Document
Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 _________________________________ 
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission file number: 001-14206
El Paso Electric Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas
 
74-0607870
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
Stanton Tower, 100 North Stanton, El Paso, Texas
 
79901
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(915) 543-5711
(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 such 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  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  x    NO  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  o    NO  x
As of July 31, 2017, there were 40,591,704 shares of the Company’s no par value common stock outstanding.
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 
 
 
Page No.
 
Item 1.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 


 
( i)
 

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Utility plant:
 
 
 
Electric plant in service
$
3,893,461

 
$
3,791,566

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(1,282,795
)
 
(1,244,332
)
Net plant in service
2,610,666

 
2,547,234

Construction work in progress
146,615

 
154,738

Nuclear fuel; includes fuel in process of $59,954 and $57,315, respectively
196,054

 
194,842

Less accumulated amortization
(74,566
)
 
(75,602
)
Net nuclear fuel
121,488

 
119,240

Net utility plant
2,878,769

 
2,821,212

Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
11,275

 
8,420

Accounts receivable, principally trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,682 and $2,156, respectively
124,616

 
88,452

Inventories, at cost
50,929

 
47,216

Under-collection of fuel revenues
8,515

 
11,123

Prepayments and other
13,727

 
8,988

Total current assets
209,062

 
164,199

Deferred charges and other assets:
 
 
 
Decommissioning trust funds
271,315

 
255,708

Regulatory assets
115,245

 
118,861

Other
17,002

 
16,298

Total deferred charges and other assets
403,562

 
390,867

Total assets
$
3,491,393

 
$
3,376,278


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
 
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(Unaudited)
 
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(In thousands except for share data)
 
 
 
Capitalization:
 
 
 
Common stock, stated value $1 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 65,659,869 and 65,685,615 shares issued, and 169,565 and 137,017 restricted shares, respectively
$
65,829

 
$
65,823

Capital in excess of stated value
323,779

 
322,643

Retained earnings
1,120,664

 
1,114,561

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(4,133
)
 
(7,116
)
 
1,506,139

 
1,495,911

Treasury stock, 25,232,769 and 25,304,914 shares, respectively, at cost
(420,313
)
 
(421,515
)
Common stock equity
1,085,826

 
1,074,396

Long-term debt, net of current portion
1,195,748

 
1,195,513

Total capitalization
2,281,574

 
2,269,909

Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
83,268

 
83,143

Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility
178,884

 
81,574

Accounts payable, principally trade
52,586

 
62,953

Taxes accrued
27,772

 
32,488

Interest accrued
13,373

 
13,287

Over-collection of fuel revenues
314

 
255

Other
33,239

 
29,709

Total current liabilities
389,436

 
303,409

Deferred credits and other liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income taxes
564,377

 
555,066

Accrued pension liability
87,460

 
92,768

Accrued post-retirement benefit liability
35,703

 
34,400

Asset retirement obligation
89,199

 
81,800

Regulatory liabilities
22,253

 
18,435

Other
21,391

 
20,491

Total deferred credits and other liabilities
820,383

 
802,960

Commitments and contingencies


 


Total capitalization and liabilities
$
3,491,393

 
$
3,376,278

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands except for share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Operating revenues
$
251,843

 
$
217,865

 
$
423,178

 
$
375,674

Energy expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
49,173

 
43,143

 
85,779

 
77,462

Purchased and interchanged power
16,721

 
13,610

 
30,394

 
23,256

 
65,894

 
56,753

 
116,173

 
100,718

Operating revenues net of energy expenses
185,949

 
161,112

 
307,005

 
274,956

Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other operations
59,835

 
56,817

 
115,958

 
115,204

Maintenance
20,415

 
20,426

 
41,405

 
37,941

Depreciation and amortization
22,495

 
23,852

 
44,429

 
47,145

Taxes other than income taxes
17,265

 
15,320

 
32,995

 
30,132

 
120,010

 
116,415

 
234,787

 
230,422

Operating income
65,939

 
44,697

 
72,218

 
44,534

Other income (deductions):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
726

 
2,133

 
1,541

 
4,469

Investment and interest income, net
6,786

 
3,591

 
10,772

 
6,520

Miscellaneous non-operating income
39

 
145

 
124

 
801

Miscellaneous non-operating deductions
(530
)
 
(890
)
 
(1,270
)
 
(1,356
)
 
7,021

 
4,979

 
11,167

 
10,434

Interest charges (credits):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
18,407

 
18,298

 
36,774

 
34,897

Other interest
762

 
272

 
1,182

 
834

Capitalized interest
(1,344
)
 
(1,253
)
 
(2,638
)
 
(2,495
)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
(711
)
 
(1,375
)
 
(1,502
)
 
(3,033
)
 
17,114

 
15,942

 
33,816

 
30,203

Income before income taxes
55,846

 
33,734

 
49,569

 
24,765

Income tax expense
19,780

 
11,450

 
17,492

 
8,289

Net income
$
36,066

 
$
22,284

 
$
32,077

 
$
16,476

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.89

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.79

 
$
0.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
0.89

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.79

 
$
0.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.335

 
$
0.310

 
$
0.645

 
$
0.605

Weighted average number of shares outstanding
40,409,030

 
40,345,150

 
40,398,192

 
40,335,236

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding
40,525,585

 
40,399,491

 
40,499,344

 
40,380,640


 See accompanying notes to financial statements.





 
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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands except for share data)

 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating revenues
$
934,440

 
$
842,289

Energy expenses:
 
 
 
Fuel
182,055

 
178,320

Purchased and interchanged power
66,865

 
53,884

 
248,920

 
232,204

Operating revenues net of energy expenses
685,520

 
610,085

Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
Other operations
242,768

 
244,899

Maintenance
70,210

 
67,747

Depreciation and amortization
81,601

 
92,269

Taxes other than income taxes
68,396

 
64,277

 
462,975

 
469,192

Operating income
222,545

 
140,893

Other income (deductions):
 
 
 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
4,095

 
8,565

Investment and interest income, net
18,335

 
17,376

Miscellaneous non-operating income
615

 
2,176

Miscellaneous non-operating deductions
(3,613
)
 
(3,922
)
 
19,432

 
24,195

Interest charges (credits):
 
 
 
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
73,421

 
67,770

Other interest
1,651

 
1,630

Capitalized interest
(5,133
)
 
(4,913
)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
(3,452
)
 
(5,958
)
 
66,487

 
58,529

Income before income taxes
175,490

 
106,559

Income tax expense
63,121

 
32,695

Net income
$
112,369

 
$
73,864

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
2.77

 
$
1.83

 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
2.77

 
$
1.83

 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
1.265

 
$
1.195

Weighted average number of shares outstanding
40,381,776

 
40,314,032

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding
40,466,995

 
40,356,239

 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.


 
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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net income
$
36,066

 
$
22,284

 
$
32,077

 
$
16,476

 
$
112,369

 
$
73,864

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and post-retirement benefit costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) gain arising during period

 

 

 

 
(20,053
)
 
5,429

Prior service benefit

 

 

 

 
32,697

 
824

Reclassification adjustments included in net income for amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service benefit
(2,413
)
 
(1,664
)
 
(4,829
)
 
(3,330
)
 
(8,906
)
 
(6,579
)
Net loss
1,694

 
1,222

 
3,388

 
2,445

 
5,908

 
6,567

Net unrealized gains on marketable securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net holding gains arising during period
4,458

 
2,790

 
12,179

 
4,980

 
15,643

 
2,623

Reclassification adjustments for net gains included in net income
(5,166
)
 
(2,110
)
 
(7,357
)
 
(3,498
)
 
(11,499
)
 
(11,049
)
Net losses on cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for interest expense included in net income
132

 
123

 
262

 
245

 
515

 
482

Total other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes
(1,295
)
 
361

 
3,643

 
842

 
14,305

 
(1,703
)
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and post-retirement benefit costs
261

 
166

 
454

 
222

 
(4,029
)
 
(2,442
)
Net unrealized losses (gains) on marketable securities
132

 
(149
)
 
(989
)
 
(322
)
 
(773
)
 
1,625

Losses on cash flow hedges
(47
)
 
(46
)
 
(125
)
 
(128
)
 
(336
)
 
(216
)
Total income tax benefit (expense)
346

 
(29
)
 
(660
)
 
(228
)
 
(5,138
)
 
(1,033
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
(949
)
 
332

 
2,983

 
614

 
9,167

 
(2,736
)
Comprehensive income
$
35,117

 
$
22,616

 
$
35,060

 
$
17,090

 
$
121,536

 
$
71,128

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
32,077

 
$
16,476

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service
44,429

 
47,145

Amortization of nuclear fuel
21,100

 
21,957

Deferred income taxes, net
15,339

 
6,695

Allowance for equity funds used during construction
(1,541
)
 
(4,469
)
Other amortization and accretion
9,991

 
8,715

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

 
(545
)
Net gains on sale of decommissioning trust funds
(7,357
)
 
(3,498
)
Other operating activities
(641
)
 
721

Change in:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(32,684
)
 
(39,117
)
Inventories
(2,791
)
 
1,315

Net under/over-collection of fuel revenues
2,667

 
(1,990
)
Prepayments and other
(6,294
)
 
(6,273
)
Accounts payable
(1,262
)
 
(9,345
)
Taxes accrued
(4,014
)
 
(5,437
)
Interest accrued
86

 
618

Other current liabilities
3,530

 
13,625

Deferred charges and credits
(4,644
)
 
(5,900
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
67,991

 
40,693

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment
(108,113
)
 
(102,785
)
Cash additions to nuclear fuel
(20,647
)
 
(20,478
)
Capitalized interest and AFUDC:
 
 
 
Utility property, plant and equipment
(3,043
)
 
(7,502
)
Nuclear fuel and other
(2,638
)
 
(2,495
)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
1,541

 
4,469

Decommissioning trust funds:
 
 
 
Purchases, including funding of $2.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively
(65,960
)
 
(44,937
)
Sales and maturities
62,531

 
40,712

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 
596

Other investing activities
797

 
2,771

Net cash used for investing activities
(135,532
)
 
(129,649
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Dividends paid
(26,157
)
 
(24,474
)
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility:
 
 
 
Proceeds
292,404

 
172,125

Payments
(195,094
)
 
(212,249
)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

 
157,052

Other financing activities
(757
)
 
(2,040
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
70,396

 
90,414

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
2,855

 
1,458

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
8,420

 
8,149

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
11,275

 
$
9,607


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
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Table of Contents

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

A. Principles of Preparation
These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto in the Annual Report of El Paso Electric Company on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 ("2016 Form 10-K"). Capitalized terms used in this report and not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the 2016 Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; the results of its operations and comprehensive operations for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016; and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. The results of operations and comprehensive operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full calendar year.
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), certain financial information has been condensed and certain footnote disclosures have been omitted. Such information and disclosures are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company evaluates its estimates on an on-going basis, including those related to depreciation, unbilled revenue, income taxes, fuel costs, pension and other post-retirement obligations and asset retirement obligations ("ARO"). Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenues. Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recorded when service is provided or electricity is delivered to customers. The billing of electricity sales to retail customers is based on the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. Unbilled revenues are recorded for estimated amounts of energy delivered in the period following the customer's billing cycle to the end of the month. Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue/kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues of $36.1 million at June 30, 2017 and $21.0 million at December 31, 2016. The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its statements of operations.
Depreciation. The Company routinely evaluates the depreciable service lives, cost of removal and salvage values of its property, plant and equipment. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining lives of the assets (ranging in average from 5 to 48 years). When property subject to composite depreciation is retired or otherwise disposed of in the normal course of business, its cost, together with the cost of removal, less salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation. For other property dispositions, the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the balance sheet accounts and a gain or loss is recognized.
New Accounting Standards
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards either as equity or liabilities, and classification on the statements of cash flows. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The cumulative effect of the adoption of the new standard was to increase net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets and retained earnings by $0.2 million on January 1, 2017.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) to provide a framework that replaces the existing revenue recognition guidance, and has since modified the standard with several ASUs. The standard provides that an entity should recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. More specifically, the standard requires entities to recognize revenue through the application of a five-step model, which includes the: (i) identification of the contract; (ii) identification of the performance obligations; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) the recognition of revenue

 
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Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


as the entity satisfies the performance obligations. The Company plans to adopt the new standard for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company currently anticipates using the modified retrospective approach.
The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new standard on its various revenue and cash flow streams, including the evaluation of the impact, if any, on changes to business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. Tariff sales to customers are determined to be in the scope of the new standard and represent a significant portion of the Company’s total operating revenues. The Company currently expects that the timing or pattern of revenue recognition from tariff sales will not significantly change. The Company's evaluation of other revenue streams is ongoing. The Company's initial assessments may change as it executes its implementation plan and new guidance is provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Power and Utilities Industry Task Force. The completion of these assessments could impact current accounting policies, revenue recognition and disclosures in the notes to the financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments by addressing certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure. ASU 2016-01 generally requires entities to measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. The guidance for classifying and measuring investments in debt securities and loans is not changed by this ASU, but requires entities to record changes in other comprehensive income. Financial assets and financial liabilities must be separately presented by measurement category on the balance sheet or in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. ASU 2016-01 clarifies the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets. The provisions of this ASU become effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon adoption of the new standard, the Company expects to record the cumulative effects as of January 1, 2018 which will result in an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (losses) and retained earnings for unrealized gains (losses) related to equity securities owned by the Company. The Company is continuing to assess the future impact of this ASU.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requiring qualitative and quantitative disclosures on leasing agreements. ASU 2016-02 maintains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases similar to the distinction under previous leases guidance for capital leases and operating leases. The impact of leases reported in the Company's operating results and statement of cash flows are expected to be similar to previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition in the statement of financial position, by the lessee, of a liability to make lease payments (lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. How leases are recorded in regard to financial position represents a significant change from previous GAAP guidance. The lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases. Implementation of the standard will be required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption of the new lease accounting standard will require the Company to apply the new standard to the earliest period using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new standard, including the evaluation of the impact, if any, on changes to business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance, however, at this time is unable to determine the impact this standard will have on the financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 changes how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for many financial assets. The new current expected credit loss model will require companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets that are in the scope of the standard. The ASU also makes targeted amendments to the current impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. The provisions in ASU 2016-13 will be required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. ASU 2016-13 will be applied in a modified-retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is implemented. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of ASU 2016-13.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are classified in the statement of cash flows. The provisions in ASU 2016-15 will be required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2016-15 will be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If it is impracticable to apply ASU 2016-15 retrospectively for some of the issues, the amendments for those issues may be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this ASU.

