EX-99 2 ex_99.htm EXHIBIT 99 PRESS RELEASE Exhibit 99 Press Release
 

 

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                August 7, 2006
Media Contact: Art McDonald, (520) 884-3628                                                        Page 1 of 5
Financial Analyst Contact: Jo Smith, (520) 884-3650

UNISOURCE ENERGY REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2006 EARNINGS;
RAISES 2006 EARNINGS OUTLOOK

Tucson, Ariz. - UniSource Energy Corp. (NYSE: UNS) reported earnings today for the second quarter of 2006 of $10 million, or $0.28 per basic share of common stock. During the same period last year, the company reported earnings of $9 million, or $0.27 per basic share. The company also increased its 2006 full-year earnings guidance to be between $1.75 and $2.15 per basic share.

Hot weather led to a $13 million increase in retail revenues at Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP), UniSource Energy’s principal subsidiary. That increase, as well as reduced interest costs, were partially offset by higher fuel and purchased power expenses linked to outages at TEP’s coal-fired power plants.

“In addition to an unplanned outage at one of our key Springerville Generating Station (SGS) units, we took two generators offline for scheduled maintenance in April to make sure they would be in peak operating condition for our summer high-usage season,” said James S. Pignatelli, Chairman, President and CEO of TEP and UniSource Energy.

The increase in energy demand has continued into the third quarter as searing summer heat has driven power consumption to record levels. TEP reached a new peak July 21 with a net hourly load of 2,550 megawatts (MW), a 6-percent increase over last summer’s peak load.

TEP has tapped new energy resources to meet this rising demand. The Luna Energy Facility began commercial operation in April, providing TEP with 190 MW of capacity. This highly efficient gas-fired combined cycle plant near Deming, N.M. has reduced the need for wholesale power purchases and limited the use of less-efficient generating plants over the summer.

Meanwhile, the commencement of commercial operations at SGS Unit 3 in late July provides TEP access to 100 MW of system capacity beginning September 1 from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, a wholesale power cooperative that is leasing the new 400-MW coal-fired unit and controlling its output. TEP operates all three SGS units and will do the same for SGS Unit 4, which Phoenix-based Salt River Project plans to complete by late 2009.


Warm weather during the end of home-heating season contributed to reduced earnings at UniSource Energy Services (UES), which provides gas and electric service in northern and southern Arizona through subsidiaries UNS Gas and UNS Electric.


Tucson Electric Power Co.

TEP reported earnings for the second quarter of 2006 of $11 million, or $0.32 per basic UniSource Energy share, compared with $12 million, or $0.35 per basic share, during the same period last year.

Factors affecting TEP's second quarter 2006 results include:

-- A decrease of $3 million, or 2.1 percent, in TEP's utility gross margin (total operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expense);
 
-- A $3 million increase in operating and maintenance expenses due primarily to coal plant outages;

-- A $3 million increase in expenses related to amortization of the Transition Recovery Asset; and

-- A $7 million reduction in interest expense due primarily to costs incurred in the second quarter of 2005 related to various financing activities.

UNS Gas

UNS Gas reported a net loss of $1 million in the second quarter of 2006, compared with earnings of less than $1 million during the same period last year. The decline is due primarily to lower retail sales stemming from mild weather and reduced customer usage. The utility's retail customer base expanded to more than 142,000 by the end of the second quarter, a 4.7 percent increase from the same period last year.

On July 13, UNS Gas filed a request with the Arizona Corporation Commission for new, higher rates for natural gas service. The proposed changes, which would not take effect until at least August 2007, would recover increased costs and capital expenditures since rates were last changed in August 2003.

UNS Electric

UNS Electric reported earnings for the second quarter of 2006 of $1 million, compared with earnings of $1 million for the second quarter of 2005. UNS Electric's customer base grew to approximately 92,000 customers by the end of the second quarter, a 5-percent increase over the same period last year.

Year to Date

UniSource Energy's consolidated year-to-date earnings through June 30, 2006, were $27 million, or $0.76 per basic share of common stock. During the same period last year, UniSource Energy reported earnings of $6 million, or $0.16 per basic share.


