MANAGEMENTS NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Managements Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations discussion for
Detroit Edison is presented in accordance with General Instruction H(2) (a) of
Form 10-Q.
OVERVIEW
We had income of $8 million in the 2004 second quarter compared to income of
$30 million for the 2003 second quarter. For the six-month period, our income
was $52 million compared to income of $45 million for the comparable 2003
period. The comparability of earnings for the six-month period was impacted by
the adoption of a new accounting rule in the 2003 first quarter. As required
by generally accepted accounting principles, on January 1, 2003, we adopted a
new accounting rule for asset retirement obligations as discussed in Note 2.
The cumulative effect of adopting this new accounting rule was to reduce the
2003 six-month period earnings by $6 million.
Significant items that influenced our 2004 financial performance and/or may affect future results are:
Lost revenues from electric Customer Choice penetration;
Proposed Michigan legislation to address electric Customer Choice issues; and
An interim electric rate order increasing earnings.
Electric Customer Choice Program
- Detroit Edisons rates are regulated by the
Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), while alternative suppliers can
charge market-based rates. This regulation has hindered Detroit Edisons
ability to retain customers. In addition, the MPSC has maintained regulated
rates for certain groups of customers that exceed the cost of service to those
customers. This has resulted in high levels of participation in the electric
Customer Choice program by those customers that have the highest price relative
to their cost of service. As a result, we have continued to lose sales. Lost
margins and electricity volumes associated with electric Customer Choice were
approximately $59 million and 2,480 gigawatthours (gWh) in the 2004 second
quarter and approximately $109 million and 4,622 gWh in the 2004 six-month
period. This compares with lost electric Customer Choice margins and volumes
of approximately $25 million and 1,844 gWh in the 2003 second quarter and $45
million and 3,051 gWh in the 2003 six-month period. Partially offsetting the
impact of lost margins on income, we recorded regulatory assets of
approximately $18 million and $43 million in the 2004 second quarter and
six-month period, respectively, and $6 million and $12 million in the 2003
second quarter and six-month period. The regulatory assets represent an
estimate of stranded costs that we believe are recoverable under existing
Michigan legislation and MPSC orders. There are a number of variables and
estimates that impact the level of recoverable stranded costs, including
weather, sales mix and wholesale electric prices. As a result, our estimate of
stranded costs could increase or decrease. The actual amount of stranded costs
to be recovered and the timing of recovery will ultimately be determined by the
MPSC.
In February 2004, the MPSC authorized an interim electric rate increase that
recognized a revenue deficiency for lost electric Customer Choice revenues, and
eliminated transition credits and implemented a transition charge for electric
Customer Choice customers. Although the interim order has stabilized electric
Customer Choice sales volumes, current regulation continues to hinder our
ability to retain customers. In Detroit Edisons June 2003 electric rate
filing, we addressed numerous issues with the electric Customer Choice program,
including stranded costs. The continued delay in addressing the structural
problems of the electric Customer Choice program and the timely and full
recovery of stranded costs, unfavorably impacts earnings and cash flow. See
Note 3 for a further discussion of the electric Customer Choice program and the
MPSC interim rate order.
Proposed Michigan Legislation
- We are pursuing a legislative solution in
addressing the structural issues associated with the electric Customer Choice
program. On July 1, 2004, a package of six bills was introduced in the
Michigan Senate to address unintended consequences of Public Act (PA) 141,
Michigan legislation enacted in 2000 that began the restructuring of the
electric utility industry in Michigan. We believe that this legislation would
address a number of the most important issues in the Michigan electric sector.
The proposed legislation:
requires mandatory reliability standards and sets a minimum annual
15 percent power reserve margin for all utilities and alternative
energy suppliers;
requires financial adequacy standards for all alternative energy
suppliers;
protects against rate shock by requiring a move to full cost of
service for all electric customer classes over a 10-year period;
allows current electric Customer Choice customers to return to
utility service at regulated rates until December 31, 2005, and at
market rates thereafter;
separates generation, transmission and distribution charges on
electric customers bills;
establishes a low-income energy assistance surcharge to all
customers receiving distribution service from an electric or gas
utility;
establishes a lower special rate for public and private K-12 schools;
clarifies that environmental compliance costs can be securitized; and
authorizes an environmental recovery surcharge applicable to all
electric customers, to recover the costs of government-mandated
pollution control measures.
