<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
OR
[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMISSION
FILE REGISTRANT; STATE OF INCORPORATION; IRS EMPLOYER
NUMBER ADDRESS; AND TELEPHONE NUMBER IDENTIFICATION NO.
---------- ----------------------------------- ------------------
<C> <S> <C>
1-11375 UNICOM CORPORATION 36-3961038
(an Illinois corporation)
37th Floor, 10 South Dearborn Street
Post Office Box A-3005
Chicago, Illinois 60690-3005
312/394-7399
1-1839 COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY (an Illinois 36-0938600
corporation)
37th Floor, 10 South Dearborn Street
Post Office Box 767
Chicago, Illinois 60690-0767
312/394-4321
</TABLE>
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) have been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
Common Stock outstanding at October 31, 1997:
Unicom Corporation 216,493,095 shares
Commonwealth Edison Company 214,228,070 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION
AND
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY
QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q
TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
This document contains the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended September 30, 1997 for each of Unicom Corporation and Commonwealth
Edison Company. Information contained herein relating to an individual
registrant is filed by such registrant on its own behalf. Accordingly, except
for its subsidiaries, Commonwealth Edison Company makes no representation as to
information relating to Unicom Corporation or to any other companies affiliated
with Unicom Corporation. In addition, several portions of these Quarterly
Reports contain forward looking statements; and reference is made to page 61
for the location and character of such statements.
INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
Definitions.............................................................. 3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Unicom Corporation and Subsidiary Companies:
Financial Statements--
Report of Independent Public Accountants............................. 4
Statements of Consolidated Income for the three months, nine months
and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996................. 5
Consolidated Balance Sheets--September 30, 1997 and December 31,
1996................................................................ 6-7
Statements of Consolidated Capitalization--September 30, 1997 and
December 31, 1996................................................... 8
Statements of Consolidated Retained Earnings for the three months,
nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996..... 9
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.......... 10
Notes to Financial Statements........................................ 11-32
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations......................................................... 33-47
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies:
Financial Statements--
Report of Independent Public Accountants............................. 48
Statements of Consolidated Income for the three months, nine months
and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996................. 49
Consolidated Balance Sheets--September 30, 1997 and December 31,
1996................................................................ 50-51
Statements of Consolidated Capitalization--September 30, 1997 and
December 31, 1996................................................... 52
Statements of Consolidated Retained Earnings for the three months,
nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996..... 53
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.......... 54
Notes to Financial Statements........................................ 55-58
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations......................................................... 59
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.............................................. 60-61
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................... 61
SIGNATURES............................................................... 62
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
DEFINITIONS
The following terms are used in this document with the following meanings:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERM MEANING
---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
AFUDC Allowance for funds used during construction
AMT Alternative minimum tax
APB Accounting Principles Board
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended
CFC Chlorofluorocarbon
Clean Air Amendments Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
ComEd Commonwealth Edison Company
Cotter Cotter Corporation, a ComEd subsidiary
CTC Non-bypassable "competitive transition charge"
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
EITF Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB
EMFs Electric and magnetic fields
EPS Earnings per Share
ESPP Employee Stock Purchase Plan
FASB Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FERC Order FERC Open Access Order No. 888 issued in April 1996
GAAP Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
ICC Illinois Commerce Commission
IDR Illinois Department of Revenue
Indiana Company Commonwealth Edison Company of Indiana, Inc., a ComEd
subsidiary
ISO Independent System Operator
MGP Manufactured gas plant
NEIL Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited
NLRB National Labor Relations Board
NML Nuclear Mutual Limited
NPL National Priorities List
NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
O&M Operation and Maintenance
Rate Order ICC rate order issued in January 1995, as subsequently
modified
RDI Resource Data International Inc., a consulting firm
Remand Order ICC rate order issued in January 1993, as subsequently
modified
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission
SFAS Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
S&P Standard & Poor's
Trust Securities ComEd-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of subsidiary trust
Trusts ComEd Financing I and ComEd Financing II, ComEd
subsidiaries
Unicom Unicom Corporation
Unicom Energy Services Unicom Energy Services Inc., a Unicom subsidiary
Unicom Enterprises Unicom Enterprises Inc., a Unicom subsidiary
Unicom Resources Unicom Resources Inc., a Unicom subsidiary
Unicom Thermal Unicom Thermal Technologies Inc., a Unicom subsidiary
Units ComEd's nuclear generating units known as Byron Unit 2
and Braidwood Units 1 and 2
U.S. EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Unicom Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements
of consolidated capitalization of Unicom Corporation (an Illinois corporation)
and subsidiary companies as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, and
the related statements of consolidated income, retained earnings and cash flows
for the three-month, nine-month and twelve-month periods ended September 30,
1997 and 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Unicom Corporation and
subsidiary companies as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the three-month, nine-
month and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 10, 1997
4
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
The following Statements of Consolidated Income for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 reflect the results
of past operations and are not intended as any representation as to results of
operations for any future period. Future operations will necessarily be
affected by various and diverse factors and developments, including changes in
electric rates, regulation, population, business activity, competition, taxes,
environmental control, energy use, fuel, cost of labor, purchased power and
other matters, the nature and effect of which cannot now be determined.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues...................... $2,107,269 $2,067,901 $5,508,864 $5,299,743 $7,146,145 $6,881,269
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating Expenses and Taxes:
Fuel................................... $ 354,585 $ 328,986 $ 972,375 $ 867,518 $1,262,710 $1,112,784
Purchased power........................ 95,762 48,250 279,402 112,750 311,952 144,518
Operation and maintenance.............. 576,287 536,036 1,788,824 1,586,560 2,364,158 2,200,746
Depreciation........................... 247,074 252,437 743,705 713,538 983,868 936,579
Recovery of regulatory assets.......... 3,818 3,818 11,454 11,454 15,272 15,272
Taxes (except income).................. 218,440 222,070 616,203 599,775 799,958 793,329
Income taxes........................... 205,726 213,421 316,727 408,985 397,287 466,753
Investment tax credits deferred--net... (7,570) (12,011) (23,364) (26,343) (30,399) (33,518)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$1,694,122 $1,593,007 $4,705,326 $4,274,237 $6,104,806 $5,636,463
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating Income........................ $ 413,147 $ 474,894 $ 803,538 $1,025,506 $1,041,339 $1,244,806
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Other Income and (Deductions):
Interest on long-term debt............. $ (120,446) $ (127,865) $ (369,058) $ (389,106) $ (495,237) $ (527,249)
Interest on notes payable.............. (3,254) (3,665) (8,503) (12,352) (9,459) (13,159)
Allowance for funds used during
construction--
Borrowed funds........................ 4,871 4,544 13,875 15,809 17,492 19,395
Equity funds.......................... 5,772 4,955 16,558 15,721 21,614 20,147
Income taxes applicable to nonoperating
activities............................ 1,996 (4,601) 4,414 465 11,761 3,093
Provision for dividends--
Preferred and preference stocks of
ComEd................................ (14,902) (15,885) (45,914) (48,871) (61,467) (68,384)
ComEd-obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred securities of
subsidiary trusts.................... (7,357) (4,240) (21,433) (12,720) (25,673) (16,960)
Miscellaneous--net..................... (13,631) 6,843 (33,766) (22,227) (46,784) (34,831)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ (146,951) $ (139,914) $ (443,827) $ (453,281) $ (587,753) $ (617,948)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income Before Extraordinary Item.... $ 266,196 $ 334,980 $ 359,711 $ 572,225 $ 453,586 $ 626,858
Extraordinary Loss Related to Early
Redemption of Long-Term Debt, Less
Applicable Income Taxes................ -- -- -- -- -- (20,022)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income.............................. $ 266,196 $ 334,980 $ 359,711 $ 572,225 $ 453,586 $ 606,836
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Average Number of Common Shares
Outstanding............................ 216,409 215,568 216,277 215,418 216,144 215,286
Earnings per Common Share Before
Extraordinary Item..................... $1.23 $1.55 $1.66 $2.66 $2.10 $2.91
Extraordinary Loss Related to Early
Redemption of Long-Term Debt, Less
Applicable Income Taxes................ -- -- -- -- -- (0.09)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings per Common Share............... $1.23 $1.55 $1.66 $2.66 $2.10 $2.82
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Cash Dividends Declared per Common
Share.................................. $0.40 $0.40 $1.20 $1.20 $1.60 $1.60
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
5
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER
30, DECEMBER 31,
ASSETS 1997 1996
------ ----------- ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Utility Plant:
Plant and equipment, at original cost (includes
construction work in progress of $923 million and
$1,034 million, respectively)..................... $28,443,951 $27,900,632
Less--Accumulated provision for depreciation....... 12,347,376 11,479,991
----------- -----------
$16,096,575 $16,420,641
Nuclear fuel, at amortized cost.................... 839,240 805,623
----------- -----------
$16,935,815 $17,226,264
----------- -----------
Investments and Other Property:
Nuclear decommissioning funds...................... $ 1,821,607 $ 1,456,360
Subsidiary companies............................... 114,240 113,888
Other, at cost..................................... 205,028 146,302
----------- -----------
$ 2,140,875 $ 1,716,550
----------- -----------
Current Assets:
Cash............................................... $ 20,937 $ 8,727
Temporary cash investments......................... 86,894 51,821
Special deposits................................... 686 1,610
Receivables--
Customers........................................ 599,119 568,155
Other............................................ 62,785 109,835
Provisions for uncollectible accounts............ (16,357) (12,893)
Coal and fuel oil, at average cost................. 144,446 140,362
Materials and supplies, at average cost............ 324,263 324,485
Deferred unrecovered energy costs.................. 61,224 104,651
Deferred income taxes related to current assets and
liabilities....................................... 120,246 120,185
Prepayments and other.............................. 29,024 35,872
----------- -----------
$ 1,433,267 $ 1,452,810
----------- -----------
Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets:
Regulatory assets.................................. $ 2,486,753 $ 2,434,807
Unrecovered energy costs........................... 359,197 444,009
Other.............................................. 119,615 113,530
----------- -----------
$ 2,965,565 $ 2,992,346
----------- -----------
$23,475,522 $23,387,970
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
6
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES 1997 1996
------------------------------ ------------ ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Capitalization (see accompanying statements):
Common stock equity................................. $ 6,211,539 $ 6,104,380
Preferred and preference stocks of ComEd--
Without mandatory redemption requirements......... 507,053 507,342
Subject to mandatory redemption requirements...... 177,899 217,901
ComEd-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of subsidiary trusts*................... 350,000 200,000
Long-term debt...................................... 5,811,166 6,069,534
----------- -----------
$13,057,657 $13,099,157
----------- -----------
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable--
Commercial paper.................................. $ 35,000 $ 121,000
Bank loans........................................ 7,750 7,750
Current portion of long-term debt, redeemable pref-
erence stock and capitalized lease obligations of
subsidiary companies............................... 655,725 745,665
Accounts payable.................................... 400,585 469,815
Accrued interest.................................... 143,652 168,750
Accrued taxes....................................... 320,828 171,104
Dividends payable................................... 103,844 101,850
Customer deposits................................... 55,662 51,585
Other............................................... 100,961 98,567
----------- -----------
$ 1,824,007 $ 1,936,086
----------- -----------
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes............................... $ 4,552,994 $ 4,574,342
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits......... 632,299 655,662
Accrued spent nuclear fuel disposal fee and related
interest........................................... 683,666 657,449
Obligations under capital leases of subsidiary
companies.......................................... 497,259 476,668
Regulatory liabilities.............................. 716,928 668,301
Other............................................... 1,510,712 1,320,305
----------- -----------
$ 8,593,858 $ 8,352,727
----------- -----------
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 20)
$23,475,522 $23,387,970
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
*As described in Note 8 of Notes to Financial Statements, the sole asset of
ComEd Financing I, a subsidiary trust of ComEd, is $206.2 million principal
amount of ComEd's 8.48% subordinated deferrable interest notes due September
30, 2035. The sole asset of ComEd Financing II, also a subsidiary trust of
ComEd, is $154.6 million principal amount of ComEd's 8.50% subordinated
deferrable interest debentures due January 15, 2027.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
7
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1966
------------ -----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Common Stock Equity:
Common stock, without par value--
Outstanding--216,412,013 shares and 215,954,625
shares, respectively (excludes $7 million and $4
million as of September 30, 1997 and December 31,
1996, respectively, held by trustee for Unicom
Stock Bonus Deferral Plan)....................... $ 4,936,918 $ 4,929,909
Preference stock expense of ComEd.................. (3,358) (3,526)
Retained earnings.................................. 1,277,979 1,177,997
----------- -----------
$ 6,211,539 $ 6,104,380
----------- -----------
Preferred and Preference Stocks of ComEd:
Without Mandatory Redemption Requirements:
Preference stock, cumulative, without par value--
Outstanding--13,499,549 shares.................. $ 504,957 $ 504,957
$1.425 convertible preferred stock, cumulative,
without par value--
Outstanding--65,912 shares and 75,003 shares,
respectively................................... 2,096 2,385
Prior preferred stock, cumulative, $100 par value
per share--
No shares outstanding........................... -- --
----------- -----------
$ 507,053 $ 507,342
----------- -----------
Subject to Mandatory Redemption Requirements:
Preference stock, cumulative, without par value--
Outstanding--2,094,275 shares and 2,496,775
shares, respectively........................... $ 208,587 $ 248,589
Current redemption requirements for preference
stock included
in current liabilities.......................... (30,688) (30,688)
----------- -----------
$ 177,899 $ 217,901
----------- -----------
ComEd-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred
Securities of Subsidiary Trusts..................... $ 350,000 $ 200,000
----------- -----------
Long-Term Debt:
First mortgage bonds:
Maturing 1997 through 2001--5 3/8% to 9 3/8%..... $ 920,000 $ 1,120,000
Maturing 2002 through 2011--4.05% to 8 3/8%...... 1,640,400 1,640,400
Maturing 2012 through 2021--5.85% to 9 7/8%...... 1,191,000 1,391,000
Maturing 2022 through 2023--7 3/4% to 8 5/8%..... 1,160,000 1,160,000
----------- -----------
$ 4,911,400 $ 5,311,400
Sinking fund debentures, due 1999 through 2011--
2 3/4% to 7 5/8%.................................. 100,302 105,164
Pollution control obligations, due 2007 through
2014--4.00% to 5 7/8%............................. 142,200 142,200
Other long-term debt............................... 1,188,819 1,100,833
Current maturities of long-term debt included in
current liabilities............................... (484,077) (540,505)
Unamortized net debt discount and premium.......... (47,478) (49,558)
----------- -----------
$ 5,811,166 $ 6,069,534
----------- -----------
$13,057,657 $13,099,157
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
8
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED RETAINED EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at Beginning of Peri-
od.......................... $1,098,457 $ 921,822 $1,177,997 $ 856,893 $1,170,436 $ 905,283
Add--Net income.............. 266,196 334,980 359,711 572,225 453,586 606,836
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$1,364,653 $1,256,802 $1,537,708 $1,429,118 $1,624,022 $1,512,119
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Deduct--
Cash dividends declared on
common stock............. $ 86,567 $ 86,261 $ 259,615 $ 258,570 $ 345,936 $ 344,553
Other capital stock trans-
actions--net............. 107 105 114 112 107 (2,870)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ 86,674 $ 86,366 $ 259,729 $ 258,682 $ 346,043 $ 341,683
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at End of Period..... $1,277,979 $1,170,436 $1,277,979 $1,170,436 $1,277,979 $1,170,436
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
9
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash Flow from Operating
Activities:
Net income............. $ 266,196 $ 334,980 $ 359,711 $ 572,225 $ 453,586 $ 606,836
Adjustments to
reconcile net income
to net cash provided
by operating
activities:
Depreciation and
amortization........ 260,241 261,262 776,927 740,989 1,026,717 976,125
Deferred income taxes
and investment tax
credits--net........ 11,931 72,218 30,322 114,538 45,481 146,484
Extraordinary loss
related to early
redemption of long-
term debt........... -- -- -- -- -- 33,158
Equity component of
allowance for funds
used during
construction........ (5,772) (4,955) (16,558) (15,721) (21,614) (20,147)
Recovery of
regulatory assets... 3,818 3,818 11,454 11,454 15,272 15,272
Provisions/(payments)
for liability for
separation costs--
net................. 24,146 1,072 24,948 (28,858) 23,919 29,315
Net effect on cash
flows of changes in:
Receivables........ (27,838) (73,781) 19,550 68,706 20,550 36,277
Coal and fuel oil.. 35,704 17,014 (4,084) (20,791) 5,521 (48,400)
Materials and
supplies.......... (319) 11,725 222 2,973 6,303 32,060
Accounts payable
excluding nuclear
fuel lease
principal payments
and separation
costs--net........ 5,242 (29,784) 36,090 (79,447) 221,971 231,505
Accrued interest
and taxes......... 94,280 (1,616) 124,626 58,579 18,990 (92,458)
Other changes in
certain current
assets and
liabilities....... 41,747 20,933 65,274 12,478 66,644 (6,434)
Other--net........... 13,638 17,354 142,220 42,286 168,868 4,187
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$ 723,014 $ 630,240 $1,570,702 $ 1,479,411 $ 2,052,208 $ 1,943,780
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash Flow from Investing
Activities:
Construction
expenditures.......... $(233,612) $(192,214) $ (695,861) $ (735,440) $ (942,695) $(1,073,197)
Nuclear fuel
expenditures.......... (66,555) (83,298) (157,271) (226,901) (212,203) (352,023)
Equity component of
allowance for funds
used during
construction.......... 5,772 4,955 16,558 15,721 21,614 20,147
Contributions to
nuclear
decommissioning
funds................. -- -- (80,181) (83,178) (116,284) (119,602)
Other investments and
special deposits...... 3,096 (4,120) (31,785) (4,418) (29,483) (12,876)
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$(291,299) $(274,677) $ (948,540) $(1,034,216) $(1,279,051) $(1,537,551)
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash Flow from Financing
Activities:
Issuance of
securities--
Long-term debt........ $ 40,000 $ 10,000 $ 357,663 $ 241,902 $ 367,663 $ 268,902
Preferred securities
of subsidiary
trusts............... -- -- 150,000 -- 150,000 --
Capital stock......... 127 3,482 9,440 10,003 17,191 24,780
Retirement and
redemption of
securities--
Long-term debt........ (100,283) (64,102) (676,736) (332,298) (777,522) (977,409)
Capital stock......... (37,300) (37,804) (40,539) (40,911) (44,141) (44,506)
Deposits and
securities held for
retirement and
redemption of
securities............ 229 975 -- -- -- --
Premium paid on early
redemption of long-
term debt............. -- -- (9,500) -- (9,500) (25,823)
Cash dividends paid on
common stock.......... (86,565) (86,208) (259,370) (258,292) (345,631) (344,211)
Proceeds from
sale/leaseback of
nuclear fuel.......... 22,953 90,301 104,224 249,916 170,925 249,916
Nuclear fuel lease
principal payments.... (38,206) (51,724) (124,061) (158,693) (177,109) (216,414)
Increase (Decrease) in
short-term
borrowings............ (221,000) (170,850) (86,000) (104,600) (120,800) 156,400
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$(420,045) $(305,930) $ (574,879) $ (392,973) $ (768,924) $ (908,365)
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Increase (Decrease) in
Cash and Temporary Cash
Investments............ $ 11,670 $ 49,633 $ 47,283 $ 52,222 $ 4,233 $ (502,136)
Cash and Temporary Cash
Investments at
Beginning of Period.... 96,161 53,965 60,548 51,376 103,598 605,734
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and Temporary Cash
Investments at End of
Period................. $ 107,831 $ 103,598 $ 107,831 $ 103,598 $ 107,831 $ 103,598
========= ========= ========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
10
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES.
Corporate Structure and Basis of Presentation. Unicom was incorporated in
January 1994 and became the parent holding company of ComEd and Unicom
Enterprises in a corporate restructuring that became effective on September 1,
1994. ComEd, an electric utility, is the principal subsidiary of Unicom. Unicom
Enterprises is an unregulated subsidiary of Unicom and is engaged, through its
subsidiaries, in energy service activities. Unicom Resources is also an
unregulated subsidiary of Unicom and is engaged in the development of business
ventures.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Unicom, ComEd,
the Indiana Company, the Trusts and Unicom's unregulated subsidiaries. All
significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. ComEd's investments
in other subsidiary companies, which are not material in relation to ComEd's
financial position or results of operations, are accounted for in accordance
with the equity method of accounting.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Regulation. ComEd is subject to regulation as to accounting and ratemaking
policies and practices by the ICC and FERC. ComEd's accounting policies and the
accompanying consolidated financial statements conform to GAAP applicable to
rate-regulated enterprises and reflect the effects of the ratemaking process in
accordance with SFAS No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of
Regulation. Such effects concern mainly the time at which various items enter
into the determination of net income in order to follow the principle of
matching costs and revenues.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities. Regulatory assets are incurred costs which
have been deferred and are amortized for ratemaking and accounting purposes.