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. ASU 2017-07 amends Accounting Standards Codification 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, to require companies to present the service cost component of net benefit cost in the income statement line items where compensation cost is reported. Companies will present all other components of net benefit cost separately from the line item(s) that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 will be required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 should be applied retrospectively for the income statement presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit costs and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this ASU.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting, to provide guidance about when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under ASU 2017-09, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. The amendments of ASU 2017-09 will be required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2017-09 should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company is assessing the future impact of ASU 2017-09; however, it currently does not expect the impact of this ASU to be significant.
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Cash paid (received) for:
 
 
 
 
Interest on long-term debt and borrowings under the revolving credit facility
$
35,304

 
$
35,252

 
Income tax paid, net
2,251

 
2,703

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Changes in accrued plant additions
(9,105
)
 
(6,966
)
 
Plant additions to be reimbursed by insurance
3,525

 

 
Grants of restricted shares of common stock
1,171

 
1,236

 
Issuance of performance shares
932

 



 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


B. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
       Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (net of tax) by component are presented below (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
 
 
Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
(24,457
)
 
$
32,872

 
$
(11,599
)
 
$
(3,184
)
 
$
(30,256
)
 
$
28,394

 
$
(11,770
)
 
$
(13,632
)
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 
3,558

 

 
3,558

 

 
2,224

 

 
2,224

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(458
)
 
(4,134
)
 
85

 
(4,507
)
 
(276
)
 
(1,693
)
 
77

 
(1,892
)
Balance at end of period
$
(24,915
)
 
$
32,296

 
$
(11,514
)
 
$
(4,133
)
 
$
(30,532
)
 
$
28,925

 
$
(11,693
)
 
$
(13,300
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
 
 
Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
(23,928
)
 
$
28,463

 
$
(11,651
)
 
$
(7,116
)
 
$
(29,869
)
 
$
27,765

 
$
(11,810
)
 
$
(13,914
)
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 
9,723

 

 
9,723

 

 
3,966

 

 
3,966

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(987
)
 
(5,890
)
 
137

 
(6,740
)
 
(663
)
 
(2,806
)
 
117

 
(3,352
)
Balance at end of period
$
(24,915
)
 
$
32,296

 
$
(11,514
)
 
$
(4,133
)
 
$
(30,532
)
 
$
28,925

 
$
(11,693
)
 
$
(13,300
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
 
 
Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
 
Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
(30,532
)
 
$
28,925

 
$
(11,693
)
 
$
(13,300
)
 
$
(34,331
)
 
$
35,726

 
$
(11,959
)
 
$
(10,564
)
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
7,363

 
12,661

 

 
20,024

 
3,777

 
2,080

 

 
5,857

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,746
)
 
(9,290
)
 
179

 
(10,857
)
 
22

 
(8,881
)
 
266

 
(8,593
)
Balance at end of period
$
(24,915
)
 
$
32,296

 
$
(11,514
)
 
$
(4,133
)
 
$
(30,532
)
 
$
28,925

 
$
(11,693
)
 
$
(13,300
)

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands):
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Twelve Months Ended June 30,
 
Affected Line Item in the Statement of Operations
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of pension and post-retirement benefit costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service benefit
 
$
2,413

 
$
1,664

 
$
4,829

 
$
3,330

 
$
8,906

 
$
6,579

 
(a)
 
Net loss
 
(1,694
)
 
(1,222
)
 
(3,388
)
 
(2,445
)
 
(5,908
)
 
(6,567
)
 
(a)
 
 
 
 
719

 
442

 
1,441

 
885

 
2,998

 
12

 
(a)
 
Income tax effect
 
(261
)
 
(166
)
 
(454
)
 
(222
)
 
(1,252
)
 
(34
)
 
Income tax benefit
 
 
 
 
458

 
276

 
987

 
663

 
1,746

 
(22
)
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marketable securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain on sale of securities
 
5,166

 
2,110

 
7,357

 
3,498

 
11,499

 
11,049

 
Investment and interest income, net
 
 
 
 
5,166

 
2,110

 
7,357

 
3,498

 
11,499

 
11,049

 
Income before income taxes
 
Income tax effect
 
(1,032
)
 
(417
)
 
(1,467
)
 
(692
)
 
(2,209
)
 
(2,168
)
 
Income tax benefit
 
 
 
 
4,134

 
1,693

 
5,890

 
2,806

 
9,290

 
8,881

 
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on cash flow hedge:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of loss
 
(132
)
 
(123
)
 
(262
)
 
(245
)
 
(515
)
 
(482
)
 
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility
 
 
 
 
(132
)
 
(123
)
 
(262
)
 
(245
)
 
(515
)
 
(482
)
 
Loss before income taxes
 
Income tax effect
 
47

 
46

 
125

 
128

 
336

 
216

 
Income tax expense
 
 
 
 
(85
)
 
(77
)
 
(137
)
 
(117
)
 
(179
)
 
(266
)
 
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications
 
$
4,507

 
$
1,892

 
$
6,740

 
$
3,352

 
$
10,857

 
$
8,593

 
 
 
 
(a) These items are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note I, Employee Benefits, for additional information.

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


C. Regulation
General
The rates and services of the Company are regulated by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("PUCT"), the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission ("NMPRC"), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"). Municipal orders, ordinances and other agreements regarding rates and services adopted by Texas municipalities are subject to review and approval by the PUCT. The FERC has jurisdiction over the Company's wholesale (sales for resale) transactions, transmission service and compliance with federally-mandated reliability standards. The decisions of the PUCT, the NMPRC and the FERC are subject to judicial review.
Texas Regulatory Matters
2015 Texas Retail Rate Case Filing. On August 10, 2015, the Company filed with the City of El Paso, other municipalities incorporated in its Texas service territory, and the PUCT in Docket No. 44941, a request for an annual increase in non-fuel base revenues ("2015 Texas Retail Rate Case").
On July 21, 2016, the parties to PUCT Docket No. 44941 filed the Joint Motion to Implement Uncontested Amended and Restated Stipulation and Agreement which was unopposed by the parties ("Unopposed Settlement"). On August 25, 2016, the PUCT approved the Unopposed Settlement and issued its final order in Docket No. 44941 ("PUCT Final Order"), as proposed. The PUCT Final Order provided for: (i) an annual non-fuel base rate increase, lower annual depreciation expense, a revised return on equity for allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") purposes, and the inclusion of substantially all new plant in service in rate base; (ii) an additional annual non-fuel base rate increase of $3.7 million related to Four Corners Generating Station ("Four Corners") costs, which will be collected through a surcharge terminating on July 11, 2017; (iii) removing the separate rate treatment for residential customers with solar systems that the Company had proposed in its August 10, 2015 filing; (iv) allowing the Company to recover $3.1 million in rate case expenses through a separate surcharge and (v) allowing the Company to recover revenues associated with the relate back of rates to consumption on and after January 12, 2016 through March 31, 2016 through a separate surcharge.
Interim rates associated with the annual non-fuel base rate increase, became effective on April 1, 2016. The additional surcharges associated with the incremental Four Corners costs, rate case expenses and the relate back of rates to consumption on and after January 12, 2016 through March 31, 2016 were implemented on October 1, 2016.
For financial reporting purposes, the Company deferred any recognition of the Company's request in its 2015 Texas Retail Rate Case until it received the PUCT Final Order on August 25, 2016. Accordingly, it reported in the third quarter of 2016 the cumulative effect of the PUCT Final Order which related back to January 12, 2016.
2017 Texas Retail Rate Case Filing. On February 13, 2017, the Company filed with the City of El Paso, other municipalities incorporated in the Company's Texas service territory and the PUCT in Docket No. 46831, a request for an increase in non-fuel base revenues of approximately $42.5 million. On May 16, 2017, the Company filed a motion to sever rate case expense issues from the main rate case. The request was approved by the Administrative Law Judges, initiating Docket No. 47228, on June 5, 2017.
On July 21, 2017, the Company filed its rebuttal testimony modifying the requested increase to $39.2 million. The decrease from the original request related primarily to the transfer of the recovery of $3.0 million of the rate case expenses to a separate proceeding as noted above. Hearings on the merits of the rate case are scheduled to begin on August 21, 2017. The Company requested, pursuant to its statutory right, to have its new rates relate back for consumption on and after July 18, 2017, which is the 155th day after the filing of the rate case. The difference in rates that would have been billed will be surcharged or refunded to customers after the PUCT's final order in Docket No. 46831. The PUCT has the authority to require the Company to surcharge or refund such difference over a period not to exceed 18 months. The Company cannot predict the outcome or the timing of this rate case at this time.
Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor. On May 1, 2017, the Company filed its annual application, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 47125, to establish its energy efficiency cost recovery factor for 2018. In addition to projected energy efficiency costs for 2018 and a true-up to prior year actual costs, the Company requested approval of a $1.0 million bonus for the 2016 energy efficiency program results in accordance with PUCT rules. A hearing on the merits of this case is scheduled to begin on August 15, 2017. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time.

