e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2008
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number: 001-32576
ITC HOLDINGS CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Michigan
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32-0058047 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Incorporation or Organization) |
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27175 Energy Way
Novi, MI 48377
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(248) 946-3000
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
39500 Orchard Hill Place, Suite 200
Novi, Michigan 48375
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report)
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The number of shares of the Registrants Common Stock, without par value, outstanding as of
April 25, 2008 was 49,420,762.
ITC Holdings Corp.
Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2008
INDEX
2
DEFINITIONS
Unless otherwise noted or the context requires, all references in this report to:
ITC Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries
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ITC Grid Development are references to ITC Grid Development, LLC, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of ITC Holdings; |
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ITC Holdings are references to ITC Holdings Corp. and not any of its subsidiaries; |
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ITC Midwest are references to ITC Midwest LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC
Holdings; |
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ITCTransmission are references to International Transmission Company, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of ITC Holdings; |
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METC are references to Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC, an indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings; |
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Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are references to ITCTransmission, METC, and ITC
Midwest together; and |
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We, our and us are references to ITC Holdings together with all of its
subsidiaries. |
Other definitions
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Consumers Energy are references to Consumers Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of CMS Energy Corporation; |
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Detroit Edison are references to The Detroit Edison Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of DTE Energy Company; |
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DTE Energy are references to DTE Energy Company; |
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FERC are references to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; |
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IP&L are references to Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy
Corporation subsidiary; |
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IUB are references to the Iowa Utilities Board; |
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kV are references to kilovolts (one kilovolt equaling 1,000 volts); |
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kW are references to kilowatts (one kilowatt equaling 1,000 watts); |
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MISO are references to the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc., a
FERC-approved regional transmission organization, which oversees the operation of the bulk
power transmission system for a substantial portion of the midwestern United States and
Manitoba, Canada, and of which ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Midwest are members; |
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MPUC are references to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission; |
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MW are references to megawatts (one megawatt equaling 1,000,000 watts); |
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NERC are references to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation; and |
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NOLs are references to net operating loss carryforwards for income taxes. |
3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)
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March 31, |
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December, 31, |
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(in thousands, except share data) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
19,305 |
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$ |
2,616 |
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Accounts receivable |
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45,021 |
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40,919 |
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Inventory |
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22,459 |
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26,315 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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2,828 |
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2,689 |
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Other |
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6,669 |
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3,518 |
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Total current assets |
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96,282 |
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76,057 |
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Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $893,774
and $879,843, respectively) |
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2,043,164 |
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1,960,433 |
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Other assets |
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Goodwill |
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960,022 |
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959,042 |
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Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $3,781 and $3,025, respectively) |
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54,626 |
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55,382 |
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Regulatory assets- acquisition adjustments |
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84,707 |
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86,054 |
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Regulatory assets- Attachment O revenue accrual (including accrued interest of $800 and
$552, respectively) |
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38,764 |
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20,537 |
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Other regulatory assets |
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30,126 |
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29,449 |
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Deferred financing fees (net of accumulated amortization of $6,500 and $5,138, respectively) |
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19,850 |
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14,201 |
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Other |
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10,321 |
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12,142 |
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Total other assets |
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1,198,416 |
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1,176,807 |
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TOTAL ASSETS |
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$ |
3,337,862 |
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$ |
3,213,297 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
53,395 |
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$ |
47,627 |
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Accrued payroll |
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5,869 |
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8,928 |
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Accrued interest |
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14,153 |
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23,088 |
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Accrued taxes |
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14,218 |
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15,065 |
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ITC
Midwests
asset acquisition additional purchase price accrual |
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5,033 |
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5,402 |
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Other |
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8,751 |
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6,317 |
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Total current liabilities |
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101,419 |
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106,427 |
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Accrued pension and postretirement liabilities |
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16,629 |
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13,934 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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106,785 |
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90,617 |
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Regulatory liabilities |
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191,741 |
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189,727 |
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Other |
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9,768 |
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6,093 |
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Long-term debt |
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2,027,690 |
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2,243,424 |
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STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Common stock, without par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 49,398,488 and 42,916,852
shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively |
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841,644 |
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532,103 |
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Retained earnings |
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43,062 |
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31,864 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(876 |
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(892 |
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Total stockholders equity |
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883,830 |
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563,075 |
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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$ |
3,337,862 |
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$ |
3,213,297 |
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See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
4
ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
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Three months ended |
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March 31, |
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(in thousands, except share and per share data) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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OPERATING REVENUES |
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$ |
141,914 |
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$ |
101,274 |
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OPERATING EXPENSES |
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Operation and maintenance |
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21,455 |
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18,540 |
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General and administrative |
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17,982 |
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15,023 |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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22,324 |
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16,122 |
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Taxes other than income taxes |
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10,885 |
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8,770 |
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Total operating expenses |
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72,646 |
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58,455 |
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OPERATING INCOME |
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69,268 |
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42,819 |
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OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME) |
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Interest expense |
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30,770 |
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19,132 |
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Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
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(3,096 |
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(1,240 |
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Loss on extinguishment of debt |
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349 |
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Other income |
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(514 |
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(702 |
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Other expense |
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841 |
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333 |
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Total other expenses (income) |
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28,001 |
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17,872 |
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INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
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41,267 |
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24,947 |
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INCOME TAX PROVISION |
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15,746 |
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8,092 |
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NET INCOME |
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$ |
25,521 |
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$ |
16,855 |
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Basic earnings per share |
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$ |
0.54 |
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$ |
0.40 |
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Diluted earnings per share |
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$ |
0.53 |
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$ |
0.39 |
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Weighted-average basic shares |
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47,296,423 |
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42,091,356 |
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Weighted-average diluted shares |
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48,497,189 |
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43,293,874 |
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Dividends declared per common share |
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$ |
0.290 |
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$ |
0.275 |
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See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
5
ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
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Three months ended |
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March 31, |
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(in thousands) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
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Net income |
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$ |
25,521 |
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$ |
16,855 |
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Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
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22,324 |
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16,122 |
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Attachment O revenue accrual including accrued interest |
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(18,222 |
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(17,140 |
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Deferred income tax expense |
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14,423 |
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8,092 |
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Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
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(3,096 |
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(1,240 |
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Stock-based compensation expense |
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1,762 |
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1,127 |
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Amortization of loss on reacquired debt, deferred financing fees and debt discounts |
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1,976 |
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953 |
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Other |
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117 |
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(31 |
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Changes in assets and liabilities, exclusive of changes shown separately: |
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Accounts receivable |
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(2,790 |
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(1,628 |
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Inventory |
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2,110 |
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(11,233 |
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Other current assets |
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(3,151 |
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5,404 |
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Accounts payable |
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3,369 |
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12,226 |
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Accrued interest |
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(8,935 |
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(11,497 |
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Accrued taxes |
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(847 |
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(5,459 |
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Other current liabilities |
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(3,087 |
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(3,448 |
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Long-term assets and liabilities, net |
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3,206 |
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898 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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34,680 |
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10,001 |
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CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
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Expenditures for property, plant and equipment |
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(94,564 |
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(73,788 |
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IP&L transmission assets direct acquisition fees |
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(933 |
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Other |
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925 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(95,497 |
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(72,863 |
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
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Issuance of long-term debt |
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557,895 |
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Repayment of long-term debt |
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(765,000 |
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Borrowings under revolving credit agreements |
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164,500 |
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235,900 |
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Repayments of revolving credit agreements |
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(173,200 |
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(141,700 |
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Issuance of common stock |
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308,904 |
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341 |
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Common stock issuance costs |
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(734 |
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Dividends on common stock |
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(14,319 |
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(11,655 |
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Repurchase and retirement of common stock |
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(1,841 |
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Debt issuance costs |
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(4,123 |
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(333 |
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Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades |
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3,583 |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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77,506 |
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80,712 |
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NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
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16,689 |
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17,850 |
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Beginning of period |
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2,616 |
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13,426 |
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS End of period |
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$ |
19,305 |
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$ |
31,276 |
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See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
6
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. GENERAL
These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes
to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2007 included
in ITC Holdings Form 10-K for such period.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and with the
instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation
S-X as they apply to interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These accounting
principles require us to use estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual
results may differ from our estimates.
