Exhibit 99.01

 

El Paso Electric

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release		Contact:		Investor
Date: February 22, 2011		Media		Relations:
		Teresa Souza		Steve Busser
		915/543-5823		915/543-5983
				Rachelle Williams
				915/543-2257

El Paso Electric Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual Financial Results

Overview

 

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For the fourth quarter 2010, EE reported net income of $7.5 million, or $0.18 and $0.17 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2009, EE reported net income of $8.0 million, or $0.18 basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

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For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, EE reported net income of $100.6 million, or $2.32 and $2.31 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. Income before extraordinary item for the twelve month period was $90.3 million, or $2.08 and $2.07 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was $66.9 million, or $1.50 basic and diluted earnings per share.

“We had a solid year in 2010 as basic earnings per share before the extraordinary gain increased 39% over 2009. Improved economic conditions and favorable weather both contributed to the Company’s significant revenue growth. We also benefited from rate increases in both of our operating jurisdictions reflecting the capital investments necessary to meet customer growth” said David W. Stevens, Chief Executive Officer.

 

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El Paso Electric — P.O. Box 982 — El Paso, Texas 79960

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Earnings Summary

The table and explanations below present the major factors affecting 2010 income before extraordinary item relative to 2009.

 

		Quarter Ended												Twelve Months Ended
		Pre-Tax Effect				After-Tax Income				Basic EPS				Pre-Tax Effect				After-Tax Income				Basic EPS
December 31, 2009						$	7,961			$	0.18							$	66,933			$	1.50
Changes in:
Retail non-fuel base revenue		$	5,243				3,303				0.08			$	53,009				33,395				0.77
AFUDC and capitalized interest			2,985				2,339				0.06				3,691				2,882				0.07
Palo Verde O&M			3,454				2,175				0.05				4,371				2,753				0.06
Administrative and general expense			511				322				0.01				(5,559	)			(3,502	)			(0.08	)
Interest and investment income			(2,018	)			(1,674	)			(0.04	)			1,502				1,302				0.03
Off-system sales margin			(2,330	)			(1,469	)			(0.04	)			(5,116	)			(3,224	)			(0.08	)
Taxes other than income taxes			(2,077	)			(1,308	)			(0.03	)			(4,491	)			(2,830	)			(0.07	)
Depreciation and amortization			(1,510	)			(951	)			(0.02	)			(6,065	)			(3,821	)			(0.09	)
Customer accounts and service			(1,256	)			(792	)			(0.02	)			(3,881	)			(2,445	)			(0.06	)
Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues			(1,131	)			(713	)			(0.02	)			1,960				1,235				0.03
Elimination of Medicare Part D tax benefit			—				—				—				—				(4,787	)			(0.11	)
Other							(1,727	)			(0.04	)							2,426				0.05
December 31, 2010						$	7,466				0.17							$	90,317				2.02
Change in weighted average number of shares											0.01												0.06
December 31, 2010										$	0.18											$	2.08

Fourth Quarter 2010

Income for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the same period last year was positively affected by:

 

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Higher retail non-fuel base revenues in 2010 primarily due to new non-fuel base rates in New Mexico and Texas, and a 2.0% increase in kWh sales to retail customers partially as a result of 1.6% growth in customers served.

 

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Increased AFUDC and capitalized interest in 2010 due to higher balances of construction work in progress subject to AFUDC.

 

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Decreased Palo Verde operations and maintenance expense primarily due to decreased maintenance costs and reduced administrative and general expense.

Income for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the same period last year was negatively affected by:

 

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Decreased investment and interest income primarily due to realized gains on sales of investments in our Palo Verde decommissioning trust funds in 2009 with no comparable activity in 2010.

 

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Decreased off-system sales margins due to increased sharing of off-system sales margins with customers.

 

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Increased taxes other than income taxes due to revenue-related taxes and increased property taxes.

 

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Increased depreciation and amortization expense due to increased depreciable plant balances and increased depreciation rates.

 

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El Paso Electric — P.O. Box 982 — El Paso, Texas 79960

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Increased customer accounts and service expense primarily due to the transition to our new customer billing system and increased uncollectible customer accounts.

