Edison Mission Energy 2011 10K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
Commission File Number 333-68630
_______________________
Edison Mission Energy
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 95-4031807 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
3 MacArthur Place, Suite 100 Santa Ana, California (Address of principal executive offices) | 92707 (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (714) 513-8000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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None | | Not Applicable |
(Title of Class) | | (Name of each exchange on which registered) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
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Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share |
(Title of Class) |
_______________________
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES o NO x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES o NO x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES o 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 "accelerated filer," "large accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer o | | Accelerated filer o | | Non-accelerated filer x | | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO x
Aggregate market value of the registrant's Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2011: $0. Number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock as of February 29, 2012: 100 shares (all shares held by an affiliate of the registrant).
The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I.(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this Form 10-K under the reduced disclosure format.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GLOSSARY
When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.
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2010 Tax Relief Act | Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 |
ACI | activated carbon injection |
AOI | adjusted operating income (loss) |
ARO(s) | asset retirement obligation(s) |
BACT | best available control technology |
BART | best available retrofit technology |
bcf | billion cubic feet |
Big 4 | Kern River, Midway-Sunset, Sycamore and Watson natural gas power projects |
Btu | British thermal units |
CAA | Clean Air Act |
CAIR | Clean Air Interstate Rule |
CAMR | Clean Air Mercury Rule |
CARB | California Air Resources Board |
CO2 | carbon dioxide |
coal plants | Midwest Generation coal plants and Homer City electric generating station |
Commonwealth Edison | Commonwealth Edison Company |
CPS | Combined Pollutant Standard |
CPUC | California Public Utilities Commission |
CSAPR | Cross-State Air Pollution Rule |
EIA | Energy Information Administration |
EME | Edison Mission Energy |
EMMT | Edison Mission Marketing & Trading, Inc. |
ERCOT | Electric Reliability Council of Texas |
FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board |
FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
FGD | flue gas desulfurization |
FPA | Federal Power Act |
GAAP | United States generally accepted accounting principles |
GHG | greenhouse gas |
GWh | gigawatt-hours |
HAP(s) | hazardous air pollutant(s) |
Homer City | EME Homer City Generation L.P. |
Illinois EPA | Illinois Environmental Protection Agency |
ISO(s) | independent system operator(s) |
Lehman | Lehman Brothers Commodity Services, Inc. and Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. |
LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
MATS | Mercury and Air Toxics Standards |
Midwest Generation | Midwest Generation, LLC |
MISO | Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator |
MMBtu | million British thermal units |
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Moody's | Moody's Investors Service, Inc. |
MW | megawatts |
MWh | megawatt-hours |
NAAQS | National Ambient Air Quality Standard(s) |
NAPP | Northern Appalachian |
NERC | North American Electric Reliability Corporation |
NID | Novel Integrated Desulfurization |
NOX | nitrogen oxide |
NSR | New Source Review |
NYISO | New York Independent System Operator |
PADEP | Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection |
PG&E | Pacific Gas & Electric Company |
PJM | PJM Interconnection, LLC |
PRB | Powder River Basin |
PSD | Prevention of Significant Deterioration |
RPM | Reliability Pricing Model |
RTO(s) | regional transmission organization(s) |
S&P | Standard & Poor's Ratings Services |
SCE | Southern California Edison Company |
SIP(s) | state implementation plan(s) |
SNCR | selective non-catalytic reduction |
SO2 | sulfur dioxide |
US EPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency |
U.S. Treasury grants | Cash grants, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 |
VIE(s) | variable interest entity(ies) |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 10-K contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect Edison Mission Energy's (EME's) current expectations and projections about future events based on EME's knowledge of present facts and circumstances and assumptions about future events and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical or current fact. Other information distributed by EME that is incorporated in this annual report, or that refers to or incorporates this annual report, may also contain forward-looking statements. In this annual report and elsewhere, the words "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "plans," "probable," "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," and variations of such words and similar expressions, or discussions of strategy or plans, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Some of the risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause results to differ from those currently expected, or that otherwise could impact EME or its subsidiaries, include but are not limited to:
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• | supply and demand for electric capacity and energy, and the resulting prices and dispatch volumes, in the wholesale markets to which EME's generating units have access; |
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• | volatility of market prices for energy and capacity; |
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• | the difficulty of predicting wholesale prices, transmission congestion, energy demand, and other aspects of the complex and volatile markets in which EME and its subsidiaries participate; |
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• | EME's continued participation and the continued participation by EME's subsidiaries in tax-allocation and payment agreements with EME's respective affiliates; |
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• | environmental laws and regulations, at both state and federal levels, or changes in the application of those laws, that could require additional expenditures or otherwise affect EME's cost and manner of doing business, including compliance with the CPS at Midwest Generation and CAIR or CSAPR (as applicable) and the MATS rule at Midwest Generation and Homer City; |
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• | EME's significant cash requirements and its limited ability to borrow funds and access the capital markets on reasonable terms; |
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• | the cost and availability of fuel, sorbents, and other commodities used for power generation and emission controls, and of related transportation services; |
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• | the cost and availability of emission credits or allowances; |
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• | transmission congestion in and to each market area and the resulting differences in prices between delivery points; |
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• | the availability and creditworthiness of counterparties, and the resulting effects on liquidity in the power and fuel markets in which EME and its subsidiaries operate and/or the ability of counterparties to pay amounts owed to EME in excess of collateral provided in support of their obligations; |
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• | governmental, statutory, regulatory or administrative changes or initiatives affecting EME or the electricity industry generally, including the market structure rules applicable to each market and price mitigation strategies adopted by ISOs and RTOs; |
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• | market volatility and other market conditions that could increase EME's obligations to post collateral beyond the amounts currently expected, and the potential effect of such conditions on the ability of EME and its subsidiaries to provide sufficient collateral in support of their hedging activities and purchases of fuel; |
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• | actions taken by Edison International and EME's directors, each of whom is appointed by Edison International, in the interests of Edison International and its shareholders, which could include causing EME, subject to contractual obligations and applicable law, to distribute cash or assets or otherwise take actions that may alter the portion of Edison International's portfolio of assets held and developed by EME; |
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• | completion of permitting and construction of EME's capital projects; |
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• | weather conditions, natural disasters and other unforeseen events; |
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• | the extent of additional supplies of capacity, energy and ancillary services from current competitors or new market entrants, including the development of new generation facilities, and technologies that may be able to produce electricity at a lower cost than EME's generating facilities and/or increased access by competitors to EME's markets as a result of transmission upgrades; |
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• | competition in all aspects of EME's business; |
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• | operating risks, including equipment failure, availability, heat rate, output, costs of repairs and retrofits, and availability and cost of spare parts; |
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• | creditworthiness of suppliers and other project participants and their ability to deliver goods and services under their contractual obligations to EME and its subsidiaries or to pay damages if they fail to fulfill those obligations; |
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• | effects of legal proceedings, changes in or interpretations of tax laws, rates or policies, and changes in accounting standards; |
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• | general political, economic and business conditions; and |
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• | EME's ability to attract and retain skilled people. |
Certain of the risk factors listed above are discussed in more detail in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk Exposures." Additional information about the risk factors listed above and other risks and uncertainties is contained throughout this annual report. Readers are urged to read this entire annual report, including the information incorporated by reference, and carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and other factors that affect EME's business. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and EME is not obligated to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements. Readers should review future reports filed by EME with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Edison Mission Energy is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates are engaged in the business of developing, acquiring, owning or leasing, operating and selling energy and capacity from independent power production facilities. Some of the facilities are operated on a merchant basis, with energy being sold into the marketplace, and others are operated under contracts calling for the delivery of energy to specific purchasers. EME also engages in hedging and energy trading activities in power markets through its EMMT subsidiary. EME was formed in 1986 and is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. EME is an indirect subsidiary of Edison International, which also owns SCE, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States.
EME's subsidiaries or affiliates have typically been formed to own full or partial interests in one or more power generation facilities and ancillary facilities, with each plant or group of related plants being individually referred to by EME as a project. EME's operating projects primarily consist of coal-fired and gas-fired generating facilities, and renewable energy facilities, (primarily wind projects). As of December 31, 2011, EME's subsidiaries and affiliates owned or leased interests in 43 operating projects with an aggregate net physical capacity of 11,504 MW of which EME's pro rata share was 10,379 MW. At December 31, 2011, EME's subsidiaries and affiliates also had one wind project and one natural gas-fired peaker plant under construction, totaling 80 MW and 479 MW, respectively, of net generating capacity.
At December 31, 2011, EME had corporate cash and cash equivalents of $951 million and $498 million of available borrowing capacity under its $564 million revolving credit facility maturing in June 2012 and Midwest Generation had cash and cash equivalents of $213 million and $497 million of available borrowing capacity under its $500 million credit facility maturing in June 2012. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, EME terminated its revolving credit facility, and there can be no assurance that Midwest Generation will be eligible to draw on its credit facility prior to maturity. Any replacements of these credit lines will likely be on less favorable terms and conditions, and there is no assurance that EME will, or will be able to, replace these credit lines or any portion of them. EME had $3.7 billion of unsecured notes outstanding at December 31, 2011, $500 million of which mature in 2013. Unless energy and capacity prices increase, EME expects that it will experience further reductions in cash flow and losses in 2012 and subsequent years. EME's liquidity will be strained by a continuation of recent adverse trends, combined with pending debt maturities, higher operating costs and the need to retrofit its coal-fired plants to comply with governmental regulations. To address such a scenario, EME would need to consider all options available to it, including potential sales of assets or restructurings or reorganization of the capital structure of EME and its subsidiaries.
Homer City failed to obtain sufficient interest from market participants to fund the capital improvements during the process undertaken in the fourth quarter of 2011. Homer City is currently engaged in discussions with the owner-lessors regarding the potential for such funding. EME expects that the outcome of any such discussions, if successful in providing funding for the Homer City plant, will likely result in EME's loss of substantially all beneficial economic interest in and material control of the Homer City plant. Failure to resolve the source of funding of necessary capital expenditures for the Homer City plant could result in Homer City's default under the lease agreements giving rise to remedies for the owner-lessors and secured lease obligation bondholders, which could include foreclosing on the leased assets, the general partner of Homer City, or both. For further discussion of these matters, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Management's Overview."
Location and Available Information
EME's headquarters and principal executive offices are located at 3 MacArthur Place, Suite 100, Santa Ana, California 92707, and EME's telephone number is (714) 513-8000. Unless indicated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to EME in this annual report are with respect to EME and its consolidated subsidiaries and the partnerships or limited liability entities through which EME and its partners own and manage their project investments.
EME's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are electronically filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's internet web site at http://www.sec.gov.
Electric Power Industry
The United States electric industry, including companies engaged in providing generation, transmission, distribution and retail sales and service of electric power, has undergone significant deregulation over the last three decades, which has led to increased competition, especially in the generation sector. See further discussion of regulations under "Regulatory Matters."
In areas where ISOs and RTOs have been formed, market participants have open access to transmission service typically at a system-wide rate. ISOs and RTOs may also operate real-time and day-ahead energy and ancillary service markets, which are governed by FERC-approved tariffs and market rules. The development of such organized markets into which independent power producers are able to sell has reduced their dependence on bilateral contracts with electric utilities. In addition, capacity markets in various regional wholesale power markets compensate supply resources for the capability to supply electricity when needed, and demand resources for the electricity they avoid using.
Wholesale Markets
EME's largest power plants are its coal power plants located in Illinois, which are collectively referred to as the Midwest Generation plants, and the Homer City plant located in Pennsylvania. Collectively, EME refers to both the Midwest Generation plants and the Homer City plant as the coal plants. The coal plants sell power primarily into PJM, an RTO which includes all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Sales may also be made from PJM into the MISO RTO, which includes all or parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and other states in the region, and into the NYISO, which controls the transmission grid and energy and capacity markets for New York State.
PJM operates a wholesale spot energy market and determines the market-clearing price for each hour based on bids submitted by participating generators indicating the minimum prices at which a bidder is willing to dispatch energy at various incremental generation levels. PJM requires all load-serving entities and generators, such as Midwest Generation and Homer City, to maintain prescribed levels of capacity, including a reserve margin, to ensure system reliability. PJM's capacity markets have a single market-clearing price for each capacity zone. In May of each year, PJM conducts an annual capacity auction (RPM) to commit generation, energy efficiency and demand side resources three years forward, and to provide a long-term pricing signal for the construction of capacity resources.
Competition
EME is subject to competition from energy marketers, public utilities, government-owned power agencies, industrial companies, financial institutions, and other independent power producers. These companies may have competitive advantages as a result of scale, the location of their generation facilities or other factors. Some of EME's competitors have a lower cost of capital than EME and, in the case of utilities, may be able to recover fixed costs through rate base mechanisms, allowing them to build, buy and upgrade generation without relying exclusively on market clearing prices to recover their investments.
