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8-K - FORM 8-K - PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC CO /OR/pge201111033rdqtr8kpressre.htm


Exhibit 99.1
 
Portland General Electric
One World Trade Center
121 SW Salmon Street
Portland, Oregon 97204

News Release
 
 
 
FOR RELEASE
 
 
5 a.m. EDT, November 3, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Media Contact:
 
Investor Contact:
Gail Baker
 
Bill Valach
Director, Corporate Communications
 
Director, Investor Relations
Phone: 503-464-8693
 
Phone: 503-464-7395

Portland General Electric Reports
Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results


Portland, Ore, November 3, 2011Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) today reported net income of $27 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2011, compared to $49 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of $22 million, or 45%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, net income was $118 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, compared to $100 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, an increase of $18 million, or 18%.

Retail revenues decreased $21 million, or 5%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010 resulting from an estimated collection from customers recorded in the third quarter of 2010 of $20 million related to the regulatory treatment of income taxes (SB 408), as well as an $18 million decrease related to certain regulatory items. Such items were offset by a $14 million or 4% increase in average retail prices primarily driven by the 2011 General Rate Case and the recovery of the Company’s Boardman coal plant over a shortened operating life, which became effective July 1, 2011. Additionally, retail energy deliveries increased $5 million or 1% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010 as the result of increased production by certain customers in the industrial sector, offset by the effects of customers’ energy efficiency efforts.

Purchased power and fuel expense decreased $21 million, or 10%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010 primarily from a 12% decrease in average variable power cost. Such decrease was driven by favorable hydro conditions in 2011, which resulted in an abundant supply of power from hydroelectric projects in the region and contributed to lower wholesale power prices. Energy received from hydroelectric resources increased 24% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010, and was 16% above normal, compared to 9% below normal in the third quarter of 2010. Lower-cost power purchased in the wholesale market and increased power provided by the Company’s hydro resources economically displaced a significant amount of PGE’s thermal generation. As a result, thermal generation represented 35% of PGE’s total system load in the third quarter of 2011, compared to 50% in the third quarter of 2010.

Retail revenues increased $26 million, or 2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily due to a 4% increase in retail energy deliveries resulting from cooler weather, increased production in the paper and technology sectors, and an overall increase in the number of customers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, purchased power and fuel expense decreased $68 million, or 11%, compared to the similar period of 2010 based on a 13% decrease in average variable power cost. The

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decrease in the average variable power cost was driven primarily by favorable hydro conditions in 2011, with hydroelectric energy received during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 exceeding the comparable period of 2010 by 26% and ‘normal’ by 17%. As of September 30, 2011, PGE has recorded an estimated refund to customers of $17 million pursuant to the Company’s power cost adjustment mechanism (PCAM), as actual net variable power costs were below baseline net variable power costs by approximately $36 million.

“We continued to see excellent operational performance in the third quarter, with strong reliability metrics and high generation plant availability combined with lower-than-expected power costs,” said Jim Piro, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Looking forward, we continue to put a special emphasis on improvements and sustainable cost efficiencies for the long term, while remaining focused on implementation of our resource plan, including acquisition of new power supply resources as well as ongoing planning and permitting of the Cascade Crossing transmission project.”

Recent Events

On October 5, 2011, the White House announced a coordinated interagency process to facilitate the permitting and construction of seven proposed electric transmission lines, including PGE’s proposed Cascade Crossing Transmission Project, a 210-mile, 500kV transmission system that would run from Boardman to Salem. This move is expected to give greater certainty to PGE’s proposed schedule, which calls for the project to be in service in late 2016 or early 2017. The project would help meet Oregon’s growing needs, enhance reliability of the regional grid, and provide connection to renewable and thermal generating resources east of the Cascades. It is expected to create hundreds of construction and operating jobs.

On September 27, 2011, the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC) issued an order that directed PGE to combine separate requests for proposals (RFPs) planned for capacity and energy resources into a single, combined RFP. The Company now anticipates issuing two RFPs, one for capacity and energy resources and one for renewable resources. These RFPs are expected to be issued in 2012 pursuant to PGE’s acknowledged 2009 Integrated Resource Plan.

