FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 1996
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 2-26983
THE PEOPLES GAS LIGHT AND COKE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Illinois 36-2642766
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
24th Floor, 130 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601-6207
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(312) 240-4000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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 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:
24,817,566 shares of Common Stock, without par value, outstanding
at January 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------ -------------------
1996 1995 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
(Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING REVENUES:
Gas sales $296,708 $236,321 $ 968,586 $777,514
Transportation 34,702 35,152 114,214 115,597
Other 5,069 3,154 15,627 13,780
-------- -------- --------- --------
Total Operating Revenues 336,479 274,627 1,098,427 906,891
-------- -------- --------- --------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Gas costs 161,183 108,698 498,210 372,712
Operation 47,397 47,007 190,339 178,779
Maintenance 10,786 9,291 43,901 39,314
Depreciation and amortization 16,404 14,865 64,546 59,248
Taxes - Income 19,975 18,726 50,692 31,833
- State & local revenue 35,900 30,784 115,537 102,712
- Other 4,511 4,581 19,734 19,462
Total Operating Expenses 296,156 233,952 982,959 804,060
-------- -------- --------- --------
OPERATING INCOME 40,323 40,675 115,468 102,831
-------- -------- --------- --------
OTHER INCOME AND (DEDUCTIONS):
Interest income 271 2,291 2,034 9,995
Interest on long-term debt (7,770) (9,557) (31,102) (40,012)
Other interest expense (696) (1,648) (3,212) (6,639)
Income taxes (72) 986 (5,147) (2,092)
Miscellaneous - net 54 (1,242) 11,316 (661)
-------- -------- --------- --------
Total Other Income
and Deductions (8,213) (9,170) (26,111) (39,409)
-------- -------- --------- --------
NET INCOME APPLICABLE
TO COMMON STOCK $ 32,110 $ 31,505 $ 89,357 $ 63,422
======== ======== ========= ========
<FN>
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of
these statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>
December 31, December 31,
1996 September30, 1995
(Unaudited) 1996 (Unaudited)
----------- ----------- ----------
(Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PROPERTIES AND OTHER ASSETS
- ---------------------------
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS:
Property, plant and equipment,
at original cost $1,771,886 $1,761,007 $1,724,036
Less - Accumulated depreciation 583,109 571,255 546,831
Net property, plant and equipment 1,188,777 1,189,752 1,177,205
Other investments 5,797 6,607 4,936
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENTS - NET 1,194,574 1,196,359 1,182,141
---------- ---------- ----------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash 7,326 3,826 4,996
Cash equivalents -- 13,711 6,900
Receivables -
Customers, net of allowance for
uncollectible accounts of $26,503,
$25,279, and $17,625, respectively 121,568 63,152 114,478
Other 28,706 32,045 8,390
Accrued unbilled revenues 79,991 25,534 60,392
Materials and supplies, at average cost 13,107 14,017 13,931
Gas in storage, at last-in, first-out cost 69,836 55,876 88,289
Gas costs recoverable through rate adjustments 33,955 17,420 1,073
Prepayments 13,813 11,897 1,496
Other 500 500 600
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 368,802 237,978 300,545
---------- ---------- ----------
OTHER ASSETS:
Regulatory assets 69,088 76,176 60,280
Deferred charges 14,794 12,249 11,852
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 83,882 88,425 72,132
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL PROPERTIES AND OTHER ASSETS $1,647,258 $1,522,762 $1,554,818
========== ========== ==========
<FN>
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of
these statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>
December 31, December 31,
1996 September 30, 1995
(Unaudited) 1996 (Unaudited)
---------- ------------ ----------
(Thousands of Dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
- ------------------------------
CAPITALIZATION:
Common Stockholder's Equity:
Common stock, without par value
Authorized - 40,000,000 shares
Outstanding - 24,817,566 shares $ 165,307 $ 165,307 $ 165,307
Retained earnings 417,832 398,875 381,353
Total Common Stockholder's Equity 583,139 564,182 546,660
Long-term debt, exclusive of sinking fund
payments and maturities due within one year 462,400 462,400 462,400
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION 1,045,539 1,026,582 1,009,060
---------- ---------- ----------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Interim loans 17,290 700 900
Accounts payable 171,798 121,653 143,394
Dividends payable on common stock 13,153 13,153 13,153
Customer gas service and credit deposits 35,552 37,121 37,882
Accrued taxes 66,497 31,242 57,410
Gas sales revenue refundable through
rate adjustments 12,384 10,734 46,267
Accrued interest 6,269 8,758 6,271
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 322,943 223,361 305,277
---------- ---------- ----------
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES:
