UNITED STATES 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): June 26, 1996
SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Mexico 1-3789 75-0575400
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
Tyler at Sixth, Amarillo, Texas 79101
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code (806) 378-2121
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
Reference is made to the press release filed as an exhibit hereto for
information with respect to the June 26, 1996 Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission order setting a schedule for its consideration of the proposed merger
of Southwestern Public Service Company and Public Service Company of Colorado to
create New Century Energies, Inc.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits. The following exhibit is filed herewith:
99 Press Release, dated June 27, 1996, of Southwestern
Public Service Company.
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, thereunto duly authorized.
SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
Doyle R. Bunch II
Executive Vice President
Accounting and Corporate Development
DATE: July 1, 1996
June 27, 1996
FERC Sets Expedited Schedule
For Review of SPS-PSCo Merger
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Wednesday announced an expedited
schedule and a date of Jan. 31, 1997, for an initial decision on the proposed
merger of Southwestern Public Service Company (NYSE: SPS) and Public Service Co.
of Colorado (NYSE: PSR) to create New Century Energies, Inc.
Based on that January date, the companies would expect a final decision by
the commission and completion of the merger in spring 1997. However, settlement
with all parties before the issue goes to hearing could result in an earlier
completion.
SPS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill D. Helton said the issues
identified by FERC are those that the companies expected to be addressed: the
impact on competition and protection for rate payers. "We are very pleased with
the limited and focused scope of the FERC issues, and we are pleased to be
moving forward," Helton said. "We had been working toward a completion as early
as this fall, but we understand the degree of change in the utility industry
with which the FERC is having to deal. Still, it is important to proceed as
quickly as reasonable, because there are merger cost-savings and other benefits
for our customers that cannot begin until the merger is complete."
"By terming this an expedited schedule, the FERC is indicating it wants
this review to proceed quickly," said PSCo President and Chief Executive Officer
Wayne H. Brunetti. "We continue to make good progress as well in seeking
required approvals from various other regulatory authorities. Hearings are under
way in Texas, and are set to begin next month in Colorado and New Mexico.
Approval already has been obtained in Wyoming and Kansas."
Southwestern Public Service Company provides electric service to a
population of about one million people in a 52,000-square-mile area covering
eastern and southeastern New Mexico, the South Plains and Panhandle of Texas,
the Oklahoma Panhandle and southwestern Kansas. Through its Utility Engineering
Corporation and Quixx Corporation subsidiaries, the company also provides
engineering and construction management services to a variety of industries and
invests in non-utility power generation projects. Corporate headquarters is in
Amarillo, Texas.
For more information
News Media: Ken Vaughn, Manager of Communication, 806-378-2116
Security Analysts: Jim Steinhilper, Group Manager of Finance, 806-378-2843
