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: March 10, 1997
(Date of earliest event reported)
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Commission Registrant; State of Incorporation IRS Employer
file number Address; and Telephone Number Identification No.
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1-11337 WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION 39-1775292
(A Wisconsin Corporation)
700 North Adams Street
P. O. Box 19001
Green Bay, WI 54307-9001
414-433-1466
1-3016 WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION 39-0715160
(A Wisconsin Corporation)
700 North Adams Street
P. O. Box 19001
Green Bay, WI 54307-9001
414-433-1466
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ITEM 5. Other Events.
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Wisconsin Public Service Corporation ("WPSC"), the operator of
the Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant ("Kewaunee"), announced on March 10,
1997 that repairs to Kewaunee's steam generators will take longer
than previously anticipated. Kewaunee was scheduled to resume
operation in the first quarter of 1997. WPSC is now anticipating
start-up no earlier than mid to late June 1997. Kewaunee is jointly
owned by WPSC, Wisconsin Power and Light Company, and Madison Gas and
Electric Company.
Kewaunee has been out of service since September 21, 1996, when
it was shut down for a refueling and maintenance outage. Start-up has
been delayed by problems associated with repairing the tubes in
Kewaunee's two steam generators. In early February, testing of the
laser welding repair of the tubes revealed unexpected problems with
the quality of the welds. After further inspection and laboratory
testing, WPSC is now planning to undertake additional repairs which
could allow Kewaunee to return to service in the June time frame
indicated above.
The additional repairs involve removing metal sleeves that were
installed previously to repair corroded tubes. New, slightly longer,
sleeves will be installed to cover the areas of concern in the
original steam generator tubes. Management believes that the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission will approve this repair process because it only
requires minor changes to the presently approved sleeving process.
The cost of the additional repairs is expected to be between $4.5
million and $10.0 million, depending on the number of previously
repaired sleeves that can remain in service. WPSC's share of the
costs is in the range of $1.9 million to $4.1 million.
All three owners have approached the Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin for recovery of the additional repair costs in customer
rates. WPSC's portion of the additional power costs resulting from
the extended shutdown of Kewaunee are presently being recovered from
customers through a billing surcharge. Returning Kewaunee to service
would provide additional generation capacity during the summer months
when the demand for electricity is usually high.
Background information regarding Kewaunee steam generator repair
problems is set forth in the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996.
WPSC is the utility subsidiary of WPS Resources Corporation.
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SIGNATURES
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.
WPS RESOURCES CORPORATION
By: /s/ R. G. Baeten
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R. G. Baeten
Treasurer
Date: March 10, 1997
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SIGNATURES
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.
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
By: /s/ R. G. Baeten
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R. G. Baeten
Vice President-Treasurer
Date: March 10, 1997
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