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. On November 30, 2016, the Company filed a request, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 46610, to increase its fixed fuel factor by approximately 28.8% to reflect increased fuel expenses primarily related to an increase in the price of natural gas used to generate power. The increase in the fixed fuel factor was effective on an interim basis January 1, 2017 and approved by the PUCT on January 10, 2017. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had under-recovered fuel costs in the amount of $8.5 million for the Texas jurisdiction.
Fuel Reconciliation Proceeding. On September 27, 2016, the Company filed an application with the PUCT, designated as PUCT Docket No. 46308, to reconcile $436.6 million of Texas fuel and purchased power expenses incurred during the period of April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2016. On June 29, 2017, the PUCT approved a settlement in this proceeding. The settlement provides for the reconciliation of fuel and purchased power costs incurred from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2016. Additionally, the settlement modifies and tightens the Palo Verde performance rewards measurement bands beginning with the 2018 performance period. The financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2017 include a $5.0 million, pre-tax increase to income reflecting the settlement of the Texas fuel reconciliation proceeding. This amount includes Palo Verde performance rewards associated with the 2013 to 2015 performance periods net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs as approved in the settlement. As of June 30, 2017, Texas jurisdictional fuel and purchased power costs subject to a future Texas fuel reconciliation are approximately $181.4 million.
Community Solar. On June 8, 2015, the Company filed a petition with the PUCT to initiate a community solar program that includes the construction and ownership of a 3 MW solar photovoltaic system located at Montana Power Station. Participation will be on a voluntary basis, and customers will contract for a set capacity (kW) amount and receive all energy produced. This case was assigned PUCT Docket No. 44800. The Company filed a settlement agreement among all parties on July 1, 2016 approving the program, and the PUCT approved the settlement agreement and program on September 1, 2016. On April 19, 2017, the Company announced that the entire 3 MW program was fully subscribed by approximately 1,500 Texas customers. The Community Solar facility began commercial operation on May 31, 2017.
Four Corners Generating Station. On February 17, 2015, the Company and Arizona Public Service Company ("APS") entered into an asset purchase agreement ("Purchase and Sale Agreement") providing for the sale of the Company's interest in Four Corners to APS. The sale of the Company's interest in Four Corners closed on July 6, 2016.
On June 10, 2015, the Company filed an application in Texas requesting reasonableness and public interest findings and certain rate and accounting findings related to the Purchase and Sale Agreement. This case was assigned PUCT Docket No. 44805. Subsequent to the filing of the application, the case has been subject to numerous procedural matters, including a March 23, 2016 order in which the PUCT determined not to dismiss the reasonableness and public interest issues in this docket but to consider the requested rate and accounting findings, including coal mine reclamation costs, in a rate case proceeding. On September 1, 2016, a motion by parties in the proceeding to suspend the procedural schedule in order to pursue settlement was approved. On March 3, 2017, the Company filed a Joint Motion to Implement Stipulation and Agreement ("Stipulation and Agreement"), and PUCT Staff filed its recommendation that the Company’s disposition of its interest in Four Corners was reasonable and consistent with the public interest. Additionally, the signatories of the Stipulation and Agreement agreed to support the recovery of the Company's Four Corners decommissioning costs in the ongoing Texas rate case. A final order approving the Stipulation and Agreement was adopted by the PUCT on March 30, 2017.
Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for tariffs and approvals required by the Public Utility Regulatory Act ("PURA") and the PUCT.
New Mexico Regulatory Matters
2015 New Mexico Rate Case Filing. On May 11, 2015, the Company filed a request with the NMPRC, in Case No. 15-00127-UT, for an annual increase in non-fuel base rates. On June 8, 2016, the NMPRC issued its final order in Case No. 15-00127-UT ("NMPRC Final Order"), which approved an annual increase in non-fuel base rates of approximately $0.6 million, an increase of approximately $0.5 million in other service fees and a decrease in the Company's allowed return on equity to 9.48%. The NMPRC Final Order concluded that all of the Company's new plant in service was reasonable and necessary and therefore would be recoverable in rates. The Company's rates were approved by the NMPRC effective July 1, 2016 and implemented at such time.
Future New Mexico Rate Case Filing. NMPRC Case No. 15-00109-UT required the Company to make a rate filing in New Mexico in the second quarter of 2017 using a historical test year ended December 31, 2016. On March 24, 2017, the Company, NMPRC Utility Division Staff and the New Mexico Attorney General filed a Joint Motion to Modify Filing Date Stated in Final

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Order requesting that the rate filing date be changed to no later than July 31, 2019, using the appropriate historical test year period. The joint request was approved by the NMPRC on April 12, 2017.
Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. Historically, fuel and purchased power costs were recovered through base rates and a Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Adjustment Clause ("FPPCAC") that accounts for changes in the costs of fuel relative to the amount included in base rates. Effective July 1, 2016, with the implementation of the final order in Case No. 15-00127-UT, fuel and purchased power costs are no longer recovered through base rates but are recovered through the FPPCAC. The Company's request to reconcile its fuel and purchased power costs for the period January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014 was approved in Case No. 15-00127-UT. New Mexico jurisdictional costs subject to prudence review are costs from January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017 that total approximately $144.1 million. At June 30, 2017, the Company had a net fuel over-recovery balance of approximately $0.3 million in New Mexico.
5 MW Holloman Air Force Base ("HAFB") Facility Certificate of Convenience and Necessity ("CCN"). On October 7, 2015, in NMPRC Case No. 15-00185-UT, the NMPRC issued a final order approving a CCN for a 5 MW solar power generation facility located on HAFB in the Company's service territory in New Mexico. The Company and HAFB negotiated a retail contract, which includes power sales agreement for the facility, to replace the existing load retention agreement which was approved by final order issued October 5, 2016 in NMPRC Case No. 16-00224-UT. Construction of the solar generation facility is expected to be completed in the first half of 2018.
New Mexico Efficient Use of Energy Recovery Factor. On July 1, 2016, the Company filed its annual application requesting approval of its 2017 Energy Efficiency and Load Management Plan and to establish energy efficiency cost recovery factors for 2017. In addition to projected energy efficiency costs for 2017, the Company requested approval of a $0.4 million incentive for 2017 energy efficiency programs in accordance with NMPRC rules. This case was assigned Case No. 16-00185-UT. On February 22, 2017, the NMPRC issued a Final Order approving the Company’s 2017 Energy Efficiency and Load Management Plan and authorizing recovery in 2017 of a base incentive of $0.4 million. The Company’s energy efficiency cost recovery factors were approved and effective in customer bills beginning on March 1, 2017.
On July 1, 2016, the Company filed its 2015 Annual Report for Energy Efficiency Programs, which included an incentive for verified 2015 program performance of $0.3 million, which was approved in Case No. 13-00176-UT. The Company recorded the $0.3 million approved incentive in operating revenues in the first quarter of 2017. In addition, on June 30, 2017, the Company filed its 2016 Annual Report for Energy Efficiency Programs, which included an incentive for verified 2016 program performance of $0.4 million which was approved in Case No. 13-00176-UT.
Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for other tariffs, securities transactions, recovery of energy efficiency costs through a base rate rider and other approvals as required by the NMPRC.
Federal Regulatory Matters
The Company has obtained required approvals for rates and tariffs, securities transactions and other approvals as required by the FERC.
D. Palo Verde
Decommissioning. Pursuant to the Arizona Nuclear Power Project ("ANPP") Participation Agreement and federal law, the Company funds its share of the estimated costs to decommission Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station ("Palo Verde") Units 1, 2 and 3, including the Common Facilities, through the term of their respective operating licenses and is required to maintain a minimum accumulation and funding level in its decommissioning account at the end of each annual reporting period during the life of the plant. The Company has established external trusts with an independent trustee, which enables the Company to record a current deduction for federal income tax purposes for most of the amounts funded. At June 30, 2017, the Company’s decommissioning trust fund had a balance of $271.3 million, which is above its minimum funding level. The Company monitors the status of its decommissioning funds and adjusts its deposits, if necessary.
Decommissioning costs are estimated every three years based upon engineering cost studies performed by outside engineers retained by APS. In April 2017, the Palo Verde Participants approved the 2016 Palo Verde decommissioning study (“2016 Study”). The 2016 Study estimated that the Company must fund approximately $432.8 million (stated in 2016 dollars) to cover its share of decommissioning costs which was an increase in decommissioning costs of $52.1 million (stated in 2016 dollars) from the 2013 Palo Verde decommissioning study. The effect of this change increased the ARO by $3.5 million, which was recorded during the

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


six months ended June 30, 2017, and will increase annual expenses starting in April 2017. Although the 2016 Study was based on the latest available information, there can be no assurance that decommissioning cost estimates will not increase in the future or that regulatory requirements will not change. In addition, until a new low-level radioactive waste repository opens and operates for a number of years, estimates of the cost to dispose of low-level radioactive waste are subject to uncertainty. As provided in the ANPP Participation Agreement, the participants are required to conduct a new decommissioning study every three years. While the Company attempts to seek amounts in rates to meet its decommissioning obligations, it is not able to conclude given the evidence available to it now that it is probable these costs will continue to be collected over the period until decommissioning begins in 2044. The Company is ultimately responsible for these costs and its future actions combined with future decisions from regulators will determine how successful the Company is in this effort.
Spent Nuclear Fuel and Waste Disposal. Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended in 1987 ("NWPA"), the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is legally obligated to accept and dispose of all spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste generated by all domestic power reactors by 1998. The DOE's obligations are reflected in a contract for Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and/or High-Level Radioactive Waste ("Standard Contract") with each nuclear power plant. The DOE failed to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel by 1998.
On October 31, 2014, APS, acting on behalf of itself and the Palo Verde Participants, submitted to the government a request for reimbursement of spent nuclear fuel storage costs for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014. The accepted claim amount was $42.0 million. On June 1, 2015, the Company received approximately $6.6 million, representing its share of the award, of which $5.8 million was credited to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses in March 2015. After June 2015, APS will file annual claims for the period July 1 of the then-previous year to June 30 of the then-current year.
On November 2, 2015, APS filed a $12.0 million claim for the period July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. In February 2016, the DOE notified APS of the approval of the claim. In March 2016, the Company received its share of this claim of approximately $1.9 million, of which $1.6 million was credited to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses.
On October 31, 2016, APS filed an $11.3 million claim for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. On February 1, 2017, the DOE notified APS of the approval of the claim. On March 10, 2017, the Company received approximately $1.8 million, representing its share of the award, of which $1.4 million was credited to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses.
Palo Verde Operations and Maintenance Expense. Included in other operations and maintenance expenses are expenses associated with Palo Verde as follows (in thousands):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Three months ended June 30,
 
$
25,931

 
$
24,048

Six months ended June 30,
 
47,539

 
46,391

Twelve months ended June 30,
 
98,062

 
98,343


 
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Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


E. Common Stock
Dividends. The Company paid $13.6 million and $12.5 million in quarterly cash dividends during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company paid a total of $26.2 million and $51.3 million in quarterly cash dividends during the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The Company paid a total of $24.5 million and $48.4 million in quarterly cash dividends during the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. On July 27, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.335 per share payable on September 29, 2017 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 15, 2017.
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share. The basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below (in thousands except for share data):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic number of common shares outstanding
40,409,030

 
40,345,150

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards
116,555

 
54,341

Diluted number of common shares outstanding
40,525,585

 
40,399,491

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
36,066

 
$
22,284

Income allocated to participating restricted stock
(142
)
 
(65
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
35,924

 
$
22,219

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
36,066

 
$
22,284

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock
(142
)
 
(65
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
35,924

 
$
22,219

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
0.335

 
$
0.31

Undistributed earnings
0.555

 
0.24

Basic net income per common share
$
0.890

 
$
0.55

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
0.335

 
$
0.31

Undistributed earnings
0.555

 
0.24

Diluted net income per common share
$
0.890

 
$
0.55


 
16
 

Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic number of common shares outstanding
40,398,192

 
40,335,236

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards
101,152

 
45,404

Diluted number of common shares outstanding
40,499,344

 
40,380,640

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
32,077

 
$
16,476

Income allocated to participating restricted stock
(119
)
 
(66
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
31,958

 
$
16,410

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
32,077

 
$
16,476

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock
(119
)
 
(66
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
31,958

 
$
16,410

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
0.645

 
$
0.605

Undistributed earnings
0.145

 
(0.195
)
Basic net income per common share
$
0.790

 
$
0.410

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
0.645

 
$
0.605

Undistributed earnings
0.145

 
(0.195
)
Diluted net income per common share
$
0.790

 
$
0.410



 
17
 

Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


 
Twelve Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic number of common shares outstanding
40,381,776

 
40,314,032

Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards
85,219

 
42,207

Diluted number of common shares outstanding
40,466,995

 
40,356,239

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
112,369

 
$
73,864

Income allocated to participating restricted stock
(423
)
 
(210
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
111,946

 
$
73,654

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
112,369

 
$
73,864

Income reallocated to participating restricted stock
(423
)
 
(210
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
111,946

 
$
73,654

Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
1.265

 
$
1.195

Undistributed earnings
1.505

 
0.635

Basic net income per common share
$
2.770

 
$
1.830

Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
Distributed earnings
$
1.265

 
$
1.195

Undistributed earnings
1.505

 
0.635

Diluted net income per common share
$
2.770

 
$
1.830



The number of restricted stock awards and performance shares at 100% performance level excluded from the calculation of the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six months ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Restricted stock awards
58,792

 
42,759

 
68,409

 
51,111

 
62,352

 
52,714

Performance shares (a)

 
62,995

 

 
62,995

 
6,906

 
56,089

(a)
Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of each corresponding period.

