WEC 12.31.2013 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013
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Commission | Registrant; State of Incorporation | IRS Employer |
File Number | Address; and Telephone Number | Identification No. |
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001-09057 | WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION | 39-1391525 |
| (A Wisconsin Corporation) | |
| 231 West Michigan Street | |
| P.O. Box 1331 | |
| Milwaukee, WI 53201 | |
| (414) 221-2345 | |
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Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
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| Name of Each Exchange |
Title of Each Class | on Which Registered |
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Common Stock, $.01 Par Value | New York Stock Exchange |
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Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
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 [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this Chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in the definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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| Large accelerated filer [X] | | Accelerated filer [ ] |
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| Non-accelerated filer [ ] (Do not | | Smaller reporting company [ ] |
| check if a smaller reporting company) | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
The aggregate market value of the common stock of Wisconsin Energy Corporation held by non-affiliates was $9.3 billion based upon the reported closing price of such securities as of June 30, 2013.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date (January 31, 2014):
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Common Stock, $.01 Par Value, | | 225,946,296 shares outstanding |
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of Wisconsin Energy Corporation's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on May 2, 2014, are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
FORM 10-K REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
_______________________________________
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Item | Page |
PART I |
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PART II |
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| Note A | | |
| Note B | | |
| Note C | | |
| Note D | | |
| Note E | | |
| Note F | | |
| Note G | | |
| Note H | | |
| Note I | | |
| Note J | | |
| Note K | | |
| Note L | | |
| Note M | | |
| Note N | | |
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| 3 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS - (Cont'd) |
Item | Page |
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| Note O | | |
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| Note Q | | |
| Note R | | |
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PART III |
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PART IV |
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| 4 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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DEFINITION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND INDUSTRY TERMS |
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The abbreviations and terms set forth below are used throughout this report and have the meanings assigned to them below: |
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Primary Subsidiaries | | |
We Power | | W.E. Power, LLC |
Wisconsin Electric | | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Wisconsin Gas | | Wisconsin Gas LLC |
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Significant Assets | | |
MCPP | | Milwaukee County Power Plant |
OC 1 | | Oak Creek expansion Unit 1 |
OC 2 | | Oak Creek expansion Unit 2 |
PIPP | | Presque Isle Power Plant |
PSGS | | Paris Generating Station |
PWGS 1 | | Port Washington Generating Station Unit 1 |
PWGS 2 | | Port Washington Generating Station Unit 2 |
VAPP | | Valley Power Plant |
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Other Subsidiaries and Affiliates |
ATC | | American Transmission Company LLC |
DATC | | Duke-American Transmission Company |
ERGSS | | Elm Road Generating Station Supercritical, LLC |
WECC | | Wisconsin Energy Capital Corporation |
Wispark | | Wispark LLC |
Wisvest | | Wisvest LLC |
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Federal and State Regulatory Agencies |
DOE | | United States Department of Energy |
EPA | | United States Environmental Protection Agency |
FERC | | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
IRS | | Internal Revenue Service |
MDEQ | | Michigan Department of Environmental Quality |
MPSC | | Michigan Public Service Commission |
PSCW | | Public Service Commission of Wisconsin |
SEC | | Securities and Exchange Commission |
WDNR | | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
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Environmental Terms |
Act 141 | | 2005 Wisconsin Act 141 |
BART | | Best Available Retrofit Technology |
BTA | | Best Technology Available |
CAA | | Clean Air Act |
CAIR | | Clean Air Interstate Rule |
CO2 | | Carbon Dioxide |
CSAPR | | Cross-State Air Pollution Rule |
MATS | | Mercury and Air Toxics Standards |
NAAQS | | National Ambient Air Quality Standards |
NOV | | Notice of Violation |
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| 5 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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DEFINITION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND INDUSTRY TERMS |
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The abbreviations and terms set forth below are used throughout this report and have the meanings assigned to them below: |
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NOx | | Nitrogen Oxide |
PM2.5 | | Fine Particulate Matter |
RACT | | Reasonably Available Control Technology |
SIP | | State Implementation Plan |
SO2 | | Sulfur Dioxide |
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Other Terms and Abbreviations |
AQCS | | Air Quality Control System |
ARRs | | Auction Revenue Rights |
Bechtel | | Bechtel Power Corporation |
Compensation Committee | | Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors |
CPCN | | Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity |
ERISA | | Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 |
Exchange Act | | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
Fitch | | Fitch Ratings |
FTRs | | Financial Transmission Rights |
GCRM | | Gas Cost Recovery Mechanism |
Junior Notes | | Wisconsin Energy's 2007 Series A Junior Subordinated Notes due 2067 |
LMP | | Locational Marginal Price |
MISO | | Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. |
MISO Energy Markets | | MISO Energy and Operating Reserves Market |
Moody's | | Moody's Investor Service |
NYMEX | | New York Mercantile Exchange |
OTC | | Over-the-Counter |
Point Beach | | Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant |
PTF | | Power the Future |
PUHCA 2005 | | Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 |
RCC | | Replacement Capital Covenant dated May 11, 2007 |
RTO | | Regional Transmission Organization |
S&P | | Standard & Poor's Ratings Services |
SSR | | System Support Resource |
Treasury Grant | | Section 1603 Renewable Energy Treasury Grant |
WPL | | Wisconsin Power and Light Company, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corp. |
Wolverine | | Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. |
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Measurements | | |
Btu | | British Thermal Unit(s) |
Dth | | Dekatherm(s) (One Dth equals one million Btu) |
GWh | | Gigawatt-hour(s) (One GWh equals one thousand MWh) |
kW | | Kilowatt(s) (One kW equals one thousand Watts) |
kWh | | Kilowatt-hour(s) |
MW | | Megawatt(s) (One MW equals one million Watts) |
MWh | | Megawatt-hour(s) |
Watt | | A measure of power production or usage |
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| 6 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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DEFINITION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND INDUSTRY TERMS |
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The abbreviations and terms set forth below are used throughout this report and have the meanings assigned to them below: |
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Accounting Terms |
AFUDC | | Allowance for Funds Used During Construction |
ARO | | Asset Retirement Obligation |
ASU | | Accounting Standards Update |
CWIP | | Construction Work in Progress |
GAAP | | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles |
OPEB | | Other Post-Retirement Employee Benefits |
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| 7 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements contained in this report are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, completion of construction projects, retail sales and customer growth, rate actions and related filings with the appropriate regulatory authorities, current and proposed environmental regulations and other regulatory matters and related estimated expenditures, on-going legal proceedings, dividend payout ratios, projections related to the pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, fuel costs, sources of electric energy supply, coal and gas deliveries, remediation costs, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other matters. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goals," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "seeks," "should," "targets" or similar terms or variations of these terms.
Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements. In addition to the assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with these statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements or otherwise affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, among others, the following:
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• | Factors affecting utility operations such as catastrophic weather-related or terrorism-related damage; cyber-security threats and disruptions to our technology network; availability of electric generating facilities; unscheduled generation outages, or unplanned maintenance or repairs; unanticipated events causing scheduled generation outages to last longer than expected; unanticipated changes in fossil fuel, purchased power, coal supply, gas supply or water supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments; unanticipated changes in the cost or availability of materials needed to operate environmental controls at our electric generating facilities or replace and/or repair our electric and gas distribution systems; nonperformance by electric energy or natural gas suppliers under existing power purchase or gas supply contracts; environmental incidents; electric transmission or gas pipeline system constraints; unanticipated organizational structure or key personnel changes; or collective bargaining agreements with union employees or work stoppages. |
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• | Factors affecting the demand for electricity and natural gas, including weather and other natural phenomena; general economic conditions and, in particular, the economic climate in our service territories; customer growth and declines; customer business conditions, including demand for their products and services; energy conservation efforts; and customers moving to self-generation. |
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• | Timing, resolution and impact of rate cases and negotiations, including recovery of costs associated with environmental compliance, renewable generation, transmission service, distribution system upgrades, fuel and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) Energy Markets, as well as any costs incurred as a result of customers moving to an alternative electric supplier. |
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• | Increased competition in our electric and gas markets, including retail choice and alternative electric suppliers, and continued industry consolidation. |
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• | Our ability to mitigate the impact of Michigan customers switching to an alternative electric supplier, including the receipt of adequate System Support Resource (SSR) payments. |
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• | The ability to control costs and avoid construction delays during the development and construction of new electric generation facilities, as well as upgrades to our generation fleet and electric and natural gas distribution systems. |
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• | The impact of recent and future federal, state and local legislative and regulatory changes, including any changes in rate-setting policies or procedures; regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation and restructuring of the electric and/or gas utility industry; transmission or distribution system operation and/or administration |
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| 8 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
initiatives; any required changes in facilities or operations to reduce the risks or impacts of potential terrorist activities or cyber security threats; the regulatory approval process for new generation and transmission facilities and new pipeline construction; changes in environmental, federal and state energy, tax and other laws and regulations to which we are subject; changes in allocation of energy assistance, including state public benefits funds; changes in the application or enforcement of existing laws and regulations; and changes in the interpretation or enforcement of permit conditions by the permitting agencies.
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• | Restrictions imposed by various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances. |
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• | Current and future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries, including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) matters and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax audits and other tax matters. |
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• | Events in the global credit markets that may affect the availability and cost of capital. |
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• | Other factors affecting our ability to access the capital markets, including general capital market conditions; our capitalization structure; market perceptions of the utility industry, us or any of our subsidiaries; and our credit ratings. |
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• | The investment performance of our pension and other post-retirement benefit trusts. |
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• | The financial performance of American Transmission Company LLC (ATC) and its corresponding contribution to our earnings, as well as the ability of ATC and the Duke-American Transmission Company (DATC) to obtain the required approvals for their transmission projects. |
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• | The impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and any related regulations. |
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• | The effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard setting bodies. |
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• | Advances in technology that result in competitive disadvantages and create the potential for impairment of existing assets. |
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• | Changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with whom we have contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading markets and fuel suppliers and transporters. |
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• | The ability to obtain and retain short- and long-term contracts with wholesale customers. |
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• | Potential strategic business opportunities, including acquisitions and/or dispositions of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or beneficial to us. |
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• | Incidents affecting the U.S. electric grid or operation of generating facilities. |
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• | The cyclical nature of property values that could affect our real estate investments. |
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• | Changes to the legislative or regulatory restrictions or caps on non-utility acquisitions, investments or projects, including the State of Wisconsin's public utility holding company law. |
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• | Foreign governmental, economic, political and currency risks. |
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• | Other factors discussed elsewhere in this report and that may be disclosed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings or in other publicly disseminated written documents. |
We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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| 9 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
PART I
INTRODUCTION
Wisconsin Energy Corporation was incorporated in the state of Wisconsin in 1981 and became a diversified holding company in 1986. We maintain our principal executive offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Unless qualified by their context when used in this document, the terms Wisconsin Energy, the Company, our, us or we refer to the holding company and all of its subsidiaries.
We conduct our operations primarily in two reportable segments: a utility energy segment and a non-utility energy segment. Our primary subsidiaries are Wisconsin Electric Power Company (Wisconsin Electric), Wisconsin Gas LLC (Wisconsin Gas) and W.E. Power, LLC (We Power).
Utility Energy Segment: Our utility energy segment consists of Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas, operating together under the trade name of "We Energies." We Energies serves approximately 1,128,300 electric customers in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We Energies serves approximately 1,079,800 gas customers in Wisconsin and approximately 445 steam customers in metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Non-Utility Energy Segment: Our non-utility energy segment consists primarily of We Power, which owns and leases to Wisconsin Electric generation plants constructed as part of our Power the Future (PTF) strategy. All four of the plants constructed as part of PTF have been placed in service. Port Washington Generating Station Unit 1 (PWGS 1) and Port Washington Generating Station Unit 2 (PWGS 2) are being leased to Wisconsin Electric under long-term leases that run for 25 years. Oak Creek expansion Unit 1 (OC 1) and Oak Creek expansion Unit 2 (OC 2) are being leased to Wisconsin Electric under long-term leases that run for 30 years.
For further financial information about our business segments, see Results of Operations in Item 7 and Note O -- Segment Reporting in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
Our annual and periodical filings with the SEC are available, free of charge, through our Internet website www.wisconsinenergy.com. These documents are available as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are filed (or furnished) with the SEC.
