ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CO
10-Q, 1997-05-15
ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED
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                                    FORM 10-Q
                       Securities and Exchange Commission
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended       March 31, 1997
                                ------------------------
                                       OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                 to 
                               ---------------    ---------------

Commission file number     1-4473
                        ------------

                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Arizona                                               86-0011170
- -------------------------------                              -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

400 North Fifth Street, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, Arizona              85072-3999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (602) 250-1000

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                Yes  X  No
                                    ---   ---

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                Number of shares of common stock, $2.50 par value,
                outstanding as of May 15, 1997:  71,264,947
<PAGE>
                                    Glossary
                                    --------


ACC      - Arizona Corporation Commission

ACC Staff - Staff of the Arizona Corporation Commission

Company - Arizona Public Service Company

FERC - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

ITC - Investment tax credit

1996 10-K - Arizona  Public  Service  Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

Palo Verde - Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

Pinnacle West - Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

Rules  - Rules  adopted  by the ACC for  the  introduction  of  retail  electric
competition in Arizona

SFAS No. 71 - Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 71,  "Accounting
for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation"
<PAGE>
                                       -2-
                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                         ------------------------------

Item 1. Financial Statements
- ----------------------------

                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                         CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                         ------------------------------
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Three Months
                                                                                       Ended March 31,
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                          1997                             1996
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
                                                                                  (Thousands of Dollars)
<S>                                                           <C>                             <C>                        
ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $                  379,021      $                   345,261
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

FUEL EXPENSES:
  Fuel for electric generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        51,122                           42,334
  Purchased power  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        34,347                           13,938
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        85,469                           56,272
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
OPERATING REVENUES LESS FUEL EXPENSES  . . . . . . . . . .                       293,552                          288,989
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Operations and maintenance excluding fuel expenses . . .                        88,016                           87,743
  Depreciation and amortization  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        92,015                           58,386
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        22,292                           31,359
  Other taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        29,790                           33,979
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       232,113                          211,467
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
OPERATING INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        61,439                           77,522
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS):
  AFUDC - equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            --                            1,675
  Other - net  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        (2,209)                            (291)
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         4,340                            5,650
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         2,131                            7,034
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST DEDUCTIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . .                        63,570                           84,556
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

INTEREST DEDUCTIONS:
  Interest on long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        34,429                           37,400
  Interest on short-term borrowings  . . . . . . . . . . .                         2,328                            2,670
  Debt discount, premium and expense . . . . . . . . . . .                         2,002                            2,117
  Capitalized interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        (3,834)                          (3,237)
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        34,925                           38,950
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

NET INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        28,645                           45,606
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS  . . . . . . . . . .                         3,626                            4,477
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
EARNINGS FOR COMMON STOCK  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $                   25,019      $                    41,129
                                                              ===========================     ============================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.

<PAGE>
                                       -3-


                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                         CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                         ------------------------------
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Twelve Months
                                                                                      Ended March 31,
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          1997                             1996
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
                                                                                 (Thousands of Dollars)

<S>                                                           <C>                             <C>                        
ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $                1,752,032      $                 1,623,245
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------


FUEL EXPENSES:
  Fuel for electric generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       239,181                          204,552
  Purchased power  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       115,539                           66,598
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       354,720                          271,150
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
OPERATING REVENUES LESS FUEL EXPENSES  . . . . . . . . . .                     1,397,312                        1,352,095
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Operations and maintenance excluding fuel expenses . . .                       430,987                          397,125
  Depreciation and amortization  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       330,839                          240,058
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       169,446                          188,602
  Other taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       116,915                          140,248
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     1,048,187                          966,033
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
OPERATING INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       349,125                          386,062
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS):
  AFUDC - equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         3,534                            5,471
  Other - net  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       (17,462)                         (22,107)
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        44,242                           41,526
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        30,314                           24,890
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST DEDUCTIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . .                       379,439                          410,952
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