State and local environmental regulations, particularly those that impose stringent state specific emission limits, could put EME's coal plants at a disadvantage compared with competing power plants operating in nearby states and subject to less stringent state emission limits or to federal emission limits alone. The CPS puts the Midwest Generation plants at a disadvantage compared with competing plants not subject to similar regulations, and federal air quality regulations such as CSAPR and the MATS rule will put EME's coal plants, particularly Homer City, at a disadvantage compared to plants utilizing other fuels. Potential future climate change regulations could also put EME's coal plants at a disadvantage compared to power plants utilizing other fuels as well as utilities that may be able to recover climate change compliance costs through rate-base mechanisms. The ability of EME's coal plants to compete can also be affected by future environmental regulations, by governmental and regulatory activities designed to support the construction and operation of power generation facilities fueled by renewable energy sources, and by developments such as shale gas technology that lower the price of other fuels.
Operating Segments
EME operates in one line of business, independent power production, with all its continuing operations located in the United States, except the Doga project, which is located in the Republic of Turkey. Operating revenues are primarily derived from sales of energy and capacity generated from the coal-fired power plants and a portfolio of natural gas and wind projects.
Overview of Facilities
As of December 31, 2011, EME's operations consisted of ownership or leasehold interests in the following operating projects:
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Power Plants | | Location | | Primary Electric Purchaser2 | | Fuel Type | | Ownership Interest | | Net Physical Capacity (in MW) | | EME's Capacity Pro Rata Share (in MW) |
MERCHANT POWER PLANTS |
Midwest Generation plants1 | | Illinois | | PJM | | coal | | 100 | % | | 5,172 |
| | 5,172 |
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Midwest Generation plants1 | | Illinois | | PJM | | oil | | 100 | % | | 305 |
| | 305 |
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Homer City plant1 | | Pennsylvania | | PJM | | coal | | 100 | % | | 1,884 |
| | 1,884 |
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Merchant Wind | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Goat Wind | | Texas | | ERCOT | | wind | | 99.9 | % | 3 | 150 |
| | 150 |
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Lookout | | Pennsylvania | | PJM | | wind | | 100 | % | | 38 |
| | 38 |
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Big Sky | | Illinois | | PJM | | wind | | 100 | % | | 240 |
| | 240 |
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CONTRACTED POWER PLANTS – Domestic |
Natural Gas | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Big 4 Projects | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kern River1 | | California | | SCE | | natural gas | | 50 | % | | 300 |
| | 150 |
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Midway-Sunset1 | | California | | PG&E | | natural gas | | 50 | % | | 225 |
| | 113 |
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Sycamore1 | | California | | SCE | | natural gas | | 50 | % | | 300 |
| | 150 |
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Watson | | California | | SCE | | natural gas | | 49 | % | | 385 |
| | 189 |
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Westside Projects1 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Coalinga | | California | | PG&E | | natural gas | | 50 | % | | 38 |
| | 19 |
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Mid-Set | | California | | PG&E | | natural gas | | 50 | % | | 38 |
| | 19 |
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Salinas River | | California | | PG&E | | natural gas | | 50 | % | | 38 |
| | 19 |
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Sargent Canyon | | California | | PG&E | | natural gas | | 50 | % | | 38 |
| | 19 |
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Sunrise1 | | California | | CDWR | | natural gas | | 50 | % | | 572 |
| | 286 |
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Renewable Energy | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Buffalo Bear | | Oklahoma | | WFEC | | wind | | 100 | % | | 19 |
| | 19 |
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Cedro Hill | | Texas | | CSA | | wind | | 100 | % | | 150 |
| | 150 |
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Community Wind North | | Minnesota | | NSPC | | wind | | 99 | % | | 30 |
| | 30 |
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Crosswinds | | Iowa | | CBPC | | wind | | 99 | % | 3 | 21 |
| | 21 |
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Elkhorn Ridge | | Nebraska | | NPPD | | wind | | 67 | % | | 80 |
| | 53 |
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Forward | | Pennsylvania | | CECG | | wind | | 100 | % | | 29 |
| | 29 |
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Hardin | | Iowa | | IPLC | | wind | | 99 | % | 3 | 15 |
| | 15 |
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High Lonesome | | New Mexico | | APSC | | wind | | 100 | % | | 100 |
| | 100 |
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Jeffers | | Minnesota | | NSPC | | wind | | 99.9 | % | 3 | 50 |
| | 50 |
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Laredo Ridge | | Nebraska | | NPPD | | wind | | 100 | % | | 80 |
| | 80 |
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Minnesota Wind projects4 | | Minnesota | | NSPC/IPLC | | wind | | 75-99% |
| 3 | 73 |
| | 67 |
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Mountain Wind I | | Wyoming | | PC | | wind | | 100 | % | | 61 |
| | 61 |
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Mountain Wind II | | Wyoming | | PC | | wind | | 100 | % | | 80 |
| | 80 |
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Odin | | Minnesota | | MRES | | wind | | 99.9 | % | 3 | 20 |
| | 20 |
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Pinnacle5 | | West Virginia | | MDGS/USM | | wind | | 100 | % | | 55 |
| | 55 |
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San Juan Mesa | | New Mexico | | SPS | | wind | | 75 | % | | 120 |
| | 90 |
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Sleeping Bear | | Oklahoma | | PSCO | | wind | | 100 | % | | 95 |
| | 95 |
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Spanish Fork | | Utah | | PC | | wind | | 100 | % | | 19 |
| | 19 |
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Storm Lake1 | | Iowa | | MEC | | wind | | 100 | % | | 108 |
| | 108 |
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Taloga | | Oklahoma | | OGEC | | wind | | 100 | % | | 130 |
| | 130 |
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Power Plants | | Location | | Primary Electric Purchaser2 | | Fuel Type | | Ownership Interest | | Net Physical Capacity (in MW) | | EME's Capacity Pro Rata Share (in MW) |
Wildorado | | Texas | | SPS | | wind | | 99.9 | % | 3 | 161 |
| | 161 |
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Huntington Waste-to-Energy | | New York | | LIPA | | biomass | | 38 | % | | 25 |
| | 9 |
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Coal | | | | | | | | | | | | |
American Bituminous1 | | West Virginia | | MPC | | waste coal | | 50 | % | | 80 |
| | 40 |
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CONTRACTED POWER PLANTS – International |
Doga1 | | Republic of Turkey | | TEDAS | | natural gas | | 80 | % | | 180 |
| | 144 |
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Total | | | | | | | | |
| | 11,504 |
| | 10,379 |
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1 | Plant is operated under contract by an EME operations and maintenance subsidiary or the plant is operated or managed directly by an EME subsidiary. |
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2 | Electric purchaser abbreviations are as follows: |
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| APSC | | Arizona Public Service Company | | NPPD | | Nebraska Public Power District |
| CBPC | | Corn Belt Power Cooperative | | NSPC | | Northern States Power Company |
| CDWR | | California Department of Water Resources | | OGEC | | Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company |
| CECG | | Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. | | PC | | PacifiCorp |
| CSA | | City of San Antonio | | PG&E | | Pacific Gas & Electric Company |
| ERCOT | | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | | PJM | | PJM Interconnection, LLC |
| IPLC | | Interstate Power and Light Company | | PSCO | | Public Service Company of Oklahoma |
| LIPA | | Long Island Power Authority | | SCE | | Southern California Edison Company |
| MDGS | | Maryland Department of General Services | | SPS | | Southwestern Public Service |
| MEC | | Mid-American Energy Company | | TEDAS | | Türkiye Elektrik Dagitim Anonim Sirketi |
| MPC | | Monongahela Power Company | | USM | | University System of Maryland |
| MRES | | Missouri River Energy Services | | WFEC | | Western Farmers Electric Cooperative |
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3 | Represents EME's current ownership interest. If the project achieves a specified rate of return, EME's interest will decrease. |
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4 | Composed of six individual wind projects. |
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5 | Two-thirds of project achieved commercial operation in December 2011. The remaining one-third of project achieved commercial operation in January 2012. |
At December 31, 2011, the fuel sources for these projects were as follows:
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Fuel Source | | Percentage of EME's Generation Capacity |
Coal | | 68% |
Natural gas/oil | | 14% |
Renewable energy | | 18% |
A description of EME's larger power plants and major investments in energy projects is set forth below. In addition to the facilities and power plants that EME owns, EME uses the term "its" in regard to facilities and power plants that EME or an EME subsidiary operates under sale-leaseback arrangements.
Seasonality
Due to fluctuations in electric demand resulting from warm weather during the summer months and cold weather during the winter months, electric revenues from the coal plants normally vary substantially on a seasonal basis. In addition, maintenance outages generally are scheduled during periods of lower projected electric demand (spring and fall), further reducing generation and increasing major maintenance costs which are recorded as an expense when incurred. Accordingly, income from the coal plants is seasonal and has significant variability from quarter to quarter. Seasonal fluctuations may also be affected by changes in market prices. For further discussion regarding market prices, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk Exposures—Commodity Price Risk—Energy Price Risk."
EME's third quarter equity in income from its unconsolidated energy projects is normally higher than equity in income related to other quarters of the year due to seasonal fluctuations and higher energy contract prices during the summer months.
Merchant Power Plants
Midwest Generation Plants
The Midwest Generation plants consist of the following:
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Operating Plant or Site | | Location | | Leased/ Owned | | Fuel | | Megawatts | |
Electric Generating Facilities | | | | | | | | | |
Crawford Station | | Chicago, Illinois | | owned | | coal | | 532 |
| 1 |
Fisk Station | | Chicago, Illinois | | owned | | coal | | 326 |
| 1 |
Joliet Unit 6 | | Joliet, Illinois | | owned | | coal | | 290 |
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Joliet Units 7 and 8 | | Joliet, Illinois | | leased | | coal | | 1,036 |
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Powerton Station | | Pekin, Illinois | | leased | | coal | | 1,538 |
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Waukegan Station | | Waukegan, Illinois | | owned | | coal | | 689 |
| 2 |
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Will County Station | | Romeoville, Illinois | | owned | | coal | | 761 |
| 3 |
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Peaking Units | | | | | | | | | |
Fisk | | Chicago, Illinois | | owned | | oil | | 197 |
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Waukegan | | Waukegan, Illinois | | owned | | oil | | 108 |
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Total | | | | | | | | 5,477 |
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Non-Operating Plant or Site4 | | Location |
Collins Station | | Grundy County, Illinois |
Crawford peaker | | Chicago, Illinois |
Joliet peaker | | Joliet, Illinois |
Calumet peaker | | Chicago, Illinois |
Electric Junction peaker | | Aurora, Illinois |
Lombard peaker | | Lombard, Illinois |
Sabrooke peaker | | Rockford, Illinois |
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1 | In February 2012, Midwest Generation decided to shut down the Fisk Station by the end of 2012 and the Crawford Station by the end of 2014. |
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2 | The Waukegan Station is composed of Units 7 and 8. Midwest Generation shut down permanently Waukegan Station Unit 6 (100 MW) on December 21, 2007. |
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3 | The Will County Station is composed of Units 3 and 4. Midwest Generation shut down permanently Will County Station Units 1 and 2, totaling 299 MW of capacity, on December 29, 2010 in accordance with the CPS. For further discussion, see "Item 1. Business—Environmental Matters and Regulations—Air Quality—Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide—Illinois." |
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4 | Ceased operations before December 31, 2005.
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Power Sales
Energy and capacity from the Midwest Generation plants are sold under terms, including price, duration and quantity, arranged by EMMT, an EME subsidiary engaged in power marketing and trading activities, with customers through a combination of bilateral agreements (resulting from negotiations or from auctions), forward energy sales and spot market sales. Power generated at the Midwest Generation plants is primarily sold into the PJM market.
Fuel Supply
The Midwest Generation plants purchase coal from several suppliers located in the Southern PRB of Wyoming. The total volume of coal consumed annually is largely dependent on the amount of generation and has historically ranged between 17 million to 19 million tons. Coal consumption in the current low natural gas price environment may be lower than the historical range. Coal is transported under transportation agreements with Union Pacific Railroad and various short-haul carriers. In late 2011, Midwest Generation signed new agreements, effective January 1, 2012, to provide such fuel transportation on a long-term basis. For additional information, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk Exposures—Commodity Price Risk—Coal and Transportation Price Risk." As of December 31, 2011, Midwest Generation leased approximately 3,400 railcars to transport the coal from the mines to the generating stations under leases with remaining terms that range from one year to eight years, with options to extend the leases or purchase some railcars at the end of the lease terms.
Coal for the Fisk and Crawford Stations is typically shipped by rail to the Will County Station where it is transferred from the railcars, blended as necessary to meet station specifications, and loaded into river barges. These barges are towed to the stations by an independent contractor under a transportation agreement with Midwest Generation. Occasionally, third-party transloading facilities are utilized.