 

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Decreased revenues from retail sales of deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 power due to decreased generation at Palo Verde Unit 3 in 2010. In 2010, Unit 3 had a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage from October 2 through November 10 while Unit 3 operated throughout the fourth quarter of 2009.

Full Year 2010

Income before extraordinary item for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the same period last year was positively affected by:

 

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Higher retail non-fuel base revenues in 2010 primarily due to new non-fuel base rates in New Mexico and Texas, a 4.4% increase in kWh sales to retail customers as a result of colder winter weather during the first quarter, and a 1.7% growth in customers served.

 

•

Increased AFUDC and capitalized interest in 2010 due to higher balances of construction work in progress subject to AFUDC.

 

•

Decreased Palo Verde operations and maintenance expense primarily due to decreased maintenance costs at Units 2 and 3 as the result of reduced costs for scheduled refueling outages.

 

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Increased interest and investment income primarily due to $2.2 million impairment and net realized losses on investments in our Palo Verde decommissioning trusts in 2009 compared to $0.1 million impairment and net realized losses in 2010.

 

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Increased revenues from retail sales of deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 power due to increased generation at Palo Verde Unit 3 in 2010 and higher proxy market prices in 2010.

Income before extraordinary item for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the same period last year was negatively affected by:

 

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A one-time increase in tax expense to recognize a change in tax law enacted in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to eliminate the tax benefit related to the Medicare Part D subsidies.

 

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Increased depreciation and amortization expense due to increased depreciable plant balances and increased depreciation rates.

 

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Increased administrative and general expense primarily due to increased pension and benefits costs as a result of changes in actuarial assumptions used to calculate expenses for our pension plans.

 

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Decreased off-system sales margins primarily due to increased sharing of off-system sales margins with customers effective July 1, 2010.

 

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Increased taxes other than income taxes due to revenue-related taxes and increased property taxes.

 

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Increased customer accounts and service expense primarily due to the transition to our new customer billing system and increased uncollectible customer accounts.

Extraordinary Gain

As a regulated electric utility, we prepare our financial statements in accordance with the FASB guidance for regulated operations. FASB guidance for regulated operations requires us to show certain items as assets or liabilities on our balance sheet when the regulator provides assurance that these items will be charged to and collected from our customers or refunded to our customers. In the July 2010 final order for Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Docket 37690, we were allowed to include the previously-expensed loss on reacquired debt associated with the refinancing of first mortgage bonds in 2005 in our calculation of the weighted cost of debt to be recovered from our customers. In order to establish this regulatory asset, we recorded an extraordinary gain of $10.3 million, net of income tax expense of $5.8 million, in our 2010 income statements. This new regulatory asset will be amortized over the life of our 6% Senior Notes due in 2035. The

 

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El Paso Electric — P.O. Box 982 — El Paso, Texas 79960

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extraordinary item of $10.3 million, net of tax, added $0.24 to the basic and diluted earnings per share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

Retail Non-fuel Base Revenues

Retail non-fuel base revenues increased by $5.2 million, pre-tax, or 4.7% in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to (i) a $4.5 million increase in revenues from residential customers due to a 5.0% increase in kWh sales reflecting 1.7% growth in the average number of customers served and new non-fuel base rates in New Mexico and Texas; (ii) a $1.4 million increase in revenues from sales to public authorities due to new non-fuel base rates and a 1.9% increase in kWh sales; and (iii) increased retail non-fuel base revenues received from large commercial and industrial customers of $1.0 million attributable to the implementation of higher rates in new contracts and tariffs with several large customers whose contracts had expired. These increases were partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in revenues from small commercial and industrial customers due to new seasonal non-fuel base rates in New Mexico and Texas which are lower in the winter months for certain of these customers. Non-fuel base revenues and kilowatt-hour sales are provided by customer class on page 11 of the Release.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, retail non-fuel base revenues increased by $53.0 million, pre-tax, or 11.0% compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily due to new non-fuel base rates in New Mexico and Texas and a 4.4% increase in retail kWh sales driven by good local economic conditions. KWh sales to residential customers increased 6.2% reflecting a 1.8% growth in the average number of customers served and colder winter weather in the first quarter of 2010. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, heating degree days were 6% above the same period in 2009 and at the 10-year average. KWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers increased 2.0% reflecting a 1.4% increase in the average number of small commercial and industrial customers served. Retail non-fuel base revenues also increased due to a 26% increase in non-fuel base revenues from large commercial and industrial attributable to increased kWh sales to large commercial and industrial customers of 6.2% and the implementation of higher rates in new contracts and tariffs with several large customers whose contracts had expired. KWh sales to public authorities increased 4.0% largely due to increased sales to military bases. Non-fuel base revenues and kilowatt-hour sales are provided by customer class on page 13 of the Release.