The Michigan Senate Technology and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold
hearings beginning in August 2004 in an effort to build consensus among
Michigans electric utilities, alternative energy suppliers, and customer
groups.
Electric Interim Rate Order
- Under PA 141, electric rates for all residential,
commercial and industrial customers were frozen through 2003. The legislation
also capped rates for residential customers through 2005, and for small
commercial and industrial customers through 2004. The rate freeze and caps
apply to base rates as well as rates designed to recover fuel and purchased
power costs. Historically, fuel and purchased power costs have been a
pass-through under the power supply cost recovery (PSCR) mechanism.
In June 2003, Detroit Edison filed an application with the MPSC for: 1) an
increase in retail electric rates of $427 million annually, 2) the resumption
of the PSCR mechanism, and 3) the recovery of net stranded and other costs as
permitted under Michigan legislation. Detroit Edison received an interim order
in this rate case authorizing an increase in base rates of $248 million
annually, effective February 21, 2004, and is applicable to all customers not
subject to the rate cap. The order also terminated certain transition credits
and authorized transition charges to Choice customers designed to result in $30
million in additional revenues. Additionally, the interim order reaffirmed the
resumption of the PSCR mechanism for both capped and uncapped customers,
effective January 1, 2004, which is expected to reduce PSCR revenues by $126
million annually. However, the interim order allowed Detroit Edison to
increase base rates for customers still subject to the cap in an equal and
offsetting amount with the change in the PSCR factor to maintain the total
capped rate levels in effect for these customers.
As a result of rate caps, the different effective dates of the interim base
rate increase, transition charges and the PSCR mechanism, and other factors,
the interim rate order increased revenues in the 2004 second quarter by $16
million and decreased revenues in the 2004 six-month period by $1 million.
Additionally, because of these factors, the interim order was only designed to
increase revenues by $51 million in 2004 (Note 3). A final order from the MPSC
is expected in September 2004.
Base Rate Increase and Transition Charges -
effective February 21, 2004
$
45
$
58
PSCR Reduction
effective January 1, 2004
(29
)
(59
)
Revenue Increase (Decrease)
$
16
$
(1
)
Net Income Increase (Decrease)
$
10
$
(1
)
Detroit Edison has the following two reportable segments.
ENERGY RESOURCES
Power Generation
The power generation plants of Detroit Edison comprise our regulated power
generation business. Detroit Edisons numerous fossil plants, its
hydroelectric pumped storage plant and its nuclear plant generate electricity.
The generated electricity, supplemented with purchased power, is sold
principally throughout Michigan and the Midwest to residential, commercial,
industrial and wholesale customers.
Factors impacting income:
Power Generation earnings declined $45 million during
the 2004 second quarter and $54 million in the 2004 six-month period. As
subsequently discussed, these results primarily reflect reduced gross margins,
partially offset by the recording of higher regulatory assets, which affected
depreciation and amortization expenses.
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
June 30
June 30
(in Millions)
2004
2003
2004
2003
Operating Revenues
$
508
$
589
$
1,059
$
1,206
Fuel and Purchased Power
199
224
409
465
Gross Margin
309
365
650
741
Operation and Maintenance
165
158
347
341
Depreciation and Amortization
61
61
111
134
Taxes other than Income
37
38
76
81
Operating Income
46
108
116
185
Other (Income) and Deductions
45
37
91
77
Income Tax Provision
25
8
37
Net Income
$
1
$
46
$
17
$
71
Operating Income as a Percent of Operating Revenues
9
%
18
%
11
%
15
%
Gross margins
declined $56 million during the 2004 second quarter and $91
million in the 2004 six-month period due primarily to lost margins from retail
customers choosing to purchase power from alternative suppliers under the
electric Customer Choice program. Detroit Edison lost 18% of retail sales in
the first half of 2004, compared to 12% of such sales during the same 2003
period as a result of
Customer Choice penetration. The decline in margins is
also due to a revision of estimate in the 2004
second quarter in the level of sales lost to electric Customer Choice. Sales
lost under the electric Customer Choice program are estimated each month and
are finalized in subsequent months when actual data is available. Variances
between estimated and actual lost electric Customer Choice sales directly
impact the accrual of unbilled sales to full service customers. Electric
Customer Choice sales adjustments in the 2004 second quarter had the effect of
increasing Customer Choice-related lost sales, thereby reducing unbilled sales
by $19 million. The adjustment also reduced sales within Energy Distributions
Power Distribution segment.