UTILITY ENERGY SEGMENT
ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS
Our electric utility operations consist of the electric operations of Wisconsin Electric. Wisconsin Electric, which is the largest electric utility in the state of Wisconsin, generates and distributes electric energy in a territory that includes southeastern (including the metropolitan Milwaukee area), east central and northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Wisconsin Electric participates in the MISO Energy Markets. The competitiveness of our generation offered in the MISO Energy Markets affects how our generating units are dispatched and how we buy and sell power. For further information, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.
Electric Sales
Our electric energy sales to all classes of customers, including distribution sales to those customers who switched to an alternative electric supplier, totaled approximately 33.0 million MWh during 2013 and approximately 30.3 million MWh during 2012. We had approximately 1,128,300 electric customers as of December 31, 2013 and 1,125,700 electric customers as of December 31, 2012.
Wisconsin Electric is authorized to provide retail electric service in designated territories in the state of Wisconsin, as established by indeterminate permits, Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCNs) or boundary
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| 10 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
agreements with other utilities, and in certain territories in the state of Michigan pursuant to franchises granted by municipalities. Wisconsin Electric also sells wholesale electric power within the MISO Energy Markets.
Electric Sales Growth: Our service territory experienced slightly declining retail sales in 2013 as positive customer growth was more than offset by reduced use per customer. Assuming continuing improvement in the economy over the five-year forecast horizon, we presently anticipate that total retail electric kWh sales and the associated peak electric demand will grow at annual rates of about 0.5% over the next five years. These estimates assume normal weather.
Sales to Large Electric Retail Customers: We provide electric utility service to a diversified base of customers in such industries as paper, foundry, food products and machinery production, as well as to large retail chains.
Prior to September 2013, our largest retail electric customers were two iron ore mines located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The combined electric energy sales to the two mines accounted for 3.7% and 6.6% of our total electric utility energy sales during 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The two iron ore mines, which we served on an interruptible tariff rate, switched to an alternative electric supplier effective September 1, 2013. For additional information, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Industry Restructuring and Competition in Item 7.
Sales to Wholesale Customers: During 2013, we sold wholesale electric power to two Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), five rural cooperatives, and four municipal joint action agencies located in the states of Wisconsin and Michigan. Our wholesale electric energy sales were also made to eight other public utilities and power marketers throughout the region under rates approved by FERC. Wholesale sales accounted for approximately 19.7% of our total electric energy sales and 8.7% of total electric operating revenues during 2013, compared with 10.6% of total electric energy sales and 6.2% of total electric operating revenues during 2012.
Electric System Reliability Matters: Our electric sales are impacted by seasonal factors and varying weather conditions. We sell more electricity during the summer months because of the residential cooling load. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) has planning reserve requirements consistent with the MISO calculated planning reserve margin. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has not yet established guidelines in this area. In accordance with the MISO calculated planning reserve margin requirements, we had adequate capacity to meet MISO calculated planning reserve margin during 2013 and expect to have adequate capacity to meet the planning reserve margin requirements during 2014. For additional information, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.
Competition
Retail electric customers in Wisconsin currently do not have the ability to choose their electric supplier. It is uncertain when, if ever, retail access might be implemented in Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin Electric attempts to attract new customers into our service territory to increase sales in order to allocate the recovery of our costs among a larger customer base. The regulated energy industry continues to experience significant structural changes, which could eventually lead to increased competition in Wisconsin.
Michigan has adopted retail choice which allows customers to remain with their regulated utility at regulated rates or choose an alternative electric supplier to provide power supply service. We continue providing distribution and customer service functions regardless of the customer's power supplier. See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Industry Restructuring and Competition - Restructuring in Michigan, for a discussion of the impact of customers switching to an alternative electric supplier in Michigan on our electric sales.
We compete with other utilities for sales to municipalities and cooperatives. We also compete with other utilities and marketers in the wholesale electric business. Our wholesale sales are impacted by availability, wholesale electric prices, market conditions and fuel costs.
Electric Supply
Our electric supply strategy is to provide our customers with energy from plants using a diverse fuel mix that is expected to maintain a stable, reliable and affordable supply of electricity. We supply a significant amount of
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| 11 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
electricity to our customers from power plants that we own. We supplement our internally generated power supply with long-term power purchase agreements, including the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant (Point Beach) power purchase agreement discussed later in this report and through spot purchases in the MISO Energy Markets.
Our dependable capability by fuel type as of December 31 is shown below:
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| Dependable Capability in MW (a) |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Coal | 3,822 |
| | 3,828 |
| | 3,904 |
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Natural Gas - Combined Cycle | 1,082 |
| | 1,090 |
| | 1,090 |
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Natural Gas/Oil - Peaking Units (b) | 962 |
| | 962 |
| | 967 |
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Renewables (c) | 155 |
| | 107 |
| | 80 |
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Total | 6,021 |
| | 5,987 |
| | 6,041 |
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(a) | Dependable capability is the net power output under average operating conditions with equipment in an average state of repair as of a given month in a given year. We are a summer peaking electric utility. The values were established by tests and may change slightly from year to year. |
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(b) | The dual-fueled facilities generally burn oil only if natural gas is not available due to constraints on the natural gas pipeline and/or at the local gas distribution company that delivers gas to the plants. |
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(c) | Includes hydroelectric, biomass and wind generation. |
The table below indicates our sources of electric energy supply as a percentage of sales for the three years ended December 31, 2013, as well as an estimate for 2014:
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| Estimate | | Actual |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Coal | 56.0 | % | | 53.6 | % | | 43.0 | % | | 54.2 | % |
Natural Gas - Combined Cycle | 6.6 | % | | 10.1 | % | | 15.9 | % | | 6.6 | % |
Renewables | 4.1 | % | | 3.3 | % | | 3.0 | % | | 2.0 | % |
Natural Gas/Oil-Peaking Units | 0.1 | % | | 0.2 | % | | 0.7 | % | | 0.1 | % |
Net Generation | 66.8 | % | | 67.2 | % | | 62.6 | % | | 62.9 | % |
Purchased Power | 33.2 | % | | 32.8 | % | | 37.4 | % | | 37.1 | % |
Total | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
Our average fuel and purchased power costs per MWh by fuel type for the years ended December 31 are shown below:
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| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Coal | $ | 27.97 |
| | $ | 30.71 |
| | $ | 29.78 |
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Natural Gas - Combined Cycle | $ | 32.22 |
| | $ | 23.62 |
| | $ | 38.02 |
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Natural Gas/Oil - Peaking Units | $ | 83.95 |
| | $ | 53.40 |
| | $ | 119.83 |
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Purchased Power | $ | 43.74 |
| | $ | 41.92 |
| | $ | 42.79 |
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Historically, coal has been purchased under long-term contracts, which helped with price stability. Coal and associated transportation services have continued to see volatility in pricing due to changing domestic and world-wide demand for coal and the impacts of diesel costs which are incorporated into fuel surcharges on rail transportation.
Natural gas costs have been volatile. We have a PSCW-approved hedging program to help manage our natural gas price risk. This hedging program is generally implemented on a 36-month forward-looking basis. Proceeds related to the natural gas hedging program are reflected in the average costs of natural gas and purchased power shown above.
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| 12 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Coal-Fired Generation
Coal Supply: We diversify the coal supply for our power plants by purchasing coal from mines in Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Montana, as well as from various other states. During 2014, 94% of our projected coal requirements of 10.8 million tons are under contracts which are not tied to 2014 market pricing fluctuations. At the end of 2013, our coal-fired generation consisted of six operating plants with a dependable capability of approximately 3,822 MW.
The annual tonnage amounts contracted for 2014 through 2016 are as follows:
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Year | | Annual Tonnage |
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2014 | | 10,157 |
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2015 | | 7,180 |
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2016 | | 3,920 |
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These figures exclude the Oak Creek expansion projected coal requirements and allocated commitments of the plant's co-owners.
Coal Deliveries: Approximately 98% of our 2014 coal requirements are expected to be delivered by Wisconsin Electric-owned or leased unit trains. The unit trains will transport coal for the Oak Creek and Pleasant Prairie Power Plants from Wyoming mines, and transport coal for the Oak Creek expansion units from Pennsylvania and Wyoming. Coal from a Montana mine is also transported via rail to Lake Michigan transfer docks and delivered by lake vessel to the Milwaukee harbor for Milwaukee-based power plants. Montana and Wyoming coal for the Presque Isle Power Plant (PIPP) is transported via rail to Superior, Wisconsin, placed in dock storage and reloaded into lake vessels for plant delivery.
Certain of our coal transportation contracts contain fuel cost adjustments that are tied to changes in diesel fuel and crude oil prices. Currently, diesel fuel contracts are not actively traded; therefore, we use financial heating oil contracts to mitigate risk related to diesel fuel prices. We have a PSCW-approved hedging program that allows us to hedge up to 75% of our potential risks related to fuel surcharge exposure. The costs of this program are included in our fuel and purchased power costs.
Wolverine Joint Ownership Agreement: In November 2012, we entered into a joint ownership agreement with Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. (Wolverine) regarding PIPP, whereby Wolverine would pay for the installation of the air quality control systems at PIPP and receive a minority undivided ownership interest in the plant in return.
However, in light of the recent loss of retail electric customers in Michigan due to that state's alternative electric supplier program (see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Industry Restructuring and Competition -- Restructuring in Michigan in Item 7), the two parties decided to terminate the joint venture agreement in December 2013. We are currently evaluating options for the long-term future of PIPP.
Environmental Matters: For information regarding emission restrictions, especially as they relate to coal-fired generating facilities, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Environmental Matters in Item 7.
Natural Gas-Fired Generation
Our natural gas-fired generation consists of four operating plants with a dependable capability of approximately 1,864 MW as of December 31, 2013.
We purchase natural gas for these plants on the spot market from gas marketers, utilities and producers and we arrange for transportation of the natural gas to our plants. We have firm and interruptible transportation, as well as balancing and storage agreements intended to support the plants' variable usage.
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| 13 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
We have a PSCW-approved hedging program that allows us to hedge up to 65% of our estimated gas usage for electric generation in order to help manage our natural gas price risk. The costs of this program are included in our fuel and purchased power costs.
Oil-Fired Generation
Fuel oil is used for the combustion turbines at the Germantown Power Plant units 1-4, boiler ignition and flame stabilization at PIPP, and diesel engines at the Pleasant Prairie Power Plant and Valley Power Plant (VAPP). Our oil-fired generation had a dependable capability of approximately 180 MW as of December 31, 2013. Our natural gas-fired peaking units have the ability to burn oil if natural gas is not available due to delivery constraints. Fuel oil requirements are purchased under agreements with suppliers.
Renewable Generation
Hydroelectric: Wisconsin Electric's hydroelectric generating system consists of 13 operating plants with a total installed capacity of approximately 88 MW and a dependable capability of approximately 39 MW as of December 31, 2013. Of these plants, 12 plants (86 MW of installed capacity) have long-term licenses from FERC. The other plant, with an installed generating capacity of approximately 2 MW, is operated under a permit granted by another federal agency.
Wind: We have four wind sites, consisting of 200 turbines with an installed capacity of 338 MW and a dependable capability of 66 MW.
Biomass: We constructed a biomass-fueled power plant at Domtar Corporation's Rothschild, Wisconsin paper mill site that went into commercial operation on November 8, 2013. Wood waste and wood shavings are used to produce approximately 50 MW of renewable electricity and also support Domtar's sustainable papermaking operations. The final cost of completing this project was $269.0 million, excluding Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC).
Power Purchase Commitments
We enter into short and long-term power purchase commitments to meet a portion of our anticipated electric energy supply needs. The following table identifies our power purchase commitments as of December 31, 2013 with unaffiliated parties for the next five years:
|
| | |
Year | | MW |
| | |
2014 | | 1,267 |
2015 | | 1,267 |
2016 | | 1,267 |
2017 | | 1,267 |
2018 | | 1,267 |
The above commitments include approximately 1,030 MW per year related to the Point Beach long-term power purchase agreement. The balance of these purchased power commitments is an arrangement where we buy power at a price determined monthly based on a formula tied to the gas price index.
Electric Transmission and Energy Markets
American Transmission Company: ATC is a regional transmission company that owns, maintains, monitors and operates electric transmission systems in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. ATC is expected to provide comparable service to all customers, including Wisconsin Electric, and to support effective competition in energy markets without favoring any market participant. ATC is regulated by FERC for all rate terms and conditions of service and is a transmission-owning member of MISO. MISO maintains operational control of ATC's transmission system, and Wisconsin Electric is a non-transmission owning member and customer of MISO. We owned
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| 14 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
approximately 26.2% of ATC as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. For additional information, see Note P -- Related Parties in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In April 2011, ATC and Duke Energy announced the creation of a joint venture, Duke-American Transmission Company, that will build, own and operate new electric transmission infrastructure in North America to address increasing demand for affordable, reliable transmission capacity. DATC has proposed nine new transmission lines, located in five Midwestern states, to support MISO's and PJM Interconnection's transmission expansion plans. These projects are subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals. In addition, in April 2013, DATC acquired a 72% interest in California's Path 15 transmission line.