Regulatory liabilities represent amounts to be settled with customers through
future rates. Regulatory assets and liabilities reflected on the Consolidated
Balance Sheets at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 were as follows:
11
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Regulatory assets:
Deferred income taxes
(1).................... $1,621,034 $1,649,037
Deferred carrying
charges (2)............ 387,096 396,879
Nuclear decommissioning
costs--Dresden Unit 1
(3).................... 267,615 174,621
Unamortized loss on re-
acquired debt (4)...... 147,551 148,380
Other................... 63,457 65,890
---------- ----------
$2,486,753 $2,434,807
========== ==========
Regulatory liabilities:
Deferred income taxes
(1).................... $ 716,928 $ 668,301
========== ==========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Recorded in compliance with SFAS No. 109.
(2) Recorded as authorized in the Remand Order. The amortization period is over
the remaining lives of the Units.
(3) Amortized over the remaining current NRC license life of Dresden station.
See "Depreciation and Decommissioning" below for additional information.
(4) Amortized over the remaining lives of the long-term debt issued to finance
the reacquisition. See "Loss on Reacquired Debt" below for additional
information.
See "Deferred Unrecovered Energy Costs" below regarding the fuel adjustment
clause, the DOE assessment and coal reserves.
If a portion of ComEd's operations was no longer subject to the provisions of
SFAS No. 71 as a result of a change in regulation or the effects of
competition, ComEd would be required to write-off any related regulatory assets
and liabilities for which recovery or settlement is not provided through
revenues of the operation that remain subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 71.
In addition, ComEd would be required to determine any impairment to other
assets and purchase contracts and write down such assets or contracts to their
fair value. Legislation is pending in Illinois to allow a less regulated market
for the supply of electric energy. While ComEd is in the process of performing
an impairment study as a result of the proposal passed by the Illinois Senate,
ComEd may be required to write-off certain assets, primarily its generation
related net regulatory assets. Such a write-off would result in a fourth
quarter after-tax charge to earnings estimated to be in the range of $800
million to $1.1 billion. See "Changes in the Electric Utility Industry" under
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" for additional information regarding the pending legislation in
Illinois.
SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, which was adopted in January 1996,
established accounting standards for the impairment of long-lived assets, i.e.,
determining whether the costs of such assets are recoverable in future
revenues. The SFAS also requires that regulatory assets, which are no longer
probable of recovery through future revenue, be charged to earnings. SFAS No.
121 did not have an impact on ComEd's financial position or results of
operations upon adoption.
Deferred Unrecovered Energy Costs. The fuel adjustment clause adopted by the
ICC provides for the recovery of changes in fossil and nuclear fuel costs and
the energy portion of purchased power costs as compared to the fuel and
purchased energy costs included in ComEd's base rates. As authorized by the
ICC, ComEd has recorded under or overrecoveries of allowable fuel and energy
costs which, under the clause, are recoverable or refundable in subsequent
months. Deferred unrecovered energy costs also include amounts to be recovered
through the fuel adjustment clause for assessments by the DOE to fund
12
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
a portion of the cost for the decontamination and decommissioning of uranium
enrichment facilities owned and previously operated by the DOE. As of September
30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, an asset related to the assessments of $157
million and $168 million, respectively, was recorded, of which the current
portion of $16 million was included in current assets as deferred unrecovered
energy costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 1997 and
December 31, 1996, a corresponding liability of $157 million was recorded, of
which the current portion of $16 million was included in other current
liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
At September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, ComEd had unrecovered fuel costs
in the form of coal reserves of $299 million and $364 million, respectively. In
prior years, ComEd's commitments for the purchase of coal exceeded its
requirements. Rather than take all the coal it was required to take, ComEd
agreed to purchase the coal in place in the form of coal reserves. ComEd has
been allowed to recover from its customers the costs of the coal reserves
through its fuel adjustment clause as coal is used for the generation of
electricity; however, ComEd is not earning a return on the expenditures for
coal reserves. Such fuel costs expected to be recovered within one year
amounting to $80 million and $73 million at September 30, 1997 and December 31,
1996, respectively, have been included in current assets as deferred
unrecovered energy costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. ComEd expects to
fully recover the costs of the coal reserves by the year 2000. See Note 20 for
additional information concerning ComEd's coal commitments.
Customer Receivables and Revenues. ComEd is engaged principally in the
production, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to a
diverse base of residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers.
ComEd's electric service territory has an area of approximately 11,300 square
miles and an estimated population of approximately 8 million as of September
30, 1997. It includes the city of Chicago, an area of about 225 square miles
with an estimated population of approximately 3 million from which ComEd
derived approximately one-third of its ultimate consumer revenues in the twelve
months ended September 30, 1997. ComEd had 3.4 million electric customers at
September 30, 1997.
Depreciation and Decommissioning. ComEd's depreciation is provided on the
straight-line basis by amortizing the cost of depreciable plant and equipment
over estimated composite service lives. Non-nuclear plant and equipment is
depreciated at annual rates developed for each class of plant based on their
composite service lives. Provisions for depreciation were at average annual
rates of 3.35% for the three months and nine months and 3.33% for the twelve
months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, of average depreciable utility
plant and equipment, including the effects of additional depreciation on
ComEd's nuclear generating units. Provisions for depreciation were at average
annual rates of 3.48%, 3.25% and 3.22% for the three months, nine months and
twelve months ended September 30, 1996, respectively, of average depreciable
utility plant and equipment, including the effects of additional depreciation
on ComEd's nuclear generating units. The annual rate for nuclear plant and
equipment, excluding separately collected decommissioning costs and additional
depreciation, is 2.88%. The additional depreciation on ComEd's nuclear
generating units includes depreciation recorded on a straight-line basis
related to its steam generators at Byron Unit 1 and Braidwood Unit 1, which are
expected to be replaced prior to year-end 1998, and the 1996 additional
depreciation initiative. ComEd recorded additional depreciation charges related
to its nuclear generating units of $15 million, $44 million and $52 million for
the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997,
respectively, and $22 million for the three months, nine months and twelve
months ended September 30, 1996. See Note 2 for additional information on the
1996 additional depreciation initiative.
In April 1997, ComEd decided not to invest in the replacement of the steam
generators at its Zion nuclear generating station. In absence of replacing the
steam generators, Zion station would be retired
13
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
substantially earlier than the end of its license life in 2013, and most
probably prior to 2005. ComEd is currently evaluating the impact of the
expected early retirement of Zion, which has a net book value of approximately
$700 million, and other factors which may impact the composite nuclear
depreciation rate, and whether any required additional depreciation would be
recoverable under ComEd's rate cap initiative or the regulatory reform
legislation pending in Illinois. Any unrecoverable plant costs will be
recognized as an expense when they are probable and estimable.
Nuclear plant decommissioning costs are accrued over the current NRC license
lives of the related nuclear generating units. The accrual is based on an
annual levelized cost of the unrecovered portion of estimated decommissioning
costs, which are escalated for expected inflation to the expected time of
decommissioning and are net of expected earnings on the trust funds. See
"Decommissioning" under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," subcaption "Results of Operations," for a
discussion of questions raised by the staff of the SEC and a FASB review
regarding the electric utility industry method of accounting for
decommissioning costs. Dismantling is expected to occur relatively soon after
the end of the current NRC license life of each related generating station. The
accrual for decommissioning is based on the prompt removal method authorized by
NRC guidelines. ComEd's 12 operating units have remaining current NRC license
lives ranging from 8 to 30 years. ComEd's first nuclear unit, Dresden Unit 1,
is retired and is expected to be dismantled at the end of the current NRC
license life of the last unit at that station, which is consistent with the
regulatory treatment for the related decommissioning costs.
Based on ComEd's most recent study, decommissioning costs, including the cost
of decontamination and dismantling, are estimated to aggregate $4.6 billion in
current-year (1997) dollars, including a contingency allowance. ComEd estimates
that it will expend approximately $12.9 billion, including a contingency
allowance, for decommissioning costs primarily during the period from 2007
through 2032. Such costs are expected to be funded by the external
decommissioning trusts, which ComEd established in compliance with Illinois law
and into which ComEd has been making annual contributions. Future
decommissioning cost estimates may be significantly affected by the adoption of
or changes to NRC regulations as well as changes in the assumptions used in
making such estimates, including changes in technology, available alternatives
for the disposal of nuclear waste and inflation.
Pursuant to the Rate Order, since 1995, ComEd has collected decommissioning
costs from its ratepayers under a rider which allows annual adjustments to
decommissioning cost collections outside the context of a traditional rate
proceeding. The current estimated decommissioning costs include a contingency
allowance. Contingency allowances used in decommissioning cost estimates
provide for currently unspecifiable costs that are likely to occur after
decommissioning begins and generally range from 20% to 25% of the currently
specifiable costs. Under its most recent annual rider, filed with the ICC on
February 28, 1997, ComEd has proposed to decrease its estimated annual
decommissioning cost accrual from $108.8 million to $107.5 million. The
reduction primarily reflects stronger than expected after-tax returns on the
external trust funds in 1996 and lower than expected escalation in low-level
waste disposal costs, partially offset by the higher current-year cost
estimates, which include a contingency allowance.
The proposed annual decommissioning cost accrual of $107.5 million was
determined using the following assumptions: the decommissioning cost estimate
of $4.6 billion in current-year (1997) dollars, after-tax earnings on the tax-
qualified and nontax-qualified decommissioning funds of 7.30% and 6.26%,
respectively, and an escalation rate for future decommissioning costs of 4.1%.
The annual accrual of $107.5 million provided over the current NRC license
lives of the nuclear plants, coupled with the expected fund earnings and
amounts previously recovered in rates, is expected to aggregate approximately
$12.9 billion.
14
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
For the 12 operating nuclear units, decommissioning costs are recorded as
portions of depreciation expense and accumulated provision for depreciation on
the Statements of Consolidated Income and the Consolidated Balance Sheets,
respectively. As of September 30, 1997, the total decommissioning costs
included in the accumulated provision for depreciation were $1,874 million. For
ComEd's retired nuclear unit, Dresden Unit 1, the total estimated liability at
September 30, 1997 in current-year (1997) dollars of $390 million was recorded
as an other noncurrent liability and the unrecovered portion of the liability
of $268 million was recorded as a regulatory asset on the Consolidated Balance
Sheets. The increase from December 31, 1996 to September 30, 1997 in the total
estimated liability related to Dresden Unit 1, and the unrecovered portion of
that liability, is due to higher current-year cost estimates, which include a
contingency allowance.
Under Illinois law, decommissioning cost collections are required to be
deposited into external trusts; and, consequently, such collections do not add
to the cash flows available for general corporate purposes. The ICC has
approved ComEd's funding plan, which provides for annual contributions of
current accruals and ratable contributions of past accruals over the remaining
current NRC license lives of the nuclear plants. At September 30, 1997, the
past accruals that are required to be contributed to the external trusts
aggregate $174 million. The fair value of funds accumulated in the external
trusts at September 30, 1997 was $1,822 million, which includes pre-tax
unrealized appreciation of $432 million. The earnings on the external trusts
accumulate in the fund balance and accumulated provision for depreciation.
Amortization of Nuclear Fuel. The cost of nuclear fuel is amortized to fuel
expense based on the quantity of heat produced using the unit of production
method. As authorized by the ICC, provisions for spent nuclear fuel disposal
costs have been recorded at a level required to recover the fee payable on the
current nuclear-generated and sold electricity and the current interest accrual
on the one-time fee payable to the DOE for nuclear generation prior to April 7,
1983. The one-time fee and interest thereon have been recovered and the current
fee and interest on the one-time fee are presently being recovered through the
fuel adjustment clause. See Note 11 for further information concerning the
disposal of spent nuclear fuel, the one-time fee and the interest accrual on
the one-time fee. Nuclear fuel expenses, including leased fuel costs and
provisions for spent nuclear fuel disposal costs, were $87 million and $90
million for the three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively,
$230 million and $269 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996, respectively, and $315 million and $358 million for the twelve months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes are provided for income and expense items
recognized for financial accounting purposes in periods that differ from those
for income tax purposes. Income taxes deferred in prior years are charged or
credited to income as the book/tax timing differences reverse. Prior years'
deferred investment tax credits are amortized through credits to income
generally over the lives of the related property. Income tax credits resulting
from interest charges applicable to nonoperating activities, principally
construction, are classified as other income.
AFUDC. In accordance with the uniform systems of accounts prescribed by
regulatory authorities, ComEd capitalizes AFUDC, compounded semiannually, which
represents the estimated cost of funds used to finance its construction
program. The equity component of AFUDC is recorded on an after-tax basis and
the borrowed funds component of AFUDC is recorded on a pre-tax basis. The
average annual capitalization rates were 9.22% and 8.94% for the three months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, 9.24% and 8.83% for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and 9.33% and 9.03% for
the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. AFUDC does
not contribute to the current cash flow of Unicom or ComEd.
15
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
Interest. Total interest costs incurred on debt, leases and other obligations
were $150 million and $156 million for the three months ended September 30,
1997 and 1996, respectively, $453 million and $473 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $605 million and $637
million for the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Debt Discount, Premium and Expense. Discount, premium and expense on long-
term debt of ComEd are being amortized over the lives of the respective issues.
Loss on Reacquired Debt. Consistent with regulatory treatment, the net loss
from ComEd's reacquisition in connection with the refinancing of first mortgage
bonds, sinking fund debentures and pollution control obligations prior to their
scheduled maturity dates is deferred and amortized over the lives of the long-
term debt issued to finance the reacquisition. See "Regulatory Assets and
Liabilities" above for additional information.
Stock Option Awards/Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Unicom has elected to adopt
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, for disclosure purposes
only. Unicom accounts for its stock option awards and ESPP under APB Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. See Note 5 for additional
information.
Earnings per Share. In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, Earnings
per Share, which simplifies the computation of EPS required by existing rules.
The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after
December 15, 1997; early adoption is not permitted. Had SFAS No. 128 been
effective at September 30, 1997, the resulting effect on reported EPS would
have been de minimis.
Reporting Comprehensive Income. In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,
Reporting Comprehensive Income, which establishes rules for reporting and
displaying comprehensive income and its components. The new standard is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.
Segment Reporting. In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, which establishes
requirements that public business enterprises report certain information about
operating segments. The new statement is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1997. This statement may result in additional financial
disclosures but will not impact Unicom or ComEd's financial position or results
of operations.
Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to
conform with current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect
on net income.
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. For purposes of the Statements of
Consolidated Cash Flows, temporary cash investments, generally investments
maturing within three months at the time of purchase, are considered to be cash
equivalents. Supplemental cash flow information for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental Cash Flow
Information:
Cash paid during the
period for:
Interest (net of
amount capitalized). $ 153,487 $ 153,446 $ 413,080 $ 426,782 $ 524,649 $562,351
Income taxes (net of
refunds)............ $ 27,183 $ 47,912 $ 82,684 $ 57,196 $ 260,230 $ 314,923
Supplemental Schedule of
Non-Cash Investing and
Financing Activities:
Capital lease obliga-
tions incurred by
subsidiary companies.. $ 24,760 $ 90,861 $ 110,533 $ 253,347 $ 178,161 $ 254,909
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
(2) RATE MATTERS. In January 1995, the ICC issued its Rate Order in the
proceedings relating to ComEd's February 1994 rate increase request. The Rate
Order provided, among other things, for an increase in ComEd's total revenues
of approximately $302 million (excluding add-on revenue taxes) on an annual
basis. The rates provided in the Rate Order became effective on January 14,
1995; however, they are being collected subject to refund as a result of
subsequent judicial action. The Rate Order was appealed by intervenors and
ComEd to the Illinois Appellate Court, which issued a decision on May 30, 1997
affirming the Rate Order in all respects with the exception of two issues which
it remanded to the ICC for the purpose of providing further analysis. Those
issues relate to: (i) the manner in which certain costs are recovered and which
customers should pay these costs, and (ii) the proper rate of return on common
equity for ComEd. ComEd believes that the ICC can satisfy the Appellate Court's
remand directions on the basis of the existing record from the ICC proceedings
which led to the Rate Order. The Appellate Court's decision was not appealed
and the matter has been returned to the ICC, where a decision is expected in
the first quarter of 1998.
With respect to the first of the issues remanded to the ICC, ComEd does not
believe it will have any effect on the overall level of rates. With respect to
the rate of return issue, the ICC had determined in the Rate Order that ComEd's
cost of common equity was 12.28%. Intervenors had submitted testimony
recommending a return on common equity of 11.50%. The Appellate Court decision
requires the ICC to clarify the basis for certain of its findings relating to
its rejection of the intervenors' recommendation and to analyze further how it
arrived at its conclusions. The Appellate Court stated that after reanalyzing
these bases the ICC can determine whether or not the cost of common equity
determination it adopted should still be followed. Each tenth of one percent
change in the common equity rate of return has approximately an $8 million
effect on the level of annual rates. The Appellate Court's decision does not
have any immediate effect on ComEd's rates or require any refunds. In
connection with the initiation of the appeal, ComEd committed to make refunds
"in the event that a final, non-appealable order is entered reversing the ICC's
Rate Order." Approximately $180 million would be subject to refund if the ICC
were to adopt the lower rate of return on common equity recommended by
intervenors. As noted, the Appellate Court's decision did not reverse the Rate
Order.
In December 1995, ComEd announced certain customer initiatives related to its
efforts to address competition. Such initiatives include a five-year cap on
base electric rates at current levels, effective December 1995. Additionally,
ComEd's costs increased by $30 million in 1996 (before income tax effects),
through an increase in depreciation charges on its nuclear generating units
related to its additional depreciation initiative in 1996. ComEd also continues
to consider the possibility of additional depreciation options. See Note 1
under "Depreciation and Decommissioning" for information concerning additional
depreciation charges related to ComEd's steam generators at Byron Unit 1 and
Braidwood Unit 1 and ComEd's ongoing evaluation of the impact of the expected
early retirement of Zion.
See "Changes in the Electric Utility Industry" under "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for information
regarding pending Illinois legislation.
(3) AUTHORIZED SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS OF CAPITAL STOCK. At September 30,
1997, Unicom's authorized shares consisted of 400,000,000 shares of common
stock. The authorized shares of ComEd preferred and preference stocks at
September 30, 1997 were: preference stock--22,404,275 shares; $1.425
convertible preferred stock--65,912 shares; and prior preferred stock--850,000
shares. The preference and prior preferred stocks are issuable in series and
may be issued with or without mandatory redemption requirements. Holders of
outstanding Unicom shares are entitled to one vote for each share held on each
matter submitted to a vote of such shareholders; and holders of outstanding
ComEd shares
17
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
are entitled to one vote for each share held on each matter submitted to a vote
of such shareholders. All such shares have the right to cumulate votes in
elections for the directors of the corporation which issued the shares.
(4) COMMON STOCK. At September 30, 1997, shares of Unicom common stock were
reserved for the following purposes:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Long-Term Incentive Plan........................................ 3,340,526
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.................................... 588,606
Exchange for ComEd common stock not held by Unicom.............. 98,069
1996 Directors' Fee Plan........................................ 184,065
---------
4,211,266
=========
</TABLE>
Common stock for the three months, nine months and twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996 was issued as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------- ------------------ --------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- ---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shares of Common Stock
Issued:
Long-Term Incentive
Plan.................. -- 7 45,144 (26,360) 204,083 272,309
Employee Stock Purchase
Plan.................. -- -- 114,964 97,888 213,589 191,144
Employee Savings and
Investment Plan....... -- 119,100 274,203 296,600 316,703 372,000
Exchange for ComEd com-
mon stock not held by
Unicom................ 1,569 18,354 12,254 20,787 16,790 20,787
1996 Directors' Fee
Plan.................. 3,243 1,468 10,823 2,690 13,245 2,690
-------- ---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
4,812 138,929 457,388 391,605 764,410 858,930
======== ========== ======== ======== ========= =========
<CAPTION>
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Amount of Common Stock
Issued:
Total issued........... $ 114 $ 3,378 $ 9,426 $ 9,861 $ 17,298 $ 24,614
Held by trustee for
Unicom Stock Bonus De-
ferral Plan........... (44) (32) (2,431) (4,267) (2,463) (4,267)
Other.................. 12 102 14 141 (90) 165
-------- ---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
$ 82 $ 3,448 $ 7,009 $ 5,735 $ 14,745 $ 20,512
======== ========== ======== ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, 76,925 and 78,045 ComEd common
stock purchase warrants, respectively, were outstanding. The warrants entitle
the holders to convert such warrants into common stock of ComEd at a conversion
rate of one share of common stock for three warrants.
(5) STOCK OPTION AWARDS/EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. Unicom has a
nonqualified stock option awards program under its Long-Term Incentive Plan.
The stock option awards program was adopted by Unicom in July 1996 to reward
valued employees responsible for, or contributing to, the management, growth
and profitability of Unicom and its subsidiaries. As of September 30, 1997,
2,519,850 options have been granted, consisting of 1,205,500 options granted in
1996 and 1,314,350 options granted in 1997, primarily to employees of ComEd and
its subsidiaries. Of this amount, 163,099 options have been canceled and
2,356,751 options are outstanding. The weighted average exercise price for the
outstanding stock options is $23.822. The stock options granted will expire ten
years from the grant date. One-third of the shares subject to the options vest
on each of the first 3 anniversaries of the option grant date. In addition, the
stock options will become fully vested immediately if the holder dies, retires,
is terminated other than for cause or qualifies for long-term disability and
will also vest in full upon a change in control of Unicom. As of September 30,
1997, 431,268 of the granted stock options have vested and none of the stock
options have been exercised.