The loss of retail sales under the electric Customer Choice program also
results in lower purchase power requirements, as well as excess power capacity
that is sold in the wholesale market. Under the interim order previously
discussed, revenues from selling excess power reduce the level of recoverable
fuel and purchased power costs and therefore do not impact margins. The interim
rate order also lowered PSCR revenues which were more than offset by increased
base rate and transition charge revenues, resulting in an increase in margins
in the 2004 second quarter. However, as a result of rate caps and the
different effective dates of rate adjustments previously discussed, the interim
order resulted in a decrease in margins in the 2004 six-month period. Weather
during 2004 was warmer than in 2003, resulting in increased margins from retail
customers of $11 million in the 2004 second quarter and $3 million in the 2004
six-month period. Operating revenues and fuel and purchased power costs
decreased in 2004 compared to 2003 reflecting a $1.97 per megawatt hour (MWh)
(12%) decline in fuel and purchased power costs during the current quarter and
a $2.16 per MWh (13%) decline during the six-month period. Fuel and purchased
power costs are a pass-through with the reinstatement of the PSCR, and
therefore do not affect margins or earnings. The decrease in fuel and
purchased power costs is attributable to lower priced purchases and using a
more favorable power supply mix. The favorable mix is due to lower purchases,
driven by lost sales under the electric Customer Choice program.
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
June 30
June 30
2004
2003
2004
2003
Electric Sales
(in Thousands of MWh)
Retail
9,434
10,427
19,857
21,602
Wholesale and Other
1,578
1,170
3,764
2,446
11,012
11,597
23,621
24,048
Power Generated and Purchased
(in Thousands of MWh)
Power Plant Generation
Fossil
8,507
9,207
18,291
18,341
Nuclear
2,409
1,301
4,817
3,549
10,916
10,508
23,108
21,890
Purchased Power
1,226
1,843
2,424
3,731
System Output
12,142
12,351
25,532
25,621
Average Unit Cost ($/MWh)
Generation (1)
$
12.68
$
13.56
$
12.78
$
13.42
Purchased Power (2)
$
34.04
$
35.26
$
34.29
$
34.48
Overall Average Unit Cost
$
14.83
$
16.80
$
14.84
$
17.00
(1)
Represents fuel costs associated with power plants.
(2)
The average purchased power amounts include hedging activities.
Depreciation and amortization
expense was unchanged in the 2004 second quarter
and decreased $23 million in the 2004 six-month period. Depreciation and
amortization expense was affected by increased
charges resulting from generation-related capital expenditures. These expenses
were also affected by the income effect of recording regulatory assets totaling
$22 million and $57 million in the 2004 second quarter and six-month period,
respectively, compared to $21 million and $40 million in the same 2003 periods.
The regulatory assets represent the deferral of net stranded costs and other
costs we believe are recoverable under Public Act 141.
Other income and deductions
expense increased $8 million in the 2004 second
quarter and $14 million in the 2004 six-month period, reflecting expenses
associated with addressing the structural issues of PA 141. The increase also
reflects costs of performing other non-operating activities.
Outlook
- Future operating results are expected to vary as a result of external
factors such as regulatory proceedings, new legislation, changes in market
prices of power, coal and gas, plant performance, changes in economic
conditions, weather and the levels of customer participation in the electric
Customer Choice program.