Homer City Plant
The Homer City plant is leased and consists of three coal-fired units (referred to as Units 1, 2 and 3 in this annual report) and associated support facilities, all of which are located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The business description of Homer City is presented for an understanding of the historical operations of generation from this plant. For a discussion of the status of the Homer City lease, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Management's Overview—Homer City Lease."
Power Sales
Energy and capacity from the Homer City plant are sold under terms, including price, duration and quantity, arranged by EMMT with customers through a combination of bilateral agreements (resulting from negotiations or from auctions), forward energy sales and spot market sales. The Homer City plant is situated in the PJM control area and has direct, high-voltage interconnections to PJM and also to the NYISO. Electric power generated at the Homer City plant is primarily sold into the PJM market. Effective April 1, 2011, EMMT allocated to Homer City the benefit of an arrangement that allows EMMT to deliver a portion of Homer City's power into the NYISO. To the extent this arrangement is not utilized, Homer City's power is delivered into PJM.
Fuel Supply
Homer City's Units 1 and 2 have historically consumed approximately 2.8 million to 3.3 million tons of mid-range sulfur coal per year. Two types of coal are purchased, ready-to-burn and raw coal. Ready-to-burn coal is of the quality that can be burned directly in Units 1 and 2, whereas the raw coal purchased for consumption by Units 1 and 2 must be cleaned in the Homer City coal cleaning facility, which has the capacity to clean up to 5 million tons of coal per year. Unit 3 has historically consumed approximately 1.5 million to 2 million tons of coal per year and can consume either raw or ready-to-burn coal. Coal consumption in the current low natural gas price environment may be lower than the historical range. A wet scrubber FGD system for Unit 3 enables this unit to burn less expensive, higher sulfur coal, while still meeting environmental standards for emission control. In general, the coal purchased for all three units is acquired locally. For additional information, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk Exposures—Commodity Price Risk—Coal and Transportation Price Risk."
Emission Allowances for the Coal Plants
The federal Acid Rain Program requires electric generating stations to hold SO2 allowances sufficient to cover their annual emissions. Pursuant to Pennsylvania's and Illinois' implementation of the CAIR, the coal plants are required to hold seasonal and annual NOX allowances. The CAIR remains in effect until a replacement regulation becomes effective.
CSAPR, like the CAIR, is an allowance-based regulation that provides for emissions trading. Under CSAPR, the amount of actual SO2 or NOX emissions from plant operations will need to be matched by a sufficient amount of SO2 or NOX allowances that are either allocated or purchased in the open market. SO2 allowances under the federal Acid Rain Program cannot be used to satisfy the requirements under CSAPR. In December 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia granted a stay of CSAPR pending completion of its review of the rule's validity. If the stay is lifted and CSAPR becomes effective, EME expects that additional SO2 allowances under CSAPR will be required for the Homer City plant. The availability and market prices for those allowances are uncertain, but the associated costs could be significant. For additional information, see "Environmental Matters and Regulations—Air Quality."
Contracted Power Plants–Domestic
Natural Gas
In December 2010, the CPUC approved a comprehensive settlement of various issues related to power sales from cogeneration facilities (including the Big 4 projects) that implements a mechanism to foster new power purchase agreements for such facilities, and provides transition power purchase agreements during implementation. The settlement became effective on November 23, 2011. Per the settlement, existing co-generation facilities may continue to receive administratively set pricing under a power purchase agreement through July 2015 and participate in three competitive solicitations required to be conducted by each investor-owned utility for new seven-year contracts.
Big 4 Projects
EME owns partnership investments in Kern River Cogeneration Company, Midway-Sunset Cogeneration Company, Sycamore Cogeneration Company and Watson Cogeneration Company. Because these projects have similar economic characteristics, EME views these projects collectively and refers to them as the Big 4 projects.
Kern River Project
Kern River Cogeneration sells electricity to SCE under an extension of its prior power purchase agreement, such extension having revised pricing. EME expects that this arrangement will be replaced by a new power purchase agreement pursuant to the settlement described above. The Kern River project may operate some of its turbines as merchant generators selling into the California ISO market. Kern River Cogeneration sells steam to Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company, a division of Chevron U.S.A., Inc., under an agreement with a term equivalent to the power purchase agreement.
Midway-Sunset Project
Midway-Sunset sells electricity to PG&E under a power purchase agreement that expires in 2016. Midway-Sunset also sells electricity and steam to Aera Energy LLC under agreements that expire concurrently with the PG&E power purchase agreement.
Sycamore Project
Sycamore Cogeneration sells electricity to SCE under an extension of its prior power purchase agreement, such extension having revised pricing. EME expects that this arrangement will be replaced by a new power purchase agreement pursuant to the settlement described above. The Sycamore project may operate some of its turbines as merchant generators selling into the California ISO market. Sycamore Cogeneration sells steam to Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company under an agreement that expires in 2013.
Watson Project
Watson Cogeneration sells electricity to SCE under an extension of its prior power purchase agreement, such extension having revised pricing. EME expects that this arrangement will be replaced by a new power purchase agreement pursuant to the settlement described above. Watson Cogeneration currently sells power and steam to BP West Coast Products LLC under agreements that expire in 2013 or upon the termination of the power purchase agreement executed between Watson and SCE, whichever is earlier.
Westside Projects
EME owns 50% partnership interests in each of Coalinga Cogeneration Company, Mid-Set Cogeneration Company, Salinas River Cogeneration Company, and Sargent Canyon Cogeneration Company, each of which owns a 38 MW natural gas-fired cogeneration facility located in California. Due to similar economic characteristics, EME views these projects collectively and refers to them as the Westside projects. These projects sell electricity to PG&E under power purchase agreements that expire in 2016. The power purchase agreements became effective in December 2011.
Sunrise Project
EME owns a 50% interest in Sunrise Power Company, LLC, which owns a 572 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle facility in Kern County, California, which EME refers to as the Sunrise project. Sunrise Power sells electricity under a power purchase agreement with the California Department of Water Resources that expires in June 2012. After expiration of that agreement, the Sunrise project may operate as a merchant generator selling into the California ISO market.
Renewable Energy
Wind
EME owns interests in the following operating wind projects which either sell electricity pursuant to long-term power purchase agreements with third parties with original terms ranging from 10 to 30 years or are operated on a merchant basis. The table below provides the project's power purchase agreement expiration for each contracted wind project, the project's primary RTO or ISO for each merchant wind project, either the expiration of the project's production tax credits or an indication that EME elected to receive a U.S. Treasury grant, and the project's commercial operation or acquisition date.
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Wind Plants | | Power Purchase Agreement Expiration Year/RTO or ISO | | Production Tax Credit Expiration Date | | Commercial Operation or Acquisition Date |
Big Sky | | PJM | | Qualified for U.S. Treasury grant | | February 2011 |
Buffalo Bear | | 2033 | | December 2018 | | December 2008 |
Cedro Hill | | 2030 | | Qualified for U.S. Treasury grant | | November 2010 |
Community Wind North1 | | 2031 | | Qualified for U.S. Treasury grant | | May 2011 |
Crosswinds2 | | 20225 | | June 2017 | | June 2007 |
Elkhorn Ridge | | 2029 | | December 2018 | | March 2009 |
Forward | | 2017 | | April 2018 | | April 2008 |
Goat Wind | | ERCOT | | Phase I - April 2018; Phase II - qualified for U.S. Treasury grant | | April 2008/June 2009 |
Hardin3 | | 2027 | | May 2017 | | May 2007 |
High Lonesome | | 2039 | | Qualified for U.S. Treasury grant | | July 2009 |
Jeffers | | 2028 | | October 2018 | | October 2008 |
Laredo Ridge | | 2031 | | Qualified for U.S. Treasury grant | | February 2011 |
Lookout | | PJM | | September 2018 | | October 2008 |
Minnesota4 | | 2021-20346 | | June 2009-July 2016 | | April 2006 |
Mountain Wind I | | 2033 | | July 2018 | | July 2008 |
Mountain Wind II | | 2033 | | September 2018 | | September 2008 |
Odin | | 2028 | | June 2018 | | May 2008 |
Pinnacle | | 2031 | | Qualified for U.S. Treasury grant | | December 2011/January 2012 |
San Juan Mesa | | 2025 | | December 2015 | | December 2005 |
Sleeping Bear | | 2032 | | October 2017 | | September 2007 |
Spanish Fork | | 2028 | | July 2018 | | July 2008 |
Storm Lake | | 2019 | | June 2009 | | May 1999 |
Taloga | | 2031 | | Qualified for U.S. Treasury grant | | July 2011 |
Wildorado | | 2027 | | April 2017 | | April 2007 |
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1 | Twelve separate limited liability companies collectively form the wind farm. |
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2 | Ten separate limited liability companies collectively form the wind farm. |
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3 | Seven separate limited liability companies collectively form the wind farm. |
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4 | Thirty-six separate limited liability companies each own a small wind-powered electric generation facility. |
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5 | Agreement includes a five-year renewal option. |
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6 | Each of the Minnesota Wind projects sells electricity under a power purchase agreement with Northern States Power Company that expires between 2025 and 2034, or with Interstate Power and Light Company that expires in 2021. |
Biomass
Huntington Waste-to-Energy Project
EME owns a 38% limited partnership interest in Covanta Huntington LP, which owns a 25 MW waste-to-energy facility
located near the Town of Huntington, New York, which EME refers to as the Huntington project. The project processes waste materials under a solid waste disposal services agreement with the Town of Huntington that expires in 2019. The Huntington project also sells electricity to Long Island Power Authority under a power purchase agreement that expires in October 2012.
Coal
American Bituminous Project
EME owns a 50% interest in American Bituminous Power Partners, L.P., which owns an 80 MW waste coal facility located in Grant Town, West Virginia, which EME refers to as the Ambit project. Ambit sells electricity to Monongahela Power Company under a power purchase agreement that expires in 2036.
Contracted Power Plants–International
Doga Project
EME owns an 80% interest in Doga Enerji, which owns a 180 MW natural gas-fired cogeneration plant near Istanbul in the Republic of Turkey, which EME refers to as the Doga project. Doga Enerji sells electricity to Türkiye Elektrik Dagitim Anonim Sirketi, commonly known as TEDAS, under a power purchase agreement that expires in 2019, after which date the facility is to be conveyed to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey.
Construction and Development Activities
Walnut Creek Project
In March 2008, Walnut Creek Energy, a subsidiary of EME, was awarded a 10-year power sales agreement starting in 2013 for the output from its Walnut Creek project, a 479 MW natural gas-fired peaker plant in southern California. The contract was issued by SCE through a competitive bidding process. Construction began on the Walnut Creek project in June 2011. The Walnut Creek project is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2013.
Renewable Energy Projects
In the third quarter of 2011, EME acquired 100% of the Broken Bow I (80 MW) and the Crofton Bluffs (40 MW) wind projects located in Nebraska. Construction of the Broken Bow I wind project commenced during the third quarter of 2011 and EME expects the Crofton Bluffs wind project to commence construction in the second quarter of 2012. Each project has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Nebraska Public Power District. EME anticipates that the projects will achieve commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2012. As part of its plan to obtain third-party equity capital to finance the development of a portion of EME's wind portfolio, on February 13, 2012, Edison Mission Wind sold its indirect equity interests in the Cedro Hill wind project (150 MW in Texas), the Mountain Wind Power I project (61 MW in Wyoming) and the Mountain Wind Power II project (80 MW in Wyoming) to a new venture, Capistrano Wind Partners. Outside investors provided $238 million of the funding. Capistrano Wind Partners also agreed to acquire the Broken Bow I wind project and the Crofton Bluffs wind project for consideration expected to include $141 million from the same outside investors upon the satisfaction of specified conditions, including commencement of commercial operation and completion of project debt financing. The proceeds from outside investors net of costs on the projects to be completed are expected to be distributed to EME and available for general corporate purposes. For additional information, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 3. Variable Interest Entities—Categories of VIEs—Capistrano Wind Equity Capital-2012."
During the fourth quarter of 2011, EME reduced its development activities and development pipeline as a result of capital resource constraints and more limited market opportunities. For more information, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Management's Overview—EME's Renewable Energy Activities."
Asset Management and Trading Activities
EME's power marketing and trading subsidiary, EMMT, manages the energy and capacity of EME's merchant generating plants and, in addition, trades electric power, natural gas, oil and related commodity and financial products, including forwards, futures, options and swaps. EMMT segregates its activities into two categories:
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• | Asset Management—EMMT engages in the sale of energy and capacity and the purchase and sale of fuels, including natural gas and fuel oil, through intercompany contracts with EME's subsidiaries that own or lease EME's facilities. EME uses derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to market risks that arise from price fluctuations of electricity, capacity, fuel, emission allowances, and transmission rights. The objective of these activities is to sell the output of the facilities on |
a forward basis or to hedge the risk of future changes in prices or price differences between different locations. Hedging activities include on-peak and off-peak periods and may include load service requirements contracts with local utilities. Transactions related to hedging activities are designated separately from EMMT's trading activities. Not all contracts entered into by EMMT for hedging purposes qualify as hedges for accounting purposes.