Deferred income taxes - primarily
accelerated depreciation 215,462 211,623 192,965
Investment tax credits being amortized
over the average lives of related property 31,328 31,696 32,774
Other 31,986 29,500 14,742
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL DEFERRED CREDITS AND
OTHER LIABILITIES 278,776 272,819 240,481
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES $1,647,258 $1,522,762 $1,554,818
========== ========== ==========
<FN>
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of
these statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
December 31,
------------------
1996 1995
---- ----
(Thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income $32,110 $ 31,505
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash:
Depreciation and amortization 16,404 14,865
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits - net 1,410 (152)
Change in deferred credits and other liabilities 4,547 906
Change in other assets 3,140 (29,891)
Other -- 17
Change in current assets and liabilities:
Receivables - net (55,077) (68,061)
Accrued unbilled revenues (54,457) (41,941)
Gas in storage (13,960) (6,138)
Gas costs recoverable (16,535) 1,059
Accounts payable 50,145 55,701
Customer gas service and credit deposits (1,569) 2,869
Accrued taxes 35,255 30,448
Gas sales revenue refundable 1,650 (22,291)
Accrued interest (2,489) (4,754)
Prepayments (1,916) 431
Other 911 (88)
------- --------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES (431) (35,515)
------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures - construction (13,874) (16,709)
Other assets 508 12,490
Other capital investments 149 74
------- --------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (13,217) (4,145)
------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Retirement of long-term debt -- (86,750)
Interim loans - net 16,590 --
Trust fund - bond redemption -- 237
Dividends paid on common stock (13,153) (14,146)
------- -------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 3,437 (100,659)
------- --------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (10,211) (140,319)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 17,537 152,215
------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 7,326 $ 11,896
======= ========
<FN>
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of
these statements.
</TABLE>
The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
prepared by The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company (Company) in
conformity with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflect all adjustments that are, in
the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the results
for the interim periods herein and to prevent the information from
being misleading.
Certain footnote disclosures and other information, normally
included in financial statements prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or
omitted from these interim financial statements, pursuant to SEC
rules and regulations. Therefore, the statements should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related
notes contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. Certain items previously
reported for the prior periods have been reclassified to conform
with the presentation in the current periods.
The business of the Company is influenced by seasonal weather
conditions because a large element of the Company's customer load
consists of gas used for space heating. Weather-related deliveries
can, therefore, have a significant positive or negative impact on
net income. Accordingly, the results of operations for the interim
periods presented are not indicative of the results to be expected
for all or any part of the balance of the current fiscal year.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
2A Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent 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.
2B Revenue Recognition
Gas sales revenues are recorded on the accrual basis for all gas
delivered during the month, including an estimate for gas
delivered but unbilled at the end of each month.
2C Regulated Operations
The Company's utility operations are subject to regulation by
the Illinois Commerce Commission (Commission). Regulated
operations are accounted for in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the
Effects of Certain Types of Regulation." This standard controls
the application of generally accepted accounting principles for
companies whose rates are determined by an independent regulator
such as the Commission. Regulatory assets represent certain costs
that are expected to be recovered from customers through the
ratemaking process. When incurred, such costs are deferred as
assets in the balance sheet and subsequently recorded as expenses
when those same amounts are reflected in revenues.
2D Income Taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for
deferred income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred
income taxes have been recorded using currently enacted tax rates
for the differences between the tax basis of assets and
liabilities and the basis reported in the financial statements.
Due to the effects of regulation on the Company, certain
adjustments made to deferred income taxes are, in turn, debited or
credited to regulatory assets or liabilities.
