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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

 


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

For the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2003

OR

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

 

 

 

 

Commission
File Number

 

Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters,
State of Organization, address of principal executive offices
and registrants' telephone number

IRS Employer
Identification
Number


33-87902


ESI TRACTEBEL FUNDING CORP.
(a Delaware corporation)


04-3255377

33-87902-02

NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES,
A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(a Massachusetts limited partnership)

04-2955642

33-87902-01

NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES,
A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(a New Jersey limited partnership)

04-2955646

333-52397

ESI TRACTEBEL ACQUISITION CORP.
(a Delaware corporation)

65-0827005

333-52397-01

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP
(a Delaware limited partnership)

65-0811248


c/o FPL Energy, LLC
700 Universe Boulevard
Juno Beach, Florida 33408
(561) 691-7171





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


Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are accelerated filers as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes  [   ]    No  [X]

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:


As of April 30, 2003, there were issued and outstanding 10,000 shares of ESI Tractebel Funding Corp.'s common stock.

As of April 30, 2003, there were issued and outstanding 20 shares of ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp.'s common stock.



This combined Form 10-Q represents separate filings by ESI Tractebel Funding Corp., Northeast Energy Associates, a limited partnership, North Jersey Energy Associates, a limited partnership, ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp. and Northeast Energy, LP. Information contained herein relating to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf. Each registrant makes representations only as to itself and makes no representations whatsoever as to any other registrant.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS



In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act), ESI Tractebel Funding Corp. (Funding Corp.), Northeast Energy Associates, a limited partnership (NEA) and North Jersey Energy Associates, a limited partnership (NJEA) (collectively, the Partnerships), ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp. (Acquisition Corp.) and Northeast Energy, LP (NE LP) (all five entities collectively, the registrants) are hereby filing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the registrants' actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Reform Act) made by or on behalf of the registrants in this combined Form 10-Q, in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimated," "projection," "target," "outlook") are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could cause the registrants' actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the registrants.


Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the registrants undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.


The following are some important factors that could have a significant impact on the registrants' operations and financial results, and could cause the registrants' actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:


·


The registrants are subject to changes in laws or regulations, including the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as amended (PURPA), changing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), with respect to, but not limited to, acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities, and present or prospective competition.


·


The registrants are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, waste management, natural resources and health and safety that could, among other things, restrict or limit the use of certain fuels required for the production of electricity. There are significant capital, operating and other costs associated with compliance with these environmental statutes, rules and regulations, and those costs could be even more significant in the future.


·


The registrants operate in a changing market environment influenced by various legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation, regulation or restructuring of the energy industry, including deregulation of the production and sale of electricity. The registrants will need to adapt to these changes and may face increasing competitive pressure.


·


The Partnerships were developed and are operated as qualifying facilities (QFs) under PURPA and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the FERC. FERC regulations require that at least 5% of a QF's total energy output be useful thermal energy. To meet this requirement, the Partnerships sell steam under long-term sales agreements to two unrelated third parties for use in gas and chemical processing facilities to maintain their QF status. The Partnerships are dependent upon the on-going operations of these facilities. Loss of QF status would entitle one power purchaser to renegotiate the price provisions of its power purchase agreement and one power purchaser to terminate its power purchase agreement.


·


A substantial portion of the output from the Partnerships' power generation facilities is sold under long-term power purchase agreements to four regulated utilities, two of which are under common control. The limited number of power purchasers creates a concentration of counterparty risk. The remaining output from the power generation facilities is sold, from time to time, in the merchant markets. In addition, it is expected that upon expiration of the power purchase agreements, the residual portion of the electrical output will be sold in the merchant market. Merchant plants sell power based on market conditions at the time of sale. The amount and timing of revenues to be received from the merchant markets in the future is uncertain.


·


The operation of power generation facilities involves many risks, including start up risks, breakdown or failure of equipment, transmission lines or pipelines, the dependence on a specific fuel source or the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions (including natural disasters), as well as the risk of performance below expected levels of output or efficiency. This could result in lost revenues and/or increased expenses. Insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not cover any or all of the lost revenues or increased expenses, including the cost of replacement power. Breakdown or failure of an operating facility may prevent the facility from performing under applicable power sales agreements which, in certain situations, could result in termination of the agreement or payment of liquidated damages.