 
18
 

Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


F. Income Taxes
The Company files income tax returns in the United States ("U.S.") federal jurisdiction and in the states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The Company is no longer subject to tax examination by the taxing authorities in the federal, Arizona and New Mexico jurisdictions for years prior to 2012. The Company is currently under audit in Texas for tax years 2007 through 2010.
For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s effective tax rate was 35.4% and 33.9%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company's effective tax rate was 35.3% and 33.5%, respectively. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company's effective tax rate was 36.0% and 30.7%, respectively. The Company's effective tax rate for all periods differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35.0% primarily due to capital gains in the decommissioning trusts which are taxed at the federal rate of 20.0%, the allowance for equity funds used during construction ("AEFUDC"), state taxes and the issue discussed in the following paragraph.
In the third quarter of 2016, the Company changed its accounting for state income taxes from the flow-through method to the normalization method in accordance with the PUCT's and NMPRC's most recent final orders. Under the flow-through method, the Company previously recorded deferred state income taxes and regulatory liabilities and assets offsetting such deferred state income taxes at the expected cash flow to be reflected in future rates. Upon implementation of normalization, the Company began amortizing the net regulatory asset for deferred state income taxes to deferred income tax expense over a 15 year period as allowed by the regulators. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company began recording deferred state income tax expense as required by normalization, retroactive to January 2016 as provided in the final orders. The impact of the change was additional deferred income tax expense of $1.1 million, $1.7 million and $4.9 million for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.
G. Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties
For a full discussion of commitments and contingencies, see Note K of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2016 Form 10-K. In addition, see Notes C and D above and Notes C and E of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2016 Form 10-K regarding matters related to wholesale power sales contracts and transmission contracts subject to regulation and Palo Verde, including decommissioning, spent nuclear fuel and waste disposal, and liability and insurance matters.
Power Purchase and Sale Contracts
To supplement its own generation and operating reserve requirements, and to meet required renewable portfolio standards, the Company engages in power purchase arrangements which may vary in duration and amount based on an evaluation of the Company's resource needs, the economics of the transactions, and specific renewable portfolio requirements. For a full discussion of power purchase and sale contracts that the Company has entered into with various counterparties, see Note K of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2016 Form 10-K. The Company is exploring the possibility of a purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates to comply with New Mexico Renewable Portfolio Standard(s) requirements and the NMPRC's approval to complete such a purchase is pending.
Environmental Matters
General. The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations and permit requirements with respect to air and greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions, water discharges, soil and water quality, waste management and disposal, natural resources and other environmental matters by federal, state, regional, tribal and local authorities. Failure to comply with such laws, regulations and requirements can result in actions by authorities or other third parties that might seek to impose on the Company administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties or other sanctions. In addition, releases of pollutants or contaminants into the environment can result in costly cleanup liabilities. These laws, regulations and requirements are subject to change through modification or reinterpretation, or the introduction of new laws and regulations and, as a result, the Company may face additional capital and operating costs to comply.
On March 28, 2017 the Company entered into a Compliance Agreement (“Compliance Agreement”) with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under the Texas Environmental, Health and Safety Audit Privilege Act to address certain water and waste compliance issues associated with the integrity of the synthetic liner of the evaporation pond at the Company’s Newman Generating Station. The Company's action plan was initiated in the second quarter of 2017 and will continue to be implemented over the three year period of the Compliance Agreement. The Company is currently evaluating the cost of performing its obligations under the Compliance Agreement.

 
19
 

Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



H. Litigation
The Company is involved in various legal, environmental, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In many of these matters, the Company has excess casualty liability insurance that covers the various claims, actions and complaints. The Company regularly analyzes current information and, as necessary, makes provisions in its financial statements for probable liabilities for the eventual disposition of these matters. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, based upon a review of the matters and applicable insurance coverage, the Company believes that none of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. The Company expenses legal costs, including expenses related to loss contingencies, as they are incurred.
See Notes C and G above and Notes C and K of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2016 Form 10-K for discussion of the effects of government legislation and regulation on the Company.

 
20
 

Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


I. Employee Benefits
Retirement Plans
The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 is made up of the components listed below as determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017

2016
 
2017
 
2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
1,989

 
$
1,905

 
$
4,259

 
$
3,810

 
$
8,450

 
$
8,402

Interest cost
3,282

 
3,265

 
6,530

 
6,530

 
13,039

 
13,775

Expected return on plan assets
(4,787
)
 
(4,713
)
 
(9,595
)
 
(9,425
)
 
(19,049
)
 
(19,325
)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
2,138

 
1,887

 
4,227

 
3,775

 
7,791

 
8,922

Prior service benefit
(875
)
 
(877
)
 
(1,753
)
 
(1,755
)
 
(3,504
)
 
(3,486
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
1,747

 
$
1,467

 
$
3,668

 
$
2,935

 
$
6,727

 
$
8,288

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company contributed $6.5 million of its projected $10.0 million 2017 annual contribution to its retirement plans.
Other Postretirement Benefits
The net periodic benefit recognized for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 is made up of the components listed below (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Components of net periodic benefit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
530

 
$
715

 
$
1,118

 
$
1,430

 
$
2,457

 
$
3,134

Interest cost
684

 
872

 
1,362

 
1,745

 
2,784

 
3,730

Expected return on plan assets
(483
)
 
(460
)
 
(953
)
 
(920
)
 
(1,868
)
 
(1,940
)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service benefit
(1,538
)
 
(787
)
 
(3,076
)
 
(1,575
)
 
(5,402
)
 
(3,093
)
Net gain
(444
)
 
(665
)
 
(839
)
 
(1,330
)
 
(1,883
)
 
(2,355
)
Net periodic benefit
$
(1,251
)
 
$
(325
)
 
$
(2,388
)
 
$
(650
)
 
$
(3,912
)
 
$
(524
)
During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company contributed $0.2 million of its projected $2.4 million 2017 annual contribution to its other postretirement benefits plan.
J. Financial Instruments and Investments
The FASB guidance requires the Company to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. The Company has determined that cash and temporary investments, investment in debt securities, accounts receivable, decommissioning trust funds, long-term debt, short-term borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF"), accounts payable and customer deposits meet the definition of financial instruments. The carrying amounts of cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and customer deposits approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items. Investments in debt securities and decommissioning trust funds are carried at estimated fair value.

 
21
 

Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF. The fair values of the Company's long-term debt and short-term borrowings under the RCF are based on estimated market prices for similar issues and are presented below (in thousands): 
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
Pollution Control Bonds
$
190,913

 
$
204,498

 
$
190,775

 
$
206,818

Senior Notes
993,254

 
1,173,767

 
993,086

 
1,112,285

RGRT Senior Notes (1)
94,849

 
98,075

 
94,795

 
98,855

RCF (1)
178,884

 
178,884

 
81,574

 
81,574

Total
$
1,457,900

 
$
1,655,224

 
$
1,360,230

 
$
1,499,532

_______________ 
(1)
Nuclear fuel financing, as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, is funded through the $95 million Rio Grande Resources Trust ("RGRT") Senior Notes and $38.9 million and $37.6 million, respectively under the RCF. As of June 30, 2017, $140.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2016, $44.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company's borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting current market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value.
Marketable Securities. The Company's marketable securities, included in decommissioning trust funds in the Balance Sheets, are reported at fair value which was $271.3 million and $255.7 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. These securities are classified as available for sale and recorded at their estimated fair value using the FASB guidance for certain investments in debt and equity securities. The reported fair values include gross unrealized losses on marketable securities whose impairment the Company has deemed to be temporary. The tables below present the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands): 
 
June 30, 2017
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Description of Securities (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
$
15,446

 
$
(188
)
 
$
415

 
$
(19
)
 
$
15,861

 
$
(207
)
U.S. Government Bonds
35,388

 
(598
)
 
9,816

 
(630
)
 
45,204

 
(1,228
)
Municipal Debt Obligations
6,903

 
(165
)
 
5,928

 
(482
)
 
12,831

 
(647
)
Corporate Debt Obligations
7,308

 
(79
)
 
2,944

 
(235
)
 
10,252

 
(314
)
Total Debt Securities
65,045

 
(1,030
)
 
19,103

 
(1,366
)
 
84,148

 
(2,396
)
Common Stock
718

 
(65
)
 

 

 
718

 
(65
)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities
$
65,763

 
$
(1,095
)
 
$
19,103

 
$
(1,366
)
 
$
84,866

 
$
(2,461
)
 
_________________
(1)
Includes 136 securities.

 
22
 

Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


 
December 31, 2016
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Description of Securities (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
$
11,582

 
$
(239
)
 
$
436

 
$
(22
)
 
$
12,018

 
$
(261
)
U.S. Government Bonds
31,655

 
(762
)
 
17,976

 
(835
)
 
49,631

 
(1,597
)
Municipal Debt Obligations
9,596

 
(394
)
 
4,067

 
(372
)
 
13,663

 
(766
)
Corporate Debt Obligations
7,971

 
(172
)
 
2,092

 
(172
)
 
10,063

 
(344
)
Total Debt Securities
60,804

 
(1,567
)
 
24,571

 
(1,401
)
 
85,375

 
(2,968
)
Common Stock
2,760

 
(167
)
 

 

 
2,760

 
(167
)
Institutional Equity Funds-International Equity
22,945

 
(110
)
 

 

 
22,945

 
(110
)
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities
$
86,509

 
$
(1,844
)
 
$
24,571

 
$
(1,401
)
 
$
111,080

 
$
(3,245
)
 
_________________
(2)
Includes 152 securities.
The Company monitors the length of time specific securities trade below their cost basis along with the amount and percentage of the unrealized loss in determining if a decline in fair value of marketable securities below recorded cost is considered to be other than temporary. The Company recognizes impairment losses on certain of its securities deemed to be other than temporary. In accordance with the FASB guidance, these impairment losses are recognized in net income, and a lower cost basis is established for these securities. In addition, the Company will research the future prospects of individual securities as necessary. The Company does not anticipate expending monies held in trust before 2044 or a later period when decommissioning of Palo Verde begins.
For the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized other than temporary impairment losses on its available-for-sale securities as follow (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Unrealized holding losses included in pre-tax income
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(156
)
 
$
(196
)
 
$
(494
)
The reported securities also include gross unrealized gains on marketable securities which have not been recognized in the Company's net income. The table below presents the unrecognized gross unrealized gains and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category (in thousands): 
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gains
Description of Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
$
6,662

 
$
272

 
$
7,430

 
$
319

U.S. Government Bonds
13,846

 
311

 
12,237

 
138

Municipal Debt Obligations
5,197

 
161

 
2,481

 
144

Corporate Debt Obligations
20,981

 
995

 
12,350

 
655

Total Debt Securities
46,686

 
1,739

 
34,498

 
1,256

Common Stock
53,489

 
30,766

 
61,884

 
34,066

Equity Mutual Funds
54,236

 
7,028

 
42,244

 
3,345

Institutional Funds - International Equity
26,149

 
3,174

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
5,889

 

 
6,002

 

Total
$
186,449

 
$
42,707

 
$
144,628

 
$
38,667


 
23
 

Table of Contents
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


The Company's marketable securities include investments in mortgage backed securities, municipal, corporate and federal debt obligations. The contractual year for maturity of these available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (in thousands): 
 
Total
 
2017
 
2018
through
2021
 
2022 through 2026
 
2027 and Beyond
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
$
22,523

 
$

 
$
5

 
$
338

 
$
22,180

U.S. Government Bonds
59,050

 
5,893

 
24,224

 
15,981

 
12,952

Municipal Debt Obligations
18,028

 
796

 
6,215

 
9,743

 
1,274

Corporate Debt Obligations
31,233

 

 
12,309

 
8,949

 
9,975

The Company's marketable securities in its decommissioning trust funds are sold from time to time and the Company uses the specific identification basis to determine the amount to reclassify from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income. The proceeds from the sale of these securities during the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 and the related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Proceeds from sales or maturities of available-for-sale securities
$
36,476

 
$
16,634

 
$
62,531

 
$
40,712

 
$
113,087

 
$
106,121

Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income
$
5,322

 
$
2,409

 
$
7,909

 
$
4,241

 
$
12,880

 
$
12,805

Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income
(156
)
 
(299
)
 
(552
)
 
(587
)
 
(1,185
)
 
(1,262
)
Gross unrealized losses included in pre-tax income

 

 

 
(156
)
 
(196
)
 
(494
)
Net gains included in pre-tax income
$
5,166

 
$
2,110

 
$
7,357

 
$
3,498

 
$
11,499

 
$
11,049

Net unrealized holding gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income
$
4,458

 
$
2,790

 
$
12,179

 
$
4,980

 
$
15,643

 
$
2,623

Net gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(5,166
)
 
(2,110
)
 
(7,357
)
 
(3,498
)
 
(11,499
)
 
(11,049
)
Net gains (losses) in other comprehensive
income
$
(708
)
 
$
680

 
$
4,822

 
$
1,482

 
$
4,144

 
$
(8,426
)
Fair Value Measurements. The FASB guidance requires the Company to provide expanded quantitative disclosures for financial assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Financial assets carried at fair value include the Company's decommissioning trust investments and investments in debt securities which are included in deferred charges and other assets on the Balance Sheets. The Company has no liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:
Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in active exchange-traded equity securities, mutual funds and U.S. Treasury securities that are in a highly liquid and active market. The Institutional Funds are valued using the Net Asset Value ("NAV") provided by the administrator of the fund. The NAV price is quoted on a restrictive market although the underlying investments are traded on active markets. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company concluded that the NAV used for determining the fair value of the Institutional Funds-International Equity investments have readily determinable fair values. Accordingly, such fund values have been re-categorized from Level 2 to Level 1 hierarchy.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


fixed income securities. The fair value of these financial instruments is based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information of similar securities, adjusted for observable differences.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs using data that is not corroborated by market data and primarily based on internal Company analysis using models and various other analysis. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs are the Company's investment in debt securities.
The securities in the Company's decommissioning trust funds are valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The FASB guidance identifies this valuation technique as the "market approach" with observable inputs. The Company analyzes available-for-sale securities to determine if losses are other than temporary.
The fair value of the Company's decommissioning trust funds and investments in debt securities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the level within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by the FASB guidance are presented in the table below (in thousands): 
Description of Securities
Fair Value as of June 30, 2017
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Trading Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in Debt Securities
$
1,538