2E Statement of Cash Flows
For purposes of the balance sheet and the statement of cash
flows, the Company considers all short-term liquid investments
with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
<TABLE>
Income taxes and interest paid (excluding capitalized
interest) were as follows:
<CAPTION>
For the three months
ended December 31, 1996 1995
-----------------------------------------------
(Thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Income taxes paid $ 2,928 $ 2,026
Interest paid 10,742 14,637
</TABLE>
2F Recovery of Gas Costs, Including Charges for Transition Costs
Under the tariffs of the Company, the difference for any month
between costs recoverable through the Gas Charge and revenues
billed to customers under the Gas Charge is refunded to or
recovered from customers. Consistent with these tariff
provisions, such difference for any month is recorded either as a
current liability or as a current asset (with a contra entry to
Gas Costs).
The Commission conducts annual proceedings regarding, for each
gas utility, the reconciliation of revenues from the Gas Charge
and related costs incurred for gas. In such proceedings, costs
recovered by a utility through the Gas Charge are subject to
challenge. Such proceedings regarding the Company for fiscal
years 1995 and 1996 are currently pending before the Commission.
Pursuant to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order
636 and successor orders, pipelines are allowed to recover from
their customers so-called transition costs. These costs arise
from the restructuring of pipeline service obligations required by
the 636 Orders. The Company is currently recovering pipeline
charges for transition costs through the Gas Charge. (See Notes
3A and 3B.)
3. RATES AND REGULATION
3A Utility Rate Proceedings
Rate Order. On November 8, 1995, the Commission issued an order
approving changes in rates of the Company that are designed to
increase annual revenues by approximately $30.8 million, exclusive
of additional charges for revenue taxes. The Company was allowed a
rate of return on original-cost rate base of 9.19 per cent, which
reflects an 11.10 per cent cost of common equity. The new rates
were implemented on November 14, 1995. A group of industrial
transportation customers has appealed the Commission's order to the
Illinois Appellate Court. Any change made by the Appellate Court
would have a prospective effect only.
FERC Order 636 Cost Recovery. In 1994, the Commission issued
orders providing for the full recovery of pipeline charges for FERC
Order 636 transition costs from the Company's gas service
customers. The Commission directed that gas supply realignment
(GSR) costs (one of the four categories of transition costs) be
recovered on a uniform volumetric basis from all transportation and
sales customers. A group of industrial transportation customers
has filed a petition with the Illinois Supreme Court appealing the
Commission's orders. If the Illinois Supreme Court accepts the
appeal, any changes made by it to the Commission's orders would
have a prospective effect only. (See Notes 2F and 3B.)
3B FERC Orders 636, 636-A, and 636-B
FERC Order 636 and successor orders require pipelines to make
separate rate filings to recover transition costs. The Company is
subject to charges for transition cost recovery by Natural Gas
Pipeline Company of America (Natural). Under a Stipulation and
Agreement filed by Natural and approved by FERC, Natural's charges
to the Company for GSR transition costs (the largest category of
such costs for the Company) are subject to a cap of approximately
$103 million. The Company is currently recovering transition costs
through the Gas Charge. At December 31, 1996, the Company has made
payments of $76.8 million, and has accrued an additional $26.2
million, toward the cap.
The 636 Orders are not expected to have a material effect on
financial position or results of operations of the Company. (See
Notes 2F and 3A.)
4. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Company, its predecessors, and certain former affiliates
operated facilities in the past at multiple sites for the purpose
of manufacturing gas and storing manufactured gas (Manufactured Gas
Sites). In connection with manufacturing and storing gas, various
by-products and waste materials were produced, some of which might
have been disposed of rather than sold. Under certain laws and
regulations relating to the protection of the environment, the
Company might be required to undertake remedial action with respect
to some of these materials. Two of the Manufactured Gas Sites are
discussed in more detail below. The Company, under the supervision
of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), is
conducting investigations of 27 Manufactured Gas sites. These
investigations may require the Company to perform additional
investigation and remediation. The investigations are in a
preliminary stage and are expected to occur over an extended period
of time.
The Company has observed what appear to be gas purification
wastes on a Manufactured Gas site in Chicago, formerly called the
110th Street Station, and property contiguous thereto (110th Street
Station Site). The Company has fenced the 110th Street Station
site and is conducting a study under the supervision of the IEPA to
determine the feasibility of a limited removal action.