As previously discussed, we expect cash flows and operating performance will
continue to be adversely affected by the electric Customer Choice program until
the inequities associated with this program are addressed. We will accrue as
regulatory assets our unrecovered generation-related fixed costs due to
electric Customer Choice that we believe are recoverable under Michigan
legislation and MPSC orders. We have addressed the issue of stranded costs in
our June 2003 electric rate filing and are also supporting the proposed
legislative solution. Additionally, we requested an increase in retail electric
rates of $427 million annually to recover higher operating costs. The actual
timing and level of recovering stranded and operating costs will ultimately be
determined by the MPSC or legislation. We cannot predict the outcome of these
matters. See Note 3 Regulatory Matters.
ENERGY DISTRIBUTION
Power Distribution
Power Distribution operations include the electric distribution services of
Detroit Edison. Power Distribution distributes electricity generated and
purchased by Energy Resources and alternative electric suppliers to Detroit
Edisons 2.1 million customers.
Factors impacting income
: Power Distribution earnings increased $23 million in
the 2004 second quarter and $55 million in the 2004 six-month period. As
subsequently discussed, these results primarily reflect an increase in
operating revenues, a non-recurring loss recorded in the 2003 first quarter and
varying operation and maintenance expenses.
Operating Income as a Percent of Operating Revenues
14
%
1
%
18
%
7
%
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
Electric Deliveries
June 30
June 30
(in Thousands of MWh)
2004
2003
2004
2003
Residential
3,472
3,243
7,541
7,098
Commercial
3,049
3,962
6,540
8,088
Industrial
2,810
3,134
5,564
6,219
Wholesale
553
550
1,109
1,126
Other
103
89
212
196
9,987
10,978
20,966
22,727
Electric Choice
2,480
1,844
4,622
3,051
Total Electric Sales and Deliveries
12,467
12,822
25,588
25,778
Operating revenues
increased $46 million in the 2004 second quarter and $61
million in the 2004 six-month period primarily due to residential sales growth
and the effects of warmer weather. The increase in the 2004 second quarter was
also due to the increase in base rates resulting from the interim order.
Partially offsetting these improvements was the impact of a revision of
estimated unbilled sales in the 2004 second quarter, which reduced revenues by
$6 million. As previously discussed, the revision also reduced sales within
Energy Resources Power Generation segment.
Operation and maintenance
expense increased $9 million in the 2004 second
quarter and decreased $12 million in the 2004 six-month period. Both 2004
periods were affected by higher reserves for uncollectable accounts receivables
and increased pension and health care costs. The increase in uncollectable
accounts expense reflects higher past due amounts attributable to economic
conditions. Partially offsetting these increased costs were benefits from our
company-wide cost savings initiative as well as lower transmission expenses in
the 2004 six-month period. The decrease in the current six-month period is due
primarily to a $22 million loss ($14 million net of tax) on the sale of our
steam heating business in the 2003 first quarter.
Outlook
- Operating results are expected to vary as a result of external
factors such as weather, changes in economic conditions and the severity and
frequency of storms. As previously mentioned, Detroit Edison filed a rate case
in June 2003 to address future operating costs and other issues. Detroit
Edison received an interim order in this rate case in February 2004. See Note 3
- Regulatory Matters.
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Management of the company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and
with the participation of the companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the companys disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of
June 30, 2004, which is the end of the period covered by this report. Based on
this evaluation, the companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer have concluded that such controls and procedures are effectively
designed to ensure that required information disclosed by the company in
reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and timely reported in accordance with Commissions rules and forms.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There has been no change in the companys internal control over financial
reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2004 that has materially affected,
or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the companys internal control
over financial reporting.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1 GENERAL
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2003 Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared using
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 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 consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but in our opinion include
all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim
periods. Financial results for this interim period are not necessarily
indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for
the fiscal year.
