Before Accounting Change | (31,874 | ) | (61,369 | ) | |||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of tax (Note 6) | | (74 | ) | ||||||
Net Loss |
$ |
(31,874 |
) |
$ |
(61,443 |
) |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
1
MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands, Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2004 |
2003 |
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| Net Loss | $ | (31,874 | ) | $ | (61,443 | ) | |||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: |
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| Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives qualified as cash flow hedges: | |||||||||
| Other unrealized holding losses arising during period, net of income tax benefit of $23,108 and $11,359 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively | (36,678 | ) | (17,740 | ) | |||||
| Reclassification adjustments included in net loss, net of income tax benefit of $4,684 and $6,454 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively | 7,440 | 10,080 | |||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
(29,238 |
) |
(7,660 |
) |
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Comprehensive Loss |
$ |
(61,112 |
) |
$ |
(69,103 |
) |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
2
MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, Unaudited)
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March 31, 2004 |
December 31, 2003 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||||||||
| Current Assets | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 64,817 | $ | 36,535 | |||||
| Accounts receivable | 30,750 | 38,707 | |||||||
| Due from affiliates | 42,961 | 67,350 | |||||||
| Fuel inventory | 51,043 | 64,763 | |||||||
| Spare parts inventory | 18,248 | 18,880 | |||||||
| Interest receivable from affiliate | 28,001 | 56,350 | |||||||
| Assets under price risk management | 8,154 | 12,747 | |||||||
| Other current assets | 6,265 | 10,525 | |||||||
| Total current assets | 250,239 | 305,857 | |||||||
| Property, Plant and Equipment | 4,200,030 | 4,190,337 | |||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | 581,098 | 544,463 | |||||||
| Net property, plant and equipment | 3,618,932 | 3,645,874 | |||||||
| Notes receivable from affiliate | 1,364,634 | 1,365,423 | |||||||
| Deferred taxes | 366,055 | 329,151 | |||||||
| Other assets | 21,761 | 16,286 | |||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 5,621,621 | $ | 5,662,591 | |||||
| Liabilities and Member's Equity | |||||||||
| Current Liabilities | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 3,576 | $ | 25,799 | |||||
| Accrued liabilities | 64,907 | 70,339 | |||||||
| Due to affiliates | 11,059 | 2,991 | |||||||
| Interest payable | 66,712 | 89,228 | |||||||
| Interest payable to affiliates | 81,651 | 79,765 | |||||||
| Liabilities under price risk management | 55,525 | 10,615 | |||||||
| Current maturities of subordinated long-term debt with affiliate | 692,704 | 692,704 | |||||||
| Current portion of lease financing | 10,556 | 10,214 | |||||||
| Total current liabilities | 986,690 | 981,655 | |||||||
| Subordinated revolving line of credit with affiliate | 2,100,596 | 2,085,894 | |||||||
| Lease financing, net of current portion | 2,154,512 | 2,159,641 | |||||||
| Benefit plans and other long-term liabilities | 106,409 | 103,328 | |||||||
| Total Liabilities | 5,348,207 | 5,330,518 | |||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 4) | |||||||||
Member's Equity |
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| Membership interests, no par value; 100 units authorized, issued and outstanding | | | |||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,243,586 | 1,241,133 | |||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (942,840 | ) | (910,966 | ) | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (27,332 | ) | 1,906 | ||||||
| Total Member's Equity | 273,414 | 332,073 | |||||||
| Total Liabilities and Member's Equity | $ | 5,621,621 | $ | 5,662,591 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands, Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2004 |
2003 |
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| Cash Flows From Operating Activities | |||||||||
| Loss after accounting change, net | $ | (31,874 | ) | $ | (61,443 | ) | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 36,636 | 48,185 | |||||||
| Non-cash contribution of services | 2,453 | 2,160 | |||||||
| Deferred taxes | (36,904 | ) | (41,862 | ) | |||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of tax | | 74 | |||||||
| Decrease in accounts receivable | 7,957 | 22,214 | |||||||
| (Increase) decrease in due to/from affiliates | 6,491 | (18,649 | ) | ||||||
| Decrease in inventory | 14,352 | 15,903 | |||||||
| Decrease in interest receivable from affiliate | 28,349 | 28,365 | |||||||
| Decrease in other current assets | 4,260 | 21,979 | |||||||
| Decrease in accounts payable | (22,223 | ) | (15,019 | ) | |||||
| Decrease in accrued liabilities | (5,432 | ) | (28,084 | ) | |||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest payable | (20,630 | ) | 32,898 | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in other liabilities | 3,081 | (6,822 | ) | ||||||
| Increase in net liabilities under price risk management | 20,265 | 7,295 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 6,781 | 7,194 | |||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | |||||||||