The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but in our opinion include all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the
results for the interim period. The interim financial results are not necessarily indicative of
results that may be expected for any other interim period or the fiscal year.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
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Three months ended |
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March 31, |
(in thousands) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Supplementary cash flows information: |
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Interest paid (excluding interest capitalized) |
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$ |
37,729 |
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$ |
29,677 |
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Income taxes paid |
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150 |
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Supplementary noncash investing and financing activities: |
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Conversion of restricted stock to ITC Holdings common stock |
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1,205 |
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Additions to property, plant and equipment (a) |
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38,156 |
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25,484 |
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Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
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3,096 |
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1,240 |
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(a) |
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Amounts consist primarily of current liabilities for construction labor and materials that
have not been included in investing activities. These amounts have not been paid for as of
March 31, 2008 or 2007, respectively, but have been or will be included as a cash outflow from
investing activities for expenditures for property, plant and equipment when paid. |
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income is the change in stockholders equity during a period from transactions
and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.
Comprehensive income includes the following components:
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Three months ended |
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March 31, |
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(In thousands) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Net income |
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$ |
25,521 |
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$ |
16,855 |
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Amortization of interest rate lock cash flow hedges, net of tax of $9 for both periods |
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16 |
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16 |
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Comprehensive income |
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$ |
25,537 |
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$ |
16,871 |
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Public Securities Offering
On January 24, 2008, ITC Holdings completed an underwritten public offering of its common
stock. ITC Holdings sold 6,420,737 newly-issued common shares in the offering, which resulted in
proceeds of $308.3 million (net of underwriting discount of $13.7 million and before estimated
issuance costs of $0.7 million). The proceeds from this offering
were used to partially finance ITC Midwest's asset acquisition described in Note 3.
7
2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), Business Combinations
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), Business Combinations (SFAS 141(R))
requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction and establishes the acquisition-date fair value
as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business
combination. Certain provisions of SFAS 141(R) will, among other things, impact the determination
of acquisition-date fair value of consideration paid in a business combination (including
contingent consideration), exclude transaction costs from acquisition accounting and require
expense recognition for these costs and change accounting practices for acquired contingencies,
acquisition-related restructuring costs, in-process research and development, indemnification
assets, and tax benefits. SFAS 141(R) is effective for us for business combinations occurring
beginning January 1, 2009 and for adjustments to an acquired entitys deferred tax asset and
liability balances occurring beginning January 1, 2009. We are evaluating the future impact of SFAS
141(R).
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157),
clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and
expands the disclosures on fair value measurements. We have adopted SFAS 157 and FASB Staff
Position FAS157-2: Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 effective January 1, 2008. The adoption
of SFAS 157 for financial instruments as required at January 1, 2008 did not have a material effect
on our consolidated financial statements, however, we are required to provide additional disclosure
as part of our consolidated financial statements. We will adopt SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and
non-financial liabilities, such as goodwill and other intangible assets held by us and measured
annually for impairment testing purposes only, on January 1, 2009 as required and do not expect the
provisions to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
SFAS 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in
measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted
prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets
that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in
which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own
assumptions.
As of March 31, 2008, we held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on
a recurring basis. These consist of investments recorded within other long-term assets, including
investments held in trust associated with our nonqualified, noncontributory, supplemental
retirement benefit plans for selected management and employees that are classified as trading
securities under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. Our investments consist primarily of mutual funds and
debt and equity securities that are publicly traded and for which market prices are readily
available.
Our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements
of SFAS 157 at March 31, 2008, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using |
|
|
Quoted prices in |
|
|
|
|
|
Significant |
|
|
active markets for |
|
Significant other |
|
unobservable |
|
|
identical assets |
|
observable inputs |
|
inputs |
(in thousands) |
|
(Level 1) |
|
(Level 2) |
|
(Level 3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading securities |
|
$ |
5,379 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and
132(R)
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and
132(R) (SFAS 158), requires the recognition of the funded status of a defined benefit plan in the
statement of financial position as other comprehensive income. Additionally, SFAS 158 requires that
changes in the funded status be recognized through comprehensive income, requires the measurement
date for defined benefit plan assets and obligations to be the entitys fiscal year-end and expands
disclosures. Upon adoption of SFAS 158 we applied
8
the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, Accounting for the
Effects of Certain Types of Regulation and the amounts that otherwise would have been charged and
or credited to accumulated other comprehensive income associated with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 87, Employers Accounting for Pensions (SFAS 87), and Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, Employers Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other
Than Pensions (SFAS 106), are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability because as the
unrecognized amounts recorded to this regulatory asset are recognized through SFAS 87 and SFAS 106
expenses, under forward-looking Attachment O, they will be recovered from customers in future
rates.
Under the provisions of SFAS 158, we recognized the funded status of our defined benefit
pension and other postretirement plans and provided the required additional disclosures as of
December 31, 2006. The adoption of the SFAS 158 funded status recognition and disclosure provisions
did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated results of operations or cash flows.
Under the measurement date requirements of SFAS 158, an employer is required to measure
defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employers fiscal year-end
statement of financial position. Historically, we have measured our plan assets and obligations as
of a date three months prior to the fiscal year-end, as allowed under the authoritative accounting
literature. In 2008, we are required to adopt the change in measurement date by allocating as an
adjustment to retained earnings three-fifteenths of net periodic benefit cost as determined for the
period from September 30, 2007 to December 31, 2008, pursuant to the transition requirements of
SFAS 158. We expect this to result in a decrease in other long-term
assets of $0.3 million, an
increase in total liabilities of $0.5 million (consisting of a $0.9 million increase in accrued
pension and postretirement liabilities offset by a $0.4 million decrease in deferred income tax
liabilities) and a $0.8 million (net of tax of a $0.4 million) decrease in retained earnings, which
we expect to record in the fourth quarter of 2008. The remaining twelve-fifteenths of net periodic
benefit cost of $4.6 million will be recognized during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS 159), was issued in February 2007. SFAS 159 allows
entities to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other assets and
liabilities that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 was effective
for us beginning January 1, 2008. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on
our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161) amends and expands the
disclosure requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133), by requiring enhanced disclosures about
how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged
items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and its related interpretations, and how derivative
instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys financial position, financial performance,
and cash flows. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using
derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative
instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative
agreements. SFAS 161 will be effective for us as of January 1, 2009. The adoption of this standard
will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements because SFAS 161 provides
only for disclosure requirements.
3. ACQUISITIONS, GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
ITC Midwests Acquisition of IP&L Transmission Assets
On December 20, 2007, ITC Midwest
acquired the electric transmission assets of IP&L, for $783.1 million, excluding fees, expenses and
purchase price adjustments, pursuant to an asset sale agreement, dated January 18, 2007, with IP&L.
The purchase price is subject to several purchase price adjustment provisions relating to
liabilities actually assumed by ITC Midwest and the actual rate base, construction work in progress
and other asset or liability balances actually transferred to ITC Midwest by IP&L on December 20,
2007.
ITC
Midwests asset acquisition was accounted for as an acquisition of a group of assets that
constitutes a business under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141,
Business Combinations. As of March 31, 2008, the purchase price and purchase price allocation has
not been finalized. At March 31, 2008, ITC Midwest has recorded $5.0 million in current liabilities
for
9
additional purchase price estimated to be paid relating to certain revisions to the original
estimated assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We had recorded an estimate of $5.4 million in
current liabilities for additional purchase price to be paid at December 31, 2007. ITC Midwest also
incurred $12.3 million for professional services and other direct acquisition costs in connection
with the acquisition, resulting in an aggregate estimated purchase price of $800.4 million as of
March 31, 2008.
ITC Midwest had recorded an estimate of $11.7 million of professional services and other
direct acquisition costs at December 31, 2007. The additional $0.6 million of direct acquisition
costs recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2008 are included in the aggregate purchase
price and resulted in an increase in goodwill. In addition, as a condition of the Asset Sale
Agreement with IP&L, we assumed $1.7 million of prior service obligations for participants who
transferred from IP&L to us for postretirement benefits. As of December 31, 2007, we had not
recorded a liability for these obligations as they were expected to be fully funded by IP&L.
However, during the first quarter of 2008, IP&L only paid us $1.3 million associated with these
obligations based on their obligations under the Asset Sale Agreement. The difference of $0.4
million resulted in an increase to goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2008.
Intangible Assets
Pursuant to the METC acquisition, we have identified intangible assets with finite lives.
During both the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, we recognized $0.8 million of
amortization expense of our intangible assets and we expect to amortize $3.0 million of our
intangible assets per year over the five years from 2008 through 2012, and $40.4 million
thereafter.
4. REGULATORY MATTERS
Attachment O Network Transmission Rates
Attachment O is a FERC-approved cost of service formula rate template that is completed
annually by most transmission owning members of MISO, including our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries. Rates are generally set annually under Attachment O and remain in effect for a
one-year period. Rates derived using Attachment O are posted on the MISO Open Access Same-Time
Information System each year. The information used to complete the Attachment O template is subject
to verification by MISO. By completing the Attachment O template on an annual basis, our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries are able to adjust their transmission rates to reflect changing operational
data and financial performance, including the amount of network load on their transmission systems,
operating expenses and additions to property, plant and equipment when placed in service, among
other items.