Earnings Per Basic Share Summary
 
           
Year to Date
 
   
2nd Quarter
  
June 30,
  
Net Income (millions)
  
2006
  
2005
  
2006
  
2005
  
Tucson Electric Power
  
$
11.2
  
$
12.1
  
$
27.8
  
$
7.5
  
UNS Gas
    
(1.3
)
  
0.2
   
3.4
   
4.2
 
UNS Electric
    
1.4
   
1.0
   
2.1
   
1.4
 
Other 1
    
(1.3
)
  
(2.2
)
  
(3.8
)
  
(4.4
)
Consolidated Net Income
                          
from Continuing Operations
  
$
10.0
  
$
11.1
  
$
29.5
  
$
8.7
  
Discontinued Operations 2
    
-
   
(1.6
)
  
(2.7
)
  
(3.0
)
Consolidated Net Income
  
$
10.0
  
$
9.5
  
$
26.8
  
$
5.7
  
                           
 
                
Year to Date
  
 
    
2nd Quarter 
    
June 30,
  
Per UniSource Energy Share
    
2006
    
2005
    
2006
    
2005
  
Tucson Electric Power
  
$
0.32
  
$
0.35
  
$
0.79
  
$
0.22
  
UNS Gas
    
(0.04
)
  
-
   
0.10
   
0.12
 
UNS Electric
    
0.04
   
0.03
   
0.06
   
0.04
 
Other 1
    
(0.04
)
  
(0.06
)
  
(0.11
)
  
(0.13
)
Consolidated Net Income
                         
from Continuing Operations
    
0.28
   
0.32
 
$
0.84
  
$
0.25
  
Discontinued Operations 2
    
-
   
(0.05
)
  
(0.08
)
  
(0.09
)
Consolidated Net Income
  
$
0.28
  
$
0.27
  
$
0.76
  
$
0.16
  
                           
Avg. Shares Outstanding (millions)
    
35.2
   
34.8
   
35.2
   
34.7
 
 
(1) Includes UniSource Energy stand-alone and results from Millennium.

(2) Relates to the discontinued operations and sale of Global Solar by Millennium on March 31, 2006

UniSource Energy believes that the presentation of TEP, UNS Gas, UNS Electric, and Other net income or loss on a per basic UniSource Energy share basis, which are non-GAAP financial measures, provides useful information to investors by disclosing the results of operations of its business segments on a basis consistent with UniSource Energy's reported earnings.
 
 
Revised Earnings Outlook
 
UniSource Energy raised its 2006 full-year earnings outlook to be between $1.75 and $2.15 per basic share. The prior earnings outlook was between $1.65 and $2.05 per basic share.
 
Numerous factors can affect UniSource Energy's ability to reach the 2006 estimate. The factors include, but are not limited to: changes in accounting standards; uncertainties in the wholesale power market; regulatory decisions; performance of TEP's generating
 
 
plants; weather; the pace and strength of the regional economy; fuel and purchased power expense; changes to long-term contracts; and changes in asset depreciable lives.
 
UniSource Energy's earnings are subject to the seasonal energy sales of its utilities. Generally, TEP records a significant portion of its earnings during the third quarter as a result of peak energy usage during the summer.
 
Conference Call and Webcast
 
UniSource Energy officials will discuss the company's 2006 second quarter earnings and its outlook for 2006 on Tuesday, August 8. The conference call will be hosted by James S. Pignatelli, UniSource Energy's Chairman, President and CEO. The live telephone and audio-only webcast is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, beginning at 11:30 a.m. EDT.
 
Telephone Access
 
To listen to the live conference call, dial 877-582-0446 five to 10 minutes prior to the event and reference confirmation code 3545921. A telephone replay will be available for seven days starting August 8. To listen to the replay, dial 800-642-1687 and reference confirmation code 3545921.
 
Internet Access
 
A live audio-only webcast of the presentation is available through a link at uns.com. Listeners are encouraged to visit the Web site at least 30 minutes before the presentation to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A recording of the webcast will be available for 30 days through a link at uns.com.
 