The estimated fair value for each of the stock options granted in 1996 was
$3.74. The fair value of each stock option granted was estimated as of the date
of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
18
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
model. Assumptions used to determine the estimated fair value of the stock
options include (i) dividend yield of 6.30%, (ii) expected volatility of
20.98%, (iii) risk-free interest rate of 6.64% and (iv) expected life of 7
years. The exercise price for the stock options granted in 1996 is $25.50.
The estimated fair value for each of the stock options granted in 1997 was
$2.79. The fair value of each stock option granted was estimated as of the date
of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Assumptions used to
determine the estimated fair value of the stock options include (i) dividend
yield of 7.20%, (ii) expected volatility of 22.29%, (iii) risk-free interest
rate of 6.25% and (iv) expected life of 7 years. The exercise price for the
stock options granted in 1997 is $22.313.
The ESPP allows employees to purchase Unicom common stock at a 10% discount
from market value. Substantially all of the employees of Unicom, ComEd and
certain subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Unicom issued
213,589 shares and 191,144 shares of common stock for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, under the ESPP at a weighted average
annual purchase price of $19.65 and $26.56, respectively.
Unicom has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123. For
financial reporting purposes, Unicom has adopted APB No. 25 and thus no
compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option awards program or
ESPP. If Unicom had recorded compensation expense for the stock options granted
and the shares of common stock issued under the ESPP in accordance with SFAS
No. 123 using the fair value based method of accounting, the resulting effect
on reported net income and EPS would have been de minimis.
(6) COMED PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCKS WITHOUT MANDATORY REDEMPTION
REQUIREMENTS. No shares of ComEd preferred or preference stocks without
mandatory redemption requirements were issued or redeemed during the twelve
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996. The series of ComEd preference stock
without mandatory redemption requirements outstanding at September 30, 1997 are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INVOLUNTARY
SHARES AGGREGATE REDEMPTION LIQUIDATION
SERIES OUTSTANDING STATED VALUE PRICE(1) PRICE(1)
------ ----------- ------------ ---------- -----------
(THOUSANDS
OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$1.90 4,249,549 $106,239 $ 25.25 $25.00
$2.00 2,000,000 51,560 $ 26.04 $25.00
$1.96 2,000,000 52,440 $ 27.11 $25.00
$7.24 750,000 74,340 $101.00 $99.12
$8.40 750,000 74,175 $101.00 $98.90
$8.38 750,000 73,566 $100.16 $98.09
$2.425 3,000,000 72,637 $ 25.00 $25.00
---------- --------
13,499,549 $504,957
========== ========
</TABLE>
--------
(1) Per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any.
The outstanding shares of ComEd's $1.425 convertible preferred stock are
convertible at the option of the holders thereof, at any time, into common
stock of ComEd at the rate of 1.02 shares of common stock for each share of
convertible preferred stock, subject to future adjustment. The convertible
preferred stock may be redeemed by ComEd at $42 per share, plus accrued and
unpaid dividends, if any. The involuntary liquidation price of the $1.425
convertible preferred stock is $31.80 per share, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends, if any.
(7) COMED PREFERENCE STOCK SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION REQUIREMENTS.
During the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, no shares of ComEd
preference stock subject to
19
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
mandatory redemption requirements were issued. The series of ComEd preference
stock subject to mandatory redemption requirements outstanding at September 30,
1997 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES AGGREGATE
SERIES OUTSTANDING STATED VALUE OPTIONAL REDEMPTION PRICE(1)
- -------------- ----------- ------------ --------------------------------------------------
(THOUSANDS
OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$8.20 214,275 $ 21,428 $103 through October 31, 1997; and $101 thereafter
$8.40 Series B 300,000 29,798 $101
$8.85 225,000 22,500 $103 through July 31, 1998; and $101 thereafter
$9.25 525,000 52,500 $103 through July 31, 1999; and $101 thereafter
$9.00 130,000 12,886 Non-callable
$6.875 700,000 69,475 Non-callable
--------- --------
2,094,275 $208,587
========= ========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any.
The annual sinking fund requirements and sinking fund and involuntary
liquidation prices per share of the outstanding series of ComEd preference
stock subject to mandatory redemption requirements are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SINKING
ANNUAL SINKING FUND INVOLUNTARY
SERIES FUND REQUIREMENT PRICE(1) LIQUIDATION PRICE(1)
- -------------- ----------------- ------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$8.20 35,715 shares $100 $100.00
$8.40 Series B 30,000 shares(2) $100 $ 99.326
$8.85 37,500 shares $100 $100.00
$9.25 75,000 shares $100 $100.00
$9.00 130,000 shares(2) $100 $ 99.125
$6.875 (3) $100 $ 99.25
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any.
(2) ComEd has a non-cumulative option to increase the annual sinking fund
payment on each sinking fund redemption date to retire an additional number
of shares, not in excess of the sinking fund requirement, at the applicable
redemption price.
(3) All shares are required to be redeemed on May 1, 2000.
Annual remaining sinking fund requirements through 2001 on ComEd preference
stock outstanding at September 30, 1997 will aggregate $4 million in 1997, $31
million in 1998, $18 million in 1999, $88 million in 2000 and $18 million in
2001. During the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, 438,215
shares of ComEd preference stock subject to mandatory redemption requirements
were reacquired to meet sinking fund requirements.
Sinking fund requirements due within one year are included in current
liabilities.
(8) COMED-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY
TRUSTS. In September 1995, ComEd Financing I, a wholly-owned subsidiary trust
of ComEd, issued 8,000,000 of its 8.48% ComEd-obligated mandatorily redeemable
preferred securities. The sole asset of ComEd Financing I is $206.2 million
principal amount of ComEd's 8.48% subordinated deferrable interest notes due
September 30, 2035. In January 1997, ComEd Financing II, a wholly-owned
subsidiary trust of ComEd, issued 150,000 of its 8.50% ComEd-obligated
mandatorily redeemable capital securities. The sole asset of ComEd Financing II
is $154.6 million principal amount of ComEd's 8.50% subordinated deferrable
interest debentures due January 15, 2027. There is a full and unconditional
guarantee by ComEd of the Trusts' obligations under the securities issued by
the Trusts. However, ComEd's obligations are subordinate and junior in right of
payment to certain other indebtedness of ComEd. ComEd has the right to defer
payments of interest on the subordinated deferrable interest notes by extending
the interest payment period, at any time, for up to 20 consecutive quarters.
Similarly, ComEd has the right to defer
20
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
payments of interest on the subordinated deferrable interest debentures by
extending the interest payment period, at any time, for up to 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods. If interest payments on the subordinated deferrable
interest notes or debentures are so deferred, distributions on the preferred
securities will also be deferred. During any deferral, distributions will
continue to accrue with interest thereon. In addition, during any such
deferral, ComEd may not declare or pay any dividend or other distribution on,
or redeem or purchase, any of its capital stock.
The subordinated deferrable interest notes are redeemable by ComEd, in whole
or in part, from time to time, on or after September 30, 2000, and with respect
to the subordinate deferrable interest debentures, on or after January 15,
2007, or at any time in the event of certain income tax circumstances. If the
subordinated deferrable interest notes or debentures are redeemed, the Trusts
must redeem preferred securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal
to the aggregate principal amount of the subordinated deferrable interest notes
or debentures so redeemed. In the event of the dissolution, winding up or
termination of the Trusts, the holders of the preferred securities will be
entitled to receive, for each preferred security, a liquidation amount of $25
for the securities of ComEd Financing I and $1,000 for the securities of ComEd
Financing II, plus accrued and unpaid distributions thereon, including interest
thereon, to the date of payment, unless in connection with the dissolution, the
subordinated deferrable interest notes or debentures are distributed to the
holders of the preferred securities.
(9) LONG-TERM DEBT. Sinking fund requirements and scheduled maturities
remaining through 2001 for ComEd's first mortgage bonds, sinking fund
debentures and other long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 1997, after
deducting deposits made for retirement of sinking fund debentures and sinking
fund debentures reacquired for satisfaction of future sinking fund
requirements, are summarized as follows: 1997--$66 million; 1998--$497 million;
1999--$150 million; 2000--$462 million; and 2001--$108 million. Unicom
Enterprises' note payable to bank of $155 million will mature in 1999.
At September 30, 1997, ComEd's outstanding first mortgage bonds maturing
through 2001 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
SERIES ----------------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C>
6 1/4% due October 1, 1997......................... $ 60,000
6 1/4% due February 1, 1998........................ 50,000
6% due March 15, 1998.............................. 130,000
6 3/4% due July 1, 1998............................ 50,000
6 3/8% due October 1, 1998......................... 75,000
9 3/8% due February 15, 2000....................... 125,000
6 1/2% due April 15, 2000.......................... 230,000
6 3/8% due July 15, 2000........................... 100,000
7 1/2% due January 1, 2001 ........................ 100,000
--------
$920,000
========
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
Other long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 1997 is summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
DEBT SECURITY AMOUNT INTEREST RATE
- ------------------------------- ---------- -------------------------------------------------------
(THOUSANDS
OF
DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Unicom--
Loans Payable:
Loan due January 1, 2003 $ 7,978 Interest rate of 8.31%
Loan due January 1, 2004 8,951 Interest rate of 8.44%
----------
$ 16,929
----------
ComEd--
Notes:
Medium Term Notes, Series 1N
due various dates through
April 1, 1998 $ 35,500 Interest rates ranging from 9.52% to 9.65%
Medium Term Notes, Series 3N
due various dates through
October 15, 2004 296,000 Interest rates ranging from 9.00% to 9.20%
Notes due October 15, 2005 235,000 Interest rate of 6.40%
Notes due January 15, 2004 150,000 Interest rate of 7.375%
Notes due January 15, 2007 150,000 Interest rate of 7.625%
----------
$ 866,500
----------
Long-Term Note Payable to Bank
due June 1, 1998 $ 150,000 Prevailing interest rate of 6.27% at September 30, 1997
----------
Purchase Contract Obligation
due April 30, 2005 $ 390 Interest rate of 3.00%
----------
Total ComEd $1,016,890
----------
Unicom Enterprises--
Long-Term Note Payable to Bank
due November 15, 1999 $ 155,000 Prevailing interest rate of 6.63% at September 30, 1997
----------
Total Unicom $1,188,819
==========
</TABLE>
Long-term debt maturing within one year has been included in current
liabilities.
ComEd's outstanding first mortgage bonds are secured by a lien on
substantially all property and franchises, other than expressly excepted
property, owned by ComEd.
ComEd recorded an extraordinary loss of $33 million in the fourth quarter of
1995 related to the early redemption of $645 million of long-term debt which
reduced net income by $20 million, after reflecting income tax effects of $13
million, or $0.09 per common share.
(10) LINES OF CREDIT. ComEd had total bank lines of credit of $858 million
and unused bank lines of credit of $850 million at September 30, 1997. Of that
amount, $850 million (of which $146 million expires on September 27, 1998, $36
million expires in equal quarterly installments commencing on December 31, 1997
and ending on September 30, 1998 and $668 million expires in equal quarterly
installments commencing on December 31, 1997 and ending on September 30, 1999)
may be borrowed on secured or unsecured notes of ComEd at various interest
rates. The interest rate is set at the time of a borrowing and is based on
several floating rate bank indices plus a spread which is dependent upon the
credit rating of ComEd's outstanding first mortgage bonds or on a prime
interest rate. Amounts under the remaining lines of credit may be borrowed at
prevailing prime interest rates on unsecured notes of ComEd. Collateral, if
required for the borrowings, would consist of first mortgage bonds issued under
and in accordance with the provisions of ComEd's mortgage. ComEd is obligated
to pay commitment fees with respect to the unused portion of such lines of
credit.
22
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
Unicom Enterprises has a $200 million credit facility which will expire on
November 15, 1999, of which $45 million was unused as of September 30, 1997.
The credit facility can be used by Unicom Enterprises to finance investments in
unregulated businesses and projects, including Unicom Thermal and Unicom Energy
Services, and for general corporate purposes. The credit facility is guaranteed
by Unicom and includes certain covenants with respect to Unicom and Unicom
Enterprises' operations. Such covenants include, among other things, (i) a
requirement that Unicom and its consolidated subsidiaries maintain a tangible
net worth at least $10 million over that of ComEd and its consolidated
subsidiaries, (ii) a requirement that Unicom's consolidated debt to
consolidated capitalization not exceed 0.65 to 1, (iii) restrictions on the
indebtedness for borrowed money that Unicom (excluding ComEd) and Unicom
Enterprises may incur, and (iv) a requirement that Unicom own 100% of the
outstanding stock of Unicom Enterprises and at least 80% of the outstanding
stock of ComEd; and provide that Unicom may not declare or pay dividends during
the continuance of an event of default. Interest rates for borrowings under the
credit facility are set at the time of a borrowing and are based on either a
prime interest rate or a floating rate bank index plus a spread which varies
with the credit rating of ComEd's outstanding first mortgage bonds. Unicom
Enterprises is obligated to pay commitment fees with respect to the unused
portion of such lines of credit.
(11) DISPOSAL OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL. Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of
1982, the DOE is responsible for the selection and development of repositories
for, and the disposal of, spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
ComEd, as required by that Act, has signed a contract with the DOE to provide
for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from
ComEd's nuclear generating stations beginning not later than January 1998. The
DOE advised ComEd in December 1996 that it anticipates it will be unable to
begin acceptance of spent nuclear fuel by January 1998. It is expected this
delivery schedule will be delayed significantly. Extended delays in spent
nuclear fuel acceptance by the DOE would lead to ComEd's consideration of
costly storage alternatives. The contract with the DOE requires ComEd to pay
the DOE a one-time fee applicable to nuclear generation through April 6, 1983
of $277 million, with interest to date of payment, and a fee payable quarterly
equal to one mill per kilowatthour of nuclear-generated and sold electricity
after April 6, 1983. As provided for under the contract, ComEd has elected to
pay the one-time fee, with interest, just prior to the first delivery of spent
nuclear fuel to the DOE. The liability for the one-time fee and the related
interest is reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(12) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. The following methods and
assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments
either held or issued and outstanding. The disclosure of such information does
not purport to be a market valuation of Unicom and subsidiary companies as a
whole. The impact of any realized or unrealized gains or losses related to such
financial instruments on the financial position or results of operations of
Unicom and subsidiary companies is primarily dependent on the treatment
authorized under future ComEd ratemaking proceedings.
23
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
Investments. Securities included in the nuclear decommissioning funds have
been classified and accounted for as "available for sale" securities. The
estimated fair value of the nuclear decommissioning funds, as determined by the
trustee and based on published market data, as of September 30, 1997 and
December 31, 1996, was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
UNREALIZED
UNREALIZED GAINS
COST BASIS GAINS FAIR VALUE COST BASIS (LOSSES) FAIR VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Short-term
investments.......... $ 34,855 $ 6 $ 34,861 $ 29,848 $ 17 $ 29,865
U.S. Government and
Agency issues........ 177,245 10,691 187,936 253,491 6,889 260,380
Municipal bonds....... 290,920 16,772 307,692 333,369 18,002 351,371
Corporate bonds....... 225,996 2,733 228,729 54,584 (800) 53,784
Common stock.......... 638,644 392,544 1,031,188 539,392 201,304 740,696
Other................. 21,807 9,394 31,201 15,283 4,981 20,264
---------- -------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------
$1,389,467 $432,140 $1,821,607 $1,225,967 $230,393 $1,456,360
========== ======== ========== ========== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1997, the debt securities held by the nuclear
decommissioning funds had the following maturities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COST BASIS FAIR VALUE
---------- ----------
(THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Within 1 year....................................... $ 36,049 $ 36,038
1 through 5 years................................... 170,876 174,784
5 through 10 years.................................. 226,624 237,239
Over 10 years....................................... 304,856 320,716
</TABLE>
The net earnings of the nuclear decommissioning funds, which are recorded as
increases to the accumulated provision for depreciation, for the three months,
nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gross proceeds from
sales of securities.... $ 549,296 $ 621,781 $ 1,671,773 $ 1,884,446 $ 2,123,301 $ 2,107,709
Less cost based on spe-
cific identification... (520,940) (617,405) (1,620,713) (1,857,748) (2,063,003) (2,074,694)
--------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Realized gains on sales
of securities.......... $ 28,356 $ 4,376 $ 51,060 $ 26,698 $ 60,298 $ 33,015
Other realized fund
earnings net of
expenses............... 9,479 10,459 32,260 24,040 41,228 35,311
--------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total realized net earn-
ings of the funds...... $ 37,835 $ 14,835 $ 83,320 $ 50,738 $ 101,526 $ 68,326
Unrealized gains........ 71,308 29,270 201,747 14,506 252,757 52,553
--------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total net earnings of
the funds............. $ 109,143 $ 44,105 $ 285,067 $ 65,244 $ 354,283 $ 120,879
========= ========= =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
Current Assets. Cash, temporary cash investments and other cash investments,
which include U.S. Government Obligations and other short-term marketable
securities, and special deposits, which primarily includes cash deposited for
the redemption, refund or discharge of debt securities, are stated at cost,
which approximates their fair value because of the short maturity of these
instruments. The securities included in these categories have been classified
as "available for sale" securities.
Capitalization. The estimated fair values of ComEd preferred and preference
stocks, ComEd-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of the
Trusts and long-term debt were obtained
24
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
from an independent consultant. The estimated fair values, which include the
current portions of redeemable preference stock and long-term debt but exclude
accrued interest and dividends, as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
CARRYING UNREALIZED CARRYING UNREALIZED
VALUE LOSSES FAIR VALUE VALUE LOSSES FAIR VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ComEd preferred and
preference stocks.... $ 715,640 $ 5,456 $ 721,096 $ 755,931 $ 3,948 $ 759,879
ComEd-obligated
mandatorily
redeemable preferred
securities of the
Trusts............... $ 350,000 $ 11,655 $ 361,655 $ 200,000 $ 1,000 $ 201,000
Long-term debt........ $5,972,929 $284,472 $6,257,401 $6,345,533 $159,818 $6,505,351
</TABLE>
Long-term notes payable, which are not included in the above table, amounted
to $322 million and $264 million at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
respectively. Such notes, for which interest is paid at fixed and prevailing
rates, are included in the consolidated financial statements at cost, which
approximates their fair value.
Current Liabilities. The carrying value of notes payable, which consists of
commercial paper and bank loans maturing within one year, approximates the fair
value because of the short maturity of these instruments. See "Capitalization"
above for a discussion of the fair value of the current portions of long-term
debt and redeemable preference stock.
Other Noncurrent Liabilities. The carrying value of accrued spent nuclear
fuel disposal fee and related interest represents the settlement value as of
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996; therefore, the carrying value is
equal to the fair value.
(13) PENSION BENEFITS. ComEd and the Indiana Company have qualified non-
contributory defined benefit pension plans which cover all regular employees.
Benefits under these plans reflect each employee's compensation, years of
service and age at retirement. During 1995, these plans were amended to more
closely base retirement benefits on final pay. Funding is based upon
actuarially determined contributions that take into account the amount
deductible for income tax purposes and the minimum contribution required under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The September
30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 pension liabilities and related data were
determined using the January 1, 1997 actuarial valuation. Additionally, ComEd
maintains a nonqualified supplemental retirement plan which covers any excess
pension benefits that would be payable to management employees under the
qualified plan but which are limited by the Internal Revenue Code.
25
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
The funded status of these plans, including the supplemental plan, at
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated pension plan
benefits:
Vested benefit obligation........................ $(3,165,000) $(3,065,000)
Nonvested benefit obligation..................... (129,000) (125,000)
----------- -----------
Accumulated benefit obligation................... $(3,294,000) $(3,190,000)
Effect of projected future compensation levels... (400,000) (387,000)
----------- -----------
Projected benefit obligation..................... $(3,694,000) $(3,577,000)
Fair value of plan assets, invested primarily in
U.S. Government, government-sponsored corporation
and agency securities, fixed income funds,
registered investment companies, equity index
funds and other equity and fixed income funds..... 3,742,000 3,281,000
----------- -----------
Plan assets greater (less) than projected benefit
obligation........................................ $ 48,000 $ (296,000)
Unrecognized prior service cost.................... (66,000) (69,000)
Unrecognized transition asset...................... (120,000) (130,000)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss....................... (273,000) 111,000
----------- -----------
Accrued pension liability........................ $ (411,000) $ (384,000)
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The fair value of plan assets excludes $18 million held in grantor trust as
of September 30, 1997 for payment of benefits under the supplemental plan.
The assumed discount rate was 7.5% at September 30, 1997 and December 31,
1996, and the assumed annual rate of increase in future compensation levels was
4.0%. These rates were used in determining the projected benefit obligations,
the accumulated benefit obligations and the vested benefit obligations.