·


The registrants use derivative instruments, such as swaps and options, to manage their commodity and financial market risks. The registrants could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market values of these contracts, or if a counterparty fails to perform.


·


In addition to risks discussed elsewhere, risk factors specifically affecting the registrants' success include the ability to efficiently operate generating assets, the price and supply of fuel, transmission constraints, competition from new sources of generation, excess generation capacity and demand for power. There can be significant volatility in market prices for fuel, and there are other financial, counterparty and market risks that are beyond the control of the registrants. The registrants' inability or failure to effectively hedge their assets or positions against changes in commodity prices, interest rates, counterparty credit risk or other risk measures could significantly impair their future financial results.


·


The registrants' results of operations can be affected by changes in the weather. Severe weather can be destructive, causing outages and/or property damage, which could require additional costs to be incurred.


·


The registrants are subject to costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; as well as the effect of new, or changes in, tax rates or policies, rates of inflation or accounting standards.


·


The registrants are subject to direct and indirect effects of terrorist threats and activities. Generation and transmission facilities, in general, have been identified as potential targets. The effects of terrorist threats and activities include, among other things, terrorist actions or responses to such actions or threats, the inability to generate, purchase or transmit power, the risk of a significant slowdown in growth or a decline in the U.S. economy, delay in economic recovery in the U.S. and the increased cost and adequacy of security and insurance.


·


The registrants' ability to obtain insurance, and the cost of and coverage provided by such insurance, could be affected by national events as well as registrant-specific events.


·


The registrants are substantially leveraged. The ability of the registrants to make interest and principal payments and fund capital expenditures is dependent on the future performance of the Partnerships. Future performance is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond the control of the registrants. The registrants are also subject to restrictive covenants under their debt agreements that will limit the ability to borrow additional funds.


·


All obligations of the Partnerships are non-recourse to the direct and indirect owners of the registrants. Following any default by the Partnerships, security is limited to the owners' economic interests in the Partnerships. The owners have no meaningful revenues other than the distributions they receive from the Partnerships. In the event of default, the ability of the owners to satisfy any obligations will be limited to amounts payable by the Partnerships as distributions.


The issues and associated risks and uncertainties described above are not the only ones the registrants may face. Additional issues may arise or become material as the energy industry evolves. The risks and uncertainties associated with these additional issues could impair the registrants' businesses in the future.

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1. Financial Statements

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (A PARTNERSHIP) AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2003

   

December 31,
2002

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

72,822

   

$

45,878

 
 

Accounts receivable

   

65,180

     

42,632

 
 

Due from related party

   

960

     

1,623

 
 

Spare parts inventories

   

9,977

     

9,735

 
 

Fuel inventories

   

907

     

7,832

 
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

14,095

     

7,900

 

   

Total current assets

   

163,941

     

115,600

 

                 

Non-current assets:

               
 

Deferred debt issuance costs (net of accumulated amortization of $3,215 and $3,067, respectively)

   

3,745

     

3,893

 
 

Land

   

4,712

     

4,712

 
 

Cogeneration facilities and carbon dioxide facility (net of accumulated depreciation of $113,505 and $108,583, respectively)

   

405,587

     

410,509

 
 

Power purchase agreements (net of accumulated amortization of $274,922 and $260,595, respectively)

   

613,834

     

628,161

 
 

Other assets

   

6

     

7

 

   

Total non-current assets

   

1,027,884

     

1,047,282

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,191,825

   

$

1,162,882

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of notes payable - the Funding Corp.

 

$

23,818

   

$

23,818

 
 

Current portion of notes payable - the Acquisition Corp.

   

8,800

     

8,800

 
 

Accounts payable

   

23,266

     

16,689

 
 

Accrued interest payable - the Funding Corp. and the Acquisition Corp.

   

13,174

     

-

 
 

Due to related parties

   

5,723

     

7,425

 
 

Other accrued expenses

   

17,176

     

8,495

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

91,957

     

65,227

 

                 

Non-current liabilities:

               
 

Deferred credit - fuel contract

   

157,376

     

161,039

 
 

Notes payable - the Funding Corp.