Off-system Sales

We make off-system sales in the wholesale power markets when competitively priced excess power is available from our generating plants and purchased power contracts. The Company shared 25% of off-system sales margins with customers and retained 75% of off-system sales margins through June 30, 2010 pursuant to rate agreements in prior years. Effective July 1, 2010, we share 90% of off-system sales margins with customers and retain 10% of off-system sales margins. As a result, retained margins from off-system sales decreased approximately $2.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively, for the quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2010 compared to the corresponding periods in 2009. The table below shows off-system sales in MWh and the pre-tax margins realized and retained by us from sales during the quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

		Quarter Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
MWh sales			658,966				587,862				2,822,732				2,995,984
Total margins (in thousands)		$	2,809			$	3,499			$	11,801			$	14,399
Retained margins (in thousands)		$	295			$	2,625			$	5,687			$	10,803

 

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El Paso Electric — P.O. Box 982 — El Paso, Texas 79960

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The table below shows on a per MWh basis, pre-tax revenues, costs and margins from off-system sales for 2010 and 2009.

 

Quarter Ended		Average Revenue Per MWh				Average Cost of Energy Per MWh				Pre-Sharing Average  Margin Per MWh
March 31, 2009		$	36.49			$	30.13			$	6.36
June 30, 2009		$	35.43			$	33.63			$	1.80
September 30, 2009		$	39.61			$	35.37			$	4.24
December 31, 2009		$	45.31			$	39.36			$	5.95
March 31, 2010		$	45.65			$	38.76			$	6.89
June 30, 2010		$	34.63			$	32.57			$	2.06
September 30, 2010		$	35.08			$	32.47			$	2.61
December 31, 2010		$	31.39			$	27.13			$	4.26

Capital and Liquidity

We continue to maintain a strong capital structure to ensure access to capital markets at reasonable rates. At December 31, 2010, common stock equity represented 48.7% of our capitalization (common stock equity, long-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt, and financing obligations). At December 31, 2010, we had a balance of $79.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, most of which was in funds invested in United States Treasury securities. We believe that we will have adequate liquidity through our current cash balances, cash from operations, and our revolving credit facility to meet all of our anticipated cash requirements through 2011 based on current projections.

Cash flows from operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 were $239.4 million compared to $269.1 million in the corresponding period in 2009. The primary factor affecting the decreased cash flow was reduced collection of deferred fuel revenues in 2010. The difference between fuel revenues collected and fuel expense incurred is deferred to be either refunded (over-recoveries) or surcharged (under-recoveries) to customers in the future. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, the Company had an over-recovery of deferred fuel revenues, net of refunds, of $1.0 million as compared to an over-recovery and net surcharge of $64.9 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2010, we had a net fuel over-recovery balance of $19.0 million, including $14.2 million in Texas and $4.8 million in New Mexico.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, our primary capital requirements were for the construction and purchase of electric utility plant, purchases of nuclear fuel, and the repurchase of common stock. Capital requirements for new electric plant were $170.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 compared to $210.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009.

On February 19, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized repurchases of up to 2 million additional shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock (2010 Authorization). During the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, we repurchased 1,524,711 shares of common stock in the open market at an aggregate cost of $33.7 million under both a previously authorized program and under the 2010 Authorization. During the fourth quarter of 2010, we repurchased 133,662 shares of common stock in the open market at an aggregate cost of $3.5 million. As of December 31, 2010, 676,271 shares remain available for repurchase under the 2010 Authorization. The Company currently expects to continue to repurchase shares in the open market from time to time.

On August 17, 2010, Rio Grande Resources Trust (RGRT) completed the sale of $110 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes. EE guarantees RGRT’s payment of principal and interest on the senior notes.