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• | Trading—EMMT seeks to generate trading profits from volatility in the price of electricity, capacity, fuels, and transmission congestion by buying and selling contracts in wholesale markets under limitations approved by EME's risk management committee. |
Significant Customers
For a discussion of EME's significant customers, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 6. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—Credit Risk."
Insurance
EME maintains insurance policies consistent with those normally carried by companies engaged in similar business and owning similar properties. EME's insurance program includes all-risk property insurance, including business interruption, covering real and personal property, including losses from boiler or machinery breakdowns, and the perils of earthquake and flood, subject to specific sublimits. EME also carries general liability insurance covering liabilities to third parties for bodily injury or property damage resulting from operations, automobile liability insurance and excess liability insurance. Limits and deductibles in respect of these insurance policies are comparable to those carried by other electric generating facilities of similar size. No assurance can be given that EME's insurance will be adequate to cover all losses.
Discontinued Operations
For a discussion of discontinued operations, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 14. Divestitures."
Regulatory Matters
General
EME's operations are subject to extensive regulation. EME's operating projects are subject to energy, environmental and other governmental laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels in connection with project development, ownership and operation, and the use of electric energy, capacity and related products, including ancillary services, from the projects. In addition, EME is subject to the market rules, procedures, and protocols of the markets in which it participates.
Federal Power Act
The FERC has exclusive jurisdiction over the rates, terms and conditions of wholesale sales of electricity and transmission services in interstate commerce (other than transmission that is "bundled" with retail sales), including ongoing, as well as initial, rate jurisdiction. The FERC also has jurisdiction over the sale or transfer of specified assets, including wholesale power sales contracts and generation facilities and, in some cases, jurisdiction over the issuance of securities or the assumption of specified liabilities and some interlocking directorates. Dispositions of EME's jurisdictional assets and certain types of financing arrangements may require FERC approval.
Each of EME's domestic generating facilities is either a qualifying facility, as determined by the FERC, or the subsidiary owning the facility is an EWG. Most qualifying facilities are exempt from the ratemaking and several other provisions of the FPA. EME's exempt wholesale generators are subject to the FERC's ratemaking jurisdiction under the FPA, but have been authorized to sell power at market-based rates to purchasers which are not affiliated electric utility companies as long as the absence of market power is shown. In addition, EME's power marketing subsidiaries, including EMMT, have been authorized by the FERC to make wholesale market sales of power at market-based rates and are subject to the FERC ratemaking regulation under the FPA.
If one of the projects in which EME has an interest were to lose its qualifying facility or exempt wholesale generator status, the project would no longer be entitled to the related exemptions from regulation and could become subject to rate regulation by the FERC and state authorities. Loss of status could also trigger defaults under covenants contained in the project's power sales agreements and financing agreements.
Reliability Standards
NERC establishes and enforces reliability standards for the bulk power system. EME believes it has taken appropriate steps to be compliant with current NERC reliability standards that apply to its operations.
Transmission of Wholesale Power
EME's projects that sell power to wholesale purchasers other than the local utility to which the project may be interconnected require the transmission of electricity over power lines owned by others. The prices and other terms and conditions of transmission contracts are regulated by the FERC when the entity providing the transmission service is subject to FERC jurisdiction.
Environmental Matters and Regulations
Legislative and regulatory activities by federal, state, and local authorities in the United States relating to energy and the environment impose numerous restrictions and requirements with respect to the operation of EME's existing facilities and affect the timing, cost, location, design, construction, and operation of new facilities by EME's subsidiaries, as well as the cost of mitigating the environmental impacts of past operations. In addition, as discussed in "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies," the US EPA and others have from time to time sought to involve EME in litigation related to facilities owned by EME's subsidiaries. The facilities of EME's subsidiaries which are most affected by environmental regulation are located in Illinois and Pennsylvania. Additional information about environmental matters affecting EME, including projected environmental capital expenditures, is included in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Investment Plan" and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets."
Air Quality
The CAA, which regulates air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources, has a significant impact on the operation of the coal plants. The CAA requires the US EPA to establish concentration levels in the ambient air for six criteria pollutants to protect public health and welfare. These concentration levels are known as National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or NAAQS. The six criteria pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and SO2.
Federal environmental regulations require states to adopt state implementation plans, known as SIPs, for certain pollutants, which detail how the state will attain the standards that are mandated by the relevant law or regulation. The SIPs must be equal to or more stringent than the federal requirements and must be submitted to the US EPA for approval. Each state identifies the areas within its boundaries that meet the NAAQS (attainment areas) and those that do not (non-attainment areas), and must develop a SIP both to bring non-attainment areas into compliance with the NAAQS and to maintain good air quality in attainment areas. If the attainment status of areas changes, states may be required to develop new SIPs that address the changes. Many of EME's facilities are located in areas that have not attained NAAQS for ozone (affected by NOx emissions from power plants) and fine particulate matter (affected by SO2 and NOx emissions from power plants).
As described further below, on December 11, 2006, Midwest Generation entered into an agreement with the Illinois EPA, which was subsequently embodied in an Illinois rule called Combined Pollutant Standard or CPS, to reduce mercury, NOx and SO2 emissions at the Midwest Generation plants. The CPS requires Midwest Generation to achieve air emission reductions for NOx and SO2, and those reductions should contribute to or effect compliance with various existing US EPA ambient air quality standards. It is possible that if lower ozone, particulate matter, NOx or SO2 NAAQS are finalized by US EPA in the future, Illinois may implement regulations that are more stringent than those required by the CPS.
Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide
Clean Air Interstate and Cross-State Air Pollution Rules
The CAIR, issued by the US EPA on March 10, 2005, mandated significant reductions in NOx and SO2 emission allowance caps under the CAA in 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia. In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit initially vacated the CAIR, but later remanded the CAIR to the US EPA for the issuance of a revised rule. The CAIR remains in effect until a replacement regulation becomes effective.
On July 6, 2011, the US EPA adopted the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). CSAPR establishes emissions reductions for annual sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and annual and ozone season nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in two phases: a first phase originally scheduled to be effective January 1, 2012 and, in most states subject to the program (including Illinois and Pennsylvania), a second phase effective January 1, 2014 that requires additional reductions in annual SO2 emissions.
In December 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia granted a stay of CSAPR pending
completion of its review of the rule's validity. Oral argument is scheduled for April 13, 2012, and a court decision is expected during the third quarter of 2012. The court directed the US EPA to continue administering the CAIR until its review is completed.
CSAPR, like the CAIR, is an allowance-based regulation that provides for emissions trading. If the stay is lifted and CSAPR becomes effective, the amount of actual SO2 or NOx emissions from plant operations will need to be matched by a sufficient amount of SO2 or NOx allowances that are either allocated or purchased in the open market. In connection with CSAPR, the US EPA has, for each phase, established SO2 and NOx allowance allocations for each state and each generating unit subject to the regulation, and at the close of the annual or seasonal compliance period, units will need to surrender allowances for each ton of SO2 and NOx emitted or face penalties.
With the staying of CSAPR, CAIR SO2 allowances have been provided and a sufficient supply is available for purchase to permit Homer City to continue operations consistent with 2011 levels. If the stay is lifted, the SO2 allowances allocated to Homer City in CSAPR Phase I (25,797 tons in 2012 and 2013) would be significantly lower than the amount that would be required based on Homer City's historical emissions. It is unclear at this time whether Homer City would be able to acquire allowances in sufficient quantity to cover its normal operations during Phase I of CSAPR and whether it would be able to pass through the cost of such allowances in the marketplace. Accordingly, despite the stay, Homer City continues to evaluate alternative options, including reduced dispatch and fuel modifications, for complying with Phase I of CSAPR. The cost of allowances, together with possible operational impacts or reductions of output that may be required to comply with Phase I of CSAPR, could have a material effect on Homer City.
Homer City has begun work on designing SO2 and particulate emissions control equipment for Units 1 and 2. Based on preliminary estimates, Homer City expects the cost of such equipment to be approximately $700 million to $750 million. However, construction of these improvements is dependent upon funding from the owner-lessors or other third parties. For further discussion of the Homer City lease and environmental improvements, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Management's Overview—Homer City Lease."
Revised NAAQS for SO2
In June 2010, the US EPA finalized the primary NAAQS for SO2 by establishing a new one-hour standard at a level of 75 parts per billion. In June 2011, Pennsylvania and Illinois submitted their initial recommended attainment/nonattainment designations in connection with the standard. Pennsylvania recommended designating Indiana County, where the Homer City plant is located, as nonattainment for the SO2 NAAQS. Illinois recommended designating parts of Tazewell County (where the Powerton plant is located) and Will and Cook Counties as nonattainment with this standard. The recommended designation for parts of Will and Cook Counties included the area where the Will County plant is located, but not the areas where Midwest Generation's other plants in those counties are located.
Illinois
On December 11, 2006, Midwest Generation entered into an agreement with the Illinois EPA to reduce mercury, NOx and SO2 emissions at the Midwest Generation plants. The agreement has been embodied in the CPS. All of Midwest Generation's Illinois coal-fired electric generating units are subject to the CPS. The CPS also specifies the control technologies that are to be installed on some units by specified dates. Midwest Generation must either install the required technology by the specified deadline or shut down the unit. The principal emission standards and control technology requirements for NOx and SO2 under the CPS are as described below:
NOx Emissions—Beginning in calendar year 2012 and continuing in each calendar year thereafter, Midwest Generation must comply with an annual and seasonal NOx emission rate of no more than 0.11 lbs/million Btu. Midwest Generation substantially completed installation of SNCR equipment in 2011 for compliance with the emission limitations. Capital expenditures relating to these controls were $105 million.
SO2 Emissions—Midwest Generation must comply with an overall SO2 annual emission rate beginning with 0.44 lbs/million Btu in 2013 and decreasing annually until it reaches 0.11 lbs/million Btu in 2019 and thereafter.
Testing of dry scrubbing using Trona on select Midwest Generation units has demonstrated significant reductions in SO2 emissions. Use of dry sorbent injection technology in conjunction with low sulfur coal is expected to require substantially less capital and time to construct than the use of spray dryer absorber technology, but would likely result in higher ongoing operating costs and may consequently result in lower dispatch rates and competitiveness of Midwest Generation's plants, depending on competitors' costs. For additional discussion, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Management's Overview—Midwest Generation Environmental Compliance Plans and Costs."
Pennsylvania
The Homer City plant was subject to the federal CAIR during 2011 and complied with both the NOx and SO2 requirements by using existing equipment and purchasing SO2 allowances. Pennsylvania adopted a state version of the CAIR, which the US EPA approved in December 2009. Homer City expects to comply with the Pennsylvania CAIR, which is substantially similar to the federal CAIR as it existed prior to the implementation of CSAPR, in the same manner in which it complies with the federal standards.
Mercury/Hazardous Air Pollutants
Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule
In December 2011, the US EPA announced the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule, limiting emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from coal- and oil-fired electrical generating units. The rule was published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2012, and becomes effective on April 16, 2012. EME does not expect that these standards will require Midwest Generation to make material changes to the approach to compliance with state and federal environmental regulations that it contemplates for CPS compliance. EME also does not expect that these standards will require Homer City to make additional capital expenditures beyond those that would be required for compliance with CSAPR Phase II.
Illinois
The CPS requires that, beginning in calendar year 2015, and continuing thereafter on a rolling 12-month basis, Midwest Generation must either achieve an emission standard of 0.008 lbs mercury/GWh gross electrical output or a minimum 90% reduction in mercury for each unit (except Unit 3 at the Will County Station, which will be included in calendar year 2016). Midwest Generation will be required to install cold side electrostatic precipitator or baghouse equipment on Unit 7 at the Waukegan Station by December 31, 2013, and on Unit 3 at the Will County Station by December 31, 2015.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania currently has no state-level mercury regulations.
Ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
In January 2010, the US EPA proposed a revision to the primary and secondary NAAQS for 8-hour ozone that it had finalized in 2008. The 8-hour ozone standard established in 2008 was 0.075 parts per million. In January 2010, the US EPA proposed establishing a primary 8-hour ozone NAAQS between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million and a distinct secondary standard to protect sensitive vegetation and ecosystems. In September 2011, President Obama announced that the proposed revision was being withdrawn. The ozone NAAQS established in 2008 remains in place, but the implementation process must be completed before the 0.075 parts-per-million standard can be enforced. The US EPA has indicated that it intends to issue initial area designations of attainment, nonattainment, and unclassifiable areas across the nation in 2012. States will then be required to develop and submit SIPs outlining how compliance with the 2008 NAAQS will be achieved. New primary and secondary ozone standards are expected in 2014.