Because Attachment O is a FERC-approved formula rate, no further action or FERC filings are
required for the calculated rates to go into effect, although the rate is subject to legal
challenge at the FERC. Attachment O will be used by our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to
calculate their respective annual revenue requirements until and unless it is determined by the
FERC to be unjust and unreasonable or another mechanism is determined by the FERC to be just and
reasonable.
Forward-Looking Attachment O
On July 14, 2006 and December 21, 2006, the FERC authorized ITCTransmission and METC,
respectively, to modify the implementation of their Attachment O formula rates so that, beginning
January 1, 2007, ITCTransmission and METC recover expenses and earn a return on and recover
investments in property, plant and equipment on a current rather than a lagging basis. As part of
the FERC order dated December 3, 2007 approving ITC Midwest's
asset acquisition, the FERC approved ITC
Midwests request for the use of a forward-looking Attachment O.
Under the forward-looking Attachment O formula, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries use
forecasted expenses, additions to in-service property, plant and equipment, point-to-point
revenues, network load and other items for the upcoming calendar year to establish rates for
service on their systems from January 1 to December 31 of that year. The forward-looking Attachment
O formula includes a true-up mechanism, whereby our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries compare their
actual net revenue requirements to their billed revenues for each year.
The true-up mechanism, under forward-looking Attachment O, meets the requirements of Emerging
Issues Task Force Issue No. 92-7, Accounting by Rate-Regulated Utilities for the Effects of Certain
Alternative Revenue Programs, (EITF 92-7). Accordingly, revenue is recognized for services
provided during each reporting period based on actual net revenue requirements
10
calculated using forward-looking Attachment O. Beginning January 1, 2007, ITCTransmission and METC accrued or
deferred revenues to the extent that the actual net revenue requirement for the reporting period is
higher or lower, respectively, than the amounts billed relating to that reporting period. The
true-up amount is automatically reflected in customer bills within two years under the provisions
of forward-looking Attachment O.
For the period from December 20, 2007 through December 31, 2007, ITC Midwests Attachment O
method in effect did not contain a true-up mechanism, and there was no adjustment recognized for
billed amounts that differed from actual net revenue requirement. Beginning January 1, 2008, under
forward-looking Attachment O, ITC Midwest recovers its expenses and earns a return on and recovers
investments in transmission property, plant and equipment on a current rather than a lagging basis and includes a true-up
mechanism.
MISO Tariff Revisions
In November 2004, in FERC Docket No. ER05-273, MISO filed proposed revisions to its tariff
related to non-firm redirected service. Specifically, MISO proposed to add language such that a
firm point-to-point transmission customer that redirected its original reservation on a non-firm
basis over receipt and delivery points other than those originally reserved (i.e., secondary
receipt and delivery points) would be charged the higher of: (1) the rate associated with the
original firm point-to-point transmission service reservation that was redirected; or (2) the rate
for the non-firm point-to-point transmission service obtained over the secondary receipt or
delivery point. In January 2005, the FERC issued an order accepting the revisions filed by MISO and
suspending the revisions that were to become effective January 30, 2005, subject to refund and the
outcome of a hearing. In February 2007, the FERC denied MISOs tariff revisions, concluding that
MISO had not demonstrated that its proposed tariff revisions were consistent with, or superior to,
the Order No. 888 pro forma Open Access Transmission Tariff. On October 16, 2007, FERC ordered MISO to calculate refunds,
which MISO filed on November 16, 2007. On February 27, 2008 FERC issued a letter order accepting
MISOs refund report and no rehearing was requested. In 2007, we paid $0.6 million for our portion
of the refund, which was recorded as a reduction to operating revenues.
Long Term Pricing
In November 2004, in FERC Docket No. EL02-111 et al., the FERC approved a pricing structure to
facilitate seamless trading of electricity between MISO and PJM Interconnection, a Regional
Transmission Organization that borders MISO. The order establishes a Seams Elimination Cost
Adjustment (SECA), as set forth in previous FERC orders, that took effect December 1, 2004, and
remained in effect until March 31, 2006 as a transitional pricing mechanism. Prior to December 1,
2004, ITCTransmission and METC earned revenues for transmission of electricity between MISO and PJM
Interconnection based on a regional through-and-out rate administered by MISO.
From December 1, 2004 through March 31, 2006, we recorded $2.5 million of gross SECA revenue
based on an allocation of these revenues by MISO as a result of the FERC order approving this
transitional pricing mechanism. Subsequent to the first quarter of 2006, we no longer earn SECA
revenues. The SECA revenues were subject to refund as described in the FERC order and this matter
was litigated in a contested hearing before the FERC that concluded on May 18, 2006. An initial
decision was issued by the Administrative Law Judge presiding over the hearings on August 10, 2006,
which generally indicated that the SECA revenues resulted from unfair, unjust and preferential
rates. The judges decision is subject to the FERCs final ruling on the matter, which could differ
from the initial decision. Notwithstanding the judges initial decision, ITCTransmission, METC and
other transmission owners who collected SECA amounts and certain counterparties that paid SECA
amounts have filed settlement agreements with the FERC. As of March 31, 2008, ITCTransmission and
METC have reserves recorded of $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, as estimates of the
amounts to be refunded to the counterparties that have filed settlement agreements with the FERC.
For the counterparties who have not filed settlements with the FERC, we are not able to estimate
whether any refunds of amounts earned by ITCTransmission or METC will result from this hearing or
whether this matter will otherwise be settled, but we do not expect the resolution of this matter
to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We have not accrued any refund
amounts relating to these counterparties who have not filed settlements with the FERC.
11
5. LONG-TERM DEBT
ITC
Midwests Asset Acquisition Financing
ITC Holdings Bridge Facility
ITC Holdings received a commitment letter, dated January 18, 2007, from a bank (the Lead
Arranger) to provide to ITC Holdings, subject to the terms and conditions therein, financing in an
aggregate amount of up to $765.0 million in the form of a 364-day senior unsecured bridge facility.
Among other fees paid on the Bridge Facility, ITC Holdings paid a funding fee equal to 0.375% of
the aggregate amount of the loans borrowed (the Funding Fee). The Funding Fee was rebated in full
in January 2008 as a result of the Bridge Facility being refinanced with the Lead Arranger within
the specified time period, and was applied as a reduction to the
issuance costs of ITC Midwests asset
acquisition financings. The borrowings under the Bridge Facility accrued interest at 5.56% and
total interest expense recognized in 2008 was $2.7 million. The proceeds from the Bridge Facility
were used to finance a significant portion of ITC Midwests asset acquisition.
In January 2008, we repaid in full all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Facility using the
proceeds of ITC Holdings $385.0 million Senior Notes, ITC Midwests $175.0 million First Mortgage
Bonds, Series A and the issuance of 6,420,737 shares of ITC Holdings common stock for proceeds of
$308.3 million, net of underwriting discount. The terms of the ITC Holdings Senior Notes and ITC
Midwest First Mortgage Bonds are discussed below.
ITC Holdings Senior Notes
On January 24, 2008, ITC Holdings issued $385.0 million aggregate principal amount of its
6.050% Senior Notes due January 31, 2018 under its first mortgage indenture, dated as of December
10, 2003 in a private placement in reliance on exemptions from registration under the Securities
Act of 1933. The senior notes were sold by ITC Holdings to various initial purchasers pursuant to a
purchase agreement dated January 15, 2008. The proceeds were used to partially pay off the balance
of the Bridge Facility, which was used to partially finance ITC
Midwests asset acquisition.
ITC Midwest First Mortgage Bonds
On January 24, 2008, ITC Midwest issued $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of its
6.150% First Mortgage Bonds, Series A, due 2038.
The Series A Bonds are secured by a first mortgage lien on substantially all of ITC Midwests
real and tangible personal property equally with all other securities issued in the future under
its First Mortgage and Deed of Trust, with such exceptions as described in, and such releases as
permitted by, the indenture. The proceeds were used to partially pay off the balance of the Bridge
Facility.
ITCTransmission First Mortgage Bonds
On April 1, 2008, ITCTransmission issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of its
5.75% First Mortgage Bonds, Series D, due 2018. The Series D Bonds are issued under
ITCTransmissions First Mortgage and Deed of Trust, and therefore have the benefit of a first
mortgage lien on substantially all of ITCTransmissions property. The proceeds were primarily used
to pay off amounts outstanding under the ITCTransmission/METC Revolving Credit Agreement.