Pension costs were determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost
method and the following actuarial assumptions for periods during 1997, 1996
and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Annual discount rate.......................................... 7.50% 7.50% 8.00%
Annual rate of increase in future compensation levels......... 4.00% 4.00% 4.00%
Annual long-term rate of return on plan assets................ 9.75% 9.75% 9.75%
</TABLE>
The components of pension costs, portions of which were recorded as
components of construction costs, for the three months, nine months and twelve
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------- -------------------- --------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Service cost............ $ 25,000 $ 24,000 $ 75,000 $ 74,000 $ 93,000 $ 99,000
Interest cost on pro-
jected benefit obliga-
tion................... 66,000 61,000 195,000 185,000 257,000 239,000
Actual return on plan
assets................. (235,000) (85,000) (615,000) (225,000) (811,000) (372,000)
Net amortization and de-
ferral................. 156,000 11,000 372,000 (3,000) 490,000 69,000
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
$ 12,000 $ 11,000 $ 27,000 $ 31,000 $ 29,000 $ 35,000
========= ======== ========= ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
In addition, an employee savings and investment plan is available to eligible
employees of ComEd and certain of its and Unicom's subsidiaries. Under the
plan, each participating employee may contribute up to 20% of such employee's
base pay. The participating companies match the first 6% of such
26
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
contribution equal to 100% of the first 2% of contributed base salary, 70% of
the next 3% of contributed base salary and 25% of the next 1% of contributed
base salary. The participating companies' contributions were $8 million for the
three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, $24 million and $23 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $31
million and $29 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
(14) POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS. ComEd and the Indiana Company provide certain
postretirement health care, dental care, vision care and life insurance for
retirees and their dependents and for the surviving dependents of eligible
employees and retirees. The employees become eligible for postretirement
benefits when they reach age 55 with 10 years of service. The liability for
postretirement benefits is funded through trust funds based upon actuarially
determined contributions that take into account the amount deductible for
income tax purposes. The plan is contributory, funded jointly by the companies
and the participating employees. The September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996
postretirement benefit liabilities and related data were determined using the
January 1, 1997 actuarial valuations.
Postretirement health care costs for the twelve months ended September 30,
1997 and 1996 included $8 million and $26 million, respectively, related to
voluntary separation offers to certain ComEd employees.
The funded status of the plan at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 was
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation:
Retirees.......................................... $ (590,000) $ (558,000)
Active fully eligible participants................ (29,000) (28,000)
Other participants................................ (470,000) (449,000)
----------- -----------
Accumulated benefit obligation.................... $(1,089,000) $(1,035,000)
Fair value of plan assets, invested primarily in
S&P 500 common stocks, registered investment
companies and U.S. Government, government agency,
municipal and listed corporate obligations........ 763,000 665,000
----------- -----------
Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation................................ $ (326,000) $ (370,000)
Unrecognized transition obligation................. 353,000 370,000
Unrecognized prior service cost.................... 53,000 56,000
Unrecognized net gain.............................. (400,000) (323,000)
----------- -----------
Accrued liability for postretirement benefits..... $ (320,000) $ (267,000)
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
Different health care cost trends are used for pre-Medicare and post-Medicare
expenses. The pre-Medicare trend rate was 9.0% at December 31, 1996, grading
down in 0.5% annual increments and leveling off at 5.0%. The post-Medicare
trend rate was 7.0% at December 31, 1996, grading down in 0.5% annual
increments to 5.0%. The assumed discount rate was 7.5% at December 31, 1996,
which was used to determine the accumulated benefit obligations. The effect of
a 1% increase in the health care cost trend rate for each future year would
increase the accumulated postretirement health care obligations by
approximately $165 million.
27
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
The components of postretirement health care costs, portions of which were
recorded as components of construction costs, for the three months, nine months
and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS TWELVE MONTHS
ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
----------------- ------------------ ------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Service cost............ $ 8,000 $ 8,000 $ 25,000 $ 23,000 $ 34,000 $ 22,000
Interest cost on accumu-
lated benefit obliga-
tion................... 17,000 18,000 57,000 53,000 77,000 58,000
Actual return on plan
assets................. (46,000) (11,000) (132,000) (47,000) (175,000) (77,000)
Amortization of transi-
tion obligation........ 6,000 6,000 17,000 17,000 22,000 19,000
Severance plan cost..... 4,000 2,000 6,000 3,000 8,000 26,000
Other................... 27,000 (7,000) 80,000 (3,000) 111,000 5,000
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$16,000 $ 16,000 $ 53,000 $ 46,000 $ 77,000 $ 53,000
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Postretirement benefit costs were determined using the projected unit credit
actuarial cost method. The discount rates used were 7.5% for the 1997 and 1996
periods and 8.0% for the 1995 period and the estimated long-term rate of return
of fund assets, net of income tax effects, were 9.40%, 9.38% and 9.32% for the
1997, 1996 and 1995 periods, respectively. Pre-Medicare health care cost trend
rates were 13.5% for the first three months of 1995 and 10% for the remainder
of the year, grading down in 0.5% annual increments to 5.0%. Post-Medicare
health care cost trend rates were 11% for the first three months of 1995 and 8%
for the remainder of the year, grading down in 0.5% annual increments to 5.0%.
The effect of a 1% increase in the health care cost trend rate for each future
year would increase the aggregate of the service and interest cost components
of postretirement benefit costs by approximately $31 million for the twelve
months ended September 30, 1997.
(15) SEPARATION PLAN COSTS. O&M expenses included $25 million and $5 million
for the three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, $32
million and $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, and $36 million and $96 million for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, for costs related to voluntary
separation offers to certain ComEd employees. Such costs reduced net income by
$15 million or $0.07 per common share and $3 million or $0.01 per common share
for the three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, $19
million or $0.09 per common share and $5 million or $0.02 per common share for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $22
million or $0.10 per common share and $58 million or $0.27 per common share for
the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
(16) INCOME TAXES. The components of the net deferred income tax liability at
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Accelerated cost recovery and liberalized deprecia-
tion, net of removal costs........................ $3,550,795 $3,514,300
Overheads capitalized.............................. 257,678 261,437
Repair allowance................................... 220,074 228,426
Regulatory assets recoverable through future rates. 1,621,034 1,649,037
Deferred income tax assets:
Postretirement benefits............................ (300,408) (269,179)
Unbilled revenues.................................. (111,265) (136,406)
Alternative minimum tax............................ -- (80,159)
Unamortized investment tax credits to be settled
through future rates.............................. (414,964) (430,297)
Other regulatory liabilities to be settled through
future rates...................................... (301,964) (238,004)
Other--net......................................... (88,232) (44,998)
---------- ----------
Net deferred income tax liability................... $4,432,748 $4,454,157
========== ==========
</TABLE>
28
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
The $21 million decrease in the net deferred income tax liability from
December 31, 1996 to September 30, 1997 is comprised of $56 million of deferred
income tax expense and a $77 million decrease in regulatory assets net of
regulatory liabilities pertaining to income taxes for the period. The amount of
regulatory assets included in deferred income tax liabilities primarily relates
to the equity component of AFUDC which is recorded on an after-tax basis, the
borrowed funds component of AFUDC which was previously recorded net of tax and
other temporary differences for which the related tax effects were not
previously recorded. The amount of other regulatory liabilities included in
deferred income tax assets primarily relates to deferred income taxes provided
at rates in excess of the current statutory rate.
The components of net income tax expense charged to continuing operations for
the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS TWELVE MONTHS
ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating income:
Current income taxes... $186,368 $131,740 $262,445 $270,464 $320,424 $286,090
Deferred income taxes.. 19,358 81,681 54,282 138,521 76,863 180,663
Investment tax credits
deferred--net......... (7,570) (12,011) (23,364) (26,343) (30,399) (33,518)
Other (income) and de-
ductions............... (1,973) 4,882 (4,092) (156) (11,322) (1,972)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income taxes charged
to continuing opera-
tions.................. $196,183 $206,292 $289,271 $382,486 $355,566 $431,263
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Provisions for current and deferred federal and state income taxes and
amortization of investment tax credits resulted in the following effective
income tax rates for the three months, nine months and twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------ -------------------- --------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income before ex-
traordinary item....... $266,196 $334,980 $359,711 $ 572,225 $453,586 $ 626,858
Net income taxes charged
to continuing
operations............. 196,183 206,292 289,271 382,486 355,566 431,263
Provision for dividends
on ComEd preferred and
preference stocks..... 14,902 15,885 45,914 48,871 61,467 68,384
-------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------
Pre-tax income before
provision for
dividends.............. $477,281 $557,157 $694,896 $1,003,582 $870,619 $1,126,505
======== ======== ======== ========== ======== ==========
Effective income tax
rate................... 41.1% 37.0% 41.6% 38.1% 40.8% 38.3%
======== ======== ======== ========== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
The principal differences between net income taxes charged to continuing
operations and the amounts computed at the federal statutory rate of 35% for
the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS TWELVE MONTHS
ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Federal income taxes
computed at statutory
rate................... $167,048 $195,005 $243,214 $351,254 $304,717 $394,277
Equity component of
AFUDC which was ex-
cluded from taxable
income................. (2,020) (1,734) (5,795) (5,502) (7,565) (7,051)
Amortization of invest-
ment tax credits....... (7,570) (12,011) (23,364) (26,343) (30,399) (33,518)
State income taxes, net
of federal income tax-
es..................... 25,286 26,850 39,737 50,973 47,150 58,433
Differences between book
and tax accounting,
primarily property-
related deductions..... 13,613 (3,418) 36,140 8,590 41,699 3,357
Other--net.............. (174) 1,600 (661) 3,514 (36) 15,765
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income taxes charged
to continuing opera-
tions.................. $196,183 $206,292 $289,271 $382,486 $355,566 $431,263
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
29
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
The effects of an income tax refund related to prior years increased net
income by $26 million or $0.12 per common share for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1996.
(17) TAXES, EXCEPT INCOME TAXES. Provisions for taxes, except income taxes,
for the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997
and 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------- ----------------- -------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Illinois public utility
revenue................ $ 64,695 $ 63,399 $176,105 $173,891 $ 229,275 $ 228,075
Illinois invested capi-
tal.................... 26,258 26,587 78,275 78,766 104,172 103,506
Municipal utility gross
receipts............... 49,126 49,508 130,696 128,909 170,502 168,113
Real estate............. 37,466 40,609 110,746 94,386 146,811 137,961
Municipal compensation.. 22,784 23,205 60,808 60,009 79,343 78,735
Other--net.............. 18,111 18,762 59,573 63,814 69,855 76,939
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
$ 218,440 $ 222,070 $616,203 $599,775 $ 799,958 $ 793,329
========= ========= ======== ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
ComEd's real estate taxes for the nine months and twelve months ended
September 30, 1996 reflect a credit of $23 million which related to the year
1995.
(18) LEASE OBLIGATIONS OF SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES. Under its nuclear fuel lease
arrangement, ComEd may sell and lease back nuclear fuel from a lessor who may
borrow an aggregate of $700 million, consisting of $300 million of commercial
paper/bank borrowings and $400 million of intermediate term notes, to finance
the transactions. The commercial paper/bank borrowing portion of $300 million
will expire on November 23, 1999. With respect to the intermediate term notes,
$77 million expires on November 23, 1997, and an additional portion each
November 23 thereafter through November 23, 2001 and on November 23, 2003. At
September 30, 1997, ComEd's obligation to the lessor for leased nuclear fuel
amounted to approximately $673 million. ComEd has agreed to make lease payments
which cover the amortization of the nuclear fuel used in ComEd's reactors plus
the lessor's related financing costs. ComEd has an obligation for spent nuclear
fuel disposal costs of leased nuclear fuel.
Future minimum rental payments, net of executory costs, at September 30, 1997
for capital leases are estimated to aggregate $790 million, including $48
million in 1997, $215 million in 1998, $188 million in 1999, $123 million in
2000, $80 million in 2001 and $136 million in 2002-2043. The estimated interest
component of such rental payments aggregates $120 million. The estimated
portions of obligations due within one year under capital leases of $141
million and $174 million at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
respectively, are included in current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
Future minimum rental payments at September 30, 1997 for operating leases are
estimated to aggregate $191 million, including $5 million in 1997, $22 million
in 1998, $20 million in 1999, $16 million in 2000, $15 million in 2001 and $113
million in 2002-2024.
(19) JOINT PLANT OWNERSHIP. ComEd has a 75% undivided ownership interest in
the Quad Cities nuclear generating station. Further, ComEd is responsible for
75% of all costs which are charged to appropriate investment, operation or
maintenance accounts and provides its own financing. At September 30, 1997, for
its share of ownership in the station, ComEd had an investment of $660 million
in production and transmission plant in service (before reduction of $205
million for the related accumulated provision for depreciation) and $14 million
in construction work in progress.
30
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
(20) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. Purchase commitments,
principally related to construction and nuclear fuel, approximated $877 million
at September 30, 1997, comprised of $856 million for ComEd and the Indiana
Company and $21 million for Unicom Thermal. In addition, ComEd has substantial
commitments for the purchase of coal. ComEd's coal costs are high compared to
those of other utilities. ComEd's western coal contracts and its rail contracts
for delivery of the western coal provide for the purchase of certain coal at
prices substantially above currently prevailing market prices. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," subcaption "Liquidity and Capital Resources," for additional
information regarding ComEd's purchase commitments.
ComEd is a member of NML, established to provide insurance coverage against
property damage to members' nuclear generating facilities. The members are
subject to a retrospective premium adjustment in the event losses exceed
accumulated reserve funds. Capital has been accumulated in the reserve funds of
NML to the extent that ComEd would not be liable for a retrospective premium
adjustment in the event of a single incident. However, ComEd could be subject
to a maximum assessment of approximately $53 million in any policy year, in the
event losses exceed accumulated reserve funds.
ComEd also is a member of NEIL, which provides insurance coverage against the
cost of replacement power obtained during certain prolonged accidental outages
of nuclear generating units and coverage for property losses in excess of $500
million occurring at nuclear stations. All companies insured with NEIL are
subject to retrospective premium adjustments if losses exceed accumulated
reserve funds. Capital has been accumulated in the reserve funds of NEIL to the
extent that ComEd would not be liable for a retrospective premium adjustment in
the event of a single incident under the replacement power coverage and the
property damage coverage. However, ComEd could be subject to maximum
assessments, in any policy year, of approximately $22 million and $73 million
in the event losses exceed accumulated reserve funds under the replacement
power and property damage coverages, respectively.
The NRC's indemnity for public liability coverage under the Price-Anderson
Act is supported by a mandatory industry-wide program under which owners of
nuclear generating facilities could be assessed in the event of nuclear
incidents. Based on the number of nuclear reactors with operating licenses,
ComEd would currently be subject to a maximum assessment of $991 million in the
event of an incident, limited to a maximum of $125 million in any calendar
year.
In addition, ComEd participates in the American Nuclear Insurers and Mutual
Atomic Energy Liability Underwriters Master Worker Program which provides
coverage for worker tort claims filed for bodily injury caused by the nuclear
energy hazard. The coverage applies to workers whose "nuclear related
employment" began after January 1, 1988. ComEd would currently be subject to a
maximum assessment of approximately $36 million in the event losses exceed
accumulated reserve funds.
During 1989 and 1991, actions were brought in federal and state courts in
Colorado against ComEd and Cotter seeking unspecified damages and injunctive
relief based on allegations that Cotter has permitted radioactive and other
hazardous material to be released from its mill into areas owned or occupied by
the plaintiffs resulting in property damage and potential adverse health
effects. In 1994, a federal jury returned nominal dollar verdicts on 8
bellwether plaintiffs' claims in these cases, which verdicts were upheld on
appeal. The remaining claims in the 1989 actions are the subject of a
settlement agreement entered into by counsel for the plaintiffs and Cotter. If
the settlement agreement is implemented, the 1989 actions will be dismissed.
Although the remaining cases will necessarily involve the resolution of
numerous contested issues of fact and law, Unicom and ComEd's determination is
that these actions will not have a material impact on their financial position
or results of operations.
31
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONCLUDED
ComEd is involved in administrative and legal proceedings concerning air
quality, water quality and other matters. The outcome of these proceedings may
require increases in future construction expenditures and operating expenses
and changes in operating procedures. ComEd and its subsidiaries are or are
likely to become parties to proceedings initiated by the U.S. EPA, state
agencies and/or other responsible parties under CERCLA with respect to a number
of sites, including MGP sites, or may voluntarily undertake to investigate and
remediate sites for which they may be liable under CERCLA.
ComEd generally did not operate MGPs as a corporate entity but did, however,
acquire MGP sites as part of the absorption of smaller utilities. Approximately
half of these sites were transferred to Northern Illinois Gas Company as part
of a general conveyance in 1954. ComEd also acquired former MGP sites as vacant
real estate on which ComEd facilities have been constructed. To date, ComEd has
identified 44 former MGP sites for which it may be liable for remediation.
ComEd presently estimates that its costs of former MGP site investigation and
remediation will aggregate from $25 million to $150 million in current-year
(1997) dollars. It is expected that the costs associated with investigation and
remediation of former MGP sites will be incurred over a period not to exceed 30
years. Because ComEd is not able to determine the most probable liability for
such MGP costs, in accordance with accounting standards, a reserve of $25
million has been included in other noncurrent liabilities on the Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, which reflects
the low end of the range of ComEd's estimate of the liability associated with
former MGP sites. In addition, as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
a reserve of $8 million has been included in other noncurrent liabilities on
the Consolidated Balance Sheets, representing ComEd's estimate of the liability
associated with cleanup costs of remediation sites other than former MGP sites.
Approximately half of this reserve relates to anticipated cleanup costs
associated with a property formerly used as a tannery which was purchased by
ComEd in 1973. Unicom and ComEd presently estimate that ComEd's costs of
investigating and remediating the former MGP and other remediation sites,
pursuant to CERCLA and state environmental laws, will not have a material
impact on the financial position or results of operations of Unicom or ComEd.
These cost estimates are based on currently available information regarding the
responsible parties likely to share in the costs of responding to site
contamination, the extent of contamination at sites for which the investigation
has not yet been completed and the cleanup levels to which sites are expected
to have to be remediated.
32
<PAGE>
UNICOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CHANGES IN THE ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY
Unicom and its predominant business, electric energy generation, transmission
and distribution, are in a period of fundamental change in the manner in which
customers obtain, and energy suppliers provide, energy services. These changes
are attributable to changes in technology, the relaxation of regulatory
barriers to utilities' respective service territories as well as to efforts to
change the manner in which electric utilities are regulated. Federal law and
regulations have been amended to provide for open transmission system access,
and various states are considering, or have adopted, new regulatory structures
to allow access by some or all customers to energy suppliers in addition to the
local utility.
On October 30, 1997, the Illinois Senate approved, on a vote of 57 to 2, a
bill introducing price-based competition into the supply of electric energy in
Illinois under a less regulated structure. The Illinois House of
Representatives will consider the bill during the remaining portion of the Fall
veto session scheduled for November 12-14, 1997. If enacted, the bill would
provide for, among other things, a 15% residential base rate reduction
commencing August 1, 1998, an additional 5% residential base rate reduction
commencing May 1, 2002, and customer access to other electric suppliers in a
phased-process. Access for commercial and industrial customers would occur over
a period from October 1999 through December 2000, and access for residential
customers would occur after May 1, 2002. The pending legislation also provides
for recovery of a portion of a utility's stranded costs through a CTC collected
from customers who choose another electric supplier. The legislation includes
the option to eliminate the fuel adjustment clause within six months of its
enactment, the ability to securitize certain revenues, the revision of various
regulatory requirements to permit operational flexibility and the leveling of
certain regulatory and tax provisions as applied to various electric service
providers. As explained below, the timing of customer access to other suppliers
and the impact on prevailing rates can have a significant impact upon the
recoverability of a utility's invested costs and, consequently, the amount at
which such costs are reflected in its financial statements.
Electric Utility Industry. The electric utility industry has historically
consisted of vertically integrated companies which combine generation,
transmission and distribution assets; serve customers within relatively defined
service territories; and operate under extensive regulation with respect to
rates, operations and other matters. Utilities operated under a regulatory
compact with the state, with a statutory obligation to serve all of the
electricity needs within their service territory in a nondiscriminatory manner.
Historically, investment and operating decisions have been made based upon the
utilities' respective assessment of the current and projected needs of their
customers. In view of this obligation, regulation has focused on investment and
operating costs, and rates have been based on a recovery of some or all of such
prudently incurred costs plus a return on invested capital. Such rate
regulation, and the ability of utilities to recover investment and other costs
through rates, has provided the basis for recording certain costs as regulatory
assets. These assets represent costs which are allocated over future periods
reflecting related regulatory treatment, rather than expensed in the current
period.
As noted previously, the United States electric utility industry is in a
process of fundamental change as state legislators and regulators re-examine
their approach to regulation and its objectives and consider a transition to a
competitive or market-based system of pricing for electric energy. Although the
process and approach have varied from state to state in terms of the elements
and timing of implementation, it is evident that the question is no longer if,
but rather how and when there will be a more competitive electricity market.
The Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992, among other things, empowered FERC to
introduce a greater level of competition into the wholesale marketplace for
electric energy. In April 1996, the FERC Order was issued requiring utilities
to file open access tariffs with regard to their transmission systems. These
tariffs set forth the terms, including prices, under which other parties and
the utility's
33
<PAGE>
wholesale marketing function may use the utility's transmission system. ComEd
has filed an open access tariff with the FERC. The FERC Order requires the
separation of the transmission operations and wholesale marketing functions so
as to ensure that unaffiliated third parties have access to the same
information as to system availability and other requirements. The FERC Order
further requires utilities to operate an electronic bulletin board to make
transmission price and access data available to all potential users. A key
feature of the FERC Order is that it contemplates full recovery of a utility's
costs "stranded" by competition. These costs are "stranded" or "strandable" to
the extent market-based rates would be insufficient to allow for their full
recovery. To recover stranded costs, the utility must show that it had a
reasonable expectation that it would continue to serve the customer in question
under its regulatory compact.