In January 2012, the US EPA indicated that it intended to designate the counties in Illinois where Midwest Generation's coal-fired power plants are located as nonattainment with the 2008 NAAQS. In December 2011, the US EPA indicated that it intended to designate Indiana County, where the Homer City plant is located, as in attainment with the 2008 NAAQS.
Regional Haze
The regional haze rules under the CAA are designed to prevent impairment of visibility in certain federally designated areas. The goal of the rules is to restore visibility in mandatory federal Class I areas, such as national parks and wilderness areas, to natural background conditions by 2064. Sources such as power plants that are reasonably anticipated to contribute to visibility impairment in Class I areas may be required to install BART or implement other control strategies to meet regional haze control requirements.
Both Pennsylvania and Illinois have submitted their proposed SIP revisions to the US EPA to address regional haze. Illinois proposed that the emission reductions that the Midwest Generation plants will be required to make pursuant to the CPS, discussed above in "—Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide—Illinois," satisfy the BART requirement. Pennsylvania proposed that the existing particulate matter emission limits on the Homer City plant, as well as the plant's participation in the CAIR,
would satisfy the BART requirement in that state. Because the CAIR was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2011, the US EPA proposed, on December 30, 2011, a limited disapproval of Pennsylvania's SIP, as well as a Federal Implementation Plan that would allow the Homer City plant's participation in CSAPR to satisfy the BART requirement. It is unclear how the stay of CSAPR will affect the Pennsylvania SIP. EME believes that the control measures being undertaken to comply with other environmental regulations will likely satisfy the requirements of these SIPs.
New Source Review Requirements
The NSR regulations impose certain requirements on facilities, such as electric generating stations, if modifications are made to air emissions sources at the facility. Since 1999, the US EPA has pursued a coordinated compliance and enforcement strategy to address NSR compliance issues at the nation's coal-fired power plants. The US EPA has filed enforcement actions against Homer City and Midwest Generation alleging NSR violations. For further discussion, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies—Contingencies."
Water Quality
Clean Water Act
Regulations under the federal Clean Water Act govern critical operating parameters at generating facilities, such as the temperature of effluent discharges and the location, design, and construction of cooling water intake structures at generating facilities. In March 2011, the US EPA proposed standards under the federal Clean Water Act that would affect cooling water intake structures at generating facilities. The standards are intended to protect aquatic organisms by reducing capture in screens attached to cooling water intake structures (impingement) and in the water volume brought into the facilities (entrainment). The regulations are expected to be finalized by July 2012. The required measures to comply with the proposed standards regarding entrainment are subject to the discretion of the permitting authority, and EME is unable at this time to assess potential costs of compliance, which could be significant for the Midwest Generation plants, but are not expected to be material for the Homer City plant, which already has cooling towers.
Illinois
Midwest Generation is a party to an administrative proceeding before the Illinois Pollution Control Board to determine whether more stringent thermal and effluent water quality standards for the Chicago Area Waterway System and Lower Des Plaines River, which supply cooling water to Midwest Generation's Will County and Joliet Stations, will be implemented. The rule, if implemented, is expected to affect the manner in which those stations use water for station cooling. It is not possible to predict the timing for resolution of the proceeding, the final form of the rule, or how it would impact the operation of the affected stations; however, significant capital expenditures may be required.
Coal Combustion Wastes
US EPA regulations currently classify coal ash and other coal combustion residuals as solid wastes that are exempt from hazardous waste requirements. This classification enables beneficial uses of coal combustion residuals, such as for cement production and fill materials. Midwest Generation currently provides a portion of its coal combustion residuals for beneficial uses. In June 2010, the US EPA published proposed regulations relating to coal combustion residuals that could result in their reclassification. For further discussion see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 10. Environmental Developments."
Climate Change
There have been a number of federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Any climate change regulation or other legal obligation that would require substantial reductions in GHG emissions or that would impose additional costs or charges for the GHG emissions could significantly increase the cost of generating electricity from fossil fuels, and especially from coal-fired plants, which could adversely affect EME's business.
Federal Legislative/Regulatory Developments
In June 2010, the US EPA issued the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule, known as the "GHG tailoring rule." This regulation generally subjects newly constructed sources of GHG emissions and newly modified existing major sources to the PSD air permitting program beginning in January 2011 (and later, to the Title V permitting program under the CAA); however, the GHG tailoring rule significantly increases the emissions thresholds that apply before facilities are subjected to these programs. The emissions thresholds for CO2 equivalents in the final rule vary from 75,000 tons per year to 100,000 tons per year depending on the date and whether the sources are new or modified.
Regulation of GHG emissions pursuant to the PSD program could affect efforts to modify EME's facilities in the future, and could subject new capital projects to additional permitting or emissions control requirements that could delay such projects. In December 2010, the US EPA announced that it had entered into a settlement with various states and environmental groups to resolve a long-standing dispute over regulation of GHGs from electrical generating units pursuant to the New Source Performance Standards in the CAA and would propose performance standards for emissions from new and modified power plants and emissions guidelines for existing power plants. The specific requirements will not be known until the regulations are finalized. Since January 2010, the US EPA's Final Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule has required all sources within specified categories, including electric generation facilities, to monitor emissions and to submit annual reports to the US EPA by March 31 of each year. EME's 2011 GHG emissions were approximately 43 million metric tons.
Regional Initiatives and State Legislation
Regional initiatives and state legislation may also require reductions of GHG emissions, and it is not yet clear whether or to what extent any federal legislation would preempt them. If state and/or regional initiatives remain in effect after federal legislation is enacted, generators could be required to satisfy them in addition to federal standards.
EME's operations in California are subject to two laws governing GHG emissions. The first law, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (also referred to as AB 32), establishes a comprehensive program to reduce GHG emissions. AB 32 requires the CARB to develop regulations, effective in 2012, that would reduce California's GHG emissions to 1990 levels in yearly increments by 2020. In December 2011, the CARB regulation was officially published, establishing a California cap-and-trade program. The first compliance period under the regulations is for 2013 GHG emissions. CARB regulations implementing a cap-and-trade program, and the cap-and-trade program itself, continue to be the subject of litigation. In December 2011, a federal district court enjoined the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, another AB 32 program regulating the carbon content of transportation fuels, on constitutional commerce clause grounds. Additional litigation challenging the cap-and-trade program on similar grounds is expected, though no suit has been filed to date.
The second law, SB 1368, required the CPUC and the California Energy Commission to adopt GHG emissions performance standards restricting the ability of California investor-owned and publicly owned utilities, respectively, to enter into long-term arrangements for the purchase of electricity. The standards that have been adopted prohibit these entities from entering into long-term financial commitments with generators that emit more than 1,100 pounds of CO2 per MWh (the performance of a combined-cycle gas turbine generator). EME believes that all of its California facilities meet the SB 1368 standards.
Litigation Developments
Litigation alleging that GHG is a public and private nuisance may affect EME and its subsidiaries whether or not they are named as defendants. The law is unsettled on whether or not this litigation presents questions capable of judicial resolution or political questions that should be resolved by the legislative or executive branches. For further discussion, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 10. Environmental Developments."
Employees
At December 31, 2011, EME and its subsidiaries employed 1,783 people, including:
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• | approximately 702 employees at the Midwest Generation plants covered by a collective bargaining agreement governing wages, certain benefits and working conditions. This collective bargaining agreement expires on December 31, 2013. Midwest Generation also has a separate collective bargaining agreement governing retirement, health care, disability and insurance benefits that expires on March 31, 2015; and |
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• | approximately 179 employees at the Homer City plant covered by a collective bargaining agreement governing wages, benefits and working conditions. This collective bargaining agreement expires on December 31, 2012. |
EME's Relationship with Certain Affiliated Companies
EME is an indirect subsidiary of Edison International. Edison International is a holding company. Edison International is also the corporate parent of SCE, an electric utility that serves customers in California.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Liquidity Risks
EME and its subsidiaries have significant cash requirements, limited sources of capital and expect to incur substantial losses in 2012 and subsequent years.
At December 31, 2011, EME had corporate cash and cash equivalents of $951 million and $498 million of available borrowing capacity under its $564 million revolving credit facility maturing in June 2012 and Midwest Generation had cash and cash equivalents of $213 million and $497 million of available borrowing capacity under its $500 million credit facility maturing in June 2012. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, EME terminated its revolving credit facility, and there can be no assurance that Midwest Generation will be eligible to draw on its credit facility prior to maturity.Any replacements of these credit lines will likely be on less favorable terms and conditions, and there is no assurance that EME will, or will be able to, replace these credit lines or any portion of them.
As of December 31, 2011, EME's consolidated debt was approximately $4.9 billion, of which $1.2 billion was nonrecourse project debt of EME's subsidiaries and the balance was senior unsecured debt of EME. In addition, EME's subsidiaries had $2.6 billion of long-term, power plant lease obligations that are due over a period ranging up to 23 years. Compliance with current and forthcoming environmental requirements will add to EME's near-term liquidity needs.
Unless energy and capacity prices increase, EME expects that it will experience further losses and reductions in cash flow in 2012 and subsequent years. EME's liquidity will be strained by a continuation of recent adverse trends combined with pending debt maturities, higher operating costs and the need to retrofit its coal-fired plants to comply with governmental regulations. EME's and Midwest Generation's deteriorating financial results and below-investment grade credit status may limit their ability to extend or replace credit facilities, including those maturing in 2012, should they choose to do so, and the terms and conditions of any refinancing could be substantially less favorable than those in previous credit facilities, depending on market conditions. In the case of a further downgrade, EME expects that these negative effects would become more pronounced. If cash flow and other means for assuring liquidity are unavailable or insufficient, EME may be unable to complete environmental improvements at its coal plants (which in turn could lead to unit shutdowns) or to pay its senior debt as it matures. If EME's credit facilities are not replaced, EME's ability to hedge its merchant coal exposure or carry out its trading activities may also be limited. The terms of EME's and its subsidiaries' debt instruments may restrict EME's ability to sell assets or incur secured indebtedness, and EME's subsidiaries' debt instruments may limit EME's ability to seek additional capital, or restructure or refinance debt to satisfy liquidity needs. For further discussion, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources."
EME is a holding company and may be limited in its ability to access funds from its subsidiaries to meet its obligations.
EME has no material assets other than the stock of its subsidiaries and depends to a large degree upon dividends and other transfers of funds from its subsidiaries to meet its obligations. EME's subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to provide EME with funds. The ability of EME's subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other payments to EME may be restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate and other laws, potentially adverse tax consequences, and restrictions contained in agreements entered into by the subsidiaries. Homer City is currently restricted from making permitted distributions, including distributions in respect of the equity interests of Homer City or payments under intercompany loans, under the terms of its lease agreements. If EME is unable to access the cash flow of its subsidiaries, it may have difficulty meeting its own obligations. For further discussion, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Dividend Restrictions in Major Financings."
EME receives tax-allocation payments from Edison International only if, and only to the extent that, EME is included in the consolidated tax returns of Edison International and Edison International is able to utilize tax losses and credits generated by EME. EME may be required to make tax-allocation payments to Edison International.
EME's right to receive tax-allocation payments and the amount of and timing of those payments are dependent on the inclusion of EME in the consolidated income tax returns of Edison International and other factors, including the amount of consolidated taxable income and net operating losses of Edison International, and other tax items of EME, its subsidiaries, and other subsidiaries of Edison International. Edison International has not been able to fully utilize EME's consolidated tax losses and credits as a result of accelerated tax deductions taken by the consolidated group under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the 2010 Tax Relief Act and SCE's priority over EME in the utilization of available tax benefits. Realization of EME's tax losses and tax credits is not expected to begin again until at least 2013, subject to future changes in tax laws and Edison International's taxable income, and it may take several years before such benefits can be fully utilized. As of December 31, 2011, EME had recorded deferred tax assets of $520 million related to loss carryforwards and unused credits. EME expects to make tax-allocation payments to Edison International during 2012 of approximately $185 million as a result of the reallocation of tax obligations from an expected Edison International consolidated net operating loss in 2011. For further discussion, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 7. Income Taxes—Bonus Depreciation Impact on EME."
These arrangements are subject to the terms of the tax-allocation and payment agreements among Edison International, Mission Energy Holding Company, EME and other Edison International subsidiaries. The agreements under which EME makes and receives tax-allocation payments may be terminated by the immediate parent company at any time, by notice given before the
first day of the first year with respect to which the termination is to be effective. However, termination does not relieve any party of any obligations with respect to any tax year beginning prior to the notice. For further discussion, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Intercompany Tax-Allocation Agreement."
The interests of Edison International as EME's equity holder may conflict with the interests of holders of debt.