MISO: In connection with its status as a FERC approved RTO, MISO developed bid-based energy markets. In January 2009, MISO commenced the Energy and Operating Reserves Markets, which includes the bid-based energy markets and the ancillary services market. In 2013, MISO expanded its footprint to include entities in Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas and Missouri. This new region is referred to as MISO South. We are participants in the Central region. We do not expect these changes to have a material impact on our allocation of MISO costs. For further information on MISO and the MISO Energy Markets, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Industry Restructuring and Competition - Electric Transmission, Capacity and Energy Markets in Item 7.
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| 15 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Electric Utility Operating Statistics
The following table shows certain electric utility operating statistics for the past five years:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATING DATA |
| | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31 | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Operating Revenues (Millions) | | | | | | | | | |
Residential | $ | 1,208.6 |
| | $ | 1,163.9 |
| | $ | 1,159.2 |
| | $ | 1,114.3 |
| | $ | 977.6 |
|
Small Commercial/Industrial | 1,048.0 |
| | 1,013.6 |
| | 1,006.9 |
| | 922.2 |
| | 860.3 |
|
Large Commercial/Industrial | 711.9 |
| | 744.3 |
| | 763.7 |
| | 677.1 |
| | 599.4 |
|
Other - Retail | 23.4 |
| | 22.8 |
| | 22.9 |
| | 21.9 |
| | 21.2 |
|
Total Retail Revenues | 2,991.9 |
| | 2,944.6 |
| | 2,952.7 |
| | 2,735.5 |
| | 2,458.5 |
|
Wholesale - Other | 143.7 |
| | 144.4 |
| | 154.0 |
| | 134.6 |
| | 116.7 |
|
Resale - Utilities | 143.2 |
| | 53.4 |
| | 69.5 |
| | 40.4 |
| | 47.5 |
|
Other Operating Revenues | 28.4 |
| | 51.5 |
| | 35.1 |
| | 25.8 |
| | 62.3 |
|
Total | 3,307.2 |
| | 3,193.9 |
| | 3,211.3 |
| | 2,936.3 |
| | 2,685.0 |
|
Electric Customer Choice (a) | 1.5 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total Operating Revenues, including customer choice | $ | 3,308.7 |
| | $ | 3,193.9 |
| | $ | 3,211.3 |
| | $ | 2,936.3 |
| | $ | 2,685.0 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
MWh Sales (Thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Residential | 8,141.9 |
| | 8,317.7 |
| | 8,278.5 |
| | 8,426.3 |
| | 7,949.3 |
|
Small Commercial/Industrial | 8,860.4 |
| | 8,860.0 |
| | 8,795.8 |
| | 8,823.3 |
| | 8,571.6 |
|
Large Commercial/Industrial | 8,673.4 |
| | 9,710.7 |
| | 9,992.2 |
| | 9,961.5 |
| | 9,140.3 |
|
Other - Retail | 152.3 |
| | 154.8 |
| | 153.6 |
| | 155.3 |
| | 156.5 |
|
Total Retail Sales | 25,828.0 |
| | 27,043.2 |
| | 27,220.1 |
| | 27,366.4 |
| | 25,817.7 |
|
Wholesale - Other | 1,953.5 |
| | 1,566.6 |
| | 2,024.8 |
| | 2,004.6 |
| | 1,529.4 |
|
Resale - Utilities | 4,382.7 |
| | 1,642.4 |
| | 2,065.7 |
| | 1,103.8 |
| | 1,548.9 |
|
Total Electric Sales | 32,164.2 |
| | 30,252.2 |
| | 31,310.6 |
| | 30,474.8 |
| | 28,896.0 |
|
Electric Customer Choice (a) | 813.0 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total MWh Delivered | 32,977.2 |
| | 30,252.2 |
| | 31,310.6 |
| | 30,474.8 |
| | 28,896.0 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Customers - End of Year (Thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Residential | 1,010.5 |
| | 1,008.2 |
| | 1,005.5 |
| | 1,003.6 |
| | 1,001.2 |
|
Small Commercial/Industrial | 114.6 |
| | 114.3 |
| | 113.8 |
| | 113.5 |
| | 113.1 |
|
Large Commercial/Industrial | 0.7 |
| | 0.7 |
| | 0.7 |
| | 0.7 |
| | 0.7 |
|
Other | 2.5 |
| | 2.5 |
| | 2.5 |
| | 2.4 |
| | 2.4 |
|
Total Customers | 1,128.3 |
| | 1,125.7 |
| | 1,122.5 |
| | 1,120.2 |
| | 1,117.4 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Customers - Average (Thousands) | 1,126.9 |
| | 1,123.8 |
| | 1,121.0 |
| | 1,118.7 |
| | 1,115.5 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Degree Days (b) | | | | | | | | | |
Heating (6,580 Normal) | 7,233 |
| | 5,704 |
| | 6,633 |
| | 6,183 |
| | 6,825 |
|
Cooling (730 Normal) | 688 |
| | 1,041 |
| | 793 |
| | 944 |
| | 475 |
|
| |
(a) | Represents distribution sales for customers who have purchased power from an alternative electric supplier in Michigan. |
| |
(b) | As measured at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Normal degree days are based upon a 20-year moving average. |
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| 16 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
GAS UTILITY OPERATIONS
Our gas utility operations consist of Wisconsin Gas and the gas operations of Wisconsin Electric, both operating under the trade name of "We Energies." We are authorized to provide retail gas distribution service in designated territories in the state of Wisconsin, as established by indeterminate permits, CPCNs, or boundary agreements with other utilities. We also transport customer-owned gas. We are the largest natural gas distribution utility in Wisconsin, and we operate throughout the state, including the City of Milwaukee, west and south of the City of Milwaukee, the Appleton area and large areas of both central and western Wisconsin.
Gas Deliveries
Our gas utility business is highly seasonal due to the heating requirements of residential and commercial customers, and annual gas sales are impacted by the variability of winter temperatures.
Total gas therms delivered, including customer-owned transported gas, were approximately 2,442.8 million therms during 2013, a 9.9% increase compared with 2012. As of December 31, 2013, we were transporting gas for approximately 1,700 customers who purchased gas directly from other suppliers. Transported gas accounted for approximately 43.1% of the total volumes delivered during 2013, 51.3% during 2012 and 41.8% during 2011. We had approximately 1,079,800 and 1,074,000 gas customers as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our peak daily send-out during 2013 was 1,701,421 Dth on January 21, 2013.
Sales to Large Gas Customers: We provide gas utility service to a diversified base of industrial customers who are largely within our electric service territory. Major industries served include paper, food products and fabricated metal products. Fuel used for Wisconsin Electric's electric generation represents our largest transportation customer. Gas therms delivered to Wisconsin Electric for electric generation represents 10.4%, 17.2% and 8.3% of the total volumes delivered during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Gas Deliveries Growth: We currently forecast total retail therm deliveries (excluding natural gas deliveries for generation) to be between flat and 0.5% growth over the five-year period ending December 31, 2018, as we expect new customer additions to increase and offset an anticipated slight decline in average use per customer. This forecast reflects a current year weather normalized sales level and normal weather.
Western Gas Lateral: We are projecting the need for additional capacity for our natural gas distribution network in the western part of Wisconsin to address reliability and meet customer demand. We filed an application with the PSCW seeking approval to construct a new natural gas lateral on March 28, 2013. The anticipated cost of the initial phase of this project is approximately $150 million to $170 million, excluding AFUDC.
Competition
Competition in varying degrees exists between natural gas and other forms of energy available to consumers. A number of our large commercial and industrial customers are dual-fuel customers that are equipped to switch between natural gas and alternate fuels. We are allowed to offer lower-priced gas sales and transportation services to dual-fuel customers. Under gas transportation agreements, customers purchase gas directly from gas marketers and arrange with interstate pipelines and us to have the gas transported to their facilities. We earn substantially the same margin (difference between revenue and cost of gas) whether we sell and transport gas to customers or only transport their gas.
Our ability to maintain our share of the industrial dual-fuel market depends on our success and the success of third-party gas marketers in obtaining long-term and short-term supplies of natural gas at competitive prices compared to other sources and in arranging or facilitating competitively-priced transportation service for those customers that desire to buy their own gas supplies.
Federal and state regulators continue to implement policies to bring more competition to the gas industry. While the gas utility distribution function is expected to remain a highly regulated, monopoly function, the sale of the natural gas commodity and related services are expected to remain subject to competition from third parties. It remains uncertain if and when the current economic disincentives for small firm customers to choose an alternative gas commodity supplier may be removed such that we begin to face competition for the sale of gas to those customers.
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| 17 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Gas Supply, Pipeline Capacity and Storage
We have been able to meet our contractual obligations with both our suppliers and our customers.
Pipeline Capacity and Storage: The interstate pipelines serving Wisconsin originate in major gas producing areas of North America: the Oklahoma and Texas basins, the Gulf of Mexico, western Canada and the Rocky Mountains. We have contracted for long-term firm capacity from a number of these sources. This strategy reflects management's belief that overall supply security is enhanced by geographic diversification of the supply portfolio.
Due to the daily and seasonal variations in gas usage in Wisconsin, we have also contracted for substantial underground storage capacity, primarily in Michigan. We target storage levels at approximately 35% of forecasted winter demand. Storage capacity, along with our gas purchase contracts, enables us to manage significant changes in daily demand and to optimize our overall gas supply and capacity costs. We generally inject gas into storage during the spring and summer months when demand is lower and withdraw it in the winter months. As a result, we can contract for less long-line pipeline capacity during periods of peak usage than would otherwise be necessary and can purchase gas on a more uniform daily basis from suppliers year-round. Each of these capabilities enables us to reduce our overall costs.
We hold firm daily transportation and storage capacity entitlements from pipelines and other service providers under long-term contracts.
Term Gas Supply: We have contracts for firm supplies with terms in excess of 30 days with suppliers for gas acquired in the Chicago, Illinois market hub and in the producing areas discussed above. The pricing of the term contracts is based upon first of the month indices. Combined with our storage capability, management believes that the volume of gas under contract is sufficient to meet our forecasted firm peak-day demand.
Secondary Market Transactions: Pipeline long-line and storage capacity and gas supplies under contract can be resold in secondary markets. Local distribution companies, like Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas, must contract for capacity and supply sufficient to meet the firm peak-day demand of their customers. Peak or near peak demand days generally occur only a few times each year. The secondary markets facilitate higher utilization of contracted capacity and supply during those times when the full contracted capacity and supply are not needed by the utility, helping to mitigate the fixed costs associated with maintaining peak levels of capacity and gas supply. Through pre-arranged agreements and day-to-day electronic bulletin board postings, interested parties can purchase this excess capacity and supply. The proceeds from these transactions are passed through to rate payers, subject to the Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas approved Gas Cost Recovery Mechanisms (GCRMs). During 2013, we continued to participate in the secondary markets. See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters in Item 7 for information on the GCRMs.
Spot Market Gas Supply: We expect to continue to make gas purchases in the 30-day spot market as price and other circumstances dictate. We have supply relationships with a number of sellers from whom we purchase spot gas.
Hedging Gas Supply Prices: We have PSCW approval to hedge (i) up to 60% of planned winter and (ii) up to 30% of planned summer flowing gas supply using a mix of New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) based natural gas options and natural gas future contracts. Those approvals allow both Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas to pass 100% of the hedging costs (premiums and brokerage fees) and proceeds (gains and losses) to rate payers through their respective GCRMs. Hedge targets (volumes) are provided annually to the PSCW as part of each company's three-year gas supply plan and risk management filing.
To the extent that opportunities develop and physical supply operating plans are supportive, we also have PSCW approval to utilize NYMEX based natural gas derivatives to capture favorable forward market price differentials. That approval provides for 100% of the related proceeds to accrue to our GCRMs.