We reclassified certain prior year balances to match the current years
presentation.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
The components of changes in assets and liabilities follow:
Six Months Ended
June 30
(in Millions)
2004
2003
Changes in Assets and Liabilities,
Exclusive of Changes Shown Separately
Accounts receivable, net
$
(12
)
$
(27
)
Accrued unbilled receivables
9
7
Inventories
1
11
Accrued pensions
37
(114
)
Accounts payable
63
(74
)
Income taxes payable
(62
)
(125
)
General taxes
(12
)
(12
)
Risk management and trading activities
(1
)
(3
)
Other
16
(71
)
$
39
$
(408
)
Other cash and non-cash investing and financing activities follow:
The components of net periodic benefit costs for qualified and non-qualified
pension benefits and other postretirement benefits follow:
Other Postretirement
Pension Benefits
Benefits
(in Millions)
2004
2003
2004
2003
Three Months Ended June 30
Service Cost
$
11
$
11
$
8
$
10
Interest Cost
33
32
17
17
Expected Return on Plan Assets
(36
)
(32
)
(11
)
(9
)
Amortization of
Net loss
12
8
8
5
Prior service cost
3
2
Net transition liability
2
2
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
$
23
$
21
$
24
$
25
Six Months Ended June 30
Service Cost
$
24
$
22
$
16
$
19
Interest Cost
66
64
35
34
Expected Return on Plan Assets
(67
)
(64
)
(23
)
(18
)
Amortization of
Net loss
24
16
17
11
Prior service cost
5
4
Net transition liability
4
4
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
$
52
$
42
$
49
$
50
In June 2004, we retroactively adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) Staff Position (FSP) No. 106-2. This FSP provides guidance on the
accounting for the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization
Act of 2003 (Medicare Act). As a result of the retroactive adoption, our other
postretirement benefit costs were reduced by $3 million and $6 million for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2004. See Note 2.
In March 2004, DTE Energy common stock, valued at $170 million, was contributed
to our defined benefit retirement plan. In January 2004, we made a $40 million
cash contribution to our postretirement health care and life insurance plans.
We do not expect to make any additional contributions during 2004.
NOTE 2 NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Asset Retirement Obligations
On January 1, 2003, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 143,
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,
which requires
that the fair value of an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the
period in which it is incurred. We identified a legal retirement obligation for
the decommissioning costs for our Fermi 1 and Fermi 2 nuclear plants. We
believe that adoption of SFAS No. 143 results primarily in timing differences
in the recognition of legal asset retirement costs that we are currently
recovering in rates and will be deferring such differences under SFAS No. 71,
Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation
.
As a result of adopting SFAS No. 143 on January 1, 2003, we recorded a plant
asset of $278 million with offsetting accumulated depreciation of $103 million,
a retirement obligation liability of $771 million and reversed previously
recognized obligations of $366 million, principally nuclear decommissioning
liabilities. We also recorded a cumulative effect amount related to regulated
operations as a regulatory
asset of $221 million, and a cumulative effect charge against earnings of $6
million (net of taxes of $3 million) for 2003.
A reconciliation of the asset retirement obligation for the 2004 six-month
period follows:
(in Millions)
Asset retirement obligations at January 1, 2004
$
819
Accretion
27
Liabilities settled
(2
)
Asset retirement obligations at June 30, 2004
$
844
A significant portion of the asset retirement obligations represents nuclear
decommissioning liabilities which are funded through a surcharge to electric
customers over the life of the Fermi 2 nuclear plant.
Medicare Act Accounting
In December 2003, the Medicare Act was signed into law. This Act provides for a
non-taxable federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans
that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to the benefit
established by law. We elected at that time to defer the provisions of the
Medicare Act, and its impact on our accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation and net periodic postretirement benefit cost pending the issuance of
specific authoritative accounting guidance by the FASB.
In May 2004, FSP No. 106-2 was issued on accounting for the effects of the
Medicare Act. The FSP is effective for the first interim period beginning after
June 15, 2004, with earlier application encouraged. The guidance in this FSP is
applicable to sponsors of single-employer defined benefit postretirement health
care plans for which (a) the employer has concluded the prescription drug
benefits available under the plan to some or all participants are actuarially
equivalent to Medicare Part D and thus qualify for the subsidy under the
Medicare Act and (b) the expected subsidy will offset or reduce the employers
share of the cost of the underlying postretirement prescription drug coverage
on which the subsidy is based. We believe we qualify for the subsidy under the
Act and the expected subsidy will partially offset our share of the cost of the
postretirement prescription drug coverage.