An important element of reform proposals under consideration is the ability
of other suppliers to provide energy in competition with a utility within its
service territory. This element generally has included consideration of some
future form of "retail wheeling," whereby a utility's transmission and
distribution system is made available to other energy suppliers for delivery of
their services to retail customers. Some of ComEd's customers are presently
seeking some form of "retail wheeling." In addition, some governmental
entities, such as cities, may elect to "municipalize" a utility's distribution
facilities through condemnation proceedings. Such municipalities would then be
able to purchase electric power on a wholesale basis and resell it to customers
over the newly acquired facilities. The FERC Order provides for the recovery of
a utility's investment stranded by municipalization. While municipalization is
possible under the present regulatory system, ComEd is currently not required
to grant alternative electric suppliers access to its distribution system
through any type of "retail wheeling."
Presumably, under such a modified regulatory structure, customers will base
energy purchase decisions on a combination of factors, including price,
reliability and service. In addition to the potential effects on revenues and
marketing and sales efforts, such changes can raise the question as to whether
an affected utility's rates are based on cost-based regulation, allowing
recovery of incurred costs, or are based on something else, i.e., the
marketplace. Under GAAP, the latter determination would require the write-off
of regulatory assets and liabilities and would require an examination as to the
recoverability in revenues of other incurred costs, with any portion determined
to be unrecoverable being subject to write-off. Various approaches have been
proposed to deal with such strandable costs, from full recovery, as provided in
the FERC Order, to no recovery, as proposed by at least some of the
participants in virtually all legislative debates on regulatory reform
proposals. In addition, the EITF of the FASB has recently considered the
accounting treatment for costs related to a portion of a utility's business
which are being recovered during a regulator required period of transition from
cost-based to market-based pricing. The EITF concluded that SFAS No. 71 should
be discontinued for that portion of the business at the beginning of such
transition period. If the pending legislation in Illinois is enacted, ComEd may
be required to write-off certain assets, primarily its generation related net
regulatory assets. Such a write-off would result in an after-tax charge to
earnings estimated to be in the range of $800 million to $1.1 billion. For
additional information, see "Regulatory Assets and Liabilities" in Note 1 of
Notes to Financial Statements.
Retail wheeling and municipalization are significant issues for electric
utility companies, including ComEd, because of their ability to "strand" a
utility's costs--i.e., result in a situation where the utility cannot recover
all of its incurred costs in its revenues. A calculation of potentially
strandable costs is, in essence, an estimate of the amount of incurred costs
that may not be recoverable under the future projected revenue and cost
structure of the utility. As a result, the calculation requires that a number
of complex and interrelated assumptions be made, any one of which can have a
significant effect upon the ultimate result of the calculation. These
assumptions include the timing of open access (customer choice), the extent of
open access allowed, potential market prices over time, sales and load growth
forecasts, operating performance over time, allowed rates over time, cost
structure over time, mitigation opportunities and strandable cost recoveries.
The calculation of strandable costs is extremely sensitive to the assumptions
made, and the resulting estimates are potentially misleading if removed from
the
34
<PAGE>
context in which they were calculated. In connection with the debates in
Illinois regarding deregulation legislation, RDI, a consulting firm, estimated
that ComEd's strandable costs are approximately $9.9 billion. That estimate was
based on RDI's evaluation and quantification of the amount of ComEd's costs
(including generating assets, regulatory assets and fuel supply agreements)
that might not be recoverable under assumed future prevailing market rates for
electric energy. Although ComEd does not agree with some of the assumptions
used by RDI in computing its number, the number is a reasonable estimate of
ComEd's potentially strandable costs assuming no mitigation or replacement
revenues and no stranded cost recovery. The legislation pending before the
Illinois legislature provides for the recovery of a portion of a utility's
strandable costs through a CTC; however, ComEd needs to take steps to reduce
the portion of such costs not subject to such recovery. As indicated above and
in Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements, the impact of stranded costs on the
financial statements is dependent upon the continued applicability of SFAS No.
71 and the amount of stranded cost recovery that is allowed. See Notes 1 and 2
of Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.
ComEd. ComEd is responding, and is undertaking a significant planning effort
with respect to further responses, to the developments within the utility
industry, the legislative proposals in Illinois and its potential for resulting
in strandable investment. During the past several years, such efforts have
focused on cost reductions, including personnel reductions, efficiencies in
purchasing and inventory management, and an incentive compensation system keyed
to cost reduction and control. Notwithstanding these efforts, ComEd's costs
remain high in comparison to its neighboring utilities. Although ComEd's
operating results and financial condition have historically been affected by
various rate proceedings, ComEd expects that the changes in the national and
Illinois electric energy marketplace, and ComEd's activities anticipating or
responding to them, will directly impact its operating results and financial
condition over the next several years.
ComEd anticipates that the proposed Illinois legislative changes and the
resultant increasing competition to supply energy in Illinois and elsewhere
will have significant effects upon its revenues and assets as it takes steps to
adjust its operations and services to meet the changing market for electric
energy. Both Unicom and ComEd have been examining methods of positioning
themselves and their affiliates to deal with those effects and to address the
developing opportunities and challenges. Unicom Energy Services has been
engaged in an examination and development of expanded offerings of energy
services and sources of energy. ComEd has been engaged in a broad based
examination of its assets and operations, particularly nuclear and fossil
generating and generating related (i.e., fuel and inventory) assets, with a
view toward rationalizing their investment and operating costs against their
ability to contribute to the revenues of ComEd under various market scenarios.
Such an assessment involves the consideration of numerous factors, including
revenue contribution, operating costs, impacts on ComEd's service obligations,
purchase commitments and the impact of various options. Such options include
continued operation with accelerated depreciation, indefinite suspension from
operation, sale to a third party and retirement or closure. If ComEd retired or
closed one or more generating plants, particularly a nuclear plant, such
retirement could have a material impact on Unicom and ComEd's financial
position and results of operations. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources--
UTILITY OPERATIONS," subcaption "Construction Program" below regarding ComEd's
ongoing evaluation of the impact of the expected early retirement of its Zion
nuclear generating station. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources--UNREGULATED
OPERATIONS" below regarding Unicom Energy Services.
In April 1996, ComEd announced that it had finalized agreements to sell 2 of
its coal-fired generating stations, representing approximately 1,600 megawatts
of generating capacity. Under the agreements, State Line and Kincaid stations
would be sold for a total of $250 million, which approximates the book value of
the stations. The net proceeds, after income tax effects, would be
approximately $200 million, which would be used to retire or redeem existing
debt. Under the terms of the sales, ComEd would enter into exclusive 15-year
purchased power agreements for the output of the plants. On March 31, 1997, the
ICC issued an order approving the agreements; however, the order has been
appealed to the Illinois Appellate Court. The State Line and Kincaid agreements
give the purchasers the right to terminate the agreements due to the delay in
the closings, which have not yet occurred.
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ComEd is participating with a number of other electric utility companies in
an effort to form an ISO for the midwest United States. Under the arrangement
being discussed, the ISO would set transmission rates for the use of the
participating utilities' transmission systems and would control access to, and
use of, such transmission systems. The participating utilities would continue
to own and maintain their transmission systems and would receive revenues for
transmission system usage from the ISO. The ISO would facilitate compliance
with the FERC Order and would oversee regional planning to avoid transmission
constraints. Creation of the ISO will be subject to further negotiations among
the parties as well as federal and state regulatory approval.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
UTILITY OPERATIONS
Construction Program. ComEd and the Indiana Company have a construction
program for the year 1997, which consists principally of improvements to their
existing nuclear and other electric production, transmission and distribution
facilities. It does not include funds to add new generating capacity to ComEd's
system. The program, as currently approved by ComEd, calls for the following
estimated expenditures (excluding nuclear fuel expenditures of approximately
$300 million):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997
----
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C>
Production............................................. $420
Transmission and Distribution.......................... 421
General................................................ 141
----
$982
====
</TABLE>
Such estimated expenditures include $130 million toward the replacement of
the steam generators at ComEd's Braidwood Unit 1 and Byron Unit 1 nuclear
generating units by year-end 1998. The total replacement cost is estimated to
be $460 million, of which approximately $230 million has been incurred through
September 30, 1997. In April 1997, ComEd decided not to invest in the
replacement of the steam generators at its Zion nuclear generating station. In
absence of replacing the steam generators, Zion station would be retired
substantially earlier than the end of its licensed life in 2013, and most
probably prior to 2005. ComEd is currently evaluating the impact of the
expected early retirement of Zion, which has a net book value of approximately
$700 million, and whether any required additional depreciation would be
recoverable under ComEd's rate cap initiative or the regulatory reform
legislation pending in Illinois. Any unrecoverable plant costs will be
recognized as an expense when they are probable and estimable.
ComEd's forecasts of peak load indicate a need for additional resources to
meet demand, either through generating capacity, equivalent purchased power or
the development of additional demand-side management resources, in 1998 and
each year thereafter. However, ComEd believes that adequate resources,
including cost-effective demand-side management resources, non-utility
generation resources and other-utility power purchases, could be obtained in
sufficient quantities to meet such forecasted needs.
Purchase commitments for ComEd and the Indiana Company, principally related
to construction and nuclear fuel, approximated $856 million at September 30,
1997. In addition, ComEd's estimated commitments for the purchase of coal are
indicated in the following table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTRACT PERIOD COMMITMENT(1)
-------- --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Black Butte Coal Co. ............................. 1997-2000 $ 714
Decker Coal Co. .................................. 1997-2014 516
Other commitments ................................ 1997-1998 33
------
$1,263
======
</TABLE>
--------
(1)In millions of dollars, excluding transportation costs. No estimate
of future cost escalation has been made.
36
<PAGE>
For additional information concerning these coal contracts and ComEd's fuel
supply, see "Results of Operations" below and Notes 1 and 20 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
The foregoing paragraphs in this "Construction Program" section and the
"Construction Program" section below under "UNREGULATED OPERATIONS" include
forward-looking statements with respect to the future levels of capital
expenditures which are necessarily based upon assumptions regarding estimated
costs and the availability of materials and services as well as contingencies.
Unforeseen events or conditions may require changes in the scope of work with
consequent changes in the timing and level of the projected expenditures. In
addition, changes in laws and regulations, or their interpretation and
enforcement, can affect the scope of certain projects, the manner in which they
are undertaken and the costs associated therewith. While ComEd and Unicom
Thermal give consideration to such factors in developing their respective
budgets, such consideration cannot predict the course of future events or
anticipate the interaction of multiple factors beyond management's control upon
project timing and cost. Consequently, actual results could differ materially
from those described.
Capital Resources. ComEd forecasts that internal sources will provide more
than three-fourths of the funds required for ComEd's 1997 construction program
and other capital requirements, including nuclear fuel expenditures,
contributions to nuclear decommissioning funds, sinking fund obligations and
refinancing of scheduled debt maturities. See Notes 7 and 9 of Notes to
Financial Statements for the summaries of the annual sinking fund requirements
and scheduled maturities for ComEd preference stock and long-term debt,
respectively. The forecast assumes the rate levels reflected in the Rate Order,
which has been remanded by the Illinois Appellate Court to the ICC for further
analysis regarding two issues, remain in effect. See "Regulation," subcaption
"Rate Matters" below for additional information.
The type and amount of external financing will depend on financial market
conditions and the needs and capital structure of ComEd at the time of such
financing. A portion of ComEd's financing is expected to be provided through
the continued sale and leaseback of nuclear fuel through ComEd's existing
nuclear fuel lease facility. See Note 18 of Notes to Financial Statements for
more information concerning ComEd's nuclear fuel lease facility. ComEd has $850
million of unused bank lines of credit at September 30, 1997, which may be
borrowed at various interest rates and which may be secured or unsecured. The
interest rate is set at the time of a borrowing and is based on several
floating rate bank indices plus a spread, which is dependent upon the credit
ratings of ComEd's outstanding first mortgage bonds or on a prime interest
rate. Collateral, if required for the borrowings, would consist of first
mortgage bonds issued under and in accordance with the provisions of ComEd's
mortgage. See Note 10 of Notes to Financial Statements for information
concerning lines of credit. See the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for
the construction expenditures and cash flow from operating activities for the
three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997.
During the first nine months of 1997, ComEd sold and leased back
approximately $104 million of nuclear fuel through its existing nuclear fuel
lease facility. In January 1997, ComEd issued $150 million principal amount of
7.375% Notes due January 15, 2004, $150 million principal amount of 7.625%
Notes due January 15, 2007 and $150 million principal amount of 8.50% Trust
Securities due January 15, 2027, the proceeds of which were used to discharge
current maturities of long-term debt and to redeem $200 million principal
amount of first mortgage bonds. See the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
and Note 4 of Notes to Financial Statements for information regarding common
stock activity.
As of November 10, 1997, ComEd has an effective "shelf" registration
statement with the SEC for the future sale of up to an additional $505 million
of debt securities and cumulative preference stock for general corporate
purposes of ComEd, including the discharge or refund of other outstanding
securities.
37
<PAGE>
ComEd's securities and other securities guaranteed by ComEd are currently
rated by three principal securities rating agencies as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STANDARD DUFF &
MOODY'S & POOR'S PHELPS
------- -------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
First mortgage and secured pollution control
bonds........................................... Baa2 BBB BBB
Publicly-held debentures and unsecured pollution
control obligations............................. Baa3 BBB- BBB-
Convertible preferred stock...................... baa3 BBB- BBB-
Preference stock................................. baa3 BBB- BBB-
Trust Securities................................. baa3 BBB- BBB-
Commercial paper................................. P-2 A-2 D-2
</TABLE>
In January 1997, Moody's changed the rating outlook on ComEd's securities
from "stable" to "negative" and Duff & Phelps added ComEd's securities to
"Rating Watch-Down." As of October 1997, S&P's rating outlook on ComEd remained
"stable."
See "Part II, Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters" in Unicom and ComEd's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996, for additional information regarding ComEd's
securities ratings.
Capital Structure. ComEd's ratio of long-term debt to total capitalization
has decreased to 44.0% at September 30, 1997 from 46.1% at December 31, 1996.
This decrease is related primarily to the retirement of long-term debt and the
issuance of Trust Securities, which are treated as equity for purposes of the
calculation of the ratio.
Year 2000 Conversion. ComEd utilizes various software, systems and technology
througout its businesses that will be affected by the date change in the Year
2000. ComEd is in the process of modifying its systems' programs in response to
this issue. Costs associated with resolving the Year 2000 issue are not
expected to have a material impact on ComEd's financial position or results of
operations.
UNREGULATED OPERATIONS
Unicom Enterprises is engaged, through subsidiaries, in energy service
activities which are not subject to utility regulation by state or federal
agencies. One of these subsidiaries, Unicom Thermal, provides district cooling
and related services to offices and other buildings in the city of Chicago
under a non-exclusive use agreement with Chicago for an initial term expiring
in 2014. District cooling involves, in essence, the production of chilled water
at a central location(s) and its circulation to customers' buildings through a
closed circuit of supply and return piping. Such water is circulated through
customers' premises primarily for air conditioning. This process is used by
customers in lieu of self-generated cooling. As a result of the Clean Air
Amendments, the manufacture of CFCs has been curtailed since January 1996,
thereby creating a marketing opportunity for non-CFC based systems, such as
Unicom Thermal's district cooling. Unicom Thermal is involved in district
cooling projects in other cities, generally working with the local utilities.
Unicom Energy Services recently entered into a joint venture with Sonat
Marketing Company L.P. to market natural gas and related services to larger gas
purchasers within ComEd's service area in Northern Illinois and other
Midwestern areas. Unicom Energy Services has also entered into an alliance with
AlliedSignal to market, install and service an electric energy generator
developed by AlliedSignal, known as a TurboGenerator, in a 12-state region and
in the province of Ontario, Canada.
Construction Program. Unicom has approved capital expenditures for 1997 of
approximately $56 million for Unicom Thermal, primarily representing the
construction costs of its facilities in Chicago and
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<PAGE>
its share of construction costs in Boston and Windsor. Unicom Thermal has four
district cooling facilities serving customers in Chicago. Its third and fourth
district cooling facilities are being expanded to provide increased output for
1998 and 1999, respectively. As of September 30, 1997, Unicom Thermal's
purchase commitments, principally related to construction, were approximately
$21 million.
Capital Resources. Unicom expects to obtain funds to invest in its
unregulated subsidiaries principally from dividends received on its ComEd
common stock and from bank borrowings. The availability of ComEd's dividends to
Unicom is dependent on ComEd's financial performance and cash position. Other
forms of financing by ComEd to Unicom or the unregulated subsidiaries of
Unicom, such as loans or additional equity investments, none of which is
expected, would be subject to prior approval by the ICC.
Unicom Enterprises has a $200 million credit facility which will expire in
November 1999, of which $45 million was unused as of September 30, 1997. The
credit facility can be used by Unicom Enterprises to finance investments in
unregulated businesses and projects, including Unicom Thermal and Unicom Energy
Services, and for general corporate purposes. The credit facility is guaranteed
by Unicom and includes certain covenants with respect to Unicom and Unicom
Enterprises' operations. Interest rates for borrowings under the credit
facility are set at the time of a borrowing and are based on either a prime
interest rate or a floating rate bank index plus a spread which varies with the
credit rating of ComEd's outstanding first mortgage bonds. See Note 10 of Notes
to Financial Statements for additional information regarding certain covenants
with respect to Unicom and Unicom Enterprises' operations.
REGULATION
ComEd and the Indiana Company are subject to state and federal regulation in
the conduct of their respective businesses, including the operations of Cotter.
Such regulation includes rates, securities issuance, nuclear operations,
environmental and other matters. Particularly in the cases of nuclear
operations and environmental matters, such regulation can and does affect
operational and capital expenditures.
Rate Matters. In January 1995, the ICC issued its Rate Order in the
proceedings relating to ComEd's February 1994 rate increase request. The Rate
Order provided, among other things, for an increase in ComEd's total revenues
of approximately $302 million (excluding add-on revenue taxes) on an annual
basis. The rates provided in the Rate Order became effective on January 14,
1995; however, they are being collected subject to refund as a result of
subsequent judicial action. The Rate Order was appealed by intervenors and
ComEd to the Illinois Appellate Court, which issued a decision on May 30, 1997
affirming the Rate Order in all respects with the exception of two issues which
it remanded to the ICC for the purpose of providing further analysis. Those
issues relate to: (i) the manner in which certain costs are recovered and which
customers should pay these costs, and (ii) the proper rate of return on common
equity for ComEd. ComEd believes that the ICC can satisfy the Appellate Court's
remand directions on the basis of the existing record from the ICC proceedings
which led to the Rate Order. The Appellate Court's decision was not appealed
and the matter has been returned to the ICC, where a decision is expected in
the first quarter of 1998.
With respect to the first of the issues remanded to the ICC, ComEd does not
believe it will have any effect on the overall level of rates. With respect to
the rate of return issue, the ICC had determined in the Rate Order that ComEd's
cost of common equity was 12.28%. Intervenors had submitted testimony
recommending a return on common equity of 11.50%. The Appellate Court decision
requires the ICC to clarify the basis for certain of its findings relating to
its rejection of the intervenors' recommendation and to analyze further how it
arrived at its conclusions. The Appellate Court stated that after reanalyzing
these bases the ICC can determine whether or not the cost of common equity
determination it adopted should still be followed. Each tenth of one percent
change in the common equity rate of return has approximately an $8 million
effect on the level of annual rates. The Appellate Court's decision does not
have any
39
<PAGE>
immediate effect on ComEd's rates or require any refunds. In connection with
the initiation of the appeal, ComEd committed to make refunds "in the event
that a final, non-appealable order is entered reversing the ICC's Rate Order."
Approximately $180 million would be subject to refund if the ICC were to adopt
the lower rate of return on common equity recommended by intervenors. As noted,
the Appellate Court's decision did not reverse the Rate Order.
Nuclear Matters. Nuclear operations have been, and remain, an important focus
of ComEd--given the impact of such operations on overall O&M expenditures and
the ability of nuclear power plants to produce electric energy at a relatively
low marginal cost. ComEd operates a large number of nuclear plants, ranging
from the older Zion, Dresden and Quad Cities stations to the more recently
completed LaSalle, Byron and Braidwood stations, and is intent upon safe,
reliable and efficient operation. These plants were constructed over a period
of time in which technology, construction procedures and regulatory initiatives
and oversight have evolved, with the result that older plants generally require
greater attention and resources to meet regulatory requirements and
expectations as well as to maintain operational reliability.
In January 1997, the NRC determined that ComEd's Dresden nuclear generating
station should remain on the NRC's list of plants to be monitored closely,
where it has been since being placed on that list in 1992. The NRC also
determined that ComEd's LaSalle and Zion nuclear generating stations should be
added to that list. On June 25, 1997, the NRC indicated that Dresden, LaSalle
and Zion stations would remain on that list. The listing of the plants does not
prevent ComEd from operating the generating units; however, it does mean that
the NRC will devote additional resources to monitoring ComEd's operating
performance and that ComEd will need to work to demonstrate to the NRC the
sustainability of improvements which it believes it has undertaken and is
continuing to implement. The NRC recently indicated that it is monitoring
ComEd's ability to manage its nuclear operations in their entirety and that the
performance at any one facility will be viewed by the NRC in context with the
performance of ComEd's nuclear generating group as a whole.