The current owner of a site in Chicago, formerly called Pitney
Court Station, filed suit against the Company in federal district
court under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended. The suit seeks recovery of
the past and future costs of investigating and remediating the site
and an order directing the Company to remediate the site. The
Company is contesting this suit.
The Company is accruing and deferring the costs it incurs in
connection with all of the Manufactured Gas Sites, including
related legal expenses, pending recovery through rates or from
insurance carriers or other entities. At December 31, 1996, the
total of the costs deferred by the Company, net of recoveries and
amounts billed to other entities, was $11.1 million. This amount
includes an estimate of the costs of the investigations being
conducted under the supervision of the IEPA referred to above. The
amount also includes an estimate of the costs of remediation at
the 110th Street Station Site in Chicago, at the minimum amount of the
current estimated range of such costs. The costs of remediation at
the other sites cannot be determined at this time. While the
Company intends to seek contribution from other entities for the
costs incurred at the sites, the full extent of such contributions
cannot be determined at this time.
The Company has filed suit against a number of insurance
carriers for the recovery of environmental costs relating to its
former manufactured gas operations. The suit asks the court to
declare that the insurers are liable under policies in effect
between 1937 and 1986 for costs incurred or to be incurred by the
Company in connection with its three Manufactured Gas sites in
Chicago. The Company is also asking the court to award damages
stemming from the insurers' breach of their contractual obligation
to defend and indemnify the Company against these costs. At this
time, management cannot determine the timing and extent of the
Company's recovery of costs from its insurance carriers.
Accordingly, the costs deferred at December 31, 1996 have not been
reduced to reflect recoveries from insurance carriers.
Costs incurred by the Company for environmental activities
relating to former manufactured gas operations will be recovered
from insurance carriers or other entities or through rates for
utility service. Accordingly, management believes that the costs
incurred by the Company in connection with former manufactured gas
operations will not have a material adverse effect on the financial
position or results of operations of the Company. The Company is
recovering the costs of environmental activities relating to its
former manufactured gas operations, including carrying charges on
the unrecovered balances, under a rate mechanism approved by the
Commission. At December 31, 1996, it had recovered $4.0 million of
such costs through rates.
5. EXPIRATION OF GAS STORAGE CONTRACTS
The Company had certain natural gas storage contracts with
Natural that expired on or before December 1, 1995. Associated
with the expiration of the contracts, the Company realized a gain,
after income taxes, of approximately $6.7 million for the 12 months
ended December 31, 1996.
6. TAX MATTERS
On September 30, 1993, the Company received notification from
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that settlement of past income
tax returns had been reached for fiscal years 1978 through 1990.
The IRS settlement resulted in payments of principal and interest
to the Company in 1994 of approximately $25 million, or $19.4
million after income taxes. The Company received regulatory
authorization to defer the recognition of the settlement amount in
income for fiscal year 1993, and to recognize the settlement amount
in income for fiscal years 1994 and 1995. The Company represented
to the Commission that, having received this accounting
authorization, it would not file a request for an increase in base
rates before December 1994.
As a result of the Commission's accounting authorization, the
Company amortized to operation expense approximately $8.8 million,
or $6.7 million after income taxes, for the 12 months ended
December 31, 1995. The effect was to offset increases in costs
that the Company would incur during the period.
7. LONG-TERM DEBT
7A Interest-Rate Adjustments
The rate of interest on the City of Joliet 1984 Series C Bonds,
which are secured by the Company's Adjustable-Rate First Mortgage
Bonds, Series W, is subject to adjustment annually on October 1.
Owners of the Series C Bonds have the right to tender such bonds at
par during a limited period prior to that date. The Company is
obligated to purchase any such bonds tendered if they cannot be
remarketed. All Series C Bonds that were tendered prior to October
1, 1996, have been remarketed. The interest rate on such bonds is
3.95 per cent for the period October 1, 1996, through September 30,
1997.
The rate of interest on the City of Chicago 1993 Series B Bonds,
which are secured by the Company's Adjustable-Rate First Mortgage
Bonds, Series EE, is subject to adjustment annually on December 1.