EME is indirectly owned and controlled by Edison International. The directors appointed by Edison International are able to make decisions affecting EME's capital structure which could include, subject to contractual obligations and applicable law, decisions to incur or repurchase debt, pay dividends, or otherwise take actions that may alter the portion of Edison International's portfolio of assets that is held and developed by EME. The interests of Edison International may not in all cases be aligned with the interests of the holders of EME's debt or the debt and lease obligations of EME's subsidiaries. If EME encounters financial difficulties or becomes unable to pay its debts as they mature, the interests of Edison International might conflict with the interests of holders of EME's and its subsidiaries' debt. In addition, Edison International may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings or other transactions that, in its judgment, could enhance its equity investments, even though such transactions might involve risks to EME's business or the holders of EME's and its subsidiaries' debt. Furthermore, Edison International may in the future own businesses that directly or indirectly compete with EME. Edison International also may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to EME's business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to EME.
Regulatory and Environmental Risks
EME is subject to extensive environmental regulation and permitting requirements that may involve significant and increasing costs.
EME's operations are subject to extensive and frequently changing environmental regulations with respect to, among other things, air quality, water quality and waste disposal, which involve significant and increasing costs and substantial uncertainty. EME is required to obtain, and comply with conditions established by, licenses, permits and other approvals in order to construct, operate or modify its facilities. Failure to comply with these requirements could subject EME to civil or criminal liability, the imposition of liens or fines, or actions by regulatory agencies seeking to curtail operations of EME's projects. EME may also be exposed to risks arising from past, current or future contamination at its former or existing facilities or with respect to off-site waste disposal sites that have been used in its operations.
EME devotes significant resources to environmental monitoring, emissions control equipment and emission allowances to comply with environmental regulatory requirements. EME believes that it is currently in substantial compliance with environmental regulatory requirements. However, the US EPA has filed enforcement actions against Midwest Generation and Homer City alleging violations of the CAA and other regulations at the Midwest Generation plants and the Homer City plant. For more detail with respect to these matters, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies."
The current trend is toward more stringent standards, stricter regulation, and more expansive application of environmental regulations. The adoption of laws and regulations to implement CO2 controls could adversely affect coal-fired power plants. Other environmental laws, particularly with respect to air emissions, disposal of ash, wastewater discharge and cooling water systems, are also generally becoming more stringent. The continued operation of EME's facilities, particularly its coal plants, is expected to require substantial capital expenditures for environmental controls. If EME cannot comply with all applicable regulations, it could be required to retire or suspend operations at some of its facilities, or restrict or modify the operations of its facilities, and its business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
EME is required to surrender emission allowances equal to emissions of specific substances in connection with the operation of its facilities. This may require the purchase of allowances, which are subject to price volatility and which could be unavailable.
Typically, environmental laws require a lengthy and complex process for obtaining licenses, permits and approvals prior to construction, operation or modification of a project or generating facility. EME cannot provide assurance that it will be able to obtain and comply with all necessary licenses, permits and approvals for its plants. If there is a delay in obtaining required approvals or permits or if EME fails to obtain and comply with such permits, the operation of EME's facilities may be interrupted or become subject to additional costs.
The controls imposed on EME's coal plants as a result of environmental regulations, including the CPS, may require material expenditures or unit shutdowns.
Capital expenditures relating to required environmental controls for EME's coal plants (including the CPS, to which all of Midwest Generation's coal-fired generating units are subject) are expected to be significant. In February 2012, EME decided to shut down the Fisk Station by the end of 2012 and the Crawford Station by the end of 2014 and concluded it was less likely to
install environmental controls at the Waukegan Station and Joliet Unit 6. EME may ultimately decide to shut down the Waukegan Station and Joliet Unit 6, and possibly other units, rather than make improvements. Unit shutdowns could have an adverse effect on EME's business, results of operation and financial condition. For more information about EME's plans for environmental compliance, see "Item 1. Business—Environmental Matters and Regulations—Air Quality—Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide," "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Management's Overview—Midwest Generation Environmental Compliance Plans and Costs," "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets" and "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 10. Environmental Developments."
EME is subject to extensive energy industry regulation.
EME's operations are subject to extensive regulation by governmental agencies. EME's projects are subject to federal laws and regulations that govern, among other things, transactions by and with purchasers of power, including utility companies, the development and construction of generation facilities, the ownership and operation of generation facilities, and access to transmission. Generation facilities are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern, among other things, the geographical location, zoning, land use and operation of a project. EME in the course of its business must obtain and periodically renew licenses, permits and approvals for its facilities. The FERC may impose various forms of market mitigation measures, including price caps and operating restrictions, where it determines that potential market power might exist and that the public interest requires mitigation. RTOs and ISOs may impose bidding and scheduling rules, both to curb the potential exercise of market power and to facilitate market functions. Such actions may materially affect EME's results of operations. EME's facilities are also subject to mandatory reliability standards promulgated by NERC, compliance with which can increase the facilities' operating costs or capital expenditures.
This extensive governmental regulation creates significant risks and uncertainties for EME's business. Existing regulations may be revised or reinterpreted and new laws and regulations may be adopted or become applicable to EME or its facilities or operations in a manner that may have a detrimental effect on its business or result in significant additional costs.
The generation and transmission of electricity are dangerous and involve inherent risks of injury to employees and the general public.
Electricity is dangerous for employees and the general public should they come in contact with power lines or electrical equipment. Injuries caused by such contact can subject EME to liability that, despite the existence of insurance coverage, can be significant. Such liabilities could be significant but are very difficult to predict. The range of possible liabilities includes amounts that could adversely affect EME's liquidity and results of operations.
Market Risks
EME has substantial interests in merchant energy power plants which are subject to market risks related to wholesale energy prices because they operate without long-term power purchase agreements. Wholesale energy prices have substantially declined in recent years.
EME's merchant energy power plants do not have long-term power purchase agreements. Because the output of these power plants is not committed to be sold under long-term contracts, these projects are subject to market forces which determine the amount and price of energy, capacity and ancillary services sold from the power plants. Unlike most other commodities, electric power can only be stored on a very limited basis and generally must be produced when it is to be used. As a result, the wholesale power markets are subject to significant and unpredictable price fluctuations over relatively short periods of time. Due to the volume of sales into PJM from the coal plants, EME has concentrated exposure to market conditions and fluctuations in PJM. Prices for power and capacity have declined significantly due largely to lower natural gas prices and have been affected in recent years by increased use of demand response technology, changes in final demand for power during the economic slowdown, and technological developments that have increased access to natural gas shale reserves, resulting in substantial declines in market prices for natural gas which supplies power plants that compete with EME's coal plants.
Market prices of energy, capacity and ancillary services sold from these power plants are influenced by multiple factors beyond EME's control, and thus there is considerable uncertainty whether or when current depressed prices will recover. EME's hedging activities may not cover the entire exposure of its assets or positions to market price volatility, and the level of coverage will vary over time. The effectiveness of EME's hedging activities may depend on the amount of credit available to post collateral, either in support of performance guarantees or as cash margin, and liquidity requirements may be greater than EME anticipates or will be able to meet. EME cannot provide assurance that its hedging strategies will successfully mitigate market risks. For more detail with respect to these matters, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk Exposures—Commodity Price Risk."
EME's financial results can be affected by changes in prices, transportation cost, and supply interruptions related to fuel, sorbents, and other commodities used for power generation and emission controls.
In addition to volatile power prices, EME's business is subject to changes in the cost of fuel, sorbents, and other commodities used for power generation and emission controls, and in the cost of transportation. These costs can be volatile and are influenced by many factors outside EME's control. The price at which EME can sell its energy may not rise or fall at the same rate as a corresponding rise or fall in commodity costs. Operations at the coal plants are dependent upon the availability and affordability of coal which is available only from a limited number of suppliers and which, in the case of Midwest Generation, is transported by rail under a multi-year, long-term transportation contract. All of these factors may have an adverse effect on EME's financial condition and results of operations. For additional information, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk Exposures—Coal and Transportation Price Risk."
Competition could adversely affect EME's business.
EME has numerous competitors in all aspects of its business, some of whom may have greater liquidity, greater access to credit and other financial resources, lower cost structures, greater ability to withstand losses, larger staffs or more experience than EME. Multiple participants in the wholesale markets, including many regulated utilities, have a lower cost of capital than most merchant generators and often are able to recover fixed costs through rate base mechanisms, allowing them to build, buy and upgrade generation assets without relying exclusively on market clearing prices to recover their investments. These factors could affect EME's ability to compete effectively in the markets in which those entities operate. Newer plants owned by EME's competitors are often more efficient than EME's facilities and may also have lower costs of operation. Over time, some of EME's merchant facilities may become obsolete in their markets, or be unable to compete with such plants.
Operating Risks
EME's capital projects may not be successful.
EME's capital projects are subject to risks including, without limitation, risks related to financing, construction, permitting, and governmental approvals. EME may be required to spend significant amounts before it can determine whether a project is feasible or economically attractive. The timing of such projects may be delayed beyond the date that equipment is ready for installation, in which case EME may be required to incur material equipment and/or material costs with no deployment plan at delivery. Due to competing capital needs, EME's further development of its renewable business will depend upon the availability of third-party equity capital.
EME's projects may be affected by general operating risks and hazards customary in the power generation industry. EME may not have adequate insurance to cover all these hazards.
The operation of power generation facilities is a potentially dangerous activity that involves many operating risks, including transmission disruptions and constraints, equipment failures or shortages, and system limitations, degradation and interruption. EME's operations are also subject to risks of human performance and workforce capabilities. There can be no assurance that EME's insurance will be sufficient or effective under all circumstances or protect against all hazards to which EME may be subject or that insurance coverage will continue to be available on terms similar to those presently available, or at all. EME has a number of older facilities that are subject to higher risks of failure or outage, and EME has in the past experienced serial defects in certain models of wind turbines deployed at its wind projects.
Uncertainties in EME's future operations could affect its ability to attract and retain skilled people.
Uncertainties concerning EME's future operations could affect its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel with experience in the energy industry. If EME is unable to successfully attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, its results of operations will be negatively affected.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Inapplicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
EME leases its principal office in Santa Ana, California. The office lease is currently for approximately 85,000 square feet and expires on December 31, 2020. EME also leases office space in Chicago, Illinois; Bolingbrook, Illinois; and Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago lease is for approximately 8,000 square feet and expires on November 30, 2016. The Bolingbrook lease is for approximately 20,000 square feet and expires on March 31, 2014. The Boston lease is for approximately 41,000 square feet and expires on September 30, 2017.
The following table shows, as of December 31, 2011, the material properties owned or leased by EME's subsidiaries and affiliates. Each property represents at least five percent of EME's income before tax, excluding asset impairment charges, or is one in which EME has an investment balance greater than $50 million. Most of these properties are subject to mortgages or other liens or encumbrances granted to the lenders providing financing for the plant or project.
Description of Properties
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Plant | | Location | | Interest in Land | | Plant Description |
Homer City plant | | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | | Owned | 1 | Coal-fired generation facility |
Midwest Generation plants | | Northeast Illinois | | Owned | 2 | Coal, oil-fired generation facilities |
Elkhorn Ridge | | Bloomfield, Nebraska | | Leased | | Wind-powered electric generation facility |
Kern River | | Bakersfield, California | | Leased | | Natural gas-turbine cogeneration facility |
San Juan Mesa | | Elida, New Mexico | | Leased | | Wind-powered electric generation facility |
Sunrise | | Fellows, California | | Leased | | Combined cycle generation facility |
Sycamore | | Bakersfield, California | | Leased | | Natural gas-turbine cogeneration facility |
Watson | | Carson, California | | Leased | | Natural gas-turbine cogeneration facility |
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1 | The Homer City site is subject to a ground lease pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction. |
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2 | The sites of Midwest Generation's Powerton and Joliet plants are subject to a ground lease pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction. |
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a discussion of the material legal proceedings specifically affecting EME, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies."
PART II
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ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
All the outstanding common stock of EME is, as of the date hereof, owned by Mission Energy Holding Company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edison Mission Group Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Edison International. There is no market for the common stock. Dividends on the common stock are paid when declared by EME's board of directors. EME did not pay or declare any dividends during 2011, 2010 and 2009. Dividends from EME may be limited based on its earnings and cash flow, terms of restrictions contained in EME's corporate credit facility, business and tax considerations, and restrictions imposed by applicable law. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, EME terminated its corporate credit facility. For more information about dividend restrictions, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Dividend Restrictions in Major Financings."
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial data was derived from EME's audited financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements, including notes to these financial statements, included in this annual report. EME's international operations, which were sold in 2004, are accounted for as discontinued operations, except the Doga project located in the Republic of Turkey, which EME still owns.