   

352,214

     

352,214

 
 

Notes payable - the Acquisition Corp.

   

202,400

     

202,400

 
 

Energy bank and other liabilities

   

122,170

     

146,868

 
 

Lease payable

   

878

     

878

 

   

Total non-current liabilities

   

835,038

     

863,399

 

                 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
                 

Partners' equity:

               
 

General partners

   

4,941

     

4,482

 
 

Limited partners

   

249,052

     

226,571

 
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   

10,837

     

3,203

 

   

Total partners' equity

   

264,830

     

234,256

 

                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

 

$

1,191,825

   

$

1,162,882

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (2002 Form 10-K) for NE LP and Subsidiaries.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY, LP (A PARTNERSHIP) AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                     

2003

     

2002

 


REVENUES

                 


$


108,221

   


$


102,397

 

                                   
                                 

COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCOME):

                               
 

Fuel

                   

52,251

     

48,762

 
 

Operations and maintenance

                   

3,361

     

3,435

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

                   

19,249

     

18,914

 
 

General and administrative

                   

2,619

     

1,908

 
 

Gain on energy bank settlement

                   

(11,112

)

   

-

 

   

Total costs and expenses

                   

66,368

     

73,019

 

                                 

OPERATING INCOME

                   

41,853

     

29,378

 

                                 

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

                               
 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

                   

148

     

156

 
 

Interest expense

                   

16,428

     

17,520

 
 

Interest income

                   

(125

)

   

(178

)

 

Other income

                   

(105

)

   

-

 
 

Change in fair value of derivatives

                   

2,567

     

(3,461

)

   

Total other expense - net

                   

18,913

     

14,037

 

                                 

NET INCOME

                 

$

22,940

   

$

15,341

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                   

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

                     

2003

     

2002

 


NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                 


$

26,944

   


$


14,345

 

                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                               
 

Capital expenditures

                   

-

     

(21

)

   

Net cash used in investing activities

                   

-

     

(21

)

                                 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

                   

26,944

     

14,324

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

                   

45,878

     

45,003

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

                 

$

72,822

   

$

59,327

 

This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein and the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements appearing in the 2002 Form 10-K for NE LP and Subsidiaries.

 

NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND
NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   

March 31,
2003

   

December 31,
2002

 


ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

71,878

   

$

44,943

 
 

Accounts receivable

   

65,180

     

42,632

 
 

Due from related party

   

960

     

1,616

 
 

Spare parts inventories

   

9,977

     

9,735

 
 

Fuel inventories

   

907

     

7,832

 
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

14,095

     

7,892

 

   

Total current assets

   

162,997

     

114,650

 

                 

Non-current assets:

               
 

Land

   

4,712

     

4,712

 
 

Cogeneration facilities and carbon dioxide facility (net of accumulated depreciation of $113,505 and $108,583, respectively)

   

405,587

     

410,509

 
 

Power purchase agreements (net of accumulated amortization of $274,922 and $260,595, respectively)

   

613,834

     

628,161

 
 

Other assets

   

6

     

7

 

   

Total non-current assets

   

1,024,139

     

1,043,389

 

                 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,187,136

   

$

1,158,039

 

                 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               
 

Current portion of notes payable - the Funding Corp.

 

$

23,818

   

$

23,818

 
 

Accounts payable

   

23,266

     

16,689

 
 

Accrued interest payable - the Funding Corp.

   

8,955

     

-

 
 

Due to related parties

   

5,723

     

7,430

 
 

Other accrued expenses

   

6,072

     

8,495

 

   

Total current liabilities

   

67,834

     

56,432

 

                 

Non-current liabilities:

               
 

Deferred credit - fuel contract

   

157,376

     

161,039

 
 

Notes payable - the Funding Corp.

   

352,214

     

352,214

 
 

Energy bank and other liabilities

   

122,018

     

146,716

 
 

Lease payable

   

878

     

878

 

   

Total non-current liabilities

   

632,486

     

660,847