The reduction in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for the
subsidy related to benefits attributed to past service is approximately $70
million and is accounted for as an actuarial gain as required under the FSP.
The effects of the subsidy on the measurement of net periodic postretirement
benefit costs is expected to reduce cost by $12 million in 2004. The impact of
the Medicare Act on the components of Other Postretirement Benefit Costs in the
first six months of 2004 is as follows:
We have elected to apply the provisions of FSP No. 106-2 retroactive to January
1, 2004, and as a result earnings for the first quarter of 2004 have been
restated. A reconciliation of previously reported first quarter 2004 net income
and earnings per share to the amounts adjusted for the decrease in costs due to
the Medicare Act follows:
Net
(In Millions)
Income
As reported
$
41
Add:
Decrease in costs due to Medicare Act
3
As adjusted
$
44
NOTE 3 REGULATORY MATTERS
Electric Rate Case
Rate Request
- In June 2003, Detroit Edison filed an application with the MPSC
requesting a change in retail electric rates, resumption of the Power Supply
Cost Recovery (PSCR) mechanism, and recovery of net stranded costs. The
application requested a base rate increase for both full-service and electric
Customer Choice customers totaling $416 million annually (approximately 12%
increase) in 2006, with a three-year phase-in starting in 2004 as the caps on
customer rates expire. Detroit Edison proposed that the $416 million increase
be allocated between full-service customers ($265 million) and electric
Customer Choice customers ($151 million). In November 2003, Detroit Edison
increased its original rate request by $11 million to $427 million.
During the second quarter of 2004, based upon the MPSC Staffs (Staff) filing
for final rate relief, as discussed below, and more current information
regarding the level of electric Customer Choice sales penetration, Detroit
Edison revised its base rate increase request from $427 million to $457
million.
In addition, Detroit Edison has updated its request for recovery of regulatory
assets from $109 million to $93 million annually over a 5-year period, which
includes recovery of deferred return on and of Clean Air Act costs and capital
expenditures in excess of base depreciation amounts, transmission costs and
electric Customer Choice implementation costs as allowed by Public Act (PA)
141.
Detroit Edison is also requesting recovery of $187 million of historical
stranded costs, through the date of the final order in this case, to be
collected pursuant to PA 141.
A summary of the rate requests follows:
Initial Final
Revised Final
(in Millions)
Rate Request
Rate Request
Base Rate Revenue Deficiency
$
553
$
583
PSCR Savings/Choice Mitigation
(126
)
(126
)
Base Rate Increase
427
457
Regulatory Asset Recovery Surcharge
109
93
(1)
Total
$
536
$
550
Phase in By Year
2004
$
299
2005
57
2006
180
Total
$
536
(1)
Does not include recovery of $187 million of historical stranded costs
The revised rate request did not allocate the phase in amounts by year, but the
amounts would be allocated to the customer classes as the rate caps expire.
MPSC Interim Rate Order
- On February 20, 2004, the MPSC issued an order for
interim rate relief. The order authorized an interim increase in base rates, a
transition charge for customers participating in the electric Customer Choice
program and a new PSCR factor.
The interim base rate increase totaled $248 million annually, effective
February 21, 2004, and is applicable to all customers not subject to the rate
cap. The increase has been allocated to both full-service customers ($240
million) and electric Customer Choice customers ($8 million). However, because
of the rate caps under PA 141, not all of the increase will be realized in
2004. The interim order also terminated certain transition credits and
authorized transition charges to electric Customer Choice customers designed to
result in $30 million in additional revenues. Additionally, the MPSC authorized
a PSCR factor for all customers, a credit of 1.05 mills per kilowatthour (kWh)
compared to the 2.04 mills per kWh charge previously in effect. However, the
MPSC order allows Detroit Edison to increase base rates for customers still
subject to the cap in an equal and offsetting amount with the change in the
PSCR factor to maintain the total capped rate levels currently in effect for
these customers.