INTEREST DEDUCTIONS:
  Interest on long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       144,695                          155,560
  Interest on short-term borrowings  . . . . . . . . . . .                        10,279                            9,589
  Debt discount, premium and expense . . . . . . . . . . .                         8,061                            8,765
  Capitalized interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       (10,106)                         (10,306)
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       152,929                          163,608
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

NET INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       226,510                          247,344
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS  . . . . . . . . . .                        16,241                           18,804
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
EARNINGS FOR COMMON STOCK  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $                  210,269      $                   228,540
                                                              ===========================     ============================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
                                       -4-

                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                            CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                            ------------------------

                                     ASSETS
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        March 31,                      December 31,
                                                                          1997                             1996
                                                                 ------------------------         ------------------------
                                                                        (Thousands of Dollars)
<S>                                                           <C>                             <C>                        
UTILITY PLANT:
     Electric plant in service and held for future use  . . . $                6,830,092      $                 6,803,211
     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization . . . . .                  2,486,345                        2,426,143
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
        Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  4,343,747                        4,377,068
     Construction work in progress  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    251,753                          226,935
     Nuclear fuel, net of amortization  . . . . . . . . . . .                     60,326                           51,137
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
        Utility plant - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  4,655,826                        4,655,140
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                      117,712                          113,666
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

CURRENT ASSETS:
     Cash and cash equivalents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     26,192                           12,521
     Accounts receivable:
        Service customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    107,200                          111,715
        Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     29,468                           49,898
        Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . .                     (1,329)                          (1,685)
     Accrued utility revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     49,226                           55,470
     Materials and supplies, at average cost  . . . . . . . .                     73,213                           74,120
     Fossil fuel, at average cost   . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     12,639                           13,928
     Deferred income taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                      8,424                            8,424
     Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     24,791                           22,767
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
        Total current assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    329,824                          347,158
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

DEFERRED DEBITS:
     Regulatory asset for income taxes  . . . . . . . . . . .                    502,356                          516,722
     Rate synchronization cost deferrals  . . . . . . . . . .                    400,279                          414,082
     Unamortized costs of reacquired debt . . . . . . . . . .                     70,237                           69,554
     Unamortized debt issue costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     15,950                           16,692
     Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    278,223                          290,208
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
        Total deferred debits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  1,267,045                        1,307,258
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

        TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $                6,370,407      $                 6,423,222
                                                              ===========================     ============================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
                                       -5-

                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                            CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                            ------------------------

                                   LIABILITIES
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       March 31,                      December 31,
                                                                        1997                             1996
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
                                                                      (Thousands of Dollars)
<S>                                                           <C>                             <C>                        
CAPITALIZATION:
     Common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $                  178,162      $                   178,162
     Premiums and expense - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  1,091,780                        1,091,122
     Retained earnings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    442,622                          460,106
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
        Common stock equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  1,712,564                        1,729,390
     Non-redeemable preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    149,387                          165,673
     Redeemable preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     43,000                           53,000
     Long-term debt less current maturities . . . . . . . . .                  1,889,455                        2,029,482
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
        Total capitalization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  3,794,406                        3,977,545
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
     Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    216,300                           16,900
     Current maturities of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . .                    103,780                          153,780
     Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    112,857                          174,394
     Accrued taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    134,319                           86,327
     Accrued interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     24,633                           39,115
     Customer deposits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     32,089                           32,137
     Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     25,327                           21,150
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
        Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    649,305                          523,803
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER:
     Deferred income taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  1,404,152                        1,414,242
     Deferred investment tax credit . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     84,343                           87,723
     Unamortized gain - sale of utility plant . . . . . . . .                     85,795                           86,939
     Customer advances for construction . . . . . . . . . . .                     25,697                           24,044
     Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    326,709                          308,926
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
        Total deferred credits and other  . . . . . . . . . .                  1,926,696                        1,921,874
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  (Notes 5, 6 and 7)

        TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $                6,370,407      $                 6,423,222
                                                              ===========================     ============================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
                                       -6-

                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                       ----------------------------------
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Three Months
                                                                                     Ended March 31,
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          1997                             1996
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
                                                                                (Thousands of Dollars)
<S>                                                           <C>                             <C>                        
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $                   28,645      $                    45,606
  Items not requiring cash:
    Depreciation and amortization  . . . . . . . . . . . .                        92,015                           58,386
    Nuclear fuel amortization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         7,523                            8,357
    AFUDC - equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            --                           (1,675)
    Deferred income taxes - net  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        (8,948)                           1,176
    Deferred investment tax credit - net . . . . . . . . .                        (3,380)                          (5,455)
  Changes in certain current assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable - net  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        24,589                           22,824
    Accrued utility revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         6,244                            9,429
    Materials, supplies and fossil fuel  . . . . . . . . .                         2,196                            1,049
    Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        (2,024)                             427
    Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       (48,355)                         (29,941)
    Accrued taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        47,992                           63,647
    Accrued interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       (14,482)                         (12,119)
    Other current liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                         4,313                            9,617
  Other - net  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        28,385                           12,608
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
      Net cash flow provided by operating activities . . .                       164,713                          183,936
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       (77,129)                         (60,138)
  Sale of Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            --                            2,824
  Capitalized interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        (3,834)                          (3,237)
  Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        (4,046)                          (6,613)
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
      Net cash flow used for investing activities. . . . .                       (85,009)                         (67,164)
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            --                           25,006
  Short-term borrowings - net  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       199,400                          (18,200)
  Dividends paid on common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       (42,500)                         (42,500)
  Dividends paid on preferred stock  . . . . . . . . . . .                        (3,897)                          (4,778)
  Repayment of preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       (25,980)                         (23,410)
  Repayment and reacquisition of long-term debt  . . . . .                      (193,056)                         (50,979)
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
      Net cash flow used for financing activities  . . . .                       (66,033)                        (114,861)
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  . . . . . . . .                        13,671                            1,911
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period . . . . .                        12,521                           18,389
                                                              ---------------------------     ----------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period . . . . . . . .    $                   26,192      $                    20,300
                                                              ===========================     ============================

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest (excluding capitalized interest)  . . . . . .    $                   48,051      $                    48,444
    Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $                    9,814      $                        --
</TABLE>
See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY

                     NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial
statements  contain all adjustments  (consisting of normal  recurring  accruals)
necessary to present  fairly the  financial  position of the Company as of March
31, 1997, the results of operations for the three months and twelve months ended
March 31, 1997 and 1996, and the cash flows for the three months ended March 31,
1997 and 1996. It is suggested  that these  condensed  financial  statements and
notes  to  condensed  financial  statements  be read  in  conjunction  with  the
financial  statements  and notes to  financial  statements  included in the 1996
10-K.

2.  The  Company's  operations  are  subject  to  seasonal  fluctuations,   with
variations in energy usage by customers occurring from season to season and from
month to month  within a  season,  primarily  as a result  of  changing  weather
conditions.  For this and other  reasons,  the results of operations for interim
periods are not  necessarily  indicative  of the results to be expected  for the
full year.

3. All the  outstanding  shares  of  common  stock of the  Company  are owned by
Pinnacle West.

4. See  "Liquidity  and Capital  Resources" in Part I, Item 2 of this report for
changes in capitalization for the three months ended March 31, 1997.