In January 1997, the NRC also took the unusual additional step of requiring
ComEd to submit information to allow the NRC to determine what actions, if any,
should be taken to assure that ComEd can safely operate its 6 nuclear
generating stations while sustaining performance improvement at each site. The
request also required ComEd to submit information regarding the criteria that
it had established, or planned to establish, to measure performance and to
explain ComEd's proposed actions if the criteria were not met. The request
stated the NRC staff's concerns with the "cyclical safety performance of ComEd
nuclear stations," noting the presence on the list of plants to be monitored
closely of Dresden, LaSalle and Zion stations at various times during the past
10 years. It also noted concerns regarding "ComEd's ability to establish
lasting and effective programs that result in sustained performance
improvement." The request did acknowledge the management and organizational
changes implemented by ComEd, including the "additional focus placed on
management and leadership, accountability, the problem identification and
corrective action processes, material condition improvement, work control, and
radiation protection." It also acknowledged improvements seen at Dresden and
Quad Cities stations; but indicated at the same time performance declines were
observed at both LaSalle and Zion stations. The problems identified by the NRC
are consistent with weaknesses that had been identified in station self-
assessments initiated by ComEd; and management had already undertaken to
develop and implement programs designed to address these issues. ComEd
submitted a response to the NRC on March 28, 1997; and the NRC indicated in an
April 25, 1997 public meeting with representatives of ComEd management that
ComEd's response was generally adequate to demonstrate ComEd's ability to
operate its nuclear generating stations while sustaining performance
improvements. In a November 4, 1997 meeting with the NRC staff, the NRC
indicated that it believes ComEd's nuclear performance has shown improvement,
but that it is too early to conclude that lasting improvement has been
achieved. The NRC noted, as an exception to ComEd's general improving and
sustained performance in its nuclear
40
<PAGE>
operations, concerns regarding ComEd's engineering efforts to resolve the
longstanding fire protection issues at the Quad Cities station. The NRC and
representatives of ComEd's management have met and will continue to meet
periodically in the future, to follow-up on these matters.
ComEd has devoted, and intends to continue to devote, significant resources
to the management and operations of its nuclear generating stations. Over the
past several years, it has increased and reinforced station management with
managers drawn from other utilities which have resolved similar operational and
performance issues. It has also sought to identify, anticipate and address
operating and performance issues in a safe, cost-effective manner while seeking
to improve the availability and capacity factors of its nuclear generating
units.
ComEd's activities with respect to its nuclear generating stations have
included improvements in operating and personnel procedures and repair and
replacement of equipment and can result in longer unit outages. Zion and
LaSalle stations are presently out of service. The current Zion Unit 2 outage
is expected to extend into the first quarter of 1998, and Zion Unit 1 is
expected to be out of service until the second quarter of 1998. The current
LaSalle outage is expected to extend into 1998, with Unit 1 expected to be in
service by mid-year and Unit 2 by the end of the year. Prior to restarting
either LaSalle or Zion stations, ComEd must brief the NRC regional staff as to
certain matters.
The LaSalle and Zion outages are part of several outages of nuclear and
fossil generating stations that several utilities operating in the Midwestern
power grid (including ComEd) were expecting and have experienced, during 1997.
Although ComEd has met its customers' electricity demands, the expectation of
the North American Electric Reliability Council, prior to the beginning of the
summer, was that there could be electric energy shortages during summer peak
demand periods due to generating station outages in the Midwestern power grid
and transmission limitations on delivering power from neighboring systems. In
response to these regional circumstances and expectations, ComEd increased the
availability of its remaining nuclear and fossil generating capacity,
reinforced transmission capacity, negotiated the purchase of power and related
transmission service from third parties, and worked with a number of customers
to manage the use and demand for power. A portion of ComEd's fuel and purchased
power costs, including certain coal transportation costs, are not recoverable
under ComEd's fuel adjustment clause. ComEd estimates that it will incur
approximately $120 million of such unrecovered energy costs in 1997 related to
retail sales.
Generating station availability and performance during a year may be issues
in fuel reconciliation proceedings in assessing the prudence of fuel and the
purchase of power during such year. Final ICC orders have been issued in fuel
reconciliation proceedings for years prior to 1994 and for the year 1995. In
1996, an intervenor filed testimony in the fuel reconciliation proceeding for
1994 seeking a refund of approximately $90 million relating to nuclear station
performance.
Based on ComEd's most recent study, decommissioning costs, including the cost
of decontamination and dismantling, are estimated to aggregate $4.6 billion in
current-year (1997) dollars including a contingency allowance. ComEd estimates
it will expend approximately $12.9 billion, including a contingency allowance,
for decommissioning costs primarily during the period from 2007 through 2032.
Such costs are expected to be funded by external decommissioning trusts which
ComEd established in compliance with Illinois law and into which ComEd has been
making annual contributions. Future decommissioning cost estimates may be
significantly affected by the adoption of or changes to NRC regulations as well
as changes in the assumptions used in making such estimates, including changes
in technology, available alternatives for disposal of nuclear waste, and
inflation. See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements under "Depreciation and
Decommissioning" for additional information.
Environmental Matters. ComEd is involved in administrative and legal
proceedings concerning air quality, water quality and other matters. The
outcome of these proceedings may require increases in
41
<PAGE>
future construction expenditures and operating expenses and changes in
operating procedures. See Note 20 of Notes to Financial Statements and "Part
II. Other Information, Item 1. Legal Proceedings."
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Unicom's earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30,
1997 were $1.23 compared to $1.55 for the three months ended September 30,
1996, $1.66 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 compared to $2.66 for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996, and $2.10 for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 compared to $2.82 for the twelve months ended September 30,
1996. Substantially all of the results of operations for Unicom are the results
of operations for ComEd. The results of Unicom's unregulated subsidiaries are
not material to the results of Unicom and subsidiary companies as a whole. As
such, the following section discusses the results of operations for ComEd
alone.
Net Income. The decrease in ComEd's earnings in the three months ended
September 30, 1997, compared to the same period ended September 30, 1996,
reflects, among other factors, a 6% increase in O&M expenses, which reduced net
income by $21 million or $0.10 per common share. Also contributing to the lower
earnings were higher fuel and purchased power costs, of which $71 million, with
a net income effect of $43 million or $0.20 per common share, was not
recoverable through the fuel adjustment clause. Earnings for the three months
ended September 30, 1996 also benefited from an income tax refund related to
prior years, which increased net income by $26 million or $0.12 per common
share. Partially offsetting the decrease in earnings in the current period was
a 6% increase in kilowatthour sales. See below for additional information.
The decrease in ComEd's earnings in the nine months ended September 30, 1997,
compared to the same period ended September 30, 1996, reflects, among other
factors, a 12% increase in O&M expenses, which reduced net income by $119
million or $0.55 per common share. Also contributing to the lower earnings were
higher fuel and purchased power costs, of which $161 million, with a net income
effect of $97 million or $0.45 per common share, was not recoverable through
the fuel adjustment clause. Depreciation expense increased 4% for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997, primarily due to an increase in additional
nuclear plant depreciation which reduced net income by $17 million or $0.08 per
common share. Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 also
benefited from an income tax refund related to prior years, which increased net
income by $26 million or $0.12 per common share. Partially offsetting the
decrease in earnings in the current period was a 6% increase in kilowatthour
sales. See below for additional information.
The decrease in ComEd's earnings in the twelve months ended September 30,
1997, compared to the same period ended September 30, 1996, reflects, among
other factors, a 7% increase in O&M expenses, which reduced net income by $94
million or $0.44 per common share. Also contributing to the lower earnings were
higher fuel and purchased power costs, of which $192 million, with a net income
effect of $116 million or $0.54 per common share, was not recoverable through
the fuel adjustment clause. The earnings for the twelve months ended September
30, 1997 include a 5% increase in depreciation expense, primarily due to an
increase in additional nuclear plant depreciation which reduced net income by
$22 million or $0.10 per common share. Earnings for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1996 also benefited from an income tax refund related to prior
years, which increased net income by $26 million or $0.12 per common share. The
reduction in earnings in the current period was partially offset by a 6%
reduction in the total of interest expense and dividend requirements on
preferred and preference stocks with a net income effect of $25 million or
$0.12 per common share and a 7% increase in kilowatthour sales. In the fourth
quarter of 1995, ComEd recorded an after-tax charge of $20 million or $0.09 per
common share related to the early redemption of $645 million of long-term debt.
See below for additional information.
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<PAGE>
Operating Revenues. ComEd's electric operating revenues reflect revenues from
sales to ultimate consumers (including residential, commercial and industrial
customers within its service territory), revenues from sales for resale (i.e.,
sales to wholesale customers, principally other electric utilities), and
revenues from collections under its fuel adjustment clause (which is intended
to recover variations in ComEd's fuel cost for generating electric energy and
the energy portion of purchased power cost in relation to the amount included
in ComEd's base rates). Operating revenues are affected by kilowatthour sales,
rates and fuel adjustment clause recoveries. Kilowatthour sales, in turn, are
affected by weather, the level of economic activity within ComEd's service
area, and off-system or wholesale sales to other utilities. Off-system sales
opportunities are affected by a number of factors, including nuclear generating
availability and performance.
Operating revenues increased $37 million in the three months ended September
30, 1997 compared to the three months ended September 30, 1996, primarily due
to a 36% increase in kilowatthour sales to wholesale customers. Kilowatthour
sales to retail customers during the three months ended September 30, 1997
increased 1% compared to the same period in 1996 reflecting milder than normal
weather experienced during the third quarter of both 1997 and 1996, offset by
continued economic growth in ComEd's service territory. Operating revenues
increased $205 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1997 compared to
the nine months ended September 30, 1996, primarily due to increased
collections under ComEd's fuel adjustment clause and a 39% increase in
kilowatthour sales to wholesale customers. Kilowatthour sales to retail
customers during the nine months ended September 30, 1997 increased 1% compared
to the same period in 1996 reflecting milder than normal weather experienced
during the second and third quarters of both 1997 and 1996, offset by continued
economic growth in ComEd's service territory. Operating revenues increased $261
million in the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 compared to the twelve
months ended September 30, 1996, primarily due to a 51% increase in
kilowatthour sales to wholesale customers and increased collections under
ComEd's fuel adjustment clause. Kilowatthour sales to retail customers during
the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 increased 1% compared to the same
period in 1996 reflecting milder than normal weather experienced during the
second and third quarters of both 1997 and 1996, offset by continued economic
growth in ComEd's service territory.
Fuel Costs. Changes in fuel expense for the three months, nine months and
twelve months ended September 30, 1997 compared to the same periods ended
September 30, 1996 primarily resulted from changes in the average cost of fuel
consumed, changes in the mix of fuel sources of electric energy generated and
changes in net generation of electric energy. Fuel mix is determined primarily
by system load, the costs of fuel consumed and the availability of nuclear
generating units. The cost of fuel consumed, net generation of electric energy
and fuel sources of kilowatthour generation were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------- ------------------ --------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of fuel consumed (per million Btu):
Nuclear..................................... $0.54 $0.53 $0.56 $0.53 $0.56 $0.53
Coal........................................ $2.19 $2.38 $2.33 $2.46 $2.32 $2.44
Oil......................................... $4.57 $3.96 $4.03 $3.39 $3.77 $3.29
Natural gas................................. $2.47 $2.55 $2.53 $2.73 $2.56 $2.56
Average all fuels........................... $1.21 $1.21 $1.31 $1.16 $1.28 $1.13
Net generation of electric energy (millions of
kilowatthours)............................... 24,610 24,564 65,690 69,879 88,859 90,911
Fuel sources of kilowatthour generation:
Nuclear..................................... 61% 65% 59% 69% 60% 70%
Coal........................................ 35 32 38 28 37 27
Oil......................................... -- -- -- 1 -- 1
Natural gas................................. 4 3 3 2 3 2
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
========= ========= ======== ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
43
<PAGE>
The decrease in nuclear generation as a percentage of total generation for
the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997
compared to the same periods ended September 30, 1996, is primarily due to
outages at certain of ComEd's nuclear generating stations. See "Regulation,"
subcaption "Nuclear Matters" above for information regarding outages at certain
of ComEd's nuclear generating stations.
Fuel costs, not recoverable under ComEd's fuel adjustment clause, increased
$45 million, $111 million and $141 million for the three months, nine months
and twelve months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, compared to the same
periods ended September 30, 1996. The increased fuel costs are due primarily to
an increase in generation at ComEd's coal fired stations and increased sales to
wholesale customers. See "Regulation," subcaption "Nuclear Matters" above for
information regarding outages at certain of ComEd's nuclear generating
stations.
Under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, investor-owned electric utilities that
have purchased enrichment services from the DOE are being assessed amounts to
fund a portion of the cost for the decontamination and decommissioning of
uranium enrichment facilities owned and previously operated by the DOE. ComEd's
portion of such assessments is estimated to be approximately $15 million per
year (to be adjusted annually for inflation) to 2007. The Act provides that
such assessments are to be treated as a cost of fuel. See Note 1 of Notes to
Financial Statements under "Deferred Unrecovered Energy Costs" for information
related to the accounting for such costs.
Fuel Supply. Compared to other utilities, ComEd has relatively low average
fuel costs as a result of its reliance predominantly on lower cost nuclear
generation. ComEd's coal costs, however, are high compared to those of other
utilities. ComEd's western coal contracts and its rail contracts for delivery
of the western coal provide for the purchase of certain coal at prices
substantially above currently prevailing market prices, and ComEd has
significant purchase commitments under its contracts. In addition, as of
September 30, 1997, ComEd had unrecovered fuel costs in the form of coal
reserves of $299 million. In prior years, ComEd's commitments for the purchase
of coal exceeded its requirements. Rather than take all the coal it was
required to take, ComEd agreed to purchase the coal in place in the form of
coal reserves. For additional information concerning ComEd's coal purchase
commitments, fuel reconciliation proceedings and coal reserves, see "Liquidity
and Capital Resources" above and "Deferred Unrecovered Energy Costs" in Note 1
of Notes to Financial Statements.
Purchased Power. Amounts of purchased power are primarily affected by system
load, the availability of ComEd and the Indiana Company's generating units and
the availability and cost of power from other utilities. Purchased power costs
not recoverable under ComEd's fuel adjustment clause increased $26 million, $50
million and $51 million for the three months, nine months and twelve months
ended September 30, 1997, respectively, compared to the same periods ended
September 30, 1996. The increased purchased power costs are due primarily to a
decrease in nuclear generation. See "Fuel Costs" and "Regulation," subcaption
"Nuclear Matters" above.
The number and average cost of kilowatthours purchased were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
-------------- ------------------- ---------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
------ ------ --------- -------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Kilowatthours
(millions)............. 3,005 1,761 11,987 4,608 13,508 6,182
Cost per kilowatthour... 3.19c 2.74c 2.33c 2.45c 2.31c 2.34c
</TABLE>
Deferred Under or Overrecovered Energy Costs--Net. Operating expenses for the
three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996
include the net change in under or overrecovered allowable energy costs under
ComEd's fuel adjustment clause. See "Fuel Costs" and "Fuel Supply" above and
Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements under "Deferred Unrecovered Energy
Costs."
44
<PAGE>
Operation and Maintenance Expenses. O&M expenses include the expenses
associated with operating and maintaining ComEd's generation, transmission and
distribution assets as well as customer service, administrative overhead and
support. Given the variety of expense categories covered, there are a number of
factors which affect the level of such expenses within any given period. Two
major components of such expenses, however, are the costs associated with
operating and maintaining ComEd's nuclear and fossil generating facilities.
Generating station expenses are affected by the cost of materials, regulatory
requirements and expectations, the age of facilities as well as cost control
efforts.
During the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30,
1997, the aggregate level of O&M expenses increased 6%, 12% and 7%,
respectively, compared to the same periods ended September 30, 1996. The recent
nine-month and twelve-month periods include increases in the level of nuclear
generating station expenses and the periods ended September 30, 1997 and
September 30, 1996 reflect charges for voluntary separation offers made to
certain ComEd employees. The impacts of the above items are discussed below.
Additional factors in each period also affected the level of O&M expenses.
O&M expenses associated with nuclear generating stations decreased $14
million, and increased $128 million and $178 million during the three months,
nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, compared
to the same periods ended September 30, 1996, as a result of activities
associated with the repair, replacement and improvement of nuclear generating
facility equipment. Since 1995, ComEd has increased the number and scope of
maintenance activities associated with its nuclear generating stations. Such
efforts are the result of station performance evaluations performed to identify
the sources and causes of unplanned equipment repairs. The goal of such efforts
is to design and implement cost effective repairs and improvements to increase
station availability. The efforts begun in 1995 are expected to continue
through 1998.
The increase in O&M expenses associated with nuclear generating stations in
the recent nine-month and twelve-month periods has been driven by ComEd's
objective to improve station availability as well as to meet regulatory
requirements and expectations. ComEd is pursuing a program to improve the
quality of nuclear operations, including safety and efficiency, which is also
expected to achieve a longer term goal of improved availability and to be
positioned to take advantage of opportunities in a more competitive market.
Over the past several years, ComEd has increased and reinforced station
management with managers drawn from other utilities which have resolved similar
operating issues. It has also sought to identify, anticipate and address
nuclear station operation and performance issues in a safe, cost-effective
manner while seeking to improve the availability and capacity factors of its
nuclear generating units. Such activities have included improvements in
operating and personnel procedures and repair and replacement of equipment, and
can result in longer unit outages. Such activities have involved increased
maintenance and repair expenses in recent years.
O&M expenses associated with fossil generating stations increased $16 million
and $9 million, and decreased $6 million during the three months, nine months
and twelve months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, compared to the same
periods ended September 30, 1996. The increase related to fossil generating
stations in the recent three months and nine months ended September 30, 1997 is
primarily due to an increase in the repair and improvement of fossil generating
facility equipment in order to increase their general availability, and to
ensure their availability during the Summer of 1997. That increase was
partially offset by a reduction in personnel. The decrease related to the
fossil generating stations in the recent twelve months ended is primarily due
to a reduction in personnel, partially offset by increased repair and
improvement of fossil generating facility equipment.
O&M expenses associated with ComEd's transmission and distribution system
increased $5 million, $19 million and $23 million in the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30,
45
<PAGE>
1997, respectively, compared to the same periods ended September 30, 1996. The
increases in the recent three months, nine months and twelve months ended are
primarily due to increased emergency restoration, tree trimming and certain
load dispatching activities. O&M expenses associated with customer related
activities increased $3 million, $4 million and $6 million in the three months,
nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 compared to the same
periods ended September 30, 1996, primarily due to increases in uncollectible
accounts.
O&M expenses also include compensation and benefits expenses. Since 1995,
ComEd has reduced the size of its workforce by offering incentives for
employees to leave voluntarily. Such incentives included both current payments
and earlier eligibility for post-retirement health care benefits, resulting in
charges of $25 million, $32 million and $36 million for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, and $5
million, $8 million and $96 million for the three months, nine months and
twelve months ended September 30, 1996, respectively. Other compensation and
benefits expenses increased $29 million for the twelve months ended September
30, 1997, compared to the same period ended September 30, 1996, reflecting an
increase in the provision for post-retirement health care benefits, excluding
the effects of employee separation plans. Finally, O&M expenses reflect $38
million and $65 million for employee incentive compensation plan costs for the
twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The payments,
which were made partly in cash and partly in shares of Unicom common stock,
were made under Unicom's Long-Term Incentive Plan as the result of the
achievement during the years 1996 and 1995, respectively, of specified
financial performance, cost containment and operating performance goals. The
effects of inflation have also increased O&M expenses during the periods and
are reflected in the increases and decreases discussed herein.
Excluding the special items described below, ComEd expects 1997 overall O&M
expenses to increase by approximately $150 million over 1996 expenses.
Approximately $100 million of this increase is related to nuclear operations
and is intended to address previously identified operational issues, including
issues identified by the NRC in connection with its determination regarding the
plants to be monitored closely, and to achieve a longer term benefit of
improved capacity factors. ComEd expects this increased level of expenses to
continue through 1998. In addition to the $150 million O&M increase discussed
above, ComEd expects charges in 1997 of $40 million for voluntary separation
offers made to certain ComEd employees, of which $32 million has been incurred
through September 30, 1997. In addition, the delay in the closing of the sale
of the State Line and Kincaid generating stations is expected to increase 1997
O&M expenses by approximately $25 million, however, such delay also results in
decreased purchased power costs of a comparable amount.
Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the nine months and twelve months
ended September 30, 1997 increased over the same periods a year ago as a result
of additional nuclear plant depreciation and additions to plant in service. The
additional depreciation on ComEd's nuclear generating units includes
depreciation recorded on a straight-line basis related to its steam generators
at Byron Unit 1 and Braidwood Unit 1, which are expected to be replaced prior
to year-end 1998, and the 1996 additional depreciation initiative. ComEd
recorded additional depreciation charges related to its nuclear generating
units of $15 million, $44 million and $52 million for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, and $22
million for the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30,
1996. ComEd also continues to consider the possibility of additional
depreciation options. See "Depreciation and Decommissioning" in Note 1 and Note
2 of Notes to Financial Statements.