 

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El Paso Electric — P.O. Box 982 — El Paso, Texas 79960

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RGRT is the trust through which we finance our portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde and is consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. The proceeds from the sale of the senior notes were used by RGRT to repay amounts borrowed under the then existing revolving credit facility and enable future nuclear fuel financing requirements of RGRT to be met with a combination of the senior notes and amounts borrowed under the revolving credit facility.

On September 23, 2010, we, along with RGRT, entered into a new credit agreement for a $200 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a term of four years, and EE may request that the facility be increased up to $300 million during the term of the facility subject to the lenders agreement. The terms of the agreement provide that amounts we borrow under the facility may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Any amounts borrowed by RGRT may be used to finance the acquisition and processing of nuclear fuel. This revolving credit facility replaces the $200 million revolving credit facility that was due to expire on April 11, 2011. The total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT was $114.7 million at December 31, 2010 of which $4.7 million had been borrowed under this new revolving credit facility and $110 million was borrowed through the senior notes discussed above. Borrowings by RGRT for nuclear fuel were $107.0 million as of December 31, 2009, including accrued interest and fees, all of which was borrowed under the revolving credit facility then in effect. Interest costs on borrowings to finance nuclear fuel are accumulated by RGRT and charged to EE as fuel is consumed and recovered through fuel recovery charges. No borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2010 for working capital or general corporate purposes.

The combination of the issuance of senior notes by RGRT and the refinancing of the revolving credit facility provided additional liquidity to the Company. We expect to have sufficient liquidity to finance construction expenditures and other capital requirements through 2011. In addition, we may seek to issue debt in the capital markets to finance capital requirements.

2011 Earnings Guidance

We are providing earnings guidance for 2011 within a range of $2.00 to $2.40 per basic share.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss fourth quarter and annual 2010 earnings is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, February 22, 2011. The dial-in number is 866-253-5757 with a conference ID of 1507248. The conference leader will be Steven P. Busser, Vice President – Treasurer of EE. A replay will run through March 8, 2011 with a dial-in number of 866-837-8032 and a conference ID of 1507248. The conference call and presentation slides will be webcast live on EE’s website found at http://www.epelectric.com. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call.

Safe Harbor

This news release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) increased prices for fuel and purchased power and the possibility that regulators may not permit EE to pass through all such increased costs to customers or to recover previously incurred fuel costs in rates; (ii) recovery of capital investments and operating costs through rates in Texas and New Mexico; (iii) uncertainties and instability in the general economy and the resulting impact on EE’s sales and profitability; (iv) unanticipated increased costs associated with scheduled and unscheduled outages; (v) the size of our construction program and our ability to complete construction on budget and on time; (vi) costs at Palo Verde; (vii) deregulation and competition in the electric utility industry; (viii) possible increased costs of compliance with environmental or other laws, regulations and policies; (ix) possible income tax and interest payments as a result of audit adjustments proposed

 

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El Paso Electric — P.O. Box 982 — El Paso, Texas 79960

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by the IRS; (x) uncertainties and instability in the financial markets and the resulting impact on EE’s ability to access the capital and credit markets; and (xi) other factors detailed by EE in its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EE’s filings are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission or may be obtained through EE’s website, http://www.epelectric.com. Any such forward-looking statement is qualified by reference to these risks and factors. EE cautions that these risks and factors are not exclusive. EE does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of EE except as required by law.

 

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El Paso Electric — P.O. Box 982 — El Paso, Texas 79960

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El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Quarter Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands except for per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

		2010				2009				Variance
Operating revenues, net of energy expenses:
Base revenues		$	117,389			$	112,125			$	5,264	(a)
Off-system sales margins, net of sharing			295				2,625				(2,330	)
Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 proxy market pricing			2,863				3,994				(1,131	)
Other			5,819				5,527				292
Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses			126,366				124,271				2,095
Other Operating Expenses:
Other operations and maintenance			47,457				44,298				3,159
Palo Verde operations and maintenance			30,798				34,252				(3,454	)
Taxes other than income taxes			13,452				11,375				2,077
Other income (deductions)			1,065				3,477				(2,412	)
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization			35,724				37,823				(2,099	) (b)
Depreciation and amortization			20,875				19,365				1,510
Interest on long-term debt			13,448				12,198				1,250
AFUDC and capitalized interest			6,396				3,411				2,985
Other interest expense			141				77				64
Income Before Income Taxes			7,656				9,594				(1,938	)
Income tax expense			190				1,633				(1,443	)
Net Income		$	7,466			$	7,961			$	(495	)
Basic Earnings per Share		$	0.18			$	0.18			$	—
Diluted Earnings per Share		$	0.17			$	0.18			$	(0.01	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding			42,415				43,977				(1,562	)
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding			42,669				44,168				(1,499	)

 

(a)	Base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates of $16.0 million and $16.0 million, respectively.