| Borrowings from subordinated long-term debt with affiliate | 20,000 | | |||||||
| Repayments from subordinated long-term debt with affiliate | (20,000 | ) | | ||||||
| Borrowings from subordinated revolving line of credit with affiliate | 40,667 | | |||||||
| Repayment of capital lease obligation | (4,787 | ) | (4,459 | ) | |||||
| Financing costs | (5,474 | ) | | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 30,406 | (4,459 | ) | ||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities | |||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (9,693 | ) | (14,873 | ) | |||||
| Repayment of loan from affiliate | 788 | 497 | |||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (8,905 | ) | (14,376 | ) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
28,282 |
(11,641 |
) |
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| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 36,535 | 74,652 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 64,817 | $ | 63,011 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
4
MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2004
(Dollars in thousands; Unaudited)
Note 1. General
In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including recurring accruals, have been made that are necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for the periods covered by this report. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
Midwest Generation's significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to its financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Midwest Generation follows the same accounting policies for interim reporting purposes. This quarterly report should be read in connection with such financial statements.
Terms used but not defined in this report are defined in Midwest Generation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Midwest Generation's independent auditors' audit opinion for the year ended December 31, 2003 contains an explanatory paragraph that indicates the financial statements included in its 2003 annual report on Form 10-K have been prepared on the basis that Midwest Generation will continue as a going concern and that the uncertainty about Edison Mission Midwest Holdings' ability to repay or refinance $693 million of debt that matures in December 2004 raises substantial doubt about Midwest Generation's ability to continue as a going concern. In April 2004, all of the outstanding debt of Edison Mission Midwest Holdings was repaid in full through new financings obtained by Midwest Generation. For further discussion, see Note 8Subsequent Event.
Note 2. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:
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Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2003 | $ | 1,906 | $ | 1,906 | |||
| Current period change | (29,238 | ) | (29,238 | ) | |||
| Balance at March 31, 2004 | $ | (27,332 | ) | $ | (27,332 | ) | |
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges at March 31, 2004 include forward energy sales contracts that did not meet the normal sales and purchases exception under SFAS No. 133. These losses arise because current forecasts of future electricity prices are higher than Midwest Generation's contract prices. As Midwest Generation's hedged positions are realized, approximately $27.4 million, after tax, of the net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges will be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months. Management expects that reclassification of net unrealized losses will offset energy revenue recognized at market prices. Actual amounts ultimately reclassified to earnings over the next twelve months could vary materially from this estimated amount as a result of changes in market conditions. The maximum period over which a cash flow hedge is designated is through December 31, 2005.
5
Under SFAS No. 133, the portion of a cash flow hedge that does not offset the change in value of the transaction being hedged, which is commonly referred to as the ineffective portion, is immediately recognized in earnings. Midwest Generation recorded net losses of $2.6 million and $2.0 million during the first quarters of 2004 and 2003, respectively, representing the amount of cash flow hedges' ineffectiveness, reflected in income (loss) from price risk management in the statement of operations.
Note 3. Employee Benefit Plans
Pension Plan
Midwest Generation previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, that it expected to contribute $9.1 million to its pension plan in 2004. As of March 31, 2004, $2 million in contributions have been made. Midwest Generation anticipates that its original expectation will be met by year-end 2004.
Components of pension expense are:
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2004 |
2003 |
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| Service cost | $ | 2,945 | $ | 2,546 | |||
| Interest cost | 738 | 563 | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets | (579 | ) | (344 | ) | |||
| Net amortization and deferral | | | |||||
| Total expense | $ | 3,104 | $ | 2,765 | |||
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
Midwest Generation previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, that it expected to contribute $90 thousand to its postretirement benefits other than its pension plan in 2004. As of March 31, 2004, $23 thousand in contributions have been made. Midwest Generation anticipates that its original expectation will be met by year-end 2004.