Interest on Debt. Changes in interest on long-term debt and notes payable for
the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997
compared to the same periods ended September 30, 1996 were due to changes in
average interest rates and in the amounts of long-term debt and notes payable
outstanding. Changes in interest on ComEd's long-term debt also reflected new
issues of debt, the retirement and early redemption of debt, and the retirement
and redemption of issues which were
46
<PAGE>
refinanced at generally lower rates of interest. The average amounts of ComEd's
long-term debt and notes payable outstanding and average interest rates thereon
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long-term debt outstand-
ing:
Average amount (mil-
lions)................ $6,148 $6,625 $6,313 $6,674 $6,375 $6,808
Average interest rate.. 7.65% 7.62% 7.65% 7.69% 7.64% 7.67%
Notes payable outstand-
ing:
Average amount (mil-
lions)................ $ 216 $ 255 $ 192 $ 286 $ 160 $ 226
Average interest rate.. 5.96% 5.71% 5.91% 5.78% 5.91% 5.82%
</TABLE>
Decommissioning. The staff of the SEC has questioned certain of the current
accounting practices of the electric utility industry, including ComEd,
regarding the recognition, measurement and classification of decommissioning
costs for nuclear generating stations in financial statements of electric
utilities. In response to these questions, the FASB is reviewing the accounting
for nuclear decommissioning costs and issued an exposure draft in February 1996
requesting written comment. If current electric utility industry accounting
practices for such decommissioning costs are changed, annual provisions for
decommissioning could increase and the estimated cost for decommissioning could
be recorded as a liability rather than as accumulated depreciation. Unicom does
not believe that such changes, if required, would have an adverse effect on the
results of operations due to ComEd's ability to recover decommissioning costs
through rates.
Other Items. The amounts of AFUDC reflect changes in the average levels of
investment subject to AFUDC and changes in the average annual capitalization
rates as discussed in Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements under "AFUDC."
AFUDC does not contribute to the current cash flow of Unicom or ComEd.
ComEd's ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 were 2.46 and 2.90, respectively.
ComEd's ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred and preference stock
dividend requirements for the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and
December 31, 1996 were 2.11 and 2.48, respectively.
Business corporations, in general, have been adversely affected by inflation
because amounts retained after the payment of all costs have been inadequate to
replace, at increased costs, the productive assets consumed. Electric
utilities, in particular, have been especially affected as a result of their
capital intensive nature and regulation, which limits capital recovery and
prescribes installation or modification of facilities to comply with
increasingly stringent safety and environmental requirements. Because the
regulatory process limits the amount of depreciation expense included in
ComEd's revenue allowance to the original cost of utility plant investment, the
resulting cash flows are inadequate to provide for replacement of that
investment in future years or preserve the purchasing power of common equity
capital previously invested.
47
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Commonwealth Edison Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements
of consolidated capitalization of Commonwealth Edison Company (an Illinois
corporation) and subsidiary companies as of September 30, 1997 and December 31,
1996, and the related statements of consolidated income, retained earnings and
cash flows for the three-month, nine-month and twelve-month periods ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Commonwealth Edison Company
and subsidiary companies as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for the three-month, nine-
month and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 10, 1997
48
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
The following Statements of Consolidated Income for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 reflect the results
of past operations and are not intended as any representation as to results of
operations for any future period. Future operations will necessarily be
affected by various and diverse factors and developments, including changes in
electric rates, regulation, population, business activity, competition, taxes,
environmental control, energy use, fuel, cost of labor, purchased power and
other matters, the nature and effect of which cannot now be determined.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Electric Operating
Revenues............... $2,104,444 $2,066,975 $5,503,586 $5,298,096 $7,140,037 $6,879,333
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Electric Operating
Expenses and Taxes:
Fuel................... $ 323,720 $ 317,775 $ 921,343 $ 866,657 $1,221,724 $1,106,077
Purchased power........ 95,762 48,250 279,402 112,750 311,952 144,518
Deferred overrecovered
energy costs-- net.... 30,865 11,211 51,032 861 40,986 6,707
Operation.............. 424,165 373,628 1,252,986 1,100,196 1,648,965 1,562,584
Maintenance............ 143,261 159,578 520,758 477,570 695,681 626,084
Depreciation........... 245,983 251,842 741,069 712,280 980,654 934,964
Recovery of regulatory
assets................ 3,818 3,818 11,454 11,454 15,272 15,272
Taxes (except income).. 217,967 222,144 614,817 599,625 797,860 792,363
Income taxes--
Current--Federal..... 150,583 95,705 213,260 205,227 273,358 214,277
--State.............. 41,151 40,560 63,191 73,219 64,165 80,374
Deferred--Federal--
net................. 20,126 78,669 50,750 130,017 60,855 168,757
--State--net......... (1,881) (33) (1,087) 5,343 9,711 10,367
Investment tax credits
deferred--net......... (7,570) (12,011) (23,364) (26,343) (30,399) (33,518)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$1,687,950 $1,591,136 $4,695,611 $4,268,856 $6,090,784 $5,628,826
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Electric Operating
Income................. $ 416,494 $ 475,839 $ 807,975 $1,029,240 $1,049,253 $1,250,507
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Other Income and
(Deductions):
Interest on long-term
debt.................. $ (117,572) $ (126,155) $ (362,044) $ (384,834) $ (487,107) $ (522,093)
Interest on notes
payable............... (3,254) (3,665) (8,503) (12,352) (9,459) (13,159)
Allowance for funds
used during
construction--
Borrowed funds....... 4,871 4,544 13,875 15,809 17,492 19,395
Equity funds......... 5,772 4,955 16,558 15,721 21,614 20,147
Income taxes
applicable to
nonoperating
activities............ 1,996 (4,601) 4,414 465 11,761 3,093
Provision for
dividends on company-
obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred
securities of
subsidiary trusts..... (7,357) (4,240) (21,433) (12,720) (25,673) (16,960)
Miscellaneous--net..... (14,101) 6,470 (35,351) (22,843) (47,508) (36,042)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ (129,645) $ (122,692) $ (392,484) $ (400,754) $ (518,880) $ (545,619)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income Before
Extraordinary Item..... $ 286,849 $ 353,147 $ 415,491 $ 628,486 $ 530,373 $ 704,888
Extraordinary Loss
Related to Early
Redemption of Long-Term
Debt, Less Applicable
Income Taxes........... -- -- -- -- -- (20,022)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income.............. $ 286,849 $ 353,147 $ 415,491 $ 628,486 $ 530,373 $ 684,866
Provision for Dividends
on Preferred and
Preference Stocks...... 14,902 15,885 45,914 48,871 61,467 68,384
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income on Common
Stock.................. $ 271,947 $ 337,262 $ 369,577 $ 579,615 $ 468,906 $ 616,482
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding..... 214,227 214,209 214,224 214,201 214,223 214,199
Earnings per Common
Share Before
Extraordinary Item..... $1.27 $1.57 $1.73 $2.71 $2.19 $2.97
Extraordinary Loss
Related to Early
Redemption of Long-Term
Debt, Less Applicable
Income Taxes........... -- -- -- -- -- (0.09)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings per Common
Share.................. $1.27 $1.57 $1.73 $2.71 $2.19 $2.88
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
49
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
ASSETS 1997 1996
------ ------------- ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Utility Plant:
Plant and equipment, at original cost (includes
construction work in progress of $923 million and
$1,034 million, respectively).................... $28,443,951 $27,900,632
Less--Accumulated provision for depreciation...... 12,347,376 11,479,991
----------- -----------
$16,096,575 $16,420,641
Nuclear fuel, at amortized cost................... 839,240 805,623
----------- -----------
$16,935,815 $17,226,264
----------- -----------
Investments:
Nuclear decommissioning funds..................... $ 1,821,607 $ 1,456,360
Subsidiary companies.............................. 120,970 118,188
Other investments, at cost........................ 40,523 14,903
----------- -----------
$ 1,983,100 $ 1,589,451
----------- -----------
Current Assets:
Cash.............................................. $ 8,624 $ 89
Temporary cash investments........................ 49,836 28,801
Special deposits.................................. 686 1,610
Receivables--
Customers....................................... 599,119 568,155
Other........................................... 55,369 103,243
Provisions for uncollectible accounts........... (16,357) (12,893)
Coal and fuel oil, at average cost................ 144,446 140,362
Materials and supplies, at average cost........... 324,263 324,485
Deferred unrecovered energy costs................. 61,224 104,651
Deferred income taxes related to current assets
and liabilities.................................. 119,942 119,917
Prepayments and other............................. 28,466 35,315
----------- -----------
$ 1,375,618 $ 1,413,735
----------- -----------
Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets:
Regulatory assets................................. $ 2,486,753 $ 2,434,807
Unrecovered energy costs.......................... 359,197 444,009
Other............................................. 107,870 108,834
----------- -----------
$ 2,953,820 $ 2,987,650
----------- -----------
$23,248,353 $23,217,100
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
50
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES 1997 1996
------------------------------ ------------ ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Capitalization (see accompanying statements):
Common stock equity................................. $ 6,155,941 $ 6,043,093
Preferred and preference stocks without mandatory
redemption requirements............................ 507,053 507,342
Preference stock subject to mandatory redemption
requirements....................................... 177,899 217,901
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of subsidiary trusts*................... 350,000 200,000
Long-term debt...................................... 5,641,702 5,957,604
----------- -----------
$12,832,595 $12,925,940
----------- -----------
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable--
Commercial paper.................................. $ 35,000 $ 121,000
Bank loans........................................ 7,750 7,750
Current portion of long-term debt, redeemable
preference stock and capitalized lease obligations. 653,095 743,528
Accounts payable.................................... 396,397 478,876
Accrued interest.................................... 142,313 166,862
Accrued taxes....................................... 348,862 182,366
Dividends payable................................... 102,969 101,216
Customer deposits................................... 55,662 51,585
Other............................................... 100,811 98,444
----------- -----------
$ 1,842,859 $ 1,951,627
----------- -----------
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes............................... $ 4,541,295 $ 4,568,832
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits......... 632,299 655,662
Accrued spent nuclear fuel disposal fee and related
interest........................................... 683,666 657,449
Obligations under capital leases.................... 495,431 474,841
Regulatory liabilities.............................. 716,928 668,301
Other............................................... 1,503,280 1,314,448
----------- -----------
$ 8,572,899 $ 8,339,533
----------- -----------
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 20)
$23,248,353 $23,217,100
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
*As described in Note 8 of Notes to Financial Statements, the sole asset of
ComEd Financing I, a subsidiary trust of ComEd, is $206.2 million principal
amount of ComEd's 8.48% subordinated deferrable interest notes due September
30, 2035. The sole asset of ComEd Financing II, also a subsidiary trust of
ComEd, is $154.6 million principal amount of ComEd's 8.50% subordinated
deferrable interest debentures due January 15, 2027.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
51
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Common Stock Equity:
Common stock, $12.50 par value per share--
Outstanding--214,228,066 shares and 214,218,454
shares, respectively............................. $ 2,677,851 $ 2,677,731
Premium on common stock and other paid-in capital.. 2,223,564 2,223,396
Capital stock and warrant expense.................. (15,822) (15,990)
Retained earnings.................................. 1,270,348 1,157,956
----------- -----------
$ 6,155,941 $ 6,043,093
----------- -----------
Preferred and Preference Stocks Without Mandatory
Redemption Requirements:
Preference stock, cumulative, without par value--
Outstanding--13,499,549 shares ................... $ 504,957 $ 504,957
$1.425 convertible preferred stock, cumulative,
without par value--
Outstanding--65,912 shares and 75,003 shares,
respectively..................................... 2,096 2,385
Prior preferred stock, cumulative, $100 par value
per share--
No shares outstanding............................. -- --
----------- -----------
$ 507,053 $ 507,342
----------- -----------
Preference Stock Subject to Mandatory Redemption
Requirements:
Preference stock, cumulative, without par value--
Outstanding--2,094,275 shares and 2,496,775
shares, respectively............................. $ 208,587 $ 248,589
Current redemption requirements for preference
stock included in current liabilities............. (30,688) (30,688)
----------- -----------
$ 177,899 $ 217,901
----------- -----------
Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred
Securities of Subsidiary Trusts..................... $ 350,000 $ 200,000
----------- -----------
Long-Term Debt:
First mortgage bonds:
Maturing 1997 through 2001--5 3/8% to 9 3/8%..... $ 920,000 $ 1,120,000
Maturing 2002 through 2011--4.05% to 8 3/8%...... 1,640,400 1,640,400
Maturing 2012 through 2021--5.85% to 9 7/8%...... 1,191,000 1,391,000
Maturing 2022 through 2023--7 3/4% to 8 5/8%..... 1,160,000 1,160,000
----------- -----------
$ 4,911,400 $ 5,311,400
Sinking fund debentures, due 1999 through 2011--
2 3/4% to 7 5/8%.................................. 100,302 105,164
Pollution control obligations, due 2007 through
2014--4.00% to 5 7/8%............................. 142,200 142,200
Other long-term debt............................... 1,016,890 986,932
Current maturities of long-term debt included in
current liabilities............................... (481,612) (538,534)
Unamortized net debt discount and premium.......... (47,478) (49,558)
----------- -----------
$ 5,641,702 $ 5,957,604
----------- -----------
$12,832,595 $12,925,940
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
52
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED RETAINED EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at Beginning of
Period................... $1,084,199 $ 892,836 $1,157,956 $ 821,848 $1,144,307 $ 867,678
Add--Net income........... 286,849 353,147 415,491 628,486 530,373 684,866
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$1,371,048 $1,245,983 $1,573,447 $1,450,334 $1,674,680 $1,552,544
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Deduct--
Dividends declared on--
Common stock.......... $ 85,691 $ 85,687 $ 257,072 $ 257,045 $ 342,759 $ 342,723
Preferred and prefer-
ence stocks.......... 14,621 15,602 45,611 48,567 61,140 65,081
Other capital stock
transactions--net..... 388 387 416 415 433 433
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ 100,700 $ 101,676 $ 303,099 $ 306,027 $ 404,332 $ 408,237
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at End of Period.. $1,270,348 $1,144,307 $1,270,348 $1,144,307 $1,270,348 $1,144,307
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
53
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash Flow from Operating
Activities:
Net income............. $ 286,849 $ 353,147 $ 415,491 $ 628,486 $ 530,373 $ 684,866
Adjustments to
reconcile net income
to net cash provided
by operating
activities:
Depreciation and am-
ortization.......... 259,151 260,666 774,291 739,731 1,023,503 974,510
Deferred income taxes
and investment tax
credits--net........ 10,819 69,174 25,704 111,378 39,184 144,947
Extraordinary loss
related to early re-
demption of long-
term debt........... -- -- -- -- -- 33,158
Equity component of
allowance for funds
used during
construction........ (5,772) (4,955) (16,558) (15,721) (21,614) (20,147)
Recovery of
regulatory assets .. 3,818 3,818 11,454 11,454 15,272 15,272
Provisions/(payments)
for liability for
separation costs--
net................. 24,146 1,072 24,948 (28,858) 23,919 29,315
Net effect on cash
flows of changes in:
Receivables........ (25,307) (71,192) 20,374 65,672 22,590 35,433
Coal and fuel oil.. 35,704 17,014 (4,084) (20,791) 5,521 (48,400)
Materials and sup-
plies............. (319) 11,725 222 2,973 6,303 32,060
Accounts payable
excluding nuclear
fuel lease
principal payments
and separation
costs--net........ 7,211 (26,029) 22,841 (75,388) 208,665 237,906
Accrued interest
and taxes......... 100,742 1,125 141,947 74,006 30,920 (78,029)
Other changes in
certain current
assets and
liabilities....... 41,989 20,957 65,249 12,287 66,727 (6,401)
Other--net........... 23,178 35,409 136,537 65,259 176,820 28,955
---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$ 762,209 $ 671,931 $1,618,416 $ 1,570,488 $ 2,128,183 $ 2,063,445
---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash Flow from Investing
Activities:
Construction expendi-
tures................. $ (212,445) $(192,012) $ (638,289) $ (709,892) $ (878,268) $(1,038,756)
Nuclear fuel expendi-
tures................. (66,555) (83,298) (157,271) (226,901) (212,203) (352,023)
Equity component of
allowance for funds
used during
construction.......... 5,772 4,955 16,558 15,721 21,614 20,147
Contributions to nu-
clear decommissioning
funds................. -- -- (80,181) (83,178) (116,284) (119,602)
Other investments and
special deposits...... 4,690 (3,370) (24,610) (3,418) (21,244) (1,376)
---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$(268,538) $(273,725) $ (883,793) $(1,007,668) $(1,206,385) $(1,491,610)
---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash Flow from Financing
Activities:
Issuance of securi-
ties--
Long-term debt........ $ -- $ -- $ 297,663 $ 198,902 $ 297,663 $ 198,902
Preferred securities
of subsidiary
trusts............... -- -- 150,000 -- 150,000 --
Capital stock......... 50 550 288 655 302 678
Retirement and redemp-
tion of securities--
Long-term debt........ (100,283) (64,103) (674,765) (331,200) (775,551) (976,311)
Capital stock......... (37,300) (37,804) (40,539) (40,911) (44,141) (44,506)
Deposits and securi-
ties held for retire-
ment and redemption
of securities......... 229 975 -- -- -- --
Premium paid on early
redemption of long-
term debt............. -- -- (9,500) -- (9,500) (25,823)
Cash dividends paid on
capital stock......... (111,450) (110,609) (322,363) (319,234) (427,892) (425,740)
Proceeds from
sale/leaseback of nu-
clear fuel............ 22,953 90,301 104,224 249,916 170,925 249,916
Nuclear fuel lease
principal payments.... (38,206) (51,724) (124,061) (158,693) (177,109) (216,414)
Increase (Decrease) in
short-term
borrowings............ (221,000) (170,850) (86,000) (104,600) (120,800) 156,400
---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$ (485,007) $(343,264) $ (705,053) $ (505,165) $ (936,103) $(1,082,898)
---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Increase (Decrease) in
Cash and Temporary Cash
Investments............ $ 8,664 $ 54,942 $ 29,570 $ 57,655 $ (14,305) $ (511,063)
Cash and Temporary Cash
Investments at
Beginning of Period.... 49,796 17,823 28,890 15,110 72,765 583,828
---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and Temporary Cash
Investments at End of
Period................. $ 58,460 $ 72,765 $ 58,460 $ 72,765 $ 58,460 $ 72,765
========== ========= ========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of the
above statements.
54
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES.
See Unicom's Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for a discussion of
significant accounting policies, except for the following specific policies
discussed below.
Income Taxes. ComEd is included in the consolidated federal and state income
tax returns filed by Unicom. Current and deferred income taxes of the
consolidated group are allocated to ComEd as if ComEd filed separate tax
returns. Deferred income taxes are provided for income and expense items
recognized for financial accounting purposes in periods that differ from those
for income tax purposes. Income taxes deferred in prior years are charged or
credited to income as the book/tax timing differences reverse. Prior years'
deferred investment tax credits are amortized through credits to income
generally over the lives of the related property. Income tax credits resulting
from interest charges applicable to nonoperating activities, principally
construction, are classified as other income.
Interest. Total interest costs incurred on debt, leases and other obligations
were $147 million and $155 million for the three months ended September 30,
1997 and 1996, respectively, $446 million and $469 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $597 million and $631
million for the twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. For purposes of the Statements of
Consolidated Cash Flows, temporary cash investments, generally investments
maturing within three months at the time of purchase, are considered to be cash
equivalents. Supplemental cash flow information for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------- ----------------- -------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental Cash Flow
Information:
Cash paid during the
period for:
Interest (net of
amount capitalized). $150,582 $152,120 $405,835 $422,844 $516,489 $558,377
Income taxes (net of
refunds)............ $ 27,183 $ 47,912 $ 82,684 $ 57,196 $ 264,408 $ 314,923
Supplemental Schedule of
Non-Cash Investing and
Financing Activities:
Capital lease obliga-
tions incurred........ $ 24,760 $ 90,861 $110,533 $253,347 $ 178,161 $ 254,909
</TABLE>
(2) RATE MATTERS. See Unicom's Note 2 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(3) AUTHORIZED SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS OF CAPITAL STOCK. At September 30,
1997, the authorized shares of capital stock were: common stock--250,000,000
shares; preference stock--22,404,275 shares; $1.425 convertible preferred
stock--65,912 shares; and prior preferred stock-- 850,000 shares. The
preference and prior preferred stocks are issuable in series and may be issued
with or without mandatory redemption requirements. Holders of shares at any
time outstanding, regardless of class, are entitled to one vote for each share
held on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders, with the
right to cumulate votes in all elections for directors.
(4) COMMON STOCK. At September 30, 1997, shares of common stock were reserved
for the following purposes:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Conversion of $1.425 convertible preferred stock................... 67,230
Conversion of warrants............................................. 25,641
------
92,871
======
</TABLE>
55
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
During the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30,
1997 and 1996, shares of common stock were issued as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
THREE MONTHS ENDED ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------ ------------ -------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
------------------ ----- ------ --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Conversion of $1.425 con-
vertible preferred stock.. 1,607 17,727 9,261 21,162 10,245 21,919
Conversion of warrants..... 39 820 351 1,219 490 1,276
-------- --------- ----- ------ --------- ---------
1,646 18,547 9,612 22,381 10,735 23,195
======== ========= ===== ====== ========= =========
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, 76,925 and 78,045 common stock
purchase warrants, respectively, were outstanding. The warrants entitle the
holders to convert such warrants into common stock at a conversion rate of one
share of common stock for three warrants.
(5) STOCK OPTION AWARDS/EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. See Unicom's Note 5 of
Notes to Financial Statements.
