SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) AUGUST 18, 2000
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NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY (WISCONSIN)
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
WISCONSIN
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
10-3140 39-0508315
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
1414 W. HAMILTON AVE. EAU CLAIRE WI 54701
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 715-839-2621
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NONE
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 4 - Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountants
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(a) Previous Independent Accountants
Northern States Power Company, a Wisconsin corporation (NSP-Wisconsin) is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota
corporation (NSP).
On August 18, 2000, New Century Energies, Inc. (NCE) merged into NSP, with
NSP as the surviving legal entity. NSP was renamed Xcel Energy Inc.
In connection with the merger, Xcel Energy's management informed
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that the firm would no longer be engaged as principal
independent accountants for NSP or NSP-Wisconsin. On August 18, 2000, the Audit
Committee of Xcel Energy's Board of Directors recommended, and the Xcel Energy
Board approved, the decision to change principal independent accountants for NSP
for 2000. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be retained as independent
accountants for certain of Xcel Energy's non-utility subsidiaries, including
NRG Energy, Inc. (also a public registrant).
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's reports on NSP-Wisconsin's financial statements for
the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 contained no
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as
to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
In connection with its audits of NSP-Wisconsin for the two most recent fiscal
years and through August 18, 2000, there have been no disagreements with
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which
disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
would have caused them to make reference thereto in their report on the
financial statements for such years.
During NSP-Wisconsin's two most recent fiscal years and through August 18, 2000,
there have been no reportable events (as defined in Commission Regulation S-K
Item 304 (a)(1)(v)).
NSP-Wisconsin has requested that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP furnish it with a
letter addressed to the Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the
above statements. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's letter dated August 18, 2000, is
filed as Exhibit 16 to this Form 8-K.
(b) New Independent Accountants
The Board of Directors of NSP-Wisconsin is expected to appoint its new principal
independent accountants at its meeting scheduled for August 28, 2000.
Item 7 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
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Exhibit No. 16 - Letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated August 18, 2000
SIGNATURES
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Northern States Power Company
(a Wisconsin Corporation)
/s/
John D. Wilson
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
and General Counsel
August 23, 2000