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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) April 22, 1997
SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
New Mexico
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(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
1-3789 75-0575400
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(Commission File No.) (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
Tyler at Sixth, Amarillo, Texas 79101
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code(806) 378-2121
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ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
In the Form 8-K dated April 22, 1997 and filed on April 28, 1997, the
Company disclosed that the client-auditor relationship between the Company and
Deloitte & Touche LLP, would be terminated effective with the completion of the
December 31, 1996 audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements. That
work has been completed and their opinions have been included in the Company's
transition report on Form 10-K for the four month period ended December 31,
1996, that was filed on July 21, 1997, and in the New Century Energies, Inc.
Form 8-K dated August 1, 1997. Additionally, as previously disclosed, the
Company announced its new certifying accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP, will
serve as independent accountants for the calendar year 1997. The decision to
change accountants was made in conjunction with the then anticipated merger with
Public Service Company of Colorado, which was effective on August 1, 1997, and
was recommended by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
Deloitte & Touche LLP's reports on the Company's financial statements
during the two most recent fiscal years and the transition period ending
December 31, 1996, preceding the date hereof contained no adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty,
audit scope, or accounting principles.
During the last two fiscal years, the transition period ending December
31, 1996, and the subsequent period preceding the date hereof, there were no
disagreements between the Company and Deloitte & Touche LLP on any matters of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of
Deloitte & Touche LLP, would have caused Deloitte & Touche LLP to make a
reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its
reports.
None of the "reportable events" described under Regulation S-K, Item
304(a)(1)(v), occurred within the Company's two most recent fiscal years and any
subsequent interim periods preceding the date hereof.
During the last two fiscal years, the transition period ending December
31, 1996, and the subsequent period preceding the date hereof, the Company did
not consult Arthur Andersen LLP regarding any of the matters or events set forth
in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
EXHIBITS INDEX
(16) Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP in connection with reporting a change
in principal auditors.
1
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SIGNATURE
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
/s/Doyle R. Bunch II
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Doyle R. Bunch II
Executive Vice-President
Accounting and Corporate Development
Date: August 8, 1997
2
EXHIBIT 16
August 8, 1997
Securities and Exchange Commission
Mail Stop 9-5
450 5th Street, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Dear Sirs/Madams:
We have read and agree with the comments in Item 4 of Form 8-K of Southwestern
Public Service Company dated August 8, 1997.
Yours truly,
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