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INCOME STATEMENT DATA |
(in millions) | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
Operating Revenues | $ | 2,180 |
| | $ | 2,423 |
| | $ | 2,377 |
| | $ | 2,811 |
| | $ | 2,580 |
|
Operating Expenses | | | | | | | | | |
Fuel, plant operations and plant operating leases | 1,685 |
| | 1,641 |
| | 1,552 |
| | 1,544 |
| | 1,444 |
|
Depreciation and amortization | 310 |
| | 248 |
| | 236 |
| | 194 |
| | 162 |
|
Asset impairments and other charges | 1,746 |
| | 45 |
| | 4 |
| | 14 |
| | 6 |
|
Administrative and general | 180 |
| | 182 |
| | 196 |
| | 207 |
| | 204 |
|
| 3,921 |
| | 2,116 |
| | 1,988 |
| | 1,959 |
| | 1,816 |
|
Operating income (loss) | (1,741 | ) | | 307 |
| | 389 |
| | 852 |
| | 764 |
|
Equity in income from unconsolidated affiliates | 86 |
| | 104 |
| | 100 |
| | 122 |
| | 200 |
|
Interest and other income | 46 |
| | 30 |
| | 24 |
| | 48 |
| | 103 |
|
Interest expense | (323 | ) | | (263 | ) | | (296 | ) | | (279 | ) | | (273 | ) |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (160 | ) |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | (1,932 | ) | | 178 |
| | 217 |
| | 743 |
| | 634 |
|
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (856 | ) | | 19 |
| | 16 |
| | 243 |
| | 219 |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations | (1,076 | ) | | 159 |
| | 201 |
| | 500 |
| | 415 |
|
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued subsidiaries, net of tax | (3 | ) | | 4 |
| | (7 | ) | | 1 |
| | (2 | ) |
Net Income (Loss) | (1,079 | ) | | 163 |
| | 194 |
| | 501 |
| | 413 |
|
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to EME Common Shareholder | $ | (1,078 | ) | | $ | 164 |
| | $ | 197 |
| | $ | 501 |
| | $ | 414 |
|
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BALANCE SHEET DATA |
(in millions) | |
| December 31, |
| 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
Current assets | $ | 1,941 |
| | $ | 1,859 |
| | $ | 1,862 |
| | $ | 2,661 |
| | $ | 1,734 |
|
Total assets | 8,323 |
| | 9,321 |
| | 8,633 |
| | 9,080 |
| | 7,272 |
|
Current liabilities | 548 |
| | 524 |
| | 549 |
| | 635 |
| | 454 |
|
Long-term debt net of current portion | 4,855 |
| | 4,342 |
| | 3,929 |
| | 4,638 |
| | 3,806 |
|
Total EME common shareholder's equity | 1,662 |
| | 2,817 |
| | 2,761 |
| | 2,684 |
| | 1,923 |
|
| |
ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
MANAGEMENT'S OVERVIEW
EME's competitive power generation business primarily consists of the generation and sale into the PJM market of energy and capacity from merchant coal-fired power plants and a portfolio of natural gas and wind projects. EME's operating results were significantly lower in 2011 compared to 2010 due to lower realized energy and capacity prices and generation at the coal plants. Power prices fell in the fourth quarter of 2011 and have continued to fall in 2012, driven by an abundance of low-priced natural gas, weather conditions and a slow economic recovery. Moreover, the abundance of low-priced natural gas has resulted in increased competition from natural gas-fired generating units in the markets in which Midwest Generation operates, and generation from Midwest Generation's plants has been correspondingly affected. Also at the end of 2011, a favorable long-term rail contract that supplied Midwest Generation's fleet expired and was replaced by a higher priced contract. EME expects that Midwest Generation's average fuel cost ($/MWh) will increase by approximately one-third in 2012. Furthermore, Homer City is engaged in discussions with the owner-lessors regarding funding of retrofit expenditures for the Homer City plant that, if successful in providing funding, will likely result in EME's loss of substantially all beneficial economic interest in and material control of the Homer City plant. Finally, as discussed below, EME recorded significant impairment charges during the fourth quarter of 2011.
At December 31, 2011, EME had corporate cash and cash equivalents of $951 million and $498 million of available borrowing capacity under its $564 million revolving credit facility maturing in June 2012 and Midwest Generation had cash and cash equivalents of $213 million and $497 million of available borrowing capacity under its $500 million credit facility maturing in June 2012. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, EME terminated its revolving credit facility, and there can be no assurance that Midwest Generation will be eligible to draw on its credit facility prior to maturity. Any replacements of these credit lines will likely be on less favorable terms and conditions, and there is no assurance that EME will, or will be able to, replace these credit lines or any portion of them. EME had $3.7 billion of unsecured notes outstanding at December 31, 2011, $500 million of which mature in 2013.
Unless energy and capacity prices increase, EME expects that it will incur further reductions in cash flow and losses in years subsequent to 2012 as well as in 2012, and a continuation of these adverse trends coupled with pending debt maturities and the need to retrofit its plants to comply with governmental regulations will strain EME's liquidity. To address such scenario, EME would need to consider all options available to it, including potential sales of assets or restructurings or reorganization of the capital structure of EME and its subsidiaries. EME's current business plans are focused on liquidity and operating effectively through the current commodity price cycle and on environmental compliance as described below.
Highlights of Operating Results
Net income (loss) attributable to EME common shareholder is composed of the following components:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, | | | | Year Ended December 31, 2009 |
(in millions) | 2011 | | 2010 | | Change | |
Net income (loss) attributable to EME common shareholder | $ | (1,078 | ) | | $ | 164 |
| | $ | (1,242 | ) | | $ | 197 |
|
Less: Non-Core Items - Net of Tax | | | | | | | |
Asset impairments and other charges |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | — |
|
Homer City | (623 | ) | | — |
| | (623 | ) | | — |
|
Midwest Generation | (386 | ) | |
|
| | (386 | ) | | — |
|
Wind projects and other charges | (41 | ) | | — |
| | (41 | ) | | — |
|
Write-off of capitalized costs | — |
| | (24 | ) | | 24 |
| | — |
|
Gain on sale of March Point | 5 |
| | — |
| | 5 |
| | — |
|
Settlement of tax disputes | — |
| | 16 |
| | (16 | ) | | 6 |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | (3 | ) | | 4 |
| | (7 | ) | | (7 | ) |
Total non-core items | (1,048 | ) | | (4 | ) | | (1,044 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Core Earnings (Loss) | $ | (30 | ) | | $ | 168 |
| | $ | (198 | ) | | $ | 198 |
|
EME's earnings (losses) are prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management uses core earnings (losses) internally for financial planning and for analysis of performance. Core earnings (losses) are also used when communicating with analysts and
investors regarding EME's earnings results to facilitate comparisons of EME's performance from period to period. Core earnings (losses) are a non-GAAP financial measure and may not be comparable to those of other companies. Core earnings (losses) are defined as net income attributable to EME's shareholder excluding income (losses) from discontinued operations and income or loss from significant discrete items that management does not consider representative of ongoing earnings, such as: exit activities, sale of assets, early debt extinguishment costs, other activities that are no longer continuing, asset impairments, and certain tax, regulatory or legal proceedings.
EME had a core loss in 2011 compared to core earnings in 2010 primarily due to the following pre-tax items:
| |
• | $206 million and $122 million decreases in Midwest Generation and Homer City income, respectively, primarily due to lower average realized energy and capacity prices and generation. |
| |
• | $60 million increase in interest expense due to new energy project financings ($33 million) and lower capitalized interest ($27 million). |
| |
• | $36 million decrease in energy trading due to reduced revenues from trading power contracts and the allocation to Homer City of benefits from an arrangement that allows EMMT to deliver a portion of Homer City's power into the NYISO (such decrease resulting from that allocation is offset by revenues recognized at Homer City). |
| |
• | The decrease was partially offset by an $18 million increase in renewable energy income due to the increase in wind projects in operation coupled with higher generation due to more favorable wind conditions, partially offset by lower realized energy prices at the merchant wind projects. |
EME's 2010 core earnings were lower than 2009 primarily due to the following pre-tax items:
| |
• | $36 million decreased income from Midwest Generation primarily as a result of unrealized losses in 2010 compared to unrealized gains in 2009, and higher plant maintenance costs in 2010, partially offset by higher capacity revenues, a $24 million gain from the sale of bankruptcy claims against Lehman and lower average realized fuel costs. Energy and fuel related unrealized losses in 2010 were $13 million compared to unrealized gains of $45 million in 2009. Results in 2010 included the benefit of power hedge contracts entered into during earlier periods at higher prices than current energy prices. |
| |
• | $72 million decreased income from Homer City primarily as a result of unrealized losses in 2010 compared to unrealized gains in 2009, higher coal costs, lower generation and higher plant maintenance costs in 2010, partially offset by higher capacity revenues. Energy related unrealized losses in 2010 were $20 million compared to unrealized gains of $15 million in 2009. Results in 2010 included the benefit of power hedge contracts entered into during earlier periods at higher prices than current energy prices. |
The decrease was partially offset by the following pre-tax items:
| |
• | $61 million increased energy trading revenues due to congestion and power trading. |
| |
• | $28 million decreased interest expense, net of interest income, primarily due to the increase in the capitalization of interest on projects under construction. |
| |
• | $18 million decreased corporate expenses due primarily to lower renewable energy development expenses. |
| |
• | $13 million increased income from distributions received from the March Point and Doga projects. |
In addition to the preceding pre-tax items, core earnings in 2010 were lower due to $15 million of increased tax expenses that resulted from the recapture of Section 199 deductions realized in prior years resulting from the carryback of net operating tax losses.
Non-core items in 2011 included:
| |
• | An after-tax earnings charge of $623 million ($1,032 million pre-tax) recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011 resulting from the write-off of prepaid rent and leasehold improvements related to the Homer City lease. |
| |
• | An after-tax earnings charge of $386 million ($640 million pre-tax) recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011 resulting from the impairment of the long-lived assets of Midwest Generation's Fisk, Crawford and Waukegan Stations. |
| |
• | An after-tax earnings charge of $18 million ($30 million pre-tax) recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011 related to the write-down of five wind projects, totaling 158 MW of generating capacity. |
| |
• | An after-tax earnings charge of $23 million ($36 million pre-tax) in 2011 resulting primarily from EME's decision to |
reduce its development pipeline and ongoing development activities.
| |
• | An earnings benefits of $5 million in 2011 from the sale of the March Point project. |
Non-core items in 2010 included:
| |
• | An earnings benefit of $16 million in 2010 related to the acceptance by the California Franchise Tax Board of the tax positions finalized with the Internal Revenue Service in 2009 for tax years 1986 through 2002 as part of the federal settlement of tax disputes and a revision to the interest on federal disputed tax items. |
| |
• | An after-tax earnings charge of $24 million ($40 million pre-tax) recorded in the fourth quarter of 2010 resulting from the write-off of capitalized engineering and other costs related to a change in air emissions control technology selection at the Powerton Station. |
For further discussion, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 13. Asset Impairments and Other Charges."
Midwest Generation Environmental Compliance Plans and Costs
During 2011, Midwest Generation continued to advance necessary activities for NOx and SO2 controls to meet the requirements of the CPS. Midwest Generation does not anticipate a material change to its current approach in order to comply with the MATS rule. Midwest Generation expects to continue to develop and implement a compliance program that includes the operations of ACI systems, upgrades to particulate removal systems and the use of dry sorbent injection, combined with its use of low sulfur PRB coal, to meet emissions limits for criteria pollutants, such as NOx and SO2 as well as for HAPs, such as mercury, acid gas and non-mercury metals.
A significant decline in power prices from September 30, 2011, combined with new environmental regulations and public policy pressure on coal generation have resulted in continuing uncertainties for merchant coal-fired power plants. Decisions regarding whether or not to proceed with retrofitting any particular remaining units to comply with CPS requirements for SO2 emissions, including those that have received permits, are subject to a number of factors, such as market conditions, regulatory and legislative developments, liquidity and forecasted commodity prices and capital and operating costs applicable at the time decisions are required or made. Midwest Generation may also elect to shut down units, instead of installing controls, to be in compliance with the CPS. Decisions about any particular combination of retrofits and shutdowns Midwest Generation may ultimately employ also remain subject to conditions applicable at the time decisions are required or made. Final decisions on whether to install controls, to install particular kinds of controls, and to actually expend capital or continue with the expenditure of capital will be made as required, subject to the requirements of the CPS and other applicable regulations. In February 2012, Midwest Generation decided to shut down the Fisk Station by the end of 2012 and the Crawford Station by the end of 2014 and concluded it was less likely to retrofit the Waukegan Station rather than the larger Powerton, Joliet and Will County Stations. As a result, EME recorded an impairment charge of $640 million at December 31, 2011 related to the Crawford, Fisk and Waukegan Stations. For further discussion, see "Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—Application to Midwest Generation Stations" and “Item 8. Edison Mission Energy Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 13. Asset Impairments and Other Charges.” Units that are not retrofitted may continue to operate until required to shut down by applicable regulations or operate with reduced output.