Revolving Credit Agreements
ITC Holdings Revolving Credit Agreement
At March 31, 2008, ITC Holdings had no amounts outstanding under the ITC Holdings Revolving
Credit Agreement.
ITCTransmission/METC Revolving Credit Agreement
At March 31, 2008, ITCTransmission and METC had $91.1 million and $29.3 million, respectively,
outstanding under the ITCTransmission/METC Revolving Credit Agreement and the weighted-average
interest rates of borrowings outstanding under the
12
agreement
at March 31, 2008 were 4.8% and 3.8%, respectively. On April 1, 2008, we repaid the outstanding balance of
$91.1 million at ITCTransmission using the proceeds from the Series D Bonds issuance.
ITC Midwest Revolving Credit Agreement
On January 29, 2008, ITC Midwest entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement that establishes an
unguaranteed, unsecured $50.0 million (subject to increase to $75.0 million with consent of the
lenders) revolving credit agreement under which ITC Midwest may borrow and issue letters of credit.
The maturity date of the ITC Midwest Revolving Credit Agreement is January 29, 2013. ITC Midwests
loans made under the ITC Midwest Revolving Credit Agreement will bear interest at a variable rate,
with rates on LIBOR-based loans varying from 20 to 110 basis points over the applicable LIBOR rate,
depending on ITC Midwests credit rating and the amount of the credit line in use, and rates on
other loans at the higher of prime or 50 basis points over the federal funds rate. The ITC Midwest
Revolving Credit Agreement also provides for the payment to the lenders of a commitment fee on the
average daily unused commitments at rates varying from .05% to 0.20% each year, depending on ITC
Midwests credit rating. At March 31, 2008, ITC Midwest had $13.4 million outstanding under the ITC
Midwest Revolving Credit Agreement and the weighted-average interest rate of borrowings outstanding
under the facility at March 31, 2008 was 3.2%.
6. EARNINGS PER SHARE
We report both basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by
dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
period. Diluted earnings per share assumes the issuance of potentially dilutive shares of common
stock during the period resulting from the exercise of common stock options and vesting of
restricted stock awards. A reconciliation of both calculations for the three months ended March 31,
2008 and 2007 is presented in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
(In thousands, except share and per share data) |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
25,521 |
|
|
$ |
16,855 |
|
Weighted-average shares outstanding |
|
|
47,296,423 |
|
|
|
42,091,356 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
25,521 |
|
|
$ |
16,855 |
|
Weighted-average shares outstanding |
|
|
47,296,423 |
|
|
|
42,091,356 |
|
Incremental shares of stock-based awards |
|
|
1,200,766 |
|
|
|
1,202,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average dilutive shares outstanding |
|
|
48,497,189 |
|
|
|
43,293,874 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
$ |
0.53 |
|
|
$ |
0.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share excludes 446,210 and 256,973 shares of restricted common stock at
March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, that were issued and outstanding, but had not yet vested as
of such dates.
During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 there were 109,196 and 13,372 potential
shares of common stock, respectively, that were excluded from the diluted per share calculation
relating to stock option and restricted stock awards, because the effect of including these
potential shares was anti-dilutive.
7. TAXES
Michigan Business Tax
On July 12, 2007, a Michigan law was enacted to replace the Michigan Single Business Tax
effective January 1, 2008. Key features of the new tax include a business income tax at a rate of
4.95% and a modified gross receipts tax at a rate of 0.80%, with credits for certain activities. In
December 2007, a 21.99% surcharge was added to both the business income tax and modified gross
receipts tax, resulting in total rates of 6.04% and 0.98%, respectively. The surcharge expires no
earlier than January 1, 2017. The Michigan Single Business Tax that was in effect through December
31, 2007 was accounted for as a tax other than income tax. The new tax is
13
accounted for as an income tax under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The new tax resulted in a state income tax
provision recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 of $2.0 million. For the three months
ended March 31, 2007, we had recorded $0.5 million in tax other than income tax for the Michigan
Single Business Tax.
8. RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND ASSETS HELD IN TRUST
Retirement Plan Benefits
We have a retirement plan for eligible employees, comprised of a traditional final average pay
plan and a cash balance plan. The retirement plan is noncontributory, covers substantially all
employees, and provides retirement benefits based on the employees years of benefit service,
average final compensation and age at retirement. The cash balance plan benefits are based on
eligible compensation and interest credits. While we are obligated to fund the retirement plan by
contributing the minimum amount required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, it
is our practice to contribute the maximum allowable amount as defined by section 404 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
We have also established two supplemental nonqualified, noncontributory, retirement benefit
plans for selected management employees. The plans provide for benefits that supplement those
provided by our other retirement plans.
Net pension cost includes the following components:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
(in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost |
|
$ |
483 |
|
|
$ |
400 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
284 |
|
|
|
250 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(256 |
) |
|
|
(150 |
) |
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
|
(220 |
) |
|
|
(275 |
) |
Amortization of unrecognized loss |
|
|
434 |
|
|
|
450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net pension cost |
|
$ |
725 |
|
|
$ |
675 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Postretirement Benefits
We provide certain postretirement health care, dental, and life insurance benefits for
employees who may become eligible for these benefits. Upon the
consummation of ITC Midwests asset
acquisition, we assumed $1.7 million of prior service obligations for participants who transferred
from IP&L to us for postretirement benefits, of which IP&L funded for $1.3 million during the first
quarter of 2008 as a condition of the Asset Sale Agreement.
Net postretirement cost includes the following components:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
(in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost |
|
$ |
413 |
|
|
$ |
300 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
170 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(55 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
|
147 |
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net postretirement cost |
|
$ |
675 |
|
|
$ |
500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defined Contribution Plans
We also sponsor a defined contribution retirement savings plan. Participation in this plan is
available to substantially all employees. We match employee contributions up to certain predefined
limits based upon eligible compensation and the employees contribution rate. The cost of this plan
was $0.6 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
14
9. CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
We are involved in certain legal proceedings before various courts, governmental agencies, and
mediation panels concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings
include certain contract disputes, regulatory matters, and pending judicial matters. We cannot
predict the final disposition of such proceedings. We regularly review legal matters and record
provisions for claims that are considered probable of loss. The resolution of pending proceedings
is not expected to have a material effect on our operations or consolidated financial statements in
the period in which they are resolved.
CSX Transportation, Inc.
On August 2, 2006, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSX) filed a lawsuit in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan alleging that ITCTransmission caused damage to
equipment owned by CSX and further claiming mitigation costs to protect against future damage. The
total alleged damage in this lawsuit is approximately $1.1 million. In January 2007,
ITCTransmission received a notice from its insurance provider that it reserves its rights as to the
insurance policy, asserting that damage claims of CSX arising from the contractual liability of
ITCTransmission are not covered under insurance. ITCTransmission has determined that an immaterial
amount of the claimed damages relate to an alleged contractual liability, which, if proven, would
not be covered under insurance and therefore would be payable by ITCTransmission. During the year
ended December 31, 2007, we recorded an accrual of $0.2 million for this matter in general and
administrative expenses. The parties entered into settlement discussions and in March 2008,
ITCTransmission, by and through its insurer, reached an agreement in principle with CSX on a
settlement. Additionally, ITCTransmission settled with its insurer the amount to be covered by
insurance for this matter. As of March 31, 2008, no adjustment has been recorded to the accrual of
$0.2 million for our estimate of the contractual liability not covered by insurance that may result
from this matter.
15
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Our reports, filings and other public announcements contain certain statements that describe
our managements beliefs concerning future business conditions and prospects, growth opportunities
and the outlook for our business and the electricity transmission industry based upon information
currently available. Such statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Wherever possible, we have identified these
forward-looking statements by words such as will, may, anticipates, believes, intends,
estimates, expects, projects and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are based
upon assumptions our management believes are reasonable. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance and
achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these statements,
including, among others, the risks and uncertainties listed in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors of our
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (as revised in Part II, Item 1A of this Form
10-Q) and the following:
|
|
|
certain elements of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries cost recovery through rates can
be challenged, which could result in lowered rates and/or refunds of amounts previously
collected and thus have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows. We have also made certain commitments to federal and state
regulators with respect to, among other things, our rates in connection with recent
acquisitions (including ITC Midwest's asset acquisition) that could have an adverse effect on
our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; |
|
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|
|
approval of ITC Midwest's asset acquisition by state regulatory authorities in Iowa and
Minnesota has been appealed. If such proceedings are decided in a manner that is unfavorable
to us, all or part of the orders approving ITC Midwest's asset acquisition in Iowa and Minnesota
could be reversed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows; |
|
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|
|
our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries actual capital expenditures may be lower than
planned, which would decrease their respective expected rate bases and therefore our
revenues; |
|
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|
the regulations to which we are subject may limit our ability to raise capital and/or
pursue acquisitions or development opportunities or other transactions or may subject us to
liabilities; |
|
|
|
|
changes in federal energy laws, regulations or policies could reduce the dividends we may
be able to pay our stockholders; |
|
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|
|
if the network load or point-to-point transmission service on our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries transmission systems is lower than expected, the timing of collection of our
revenues would be delayed. |
|
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|
|
each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries depends on its primary customer for a
substantial portion of its revenues (Detroit Edison for ITCTransmission, Consumers Energy
for METC and IP&L for ITC Midwest), and any material failure by those primary customers to
make payments for transmission services would adversely affect our revenues and our ability
to service our debt obligations; |
|
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|
METC does not own the majority of the land on which its transmission assets are located.