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| 18 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Gas Utility Operating Statistics
The following table shows certain gas utility operating statistics for the past five years:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED GAS UTILITY OPERATING DATA |
| | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31 | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Operating Revenues (Millions) | | | | | | | | | |
Residential | $ | 712.6 |
| | $ | 612.0 |
| | $ | 737.4 |
| | $ | 754.2 |
| | $ | 856.6 |
|
Commercial/Industrial | 347.2 |
| | 289.7 |
| | 369.9 |
| | 373.1 |
| | 442.9 |
|
Interruptible | 8.9 |
| | 7.3 |
| | 9.4 |
| | 11.8 |
| | 11.9 |
|
Total Retail Gas Sales | 1,068.7 |
| | 909.0 |
| | 1,116.7 |
| | 1,139.1 |
| | 1,311.4 |
|
Transported Gas | 50.8 |
| | 49.4 |
| | 49.2 |
| | 48.0 |
| | 44.8 |
|
Other Operating Revenues | (5.8 | ) | | 4.2 |
| | 15.3 |
| | 3.1 |
| | 11.7 |
|
Total Operating Revenues | $ | 1,113.7 |
| | $ | 962.6 |
| | $ | 1,181.2 |
| | $ | 1,190.2 |
| | $ | 1,367.9 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Therms Delivered (Millions) | | | | | | | | | |
Residential | 872.0 |
| | 676.4 |
| | 776.8 |
| | 741.2 |
| | 803.4 |
|
Commercial/Industrial | 499.9 |
| | 390.6 |
| | 461.7 |
| | 429.6 |
| | 479.4 |
|
Interruptible | 18.1 |
| | 14.6 |
| | 16.0 |
| | 19.4 |
| | 19.1 |
|
Total Retail Gas Sales | 1,390.0 |
| | 1,081.6 |
| | 1,254.5 |
| | 1,190.2 |
| | 1,301.9 |
|
Transported Gas | 1,052.8 |
| | 1,140.4 |
| | 899.6 |
| | 914.9 |
| | 882.0 |
|
Total Therms Delivered | 2,442.8 |
| | 2,222.0 |
| | 2,154.1 |
| | 2,105.1 |
| | 2,183.9 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Customers - End of Year (Thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Residential | 985.7 |
| | 980.3 |
| | 975.2 |
| | 971.7 |
| | 967.7 |
|
Commercial/Industrial | 92.3 |
| | 92.0 |
| | 91.5 |
| | 91.3 |
| | 91.1 |
|
Interruptible | 0.1 |
| | 0.1 |
| | 0.1 |
| | 0.1 |
| | 0.1 |
|
Transported Gas | 1.7 |
| | 1.6 |
| | 1.4 |
| | 1.4 |
| | 1.3 |
|
Total Customers | 1,079.8 |
| | 1,074.0 |
| | 1,068.2 |
| | 1,064.5 |
| | 1,060.2 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Customers - Average (Thousands) | 1,074.9 |
| | 1,068.9 |
| | 1,064.1 |
| | 1,060.2 |
| | 1,055.6 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Degree Days (a) | | | | | | | | | |
Heating (6,580 Normal) | 7,233 |
| | 5,704 |
| | 6,633 |
| | 6,183 |
| | 6,825 |
|
| |
(a) | As measured at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Normal degree days are based upon a 20-year moving average. |
OTHER UTILITY OPERATIONS
Steam Utility Operations: Our steam utility generates, distributes and sells steam supplied by our VAPP and Milwaukee County Power Plant. We operate a district steam system in downtown Milwaukee and the near south side of Milwaukee. Steam is supplied to this system from VAPP, a coal-fired cogeneration facility. We also operate the steam production and distribution facilities of the Milwaukee County Power Plant located on the Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Annual sales of steam fluctuate from year to year based upon system growth and variations in weather conditions. During 2013, the steam utility had $39.6 million of operating revenues from the sale of 2,750 million pounds of steam compared with $34.3 million of operating revenues from the sale of 2,449 million pounds of steam during 2012. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, steam was used by approximately 445 customers and 460 customers, respectively, for processing, space heating, domestic hot water and humidification.
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| 19 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
UTILITY RATE MATTERS
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters in Item 7.
NON-UTILITY ENERGY SEGMENT
Our non-utility energy segment consists primarily of generating plants constructed as part of our PTF strategy. As of December 31, 2013, our PTF assets represented virtually all of our non-utility energy segment assets.
We Power
We Power, through wholly owned subsidiaries, has designed and built approximately 2,320 MW of new generation in Wisconsin, which is being leased to Wisconsin Electric under long-term leases. This generation consists of approximately 1,230 MW of capacity from OC 1 and OC 2, and 1,090 MW of capacity from PWGS 1 and PWGS 2. PWGS 1 and PWGS 2 were placed in service in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively. OC 1 and OC 2 were placed in service in February 2010 and January 2011, respectively. In November 2005, two unaffiliated entities collectively purchased an ownership interest of approximately 17%, or 200 MW, in OC 1 and OC 2. Similar to the generating capacity at PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, We Power owns the remaining generating capacity at OC 1 and OC 2.
Our PTF strategy was designed to address Wisconsin Electric's electric supply needs by increasing the electric generating capacity in Wisconsin while allowing us to maintain a diversified fuel mix, by including both new coal-fired plants and natural-gas fired plants. Because of the significant investment necessary to construct these generating units, we constructed the plants under Wisconsin's Leased Generation Law, which became effective in August 2001 and allows a non-utility affiliate to construct an electric generating facility and lease it to the public utility. The law allows a public utility that has entered into a lease approved by the PSCW to recover fully in its retail electric rates that portion of any payments under the lease that the PSCW has allocated to the public utility's Wisconsin retail electric service, and all other costs that are prudently incurred in the public utility's operation and maintenance of the electric generating facility allocated to the utility's Wisconsin retail electric service. In addition, the PSCW may not modify or terminate a lease it has approved under the Leased Generation Law except as specifically provided in the lease or the PSCW's order approving the lease. This law effectively created regulatory certainty in light of the significant investment being made to construct the units. All four PTF units were constructed under leases approved by the PSCW. For additional background information on our PTF strategy, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Corporate Developments - Corporate Strategy - Power the Future Strategy and - Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Power the Future in Item 7 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
For further information about our PTF strategy, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Power the Future in Item 7.
Wisvest LLC
Wisvest was originally formed to develop, own and operate electric generating facilities and to invest in other energy-related entities. As a result of the change in corporate strategy to focus on our PTF strategy, Wisvest discontinued its development activity. As of December 31, 2013, Wisvest's sole operating asset and investment is Wisvest Thermal Energy Services, which provides chilled water services to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.
OTHER NON-UTILITY OPERATIONS
Wispark LLC and Bostco LLC
Wispark and Bostco develop and invest in real estate, and combined had $83.4 million in real estate holdings as of December 31, 2013. Wispark has developed several business parks and other commercial real estate projects, primarily in southeastern Wisconsin.
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| 20 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
REGULATION
Wisconsin Energy Corporation
Wisconsin Energy is a holding company, but is exempt from the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 (PUHCA 2005).
Non-Utility Asset Cap: Pursuant to the non-utility asset cap provisions of Wisconsin's public utility holding company law, the sum of certain assets of all non-utility affiliates in a holding company system may not exceed 25% of the assets of all public utility affiliates. However, among other items, the law exempts energy-related assets, including the generating plants constructed by We Power as part of our PTF strategy, from being counted against the asset cap provided that they are employed in qualifying businesses. As a result of these exemptions, our non-utility assets are significantly below the non-utility asset cap as of December 31, 2013.
Utility Energy Segment
Wisconsin Electric is a holding company because of its ownership interest in ATC, but is exempt from the requirements of PUHCA 2005.
Wisconsin Electric is subject to the Federal Power Act and the corresponding regulations developed by certain federal agencies. The Energy Policy Act amended the Federal Power Act in 2005 to, among other things, make electric utility industry consolidation more feasible, authorize FERC to review proposed mergers and the acquisition of generation facilities, change the FERC regulatory scheme applicable to qualifying cogeneration facilities and modify certain other aspects of energy regulations and Federal tax policies applicable to Wisconsin Electric. Additionally, the Energy Policy Act created an Electric Reliability Organization to be overseen by FERC, which established mandatory electric reliability standards and which has the authority to levy monetary sanctions for failure to comply with these standards.
Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas are subject to the regulation of the PSCW as to retail electric, gas and steam rates in the state of Wisconsin, standards of service, issuance of securities, construction of certain new facilities, transactions with affiliates, billing practices and various other matters. Wisconsin Electric is also subject to the regulation of the PSCW as to certain levels of short-term debt obligations. Wisconsin Electric is subject to the regulation of the MPSC as to the various matters associated with retail electric service in the state of Michigan, except as to the issuance of securities in the ordinary course of business, construction of certain new facilities, levels of short-term debt obligations and advance approval of transactions with affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Almost all of Wisconsin Electric's hydroelectric facilities are regulated by FERC. Wisconsin Electric is subject to the regulation of FERC with respect to wholesale power service, electric reliability requirements and accounting and with respect to our participation in the interstate natural gas pipeline capacity market. For information on how rates are set for our regulated entities, see Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters under Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.
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| 21 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
The following table compares our utility energy segment operating revenues by regulatory jurisdiction for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| Amount | | Percent | | Amount | | Percent | | Amount | | Percent |
| (Millions of Dollars) |
Electric | | | | | | | | | | | |
Wisconsin - Retail | $ | 2,874.8 |
| | 86.9 | % | | $ | 2,808.4 |
| | 87.9 | % | | $ | 2,775.8 |
| | 86.4 | % |
Michigan - Retail | 147.0 |
| | 4.4 | % | | 187.8 |
| | 5.9 | % | | 212.0 |
| | 6.6 | % |
FERC - Wholesale | 286.9 |
| | 8.7 | % | | 197.7 |
| | 6.2 | % | | 223.5 |
| | 7.0 | % |
Total | 3,308.7 |
| | 100.0 | % | | 3,193.9 |
| | 100.0 | % | | 3,211.3 |
| | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Gas - Wisconsin - Retail | 1,113.7 |
| | 100.0 | % | | 962.6 |
| | 100.0 | % | | 1,181.2 |
| | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Steam - Wisconsin - Retail | 39.6 |
| | 100.0 | % | | 34.3 |
| | 100.0 | % | | 39.0 |
| | 100.0 | % |
Total Utility Operating Revenues | $ | 4,462.0 |
| |
|
| | $ | 4,190.8 |
| |
|
| | $ | 4,431.5 |
| |
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The percentage of revenues regulated by the MPSC is likely to decline in the future.
The operations of Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas are also subject to regulations, where applicable, of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Public Benefits and Renewable Portfolio Standard
2005 Wisconsin Act 141 (Act 141) established a goal that 10% of electricity consumed in Wisconsin be generated by renewable resources by December 31, 2015. Under Act 141, we must meet certain minimum requirements for renewable energy generation. For the years 2010 through 2014, we must increase our percentage of total retail energy sales provided by renewable sources (renewable energy percentage) by at least two percentage points from our baseline renewable percentage of 2.27%. As of December 31, 2013, we are in compliance with the Wisconsin renewable energy percentage of 4.27%. Act 141 further requires that for the year 2015 and beyond, the renewable energy percentage must increase at least six percentage points above the baseline to a level of 8.27%. In addition, under this Act, 1.2% of utilities' annual operating revenues were required to be used to fund energy conservation programs in 2013. The funding required by Act 141 for 2014 is also 1.2% of annual operating revenues.
Public Act 295 enacted in Michigan requires 10% of the state's energy to come from renewables by 2015 and energy optimization (efficiency) targets up to 1% annually by 2015. We are currently in compliance with this requirement. Public Act 295 specifically calls for current recovery of costs incurred to meet the standards and provides for ongoing review and revision to assure the measures taken are cost-effective.
For additional information on Act 141 and our renewable portfolio, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters - Renewables, Efficiency and Conservation in Item 7.
Non-Utility Energy Segment
We Power was formed to design, construct, own and lease the new generating capacity in our PTF strategy. We Power owns the interests in the companies that constructed this new generating capacity (collectively, the We Power project companies). These facilities are being leased on a long-term basis to Wisconsin Electric. We Power received determinations from FERC that upon the transfer of the facilities by lease to Wisconsin Electric, the We Power project companies are not deemed public utilities under the Federal Power Act and thus are not subject to FERC's jurisdiction.
Environmental permits necessary for operating the facilities are the responsibility of the operating entity, Wisconsin Electric.