In connection with its decision to close the Fisk and Crawford Stations, Midwest Generation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Chicago, acting through the Commissioner of Health, which acknowledges that the cessation of coal-fired electric generation at the Fisk and Crawford Stations will achieve the objectives of the proposed Chicago Clean Power Ordinance without a need to pass the proposed Clean Power Ordinance or similar ordinances (recognizing that such agreement cannot bind the Chicago City Council or its members). Midwest Generation and the City of Chicago have also agreed to collaborate with key stakeholders to consider potential future uses, ownership and sources of external funding to transition the sites for such uses. The closure of the Fisk and Crawford Stations will be subject to review for reliability by PJM Interconnection LLC, the regional transmission organization that controls the area where these plants are located. In total, Midwest Generation estimates 150 to 180 employees will be affected. The timing and amount of severance benefits, if any, will be determined after completion of review of personnel based on seniority and other factors and, in the case of the Crawford Station, the amount may be affected by the timing of the plant closure. Other obligations related to the Fisk and Crawford Stations could be affected by the plant closing, including sales of capacity, for which Midwest Generation is unable to reasonably estimate the impact, or range of impacts, that could be incurred. Midwest Generation does not expect to incur future capital expenditures to close these plants.
Based on work to date, Midwest Generation estimates the cost of retrofitting the large stations (Powerton, Joliet Units 7 and 8 and Will County) using dry scrubbing with sodium-based sorbents to comply with CPS requirements for SO2 emissions, and the associated upgrading of existing particulate removal systems, would be up to approximately $628 million. The cost of
retrofitting Joliet Unit 6 is not included in the large unit amounts as it is less likely that Midwest Generation will make retrofits for this unit. The estimated cost of retrofitting Joliet Unit 6, if made, would be approximately $75 million, while the estimated cost of retrofitting the Waukegan Station, if made, would be approximately $160 million. For further discussion related to EME's impairment policy on the unit of account, see "Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets."
In February 2012, Midwest Generation received an extension of its permit to install a dry sorbent injection system at the Powerton Station.
Homer City Lease
Homer City engaged a financial advisor and conducted a bidding process to obtain capital funding from third parties during the second half of 2011 to partially finance the installation of the environmental improvements. During the fourth quarter of 2011, such efforts failed to obtain sufficient interest from market participants necessary to fund the capital needed to make such improvements under the current lease arrangement. Homer City does not currently have sufficient capital and does not expect to generate sufficient funds from operations to complete retrofits. EME is under no legal obligation to, and has chosen not to, provide funding. Restrictions under the agreements entered into as part of Homer City's 2001 sale-leaseback transaction affect, and in some cases significantly limit or prohibit, Homer City's ability to incur indebtedness or make capital expenditures. Consequently, Homer City's ability to install environmental compliance equipment will be dependent on funding from the owner-lessors or third parties. Homer City is currently engaged in discussions with the owner-lessors regarding the potential for such funding. EME expects that the outcome of any such discussions, if successful in providing funding for the Homer City plant, will likely result in EME's loss of substantially all beneficial economic interest in and material control of the Homer City plant. Failure to resolve the source of funding of necessary capital expenditures for the Homer City plant could result in Homer City's default under the lease agreements giving rise to remedies for the owner-lessors and secured lease obligation bondholders, which could include foreclosing on the leased assets, the general partner of Homer City, or both.
There is no assurance that an agreement will be reached with the owner-lessors or the existing secured lease obligation bondholders on funding the capital improvements. Homer City believes it is unlikely to meet the covenant requirements of its sale-leaseback documents relating to the payment of equity rent at April 1, 2012 and will be unable to make the required equity rent payment. There is no assurance that subsequent rent payments will be made. Under the sale-leaseback documents, rent payments are comprised of two components, senior rent and equity rent. Senior rent is used exclusively for debt service to secured lease obligation bondholders, while equity rent is paid to the owner-lessors. In order to pay equity rent, among other requirements, Homer City must meet historical and projected senior rent service coverage ratios of 1.7 to 1 (subject to reduction to 1.3 to 1 under certain circumstances). A failure to pay equity rent does not entitle the owner-lessors to foreclose upon Homer City's leasehold interest, but it does result in the suspension of Homer City's ability to make permitted distributions. Moreover, Homer City would be permanently restricted in its ability to make permitted distributions if a failure to pay equity rent when due was not cured within nine months, or even if cured, occurred more than one additional time during the term of the lease. Homer City is not subject to any minimum historical and projected senior rent service coverage ratios except as conditions to distributions and equity rent payments. Also, failure by Homer City to pay equity rent when due in April 2012 could trigger termination of the $48 million senior rent reserve letter of credit. Homer City would then be required to fund the senior rent reserve, and failure to do so could entitle counterparties to seek available remedies under the sale-leaseback documents, including termination or foreclosure upon the leasehold interest. As a result of the expectation that EME is likely to lose substantially all beneficial economic interest in and material control of the Homer City plant, EME recorded an impairment charge of $1,032 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. For further discussion, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 13. Asset Impairments and Other Charges."
Included in the consolidated financial statements are the assets and liabilities related to Homer City. In the event that EME no longer controls Homer City, EME will record a loss on disposition of assets and liabilities and likely classify Homer City as a discontinued operation. The loss on disposition will be determined based on the assets and liabilities at the date of disposition and an assessment whether any ongoing contingencies exist. For further discussion, see "Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—Application to Homer City Plant" and “Item 8. Edison Mission Energy Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 13. Asset Impairments and Other Charges.”
As a result of the financial outlook of Homer City, as previously discussed, EME's subsidiary, EMMT, has ceased to enter into hedging activities related to future power sales, but continues to enter into energy and capacity transactions on behalf of Homer City pursuant to an intercompany agreement. Those transactions are generally back-to-back transactions in which EMMT enters into a transaction with a third party as a principal and then enters into an equivalent transaction with Homer City. In the case of capacity, EMMT has sold Homer City capacity in the annual PJM base residual auctions through May 2015. If Homer City were to default on its obligations to supply capacity, then EMMT would be liable to PJM to supply that capacity, and failure to do so would expose EMMT to penalties under the PJM tariffs. If one or more of the Homer City units were to be
unavailable as a capacity resource and EMMT did not fulfill this obligation through market transactions, then EMMT would be required to refund any capacity payments received and would be assessed by PJM a penalty equal to the greater of 20% of the capacity payments or $20 per MW-day.
Renewable Energy Activities
Recent developments related to EME's renewable financing and development activities include:
| |
• | On December 21, 2011, EME closed a $242 million portfolio financing of three contracted wind projects representing 204 megawatts of generation capacity previously funded entirely with equity. Funding available in the amount of $110 million from the term loan facility, net of transaction costs, was distributed to EME in 2011 and approximately $95 million, net of transaction costs, of available funds is expected to be distributed in the first quarter of 2012 when the Pinnacle project achieves certain completion milestones. |
| |
• | As part of its plan to obtain third-party equity capital to finance the development of a portion of EME's wind portfolio, on February 13, 2012, Edison Mission Wind sold its indirect equity interests in the Cedro Hill wind project (150 MW in Texas), the Mountain Wind Power I project (61 MW in Wyoming) and the Mountain Wind Power II project (80 MW in Wyoming) to a new venture, Capistrano Wind Partners. Outside investors provided $238 million of the funding. Capistrano Wind Partners also agreed to acquire the Broken Bow I wind project (80 MW in Nebraska) and the Crofton Bluffs wind project (40 MW in Nebraska) for consideration expected to include $141 million from the same outside investors upon the satisfaction of specified conditions, including commencement of commercial operation and completion of project debt financing. The proceeds from outside investors net of costs on the projects to be completed are expected to be distributed to EME and available for general corporate purposes. For additional information, see "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 3. Variable Interest Entities—Categories of VIEs—Capistrano Wind Equity Capital-2012." |
During the fourth quarter of 2011, EME significantly reduced development of renewable energy projects to conserve cash and in light of more limited market opportunities. As a result, EME reduced staffing and has undertaken efforts to reduce funding joint development projects, thereby reducing the development pipeline of potential wind projects to a projected installed capacity to approximately 1,300 megawatts. These changes triggered charges of $34 million. In addition, management has reviewed the Storm Lake project and four small wind projects in Minnesota, and based on an expected future increase in operating costs and declines in long-term power prices that the projects could potentially realize following the term of the power purchase agreements, EME has recorded an impairment charge of $30 million. For additional information on renewable energy projects, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Investment Plan," "Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—Application to Selected Wind Projects," and "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 13. Asset Impairments and Other Charges."
Environmental Regulation Developments
For additional discussion of environmental regulation developments, see “Item 1. Business—Environmental Matters and Regulations" and "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 10. Environmental Developments."
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Continuing Operations
Overview
EME operates in one line of business, independent power production. The following table shows the adjusted operating income (loss) (AOI) of EME's projects:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
(in millions) | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 |
Midwest Generation plants | $ | (542 | ) | | $ | 264 |
| | $ | 340 |
|
Homer City plant1 | (1,040 | ) | | 114 |
| | 186 |
|
Renewable energy projects | 39 |
| | 51 |
| | 53 |
|
Energy trading1 | 74 |
| | 110 |
| | 49 |
|
Big 4 projects | 44 |
| | 52 |
| | 46 |
|
Sunrise | 32 |
| | 33 |
| | 37 |
|
Doga | 26 |
| | 15 |
| | 8 |
|
March Point | 8 |
| | 17 |
| | 11 |
|
Westside projects | 7 |
| | 1 |
| | 4 |
|
Other projects | 9 |
| | 9 |
| | 9 |
|
Other operating expense2 | (36 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
| (1,379 | ) | | 666 |
| | 743 |
|
Corporate administrative and general | (140 | ) | | (145 | ) | | (163 | ) |
Corporate depreciation and amortization | (24 | ) | | (19 | ) | | (15 | ) |
AOI3 | $ | (1,543 | ) | | $ | 502 |
| | $ | 565 |
|
| |
1 | Effective April 1, 2011, EMMT allocated to Homer City the benefit of an arrangement that allows EMMT to deliver a portion of Homer City's power into the NYISO. To the extent this arrangement is not utilized, Homer City's power is delivered into PJM. |
| |
2 | Primarily related to EME's decision to reduce its development pipeline and ongoing development activities. For additional information, see "Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—Application to Selected Wind Projects" and "Item 8. Edison Mission Energy and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 13. Asset Impairments and Other Charges." |
| |
3 | AOI is equal to operating income (loss) under GAAP, plus equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, dividend income from projects, production tax credits, other income and expenses, and net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests. Production tax credits are recognized as wind energy is generated based on a per-kilowatt-hour rate prescribed in applicable federal and state statutes. AOI is a non-GAAP performance measure and may not be comparable to those of other companies. Management believes that inclusion of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, dividend income from projects, production tax credits, other income and expenses, and net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in AOI is meaningful for investors as these components are integral to the operating results of EME. |
The following table reconciles AOI to operating income (loss) as reflected on EME's consolidated statements of operations:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
(in millions) | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 |
AOI | $ | (1,543 | ) | | $ | 502 |
| | $ | 565 |
|
Less: | | | | | |
Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates | 86 |
| | 104 |
| | 100 |
|
Dividend income from projects | 30 |
| | 19 |
| | 12 |
|
Production tax credits | 66 |
| | 62 |
| | 56 |
|
Other income, net | 15 |
| | 9 |
| | 5 |
|
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | 3 |
|
Operating Income (Loss) | $ | (1,741 | ) | | $ | 307 |
| | $ | 389 |
|
Adjusted Operating Income from Consolidated Operations
Midwest Generation Plants
The following table presents additional data for the Midwest Generation plants:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31 |
(in millions) | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 |
Operating Revenues | $ | 1,286 |
| | $ | 1,479 |
| | $ | 1,487 |
|
Operating Expenses | | | | | |
Fuel1 | 512 |
| | 519 |
| | 547 |
|
Plant operations | 456 |
| | 448 |
| | 396 |
|
Plant operating leases | 75 |
| | 75 |
| | 75 |
|
Depreciation and amortization | 117 |
| | 114 |
| | 109 |
|
Asset impairments and other charges | 650 |
| | 42 |
| | 2 |
|
Administrative and general | 22 |
| | 22 |
| | 21 |
|
Total operating expenses | 1,832 |
| | 1,220 |
| | 1,150 |
|
Operating Income | (546 | ) | | 259 |
| | 337 |
|
Other Income | 4 |
| | 5 |
| | 3 |
|
AOI | $ | (542 | ) | | $ | 264 |
| | $ | 340 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Statistics2 | | | | | |
Generation (in GWh) | | | | | |
Energy contracts | 28,145 |
|