A significant amount of the land on which ITCTransmissions and ITC Midwests assets are
located is subject to easements, mineral rights and other similar encumbrances and a
significant amount of ITCTransmission and ITC Midwests other property consists of
easements. As a result each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries must comply with the
provisions of various easements, mineral rights and other similar encumbrances, which may
adversely impact their ability to complete construction projects in a timely manner; |
|
|
|
|
deregulation and/or increased competition may adversely affect customers of our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries, or customers of Detroit Edison, Consumers Energy or IP&L, which may
affect our ability to collect revenues; |
|
|
|
|
hazards associated with high-voltage electricity transmission, such as explosions, fires,
inclement weather, natural disasters, mechanical failure and related matters, may result in
suspension of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries operations or the imposition of civil or
criminal penalties; |
16
|
|
|
we are subject to environmental regulations and to laws that can give rise to substantial
liabilities from environmental contamination; |
|
|
|
|
our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory requirements.
Violations of these requirements, whether intentional or unintentional, may result in
penalties that, under some circumstances, could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; |
|
|
|
|
acts of war, terrorist attacks and threats or the escalation of military activity in
response to such attacks or otherwise may negatively affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations; |
|
|
|
|
the purchase price for ITC Midwests asset acquisition remains subject to adjustment and,
therefore, the final purchase price cannot be determined at this time; |
|
|
|
|
we may encounter difficulties consolidating IP&Ls electric transmission assets into our
business and may not fully attain or retain, or achieve within a reasonable time frame,
expected strategic objectives and other expected benefits of ITC
Midwests asset acquisition; |
|
|
|
|
if one or both of ITC Midwests operating agreements with IP&L and American Transmission
Company, LLC were terminated early, ITC Midwest may face a shortage of labor or replacement
contractors to provide the services formerly provided by IP&L and American Transmission
Company, LLC; |
|
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|
|
unless we receive dividends or other payments from our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries,
we will be unable to pay dividends to our stockholders and fulfill our cash obligations; |
|
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|
|
we are highly leveraged and our dependence on debt may limit our ability to fulfill our
debt obligations, pay dividends and/or obtain additional financing; |
|
|
|
|
certain provisions in our debt instruments may limit our financial flexibility; |
|
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|
|
adverse changes in our credit ratings may negatively affect us; |
|
|
|
|
we have limitations on the amount of federal income tax NOLs that we may use to reduce
our tax liability in a given period; |
|
|
|
|
provisions in our Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, Michigan corporate law and our
debt agreements may impede efforts by our shareholders to change the direction or management
of our company; |
|
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|
|
provisions in our Articles of Incorporation restrict market participants from voting or
owning 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our capital stock; |
|
|
|
|
future sales of our shares could depress the market price of our common stock; and |
|
|
|
|
other risk factors discussed herein and listed from time to time in our public filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). |
Because our forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject
to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our
control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different and any or all of
our forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date made and can be affected by assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and
uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our discussion in this report will be important in
determining future results. Consequently, we cannot assure you that our expectations or forecasts
expressed in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Actual future results may vary
materially. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any of our
forward-looking or other statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise.
17
OVERVIEW
Through our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, we are engaged in the transmission of
electricity in the United States. Our business strategy is to operate, maintain and invest in our
transmission infrastructure in order to enhance system integrity and reliability and to reduce
transmission constraints. By pursuing this strategy, we strive to lower the delivered cost of
electricity and improve accessibility to generation sources of choice, including renewable sources.
We operate contiguous, high-voltage systems in Michigans Lower Peninsula and portions of Iowa,
Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri that transmit electricity from generating stations to local
distribution facilities connected to our systems.
As electric transmission utilities with rates regulated by the FERC, our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries earn revenues through tariff rates charged for the use of their electricity
transmission systems by our customers, which include investor-owned utilities, municipalities,
co-operatives, power marketers and alternative energy suppliers. As independent transmission
companies, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are subject to rate regulation only by the FERC.
The rates charged by our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are established using Attachment O, as
discussed in Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries primary operating responsibilities include maintaining,
improving and expanding their transmission systems to meet their customers ongoing needs,
scheduling outages on system elements to allow for maintenance and construction, balancing
electricity generation and demand, maintaining appropriate system voltages and monitoring flows
over transmission lines and other facilities to ensure physical limits are not exceeded.
We derive nearly all of our revenues from providing network transmission service,
point-to-point transmission service and other related services over our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries transmission systems to Detroit Edison, Consumers Energy, IP&L and to other entities
such as alternative electricity suppliers, power marketers and other wholesale customers that
provide electricity to end-use consumers and from transaction-based capacity reservations on our
transmission systems. Substantially all of our operating expenses and assets support our
transmission operations.
Significant recent events that influenced our financial position and results of operations and
cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 or may affect future results are:
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|
|
Capital investment of $52.1 million, $26.2 million and $17.8 million at ITCTransmission,
METC and ITC Midwest, respectively for the three months ended March 31, 2008, resulting from
our focus on improving system reliability; |
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|
|
ITC Midwests acquisition of the transmission assets of IP&L on December 20, 2007 and the
related financing activities; and |
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|
|
Debt issuances and borrowings under our revolving credit agreements in 2007 and 2008
resulting in higher interest expense. |
These items are discussed in more detail throughout Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Recent Developments
ITC Midwests Acquisition of Transmission Assets and Related Financing Activities
On December 20, 2007, ITC Midwest acquired the electric transmission assets of IP&L, for
$783.1 million, excluding fees and expenses of $12.3 million, pursuant to an asset sale agreement,
dated January 18, 2007, with IP&L pursuant to which it agreed to acquire, subject to certain
exclusions, the electric transmission assets of IP&L. The purchase price is subject to several
purchase price adjustment provisions relating to liabilities actually assumed by ITC Midwest and
the actual rate base, construction work in progress and other asset or liability balances actually
transferred to ITC Midwest by IP&L. The electric transmission assets ITC Midwest acquired consist
of approximately 6,800 miles of transmission lines at voltages of 34.5kV to 345kV and associated
substations, located in portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri. The estimated rate base
used to calculate the initial purchase price, which is subject to adjustment as described above,
was approximately $450.0 million.
As part of the orders approving the acquisition by the IUB and MPUC, ITC Midwest agreed to
provide a rate discount of $4.1 million per year to its customers for eight years, beginning in the
first year customers experience an increase in transmission
18
charges following the consummation of the acquisition. ITC Midwest has also committed not to recover
the first $15.0 million in transaction-related costs under any circumstances. Additionally, as part
of the MPUC approval, ITC Midwest agreed to comply with certain specified conditions and
commitments, including a commitment not to seek an increase on the return on equity approved by the
FERC of 12.38% for a period of five years and a commitment to offer an interconnection tariff
similar to that approved by the FERC and offered in Michigan by ITCTransmission and METC. In the
Minnesota regulatory proceeding, ITC Midwest also agreed to build two construction projects
intended to improve the reliability and efficiency of its electric transmission system. ITC Midwest
agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to complete these projects over the next two to four
years. In the event ITC Midwest fails to meet these commitments, the allowed 12.38% rate of return
on the actual equity portion of ITC Midwests capital structure will be reduced to 10.39% under
Attachment O until such time as it completes these projects.
The regulatory approvals of the acquisition obtained in Iowa and Minnesota are currently being
appealed, although we believe such appeals are without merit and will not be successful. If such
proceedings are decided in a manner that is unfavorable to us, all or part of the orders approving
the acquisition in Iowa and Minnesota could be reversed, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See Part II Item 1A
Risk Factors.
We
financed ITC Midwests asset acquisition (including related fees and expenses) with borrowings
of $765.0 million under an ITC Holdings bridge facility (the Bridge Facility) and cash on hand of
$18.1 million.