On August 23, 2011, PGE, along with the Oregon Department of Transportation, broke ground on a 1.75 megawatt solar project, which is expected to generate up to 2 million kilowatt hours per year of renewable energy. The estimated cost of the solar highway project is $10 million, which is expected to go online in January 2012.

Third Quarter Operating Results

Total revenues decreased $25 million, or 5%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010, primarily due to a $21 million, or 5%, decrease in Retail revenues. The decrease in Retail revenues primarily resulted from the net effect of the following:

A $20 million decrease related to the regulatory treatment of income taxes (SB 408). Based on the rules in effect at the time, an estimated collection from customers of $20 million was recorded in the third quarter of 2010. Such estimated collection from customers was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2010 when it became evident that the rules of SB 408 were likely to change. In May 2011, statutes governing the annual adjustment of the regulatory treatment of income taxes were repealed effective for 2010 and thereafter;

A $14 million decrease related to the $8 million accrual of revenue requirements for Biglow Canyon under the 2010 Renewal Adjustment Clause and the $6 million reversal of a regulatory liability for customer refunds related to the 2005 Oregon Tax Kicker during the third quarter of 2010;

A $4 million decrease related to an estimated future refund to customers recorded in the third quarter of 2011 pursuant to the PCAM, while no amounts were recorded in 2010;

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A $14 million increase related to higher average retail prices resulting primarily from the 3.9% overall increase authorized in the Company’s 2011 General Rate Case, which became effective January 1, 2011, and an increase for the recovery of Boardman over a shortened operating life; and

A $5 million increase related to the volume of retail energy sold. During the third quarter of 2011, with energy deliveries to industrial and commercial customers combined increasing 2% compared to the third quarter of 2010 primarily resulting from increased demand by certain customers in the paper production sector, which was partially offset by a 2% decrease in average energy use per residential customer.

Purchased power and fuel expense decreased $21 million, or 10%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010, consisting of a 12% decrease in average variable power cost partially offset by a 2% increase in total system load. The average variable power cost decreased to $33.49 per MWh in the third quarter of 2011 from $38.12 per MWh in the third quarter of 2010. Energy received from hydro resources increased 24% from the third quarter of 2010 and was approximately 16% above normal in the third quarter of 2011, compared to 9% below normal in the third quarter of 2010.

Production and distribution expense increased $8 million, or 19%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. This increase was primarily driven by increased planned operating and maintenance expenses at PGE’s thermal generating plants and higher delivery system expenses.

Administrative and other expense increased $8 million, or 17%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010 largely due to higher employee benefits expenses and increased incentive compensation, related to an improvement in projected corporate financial performance for 2011, as well as an increase in legal fees.

Other income (expense), net was $(3) million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $7 million in the third quarter of 2010, primarily driven by a $4 million loss recorded in the third quarter of 2011 related to a decrease in the fair value of the non-qualified benefit plan trust assets, compared to a $3 million gain recorded in the third quarter of 2010.

2011 Earnings Guidance

PGE reaffirms 2011 earnings guidance, which is estimated to range from $1.90 to $2.05 per diluted share.

Third Quarter 2011 Earnings Call and Web cast — November 3, 2011

PGE will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors on Thursday, November 3, 2011, at 11 a.m. EDT. The conference call will be web cast live on the PGE website at www.PortlandGeneral.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 2 p.m. EDT on Thursday, November 3, 2011 through Thursday, November 10, 2011.

Jim Piro, President and CEO; Maria Pope, Senior Vice President, Finance, CFO, and Treasurer; and Bill Valach, Director, Investor Relations, will participate in the call. Management will respond to questions following formal comments.

The attached condensed consolidated statements of income, condensed consolidated balance sheets, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, as well as the supplemental operating statistics, are an integral part of this earnings release.