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| 22 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
Our operations are subject to extensive environmental regulations by state and federal environmental agencies governing air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste management, environmental remediation and management of natural resources. Costs associated with complying with these requirements are significant. Additional future environmental statutes and regulations or revisions to existing laws, including for example, additional regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, coal combustion products, air emissions or wastewater discharges, could significantly increase these environmental compliance costs.
Anticipated expenditures for environmental compliance and remediation issues for the next three years are included in estimated capital expenditures described in Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Capital Requirements in Item 7. For discussion of additional environmental issues, see Environmental Matters in Item 3. For further information concerning air and water quality standards and rulemaking initiated by the EPA, including estimated costs of compliance, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Environmental Matters in Item 7. For a discussion of matters related to certain solid waste and coal combustion product landfills, manufactured gas plant sites and air quality, see Note Q -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
Compliance with federal, state and local environmental protection requirements resulted in capital expenditures by Wisconsin Electric of approximately $24.7 million in 2013 compared with $64.1 million in 2012. Expenditures incurred during 2013 and 2012 primarily included costs associated with the installation of pollution abatement facilities at Wisconsin Electric's power plants. These expenditures are expected to be approximately $2.3 million during 2014. Operation, maintenance and depreciation expenses for fly ash removal equipment and other environmental protection systems were approximately $92.9 million and $82.6 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Coal Combustion Product Fills and Landfills
We currently have a program of beneficial utilization for substantially all of our coal combustion products, including fly ash, bottom ash and gypsum, which minimizes the need for disposal in specially-designed landfills. Some early designed and constructed coal combustion product landfills, which we used prior to developing this program, may allow the release of low levels of constituents resulting in the need for various levels of remediation. Where we have become aware of these conditions, efforts have been made to define the nature and extent of any release, and work has been performed to address these conditions. In addition, fill areas for coal ash were used prior to the introduction of landfill regulations. Sites currently undergoing review include the following:
Oak Creek Site Landfills: Groundwater near the sites, located in the Village of Caledonia and the City of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, was found to contain levels of molybdenum above the allowable limit prompting Wisconsin Electric to begin investigation in 2009 for the source of the molybdenum. Our study indicates that the groundwater impacts are naturally occurring or are from other sources based on groundwater flow direction and increasing concentrations of elements deeper in the ground. The WDNR began sampling work in 2011 to identify the source of the groundwater impacts and issued its report in 2013. The WDNR study found that the data was inconclusive as to the source causing the groundwater impacts. We reviewed the WDNR report and provided technical comments further supporting our position that regional ground water impacts are not a result of coal ash management activities at the Oak Creek site. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has since increased the allowable limit for molybdenum in groundwater, and the WDNR sent a letter to residents with private wells that exceeded the earlier limit with information about the change.
OTHER
Research and Development: We had immaterial research and development expenditures in the last three years, primarily for improvement of service and abatement of air and water pollution by our electric utility operations. Research and development activities include work done by employees, consultants and contractors, plus sponsorship of research by industry associations.
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| 23 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Employees: As of December 31, 2013, we had the following number of employees:
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| Total Employees | | Represented Employees |
Utility Energy Segment | | | |
Wisconsin Electric | 3,893 |
| | 2,517 |
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Wisconsin Gas | 407 |
| | 280 |
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Total | 4,300 |
| | 2,797 |
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Non-Utility Energy Segment | — |
| | — |
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Other | 3 |
| | — |
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Total Employees | 4,303 |
| | 2,797 |
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The employees represented under labor agreements were with the following bargaining units as of December 31, 2013:
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| Number of Employees | | Expiration Date of Current Labor Agreement |
Wisconsin Electric | | | |
Local 2150 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | 1,730 |
| | August 15, 2017 |
Local 420 of International Union of Operating Engineers | 539 |
| | September 30, 2017 |
Local 2006 Unit 1 of United Steel Workers | 142 |
| | April 30, 2017 |
Local 510 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | 106 |
| | October 31, 2016 |
Total Wisconsin Electric | 2,517 |
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Wisconsin Gas | | | |
Local 2150 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | 85 |
| | August 15, 2017 |
Local 2006 Unit 1 of United Steel Workers | 192 |
| | April 30, 2017 |
Local 2006 Unit 3 of United Steel Workers | 3 |
| | February 29, 2016 |
Total Wisconsin Gas | 280 |
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Total Represented Employees | 2,797 |
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| 24 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
We are subject to a variety of risks, many of which are beyond our control, that may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information included in this report and other documents filed by us with the SEC from time to time, when making an investment decision.
Risks Related to Legislation and Regulation
Our business is significantly impacted by governmental regulation.
We are subject to significant state, local and federal governmental regulation. We are subject to regulation by the PSCW of retail electric, gas and steam rates in the state of Wisconsin, standards of service, issuance of securities, short-term debt obligations, construction of certain new facilities, transactions with affiliates, billing practices and various other matters. In addition, we are subject to regulation by the MPSC of various matters associated with retail electric service in the state of Michigan, except the issuance of securities in the ordinary course of business, construction of certain new facilities, levels of short-term debt obligations and advance approval of transactions with affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Further, Wisconsin Electric's hydroelectric facilities are regulated by FERC, and FERC also regulates our wholesale power service practices, electric reliability requirements and accounting, and participation in the interstate natural gas pipeline capacity market. Our significant level of regulation imposes restrictions on our operations and causes us to incur substantial compliance costs.
We are obligated to comply in good faith with all applicable governmental rules and regulations. If it is determined that we failed to comply with any applicable rules or regulations, whether through new interpretations or applications of the regulations or otherwise, we may be liable for customer refunds, penalties and other amounts, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The rates we are allowed to charge our customers for electric, natural gas and steam services have the most significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Within our regulated energy segment, approximately 87% of our 2013 electric revenues were regulated by the PSCW, 4% were regulated by the MPSC and the balance of our electric revenues were regulated by the FERC. All of our natural gas and steam revenues are regulated by the PSCW. Rate regulation is based on providing an opportunity to recover prudently incurred costs and earn a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. However, our ability to obtain rate adjustments in the future is dependent on regulatory action and there is no assurance that our regulators will consider all of our costs to have been prudently incurred. In addition, our rate proceedings may not always result in rates that fully recover our costs or provide for a reasonable return on equity. We defer certain costs and revenues as regulatory assets and liabilities for future recovery or refund to customers, as authorized by our regulators. Future recovery of regulatory assets is not assured, and is subject to review and approval by our regulators. If recovery of regulatory assets is not approved or is no longer deemed probable, these costs would be charged to income in the current period and could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
We believe we have obtained the necessary permits, approvals and certificates for our existing operations and that our respective businesses are conducted in accordance with applicable laws; however, the impact of any future revision or changes in interpretations of existing regulations or the adoption of new laws and regulations applicable to us cannot be predicted. Changes in regulation, interpretations of regulations or the imposition of additional regulations could influence our operating environment and may result in substantial compliance costs.
Governmental agencies could modify our permits, authorizations or licenses.
Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas are required to comply with the terms of various permits, authorizations and licenses. These permits, authorizations and licenses may be revoked or modified by the agencies that granted them if facts develop that differ significantly from the facts assumed when they were issued. In addition, discharge permits and other approvals and licenses are often granted for a term that is less than the expected life of the associated facility. Licenses and permits may require periodic renewal, which may result in additional requirements being imposed by the granting agency.
Also, if we are unable to obtain, renew or comply with these governmental permits, authorizations or licenses, or if we are unable to recover any increased costs of complying with additional license requirements or any other
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| 25 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
associated costs in our rates in a timely manner, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We may face significant costs of compliance with existing and future environmental regulations.
Our operations are subject to extensive environmental legislation and regulation by state and federal environmental agencies governing, among other things, air emissions such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), fine particulates and mercury; water discharges; and management of hazardous, toxic and solid wastes and substances. We incur significant expenditures in complying with these environmental requirements, including expenditures for the installation of pollution control equipment, environmental monitoring, emissions fees and permits at all of our facilities.
The EPA has adopted and is in the process of implementing regulations governing the emission of NOx, SO2, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), mercury and other air pollutants under the Clean Air Act (CAA) through the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule and other air quality regulations. In addition, the EPA has proposed rules governing cooling water intake structures at our power plants and revisions to the effluent guidelines for steam electric generating plants under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The EPA also adopted the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which provides for limits on the interstate transport of NOx and SO2 emissions. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated the CSAPR; however, the EPA successfully petitioned the United States Supreme Court, who heard the case in December 2013. A decision is expected by June 2014. Therefore, there is still substantial uncertainty as to what capital expenditures may ultimately be required to comply with these regulations.
We continue to assess the potential cost of complying, and to explore different alternatives in order to comply, with these and other environmental regulations. We expect that additional environmental controls will be required at PIPP to meet the new environmental standards, and are currently analyzing several environmental compliance options.
In addition, we announced plans to convert the fuel source for VAPP from coal to natural gas. We currently expect the cost of this conversion to be between $65 million and $70 million, excluding AFUDC. These and other compliance costs we expect to incur over the next three years are included in the table under "Capital Expenditures" in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Existing environmental laws and regulations may be revised or new laws or regulations may be adopted at the federal or state level which could result in significant additional expenditures, operating restrictions on our facilities and increased compliance costs. In addition, the operation of emission control equipment and further regulations on our intake and discharge of water could increase our operating costs and could reduce the generating capacity of our power plants. Additional environmental legislation and regulation and the related compliance costs could affect future unit retirement and replacement decisions.
If we fail to comply with environmental laws and regulations, even if caused by factors beyond our control, that failure may result in the assessment of civil or criminal penalties and fines. The WDNR has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Wisconsin Electric alleging violations of certain environmental rules at our Paris Generating Station (PSGS). An adverse outcome in these matters could require capital expenditures that cannot be determined at this time and could possibly require payment of penalties.
In the event we are not able to recover all of our environmental expenditures and related costs from our customers in the future, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Further, increased costs recovered through rates could contribute to reduced demand for electricity, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Our electric and gas utility businesses are also subject to significant liabilities related to the investigation and remediation of environmental contamination at certain of our current and former facilities, and at third-party owned sites. Due to the potential for imposition of stricter standards and greater regulation in the future and the possibility that other potentially responsible parties may not be financially able to contribute to cleanup costs, conditions may change or additional contamination may be discovered, our remediation costs could increase, and the timing of our capital and/or operating expenditures in the future may accelerate.
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| 26 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
We may also be subject to potential liability in connection with the environmental condition of the facilities that we have previously owned and operated, regardless of whether the liabilities arose before, during or after the time we owned or operated the facilities. If we fail (or failed) to comply with environmental laws and regulations or cause (or caused) harm to the environment or persons, that failure or harm may result in the assessment of civil penalties and damages against us. The incurrence of a material environmental liability or a material judgment in any action for personal injury or property damage related to environmental matters could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We may face significant costs to comply with the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
The regulation of greenhouse gas emissions continues to be a top priority for the President's administration. In June 2013, the President issued a presidential memorandum instructing the EPA to, among other things, issue rules pertaining to greenhouse gas emissions from both new and existing plants.
In June 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA is pursuing regulation of greenhouse gas emissions using its existing authority under the CAA. In September 2013, the EPA withdrew its 2012 proposed New Source Performance Standards greenhouse gas emissions rule, and issued new proposed rules with greenhouse gas limits for new fossil fueled power plants. The rule would not apply to certain natural gas fueled peaking plants, biomass units or oil fueled stationary combustion turbines. Based upon currently available technology and the emission limits in the proposed rule, we believe that this rule, if promulgated, would effectively prohibit new conventional coal-fired power plants.
With respect to existing generating units, the EPA has indicated that it intends to issue a proposed rule in June 2014, a final rule by June 2015 and require State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to be submitted by June 30, 2016. Any such regulations may impact how we operate our existing facilities, particularly our fossil fueled power plants and new biomass facility, and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition.
Legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and establish renewable and efficiency standards has also been considered on the state level. Both Wisconsin and Michigan have adopted renewable portfolio standards and energy optimization (efficiency) targets.
Despite the United States Supreme Court's decision in Connecticut v. American Electric Power Co., where the Court ruled that the plaintiffs in that litigation did not have standing to claim nuisance due to the release of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere by the defendants, states and environmental groups have lawsuits pending against electric utilities and others to force reductions in greenhouse gas emissions based upon their contribution to the alleged public nuisance of climate change.
There is no guarantee that we will be allowed to fully recover costs incurred to comply with any legislation, regulation or order that requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or that cost recovery will not be delayed or otherwise conditioned. Any legislation or regulation that may be adopted, either at the federal or state level, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could have a material adverse impact on our electric generation and natural gas distribution operations. Such regulation could make some of our electric generating units uneconomic to maintain or operate, and could adversely affect our future results of operations, cash flows and possibly financial condition if such costs are not recovered through regulated rates.