Owners of the Series B Bonds have the right to tender such bonds at
par during a limited period prior to that date. The Company is
obligated to purchase any such bonds tendered if they cannot be
remarketed. All Series B Bonds that were tendered prior to
December 1, 1996, have been remarketed. The interest rate on such
bonds is 3.70 per cent for the period December 1, 1996, through
November 30, 1997.
The Company classifies these adjustable-rate bonds as long-term
liabilities, since it would refinance them on a long-term basis if
they could not be remarketed. In order to ensure its ability to do
so, on February 1, 1994, the Company established a $37.4 million
three year line of credit with The Northern Trust Company, which
has since been extended to January 31, 1999.
7B Bonds Redeemed
On December 29, 1995, the Company redeemed, from general
corporate funds, approximately $87 million aggregate principal
amount of the City of Joliet's 1984 Gas Supply Revenue Refunding
Bonds, Series A and B, which were secured by the Company's Series U
and V First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Income
Net income applicable to common stock increased $605,000, to
$32.1 million, for the current three-month period, due mainly to a
rate increase that went into effect on November 14, 1995 for the
Company (see Note 3A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements). In addition, net income benefited from increased
other operating revenues, lower pension expenses, and reduced
interest expense. These increases were partially offset by higher
provisions for depreciation and amortization expense and for
uncollectible accounts as well as lower interest income and a
decline in natural gas deliveries arising principally from energy
conservation measures.
Net income applicable to common stock increased $25.9 million,
to $89.4 million, for the current 12-month period, due primarily to
the full calendar year's effect of the aforementioned rate increase
and to weather that was 8 per cent colder than in the year-ago
period. In addition, net income benefited from a one-time gain
associated with the expiration of certain natural gas storage
contracts (see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements), lower pension expenses, and reduced interest expense.
These increases were partly offset by higher operation and
depreciation and amortization expenses, the prior period's
recognition of a federal income tax settlement (see Note 6 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), and lower interest
income.
<TABLE>
A summary of variations affecting income between periods is
presented below, with explanations of significant differences
following:
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended 12 Months Ended
December 31, 1996 December 31, 1996
Increase/(Decrease) Increase/(Decrease)
from Prior Period from Prior Period
------------------ -------------------
(Thousands of dollars) Amount Per Cent Amount Per Cent
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net operating revenues (a) $4,251 3.1 $53,213 12.3
Operation and maintenance expenses 1,855 3.3 16,147 7.4
Depreciation and amortization expense 1,539 10.4 5,298 8.9
Income taxes 1,249 6.7 18,859 59.2
Other income and deductions (957) (10.4) (13,298) (33.7)
Net income applicable to common stock 605 1.9 25,935 40.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(a) Operating revenues, net of gas costs and revenue taxes.
</TABLE>
Net Operating Revenues
Gross revenues of the Company are affected by changes in the
unit cost of the Company's gas purchases and do not include the
cost of gas supplies for customers who purchase gas directly from
producers and marketers rather than from the Company. The direct
customer purchases have no effect on net income because the Company
provides transportation service for such gas volumes and recovers
margins similar to those applicable to conventional gas sales.
Changes in the unit cost of gas do not significantly affect net
income because the Company's tariffs provide for dollar-for-dollar
recovery of gas costs. (See Note 2F of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.) The Company's tariffs also provide for
dollar-for-dollar recovery of the cost of revenue taxes imposed by
the State and City.
Since income is not significantly affected by changes in revenue
from customers' gas purchases from producers or marketers rather
than from the Company, changes in gas costs, or changes in revenue
taxes, the discussion below pertains to "net operating revenues"
(operating revenues, net of gas costs and revenue taxes). The
Company considers net operating revenues to be a more pertinent
measure of operating results than gross revenues.
Net operating revenues increased $4.3 million, to $139.7
million, for the current three-month period, due mainly to the
effect of the aforementioned rate increase which improved net
operating revenues by $4 million ( $2.4 million after income
taxes). Also, net operating revenues increased $1.3 million for
environmental costs recovered through rates and the sale of
interests in certain oil and gas rights ($760,000). These
increases were partly offset by a reduction in natural gas
deliveries reflecting customer conservation measures.