Components of postretirement benefits expense are:
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2004 |
2003 |
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| Service cost | $ | 166 | $ | 144 | |||
| Interest cost | 290 | 257 | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets | | | |||||
| Net amortization and deferral | (71 | ) | (72 | ) | |||
| Total expense | $ | 385 | $ | 329 | |||
Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies
Power Purchase Agreements
Energy generated by Midwest Generation has historically been sold under three power purchase agreements with Exelon Generation under which Exelon Generation is obligated to make capacity
6
payments for the plants under contract and energy payments for the energy produced by these plants and taken by Exelon Generation. The power purchase agreements began on December 15, 1999 and expire on December 31, 2004. The capacity payments provide units under contract with revenue for fixed charges, and the energy payments compensate those units for all, or a portion of, variable costs of production.
Under each of the power purchase agreements, Exelon Generation, upon notice by given dates, has had the option to terminate each agreement with respect to all or a portion of the units subject to it. As a result of notices given in 2002 and 2003, Exelon Generation released 5,428 MW of Midwest Generation's generating capacity from the power purchase agreements. As a result, 3,859 MW of Midwest Generation's generating capacity remains subject to the power purchase agreements with Exelon Generation in 2004. 2004 is the final contract year under the power purchase agreements.
Beginning January 1, 2004, Midwest Generation has 2,383 MW of capacity related to its coal-fired generation units, 1,084 MW of capacity and energy from its Collins Station, and 392 MW of capacity and energy from its natural gas and oil-fired peaking units under contract with Exelon Generation for calendar year 2004.
When Exelon Generation does not fully dispatch the power generation plants under the power purchase agreements, Midwest Generation may sell the excess energy at market prices, subject to specified conditions, to neighboring utilities, municipal utilities, third-party electric retailers and power marketers on a spot basis. A bilateral trading infrastructure already exists with access to the Mid-America Interconnected Network.
Capital Improvements
At March 31, 2004, Midwest Generation had firm commitments to spend approximately $10.5 million on capital expenditures for 2004. These capital expenditures are planned to be financed by cash generated from operations.
Interconnection Agreement
Midwest Generation has entered into interconnection agreements with Commonwealth Edison to provide interconnection services necessary to connect the Illinois Plants with Commonwealth Edison's transmission systems. Unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms thereof, the interconnection agreements will terminate on a date mutually agreed to by both parties. This date may not exceed the retirement date of the Illinois Plants. Midwest Generation is required to compensate Commonwealth Edison for all reasonable costs associated with any modifications, additions or replacements made to the interconnection facilities or transmission systems in connection with any modification, addition or upgrade to the Illinois Plants.
Guarantees and Indemnities
Guarantee of Debt of Edison Mission Midwest Holdings and Pledge of Ownership Interests
Midwest Generation guaranteed Edison Mission Midwest Holdings' third-party debt in the amount of $692.7 million at March 31, 2004. Midwest Generation's parent also pledged the membership interests in Midwest Generation to the lenders in connection with the third-party debt arrangements. Subsequent to March 31, 2004, the third-party debt was repaid in full and the guarantee was terminated. See Note 8Subsequent Event.
7
Tax Indemnity Agreements
In connection with the sale-leaseback transactions related to the Collins Station and the Powerton and Joliet Stations, Edison Mission Energy (or EME), Midwest Generation and another wholly owned subsidiary of EME entered into tax indemnity agreements. Under these tax indemnity agreements, these entities agreed to indemnify the lessors in the sale-leaseback transactions for specified adverse tax consequences that could result in certain situations set forth in each tax indemnity agreement, including specified defaults under the respective leases. The potential indemnity obligations under these tax indemnity agreements could be significant. Due to the nature of these potential obligations, Midwest Generation cannot determine a maximum potential liability which would be triggered by a valid claim from the lessors. Midwest Generation has not recorded a liability related to these indemnities. In connection with the termination of the lease for the Collins Station (See Note 8Subsequent Event), Midwest Generation will continue to have obligations under the tax indemnity agreement with the former lease equity investor.