# # # # #


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About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric Company is a vertically integrated electric utility that serves approximately 825,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Portland/Salem metropolitan area of Oregon. The Company’s headquarters are located at 121 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 97204. Visit PGE’s website at www.PortlandGeneral.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this news release that relate to future plans, objectives, expectations, performance, events and the like may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding earnings guidance; statements regarding future load, hydro conditions, thermal plant operations, and operating and maintenance costs; statements concerning implementation of the Company’s Integrated Resource Plan, including requests for proposals issued pursuant to the IRP with respect to new energy resources; statements regarding the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceeding; as well as other statements containing words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “promises,” “expects,” “should,” “conditioned upon,” and similar expressions. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including reductions in demand for electricity and the sale of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices; operational risks relating to the Company’s generation facilities, including hydro conditions, wind conditions, disruption of fuel supply, and unscheduled plant outages, which may result in unanticipated operating, maintenance and repair costs, as well as replacement power costs; regulatory actions with respect to recovery of power costs and capital investments; the costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including those that govern emissions from thermal power plants; changes in weather, hydroelectric and energy market conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of purchased power and fuel; changes in capital market conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of capital and result in delay or cancellation of capital projects; unforeseen problems or delays in completing capital projects, resulting in the failure to complete such projects on schedule or within budget; the outcome of various legal and regulatory proceedings; and general economic and financial market conditions. As a result, actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof and such statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Prospective investors should also review the risks and uncertainties listed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s reports on Forms 8-K and 10-Q filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the risks described therein from time to time.
POR-F
Source: Portland General Electric Company


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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Revenues, net
$
439

 
$
464

 
$
1,334

 
$
1,328

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased power and fuel
182

 
203

 
545

 
613

Production and distribution
50

 
42

 
147

 
127

Administrative and other
55

 
47

 
158

 
140

Depreciation and amortization
59

 
59

 
170

 
173

Taxes other than income taxes
25

 
23

 
74

 
67

Total operating expenses
371

 
374

 
1,094

 
1,120

Income from operations
68

 
90

 
240

 
208

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
1

 
4

 
3

 
12

Miscellaneous income (expense), net
(4
)
 
3

 
(1
)
 
1

Other income (expense), net
(3
)
 
7

 
2

 
13

Interest expense
27

 
27

 
82

 
82

Income before income taxes
38

 
70

 
160

 
139

Income taxes
11

 
22

 
42

 
40

Net income
27

 
48

 
118

 
99

Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Net income attributable to Portland General Electric Company
$
27

 
$
49

 
$
118

 
$
100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
75,342

 
75,295

 
75,329

 
75,267

Diluted
75,358

 
75,311

 
75,345

 
75,282

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.36

 
$
0.65

 
$
1.57

 
$
1.32

Diluted
$
0.36

 
$
0.65

 
$
1.57

 
$
1.32

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.265

 
$
0.260

 
$
0.790

 
$
0.775

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 

 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
97

 
$
4

Accounts receivable, net
136

 
137

Unbilled revenues
72

 
93

Inventories
69

 
56

Margin deposits
83

 
83

Regulatory assets - current
208

 
221

Other current assets
75

 
67

Total current assets
740

 
661

Electric utility plant, net
4,255

 
4,133

Regulatory assets - noncurrent
481

 
544

Non-qualified benefit plan trust
36

 
44

Nuclear decommissioning trust
37

 
34

Other noncurrent assets
62

 
75

Total assets
$
5,611

 
$
5,491

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
172

 
$
169

Liabilities from price risk management activities - current
196

 
188

Short-term debt

 
19

Current portion of long-term debt

 
10

Regulatory liabilities - current
12

 
25

Other current liabilities
131

 
78

Total current liabilities
511

 
489

Long-term debt, net of current portion
1,798

 
1,798

Regulatory liabilities - noncurrent
712

 
657

Deferred income taxes
480

 
445

Liabilities from price risk management activities - noncurrent
147

 
188

Unfunded status of pension and postretirement plans
102

 
140

Non-qualified benefit plan liabilities
99

 
97

Other noncurrent liabilities
106

 
78

Total liabilities
3,955

 
3,892

Total equity
1,656

 
1,599

Total liabilities and equity
$
5,611

 
$
5,491






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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)