Although the base rate increase and transition charges total $278 million, the
interim order is only designed to result in an increase in 2004 revenues of $51
million. This lower amount is a result of the rate caps, the February 21, 2004
effective date of the interim base rate increase and the PSCR reduction
effective January 1, 2004. Amounts collected are subject to a potential refund
pending a final order in this rate case.
The MPSC deferred addressing other items in the rate request, including a
surcharge to recover regulatory assets, until a final rate order is issued,
which is expected in September 2004. We cannot predict the amount of final rate
relief that will be granted by the MPSC.
MPSC Staff Recommendation on Final Rate Relief
- On March 5, 2004, the Staff
filed testimony regarding final rate relief requested by Detroit Edison. The
Staff recommended a base rate increase of $275 million. The recommended amount
was subsequently adjusted to $254 million, a $6 million increase over the $248
million interim order. The Staffs proposed $254 million base rate increase
excluded an estimated $93 million of stranded costs from sales lost to electric
Customer Choice. The Staffs proposal would provide Detroit Edison the
opportunity to mitigate this loss with third-party wholesale sales by modifying
the PSCR mechanism to remove the revenue credit from these sales. The revenue
credit from third-party wholesale sales currently included in the PSCR
mechanism flows this benefit to full-service customers. The Staff recommends
that any future stranded costs be recovered using two basic provisions. Detroit
Edison will be allowed to retain 90% of the net third-party revenue earned from
wholesale sales up to 110% of each years electric Customer Choice sales.
Secondly, the Staff proposed that non-cost Choice margin loss (impact of
inter-class rate subsidization) be recovered through future rate increases from
full-service customers.
The Staff recommended that accrued regulatory assets be recovered through three
mechanisms. The first mechanism would recover electric Customer Choice
implementation costs through a charge to both full- service and electric
Customer Choice customers of approximately $25 million per year, effective in
2006
when all current rate caps expire. The second mechanism recovers accrued
regulatory assets, including deferred costs under the Clean Air Act through a
five-year surcharge that would only be collected from full-service customers as
their rate caps expire for an average of approximately $38 million per year.
The third mechanism would recover prior period stranded costs determined
pursuant to the MPSCs existing production fixed cost revenue deficiency
methodology. The Staff estimated that Detroit Edisons stranded costs for 2002,
2003 and 2004 through the date of the interim rate order of February 20, 2004
are approximately $44 million. These stranded costs would be recovered from
electric Customer Choice customers utilizing the transition charge approved in
the interim rate order.
The Staff recommended a capital structure of 54% debt and 46% equity and
proposed an 11% return on equity.
Electric Industry Restructuring
Electric Rates, Customer Choice and Stranded Costs
- PA 141 provides Detroit
Edison with the right to recover net stranded costs. The MPSC authorized
Detroit Edison to establish a regulatory asset to defer recovery of its
incurred stranded costs, subject to review in a subsequent annual net stranded
cost proceeding. During each quarter, Detroit Edison records a regulatory asset
representing an estimate of the cumulative stranded costs as of that period.
Our revised and ongoing calculations concluded that the $68 million of net
stranded costs recorded as of December 31, 2003 is appropriate. During the 2004
six-month period, we recorded $43 million of additional stranded costs as a
regulatory asset.
An April 1, 2004 Michigan Court of Appeals order found that the MPSC should not
defer recovery of Detroit Edisons electric Customer Choice implementation
costs indefinitely. On June 29, 2004, the MPSC issued an order authorizing
Detroit Edison to recover $20 million in implementation costs incurred during
2002. Detroit Edison elected to collect these costs as well as implementation
costs incurred in 2000 and 2001 as part of the $93 million regulatory asset
recovery previously discussed.
We are unable to predict the outcome of the regulatory matters and proposed
legislation discussed herein. Resolution of these matters is dependent upon
future MPSC orders and the legislative process, which may materially impact the
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the company.