We may face significant costs if coal combustion products are regulated as hazardous waste.
We currently have a program of beneficial utilization for substantially all of our coal combustion products, including fly ash, bottom ash and gypsum, which minimizes the need for disposal in specially-designed landfills. Both Wisconsin and Michigan have regulations governing the use and disposal of these materials. In 2010, the EPA issued draft rules for public comment proposing two alternative rules for regulating coal combustion products, one of which would classify the materials as hazardous waste. If coal combustion products are classified as hazardous waste, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue our current program.
If coal combustion products are classified as hazardous waste and we terminate our coal combustion products utilization program, we could be required to dispose of the coal combustion products at a significant cost to the Company, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. We anticipate that the EPA could take action on this matter by the end of 2014.
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| 27 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Wisconsin Electric could be subject to higher costs and penalties as a result of mandatory reliability standards.
Wisconsin Electric is subject to mandatory reliability and critical infrastructure protection standards established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and enforced by the FERC. The critical infrastructure protection standards focus on controlling access to critical and physical and cybersecurity assets. Compliance with the mandatory reliability standards could subject Wisconsin Electric to higher operating costs. While Wisconsin Electric passed the cybersecurity and operational audits mandated by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation in 2013, if it were ever found to be in noncompliance with the mandatory reliability standards it could be subject to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties.
Energy conservation and rate increases could negatively impact financial results.
Customers could voluntarily reduce their consumption of electricity, natural gas and steam in response to decreases in their disposable income, increases in energy prices and/or individual conservation efforts. In addition, Wisconsin and Michigan have adopted energy efficiency targets to reduce energy consumption by certain dates. To the extent there is any regulatory lag to adjust rates as a result of reduced sales from effective conservation measures, these measures could have a negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, any higher costs that are collected through rates could contribute to reduced demand for electricity, natural gas or steam, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Provisions of the Wisconsin Utility Holding Company Act limit our ability to invest in non-utility businesses and could deter takeover attempts by a potential purchaser of our common stock that would be willing to pay a premium for our common stock.
Under the Wisconsin Utility Holding Company Act, we remain subject to certain restrictions that have the potential of limiting our diversification into non-utility businesses. Under the Act, the sum of certain assets of all non-utility affiliates in a holding company system generally may not exceed 25% of the assets of all public utility affiliates in the system, subject to certain exceptions.
In addition, the Act precludes the acquisition of 10% or more of the voting shares of a holding company of a Wisconsin public utility unless the PSCW has first determined that the acquisition is in the best interests of utility customers, investors and the public. This provision and other requirements of the Act may delay or reduce the likelihood of a sale or change of control of Wisconsin Energy. As a result, stockholders may be deprived of opportunities to sell some or all of their shares of our common stock at prices that represent a premium over market prices.
Risks Related to the Operation of Our Business
Our financial performance may be adversely affected if we are unable to successfully operate our facilities.
Our financial performance depends on the successful operation of our electric generating and gas distribution facilities. Operation of these facilities involves many risks, including: operator error and breakdown or failure of equipment processes; fuel supply interruptions; labor disputes; operating limitations that may be imposed by environmental or other regulatory requirements; terrorist attacks; cyber security threats; or catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods or other similar occurrences. Unplanned outages can result in additional maintenance expenses as well as incremental replacement power costs. A decrease in revenues from these facilities or an increase in operating costs could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
Customer growth in our service areas affects our results of operations.
Our results of operations are affected by customer growth in our service areas. Customer growth and energy use can be affected by population growth as well as economic factors in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including job and income growth. Customer growth directly influences the demand for electricity and gas, and the need for additional power generation and generating facilities. Population declines and/or business closings in our service territories or slower than anticipated customer growth has a negative impact on our results of
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| 28 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
operations and cash flow and could expose us to greater risks of accounts receivable write-offs if customers are unable to pay their bills.
Energy sales are impacted by seasonal factors and varying weather conditions from year-to-year.
Our electric and gas utility businesses are generally seasonal businesses. Demand for electricity is greater in the summer and winter months associated with cooling and heating. In addition, demand for natural gas peaks in the winter heating season. As a result, our overall results in the future may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis. In addition, we have historically had lower revenues and net income when weather conditions are milder. Our rates in Wisconsin are set by the PSCW based on estimated temperatures which approximate 20-year averages. Mild temperatures during the summer cooling season and during the winter heating season will negatively impact the results of operations and cash flows of our electric utility business. In addition, mild temperatures during the winter heating season negatively impact the results of operations and cash flows of our gas utility business.
Factors beyond our control could adversely affect project costs and completion of construction projects.
We expect to spend an aggregate of between $3.2 billion and $3.5 billion during the period 2014 to 2018 on capital investments in our utility and non-utility energy business. These types of construction projects are subject to many of the usual construction risks over which we will have limited or no control and which might adversely affect project costs and completion time. These risks include, but are not limited to, shortages of, the ability to obtain or the cost of labor or materials; the ability of the contractors to perform under their contracts; strikes; adverse weather conditions; potential legal challenges; changes in applicable law or regulations; other governmental actions; and events in the global economy.
Certain of these projects require the approval of our regulators. In the event we receive approval, total costs of a project may be higher than estimated and/or higher than amounts approved by our regulators, and there is no guarantee that we will be allowed to recover these additional costs in rates.
Severe weather events, such as floods, droughts, tornadoes and blizzards, could result in substantial damage to or limit the operation of our facilities.
Severe weather events could result in substantial damage to our electric generating and gas distribution facilities, as well as ATC's transmission lines. Our hydroelectric generation operations could be adversely affected if there is a significant change in water levels in their respective waterways. In addition, a significant reduction in water levels in waterways that supply cooling water to our power plants, whether by drought or otherwise, could restrict or prevent the operation of such facilities.
In the event we experience any of these weather events or other natural disaster, recovery of any costs in excess of any reserves or applicable insurance is subject to the approval of the PSCW and/or MPSC. There is no guarantee that we will be allowed to fully recover any such costs or that cost recovery will not be delayed or otherwise conditioned. Any denial or delay in recovery of any such costs could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, damages resulting from severe weather events within our service territories may result in the loss of customers and reduced demand for electricity and natural gas for extended periods. Any significant loss of customers or reduction in demand could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
Advances in technology could make our electric generating facilities less competitive.
We generate power at central station power plants to achieve economies of scale and produce power at a competitive cost. There are distributed generation technologies that produce power, including fuel cells, microturbines, wind turbines and solar cells, which have become more cost competitive. It is possible that advances in technology will continue to reduce the costs of these alternative methods of producing power to a level that is competitive with that of central station power electric production. If these technologies became cost competitive and achieved economies of scale, our market share could be eroded, and the value of our generating facilities could be reduced. Advances in technology could also change the channels through which our electric customers purchase or use power, which could reduce our sales and revenues or increase our expenses.
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| 29 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Under our current rate structure, widespread adoption of distributed generation by our electric customers could increase the cost of service for our remaining customers. Increases in our rates could contribute to slower than anticipated customer growth and reduced demand for electricity, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We could be the subject of cyber intrusions that disrupt our electric generation and gas distribution operations and/or result in security breaches that expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of confidential and proprietary information, litigation and potential liability.
We operate in an industry that requires the continued operation of sophisticated information technology systems and network infrastructure, which are part of an interconnected regional transmission grid. In addition, in the ordinary course of business, we collect and retain sensitive information including personal information about our customers and employees.
Cyber intrusions, including those targeting the electronic control systems used at our generating facilities and for the electric and gas distribution systems, could result in a full or partial disruption of our electric generation and/or gas distribution operations. Any disruption of these operations could result in a loss of service to customers and a significant decrease in revenues, as well as significant expense to repair system damage and remedy security breaches. Furthermore, we may need to obtain more expensive purchased power to meet customer demand for electricity if our electric generating facilities are unable to operate at full capacity as a result of a cyber intrusion. Any resulting loss of revenue or increase in expense could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
In addition, any theft, loss and/or fraudulent use of customer, stockholder, employee or proprietary data as a result of cyber intrusion or otherwise could subject us to significant litigation, liability and costs, as well as adversely impact our reputation with customers, stockholders and regulators, among others. At this time, we are not aware of any cyber intrusion or security breach of our systems.
Internet-based attacks on critical U.S. energy infrastructure are occurring with more frequency. In February 2013, the President issued an Executive Order providing for intelligence gathering and information exchange on cyber attacks and cyber threats to privately owned critical infrastructure. The framework is being developed jointly by the government and industry.
We continue to strengthen our electronic systems. However, as cyber attacks become more sophisticated, we may be required to incur significant costs to strengthen our information and electronic control systems from outside intrusions and/or to obtain insurance coverage related to the threat of such attacks.
We are a holding company and rely on the earnings of our subsidiaries to meet our financial obligations.
As a holding company with no operations of our own, our ability to meet our financial obligations and pay dividends on our common stock is dependent upon the ability of our subsidiaries to pay amounts to us, whether through dividends or other payments. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay amounts to us will depend on the earnings, cash flows, capital requirements and general financial condition of our subsidiaries and on regulatory limitations. Prior to distributing cash to Wisconsin Energy, our subsidiaries have financial obligations that must be satisfied, including among others, debt service and preferred stock dividends. Our subsidiaries also have dividend payment restrictions based on the terms of their outstanding preferred stock and regulatory limitations applicable to them. In addition, each of the bank back-up credit facilities for Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas have specified total funded debt to capitalization ratios that must be maintained.
Acts of terrorism could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our electric generation and gas distribution facilities, including the facilities of third parties on which we rely, could be targets of terrorist activities. A terrorist attack on our facilities (or those of third parties) could result in a full or partial disruption of our ability to generate, transmit, transport, purchase or distribute electricity or natural gas or cause environmental repercussions. Any operational disruption or environmental repercussions could result in a significant decrease in our revenues or significant reconstruction or remediation costs, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
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| 30 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Failure to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce could adversely impact our results of operations.
We operate in an industry that requires many of our employees to possess unique technical skill sets. Events such as an aging workforce without appropriate replacements may lead to operating challenges or increased costs. These operating challenges include lack of resources, loss of knowledge and a lengthy time period associated with skill development. Failure to hire and obtain replacement employees, including the ability to transfer significant internal historical knowledge and expertise to the new employees, may adversely affect our ability to manage and operate our business. If we are unable to successfully attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Failure of a counterparty to one of our power purchase agreements could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
We have entered into several power purchase agreements with non-affiliated companies, and continue to look for additional opportunities to enter into these agreements. Currently, sales through power purchase agreements are responsible for approximately 4.5% of our electric revenues. Revenues are dependent on the continued performance by the purchasers of their obligations under the power purchase agreements. Although we have a comprehensive credit evaluation process and contractual protections, it is possible that one or more purchasers could fail to perform their obligations under the power purchase agreements. If this were to occur, we would expect that any operating and other costs that were initially allocated to a defaulting customer's power purchase agreement would be reallocated among our retail customers. To the extent there is any regulatory lag to adjust rates, a customer default under a power purchase agreement could have a negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows.
Our revenues could be negatively impacted by competitive activity in the wholesale electricity markets.
FERC rules related to transmission are designed to facilitate competition in the wholesale electricity markets among regulated utilities, non-utility generators, wholesale power marketers and brokers by providing greater flexibility and more choices to wholesale customers, including initiatives designed to encourage the integration of renewable sources of supply. In addition, along with transactions contemplating physical delivery of energy, financial laws and regulations impact hedging and trading based on futures contracts and derivatives that are traded on various commodities exchanges, as well as over-the-counter (OTC). Technology changes in the power and fuel industries also have significant impacts on wholesale transactions and related costs. We currently cannot predict the impact of these and other developments or the effect of changes in levels of wholesale supply and demand, which are driven by factors beyond our control.
Risks Related to Economic and Market Volatility
Our business is dependent on our ability to successfully access capital markets.