In January 2008, we repaid in full all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Facility using the
proceeds of ITC Holdings issuance of $385.0 million principal amount of its Senior Notes, ITC
Midwests issuance of $175.0 million principal amount of its First Mortgage Bonds, Series A and ITC
Holdings issuance of 6,420,737 shares of its common stock for proceeds of $308.3 million (net of
underwriting discount of $13.7 million and before estimated issuance costs of $0.7 million). See
Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Trends and Seasonality
Network Revenues
We expect a general trend of increases in network transmission rates and revenues for our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, although we cannot predict a specific year-to-year trend due to
the variability of factors beyond our control. The primary factor that is expected to continue to
increase our rates and our actual net revenue requirements in future years is our anticipated
capital investment in excess of depreciation as a result of the seven-year capital investment
programs which began January 1, 2005 for ITCTransmission and January 1, 2007 for METC and the
seven- to ten-year capital investment program which began January 1, 2008 for ITC Midwest.
Investments in property, plant and equipment, when placed in service upon completion of a capital
project, are added to rate base. Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries strive for high reliability
of their systems, low delivered costs of electricity and accessibility to generation sources of
choice, including renewable sources. On August 8, 2005, the Energy Policy Act was enacted, which
requires the FERC to implement mandatory electricity transmission reliability standards to be
enforced by an Electric Reliability Organization. Effective June 2007, the FERC approved mandatory
adoption of certain reliability standards and approved enforcement actions for the violators,
including fines of up to $1.0 million per day. The NERC was assigned the responsibility of
developing and enforcing these mandatory reliability standards. We continually assess our
transmission systems against standards established by the NERC and ReliabilityFirst Corporation, a
regional entity under the NERC that is delegated certain authority for the purpose of proposing and
enforcing reliability standards. Analysis of the transmission systems against these reliability
standards has become more focused and rigorous in recent years. We also assess our transmission
systems against our own planning criteria that are filed annually with the FERC.
Based on our planning studies, for the seven-year period from January 1, 2005 through December
31, 2011 we expect ITCTransmission to invest approximately $1 billion within its service territory
to (1) rebuild existing property, plant and equipment; (2) upgrade the system to address
demographic changes in southeastern Michigan that have impacted transmission load and the changing
role that transmission plays in meeting the needs of the wholesale market, including accommodating
the siting of new generation or to increase import capacity to meet expected growth in peak
electrical demand; and (3) invest in property, plant and equipment for the primary benefit of
relieving congestion in the transmission system in southeastern Michigan. Total investments in
property, plant and equipment at ITCTransmission for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were
$52.1 million and the total investments for the period January 1, 2005 through March 31, 2008 were
$552.1 million. We expect ITCTransmissions total
19
investments in property, plant and equipment in 2008 to be approximately $95 million to $110
million, based on projects currently planned or being considered.
We expect METC to invest approximately $600 million in its system over the seven-year period
from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2013. Total investments in property, plant and equipment
at METC for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $26.2 million and the total investments for
the period January 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008 were $101.7 million. We expect that investments
in property, plant and equipment at METC in 2008 will be approximately $105 million to $130
million, based on projects currently planned or being considered.
We expect that ITC Midwest will invest up to $1 billion over the seven to ten years beginning
January 1, 2008. As part of the regulatory proceedings approving
ITC Midwest's asset acquisition, ITC
Midwest has made several investment commitments relating to our transmission systems, including
completing projects anticipated to cost at least approximately $100 million over the next five
years dedicated to reducing transmission constraints as well as investing at least an additional
$250 million in other projects over the next five years. Total investments in property, plant and
equipment for the three months ended March 31, 2008 at ITC Midwest were $17.8 million. We expect
that investments in property, plant and equipment at ITC Midwest in 2008 will be approximately $85
million to $100 million, based on projects currently planned or being considered.
Investments in property, plant and equipment could vary due to, among other things, the impact
of weather conditions, union strikes, labor shortages, material and equipment prices and
availability, our ability to obtain financing for such expenditures, if necessary, limitations on
the amount of construction that can be undertaken on our systems at any one time, regulatory
approvals for reasons relating to environmental, siting or regional planning issues or as a result
of legal proceedings and variances between estimated and actual costs of construction contracts
awarded.
The following table shows additions to property, plant and equipment for our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 and the three months ended
March 31, 2008. The amount differs from cash expenditures for property, plant and equipment
included in our consolidated statements of cash flows primarily due to differences in construction
labor and materials costs incurred compared to cash paid during that period.
20
We assess our performance based in part on the levels of prudent and necessary capital
investment and maintenance spending on our transmission systems.
Seasonality
Prior to the implementation of forward-looking Attachment O effective January 1, 2007 for
ITCTransmission and METC and January 1, 2008 for ITC Midwest, the revenues recognized by our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries were dependent on monthly peak loads. Revenues and net income
varied between periods based on monthly peak loads, among other factors. To the extent that actual
conditions during an annual period varied from the data on which the Attachment O rate was based,
our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries earned more or less revenue during that annual period and
therefore recovered more or less than their respective net revenue requirements.
Under forward-looking Attachment O, although the monthly peak loads continue to be used for
billing network revenues, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries accrue or defer revenues to the
extent that their actual net revenue requirement for the reporting period is higher or lower,
respectively, than the amounts billed relating to that reporting period. This results in more
consistent net income for each quarterly period within a given year, compared to the historical
Attachment O method that applied to ITCTransmission and METC prior to January 1, 2007 and ITC
Midwest prior to January 1, 2008.
21
ITCTransmissions and METCs monthly peak loads for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were
down 2.2% compared to the corresponding total for 2007 as shown in the table below. The monthly
peak load is affected by many factors, but is generally higher in the summer months when cooling
demand is higher.
Monthly Peak Load (in MW)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
|
ITC Midwest |
|
METC |
|
ITCTransmission |
|
ITC Midwest |
|
METC |
|
ITCTransmission |
|
METC |
|
ITCTransmission |
January |
|
|
2,974 |
|
|
|
6,094 |
|
|
|
7,889 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,051 |
|
|
|
7,876 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,754 |
|
February |
|
|
2,890 |
|
|
|
6,139 |
|
|
|
7,713 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,227 |
|
|
|
8,170 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,667 |
|
March |
|
|
2,733 |
|
|
|
5,797 |
|
|
|
7,511 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,006 |
|
|
|
7,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,554 |
|
April |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,473 |
|
|
|
7,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,035 |
|
May |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,981 |
|
|
|
9,927 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,902 |
|
June |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,511 |
|
|
|
11,761 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,752 |
|
July |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,672 |
|
|
|
11,706 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,392 |
|
August |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,955 |
|
|
|
12,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,745 |
|
September |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,908 |
|
|
|
11,033 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,415 |
|
October |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,524 |
|
|
|
10,382 |
|
|
|
5,642 |
|
|
|
7,302 |
|
November |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,200 |
|
|
|
7,812 |
|
|
|
6,103 |
|
|
|
7,724 |
|
December |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,244 |
|
|
|
6,215 |
|
|
|
8,022 |
|
|
|
6,527 |
|
|
|
8,257 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,244 |
|
|
|
84,723 |
|
|
|
113,656 |
|
|
|
18,272 |
|
|
|
107,499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations and Variances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage |
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
increase |
|
(In thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(decrease) |
|
|
(decrease) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING REVENUES |
|
$ |
141,914 |
|
|
$ |
101,274 |
|
|
$ |
40,640 |
|
|
|
40.1 |
% |
OPERATING EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operation and maintenance |
|
|
21,455 |
|
|
|
18,540 |
|
|
|
2,915 |
|
|
|
15.7 |
% |
General and administrative |
|
|
17,982 |
|
|
|
15,023 |
|
|
|
2,959 |
|
|
|
19.7 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
22,324 |
|
|
|
16,122 |
|
|
|
6,202 |
|
|
|
38.5 |
% |
Taxes other than income taxes |
|
|
10,885 |
|
|
|
8,770 |
|
|
|
2,115 |
|
|
|
24.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
72,646 |
|
|
|
58,455 |
|
|
|
14,191 |
|
|
|
24.3 |
% |
OPERATING INCOME |
|
|
69,268 |
|
|
|
42,819 |
|
|
|
26,449 |
|
|
|
61.8 |
% |
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
30,770 |
|
|
|
19,132 |
|
|
|
11,638 |
|
|
|
60.8 |
% |
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
|
|
(3,096 |
) |
|
|
(1,240 |
) |
|
|
(1,856 |
) |
|
|
149.7 |
% |
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
349 |
|
|
|
(349 |
) |
|
|
(100.0 |
)% |
Other income |
|
|
(514 |
) |
|
|
(702 |
) |
|
|
188 |
|
|
|
(26.8 |
)% |
Other expense |
|
|
841 |
|
|
|
333 |
|
|
|
508 |
|
|
|
152.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expenses (income) |
|
|
28,001 |
|
|
|
17,872 |
|
|
|
10,129 |
|
|
|
56.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
|
|
41,267 |
|
|
|
24,947 |
|
|
|
16,320 |
|
|
|
65.4 |
% |
INCOME TAX PROVISION |
|
|
15,746 |
|
|
|
8,092 |
|
|
|
7,654 |
|
|
|
94.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME |
|
$ |
25,521 |
|
|
$ |
16,855 |
|
|
$ |
8,666 |
|
|
|
51.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
Operating Revenues
Three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to three months ended March 31, 2007
The following table sets forth the components of and changes in operating revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
increase |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Amount |
|
|
Percentage |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Percentage |
|
|
(decrease) |
|
|
(decrease) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Network revenues |
|
$ |
128,049 |
|
|
|
90.2 |
% |
|
$ |
93,950 |
|
|
|
92.8 |
% |
|
$ |
34,099 |
|
|
|
36.3 |
% |
Point-to-point |
|
|
5,373 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
|
|
3,648 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
|
1,725 |
|
|
|
47.3 |
% |
Scheduling, control and dispatch |
|
|
4,070 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
3,169 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
901 |
|
|
|
28.4 |
% |
Regional cost sharing revenues |
|
|
3,672 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
3,672 |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
Other |
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
% |
|
|
507 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
% |
|
|
243 |
|
|
|
47.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
141,914 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
101,274 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
40,640 |
|
|
|
40.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Network revenues include the Attachment O revenue accrual as described in Note 4 to the
condensed consolidated financial statements. Network revenues increased by $28.2 million due to the
December 2007 asset acquisition by ITC Midwest, for which no revenues were included in our results
of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Additionally, METC and ITCTransmission
recognized additional network revenues of $3.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively, due to
higher net revenue requirements primarily due to higher rate base as a result of property, plant
and equipment placed in service, among other factors.