(6) PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCKS WITHOUT MANDATORY REDEMPTION
REQUIREMENTS. See Unicom's Note 6 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(7) PREFERENCE STOCK SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION REQUIREMENTS. See
Unicom's Note 7 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(8) COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF
SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS. See Unicom's Note 8 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(9) LONG-TERM DEBT. See Unicom's Note 9 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(10) LINES OF CREDIT. See the first paragraph of Unicom's Note 10 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
(11) DISPOSAL OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL. See Unicom's Note 11 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
(12) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. See Unicom's Note 12 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
(13) PENSION BENEFITS. See Unicom's Note 13 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(14) POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS. See Unicom's Note 14 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
(15) SEPARATION PLAN COSTS. See Unicom's Note 15 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
(16) INCOME TAXES. The components of the net deferred income tax liability at
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Accelerated cost recovery and liberalized deprecia-
tion, net of removal costs........................ $3,539,648 $3,507,916
Overheads capitalized.............................. 257,678 261,437
Repair allowance................................... 220,074 228,426
Regulatory assets recoverable through future rates. 1,621,034 1,649,037
Deferred income tax assets:
Postretirement benefits............................ (300,387) (269,153)
Unbilled revenues.................................. (111,265) (136,406)
Alternative minimum tax............................ -- (80,159)
Unamortized investment tax credits to be settled
through future rates.............................. (414,964) (430,297)
Other regulatory liabilities to be settled through
future rates...................................... (301,964) (238,004)
Other--net......................................... (88,501) (43,882)
---------- ----------
Net deferred income tax liability................... $4,421,353 $4,448,915
========== ==========
</TABLE>
56
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
The $28 million decrease in the net deferred income tax liability from
December 31, 1996 to September 30, 1997 is comprised of $49 million of deferred
income tax expense and a $77 million decrease in regulatory assets net of
regulatory liabilities pertaining to income taxes for the period. The amount of
regulatory assets included in deferred income tax liabilities primarily relates
to the equity component of AFUDC which is recorded on an after-tax basis, the
borrowed funds component of AFUDC which was previously recorded net of tax and
other temporary differences for which the related tax effects were not
previously recorded. The amount of other regulatory liabilities included in
deferred income tax assets primarily relates to deferred income taxes provided
at rates in excess of the current statutory rate.
The components of net income tax expense charged to continuing operations for
the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------- ------------------ --------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Electric operating in-
come:
Current income taxes... $ 191,734 $ 136,265 $276,451 $278,446 $ 337,523 $ 294,651
Deferred income taxes.. 18,245 78,636 49,663 135,360 70,566 179,124
Investment tax credits
deferred--net......... (7,570) (12,011) (23,364) (26,343) (30,399) (33,518)
Other (income) and de-
ductions............... (1,973) 4,882 (4,092) (156) (11,322) (1,972)
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
Net income taxes charged
to continuing opera-
tions.................. $ 200,436 $ 207,772 $298,658 $387,307 $ 366,368 $ 438,285
========= ========= ======== ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
Provisions for current and deferred federal and state income taxes and
amortization of investment tax credits resulted in the following effective
income tax rates for the three months, nine months and twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Pre-tax book income
(thousands)............ $487,285 $560,919 $714,149 $1,015,793 $896,741 $1,143,173
Effective income tax
rate................... 41.1% 37.0% 41.8% 38.1% 40.9% 38.3%
</TABLE>
The principal differences between net income taxes charged to continuing
operations and the amounts computed at the federal statutory rate of 35% for
the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
-------------------- ------------------ --------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Federal income taxes
computed at statutory
rate................... $170,550 $ 196,322 $249,952 $355,528 $ 313,859 $ 400,111
Equity component of
AFUDC which was
excluded from taxable
income................. (2,020) (1,734) (5,795) (5,502) (7,565) (7,051)
Amortization of invest-
ment tax credits....... (7,570) (12,011) (23,364) (26,343) (30,399) (33,518)
State income taxes, net
of federal income tax-
es..................... 25,285 26,850 39,736 50,973 47,145 58,433
Differences between book
and tax accounting,
primarily property-re-
lated deductions....... 13,613 (3,418) 36,140 8,590 41,699 3,357
Other--net.............. 578 1,763 1,989 4,061 1,629 16,953
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
Net income taxes charged
to continuing opera-
tions.................. $ 200,436 $ 207,772 $298,658 $387,307 $ 366,368 $ 438,285
========= ========= ======== ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
The effects of an income tax refund related to prior years increased net
income by $26 million or $0.12 per common share for the three months, nine
months and twelve months ended September 30, 1996.
57
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONCLUDED
(17) TAXES, EXCEPT INCOME TAXES. Provisions for taxes, except income taxes,
for the three months, nine months and twelve months ended September 30, 1997
and 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30
------------------- ----------------- -------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Illinois public utility
revenue................ $ 64,695 $ 63,399 $176,105 $173,891 $ 229,275 $ 228,075
Illinois invested capi-
tal.................... 26,258 26,587 78,275 78,766 104,172 103,506
Municipal utility gross
receipts............... 49,126 49,508 130,696 128,909 170,502 168,113
Real estate............. 37,091 40,824 109,653 94,602 145,037 137,528
Municipal compensation.. 22,784 23,205 60,808 60,009 79,343 78,735
Other--net.............. 18,013 18,621 59,280 63,448 69,531 76,406
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
$ 217,967 $ 222,144 $614,817 $599,625 $ 797,860 $ 792,363
========= ========= ======== ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
ComEd's real estate taxes for the nine months and twelve months ended
September 30, 1996 reflect a credit of $23 million which related to the year
1995.
(18) LEASE OBLIGATIONS. See the first paragraph of Unicom's Note 18 of Notes
to Financial Statements.
Future minimum rental payments, net of executory costs, at September 30, 1997
for capital leases are estimated to aggregate $778 million, including $48
million in 1997, $215 million in 1998, $187 million in 1999, $123 million in
2000, $80 million in 2001 and $125 million in 2002-2005. The estimated interest
component of such rental payments aggregates $107 million. The estimated
portions of obligations due within one year under capital leases of $141
million and $174 million at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
respectively, were included in current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
Future minimum rental payments at September 30, 1997 for operating leases are
estimated to aggregate $170 million, including $5 million in 1997, $21 million
in 1998, $19 million in 1999, $15 million in 2000, $13 million in 2001 and $97
million in 2002-2024.
(19) JOINT PLANT OWNERSHIP. See Unicom's Note 19 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
(20) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. See Unicom's Note 20 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
58
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CHANGES IN THE ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY. See Unicom's "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,"
subcaption "Changes in the Electric Utility Industry," which is incorporated
herein by this reference.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES. See Unicom's "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," subcaption
"Liquidity and Capital Resources--UTILITY OPERATIONS," which is incorporated
herein by this reference.
REGULATION. See Unicom's "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," subcaption "Regulation," which is
incorporated herein by this reference.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. See Unicom's "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," subcaption "Results of
Operations" (other than the first paragraph thereof), which is incorporated
herein by this reference.
59
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Since January 1, 1997, civil penalties were imposed on ComEd on 10 occasions
for violations of NRC regulations in amounts aggregating $1,390,000. To ComEd's
knowledge, there are 5 current enforcement issues outstanding and under review
by the NRC.
As described under "Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings" in Unicom and ComEd's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, certain Ogle
County taxing bodies appealed certain decisions which led to a lower property
tax assessment for ComEd's Byron nuclear generating station. The Illinois
Appellate Court affirmed the decisions; however, the Illinois Supreme Court
accepted an appeal. Oral argument is scheduled for November 1997.
In June and September 1997, the IDR issued Notices of Tax Liability to ComEd
alleging deficiencies in Illinois invested capital tax for the years 1988
through 1994, and 1995 through 1996, respectively. The aggregate liability for
tax, penalties and interest asserted by the IDR is approximately $42 million.
The Notices have been protested, and the matter is currently pending before the
IDR's Office of Administrative Hearings.
CERCLA provides for immediate response and removal actions coordinated by the
U.S. EPA to releases of hazardous substances into the environment and
authorizes the U.S. Government either to clean up sites at which hazardous
substances have created actual or potential environmental hazards or to order
persons responsible for the situation to do so. Under CERCLA, generators and
transporters of hazardous substances, as well as past and present owners and
operators of hazardous waste sites, are made strictly, jointly and severally
liable for the cleanup costs of waste at sites, most of which are listed by the
U.S. EPA on the NPL. These responsible parties can be ordered to perform a
cleanup, can be sued for costs associated with a U.S. EPA directed cleanup, may
voluntarily settle with the U.S. Government concerning their liability for
cleanup costs, or may voluntarily begin a site investigation and site
remediation prior to listing on the NPL under state oversight. Various states,
including Illinois, have enacted statutes which contain provisions
substantially similar to CERCLA. ComEd and its subsidiaries are or are likely
to become parties to proceedings initiated by the U.S. EPA, state agencies
and/or other responsible parties under CERCLA with respect to a number of
sites, including MGP sites, or may voluntarily undertake to investigate and
remediate sites for which they may be liable under CERCLA. See Note 20 of Notes
to Financial Statements for information regarding costs associated with
investigating and remediating former MGP sites.
An unresolved issue is whether exposure to EMFs may result in adverse health
effects or damage to the environment. EMFs are produced by virtually all
devices carrying or utilizing electricity, including transmission and
distribution lines as well as home appliances. If regulations are adopted
related to EMFs, they could affect the construction and operation of electrical
equipment, including transmission and distribution lines and the cost of such
equipment. ComEd cannot predict the effect on the cost of such equipment or
operations if new regulations related to EMFs are adopted. In the absence of
such regulations, EMFs have nonetheless become an issue in siting facilities
and in other land use contexts. Litigation has been filed in a variety of
locations against a variety of defendants, including ComEd, alleging that the
presence or use of electrical equipment has had an adverse effect on the health
of persons or has caused a diminution in property values of land adjacent to
these facilities. If plaintiffs are successful in litigation of this type and
it becomes widespread, the impact on ComEd and on the electric utility industry
is not predictable, but could be severe.
From time to time, Unicom and its subsidiaries are, or are claimed to be, in
violation of or in default under orders, statutes, rules or regulations
relating to environmental controls and other matters, compliance plans imposed
upon or agreed to by them or permits issued by various state and federal
60
<PAGE>
agencies for the construction or operation of their facilities. Unicom and
ComEd do not believe, so far as they now foresee, that such violations or
defaults will have a material adverse effect on their future business and
operating results, except for events otherwise described in Unicom and ComEd's
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 or in these
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30,
1997, which could have such an effect.
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION. Certain portions of these Quarterly Reports
contain forward looking statements with respect to the consequences of future
events, including estimates of costs associated with certain actions and
outcomes. Unforeseen events or conditions may require changes in the factors
affecting such estimates and the projected results thereof. Consequently,
actual results could differ materially from the estimates presented. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," subcaption "Liquidity and Capital Resources--UTILITY OPERATIONS--
Construction Program" for additional information regarding certain caveats
affecting forward looking statements. Forward looking information is contained
in various sections of these reports, including, without limitation, (i) Note 1
of Notes to Financial Statements, under "Depreciation and Decommissioning" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," subcaption "Regulation--Nuclear Matters," with respect to the
estimated costs of decommissioning nuclear generating stations, (ii)
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," subcaption "Liquidity and Capital Resources--Utility Operations--
Construction Program" and Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements, under
"Depreciation and Decommissioning," regarding ComEd's construction program
budget and the early retirement of ComEd's Zion nuclear generating station,
(iii) Note 20 of Notes to Financial Statements, regarding cleanup costs
associated with MGPs and other remediation sites, (iv) "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," subcaption
"Results of Operations--Operation and Maintenance Expenses," regarding ComEd's
1997 O&M expenses increase over 1996 and ComEd's expectation with respect to
1998 O&M expenses and (v) "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," subcaption "Regulation--Nuclear Matters,"
regarding ComEd's 1997 unrecovered energy costs related to retail sales.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
(12) Statement computing Commonwealth Edison Company ratios of earnings
to fixed charges and ratios of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred and preference stock dividend requirements.
(23)-1 Consent of independent public accountants applicable to Unicom
Corporation.
(23)-2 Consent of independent public accountants applicable to
Commonwealth Edison Company.
(27)-1 Financial data schedule of Unicom Corporation.
(27)-2 Financial data schedule of Commonwealth Edison Company.
</TABLE>
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
A Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 9, 1997 was filed by Unicom
and ComEd to announce that James J. O'Connor, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Unicom and ComEd, intends to retire from the companies. Mr.
O'Connor has stated that he intends to remain with the companies until
their Boards of Directors elect his successor and for any transition that
the Boards and his successor deem appropriate.
61
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized on the 10th day of November, 1997. The
signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to
matters having reference to such company and its subsidiaries thereof.
Unicom Corporation
Registrant
Robert E. Berdelle
By __________________________________
Robert E. Berdelle
Comptroller
(Chief accounting officer and
officer duly authorized to sign on
behalf of the registrant)
Commonwealth Edison Company
Registrant
Robert E. Berdelle
By __________________________________
Robert E. Berdelle
Comptroller
(Chief accounting officer and
officer duly authorized to sign on
behalf of the registrant)
62
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference in Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended September 30, 1997;
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
(12) Statement computing Commonwealth Edison Company ratios of earnings
to fixed charges and ratios of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred and preference stock dividend requirements.
(23)-1 Consent of independent public accountants applicable to Unicom
Corporation.
(23)-2 Consent of independent public accountants applicable to Commonwealth
Edison Company.
(27)-1 Financial data schedule of Unicom Corporation.
(27)-2 Financial data schedule of Commonwealth Edison Company.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit (12)
Commonwealth Edison Company
Form 10-Q File No. 1-1839
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies Consolidated
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
and Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
Preferred and Preference Stock Dividend Requirements
----------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve Months Ended
--------------------------
Line September 30, December 31,
No. 1997 1996
- ---- ------------ -------------
<C> <S> <C> <C>
1 Net income $ 530,373 $ 743,368
---------- ----------
2 Net provisions for income taxes and investment tax credits deferred
3 charged to-
4 Operations $ 377,690 $ 462,402
5 Other income (11,322) (7,385)
---------- ----------
6 $ 366,368 $ 455,017
---------- ----------
7 Fixed charges-
8 Interest on debt $ 496,655 $ 523,310
9 Estimated interest component of nuclear fuel and
10 other lease payments, rentals and other interest 70,251 70,666
11 Amortization of debt discount, premium and expense 21,865 21,151
12 Preferred securities dividend requirements of subsidiary trusts 25,673 16,960
---------- ----------
13 $ 614,444 $ 632,087
---------- ----------
14 Preferred and preference stock dividend requirements-
15 Provisions for preferred and preference stock dividends $ 61,467 $ 64,424
16 Taxes on income required to meet provisions for
17 preferred and preference stock dividends 40,165 42,150
---------- ----------
18 $ 101,632 $ 106,574
---------- ----------
19 Fixed charges and preferred and preference stock
20 dividend requirements $ 716,076 $ 738,661
---------- ----------
21 Earned for fixed charges and preferred and preference stock
22 dividend requirements $1,511,185 $1,830,472
---------- ----------
23 Ratios of earnings to fixed charges (line 22 divided by line 13) 2.46 2.90
==== ====
24 Ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred and preference
25 stock dividend requirements (line 22 divided by line 20) 2.11 2.48
==== ====
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit (23)-1
Unicom Corporation
Form 10-Q File No. 1-11375
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
-----------------------------------------
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference of our report in this Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September 30, 1997 (Report), into Unicom Corporation's previously filed
prospectuses dated March 18, 1994, constituting part of Form S-4 Registration
Statement File No. 33-52109, as amended (relating to Common Stock of Unicom
Corporation), as further amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form S-8
(relating to Commonwealth Edison Company's Employee Savings and Investment Plan)
and Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-8 (relating to Unicom Corporation's
Employee Stock Purchase Plan); Form S-8 Registration Statement File No. 33-56991
(relating to Unicom Corporation's Long-Term Incentive Plan), Form S-4
Registration Statement File No. 333-01003 (relating to Common Stock of Unicom
Corporation), Form S-8 Registration Statement File No. 333-04749 (relating to
Unicom Corporation's 1996 Directors' Fee Plan); Form S-8 Registration Statements
File Nos. 333-10613 and 333-26779 (relating to Commonwealth Edison Company's
Employee Savings and Investment Plan) and Form S-8 Registration Statement File
No. 333-39677 (relating to the Unicom Corporation Management Deferred
Compensation Plan). We also consent to the application of our Report to
Commonwealth Edison Company and subsidiary companies' ratios of earnings to
fixed charges and ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred and
preference stock dividend requirements for each of the twelve months ended
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 appearing in this Form 10-Q.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 10, 1997
<PAGE>
Exhibit (23)-2
Commonwealth Edison Company
Form 10-Q File No. 1-1839
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
-----------------------------------------
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference of our report in this Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September 30, 1997 (Report), into Commonwealth Edison Company's (the Company)
previously filed prospectuses as follows: (1) prospectus dated August 21, 1986,
constituting part of Form S-3 Registration Statement File No. 33-6879, as
amended (relating to the Company's Debt Securities and Common Stock); (2)
prospectus dated January 7, 1994, constituting part of Form S-3 Registration
Statement File No. 33-51379 (relating to the Company's Debt Securities and
Cumulative Preference Stock); (3) prospectus dated September 19, 1995,
constituting part of Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 Registration Statement File No.
33-61343, as amended (relating to Company-Obligated Mandatory Redeemable
Preferred Securities of ComEd Financing I); (4) prospectus dated June 13, 1997
constituting part of Form S-4 Registration Statement File No. 333-28369
(relating to Company-Obligated Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Securities of
ComEd Financing II); and (5) Form S-8 Registration Statement File No. 333-33847
(relating to the Commonwealth Edison Company Excess Benefit Savings Plan). We
also consent to the application of our Report to the ratios of earnings to fixed
charges and the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred and preference
stock dividend requirements for each of the twelve months September 30, 1997 and
December 31, 1996 appearing in this Form 10-Q.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 10, 1997
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statement of Consolidated Capitalization as
of September 30, 1997 and the related Statements of Consolidated Income,
Retained Earnings and Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000918040
<NAME> Unicom Corporation
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 16,935,815
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 2,140,875
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,433,267
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 0<F1>
<OTHER-ASSETS> 2,965,565
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 23,475,522
<COMMON> 4,936,918
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 1,277,979
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 6,211,539<F2>
177,899<F3>
507,053<F3>
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 5,811,166<F4>
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 7,750
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0<F4>
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 35,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 484,077
30,688<F3>
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 497,259
<LEASES-CURRENT> 140,960
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 9,572,131<F5>
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 23,475,522
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 5,508,864
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 289,271<F6>
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 4,411,963
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 4,705,326
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 803,538
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> (70,358)<F6><F7>
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 737,272
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 377,561
<NET-INCOME> 359,711
0<F7>
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 359,711
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 259,615
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0<F8>
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 1,570,702
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.66
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<FN>
<F1> This item is not disclosed as a separate line item on the Consolidated
Balance Sheet.
<F2> Includes a deduction of $3,358 thousand for preference stock expense of
ComEd.
<F3> Preferred and Preference Stocks of ComEd.
<F4> $996,197 thousand of notes and long-term notes payable to banks is included
in LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET.
<F5> Includes $350,000 thousand of ComEd-obligated mandatorily redeemable
preferred securities of subsidiary trusts.
<F6> A tax benefit of $4,092 thousand related to nonoperating activities is
included in INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE.
<F7> A $45,914 thousand provision for preferred and preference stock dividends
of ComEd and $21,433 thousand provision for preferred securities dividends
of subsidiary trusts are included in OTHER-INCOME-NET.
<F8> This item is not disclosed as a separate line item on the Statement of
Consolidated Income.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statement of Consolidated Capitalization as
of September 30, 1997 and the related Statements of Consolidated Income,
Retained Earnings and Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000022606
<NAME> Commonwealth Edison Company
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 16,935,815
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 1,983,100
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,375,618
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 0<F1>
<OTHER-ASSETS> 2,953,820
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 23,248,353
<COMMON> 2,677,851
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 2,207,742
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 1,270,348
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 6,155,941
177,899
507,053
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 5,641,702<F2>
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 7,750
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0<F2>
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 35,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 481,612
30,688
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 495,431
<LEASES-CURRENT> 140,795
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 9,574,482<F3>
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 23,248,353
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 5,503,586
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 298,658<F4>
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 4,392,861
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 4,695,611
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 807,975
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> (26,029)<F4><F5>
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 786,038
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 370,547
<NET-INCOME> 415,491
45,914
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 369,577
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 257,072
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0<F6>
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 1,618,416
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.73
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<FN>
<F1> This item is not disclosed as a separate line item on the Consolidated
Balance Sheet.
<F2> $826,732 thousand of notes and long-term note payable to banks is included
in LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET.
<F3> Includes $350,000 thousand of company-obligated mandatorily redeemable
preferred securities of subsidiary trusts.
<F4> A tax benefit of $4,092 thousand related to nonoperating activities is
included in INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE.
<F5> Includes $21,433 thousand of provision for preferred securities dividends
of subsidiary trusts.
<F6> This item is not disclosed as a separate line item on the Statement of
Consolidated Income.
</FN>
</TABLE>