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,538

Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
$
22,523

 
$

 
$
22,523

 
$

U.S. Government Bonds
59,050

 
59,050

 

 

Municipal Debt Obligations
18,028

 

 
18,028

 

Corporate Debt Obligations
31,233

 

 
31,233

 

Subtotal, Debt Securities
130,834

 
59,050

 
71,784

 

Common Stock
54,207

 
54,207

 

 

Equity Mutual Funds
54,236

 
54,236

 

 

Institutional Funds-International Equity
26,149

 
26,149

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
5,889

 
5,889

 

 

Total Available for Sale
$
271,315

 
$
199,531

 
$
71,784

 
$


 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Description of Securities
Fair Value as of December 31, 2016
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Trading Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in Debt Securities
$
1,421

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,421

Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
$
19,448

 
$

 
$
19,448

 
$

U.S. Government Bonds
61,868

 
61,868

 

 

Municipal Debt Obligations
16,144

 

 
16,144

 

Corporate Debt Obligations
22,413

 

 
22,413

 

Subtotal, Debt Securities
119,873

 
61,868

 
58,005

 

Common Stock
64,644

 
64,644

 

 

Equity Mutual Funds
42,244

 
42,244

 

 

Institutional Funds-International Equity
22,945

 
22,945

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
6,002

 
6,002

 

 

Total Available for Sale
$
255,708

 
$
197,703

 
$
58,005

 
$


There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories due to changes in observable inputs during the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. There were no purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurement category during the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

 
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
El Paso Electric Company:

We have reviewed the balance sheet of El Paso Electric Company as of June 30, 2017, the related statements of operations and comprehensive operations for the three-month, six-month, and twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the balance sheet of El Paso Electric Company as of December 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations, comprehensive operations, changes in common stock equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 24, 2017, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
August 4, 2017

 
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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The information contained in this Item 2 updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the information set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our 2016 Form 10-K.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements.” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements often include words like "believe", "anticipate", "target", "project", "expect", "predict", "pro forma", "estimate", "intend", "will", "is designed to", "plan", and words of similar meaning, or are indicated by the Company's discussion of strategies or trends. Forward-looking statements describe the Company's future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurances can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements address future events and conditions and include, but are not limited to:
capital expenditures,
earnings,
liquidity and capital resources,
ratemaking/regulatory matters,
litigation,
accounting matters,
possible corporate restructurings, acquisitions and dispositions,
compliance with debt and other restrictive covenants,
interest rates and dividends,
environmental matters,
nuclear operations,
operation of the Company's generating units and its transmission and distribution systems, and
the overall economy of our service area.
These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses in light of the Company's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors the Company believes were appropriate in the circumstances when the statements were made. Forward-looking statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such statements. While it is not possible to identify all factors, the Company continues to face many risks and uncertainties. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
actions of the Company's regulators,
the Company's ability to fully and timely recover its costs and earn a reasonable rate of return on its invested capital through the rates that it is permitted to charge,
rates, cost recovery mechanisms and other regulatory matters including the ability to recover fuel costs on a timely basis,
the ability of the Company's operating partners to maintain plant operations and manage operation and maintenance ("O&M") costs at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station ("Palo Verde"), including costs to comply with any new or expanded regulatory or environmental requirements,
reductions in output at generation plants operated by the Company,
the size of the Company's construction program and its ability to complete construction on budget and on time,
the Company's reliance on significant customers,
the credit worthiness of the Company's customers,
unscheduled outages of generating units including outages at Palo Verde,
changes in customers' demand for electricity as a result of energy efficiency initiatives and emerging competing services and technologies, including distributed generation,
individual customer groups, including distributed generation customers, may not pay their full cost of service, and other customers may or may not be required to pay the difference,
changes in, and the assumptions used for, pension and other post-retirement and post-employment benefit liability calculations, as well as actual and assumed investment returns on pension plan and other post-retirement plan assets,
the impact of changing cost escalation and other assumptions on the Company's nuclear decommissioning liability for Palo Verde, as well as actual and assumed investment returns on decommissioning trust fund assets,

 
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disruptions in the Company's transmission system, and in particular the lines that deliver power from its remote generating facilities,
the sufficiency of the Company's insurance coverage, including availability, cost, coverage and terms,
electric utility deregulation or re-regulation,
regulated and competitive markets,
ongoing municipal, state and federal activities,
cuts in military spending or shutdowns of the federal government that reduce demand for the Company's services from military and governmental customers,
political, legislative, judicial and regulatory developments,
homeland security considerations, including those associated with the U.S./Mexico border region and the energy industry,
changes in environmental laws and regulations and the enforcement or interpretation thereof, including those related to air, water or greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental matters,
economic, commercial bank and financial market conditions,
actions by credit rating agencies,
changes in accounting requirements and other accounting matters,
changing weather trends and the impact of severe weather conditions,
possible physical or cyber attacks, intrusions or other catastrophic events,
the impact of lawsuits filed against the Company,
the impact of changes in interest rates or rates of inflation,
Texas, New Mexico and electric industry utility service reliability standards,
coal, uranium, natural gas, oil and wholesale electricity prices and availability,
possible income tax and interest payments as a result of audit adjustments proposed by the Internal Revenue Service or state taxing authorities,
the impact of U.S. health care reform legislation,
the effectiveness of the Company's risk management activities,
loss of key personnel, the Company's ability to recruit and retain qualified employees and the Company's ability to successfully implement succession planning, and
other circumstances affecting anticipated operations, sales and costs.
These lists are not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. A discussion of some of these factors is included in the 2016 Form 10-K under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management's Discussion and Analysis Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Liquidity and Capital Resources.” This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in its entirety. Management cautions against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements or projecting any future results based on such statements or present or prior earnings levels. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and the Company is not obligated to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made, except as required by applicable laws or regulations.


Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and related notes for the periods presented and actual results could differ in future periods from those estimates. Critical accounting policies and estimates are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require complex, subjective judgments and are more fully described in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Annual Report of El Paso Electric Company on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 ("2016 Form 10-K").


 
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Summary
The following is an overview of our results of operations for the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Net income and basic earnings per share for the three, six and twelve month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 are shown below: 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (in thousands)
$
36,066

 
$
22,284

 
$
32,077

 
$
16,476

 
$
112,369

 
$
73,864

Basic earnings per share
0.89

 
0.55

 
0.79

 
0.41

 
2.77

 
1.83

Financial Effect of the PUCT Final Order
On August 25, 2016, the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("PUCT") issued its final order in the Company's rate case in Docket No. 44941 ("PUCT Final Order"). The PUCT Final Order had a significant effect on the Company's financial results for the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, the impacts of which are reflected in the table below. For financial reporting purposes, the Company deferred any recognition of the Company's request in its 2015 Texas retail rate case until it received the PUCT Final Order in August 2016. Accordingly, it recorded in the third quarter of 2016 the cumulative effect of the PUCT Final Order that related back to January 12, 2016. The impact of the PUCT Final Order recorded in August 2016 relating to the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 would have increased net income by approximately $8.0 million and $12.6 million, respectively. Likewise as it relates to the PUCT Final Order, net income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2016 would have increased by approximately $12.6 million while net income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 would have decreased by approximately $12.6 million. Furthermore, because the Company recorded the cumulative effect of the PUCT’s Final Order in August 2016, it is expected that results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017 will not be comparative to the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
The following table shows the primary factors affecting the after-tax change in net income between the 2017 and 2016 periods presented (in thousands): 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
June 30, 2016 net income
 
$
22,284

 
$
16,476

 
$
73,864

Change in (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increased retail non-fuel base revenues (a)
 
12,062

 
15,421

 
41,607

Palo Verde performance rewards, net (b)
 
3,253

 
3,253

 
3,253

Increased investment and interest income (c)
 
2,477

 
3,289

 
744

Decreased depreciation and amortization (d)
 
882

 
1,765

 
6,935

Decreased allowance for funds used during construction (e)
 
(1,838
)
 
(3,923
)
 
(6,098
)
Increased administrative and general expenses (f)
 
(1,438
)
 
(1,019
)
 
(672
)
Increased taxes other than income taxes (g)
 
(1,264
)
 
(1,860
)
 
(2,676
)
Increased interest on long-term debt (h)
 
(71
)
 
(1,220
)
 
(3,673
)
Other (i)
 
(281
)
 
(105
)
 
(915
)
June 30, 2017 net income
 
$
36,066

 
$
32,077

 
$
112,369

 
______________
All information presented below is expressed in pre-tax amounts except when stated otherwise.

(a)
Retail non-fuel base revenues increased for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to the non-fuel base rate increase approved in the PUCT Final Order. The three months ended June 30, 2016 did not include approximately $11.3 million of retail non-fuel base revenues for the period from April 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, which revenues were not recognized until the PUCT Final Order was approved in August 2016.

 
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Warmer weather and the 1.8% growth in the average number of retail customers served also contributed to the increase in retail non-fuel base revenues.

Retail non-fuel base revenues increased for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to the non-fuel base rate increase approved in the PUCT Final Order. The six months ended June 30, 2016 did not include approximately $17.2 million of retail non-fuel base revenues for the period from January 12, 2016 through June 30, 2016, which revenues were not recognized until the PUCT Final Order was approved in August 2016. The 1.7% growth in the average number of retail customers served also contributed to the increase in retail non-fuel base revenues.

Retail non-fuel base revenues increased for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to the non-fuel base rate increase approved in the PUCT Final Order. The 1.6% growth in the average number of retail customers served also contributed to the remaining increase in retail non-fuel base revenues, see page 32 for a complete discussion.

(b)
Palo Verde performance rewards, associated with the 2013 to 2015 performance periods, net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs related to the resolution of the Texas fuel reconciliation proceeding designated as PUCT Docket No. 46308 for the period from April 2013 through March 2016, were recorded in June 2017 with no comparable amount in 2016.

(c)
Investment and interest income increased for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to higher realized gains on securities sold from our Palo Verde decommissioning trust in 2017 compared to 2016.

(d)
Depreciation and amortization decreased for the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to reductions in depreciation rates as approved in the PUCT Final Order and in the final order in the NMPRC final order in Case No. 15-00127-UT issued on June 8, 2016 ("NMPRC Final Order"), and the sale of the Company's interest in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners Generating Station ("Four Corners"). These decreases were partially offset by increases in plant, including Montana Power Station ("MPS") Units 3 and 4, which were placed in service in May and September 2016, respectively.

(e)
Allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") decreased for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016 due to (i) lower balances of construction work in progress ("CWIP"), primarily due to MPS Units 3 and 4 being placed in service in 2016, and (ii) reductions in the AFUDC rate.

(f)
Administrative and general ("A&G") expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to timing of the accrual of employee incentive compensation and an annual merit increase. A&G expense increased for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to (i) timing of the accrual of employee incentive compensation and an annual merit increase, and (ii) increased regulatory expenses due to our recent Texas and New Mexico rate cases. These increases were partially offset by decreased pension and benefit costs due primarily to (i) changes in actuarial assumptions used to calculate the pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, and (ii) the sale of the Company's interest in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners.

(g)
Taxes other than income taxes increased for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to increased revenue related taxes and increased property valuations in Texas as a result of MPS Units 3 and 4 being placed in service in 2016.

Taxes other than income taxes increased for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to increased revenue related taxes and increased property valuations in Texas as a result of MPS Units 3 and 4 being placed in service in 2016. These increases were partially offset by decreased property taxes in New Mexico due to decreased property valuations.

(h)
Interest on long-term debt increased for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to the $150.0 million principal amount of senior notes issued in March 2016.

(i)
Other for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 includes an increase in the effective tax rate due to the change to normalize state income taxes partially offset by an increase in other revenues due to additional miscellaneous service revenues approved in the PUCT Final Order and in the NMPRC Final Order.