The Attachment O revenue accrual at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries resulted from actual
net revenue requirement for the three months ended March 31, 2008 that exceeded network revenues
billed for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The table below illustrates the calculation of
the total Attachment O revenue accrual for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
Attachment O revenue accrual summary
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Line |
|
|
Item |
|
ITCTransmission |
|
|
METC |
|
|
ITC Midwest |
|
|
Total |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Actual net revenue requirement |
|
$ |
61,102 |
|
|
$ |
38,736 |
|
|
$ |
28,211 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
Network revenues billed(a) |
|
|
54,122 |
|
|
|
35,987 |
|
|
|
19,962 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
Attachment O revenue accrual (line 1 line 2) |
|
$ |
6,980 |
|
|
$ |
2,749 |
|
|
$ |
8,249 |
|
|
$ |
17,978 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Network revenues billed is calculated based on the monthly network
peak load at ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Midwest multiplied by the
monthly network rate of $2.350 per kW/month for ITCTransmission,
$1.985 per kW/month for METC and $2.564 per kW/month for ITC Midwest
during 2008, adjusted for the actual number of days in the month. |
Point-to-point revenues increased primarily due to the addition of $1.1 million of ITC Midwest
revenues.
Scheduling, control and dispatch revenues increased primarily due to the addition of $0.6
million of ITC Midwest revenues.
Regional cost sharing revenues are revenues received from transmission customers associated
with network upgrades to our transmission systems that are eligible for regional cost sharing under
Attachment FF of the MISO Transmission and Energy Market Tariff (Docket No. ER06-18) that became
applicable for us during 2008. We expect to continue to receive regional cost sharing revenues and
the amounts could become more significant in near future. These revenues are treated as a revenue
credit in Attachment O, which reduce our net revenue requirement. Refer to Item 7 Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Rate Setting and
Attachment O in our most recent Form 10-K for a discussion of the calculation of net revenue
requirement.
23
Operating Expenses
Operation and maintenance expenses
Three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to three months ended March 31, 2007
Operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to amounts incurred by ITC Midwest,
for which no amounts were included in our results of operations for the three months ended March
31, 2007. ITC Midwest incurred $2.4 million of expenses for transmission structure maintenance,
inspections and other maintenance activities. ITC Midwest also incurred transmission system
monitoring and control expenses of $0.6 million under its services agreement with IP&L and
operating agreement with American Transmission Company, LLC. Operations and maintenance expenses
increased at ITCTransmission by $0.4 million primarily for transmission structure maintenance.
Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $0.7 million at METC due to expenses
incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2007 for training of contractors to transition
certain activities from Consumers Energy.
General and administrative expenses
Three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to three months ended March 31, 2007
General and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million due to higher compensation and
benefits expenses primarily resulting from personnel additions and $1.2 million due to higher
business expenses including information technology support, both of which include incremental costs
incurred by ITC Midwest. Additionally, we awarded an executive bonus in the form of a deferred
stock unit grant resulting in $0.9 million of expense. Expenses also increased by $0.6 million at
ITC Grid Development and its subsidiaries for salaries, benefits and general business expenses not
included in the increases explained above. Partially offsetting the increases above was a decrease
in general and administrative expenses of $0.5 million for lower professional advisory and
consulting services.
Depreciation and amortization expenses
Three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to three months ended March 31, 2007
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased at ITCTransmission and METC primarily due to
a higher depreciable asset base resulting from property, plant and equipment additions.
Additionally, ITC Midwest recognized depreciation expenses of $4.1 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2008.
Taxes other than income taxes
Three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to three months ended March 31, 2007
Taxes other than income taxes increased due to property tax expenses at ITC Midwest of $1.6
million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Additionally, property tax expenses at
ITCTransmission and METC increased by $0.9 million primarily due to ITCTransmissions and METCs
capital additions, which are included in the assessments for 2008 personal property taxes.
Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $0.5 million as a result of the replacement
of the Michigan Single Business Tax discussed in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
Other expenses (income)
Three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to three months ended March 31, 2007
Interest expense increased primarily due to higher borrowing levels to finance capital
expenditures and to finance the ITC Midwest acquisition.
AFUDC Equity increased due to increased property, plant and equipment expenditures and the
resulting higher construction work in progress balances during 2008 compared to 2007.
24
Income Tax Provision
Three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to three months ended March 31, 2007
Our effective tax rate of 38.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 differed from our
35% statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to state income tax provision of $2.0 million
recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and our accounting for the tax effects of
AFUDC Equity. The state income tax provision is primarily a result of the new Michigan Business tax
as discussed in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries include taxes payable relating to AFUDC Equity in their actual net revenue
requirements. The amount of income tax expense relating to AFUDC Equity is recognized as a
regulatory asset and not included in the income tax provision. The effective tax rate of 32.4% for
the three months ended March 31, 2007 differed from our 35% statutory federal income tax rate
primarily due to our accounting for the tax effects of AFUDC Equity.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We expect to fund our future capital requirements with cash from operations, our existing cash
and cash equivalents and amounts available under our revolving credit agreements, subject to
certain conditions. In addition, we may secure additional funding in the financial markets. We
expect that our capital requirements will arise principally from our need to:
|
|
|
Fund capital expenditures. Our plans with regard to property, plant and equipment
investments are described in detail above under Trends and Seasonality. Additionally, we
are pursuing other development activities as described in Recent Developments Development
Activities in our most recent Form 10-K that could result in significant capital
expenditures. |
|
|
|
|
Fund additional purchase price for ITC Midwests acquisition of the transmission assets
of IP&L. |
|
|
|
|
Fund working capital requirements. |
|
|
|
|
Fund our debt service requirements, which are described in more detail under
Contractual Obligations in our Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2007 and as updated in this Form 10-Q. We expect
our interest payments to increase during 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of additional
debt incurred in 2007 and 2008, primarily in connection with ITC Midwests acquisition of
IP&Ls transmission assets. |
|
|
|
|
Fund dividends to holders of our common stock. |
|
|
|
|
Fund contributions to our retirement plans, as described in Note 8 to the condensed
consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
Fund business development expenses, consisting primarily of forecasted expenses of $3.8
million at ITC Grid Development and its subsidiaries in 2008. |
We believe that we have sufficient capital resources to meet our currently anticipated
short-term needs. We rely on both internal and external sources of liquidity to provide working
capital and to fund capital investments. We expect to continue to utilize our revolving credit
agreements as needed to meet our other short-term cash requirements. As of March 31, 2008, we had
consolidated indebtedness under our revolving credit agreements of $133.8 million, with unused
capacity of $206.2 million. Refer to Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for
a discussion of our indebtedness.