Net operating revenues increased $53.2 million, to $484.7
million, for the current 12-month period, due primarily to the
impact of the rate increase that amounted to $26.8 million ($16.2
million after income taxes). Also, weather that was 8 per cent
colder than the comparable prior period improved net operating
revenues by about $11.4 million ($6.9 million after income taxes).
See Other Matters - Operating Statistics for details of selected
financial and operating information by gas service classification.
Operation and Maintenance Expenses
Operation and maintenance expenses increased $1.9 million, to
$58.2 million, for the current three-month period, due mainly to
increases of $1.5 million for the provision for uncollectible
accounts, which resulted largely from greater sales revenues, and
$1.3 million for environmental costs recovered through rates.
These increases were partially offset by decreased pension expenses
of $1.3 million, primarily resulting from changes in actuarial
assumptions.
Operation and maintenance expenses increased $16.1 million, to
$234.2 million, for the current 12-month period, due principally to
the reduction of expense of $8.8 million resulting from the prior
period's recognition of an IRS settlement. (See Note 6 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.) Also, the provision
for uncollectible accounts increased $6.4 million, due mostly to
higher sales revenues attributable to colder weather and increased
rates. In addition, increases between periods resulted from
maintenance of mains ($4.7 million), environmental costs recovered
through rates ($3.1 million), reengineering costs ($1.7 million),
and outside services ($2.3 million). These increases were offset,
in part, by decreased pension expenses of $12.5 million, reflecting
a net gain from the settlement of portions of pension plan
obligations and changes in actuarial assumptions.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.5 million, to
$16.4 million, and $5.3 million, to $64.5 million, for the current
three- and 12-month periods, respectively, due primarily to the
amortization of costs associated with the closing of the synthetic
natural gas-making (SNG) Plant and depreciable property additions.
Income Taxes
Income taxes, exclusive of taxes in other income and deductions,
increased $1.2 million, to $20 million, and $18.9 million, to $50.7
million, for the current three- and 12-month periods, respectively,
due principally to higher pre-tax income.
Other Income and Deductions
Other income and deductions decreased $957,000 for the current
three-month period, due primarily to less interest on long-term
debt in connection with the early redemption of first mortgage
bonds (see note 7B of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements) and to decreased interest on amounts refundable to
customers. These decreases were partially offset by lower interest
income reflecting lower cash balances available for investment.
Other income and deductions decreased $13.3 million for the
current 12-month period, due principally to less interest on
long-term debt reflecting the aforementioned bond redemption and
decreased interest on amounts refundable to customers.
Additionally, the current period includes the gain of $6.7 million,
after income taxes, associated with the expiration of certain
natural gas storage contracts, (See Note 5 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements). These decreases were partially
offset by lower interest income due to lower cash balances.
Other Matters
Effect of Weather. Weather variations affect the volumes of gas
delivered for heating purposes and, therefore, can have a
significant positive or negative impact on net income, cash
position, and coverage ratios.
Accounting Standards. In March 1995, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be
Disposed Of". This statement requires recognition of impairment
losses on long-lived assets when an asset's book value may not be
recoverable. For regulated companies, the statement requires that
regulatory assets be probable of recovery at every balance sheet
date. This statement requires adoption no later than the Company's
1997 fiscal year. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS
No. 121 to have a material effect on its financial position or
results of operations.
In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation". This statement requires companies to
either recognize compensation costs measured at fair value
attributable to employee stock options or similar equity
instruments at the grant date in net income, or, in the
alternative, provide pro forma footnote disclosure on net income
and earnings per share. This statement requires adoption no later
than the Company's 1997 fiscal year. The Company anticipates
electing the pro forma footnote disclosure provisions of this
statement in 1997. Implementation is not expected to have a
material effect on pro forma net income.
FERC Order 636 Costs. In 1992, the FERC issued Order No. 636 and
successor orders that required substantial restructuring of the
service obligations of interstate pipelines. (See Notes 2F, 3A,
and 3B of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
In 1994, the Commission entered orders providing for full
recovery by the Company of FERC Order 636 transition costs from the
Company's gas service customers. The Commission's orders have been
appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court. (See Notes 2F, 3A, and 3B
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Reengineering Project. The Company is reengineering its business
processes with the goal of increasing efficiency, responsiveness to
customer needs, and cost effectiveness.