 
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Historical Results of Operations
The following discussion includes detailed descriptions of factors affecting individual line items in the results of operations. The amounts presented below are presented on a pre-tax basis.
Operating revenues
We realize revenue from the sale of electricity to retail customers at regulated rates and the sale of energy in the wholesale power market generally at market-based prices. Sales for resale (which are Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") regulated cost-based wholesale sales within our service territory) accounted for less than 1% of revenues.
Revenues from the sale of electricity include fuel costs that are recovered from our customers through fuel adjustment mechanisms. Historically, a significant portion of fuel costs have been recovered through base rates in New Mexico. Effective July 1, 2016, with the implementation of the NMPRC Final Order, fuel costs are no longer recovered through base rates. Beginning July 1, 2016, all fuel costs are recovered through a fuel adjustment mechanism. We record deferred fuel revenues for the difference between actual fuel costs and recoverable fuel revenues until such amounts are collected from or refunded to customers. "Non-fuel base revenues" refers to our revenues from the sale of electricity excluding such fuel costs.    
No retail customer accounted for more than 3% of our non-fuel base revenues. Residential and small commercial customers approximates 77% of our non-fuel base revenues. While this customer base is more stable, it is also more sensitive to changes in weather conditions. The current rate structures in Texas and New Mexico reflect higher base rates during the peak summer season of May through October and lower base rates during November through April for our residential and small commercial and industrial customers. As a result, our business is seasonal, with higher kWh sales and revenues during the summer cooling season.
Weather significantly impacts our residential, small commercial and industrial customers, and to a lesser extent, our sales to public authorities. Heating and cooling degree days can be used to evaluate the effect of weather on energy use. For each degree the average outdoor temperature varies from a standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, a degree day is recorded. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, retail non-fuel base revenues were positively impacted by warmer weather when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. Cooling degree days for the three months ended June 30, 2017 increased 14.8% when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016, and were 4.5% above the 10-year average. Weather had minimal impact in the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, when compared to the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016. The table below shows heating and cooling degree days compared to a 10-year average.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
 
10-Year
 
 
 
10-Year
 
 
 
10-Year
 
2017
 
2016
 
Average
 
2017
 
2016
 
Average
 
2017
 
2016
 
Average*
Heating degree days
45

 
75

 
68

 
855

 
1,129

 
1,203

 
1,577

 
2,018

 
2,157

Cooling degree days
1,108

 
965

 
1,060

 
1,180

 
988

 
1,093

 
3,003

 
2,864

 
2,732

______________
* Calendar year basis.
Customer growth is a key driver of the growth of retail sales. The average number of retail customers grew 1.8% and 1.7% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, when compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, and 1.6% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 when compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016. See the tables presented on pages 35, 36, and 37, which provide detail on the average number of retail customers and the related revenues and kWh sales.
Retail non-fuel base revenues. Retail non-fuel revenues increased for the three months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to the non-fuel base rate increase approved in the PUCT Final Order. The three months ended June 30, 2016 did not include approximately $11.3 million of retail non-fuel base revenues for the period from April 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, which revenues were not recognized until the PUCT Final Order was approved in August 2016. Warmer weather and the 1.8% growth in the average number of retail customers served also contributed to the increase in retail non-fuel base revenues.
Excluding the $11.3 million PUCT Final Order impact, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, retail non-fuel base revenues increased $7.3 million pre-tax, or 4.5%, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. This increase primarily includes (i) a $4.3 million increase in revenues from residential customers due to a 6.7% increase in kWh sales which were driven by warmer weather and a 1.6% increase in the average number of residential customers, (ii) a $1.2 million increase in revenues from sales to public authorities due to a 4.5% increase in kWh sales which were driven by warmer weather, and (iii) a $1.1 million increase in

 
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revenues from small commercial and industrial customers due to a 2.2% increase in kWh sales which were driven by a 2.5% increase in the average number of small commercial and industrial customers.
Retail non-fuel revenues increased for the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to the non-fuel base rate increase approved in the PUCT Final Order. The six months ended June 30, 2016 did not include approximately $17.2 million of retail non-fuel base revenues for the period from January 12, 2016 through June 30, 2016, which revenues were not recognized until the PUCT Final Order was approved in August 2016. The 1.7% growth in the average number of retail customers served also contributed to the increase in retail non-fuel base revenues. Weather had minimal impact in the six months ended June 30, 2017, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016 due to milder weather in the first quarter of 2017 offsetting warmer weather in the second quarter of 2017.
Excluding the $17.2 million PUCT Final Order impact, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, retail non-fuel base revenues increased $6.5 million pre-tax, or 2.4%, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. This increase primarily includes (i) a $3.5 million increase in revenues from residential customers due to a 1.7% increase in kWh sales which were driven by a 1.5% increase in the average number of residential customers served, and (ii) a $2.1 million increase in revenues from small commercial and industrial customers due to a 1.2% increase in kWh sales which were driven by a 3.2% increase in the average number of small commercial and industrial customers served.
The increase in reported retail non-fuel base revenues for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016 was $64.0 million. Included in this increase is $58.1 million related to the effects of the PUCT Final Order received in August 2016. The annual impact of the PUCT Final Order was $40.9 million all of which was recorded in the twelve months ended June 30, 2017. Included in the PUCT Final Order annual impact was $17.2 million related to the period from January 12, 2016 through June 30, 2016 which was recognized in August 2016.
Excluding the PUCT Final Order impact, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, retail non-fuel base revenues increased by $5.9 million or 1.0% compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016. This increase primarily included a $3.7 million increase in sales to small commercial and industrial customers and a $3.0 million increase in sales to residential customers due to an increase in kWh sales of 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively, which were driven by an increase in the average number of small commercial and industrial and residential customers served of 2.8% and 1.5%, respectively. Revenues from large commercial and industrial customers decreased by $1.3 million, primarily due to reduced demand by the steel manufacturing industry and a decrease in surcharges billed to a large customer.
The three and six months ended June 30, 2017 included approximately $0.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of base revenues associated with the Four Corners surcharge which was established in the PUCT Final Order. This surcharge represents $3.7 million of annualized base revenue and in accordance with the PUCT Final Order, was discontinued in July 2017.
Fuel revenues. Fuel revenues consist of (i) revenues collected from customers under fuel recovery mechanisms approved by the state commissions and the FERC, (ii) deferred fuel revenues which are comprised of the difference between fuel costs and fuel revenues collected from customers, and (iii) prior to July 1, 2016, fuel costs recovered in base rates in New Mexico. In New Mexico, effective July 1, 2016, with the implementation of the NMPRC Final Order, fuel and purchased power costs will no longer be recovered through base rates, as it was historically, but will be completely recovered through the Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Adjustment Clause ("FPPCAC"). Fuel and purchased power costs are reconciled to actual costs on a monthly basis and recovered or refunded to customers the second succeeding month. In Texas, fuel costs are recovered through a fixed fuel factor. We can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor based upon an approved formula at least four months after our last revision except in the month of December. In addition, if we materially over-recover fuel costs, we must seek to refund the over-recovery, and if we materially under-recover fuel costs, we may seek a surcharge to recover those costs. Fuel over- and under-recoveries are defined as material when they exceed 4% of the previous twelve months' fuel costs.
In the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we under-recovered our fuel costs by $5.8 million and over-recovered our fuel costs by $2.7 million, respectively. In the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, we under-recovered our fuel costs by $10.2 million. Contributing to the under-recovery balance in Texas is the recognition of $5.0 million resulting from the settlement of the Texas fuel reconciliation in the second quarter of 2017. In March 2016 and March 2017, $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively, were credited to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses as the result of a reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") related to spent nuclear fuel storage. At June 30, 2017, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $8.2 million, including an under-recovery of $8.5 million in Texas, offset by an over-recovery of $0.3 million in New Mexico. On November 30, 2016, we filed a request to increase our Texas fixed fuel factor by approximately 28.8% to reflect increased fuel expenses primarily related to an increase in the price of natural gas used to generate power. The increase in our Texas fixed fuel factor was effective on an interim basis on January 1, 2017 and was approved by the PUCT on January 10, 2017.
Off-system sales. Off-system sales are wholesale sales into markets outside our service territory. Off-system sales are primarily made in off-peak periods when we have competitive generation capacity available after meeting our regulated service obligations. We have shared 100% of margins on non-arbitrage sales (as defined by the settlement in PUCT Docket No. 41852) and 50% of

 
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margins on arbitrage sales with our Texas customers since April 1, 2014. We are currently sharing 90% of off-system sales margins with our New Mexico customers, and 25% of our off-system sales margins with our sales for resale customer under the terms of their contract. Palo Verde's availability is an important factor in realizing these off-system sales margins.
Off-system sales revenues increased $0.9 million, or 9.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016, as a result of higher average market prices for power, partially offset by a 16.8% decrease in kWh sales. Off-system sales revenues increased $3.7 million, or 17.5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016, as a result of higher average market prices for power, partially offset by a 5.6% decrease in kWh sales. Off-system sales revenues decreased $6.3 million, or 11.3%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, when compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016, as a result of a 19.7% decrease in kWh sales.






 
34
 

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Comparisons of kWh sales and operating revenues are shown below (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Quarter Ended June 30:
2017
 
2016
 
Amount
 
Percent
kWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
724,656

 
679,035

 
45,621

 
6.7
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
647,377

 
633,714

 
13,663

 
2.2

Commercial and industrial, large
276,391

 
270,908

 
5,483

 
2.0

Sales to public authorities
423,374

 
405,277

 
18,097

 
4.5

Total retail sales
2,071,798

 
1,988,934

 
82,864

 
4.2

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
21,718

 
20,668

 
1,050

 
5.1

Off-system sales
374,861

 
450,801

 
(75,940
)
 
(16.8
)
Total wholesale sales
396,579

 
471,469

 
(74,890
)
 
(15.9
)
Total kWh sales
2,468,377

 
2,460,403

 
7,974

 
0.3

Operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
75,027

 
$
62,679

 
$
12,348

 
19.7
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
57,090

 
54,707

 
2,383

 
4.4

Commercial and industrial, large
10,443

 
9,489

 
954

 
10.1

Sales to public authorities
27,544

 
24,672

 
2,872

 
11.6

Total retail non-fuel base revenues (1)
170,104

 
151,547

 
18,557

 
12.2

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
859

 
826

 
33

 
4.0

Total non-fuel base revenues
170,963

 
152,373

 
18,590

 
12.2

Fuel revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period
57,148

 
26,219

 
30,929

 

Under collection of fuel (2)
5,822

 
6,096

 
(274
)
 
(4.5
)
New Mexico fuel in base rates (3)

 
16,602

 
(16,602
)
 

Total fuel revenues (4)
62,970

 
48,917

 
14,053

 
28.7

Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel cost
8,833

 
8,398

 
435

 
5.2

Shared margins
1,089

 
852

 
237

 
27.8

Retained margins
403

 
213

 
190

 
89.2

Total off-system sales
10,325

 
9,463

 
862

 
9.1

Other (5)
7,585

 
7,112

 
473

 
6.7

Total operating revenues
$
251,843

 
$
217,865

 
$
33,978

 
15.6

Average number of retail customers (6):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
367,686

 
361,812

 
5,874

 
1.6
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
41,860

 
40,832

 
1,028

 
2.5

Commercial and industrial, large
48

 
49

 
(1
)
 
(2.0
)
Sales to public authorities
5,622

 
5,274

 
348

 
6.6

Total
415,216

 
407,967

 
7,249

 
1.8

________________________________________
(1)
2016 excludes $11.3 million of relate back revenues in Texas from April 2016 through June 2016 which were recorded in August 2016.
(2)
2017 includes $5.0 million related to the Palo Verde performance rewards, net.
(3)
Historically, fuel and purchased power costs in the New Mexico jurisdiction were recorded through base rates and a FPPCAC that accounts for the changes in the costs of fuel relative to the amount included in base rates. Effective July 1, 2016, with the implementation of the NMPRC Final Order, these costs are no longer recovered through base rates but are recovered through the FPPCAC.
(4)
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $2.2 million and $1.9 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(5)
Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.
(6)
The number of retail customers presented is based on the number of service locations.