(b)	EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a substitute for net income or other measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP.

 

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El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands except for per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

		2010				2009				Variance
Operating revenues, net of energy expenses:
Base revenues		$	538,252			$	485,337			$	52,915	(a)
Off-system sales margins, net of sharing			5,687				10,803				(5,116	)
Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 proxy market pricing			16,103				14,143				1,960
Other			25,464				23,273				2,191
Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses			585,506				533,556				51,950
Other Operating Expenses:
Other operations and maintenance			180,522				170,554				9,968
Palo Verde operations and maintenance			100,522				104,893				(4,371	)
Taxes other than income taxes			54,489				49,998				4,491
Other income (deductions)			3,477				1,437				2,040
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization			253,450				209,548				43,902	(b)
Depreciation and amortization			81,011				74,946				6,065
Interest on long-term debt			50,826				50,512				314
AFUDC and capitalized interest			19,974				16,283				3,691
Other interest expense			254				396				(142	)
Income Before Income Taxes and Extraordinary Item			141,333				99,977				41,356
Income tax expense (c)			51,016				33,044				17,972
Income Before Extraordinary Item			90,317				66,933				23,384
Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of income tax expense of $5,769			10,286				—				10,286
Net Income		$	100,603			$	66,933			$	33,670
Basic Earnings per Share:
Income before extraordinary item		$	2.08			$	1.50			$	0.58
Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of tax			0.24				—				0.24
Net Income		$	2.32			$	1.50			$	0.82
Diluted Earnings per Share:
Income before extraordinary item		$	2.07			$	1.50			$	0.57
Extraordinary gain related to Texas regulatory assets, net of tax			0.24				—				0.24
Net Income		$	2.31			$	1.50			$	0.81
Weighted average number of shares outstanding			43,130				44,524				(1,394	)
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding			43,294				44,595				(1,301	)

 

(a)	Base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates of $71.9 million and $69.0 million, respectively.

(b)	EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a substitute for net income or other measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP.

(c)	Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 includes a charge of $4,787 related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which required the elimination of the tax benefit associated with the Medicare Part D subsidies beginning in 2013.

 

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El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary

Cash Flow Summary

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands and Unaudited)

 

		2010				2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	100,603			$	66,933
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service			81,011				74,946
Extraordinary gain on Texas regulatory assets, net of tax			(10,286	)			—
Deferred income taxes, net			27,456				40,846
Other			36,359				28,588
Change in working capital items:
Net recovery (deferral) of fuel revenues			958				64,875
Other			3,249				(7,078	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			239,350				269,110
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment			(169,966	)			(209,974	)
Cash additions to nuclear fuel			(34,277	)			(34,904	)
Decommissioning trust funds			(11,536	)			(10,183	)
Other			(8,872	)			(5,277	)
Net cash used for investing activities			(224,651	)			(260,338	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			1,379				3,768
Repurchase of common stock			(33,726	)			(24,105	)
Financing obligations			(102,293	)			13,345
Proceeds from issuance of long-term private placement notes			110,000				—
Other			(2,665	)			(1,632	)
Net cash used for financing activities			(27,305	)			(8,624	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(12,606	)			148
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			91,790				91,642
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	79,184			$	91,790

 

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El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary

Quarter Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Sales and Revenues Statistics

 