Large Volume Gas Service Agreements. The Company has entered into
gas service contracts with certain large volume customers under a
specific rate schedule approved by the Commission. These contracts
were negotiated to overcome the potential threat of bypassing the
utility's distribution system. The impact on the net income of the
Company as a result of these contracts is not material.
<TABLE>
Operating Statistics. The following table represents gas
distribution margin components:
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------ -------------------
1996 1995 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues (thousands):
Gas Sales
Residential $251,784 $200,535 $ 808,847 $654,273
Commercial 37,988 29,446 131,367 101,815
Industrial 6,936 6,340 28,372 21,426
-------- -------- ---------- --------
296,708 236,321 968,586 777,514
Transportation
Residential 10,781 11,945 34,117 38,455
Commercial 13,647 14,479 44,112 46,234
Industrial 7,820 8,728 29,468 30,908
Contract Pooling 2,054 -- 6,117 --
Other 400 -- 400 --
------- -------- ---------- --------
34,702 35,152 114,214 115,597
------- -------- ---------- --------
Other Revenues 5,069 3,154 15,627 13,780
------- -------- ---------- --------
Total Operating Revenues 336,479 274,627 1,098,427 906,891
Less _ Gas Costs 161,183 108,698 498,210 372,712
_ Revenues Taxes 35,900 30,784 115,537 102,712
-------- -------- ---------- --------
Net Operating Revenues $139,396 $135,145 $ 484,680 $431,467
======== ======== ========== ========
Deliveries (MDth):
Gas Sales
Residential 39,644 40,760 130,223 120,801
Commercial 6,610 6,390 23,912 20,583
Industrial 1,307 1,559 5,621 4,868
-------- -------- ---------- --------
47,561 48,709 159,756 146,252
-------- -------- ---------- --------
Transportation (a)
Residential 8,245 8,653 24,698 25,950
Commercial 11,448 11,843 36,921 38,356
Industrial 9,716 10,392 36,418 35,548
Other 10 -- 10 --
-------- -------- ---------- --------
29,419 30,888 98,047 99,854
-------- -------- ---------- --------
Total Gas Sales
and Transportation 76,980 79,597 257,803 246,106
======== ======== ========== ========
Margin per Dth delivered $ 1.81 $ 1.70 $ 1.88 $ 1.75
<FN>
(a)Volumes associated with contract pooling revenues are
included in their respective customer classes.
</TABLE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Rate Order. On November 8, 1995, the Commission issued orders
approving changes in rates of the Company. (See Note 3A of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Environmental Matters. The Company is conducting environmental
investigations and work at certain sites that were the location of
former manufactured gas operations. (See Note 4 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Bonds Redeemed. On December 29, 1995, the Company redeemed, from
general corporate funds, approximately $87 million aggregate
principal amount of the City of Joliet's 1984 Gas Supply Revenue
Bonds, Series A and B, which were secured by the Company's Series U
and V First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds. (See Note 7B of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Credit Lines. The Company has lines of credit of approximately
$129.4 million of which North Shore Gas may borrow up to $30
million. At December 31, 1996, the Company had unused credit
available from banks of $100.4 million.
Interest Coverage. The fixed charges coverage ratios for the
Company for the 12 months ended December 31, 1996, and for fiscal
1996 and 1995 were 5.23, 4.84, and 2.76, respectively.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
a discussion pertaining to environmental matters.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
a. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number Description of Document
------- ------------------------
27 Financial Data Schedule
b. Reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended
December 31, 1996
None
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company
--------------------------------------
(Registrant)
February 12, 1997 By: /s/ K. S. BALASKOVITS
----------------- -----------------------------
(Date) K. S.Balaskovits
Vice President and Controller
(Same as above)
------------------------------
Principal Accounting Officer
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME, CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 1,188,777
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 5,797
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 368,802
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 14,794
<OTHER-ASSETS> 69,088
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,647,258
<COMMON> 165,307
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 417,832
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 583,139
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 462,400
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 700
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 16,590
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 0
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 584,429
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 1,647,258
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 336,479
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 19,975
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 276,181
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 296,156
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 40,323
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 253
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 40,576
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,466
<NET-INCOME> 32,110
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 32,110
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 13,153
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 7,770
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> (431)
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