Indemnity Provided as Part of the Acquisition from Commonwealth Edison
Midwest Generation entered into a supplemental agreement with Commonwealth Edison on February 20, 2003 to resolve a dispute regarding interpretation of its reimbursement obligation for asbestos claims under the environmental indemnities set forth in the Asset Sale Agreement dated March 22, 1999. Under this supplemental agreement, Midwest Generation agreed to reimburse Commonwealth Edison 50% of specific existing asbestos claims less recovery of insurance costs, and agreed to a sharing arrangement for liabilities associated with future asbestos related claims as specified in the agreement. The obligations under this agreement are not subject to a maximum liability. The supplemental agreement has a five-year term with an automatic renewal provision (subject to the right to terminate). Payments are made under this indemnity by a valid claim provided from Commonwealth Edison. At March 31, 2004, Midwest Generation had $11.1 million recorded as a liability related to this matter and had made $1.2 million in payments.
Environmental Matters and Regulations
Midwest Generation is subject to environmental regulation by federal, state and local authorities in the United States. Midwest Generation believes that it is in substantial compliance with environmental regulatory requirements and that maintaining compliance with current requirements will not materially affect its financial position or results of operations. However, possible future developments, such as the promulgation of more stringent environmental laws and regulations, future proceedings that may be initiated by environmental authorities, and settlements agreed to by other companies could affect the costs and the manner in which Midwest Generation conducts its business and could cause it to make substantial additional capital expenditures. There is no assurance that Midwest Generation would be able to recover these increased costs from its customers or that Midwest Generation's financial position and results of operations would not be materially adversely affected.
Typically, environmental laws and regulations require a lengthy and complex process for obtaining licenses, permits and approvals prior to construction, operation or modification of a project or generating facility. Meeting all the necessary requirements can delay or sometimes prevent the completion of a proposed project as well as require extensive modifications to existing projects, which may involve significant capital expenditures. If Midwest Generation fails to comply with applicable environmental laws, it may be subject to injunctive relief or penalties and fines imposed by regulatory authorities.
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Note 5. Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2004 |
2003 |
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| Cash paid for interest | $ | 101,845 | $ | 53,326 | ||
| Non-cash financing reduction in affiliate debt due to tax-allocation agreement offset | $ | 25,966 | $ | | ||
Note 6. Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle
Effective January 1, 2003, Midwest Generation adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." SFAS No. 143 requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is increased to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 did not have a material impact on Midwest Generation's financial statements ($74 thousand, after tax, decrease to net income as the cumulative effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 143).
Note 7. New Accounting Pronouncements
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation No. 46
In December 2003, the FASB re-issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" (FIN 46R) The primary objective of the interpretation is to provide guidance on the identification of, and financial reporting for, entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights; such entities are known as variable interest entities. This interpretation applies to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and applies to variable interest entities in which Midwest Generation holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. This interpretation is effective for special purpose entities as of December 31, 2003 and for all other entities as of March 31, 2004. The adoption of this standard had no impact on Midwest Generation's financial statements.
Note 8. Subsequent Event
Midwest Generation Financing Developments
On April 27, 2004, Midwest Generation completed a private offering of $1 billion aggregate principal amount of its 8.75% second priority senior secured notes due 2034. The notes were co-issued by a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary. Holders of the notes may require Midwest Generation to repurchase the notes on May 1, 2014 and on each one-year anniversary thereafter at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Concurrently with the issuance of the notes, Midwest Generation borrowed $700 million under a new first priority senior secured institutional term loan facility. The term loans mature on April 27, 2011 and bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.25% per annum. Midwest Generation has agreed to repay $1,750,000 of the terms loans on each quarterly payment date. Midwest Generation also entered into a new three-year $200 million working capital facility that replaced a prior facility. The new working capital facility also provides for the issuance of
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letters of credit. Midwest Generation used the proceeds of the notes issuance and the term loans to refinance $693 million of indebtedness (plus accrued interest and fees) owed by its direct parent, Edison Mission Midwest Holdings Co., which was guaranteed by Midwest Generation and was due in December of this year, and to make termination payments under the Collins Station lease in the amount of approximately $960 million, including accrued interest and fees.
Midwest Generation is permitted to use the new working capital facility and cash on hand to provide credit support for forward contracts with third party counterparties entered into by Edison Mission Marketing & Trading for capacity and energy generated by Midwest Generation. Utilization of this credit facility in support of such forward contracts is expected to provide additional liquidity support for implementation of Midwest Generation's contracting strategy for the Illinois Plants.
The term loan and working capital facility share a first priority lien and the senior secured notes have a second priority lien in a collateral package which consists of, among other things, substantially all of the coal-fired generating plants owned by Midwest Generation and the assets relating to those plants, as well as the equity interests of Midwest Generation and its parent company and the intercompany notes entered into by EME and Midwest Generation in connection with the Powerton-Joliet sale-leaseback transaction.