5. Regulatory Matters

Electric Industry Restructuring

State  The  ACC  has  been   conducting  an  ongoing   investigation   into  the
restructuring  of the  Arizona  electric  industry.  In December  1996,  the ACC
adopted rules that provide a framework for the  introduction  of retail electric
competition.  The ACC has ordered that reliability,  stranded cost recovery, the
phase-in process, and bundled, unbundled and metering services, as well as legal
issues,  will require  additional  consideration  and will be addressed  through
workshops and working groups which will issue  recommendations to the ACC during
1997. The Rules include the following major provisions:

o    The Rules are  intended to apply to virtually  all of the Arizona  electric
     utilities regulated by the ACC, including the Company.

o    Each  affected  utility  would be  required to make  available  at least 20
     percent of its 1995 system  retail peak demand for  competitive  generation
     supply to all customer  classes not later than January 1, 1999; at least 50
     percent not later than  

<PAGE>
     January 1, 2001;  and all of its  retail  demand not later than  January 1,
     2003.

o    Electric  service  providers that obtain a Certificate  of Convenience  and
     Necessity  (CC&N) from the ACC would be allowed to supply,  market,  and/or
     broker specified electric services at retail.  These services would include
     electric generation but exclude electric transmission and distribution.

o    On or before December 31, 1997,  each affected  utility is required to file
     with the ACC proposed  tariffs for bundled  service and unbundled  service.
     Bundled  service  means  electric  service   elements  (i.e.,   generation,
     transmission,  distribution,  and ancillary services) provided as a package
     to consumers within an affected  utility's current service area.  Unbundled
     service means electric service elements provided and priced separately.

o    The Rules indicate that the ACC will allow recovery of unmitigated stranded
     costs.  Each  affected  utility  would  be  required  to file  with the ACC
     estimates of unmitigated  stranded costs. The ACC would then, after hearing
     and  consideration of various factors,  determine the magnitude of stranded
     cost and appropriate stranded cost recovery mechanisms and charges.

The  Company  continues  to focus on working  with the ACC to bring  competitive
benefits  to Arizona  but  believes  that  certain  provisions  of the Rules are
deficient.  In February  1997,  the Company filed  lawsuits to protect its legal
rights regarding the Rules.

A joint  legislative  committee  has been  appointed to study  electric  utility
industry  restructuring issues and report back to the Arizona legislature by the
end of 1997. The Company  believes that  legislation will ultimately be required
before significant implementation of the Rules can lawfully occur.

Until it has been further  determined  how  competition  will be  implemented in
Arizona,  the  Company  cannot  accurately  predict  the  impact of full  retail
competition on its financial position or results of operations.

Federal  The  Energy  Policy  Act of 1992 and  recent  rulemakings  by FERC have
promoted  increased  competition in the wholesale  electric  power markets.  The
Company  does not expect  these  rulemakings  to have a  material  impact on its
financial statements.

Several  electric  utility reform bills have been introduced  during the current
congressional  session,  which as currently  written,  would allow  consumers to
choose their electric  supplier by 2000 or 2003.  These bills,  other bills that
are expected to be  introduced,  and ongoing  discussions  at the federal  level
suggest  
<PAGE>
a wide range of opinion  that will need to be  narrowed  before any  substantial
restructuring of the electric utility industry can occur.

Regulatory   Accounting  The  Company  prepares  its  financial   statements  in
accordance  with the provisions of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
(SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation." SFAS
No. 71 requires a cost-based, rate-regulated enterprise to reflect the impact of
regulatory  decisions  in  its  financial  statements.  The  Company's  existing
regulatory  orders and current  regulatory  environment  support its  accounting
practices  related to regulatory  assets,  which amounted to approximately  $1.1
billion at March 31, 1997. In accordance with the 1996 regulatory agreement (see
below),  the  ACC  accelerated  the  amortization  of  substantially  all of the
Company's regulatory assets over an eight-year period. If rate recovery of these
assets is no longer probable,  whether due to competition or regulatory  action,
the Company  would no longer be able to apply the  provisions  of SFAS No. 71 to
all or some part of its  operations,  which could have a material  impact on the
Company's financial statements.

