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Exhibit 12-A
Delmarva Power & Light Company
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
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(Dollars in Thousands)
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12 Months
Ended Year Ended December 31,
June 30, ---------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---------- -------- ----------- ---------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income before extraordinary item $154,477 $142,179 $112,410 $105,709 $116,187 $117,488
---------- -------- ----------- ---------- --------- ---------
Income taxes 99,978 95,321 72,276 72,155 78,340 75,540
---------- -------- ----------- ---------- --------- ---------
Fixed charges:
Interest on long-term debt
including amortization of
discount, premium and
expense 76,779 77,790 81,132 78,350 69,329 65,572
Other interest 5,770 6,117 9,328 12,835 12,516 10,353
Preferred dividend require-
ments of a subsidiary
trust 5,687 5,687 5,688 5,687 1,390 -
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Total fixed charges 88,236 89,594 96,148 96,872 83,235 75,925
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Nonutility capitalized interest - - - (208) (311) (304)
---------- -------- ----------- ---------- --------- ---------
Earnings before extraordinary
item, income taxes, and
fixed charges $342,691 $327,094 $280,834 $274,528 $277,451 $268,649
========== ========= ========== ========== ========= =========
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.88 3.65 2.92 2.83 3.33 3.54
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For purposes of computing the ratio, earnings are income before extraordinary
item plus income taxes and fixed charges, less nonutility capitalized interest.
Fixed charges consist of interest on long- and short-term debt, amortization of
debt discount, premium, and expense, dividends on preferred securities of a
subsidiary trust, plus the estimated interest component of rentals.