 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
118

 
$
99

Depreciation and amortization
170

 
173

Other non-cash items, net included in Net income
109

 
55

Changes in working capital
46

 
35

Contribution to pension plan and voluntary employees’ beneficiary association trust
(40
)
 
(30
)
Other, net
(4
)
 
(15
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
399

 
317

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(215
)
 
(384
)
Other, net
1

 
20

Net cash used in investing activities
(214
)
 
(364
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Net (payments) issuances of long-term debt, net of issuance costs
(10
)
 
61

Net (payments) issuances of short-term debt and commercial paper
(19
)
 
20

Dividends paid
(59
)
 
(58
)
Noncontrolling interests’ capital distributions
(4
)
 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(92
)
 
23

Change in cash and cash equivalents
93

 
(24
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
4

 
31

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
97

 
$
7

 
 
 
 




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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS
(Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Revenues (dollars in millions):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
184

 
$
176

 
$
635

 
$
578

Commercial
167

 
158

 
474

 
447

Industrial
59

 
57

 
168

 
161

Subtotal
410

 
391

 
1,277

 
1,186

Other accrued revenues
(4
)
 
36

 
(18
)
 
47

Total retail revenues
406

 
427

 
1,259

 
1,233

Wholesale revenues
24

 
27

 
49

 
69

Other operating revenues
9

 
10

 
26

 
26

Total revenues
$
439

 
$
464

 
$
1,334

 
$
1,328

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy sold and delivered (MWh in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail energy sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
1,598

 
1,626

 
5,604

 
5,357

Commercial
1,879

 
1,865

 
5,297

 
5,177

Industrial
931

 
865

 
2,667

 
2,395

Total retail energy sales
4,408

 
4,356

 
13,568

 
12,929

Delivery to direct access customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
91

 
85

 
263

 
251

Industrial
158

 
180

 
489

 
532

 
249

 
265

 
752

 
783

Total retail energy sales and deliveries
4,657

 
4,621

 
14,320

 
13,712

Wholesale energy deliveries
780

 
721

 
1,848

 
2,115

Total energy sold and delivered
5,437

 
5,342

 
16,168

 
15,827

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of retail customers at end of period:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
 
 
 
719,993

 
718,351

Commercial
 
 
 
 
104,341

 
103,590

Industrial
 
 
 
 
237

 
249

Direct access
 
 
 
 
246

 
217

Total retail customers
 
 
 
 
824,817

 
822,407



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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS, continued
(Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Sources of energy (MWh in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thermal:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coal
1,200

 
1,374

 
2,708

 
3,604

Natural gas
723

 
1,279

 
1,058

 
3,164

Total thermal
1,923

 
2,653

 
3,766

 
6,768

Hydro
345

 
338

 
1,524

 
1,355

Wind
379

 
301

 
1,025

 
662

Total generation
2,647

 
3,292

 
6,315

 
8,785

Purchased power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term
1,337

 
491

 
5,057

 
2,960

Hydro
766

 
558

 
2,489

 
1,824

Wind
95

 
84

 
203

 
234

Spot
617

 
911

 
2,200

 
2,127

Total purchased power
2,815

 
2,044

 
9,949

 
7,145

Total system load
5,462

 
5,336

 
16,264

 
15,930

Less: wholesale sales
(780
)
 
(721
)
 
(1,848
)
 
(2,115
)
Retail load requirement
4,682

 
4,615

 
14,416

 
13,815




 
Heating Degree-days
 
Cooling Degree-days
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
1st Quarter
1,974

 
1,629

 

 

Average
1,845

 
1,849

 

 

2nd Quarter
946

 
861

 
16

 
18

Average
698

 
684

 
69

 
73

3rd Quarter
51

 
117

 
346

 
296

Average
87

 
82

 
393

 
398

Year-to-date
2,971

 
2,607

 
362

 
314

Year-to-date average
2,630

 
2,615

 
462

 
471

Note: “Average” amounts represent the 15-year rolling averages provided by the National Weather Service (Portland Airport).

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