1996 Regulatory Agreement

In April 1996, the ACC approved a regulatory  agreement  between the Company and
the ACC Staff. The major provisions of this agreement are:

o    An annual rate reduction of approximately  $48.5 million ($29 million after
     income taxes), or 3.4% on average for all customers except certain contract
     customers, effective July 1, 1996.

o    Recovery of substantially  all of the Company's  present  regulatory assets
     through  accelerated  amortization over an eight-year period beginning July
     1, 1996,  increasing annual amortization by approximately $120 million ($72
     million after income taxes).

o    A  formula  for  sharing   future  cost  savings   between   customers  and
     shareholders  (price reduction formula)  referencing a return on equity (as
     defined) of 11.25%.

o    A moratorium  on filing for  permanent  rate changes prior to July 2, 1999,
     except under the price  reduction  formula and under  certain other limited
     circumstances.

o    Infusion  of $200  million of common  equity  into the  Company by Pinnacle
     West, in annual payments of $50 million starting in 1996.

Pursuant to the price reduction formula, in May 1997, the ACC approved an annual
retail rate reduction of  approximately  $17.6 million ($11 million after income
taxes),  or 1.2%, to become effective July 1, 1997. An amendment to the proposed
order, approved by two of the three commissioners,  created some confusion as to
the status of the 1996 regulatory  agreement.  As interpreted by the Chairman of
the ACC in a  concurring  opinion,  his vote in favor  of the  amendment  was to
authorize  the ACC Staff to determine  how  property  taxes are  recognized  and
accounted for under the 1996 regulatory agreement.  The Company cannot currently
predict the outcome of this matter.
<PAGE>
6. The Palo Verde  participants  have  insurance for public  liability  payments
resulting  from  nuclear  energy  hazards to the full limit of  liability  under
federal law. This potential  liability is covered by primary liability insurance
provided by commercial  insurance carriers in the amount of $200 million and the
balance by an industry-wide  retrospective  assessment program. If losses at any
nuclear power plant covered by the programs  exceed the accumulated  funds,  the
Company  could  be  assessed  retrospective  premium  adjustments.  The  maximum
assessment  per  reactor  under  the  program  for  each  nuclear   incident  is
approximately  $79  million,  subject  to an  annual  limit of $10  million  per
incident. Based upon the Company's 29.1% interest in the three Palo Verde units,
the Company's  maximum  potential  assessment per incident is approximately  $69
million, with an annual payment limitation of approximately $9 million.

         The Palo Verde  participants  maintain  "all risk"  (including  nuclear
hazards) insurance for property damage to, and  decontamination  of, property at
Palo Verde in the aggregate  amount of $2.75 billion,  a substantial  portion of
which must first be applied to stabilization  and  decontamination.  The Company
has also secured  insurance against portions of any increased cost of generation
or  purchased  power  and  business  interruption  resulting  from a sudden  and
unforeseen outage of any of the three units. The insurance coverage discussed in
this and the previous  paragraph  is subject to certain  policy  conditions  and
exclusions.

7. The Company has encountered  tube cracking in the Palo Verde steam generators
and has taken, and will continue to take, remedial actions that it believes have
slowed the rate of tube  degradation.  The  projected  service life of the steam
generators is reassessed  periodically and these analyses  indicate that it will
be economically desirable for the Company to replace the Unit 2 steam generators
between 2003 and 2008. The Company  estimates that its share of the  replacement
costs (in 1997 dollars and including  installation and replacement  power costs)
will be approximately $50 million, most of which will be incurred after the year
2000. Based on the latest available data, the Company  estimates that the Unit 1
and Unit 3 steam  generators  should operate for the license periods (until 2025
and 2027, respectively),  although the Company will continue its normal periodic
assessment of these steam generators.
<PAGE>
                         ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY


Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations.