										Increase (Decrease)
		2010				2009				Amount				Percentage
MWh sales:
Retail:
Residential			550,164				523,735				26,429				5.0	%
Commercial and industrial, small			533,313				525,113				8,200				1.6	%
Commercial and industrial, large			260,860				267,853				(6,993	)			(2.6	%)
Sales to public authorities			362,167				355,584				6,583				1.9	%
Total retail sales			1,706,504				1,672,285				34,219				2.0	%
Wholesale:
Sales for resale			10,103				9,758				345				3.5	%
Off-system sales			658,966				587,862				71,104				12.1	%
Total wholesale sales			669,069				597,620				71,449				12.0	%
Total MWh sales			2,375,573				2,269,905				105,668				4.7	%
Operating revenues (in thousands):
Non-fuel base revenues:
Retail:
Residential		$	47,216			$	42,701			$	4,515				10.6	%
Commercial and industrial, small			40,096				41,759				(1,663	)			(4.0	%)
Commercial and industrial, large			9,897				8,878				1,019				11.5	%
Sales to public authorities			19,757				18,385				1,372				7.5	%
Total retail non-fuel base revenues			116,966				111,723				5,243				4.7	%
Wholesale:
Sales for resale			423				402				21				5.2	%
Total non-fuel base revenues			117,389				112,125				5,264				4.7	%
Fuel revenues:
Recovered from customers during the period (a)			34,707				38,800				(4,093	)			(10.5	%)
Under (over) collection of fuel			(13,613	)			(6,929	)			(6,684	)			96.5	%
New Mexico fuel in base rates			15,982				16,051				(69	)			(0.4	%)
Total fuel revenues			37,076				47,922				(10,846	)			(22.6	%)
Off-system sales			20,683				26,634				(5,951	)			(22.3	%)
Other			6,196				6,332				(136	)			(2.1	%)
Total operating revenues		$	181,344			$	193,013			$	(11,669	)			(6.0	%)
Off-system sales (in thousands):
Gross margins		$	2,809			$	3,499			$	(690	)			(19.7	%)
Retained margins			295				2,625				(2,330	)			(88.8	%)
Average number of retail customers:
Residential			333,844				328,106				5,738				1.7	%
Commercial and industrial, small			36,704				36,323				381				1.0	%
Commercial and industrial, large			49				48				1				2.1	%
Sales to public authorities			4,720				4,953				(233	)			(4.7	%)
Total			375,317				369,430				5,887				1.6	%
Number of retail customers (end of period):
Residential			334,729				328,553				6,176				1.9	%
Commercial and industrial, small			37,202				36,306				896				2.5	%
Commercial and industrial, large			50				48				2				4.2	%
Sales to public authorities			4,841				4,964				(123	)			(2.5	%)
Total			376,822				369,871				6,951				1.9	%

 

Weather statistics:										10 Yr Average
Heating degree days			795				1,030				974
Cooling degree days			131				117				109

 

(a)	Excludes $11.5 and $16.8 million of refunds in 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to prior periods Texas deferred fuel revenues.

 

Page 11 of 15

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El Paso Electric Company

Quarter Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Generation and Purchased Power Statistics

 

										Increase (Decrease)
		2010				2009				Amount				Percentage
Generation and purchased power (MWh):
Palo Verde			1,177,149				1,022,704				154,445				15.1	%
Four Corners			188,904				190,147				(1,243	)			(0.7	%)
Gas plants			613,654				589,300				24,354				4.1	%
Total generation			1,979,707				1,802,151				177,556				9.9	%
Purchased power			496,248				577,054				(80,806	)			(14.0	%)
Total available energy			2,475,955				2,379,205				96,750				4.1	%
Line losses and Company use			100,382				109,300				(8,918	)			(8.2	%)
Total			2,375,573				2,269,905				105,668				4.7	%
Palo Verde capacity factor			85.8	%			74.0	%			11.8	%
Four Corners capacity factor			83.3	%			87.0	%			(3.7	%)

 

Page 12 of 15

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El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Sales and Revenues Statistics

 