We rely on access to short-term and long-term capital markets to support our capital expenditures and other capital requirements, including expenditures for our utility infrastructure and to comply with future regulatory requirements, to the extent not satisfied by the cash flow generated by our operations. We have historically secured funds from a variety of sources, including the issuance of short-term and long-term debt securities. Successful implementation of our long-term business strategies, including capital investment, is dependent upon our ability to access the capital markets, including the banking and commercial paper markets, under competitive terms and rates. In addition, we rely on committed bank credit agreements as back-up liquidity which allows us to access the low cost commercial paper markets. If our access to any of these markets were limited, or our cost of capital significantly increased, due to a rating downgrade, an economic downturn or uncertainty, prevailing market conditions, concerns over foreign economic conditions and/or the ability of foreign governments and central banks to respond to changing economic conditions, changes in tax policy, war or the threat of war, a negative view of the utility industry, failures of financial institutions or other factors, our ability to implement our business plan could be limited which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
We are exposed to risks related to general economic conditions in our service territories.
Our electric and gas utility businesses are impacted by economic cycles and the competitiveness of the commercial and industrial customers we serve. Any economic downturn or disruption of national or international financial markets could adversely affect the financial condition of our customers and demand for their products. Adverse economic conditions in our service territories and/or decreased demand for products produced in our service area could cause a reduction in demand for electricity and/or natural gas that could result in decreased earnings and cash flow. We would also expect our collections of accounts receivable to be adversely impacted.
Our service territories have been impacted by the slow economy the country has been experiencing over the past several years. As a result, we expect to continue experiencing electric sales below historical trends.
A downgrade in the credit ratings of WEC or any of its subsidiaries could negatively affect their ability to access capital at reasonable costs and/or require the posting of collateral.
There are a number of factors that impact Wisconsin Energy's and its subsidiaries' credit ratings, including, without limitation, capital structure, regulatory environment, the ability to cover liquidity requirements, and other requirements for capital. Wisconsin Energy or any of its subsidiaries could experience a downgrade in their ratings if the rating agencies determine that the level of business or financial risk of the industry or Wisconsin Energy and/or its subsidiaries has deteriorated. Changes in rating methodologies by the rating agencies could also have a negative impact on credit ratings. If Wisconsin Energy or its subsidiaries are downgraded by the rating agencies, their borrowing costs could increase, funding sources could decrease and, for any downgrade to below investment grade, collateral requirements may be triggered in several contracts.
Restructuring in the regulated energy industry could have a negative impact on our business.
The regulated energy industry continues to experience significant structural changes. Increased competition in the retail and wholesale markets, which may result from restructuring efforts, could have a significant adverse financial impact on us. It is uncertain whether retail access might be implemented in Wisconsin.
Michigan has adopted retail choice. Under Michigan law, our retail customers may choose an alternative electric supplier to provide power supply service. The law limits customer choice to 10% of our Michigan retail load. The two iron ore mines are excluded from this cap. When a customer switches to an alternative electric supplier, we continue to provide distribution and customer service functions for the customer.
The mines, which we served on an interruptible tariff rate, switched to an alternative electric supplier effective September 1, 2013. In addition, other smaller retail customers have switched to an alternative electric supplier. Sales to these customers, including the mines, totaled 2,173.6 GWh, or 7.6% of our retail electric sales for the year ended December 31, 2012. Previously, the owner of the mines announced that they would shut down the Empire mine by the end of 2014 or beginning of 2015. We negotiated an SSR agreement with MISO and took other steps to mitigate the loss of these sales. Although the financial impact in future periods is uncertain, we currently estimate that these losses will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements in 2014.
FERC continues to support the existing RTOs that affect the structure of the wholesale market within these RTOs. In connection with its status as a FERC approved RTO, MISO implemented bid-based energy markets that are part of the MISO Energy Markets. The MISO Energy Markets rules require that all market participants submit day-ahead and/or real-time bids and offers for energy at locations across the MISO region. MISO then calculates the most efficient solution for all of the bids and offers made into the market that day and establishes a Locational Marginal Price (LMP) that reflects the market price for energy. As a participant in the MISO Energy Markets, we are required to follow MISO's instructions when dispatching generating units to support MISO's responsibility for maintaining stability of the transmission system. MISO also implemented an Ancillary Services Market for operating reserves that was simultaneously co-optimized with its existing energy markets.
These market designs have the potential to increase the costs of transmission, the costs associated with inefficient generation dispatching, the costs of participation in the market and the costs associated with estimated payment settlements.
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| 32 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
An increase in natural gas costs could negatively impact our electric and gas utility operations.
Wisconsin Electric burns natural gas in several of its peaking power plants and in PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, and as a supplemental fuel at several coal-fired plants. In many instances the cost of purchased power is tied to the cost of natural gas. Disruption in the supply of natural gas due to a curtailment in production or distribution can increase the cost of natural gas, as can international market conditions and demand for natural gas. Higher natural gas costs can have the effect of increasing demand for other sources of fuel thereby increasing the costs of those fuels as well. Additionally, high natural gas costs increase our working capital requirements and could adversely impact our collection of accounts receivable.
For Wisconsin customers, Wisconsin Electric bears the risk for the recovery of fuel and purchased power costs within a symmetrical two percent fuel tolerance band compared to the forecast of fuel and purchased power costs established in its rate structure. Our gas distribution business receives dollar for dollar recovery of the cost of natural gas, subject to tolerance bands and prudency review.
We may not be able to obtain an adequate supply of coal, which could limit our ability to operate our coal-fired facilities.
We are dependent on coal for much of our electric generating capacity. Although we generally carry sufficient coal inventory at our generating facilities to mitigate an interruption or decline in supply, there can be no assurance that the inventory will be adequate to fully mitigate all potential reductions in supply. While we have coal supply and transportation contracts in place, there can be no assurance that the counterparties to these agreements will be able to fulfill their obligations to supply coal to us or that we will be able to take delivery of all the coal volume contracted for. The suppliers under these agreements may experience financial or operational problems that inhibit their ability to fulfill their obligations to us, or we may experience operational problems or constraints that prevent us from taking delivery. In addition, suppliers under these agreements may not be required to supply coal to us under certain circumstances, such as in the event of a natural disaster. Furthermore, demand for coal can impact its availability and cost. If we are unable to obtain our coal requirements under our coal supply and transportation contracts, we may be required to purchase coal at higher prices, or we may be forced to reduce generation at our coal units and replace this lost generation through additional power purchases in the MISO market. There is no guarantee that we would be able to fully recover any increased costs in rates.
Our electric generation frequently exceeds our customer load. When this occurs, we generally sell the excess generation into the MISO market. If we are unable to run our lower cost units we may lose the ability to engage in these opportunity sales, which may adversely affect our results of operations.
The use of derivative contracts could result in financial losses.
We use derivative instruments such as swaps, options, futures and forwards to manage commodity exposures. We could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market value of these contracts or if a counterparty fails to perform. These risks are managed through risk management policies, which might not work as planned and cannot entirely eliminate the risks associated with these activities. In addition, although the hedging programs of Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas must be approved by the PSCW, derivative contracts entered into for hedging purposes might not offset the underlying exposure being hedged as expected, resulting in financial losses. In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the value of these financial instruments can involve management's judgment or use of estimates. Changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the value of the reported fair value of these contracts.
Poor investment performance of benefit plan holdings and other factors impacting benefit plan costs could unfavorably impact our liquidity and results of operations.
Our cost of providing pension and other post-retirement benefit plans is dependent upon a number of factors including actual plan experience and assumptions concerning the future, such as earnings on plan assets, discount rates, the level of interest rates used to measure the required minimum funding levels of the plans, future government regulation and our required or voluntary contributions to be made to the plans. Plan assets are subject to market fluctuations and may yield returns that fall below projected return rates. A decline in the market value of these assets may increase our funding requirements. Changes in interest rates affect plan liabilities - as rates
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| 33 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
decrease, the liabilities increase, which could increase our funding requirements. Changes in demographics, such as an increase in the number of retirements or changes in life expectancy assumptions, may also increase our funding requirements. Changes made to the plans may also impact current and future pension costs. We are facing rising medical costs for both active and retired employees. It is possible that these costs may increase at a rate that is significantly higher than anticipated. If we are unable to successfully manage our benefit plan assets and medical costs, our cash flows, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Our ability to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be adversely affected by international, national, state or local events and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers. Our insurance coverage may not provide protection against all significant losses.
Our ability to obtain insurance, as well as the cost and coverage of such insurance, could be affected by developments affecting our business, as well as by international, national, state or local events, as well as the financial condition of insurers. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available at all or at rates or terms similar to those presently available to us. In addition, our insurance may not be sufficient or effective under all circumstances and against all hazards or liabilities to which we may be subject. Any losses for which we are not fully insured or that are not covered by insurance at all could materially adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
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ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
We own our principal properties outright, except that the major portion of our electric utility distribution lines, steam utility distribution mains and gas utility distribution mains and services are located, for the most part, on or under streets and highways and on land owned by others and are generally subject to granted easements, consents or permits.
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| 34 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
As of December 31, 2013, we owned the following generating assets:
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| | | | | | | | |
| | | | No. of | | Dependable |
| | | | Generating | | Capability |
Name | | Fuel | | Units | | In MW (a) |
Coal-Fired Plants | | | | | |
South Oak Creek | | Coal | | 4 |
| | 990 |
|
Oak Creek Expansion | | Coal | | 2 |
| | 1,057 |
|
Presque Isle | | Coal | | 5 |
| | 344 |
|
Pleasant Prairie | | Coal | | 2 |
| | 1,188 |
|
Valley | | Coal | | 2 |
| | 236 |
|
Milwaukee County | | Coal | | 3 |
| | 7 |
|
Total Coal-Fired Plants | | | | 18 |
| | 3,822 |
|
Natural Gas-Fired Plants | | | | | | |
Port Washington Generating Station | | Gas | | 2 |
| | 1,082 |
|
Germantown Combustion Turbines | | Gas/Oil | | 5 |
| | 258 |
|
Concord Combustion Turbines | | Gas/Oil | | 4 |
| | 352 |
|
Paris Combustion Turbines | | Gas/Oil | | 4 |
| | 352 |
|
Other Combustion Turbines & Diesel | | Gas/Oil | | 2 |
| | — |
|
Total Natural Gas-Fired Plants | | | | 17 |
| | 2,044 |
|
Renewables | | | | | | |
Hydro Plants (13 in number) | | | | 33 |
| | 39 |
|
Rothschild Biomass Plant | | Biomass | | 1 |
| | 50 |
|
Byron Wind Turbines | | Wind | | 2 |
| | — |
|
Blue Sky Green Field | | Wind | | 88 |
| | 29 |
|
Glacier Hills | | Wind | | 90 |
| | 32 |
|
Montfort Wind Energy Center | | Wind | | 20 |
| | 5 |
|
Total Renewables | | | | 234 |
| | 155 |
|
Total System | | | | 269 |
| | 6,021 |
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(a) | Dependable capability is the net power output under average operating conditions with equipment in an average state of repair as of a given month in a given year. We are a summer peaking electric utility. The values are established by tests and may change slightly from year to year. Dependable capability for the wind sites is determined based on a capacity factor of approximately 20%. |
As of December 31, 2013, we operated approximately 21,511 pole-miles of overhead distribution lines and 24,086 miles of underground distribution cable, as well as approximately 350 distribution substations and 290,999 line transformers.
As of December 31, 2013, our gas distribution system included approximately 20,967 miles of distribution and transmission mains connected at 181 gate stations to the pipeline transmission systems of ANR Pipeline Company, Guardian Pipeline L.L.C., Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, Northern Natural Pipeline Company, Great Lakes Transmission Company, Viking Gas Transmission and Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. We have liquefied natural gas storage plants which convert and store, in liquefied form, natural gas received during periods of low consumption. The liquefied natural gas storage plants have a send-out capability of 73,600 Dth per day. We also have propane air systems for peaking purposes. These propane air systems will provide approximately 2,960 Dth per day of supply to the system. Our gas distribution system consists almost entirely of plastic and coated steel pipe.
We also own office buildings, gas regulating and metering stations and major service centers, including garage and warehouse facilities, in certain communities we serve. Where distribution lines and services and gas distribution mains and services occupy private property, we have in some, but not all instances, obtained consents, permits or easements for these installations from the apparent owners or those in possession of those properties, generally without an examination of ownership records or title.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
As of December 31, 2013, the combined steam systems supplied by the VAPP and Milwaukee County Power Plant consisted of approximately 42 miles of both high pressure and low pressure steam piping, nine miles of walkable tunnels and other pressure regulating equipment.
In addition to those legal proceedings discussed below, we are currently, and from time to time, subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of these other legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our financial statements.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
We are subject to federal, state and certain local laws and regulations governing the environmental aspects of our operations. Management believes that our existing facilities are in material compliance with applicable environmental requirements.