Simultaneously with the closing of the above financing, Edison Mission Midwest Holdings made an equity contribution to Midwest Generation of approximately $2.2 billion, which was used to settle the outstanding balance due under the subordinated revolving loan. As a result of the settlement and termination of this loan, Midwest Generation will no longer incur intercompany interest costs related to this debt.
Termination of the Collins Station Lease
On April 27, 2004, Midwest Generation terminated the Collins Station lease through a negotiated transaction with the lease equity investor. Midwest Generation made a lease termination payment of approximately $960 million, including accrued interest and fees. This amount repaid the $774 million of lease debt outstanding, accrued interest and fees, and the amount owing to the lease equity investor upon an early termination of the lease. Midwest Generation received title to the Collins Station as part of the transaction and, subject to its power purchase agreement with Exelon Generation, plans to abandon the Collins Station or sell it to a third party. Midwest Generation expects to record a pretax loss of approximately $130 million (approximately $80 million after tax) during the second quarter ended June 30, 2004, due to termination of the lease and the planned abandonment or sale of the asset. Prior to termination of the lease, EME reached an agreement with the lease equity investors in the Powerton-Joliet leases to waive the net worth covenant included in the EME lease equity guarantee provided to them and, accordingly, the reduction in shareholder equity resulting from the loss on termination of the Collins Station lease did not result in a default under this guarantee.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Midwest Generation, LLC's (Midwest Generation's) knowledge of present facts, current expectations about future events and assumptions about future developments. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance; they are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in this discussion. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ include risks set forth in "Market Risk Exposures" below, and under "Risks Related to the Business" in the MD&A included in Item 7 of Midwest Generation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
The MD&A of this Form 10-Q discusses material changes in the results of operations, financial condition and other developments of Midwest Generation since December 31, 2003, and as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2003. This discussion presumes that the reader has read or has access to MD&A included in Item 7 of Midwest Generation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
The MD&A presents a discussion of management's focus during the first quarter of 2004, a discussion of Midwest Generation's financial results and an analysis of Midwest Generation's management efforts with respect to its financial condition. It is presented in four major sections:
| |
Page |
|
|---|---|---|
| Management's Overview; Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates | 11 | |
| Results of Operations | 14 | |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 18 | |
| Market Risk Exposures | 23 |
MANAGEMENT'S OVERVIEW; CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Management's Overview
Introduction
During the first quarter of 2004, management's focus has been particularly committed to the refinancing of Edison Mission Midwest Holding's debt, which Midwest Generation guaranteed, and the termination of the Collins Station lease.
Completion of Refinancing
On April 27, 2004, Midwest Generation completed the issuance of $1 billion aggregate principal amount of its 8.75% second priority senior secured notes and entered into a new credit agreement, which includes a $700 million, first priority senior secured term loan facility and a $200 million, first priority senior secured working capital facility. Proceeds from these transactions were used to refinance $693 million of indebtedness (plus accrued interest and fees) and to make termination payments under the Collins Station lease in the amount of approximately $960 million, including accrued interest and fees. The new working capital facility replaced Edison Mission Midwest Holding's existing working capital facility. Completion of these financings was a major goal of 2004. See "Liquidity and Capital ResourcesMidwest Generation Financing Developments" for further details related to these
11
financings. Also, see "Liquidity and Capital ResourcesTermination of the Collins Station Lease" for details related to termination of the Collins Station lease.
Overview of Midwest Generation's First Quarter Operating Performance
Midwest Generation's net loss for the first quarter of 2004 was $32 million, compared to $61 million for the first quarter of 2003. The 2004 reduction in loss was due to an increase in the amount of energy revenues sold from the merchant coal plants, which more than offsets the loss of revenue the coal plants would have realized under the power purchase agreement, and lower interest and operating expenses.
Power prices for merchant sales improved over 2003 driven largely by higher natural gas prices. The average realized price of power sold from the Illinois merchant plants from coal-fired generation was $28.90 during the first quarter of 2004, compared to $25.48 during the first quarter of 2003. The availability factor of the Illinois Plants related to coal-fired generation was 82.5% during the first quarter of 2004 compared to 74.4% during the first quarter of 2003.