										Increase (Decrease)
		2010				2009				Amount				Percentage
MWh sales:
Retail:
Residential			2,508,834				2,361,650				147,184				6.2	%
Commercial and industrial, small			2,295,537				2,251,399				44,138				2.0	%
Commercial and industrial, large			1,087,413				1,024,186				63,227				6.2	%
Sales to public authorities			1,542,389				1,482,448				59,941				4.0	%
Total retail sales			7,434,173				7,119,683				314,490				4.4	%
Wholesale:
Sales for resale			53,637				56,931				(3,294	)			(5.8	%)
Off-system sales			2,822,732				2,995,984				(173,252	)			(5.8	%)
Total wholesale sales			2,876,369				3,052,915				(176,546	)			(5.8	%)
Total MWh sales			10,310,542				10,172,598				137,944				1.4	%
Operating revenues (in thousands):
Non-fuel base revenues:
Retail:
Residential		$	217,615			$	195,798			$	21,817				11.1	%
Commercial and industrial, small			188,390				175,328				13,062				7.5	%
Commercial and industrial, large			43,844				34,804				9,040				26.0	%
Sales to public authorities			86,460				77,370				9,090				11.7	%
Total retail base revenues			536,309				483,300				53,009				11.0	%
Wholesale:
Sales for resale			1,943				2,037				(94	)			(4.6	%)
Total base revenues			538,252				485,337				52,915				10.9	%
Fuel revenues:
Recovered from customers during the period (a)			170,588				196,081				(25,493	)			(13.0	%)
Under/(over) collection of fuel			(35,408	)			(66,608	)			31,200				(46.8	%)
New Mexico fuel in base revenues			71,876				69,026				2,850				4.1	%
Total fuel revenues			207,056				198,499				8,557				4.3	%
Off-system sales			105,317				116,064				(10,747	)			(9.3	%)
Other			26,626				28,096				(1,470	)			(5.2	%)
Total operating revenues		$	877,251			$	827,996			$	49,255				5.9	%
Off-system sales (in thousands):
Gross margins		$	11,801			$	14,399			$	(2,598	)			(18.0	%)
Retained margins			5,687				10,803				(5,116	)			(47.4	%)
Average number of retail customers:
Residential			331,869				326,002				5,867				1.8	%
Commercial and industrial, small			36,536				36,040				496				1.4	%
Commercial and industrial, large			49				49				—				—
Sales to public authorities			4,701				4,940				(239	)			(4.8	%)
Total			373,155				367,031				6,124				1.7	%
Number of retail customers (end of period):
Residential			334,729				328,553				6,176				1.9	%
Commercial and industrial, small			37,202				36,306				896				2.5	%
Commercial and industrial, large			50				48				2				4.2	%
Sales to public authorities			4,841				4,964				(123	)			(2.5	%)
Total			376,822				369,871				6,951				1.9	%

 

Weather statistics										10 Yr Average
Heating degree days			2,273				2,144				2,280
Cooling degree days			2,738				2,768				2,562

 

(a)	Excludes $34.8 million of refunds in 2010 and refunds net of surcharges of $0.5 million in 2009 related to prior periods Texas deferred fuel revenues.

 

Page 13 of 15

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El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Generation and Purchased Power Statistics

 

										Increase (Decrease)
		2010				2009				Amount				Percentage
Generation and purchased power (MWh):
Palo Verde			4,925,313				4,848,800				76,513				1.6	%
Four Corners			650,236				744,858				(94,622	)			(12.7	%)
Gas plants			2,890,110				2,385,632				504,478				21.1	%
Total generation			8,465,659				7,979,290				486,369				6.1	%
Purchased power			2,420,869				2,745,500				(324,631	)			(11.8	%)
Total available energy			10,886,528				10,724,790				161,738				1.5	%
Line losses and Company use			575,986				552,192				23,794				4.3	%
Total			10,310,542				10,172,598				137,944				1.4	%
Palo Verde capacity factor			90.4	%			88.9	%			1.5	%
Four Corners capacity factor			72.1	%			86.0	%			(13.9	%)

 

Page 14 of 15

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El Paso Electric Company and Subsidiary

Financial Statistics

At December 31, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares, book value per share, and ratios)

 

Balance Sheet		2010				2009
Cash and temporary investments		$	79,184			$	91,790
Common stock equity		$	810,375			$	722,729
Long-term debt, net of current portion			849,745				739,697
Financing obligations, net of current portion			—				65,278
Total capitalization		$	1,660,120			$	1,527,704
Current portion of long-term debt and financing obligations		$	4,704			$	41,720
Number of shares - end of period			42,571,065				43,924,872
Book value per common share		$	19.04			$	16.45
Common equity ratio			48.7	%			46.1	%
Debt ratio			51.3	%			53.9	%

 

Page 15 of 15