In April 2004, Detroit Edison issued $36 million of 4-7/8% tax-exempt bonds due
2029, the proceeds of which will be used to redeem $36 million of 6.55%
tax-exempt bonds due 2024. In April 2004, Detroit Edison also issued $32
million of 4.65% tax-exempt bonds due in 2028, the proceeds of which will be
used to redeem the following tax-exempt issues: $11.5 million of 6.05% bonds
due 2023, $7.5 million of 5.875% bonds due 2024, and $13 million of 6.45% bonds
due 2024
.
In July 2004, Detroit Edison issued $200 million of 5.40% senior notes due in
2014. The proceeds were used to repay short-term borrowings and for general
corporate purposes.
NOTE 5 COMMON STOCK
In March 2004, we issued 4,344,492 shares of common stock, valued at $170
million to DTE Energy. DTE Energy contributed a like amount of its stock to our
defined benefit retirement plan.
NOTE 6 CONTINGENCIES
Environmental
Detroit Edison conducted remedial investigations at contaminated sites,
including 2 former manufactured gas plants, the area surrounding an ash
landfill and several underground and aboveground storage tank locations. The
findings of these investigations indicated that the estimated total
expenditures for remediating these sites is approximately $8 million which is
expected to be incurred over the next several years. As a result of the
investigation, Detroit Edison accrued an $8 million liability during 2004.
In July 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published final
regulations establishing requirements and a permitting process for existing
power plant cooling water intake structures. These regulations require
individual facility studies, and permitting and intake modifications that will
be determined and implemented over the next 5 to 7 years and could require up
to $50 million in additional capital expenditures for Detroit Edison.
Other
We are involved in certain legal, regulatory and administrative proceedings
before various courts, arbitration panels and governmental agencies concerning
claims arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings include
certain contract disputes, environmental reviews and investigations, audits,
inquiries from various regulators, 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 financial statements in the period they are resolved.
See Note 3 for a discussion of contingencies related to Regulatory Matters.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of
The Detroit Edison Company
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial
position of The Detroit Edison Company and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2004,
and the related condensed consolidated statement of operations for the
three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the condensed
consolidated statement of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30,
2004 and 2003, and the condensed consolidated statement of changes in
shareholders equity and comprehensive income for the six-month period ended
June 30, 2004 and the six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003,
respectively. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of The
Detroit Edison Companys management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial
information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making
inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is
substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial
statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for
them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
As discussed in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated interim financial
statements, The Detroit Edison Company applied the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff
Position No. 106-2, which relates to accounting for the effects of the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, retroactive to
January 1, 2004.
We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of
financial position of The Detroit Edison Company and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash
flows and changes in stockholders equity and comprehensive income for the year
then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 1, 2004 (which
report includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the change in the methods
of accounting for asset retirement obligations in 2003 and derivative
instruments and hedging activities in 2001), we expressed an unqualified
opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the
information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of
financial position as of December 31, 2003 is fairly stated, in all material
respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial position from
which it has been derived.
We are involved in certain legal, regulatory and administrative proceedings
before various courts, arbitration panels and governmental agencies concerning
matters arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings include
certain contract disputes, environmental reviews and investigations, audits,
inquiries from various regulators, 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 financial statements in the period they are resolved. For
additional discussion on legal matters, see the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description
Filed:
4-239
Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated July 15, 2004, supplementing the
Collateral Trust Indenture dated as of June 30, 1993 providing for the
2004 Series D 5.40% senior notes due 2014 between The Detroit Edison
Company and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (successor to
Bank One Trust Company, National Association).
4-240
Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 2004, supplementing the
Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of October 1, 1924 between The Detroit
Edison Company and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association
(successor to Bank One, National Association) establishing the 2004 Series
D Mortgage Bonds.
15-27
Awareness Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP
31-9
Chief Executive Officer Section 302 Form 10-Q Certification
31-10
Chief Financial Officer Section 302 Form 10-Q Certification
Furnished:
32-9
Chief Executive Officer Section 906 Certification of Periodic Report
32-10
Chief Financial Officer Section 906 Certification of Periodic Report