In accordance with the power purchase agreements, Exelon Generation released an additional 880 MW of Midwest Generation's generating capacity for 2004 from the power purchase agreements. As a result, beginning in 2004, Midwest Generation had 3,989 MW of uncontracted capacity available for sale in the merchant generation market. Due to the decline in contracted generating capacity under the power purchase agreements, revenues from Exelon Generation as a percentage of Midwest Generation's total energy and capacity revenues decreased from 63% for the first quarter of 2003 to 46% in the first quarter of 2004. Operating revenues increased $23.4 million for the first quarter of 2004, compared to the first quarter of 2003 due to higher energy revenues of $29.3 million resulting from increased merchant generation, partially offset by a decrease of $6.7 million in capacity revenues resulting from the reduction in megawatts contracted under these power purchase agreements. Midwest Generation's shift to merchant generation has resulted in minimal capacity revenues but higher energy revenues due to higher average realized energy prices as compared to the energy prices set forth in the power purchase agreements with Exelon Generation.
The energy and capacity from any units not subject to one of the power purchase agreements are sold under terms, including price and quantity, negotiated by Edison Mission Marketing & Trading on behalf of Midwest Generation with customers through a combination of bilateral agreements, forward energy sales and spot market sales. These arrangements generally have a term of two years or less. Thus, Midwest Generation is increasingly subject to near-term market volatility related to the price of energy and capacity. Midwest Generation expects that capacity prices for merchant energy sales will, in the near term, be significantly lower than those currently received under its existing agreements with Exelon Generation as a result of the current generation overcapacity in the MAIN region market. Midwest Generation further expects that the lower revenues resulting from this difference will be offset in part by energy prices, which Midwest Generation believes will, in the near term, be higher for merchant energy sales than those received under the power purchase agreements. See "Market Risk ExposuresCommodity Price Risk" for further discussion of forward market prices in the MAIN region.
Expansion of PJM in Illinois
The Illinois Plants are located within the service territory of Exelon Generation's affiliate, Commonwealth Edison, which on April 27, 2004 was granted approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or the FERC, to join the PJM System effective May 1, 2004.
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On March 19, 2004, in a separate but related matter, the FERC issued an order having the effect of postponing to December 1, 2004 the effective date for elimination of regional through and out rates in the region encompassed by PJM (as expanded by the addition of Commonwealth Edison and as to be further expanded by the addition of AEP) and the Midwest Independent System Operation, or MISO. The effect of this order is that the so-called rate pancaking was not eliminated prior to Commonwealth Edison's integration into PJM, nor will it be eliminated prior to AEP's scheduled date for integration into PJM. Rate pancaking occurs when energy must move through multiple, separately priced transmission systems to travel from its point of production to its point of delivery, and each transmission owner along the line charges separately for the use of its system. Accordingly, Midwest Generation will continue to have to pay transmission charges for power sold for delivery outside of Commonwealth Edison's former control area, now known under PJM as PJM's Northern Illinois Control Area. The FERC has included in its order a strong statement that the existing through and out rates must be eliminated no later than December 1, 2004. See "Market Risk ExposuresCommodity Price RisksMerchant Sales."
Midwest Generation is continuing to monitor the activities at the FERC related to the expansion of PJM in Illinois and advocate regulatory positions that promote efficient and fair markets in which the Illinois Plants compete.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
For a discussion of Midwest Generation's critical accounting policies, refer to "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" on page 34 of Midwest Generation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
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Introduction
This section discusses results for the first quarters of 2004 and 2003 and the effect of new accounting pronouncements on Midwest Generation's financial statements. As discussed further below, beginning in 2003, Midwest Generation has been selling a significant portion of its energy into wholesale power markets through an energy services agreement with Edison Mission Marketing & Trading. Under this energy services agreement, Edison Mission Marketing & Trading enters into forward contracts with third parties and back-to-back power purchases from Midwest Generation on the same terms. For a description of the energy services agreement, see "Related Party Transactions" on page 40 of Midwest Generation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Summary
The table below summarizes total revenues as well as key performance measures related to coal-fired generation, which represents the majority of Midwest Generation's operations.
| |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
2004 |
2003 |
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| Revenues (in million) | |||||||||
| Energy | $ | 209 | $ | 180 | |||||
| Capacity | 26 | 32 | |||||||
| Loss from price risk management | (2 | ) | (2 | ||||||