For our long-term capital requirements, we expect that we will need to obtain additional debt
and equity financing. We expect to be able to obtain such additional financing as needed in amounts
and upon terms that will be reasonably satisfactory to us.
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $34.7 million and $10.0 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating
activities was primarily due to higher network revenues billed, the recognition of regional cost
sharing revenues, higher point-to-point revenues and higher scheduling control and dispatch
revenues of $33.3 million, $3.7 million, $1.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The increase
was partially offset by higher operating and
25
maintenance expenses and general and administrative expenses in 2008 of $2.9 million and $3.0
million, respectively. Additionally, we made $8.1 million of additional interest payments
(excluding interest capitalized) during the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same
period in 2007 due primarily to higher outstanding balances of long-term debt.
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $95.5 million and $72.9 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in cash used in investing activities was
due to higher levels of capital investment in property, plant and equipment in 2008.
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $77.5 million and $80.7 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by financing
activities was due to the net decrease in borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $102.9
million during the three months ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. This
decrease was partially offset by the net proceeds resulting from the permanent financing in January
2008 of ITC Midwests acquisition and the Bridge Facility redemption. We issued $385.0 million
principal amount of ITC Holdings Senior Notes, $175.0 million principal amount of ITC Midwests
First Mortgage Bonds, Series A and 6,420,737 shares of ITC Holdings common stock (for proceeds of
$308.3 million, net of underwriting discount) from which we repaid in full all amounts outstanding
under the $765.0 million Bridge Facility.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Our contractual obligations are described in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2007. There have been no material changes to that information during the three months ended March
31, 2008, other than amounts borrowed under our revolving credit agreements and other debt
issuances as described in Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. For the debt
issuances in January 2008 used to repay the ITC Holdings Bridge Facility, our expected interest
payments are $17.7 million in 2008 and $34.1 million annually thereafter until maturity in 2018 and
2038 (interest payable on January 31 and July 31). For the ITCTransmission Series D Bonds issued in
April 2008, our expected interest payments are $2.9 million in 2008 and $5.8 million annually
thereafter until maturity in 2018 (interest payable on April 1 and October 1).
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The preparation of these consolidated
financial statements requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and
guidance, as well as the use of estimates. The application of these policies necessarily involves
judgments regarding future events. These estimates and judgments, in and of themselves, could
materially impact the consolidated financial statements and disclosures based on varying
assumptions, as future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and the best estimates
routinely require adjustment. The accounting policies discussed in Item 7 -Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -Critical Accounting Policies in our
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 are considered by management to be the most
important to an understanding of the consolidated financial statements because of their
significance to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations or because their
application places the most significant demands on managements judgment and estimates about the
effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. There have been no material changes to that
information during the three months ended March 31, 2008.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
26
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Fixed Rate Long-Term Debt
Based on the borrowing rates currently available for bank loans with similar terms and average
maturities, the fair value of our consolidated long-term debt, excluding revolving credit
agreements, was $1,883.6 million at March 31, 2008. The total book value of our consolidated
long-term debt, excluding revolving credit agreements, was $1,893.9 million at March 31, 2008. We
performed an analysis calculating the impact of changes in interest rates on the fair value of
long-term debt, excluding revolving credit agreements, at March 31, 2008. An increase in interest
rates of 10% at March 31, 2008 would decrease the fair value of our debt by $85.6 million, and a
decrease in interest rates of 10% at March 31, 2008 would increase the fair value of our debt by
$94.2 million at that date.
Revolving Credit Agreements
At March 31, 2008, ITC Holdings, ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Midwest had $0.0 million, $91.1
million, $29.3 million and $13.4 million outstanding, respectively, under their revolving credit
agreements, which are variable rate loans and for which fair value approximates book value. A 10%
increase in short-term borrowing rates would increase total interest
expense by $0.6 million for an
annual period on a constant borrowing level of $133.8 million.
Other
As described in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, we are subject to
commodity price risk from market price fluctuations, and to credit risk primarily with Detroit
Edison, Consumers Energy and IP&L, our primary customers. There have been no material changes in
these risks during the three months ended March 31, 2008.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to assure that material
information required to be disclosed in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized, and
reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms, and that such information
is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial
disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management
recognized that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only
reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of
the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute
assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, with a company have been
detected.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the
supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure
controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation,
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures are effective, at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three
months ended March 31, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As permitted by applicable interpretations
of Rule 13a-15 and as noted in our most recent Form 10-K report, managements assessment of
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 did not include an assessment of
the internal control over financial reporting of the electric transmission assets of IP&L acquired
in December 2007 by ITC Midwest. ITC Midwest constituted 0.6% of our 2007 consolidated revenues
and 26.5% of our consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2007. These acquired assets will be
included in the assessment of internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.
27
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Other than as discussed below, there have been no material changes to the Risk Factors as
previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Approval
of ITC Midwest's asset acquisition by state regulatory authorities in Iowa and Minnesota has
been appealed. If such proceedings are decided in a manner that is unfavorable to us, all or part
of the orders approving ITC Midwest's asset acquisition in Iowa and Minnesota could be reversed, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows.
In
September 2007, the IUB issued an order declining to disapprove
ITC Midwest's asset acquisition
and terminating the review docket, and ITC Midwest's asset acquisition was accordingly deemed to be
approved by operation of law upon the subsequent expiration in September 2007 of the prescribed
statutory period. The IUB order recognized that regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions were
required, and stated that material changes in ITC Midwest's asset acquisition imposed by such approvals
could require the submission of a new proposal for IUB review if such changes materially altered
the basis for the IUB order. On October 19, 2007, the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate filed in the
Iowa District Court for Polk County a petition for judicial review asking the court to reverse,
vacate, and remand to the IUB the IUBs decision declining to disapprove ITC Midwest's asset
acquisition. The case is scheduled for oral argument and final submission in May 2008, and thus the
outcome of such case is unknown at this time. A decision by the District Court is expected in 2008,
and is subject to appeal to the Supreme Court of Iowa. The Minnesota Office of the Attorney General
has filed a Petition for Reconsideration and Request for Stay of the MPUCs December 18, 2007
approval of ITC Midwest's asset acquisition and the outcome of such proceeding is unknown at this time.
The Attorney Generals Petition is currently pending before the MPUC. At a meeting held on February
14, 2008, the MPUC granted the Petition for Reconsideration for the purpose of further considering
the merits of the petition. On April 10, 2008, the MPUC denied the Petition for Reconsideration and
Request for Stay of its previous order. The decision of the MPUC is appealable to the Minnesota
Court of Appeals. If such proceedings are ultimately decided in a manner that is unfavorable to us,
all or part of the orders approving ITC Midwest's asset acquisition in Iowa and Minnesota could be
reversed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results
of operations and cash flows.
28
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report (unless otherwise noted to be incorporated
by reference). Our SEC file number is 001-32576.
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description of Document |
4.18
|
|
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 24, 2008,
supplemental to the Indenture dated as of July 16, 2003,
between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Trust Company,
N.A. (as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee
(filed with Registrants Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2008) |
|
|
|
4.19
|
|
First Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of January 14,
2008, between ITC Midwest LLC and The Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee (filed with Registrants Form 8-K
filed on February 1, 2008) |
|
|
|
4.20
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2008,
supplemental to the First Mortgage Indenture between ITC
Midwest LLC and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as
trustee, dated as of January 14, 2008 (filed with Registrants
Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2008) |
|
|
|
4.21
|
|
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 25, 2008,
between International Transmission Company and The Bank of New
York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed with the
Registrants Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2008) |
|
|
|
10.63
|
|
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2008,
among ITC Midwest LLC, as the borrower, various financial
institutions and other persons from time to time parties
thereto, as the lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the
administrative agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as sole
lead arranger and sole bookrunner, Credit Suisse (Cayman
Islands Branch), as syndication agent and Lehman Brothers
Bank, FSB, as documentation agent (filed with Registrants
Form 8-K filed on January 31, 2008) |
|
|
|
10.68
|
|
Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated February 25, 2008,
pursuant to the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan of ITC Holdings
Corp., between the Registrant and Joseph L. Welch |
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule
13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule
13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
32
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
29
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.
Dated: May 1, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
ITC HOLDINGS CORP.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Joseph L. Welch
|
|
|
|
Joseph L. Welch |
|
|
|
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer
(principal executive officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Edward M. Rahill
|
|
|
|
Edward M. Rahill Senior Vice President- |
|
|
|
Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) |
|
30