Operating Results
- -----------------

         The following table summarizes the Company's  revenues and earnings for
the three-month and twelve-month periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996:

                                           Periods ended March 31
                                           (Thousands of Dollars)


                                   Three Months               Twelve Months
                            ------------------------    ------------------------
                               1997          1996          1997          1996
                            ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Operating revenues          $  379,021    $  345,261    $1,752,032    $1,623,245

Earnings for
common stock                $   25,019    $   41,129    $  210,269    $  228,540


         Operating  Results -  Three-month  period ended March 31, 1997 compared
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
         with three-month period ended March 31, 1996
         --------------------------------------------

         Earnings  decreased  in the  three-month  period  ended March 31, 1997,
primarily due to the accelerated  amortization of regulatory assets and a retail
price reduction,  both of which were part of a regulatory agreement which became
effective July 1, 1996. See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed  Financial  Statements.
Partially  offsetting these negative factors were increased  operating  revenues
(net of related fuel expenses), lower property taxes and lower interest expense.

         Operating revenues (net of related fuel expenses) were higher primarily
due to retail customer growth and weather effects,  partially offset by the 1996
retail price  reduction.  Revenues from sales for resale  increased $22 million,
accompanied  by significant  increases in related fuel expenses,  as a result of
increased  activity  in  competitive  bulk  power  markets.   These  bulk  power
activities  did not result in a  significant  variance in earnings due to market
pressures on prices.  Property taxes  decreased due to a 1996 change in tax law.
Interest  expense  decreased due to lower amounts of debt  outstanding and lower
average interest rates.

         Operating  Results - Twelve-month  period ended March 31, 1997 compared
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
         with twelve-month period ended March 31, 1996
         ---------------------------------------------

         Earnings  decreased  in the  twelve-month  period ended March 31, 1997,
primarily due to the  accelerated  amortization of regulatory  assets,  a retail
price reduction, a $31.7 million pretax charge in the fourth quarter of 1996 for
a voluntary
<PAGE>
severance program and an increase in fuel expenses. 

         The  accelerated  regulatory  asset  amortization  and the retail price
reduction  were part of a regulatory  agreement  which became  effective July 1,
1996. See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.  Fuel expenses were
higher  primarily due to increased  retail and wholesale  sales volumes,  higher
natural gas costs and a less  favorable mix of generation  and purchased  power,
particularly during a regional power outage in August 1996.

         Partially  offsetting these negative  factors were increased  operating
revenues (net of related fuel expenses),  lower property taxes,  the recognition
of $11 million of income tax benefits associated with capital loss carryforwards
and lower interest  expense.  The  twelve-month  comparison was also  positively
impacted by $21 million of pretax asset  write-downs  in the twelve months ended
March 31, 1996.  Operating  revenues (net of related fuel  expenses) were higher
due to retail  customer  growth,  warmer weather and higher  residential  usage,
partially offset by the retail price  reduction.  Revenues from sales for resale
increased  $35 million,  accompanied  by  significant  increases in related fuel
expenses,  as a result of increased  activity in competitive bulk power markets.
These bulk power activities did not result in a significant variance in earnings
due to market pressures on prices. Property taxes decreased due to a 1996 change
in tax law.  Interest expense  decreased due to lower average interest rates and
lower amounts of debt outstanding.

         Other Income
         ------------

         As part of a 1994 rate  settlement  agreement with the ACC, the Company
accelerated  amortization  of  substantially  all deferred ITCs over a five-year
period  beginning in 1995,  resulting in a decrease in annual income tax expense
of approximately $21 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

         For the  three  months  ended  March 31,  1997,  the  Company  incurred
approximately $66 million in capital expenditures, which is approximately 22% of
the most recently  estimated 1997 capital  expenditures.  The Company  estimates
total  capital   expenditures   for  the  years  1997,  1998,  and  1999  to  be
approximately $296 million, $283 million, and $262 million, respectively.  These
amounts include about $30 million each year for nuclear fuel expenditures.

         Required and optional  redemptions of preferred  stock and repayment of
long-term debt, including premiums thereon, and payments for a capitalized lease
obligation are expected to total approximately $263 million,  $114 million,  and
$114 million for the years 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively.  During the three
months ended March 31, 1997, the Company redeemed  approximately
<PAGE>
$193  million  of its  long-term  debt  and  approximately  $26  million  of its
preferred  stock.  As a result of the 1996  regulatory  agreement (see Note 5 of
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements),  Pinnacle West invested $50 million in
the Company in 1996 and will invest  similar  amounts  annually in 1997  through
1999.