 
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Comparisons of kWh sales and operating revenues are shown below (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Six Months Ended June 30:
2017
 
2016
 
Amount
 
Percent
kWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
1,269,784

 
1,248,120

 
21,664

 
1.7
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
1,147,967

 
1,133,940

 
14,027

 
1.2

Commercial and industrial, large
529,389

 
515,834

 
13,555

 
2.6

Sales to public authorities
758,937

 
751,512

 
7,425

 
1.0

Total retail sales
3,706,077

 
3,649,406

 
56,671

 
1.6

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
32,639

 
32,509

 
130

 
0.4

Off-system sales
971,623

 
1,029,474

 
(57,851
)
 
(5.6
)
Total wholesale sales
1,004,262

 
1,061,983

 
(57,721
)
 
(5.4
)
Total kWh sales
4,710,339

 
4,711,389

 
(1,050
)
 

Operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
126,337

 
$
110,422

 
$
15,915

 
14.4
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
90,875

 
86,847

 
4,028

 
4.6

Commercial and industrial, large
18,343

 
17,582

 
761

 
4.3

Sales to public authorities
45,094

 
42,072

 
3,022

 
7.2

Total retail non-fuel base revenues (1)
280,649

 
256,923

 
23,726

 
9.2

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
1,322

 
1,195

 
127

 
10.6

Total non-fuel base revenues
281,971

 
258,118

 
23,853

 
9.2

Fuel revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period
104,768

 
48,753

 
56,015

 

Under (over) collection of fuel (2) (3)
(2,708
)
 
1,993

 
(4,701
)
 

New Mexico fuel in base rates (4)

 
32,828

 
(32,828
)
 

Total fuel revenues (5)
102,060

 
83,574

 
18,486

 
22.1

Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel cost
20,361

 
16,890

 
3,471

 
20.6

Shared margins
3,302

 
3,407

 
(105
)
 
(3.1
)
Retained margins
862

 
573

 
289

 
50.4

Total off-system sales
24,525

 
20,870

 
3,655

 
17.5

Other (6)
14,622

 
13,112

 
1,510

 
11.5

Total operating revenues
$
423,178

 
$
375,674

 
$
47,504

 
12.6

Average number of retail customers (7):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
366,497

 
360,929

 
5,568

 
1.5
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
41,968

 
40,684

 
1,284

 
3.2

Commercial and industrial, large
49

 
49

 

 

Sales to public authorities
5,528

 
5,324

 
204

 
3.8

Total
414,042

 
406,986

 
7,056

 
1.7

________________________________________
(1)
2016 excludes $17.2 million of relate back revenues in Texas from January 12, 2016 through June 30, 2016 which were recorded in August 2016.
(2)
Includes the portion of DOE refunds related to spent fuel storage of $1.4 million and $1.6 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, that were credited to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses.
(3)
2017 includes $5.0 million related to the Palo Verde performance rewards, net.
(4)
Historically, fuel and purchased power costs in the New Mexico jurisdiction were recorded through base rates and a FPPCAC that accounts for the changes in the costs of fuel relative to the amount included in base rates. Effective July 1, 2016, with the implementation of the NMPRC Final Order, these costs are no longer recovered through base rates but are recovered through the FPPCAC.
(5)
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $5.0 million and $4.0 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(6)
Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.
(7)
The number of retail customers presented is based on the number of service locations.

 
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Comparisons of kWh sales and operating revenues are shown below (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Twelve Months Ended June 30:
2017
 
2016
 
Amount
 
Percent
kWh sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
2,827,453

 
2,816,665

 
10,788

 
0.4
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
2,417,474

 
2,401,420

 
16,054

 
0.7

Commercial and industrial, large
1,044,300

 
1,046,554

 
(2,254
)
 
(0.2
)
Sales to public authorities
1,579,935

 
1,574,105

 
5,830

 
0.4

Total retail sales
7,869,162

 
7,838,744

 
30,418

 
0.4

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
62,216

 
63,407

 
(1,191
)
 
(1.9
)
Off-system sales
1,869,657

 
2,329,140

 
(459,483
)
 
(19.7
)
Total wholesale sales
1,931,873

 
2,392,547

 
(460,674
)
 
(19.3
)
Total kWh sales
9,801,035

 
10,231,291

 
(430,256
)
 
(4.2
)
Operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-fuel base revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
294,689

 
$
250,325

 
$
44,364

 
17.7
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
198,970

 
188,449

 
10,521

 
5.6

Commercial and industrial, large
39,831

 
39,865

 
(34
)
 
(0.1
)
Sales to public authorities
99,903

 
90,741

 
9,162

 
10.1

Total retail non-fuel base revenues (1)
633,393

 
569,380

 
64,013

 
11.2

Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales for resale
2,534

 
2,521

 
13

 
0.5

Total non-fuel base revenues
635,927

 
571,901

 
64,026

 
11.2

Fuel revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovered from customers during the period
204,412

 
113,147

 
91,265

 
80.7

Under (over) collection of fuel (2) (3)
10,192

 
(517
)
 
10,709

 

New Mexico fuel in base rates (4)
451

 
72,407

 
(71,956
)
 
(99.4
)
Total fuel revenues (5)
215,055

 
185,037

 
30,018

 
16.2

Off-system sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel cost
42,404

 
46,012

 
(3,608
)
 
(7.8
)
Shared margins
5,527

 
8,203

 
(2,676
)
 
(32.6
)
Retained margins
1,426

 
1,415

 
11

 
0.8

Total off-system sales
49,357

 
55,630

 
(6,273
)
 
(11.3
)
Other (6) (7)
34,101

 
29,721

 
4,380

 
14.7

Total operating revenues
$
934,440

 
$
842,289

 
$
92,151

 
10.9

Average number of retail customers (8):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
364,922

 
359,621

 
5,301

 
1.5
 %
Commercial and industrial, small
41,656

 
40,529

 
1,127

 
2.8

Commercial and industrial, large
49

 
49

 

 

Sales to public authorities
5,405

 
5,289

 
116

 
2.2

Total
412,032

 
405,488

 
6,544

 
1.6

 
________________________________________

(1)
Included in the increase from 2016 to 2017 is $58.1 million related to the effects of the PUCT Final Order received in August 2016. See page 33 for a complete discussion.
(2)
Includes the portion of DOE refunds related to spent fuel storage of $1.4 million and $1.6 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, that were credited to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses.
(3)
2017 includes $5.0 million related to the Palo Verde performance rewards, net.
(4)
Historically, fuel and purchased power costs in the New Mexico jurisdiction were recorded through base rates and a FPPCAC that accounts for the changes in the costs of fuel relative to the amount included in base rates. Effective July 1, 2016, with the implementation of the NMPRC Final Order, these costs are no longer recovered through base rates but are recovered through the FPPCAC.
(5)
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $9.7 million and $8.7 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(6)
Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.
(7)
Includes an Energy Efficiency Bonus of $0.8 million and $1.3 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(8)
The number of retail customers presented is based on the number of service locations.

 
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Energy expenses
Our sources of energy include electricity generated from our nuclear and natural gas generating plants and purchased power. After adding the new natural gas generating units MPS Units 1 and 2 in March 2015 and MPS Units 3 and 4 in May 2016 and September 2016, respectively, into the Company's system generation resources, Palo Verde represents approximately 30% of our net dependable generating capacity and approximately 52%, 61% and 59% of our Company-generated energy for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. Fluctuations in the price of natural gas, which also is the primary factor influencing the price of purchased power, have had a significant impact on our cost of energy.
Energy expenses increased $9.1 million, or 16.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to (i) increased natural gas costs of $9.2 million due to a 28.5% increase in the average cost of MWhs generated and (ii) increased total purchased power costs of $3.1 million due to a 21.9% increase in the MWhs purchased. These increases in energy expenses were partially offset by decreased coal costs of $2.9 million as a result of the sale of our interest in Four Corners, a coal-fired generation station, on July 6, 2016.
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Fuel Type
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
38,602

 
1,055,911

 
$
36.56

 
$
29,387

 
1,032,439

 
$
28.46

Coal
37

(a)

 

 
2,893

 
82,143

 
35.22

Nuclear
10,534

 
1,151,530

 
9.15

 
10,863

 
1,165,459

 
9.32

Total
49,173

 
2,207,441

 
22.28

 
43,143

 
2,280,041

 
18.92

Purchased power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photovoltaic
7,479

 
91,921

 
81.36

 
7,187

 
88,765

 
80.97

Other
9,242

 
307,904

 
30.02

 
6,423

 
239,329

 
26.84

Total purchased power
16,721

 
399,825

 
41.82

 
13,610

 
328,094

 
41.48

Total energy
$
65,894

 
2,607,266

 
25.27

 
$
56,753

 
2,608,135

 
21.76

_______________
(a) The sale of our interest in Four Corners, a coal-fired generation station, closed on July 6, 2016. The cost reported in 2017 represents the
amortization of deferred coal mine reclamation obligations.
    
Energy expenses increased $15.5 million, or 15.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to (i) increased natural gas costs of $14.2 million due to a 31.5% increase in the average cost of MWhs generated and (ii) increased total purchased power costs of $7.1 million due to a 37.8% increase in MWhs purchased. These increases in energy expenses were partially offset by decreased coal costs of $5.3 million as a result of the sale of our interest in Four Corners, a coal-fired generation station, on July 6, 2016.

 
38
 

Table of Contents


 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Fuel Type
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
64,708

 
1,626,736

 
$
39.78

 
$
50,523

 
1,669,869

 
$
30.26

Coal
245

(a)

 

 
5,528

 
163,149

 
33.88

Nuclear
20,826

(b)
2,515,057

 
8.90

 
21,411

(b)
2,545,956

 
9.11

Total
85,779

 
4,141,793

 
21.09

 
77,462

 
4,378,974

 
18.10

Purchased power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photovoltaic
12,778

 
156,656

 
81.57

 
12,695

 
156,529

 
81.10

Other
17,616

 
671,279

 
26.24

 
10,561

 
444,486

 
23.76

Total purchased power
30,394

 
827,935

 
36.71

 
23,256

 
601,015

 
38.69

Total energy
$
116,173

 
4,969,728

 
23.69

 
$
100,718

 
4,979,989

 
20.58

_______________
(a) The sale of our interest in Four Corners, coal-fired generation station, closed on July 6, 2016. The cost reported in 2017 represents the
amortization of deferred coal mine reclamation obligations.
(b) Cost includes a DOE refund related to spent fuel storage of $1.6 million and $1.8 million recorded in March 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Cost per MWh excludes these refunds.
Energy expenses increased $16.7 million, or 7.2%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, when compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to (i) increased natural gas costs of $17.2 million due to a 22.7% increase in the average cost of MWhs generated and (ii) increased total purchased power costs of $13.0 million due to a 23.6% increase in MWhs purchased. These increases in energy expenses were partially offset by (i) decreased coal costs of $11.9 million as a result of the sale of our interest in Four Corners, a coal-fired generation station, on July 6, 2016 and (ii) decreased nuclear costs of $1.6 million due to a 3.0% decrease in the average cost of MWhs generated and a 1.0% decrease in the MWhs generated with nuclear fuel.
 
Twelve Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Fuel Type
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
Cost
 
MWh
 
Cost per
MWh
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
137,991

 
3,507,771

 
$
39.34

 
$
120,787

 
3,765,973

 
$
32.07

Coal
871

(a)
12,109

 
71.93

 
12,725

 
510,248

 
24.94

Nuclear
43,193

(b)
5,062,945

 
8.84

 
44,808

(b)
5,116,546

 
9.11

Total
182,055

 
8,582,825

 
21.39

 
178,320

 
9,392,767

 
19.17

Purchased power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photovoltaic
23,496

 
289,927

 
81.04

 
23,261

 
287,056

 
81.03

Other
43,369

 
1,489,244

 
29.12

 
30,623

 
1,152,284

 
26.58

Total purchased power
66,865

 
1,779,171

 
37.58

 
53,884

 
1,439,340

 
37.44

Total energy
$
248,920

 
10,361,996

 
24.17

 
$
232,204

 
10,832,107

 
21.61

_____________
(a) The sale of our interest in Four Corners, coal-fired generation station, closed on July 6, 2016. The cost reported in 2017 represents the
amortization of deferred coal mine reclamation obligations.
(b) Cost includes a DOE refund related to spent fuel storage of $1.6 million and $1.8 million recorded in March 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cost per MWh excludes these refunds.
Other operations expense
Other operations expense increased $3.0 million, or 5.3%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to a (i) $3.0 million increase in A&G operating expenses primarily due to timing of the accrual of employee incentive compensation, an annual merit increase and increased regulatory expenses, and (ii) a $2.4 million increase in operating expenses at Palo Verde primarily due to a $1.6 million increase in the A&G load true up in 2017 compared