Paris Generating Station: See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Other Matters for information concerning a NOV issued in connection with the replacement of certain turbine blades as part of maintenance performed on Units 1 and 4 at our PSGS.
Solvay Coke and Gas Site: Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas have been identified as potentially responsible parties at the Solvay Coke and Gas Site located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A predecessor company of Wisconsin Electric owned a parcel of property that is within the property boundaries of the site. A predecessor company of Wisconsin Gas had a customer and corporate relationship with the entity that owned and operated the site. In 2007, Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and several other parties entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order with the EPA to perform additional investigation and assessment and reimburse the EPA's oversight costs. In-field investigation activities have commenced. Under the Administrative Settlement Agreement, neither Wisconsin Electric nor Wisconsin Gas admits to any liability for the site, waives any liability defenses, or commits to perform future site remedial activities. The companies' share of the costs to perform the required work and reimburse the EPA's oversight costs, as well as potential future remediation cost estimates and reserves, are included in the estimated manufactured gas plant values reported in Note Q -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Edgewater Generating Unit 5: In December 2009, the EPA issued a NOV concerning several coal-fired power plants owned and operated by Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), including Edgewater Generating Unit 5, of which Wisconsin Electric owned 25%. Due to its ownership interest at the time, Wisconsin Electric was named in the NOV. Although Wisconsin Electric sold its interest to WPL in March 2011, it retained its share of liability related to the NOV.
In April 2013, a complaint and consent decree were simultaneously lodged with the court in United States v. Wisconsin Power and Light Company, Madison Gas and Electric Company, Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, Case No. 13-cv-00266. The consent decree was entered by the court in June 2013, and resolved all allegations in the NOV related to Edgewater 5 and the other coal fired power plants owned and operated by WPL, as well as air permitting and opacity violations alleged by Sierra Club against WPL. Our share of the financial obligation associated with this consent decree was immaterial. This matter was fully closed when the consent decree was terminated as to Wisconsin Electric on October 1, 2013.
See Environmental Compliance in Item 1 and Environmental Matters, Manufactured Gas Plant Sites, and Coal Combustion Product Landfill Sites in Note Q -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements which are incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of matters related to certain solid waste and coal combustion product landfills, manufactured gas plant sites and air quality.
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| 36 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
UTILITY RATE MATTERS
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters in Item 7 for information concerning rate matters in the jurisdictions where Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas do business.
OTHER MATTERS
For information concerning our PTF strategy, including the Settlement Agreement with Bechtel Power Corporation (Bechtel), see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Power the Future.
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ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not Applicable.
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| 37 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names, ages at December 31, 2013 and positions of our executive officers are listed below along with their business experience during the past five years. All officers are appointed until they resign, die or are removed pursuant to the Bylaws. There are no family relationships among these officers, nor is there any agreement or understanding between any officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected.
Gale E. Klappa. Age 63.
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• | Wisconsin Energy -- Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since May 2004. President from April 2003 to July 2013. |
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• | Wisconsin Electric -- Chairman of the Board since May 2004. President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2003. |
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• | Wisconsin Gas -- Chairman of the Board since May 2004. President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2003. |
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• | Director of Joy Global, Inc. and Badger Meter, Inc. |
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• | Director of Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas since 2003. |
Stephen P. Dickson. Age 53.
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• | Wisconsin Energy -- Vice President since 2005. Controller since 2000. |
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• | Wisconsin Electric -- Vice President since 2005. Controller since 2000. |
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• | Wisconsin Gas -- Vice President since 2005. Controller since 1998. |
J. Kevin Fletcher. Age 55.
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• | Wisconsin Electric -- Senior Vice President since October 2011. |
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• | Wisconsin Gas -- Senior Vice President since October 2011. |
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• | Georgia Power -- Vice President - Community and Economic Development from 2007 to October 2011. Georgia Power is an affiliate of The Southern Company, a public utility holding company serving the southeastern United States. |
Robert M. Garvin. Age 47.
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• | Wisconsin Energy -- Senior Vice President since April 2011. |
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• | Wisconsin Electric -- Senior Vice President since April 2011. |
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• | Wisconsin Gas -- Senior Vice President since April 2011. |
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• | American Transmission Co. -- Vice President and General Counsel from 2009 to April 2011. |
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• | NextEra Energy Resources -- Vice President from 2007 to 2009. |
J. Patrick Keyes. Age 48.
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• | Wisconsin Energy -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2012. Treasurer from April 2011 to February 2013. Vice President from April 2011 to August 2012. |
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• | Wisconsin Electric -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2012. Treasurer from April 2011 to February 2013. Vice President from April 2011 to August 2012. |
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• | Wisconsin Gas -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2012. Treasurer from April 2011 to February 2013. Vice President from April 2011 to August 2012. |
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• | Accenture -- Senior Executive from September 2001 to March 2011. |
Allen L. Leverett. Age 47.
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• | Wisconsin Energy -- President since August 2013. Executive Vice President from May 2004 to July 2013. Chief Financial Officer from July 2003 to February 2011. |
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• | Wisconsin Electric -- Executive Vice President since May 2004. Chief Financial Officer from July 2003 to February 2011. |
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• | Wisconsin Gas -- Executive Vice President since May 2004. Chief Financial Officer from July 2003 to February 2011. |
Susan H. Martin. Age 61.
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• | Wisconsin Energy -- Executive Vice President and General Counsel since March 2012. Corporate Secretary since December 2007. Vice President and Associate General Counsel from December 2007 to February 2012. |
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| 38 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
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• | Wisconsin Electric -- Executive Vice President and General Counsel since March 2012. Corporate Secretary since December 2007. Vice President and Associate General Counsel from December 2007 to February 2012. |
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• | Wisconsin Gas -- Executive Vice President and General Counsel since March 2012. Corporate Secretary since December 2007. Vice President and Associate General Counsel from December 2007 to February 2012. |
Certain executive officers also hold offices in our non-utility subsidiaries.
PART II
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ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
NUMBER OF COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
As of December 31, 2013, based upon the number of Wisconsin Energy Corporation stockholder accounts (including accounts in our dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan), we had approximately 39,755 registered stockholders.
COMMON STOCK LISTING AND TRADING
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "WEC."
DIVIDENDS AND COMMON STOCK PRICES
Common Stock Dividends of Wisconsin Energy: Cash dividends on our common stock, as declared by the Board of Directors, are normally paid on or about the first day of March, June, September and December of each year. We review our dividend policy on a regular basis. Subject to any regulatory restrictions or other limitations on the payment of dividends, future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other factors, earnings, financial condition and other requirements. For information regarding restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay us dividends, see Note H -- Common Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
In January 2013, our Board of Directors affirmed our dividend policy that targets a dividend payout ratio of 60% in the year 2014, and approved a new dividend policy that targets a payout ratio that trends to 65-70% in 2017. In accordance with that policy, on January 17, 2013, the Board increased our quarterly dividend to $0.34 per share effective with the first quarter of 2013 dividend payment. On July 18, 2013, the Board of Directors increased our quarterly dividend to $0.3825 per share effective with the third quarter of 2013 dividend payment.
On January 16, 2014, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $0.39 per share effective with the first quarter of 2014 dividend payment, which would result in annual dividends of $1.56 per share. In addition, the Board affirmed our dividend policy that targets a dividend payout ratio of 65-70% in 2017.
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| 39 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES - (Cont'd) | 2013 Form 10-K |
Range of Wisconsin Energy Common Stock Prices and Dividends:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Quarter | High | | Low | | Dividend | | High | | Low | | Dividend |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
First | $ | 42.98 |
| | $ | 37.03 |
| | $ | 0.3400 |
| | $ | 35.35 |
| | $ | 33.62 |
| | $ | 0.30 |
|
Second | $ | 45.00 |
| | $ | 39.04 |
| | 0.3400 |
| | $ | 40.00 |
| | $ | 34.54 |
| | 0.30 |
|
Third | $ | 44.01 |
| | $ | 39.52 |
| | 0.3825 |
| | $ | 41.48 |
| | $ | 37.46 |
| | 0.30 |
|
Fourth | $ | 43.00 |
| | $ | 39.83 |
| | 0.3825 |
| | $ | 38.93 |
| | $ | 36.01 |
| | 0.30 |
|
Annual | $ | 45.00 |
| | $ | 37.03 |
| | $ | 1.4450 |
| | $ | 41.48 |
| | $ | 33.62 |
| | $ | 1.20 |
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ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2013 | | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (a) | | Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
| | | | | | | | (Millions of Dollars) |
| | | | | | | | |
October 1 - October 31 | | 74,455 |
| | $ | 40.27 |
| | 74,455 |
| | $ | 42.3 |
|
November 1 - November 30 | | 482,156 |
| | $ | 41.56 |
| | 482,156 |
| | $ | 22.2 |
|
December 1 - December 31 | | — |
| | $ | — |
| | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Total | | 556,611 |
| | $ | 41.38 |
| | 556,611 |
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(a) | On May 5, 2011, Wisconsin Energy's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $300 million of our common stock which expired on December 31, 2013. We repurchased an aggregate of $277.8 million of our common stock under this program. On December 5, 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for up to $300 million of our common stock effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017. |
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| 40 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation |
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ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION |
CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL DATA |
| | | | | | | | | |
Financial | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 |
Year Ended December 31 | | | | | | | | | |
Net income - Continuing Operations (Millions) | $ | 577.4 |
| | $ | 546.3 |
| | $ | 512.8 |
| | $ | 454.4 |
| | $ | 375.7 |
|
Earnings per share - Continuing Operations | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 2.54 |
| | $ | 2.37 |
| | $ | 2.20 |
| | $ | 1.94 |
| | $ | 1.61 |
|
Diluted | $ | 2.51 |
| | $ | 2.35 |
| | $ | 2.18 |
| | $ | 1.92 |
| | $ | 1.59 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Dividends per share of common stock | $ | 1.445 |
| | $ | 1.20 |
| | $ | 1.04 |
| | $ | 0.80 |
| | $ | 0.675 |
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| | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenues (Millions) | | | | | | | | | |
Utility energy | $ | 4,462.0 |
| | $ | 4,190.8 |
| | $ | 4,431.5 |
| | $ | 4,165.3 |
| | $ | 4,092.0 |
|
Non-utility energy | 446.7 |
| | 439.9 |
| | 435.1 |
| | 320.2 |
| | 163.1 |
|
Eliminations and Other | (389.7 | ) | | (384.3 | ) | | (380.2 | ) | | (283.0 | ) | | (154.2 | ) |
Total operating revenues | $ | 4,519.0 |
| | $ | 4,246.4 |
| | $ | 4,486.4 |
| | $ | 4,202.5 |
| | $ | 4,100.9 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31 (Millions) | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | $ | 14,769.4 |
| | $ | 14,285.0 |
| | $ | 13,862.1 |
| | $ | 13,059.8 |
| | $ | 12,697.9 |
|
Long-term debt (including current maturities) and capital lease obligations | $ | 4,705.4 |
| | $ | 4,865.9 |
| | $ | 4,646.9 |
| | $ | 4,405.4 |
| | $ | 4,171.5 |
|
Common Stock Closing Price | $ | 41.34 |
| | $ | 36.85 |
| | $ | 34.96 |
| | $ | 29.43 |
| | $ | 24.92 |
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| | | | | | | | | |
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CONSOLIDATED SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA | | |
| | | |
| (Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts) (a) | | |
| March | | June | | |
Three Months Ended | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | | |
Operating revenues | $ | 1,275.2 |
| | $ | 1,191.2 |
| | $ | 1,012.3 |
| | $ | 944.7 |
| | |
Operating income | $ | 321.0 |
| | $ | 295.7 |
| | $ | 229.5 |
| | $ | 222.6 |
| | |
Total net income | $ | 176.6 |
| | $ | 172.1 |
| | $ | 119.0 |
| | $ | 119.3 |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per share of common stock (b) | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 0.77 |
| | $ | 0.75 |
| | $ | 0.52 |
| | $ | 0.52 |
| | |
Diluted | $ | 0.76 |
| | $ | 0.74 |
| | $ | 0.52 |
| | $ | 0.51 |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| September | | December | | |
Three Months Ended | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | | |
Operating revenues | $ | 1,053.2 |
| | $ | 1,039.3 |
| | $ | 1,178.3 |
| | $ | 1,071.2 |
| | |
Operating income | $ | 258.0 |
| | $ | 280.6 |
| | $ | 271.6 |
| | $ | 201.4 |
| | |
Total net income | $ | 137.5 |
| | $ | |