         Although  provisions  in the  Company's  bond  indenture,  articles  of
incorporation,  and financing  orders from the ACC establish  maximum amounts of
additional first mortgage bonds and preferred stock,  management does not expect
any of these  restrictions  to limit the  Company's  ability to meet its capital
requirements.

Current Issues
- --------------

         The  Company's  ability to maintain  and  improve its current  level of
earnings will depend on several factors.  As the electric  industry becomes more
competitive, the Company's ability to reduce costs and increase productivity and
resource  utilization will be important factors in maintaining a price structure
that is both  attractive  to customers  and  profitable  to the  Company.  Other
important factors that could affect the Company's future earnings levels and any
forward-looking  statements  contained  in  this  "Management's  Discussion  and
Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of Operations"  include  regulatory
developments;  competitive developments;  regional economic conditions; the cost
of debt and  equity  capital;  regulatory,  tax and  environmental  legislation;
weather variations  affecting customer usage; and technological  developments in
the electricity industry.

         Competition
         -----------

         See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1
of this  report for  discussions  of  competitive  developments  and  regulatory
accounting.

         Rate Matters
         ------------

         See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1
of this report for a discussion of a proposed rate reduction.
<PAGE>
                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                           ---------------------------

ITEM 5.      Other Information
- -------------------------------

         Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
         -------------------------------------

         See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1
of this  report  for a  discussion  of issues  regarding  the Palo  Verde  steam
generators.

         Construction and Financing Programs
         -----------------------------------

         See "Liquidity and Capital  Resources" in Part I, Item 2 of this report
for a discussion of the Company's construction and financing programs.

         Competition and Electric Industry Restructuring
         -----------------------------------------------

         See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1
of this report for a  discussion  of  competition  and the Rules  regarding  the
introduction of retail electric competition in Arizona.
<PAGE>
ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- -----------------------------------------

         (a)  Exhibits

Exhibit No.       Description
- -----------       -----------

27.1                       Financial Data Schedule

         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

         During the quarter  ended March 31, 1997,  and the period ended May 15,
1997, the Company filed the following report on Form 8-K:

         Report  dated April 7, 1997  comprised  of  Exhibits  to the  Company's
Registration  Statements  (Registration Nos.  33-55473,  33-64455 and 333-15379)
relating to the Company's offering of $50 million of its Senior Notes.
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------


         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Company  has duly  caused  this  report to be  signed on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




                                        ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                                                (Registrant)





Dated: May 15, 1997                     By: George A. Schreiber, Jr. 
      ----------------                     -------------------------------------
                                           George A.  Schreiber,  Jr.  Executive
                                           Vice  President  and Chief  Financial
                                           Officer (Principal  Financial Officer
                                           and Officer Duly  Authorized  to sign
                                           this Report)

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                                                     UT
<LEGEND>
                             PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING
                                                                       COMPANIES
                                                          (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
                                             FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                              FOR PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1997 THROUGH MARCH  31, 1997
                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                           1000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. DOLLARS
                                               
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<BOOK-VALUE>                                                            PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                                                4655826
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                                               117712
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<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                                                 1267045
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           6370407
<COMMON>                                                                  178162
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                                                1091780
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                                                       442622
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                                           1712564
                                                      43000
                                                               149387
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                                                     1889455
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<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                      0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                                            216300
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                                             103780
                                                      0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                                                    0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                                           2255921
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                                            6370407
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                                                 379021
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                                                       22292
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                                295290
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<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                                                    61439
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                                          2131
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                                             63570
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                   34925
<NET-INCOME>                                                               28645
                                                 3626
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                                              25019
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                                   42500
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                                                  31963
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                  0
                                                                     

</TABLE>


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