 
39
 

Table of Contents

to 2016. These increases were partially offset by a $2.8 million decrease due to the sale of the Company's interest in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners in July 2016.
Other operations expense increased $0.8 million, or 0.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to a (i) $3.7 million increase in A&G operating expenses primarily due to timing of the accrual of employee incentive compensation, an annual merit increase and an increase in pension and benefit costs due to an increase in medical claims paid and other employee benefit costs, and (ii) a $2.2 million increase in operating expenses at Palo Verde primarily due to a $1.6 million increase in the A&G load true up in 2017 compared to 2016. These increases were partially offset by a $5.5 million decrease due to the sale of the Company's interest in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners in July 2016.
Other operations expense decreased $2.1 million, or 0.9%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to (i) a $7.8 million decrease due to the sale of the Company's interest in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners in July 2016. This decrease was partially offset by (i) a $3.2 million increase in A&G operating expenses primarily due to timing of the accrual of employee incentive compensation, an annual merit increase and increased regulatory expenses, (ii) a $1.0 million increase in operating expenses at Palo Verde primarily due to a $1.6 million increase in the A&G load true up in 2017 compared to 2016, and (iii) a $0.8 million increase in routine operating expenses at MPS.
Maintenance expense
Maintenance expense remained relatively unchanged for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016.
Maintenance expense increased $3.5 million, or 9.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to (i) increased maintenance expense of $8.7 million for outages at Newman Units 1, 3, 4 & 5, and (ii) increased routine maintenance of $2.4 million at MPS, Rio Grande and Newman. These increases were partially offset by (i) $5.5 million due to the sale of the Company's interest in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners in July 2016, (ii) $1.3 million decrease in maintenance expense for an outage at Rio Grande Unit 7 in 2016 with no comparable activity in 2017, and (iii) a $1.0 million decrease in maintenance expenses at Palo Verde.
Maintenance expense increased $2.5 million, or 3.6%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to (i) increased maintenance expense of $8.9 million for outages at Newman Units 1, 3, 4 & 5, and (ii) increased routine maintenance of $2.3 million at MPS and Rio Grande. These increases were partially offset by (i) $7.4 million due to the sale of the Company's interest in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners in July 2016, (ii) a $1.3 million decrease in maintenance expenses at Palo Verde, and (iii) a $1.1 million decrease in maintenance expense for an outage at Rio Grande Unit 7 in 2016 with no comparable activity in 2017.
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.4 million, or 5.7%, $2.7 million, or 5.8%, and $10.7 million, or 11.6%, for the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the three, six, and twelve months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to (i) reductions of approximately $2.9 million, $5.8 million, and $16.6 million, respectively, resulting from changes in depreciation rates as approved in the PUCT Final Order and in the NMPRC Final Order, and (ii) the sale of the Company's interest in Units 4 and 5 of the Four Corners Power Plant. These decreases were partially offset by increases in plant, including MPS Units 3 and 4, which were placed in service in May and September 2016, respectively.
Taxes other than income taxes
Taxes other than income taxes increased $1.9 million, or 12.7%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended 2016, primarily due to increased revenue related taxes and increased property valuations in Texas as a result of MPS Units 3 and 4 being placed in service in 2016.
Taxes other than income taxes increased $2.9 million, or 9.5%, and $4.1 million, or 6.4%, for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to increased revenue related taxes and increased property valuations in Texas as a result of MPS Units 3 and 4 being placed in service in 2016. These increases were partially offset by decreased property taxes in New Mexico due to decreased property valuations.
Other income (deductions)
Other income (deductions) increased $2.0 million, or 41.0%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to increased investment and interest income due to higher realized gains in our

 
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decommissioning trust funds in 2017. This increase was partially offset by decreased allowance for equity funds used during construction ("AEFUDC") resulting from lower average balances of CWIP and a reduction in the AEFUDC rate.
Other income (deductions) increased $0.7 million, or 7.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to increased investment and interest income due to higher realized gains in our decommissioning trust funds in 2017. This increase was partially offset by (i) decreased AEFUDC resulting from lower average balances of CWIP and a reduction in the AEFUDC rate and (ii) gain on sale of land in 2016 with no comparable activity in 2017.
Other income (deductions) decreased $4.8 million, or 19.7%, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to (i) decreased AEFUDC resulting from lower average balances of CWIP and a reduction in the AEFUDC rate and (ii) decreased miscellaneous other income due to net gains recognized on sale of assets in 2016 with no comparable activity in 2017. These decreases were partially offset by increased investment and interest income due to lower realized losses in our decommissioning trust funds.
Interest charges (credits)
Interest charges (credits) increased by $1.2 million, or 7.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to (i) decreased allowance for borrowed funds used during construction ("ABFUDC") as a result of lower average balances of CWIP and a reduction in the ABFUDC accrual rate and (ii) an increase in interest on short-term borrowing for working capital purposes.
Interest charges (credits) increased by $3.6 million and $8.0 million, or 12.0% and 13.6%, for the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to (i) increased interest expense on the $150 million of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2044 issued in March 2016, (ii) decreased allowance for ABFUDC as a result of lower average balances of CWIP and a reduction in the ABFUDC accrual rate and (iii) an increase in interest on short-term borrowing for working capital purposes.
Income tax expense (benefit)
Income tax expense increased $8.3 million, or 72.8%, $9.2 million, or 111.0%, and $30.4 million, or 93.1%, for the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increases compared to the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2016, are primarily due to increases in pre-tax income and increases in state income taxes due to normalization as discussed in Note F of the Notes to Financial Statements.
New Accounting Standards
See Notes to Financial Statements Note A for a discussion of new accounting standards.
Inflation
For the last several years, inflation has been relatively low and, therefore, has had minimal impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

 
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
In March 2016, we issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due December 1, 2044 to repay outstanding short-term borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF") used for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include funding capital expenditures. We continue to maintain a strong capital structure in which common stock equity represented 42.7% of our capitalization (common stock equity, long-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings under the RCF) as of June 30, 2017. At June 30, 2017, we had a balance of $11.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. Based on current projections, we believe that we will have adequate liquidity through our current cash balances, cash from operations and available borrowings under our RCF to meet all of our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months including the upcoming maturities of long term debt.
Our principal liquidity requirements in the near-term are expected to consist of capital expenditures to expand and support electric service obligations, expenditures for nuclear fuel inventory, interest payments on our indebtedness, cash dividend payments, operating expenses including fuel costs, maintenance costs and taxes, payment of our $50.0 million Series B 4.47% Senior Notes which mature on August 15, 2017 and payment or remarketing of $33.3 million 2012 Series A 1.875% Pollution Control Bonds which are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on September 1, 2017.
Capital Requirements. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, our primary capital requirements were for the construction and purchase of our electric utility plant, payments of common stock dividends and purchases of nuclear fuel. Capital requirements for new electric utility plant were $108.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and $102.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Capital expenditures for 2017 are expected to be approximately $215.0 million. Capital requirements for purchases of nuclear fuel were $20.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, and $20.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.
On June 30, 2017, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.335 per share, or $13.6 million, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 16, 2017. We paid a total of $26.2 million in cash dividends during the six months ended June 30, 2017. At the current dividend rate, we expect to pay cash dividends of approximately $53.4 million during 2017. In addition, while we do not currently anticipate repurchasing shares of our common stock in 2017, we may repurchase shares of our common stock in the future. Under our repurchase program, purchases can be made at open market prices or in private transactions, and repurchased shares are available for issuance under employee benefit and stock incentive plans, or may be retired. No shares of common stock were repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2017. As of June 30, 2017, a total of 393,816 shares remain available for repurchase under our currently authorized stock repurchase program.
We expect to continue to maintain a prudent level of liquidity and monitor market conditions for debt and equity securities. We primarily utilize the distribution of dividends to maintain a balanced capital structure and supplement this effort with share repurchases when appropriate. Our liquidity needs can fluctuate quickly based on fuel prices and other factors and we are continuing to make investments in new electric plant and other assets in order to reliably serve our customers.
Our cash requirements for federal and state income taxes vary from year to year based on taxable income, which is influenced by the timing of revenues and expenses recognized for income tax purposes. Income tax payments are expected to be minimal in 2017 due to accelerated tax deductions, including bonus depreciation, available in 2017.
We continually evaluate our funding requirements related to our retirement plans, other post-retirement benefit plans, and decommissioning trust funds. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, we contributed $6.5 million and $0.2 million to our retirement plans and other post-retirement benefits plan, respectively, and $2.3 million to our decommissioning trust funds. We are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal government for our benefit plans. In addition, with respect to our nuclear plant decommissioning trust, we are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal law and the ANPP Participation Agreement. We will continue to review our funding for these plans in order to meet our future obligations.
In 2010, we and Rio Grande Resources Trust (“RGRT”), a Texas grantor trust through which we finance our portion of fuel for Palo Verde, entered into a note purchase agreement with various institutional purchasers. Under the terms of the agreement, RGRT sold to the purchasers $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes. In August 2015, $15.0 million of these senior notes matured and were paid with borrowings under the RCF. In August 2016, $50.0 million of these senior notes were reclassified to current maturities of long-term debt on our Balance Sheet, as they will mature in August 2017.
Capital Resources. Cash provided by operations, $68.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and $40.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, is a significant source for funding capital requirements. The primary factors contributing to the increase in cash flows from operations were (i) the increase in net income and deferred income taxes, and (ii) changes in accounts payable and accounts receivable. A component of cash flows from operations is the change in net over-collection and under-collection of fuel revenues. The difference between fuel revenues collected and fuel expense incurred is deferred to be either refunded (over-recoveries) or surcharged (under-recoveries) to customers in the future. During the six months ended June 30,

 
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2017, we had fuel over-recoveries of $2.7 million compared to under-recoveries of fuel costs of $2.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016. At June 30, 2017, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $8.2 million, including an under-recovery of $8.5 million in Texas offset by an over-recovery of $0.3 million in New Mexico. Contributing to the under-recovery balance in Texas is the recognition of $5.0 million resulting from the settlement of the Texas fuel reconciliation in the second quarter of 2017. On November 30, 2016, we filed a request to increase our Texas fixed fuel factor by approximately 28.8% to reflect increased fuel expenses primarily related to an increase in the price of natural gas used to generate power. The increase in our Texas fixed fuel factor was effective on an interim basis on January 1, 2017 and was approved by the PUCT on January 10, 2017.
We maintain the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes and financing of nuclear fuel through RGRT. RGRT, the trust through which we finance our portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde, is consolidated in our financial statements. On January 9, 2017, we exercised the option to extend the maturity of the RCF by one year to January 14, 2020 and to increase the size of the facility by $50 million to $350 million. We still have the option to extend the facility by one additional year to January 2021 and to increase the RCF by up to $50 million (up to a total of $400 million) upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, more fully set forth in the agreement, including obtaining commitments from lenders or third party financial institutions. The total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by RGRT, excluding debt issuance costs, was $133.9 million at June 30, 2017, of which $38.9 million had been borrowed under the RCF, and $95.0 million was borrowed through the issuance of senior notes. Borrowings by RGRT for nuclear fuel, excluding debt issuance costs, were $129.6 million as of June 30, 2016, of which $34.6 million had been borrowed under the RCF and $95.0 million was borrowed through the issuance of senior notes. Interest costs on borrowings to finance nuclear fuel are accumulated by RGRT and charged to us as fuel is consumed and recovered through fuel recovery charges. At June 30, 2017, $140.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include funding capital expenditures. At June 30, 2016, $67.0 million was outstanding under the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes. Total aggregate borrowings under the RCF at June 30, 2017 were $178.9 million with an additional $171.1 million available to borrow, after giving consideration to the $50 million increase on January 9, 2017.
We received approval from the NMPRC on October 7, 2015, and from the FERC on October 19, 2015, to issue up to $310.0 million in long-term debt and to guarantee the issuance of up to $65.0 million of debt by RGRT to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations. We also requested approval from the FERC to continue to utilize our existing RCF without change from the FERC’s previously approved authorization. The FERC authorization is effective from November 15, 2015 through November 15, 2017. The approvals granted in these cases supersede prior approvals. Under this authorization, on March 24, 2016, we issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due December 1, 2044. These senior notes constitute an additional issuance of our 5.00% Senior Notes due 2044, of which $150.0 million was previously issued on December 1, 2014, for a total principal amount outstanding of $300.0 million.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.


 
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Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk due to changes in interest rates, equity prices and commodity prices. See our 2016 Form 10-K, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk," for a complete discussion of the market risks we face and our market risk sensitive assets and liabilities. As of June 30, 2017, there have been no material changes in the market risks we face or the fair values of assets and liabilities disclosed in Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk," in our 2016 Form 10-K Annual Report.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2017, that materially affected, or that were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
We hereby incorporate by reference the information set forth in Part I of this report under Notes C and H of the Notes to Financial Statements.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Our 2016 Form 10-K includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c)
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Period
 
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased (a)
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
(Including
Commissions)
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of a
Publicly
Announced
Program
 
Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
April 1 to April 30, 2017
 
746

 
$
51.65

 

 
393,816

May 1 to May 31, 2017
 

 

 

 
393,816

June 1 to June 30, 2017
 

 

 

 
393,816

_____________________
(a) Represents shares of common stock delivered to us as payment of withholding taxes due upon the vesting of
restricted stock held by our employees, not considered part of the 2011 Plan.

Item 5.
Other Information
Investors should note that we announce material financial information in Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings, press releases and public conference calls. Based on new guidance from the SEC, we may also use the Investor Relations section of our website (www.epelectric.com) to communicate with investors about our company. It is possible that the financial and other information we post there could be deemed to be material information. The information on our website is not part of this document.

Item 6.
Exhibits
See Index to Exhibits incorporated herein by reference.

 
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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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
 
By:
/s/ NATHAN T. HIRSCHI
 
Nathan T. Hirschi
 
Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
 
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
Dated: August 4, 2017

 
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EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit
 
 
 
15

 
Letter re Unaudited Interim Financial Information
 
 
 
31.01

 
Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
32.01

 
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
101.INS

 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.CAL

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 



 
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