UniSource Energy's primary subsidiaries include TEP, which serves approximately 385,000 customers in southern Arizona, and UES, provider of natural gas and electric service for approximately 234,000 customers in northern and southern Arizona. For more information about UniSource Energy and its subsidiaries, visit uns.com.
 
This news release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, that include, but are not limited to: changes in accounting standards; the outcome of regulatory proceedings; the ongoing restructuring of the electric industry; regional economic and market conditions which could affect customer growth and the cost of fuel and power supplies; changes to long-term contracts; performance of TEP's generating plants; the weather; changes in asset depreciable lives; changes related to the recognition of unbilled revenue; the cost of debt and equity capital; and other factors listed in UniSource Energy's Form 10-K and 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The preceding factors may cause future results to differ materially from outcomes currently expected by UniSource Energy.
 
 
UNISOURCE ENERGY 2006 RESULTS
                  
                   
UniSource Energy Corporation
                  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
  
Three Months Ended
         
(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
  
June 30,
  
Increase / (Decrease)
  
(UNAUDITED)
  
2006
  
2005
  
Amount
  
Percent
  
                   
Operating Revenues
                  
  Electric Retail Sales
  
$
247,387
  
$
231,785
  
$
15,602
    
6.7
 
  Electric Wholesale Sales
    
34,639
   
37,871
   
(3,232
)
  
(8.5
)
  Gas Revenue
    
25,720
   
26,058
   
(338
)
  
(1.3
)
  Other Revenues
    
10,650
   
3,579
   
7,071
   
N/M
  
    Total Operating Revenues
    
318,396
   
299,293
   
19,103
   
6.4
 
                           
Operating Expenses
                          
  Fuel
    
69,143
   
55,863
   
13,280
   
23.8
 
  Purchased Energy
    
77,408
   
68,897
   
8,511
   
12.4
 
  Other Operations and Maintenance
    
61,735
   
58,133
   
3,602
   
6.2
 
  Depreciation and Amortization
    
32,680
   
32,596
   
84
   
0.3
 
  Amortization of Transition Recovery Asset
    
17,279
   
14,136
   
3,143
   
22.2
 
  Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
   
12,360
   
12,402
   
(42
)
  
(0.3
)
    Total Operating Expenses
    
270,605
   
242,027
   
28,578
   
11.8
 
      Operating Income
    
47,791
   
57,266
   
(9,475
)
  
(16.5
)
                           
Other Income (Deductions)
                          
  Interest Income
    
5,142
   
5,076
   
66
   
1.3
 
  Other Income
   
1,987
   
1,649
   
338
   
20.5
 
  Other Expense
    
(246
)
  
(998
)
  
752
   
75.4
 
    Total Other Income (Deductions)
    
6,883
   
5,727
   
1,156
   
20.2
 
                           
Interest Expense
                          
  Long-Term Debt
    
19,208
   
19,744
   
(536
)
  
(2.7
)
  Interest on Capital Leases
    
18,526
   
19,401
   
(875
)
  
(4.5
)
  Loss on Reacquired Debt
    
-
   
5,427
   
(5,427
)
  
N/M
  
  Other Interest Expense
    
1,267
   
664
   
603
   
90.8
 
  Interest Capitalized
    
(1,436
)
  
(1,561
)
  
125
   
8.0
 
    Total Interest Expense
    
37,565
   
43,675
   
(6,110
)
  
(14.0
)
                           
Income from Continuing Operations
                         
Before Income Taxes
    
17,109
   
19,318
   
(2,209
)
  
(11.4
)
  Income Tax Expense
   
7,111
   
8,239
   
(1,128
)
  
(13.7
)
                           
Income from Continuing Operations
    
9,998
   
11,079
   
(1,081
)
  
(9.8
)
Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax
    
-
   
(1,611
)
  
1,611
   
N/M
  
                           
Net Income
 
$
9,998
  
$
9,468
  
$
530
    
5.6
 
                           
Weighted-average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (000)
  
35,245
   
34,755
   
490
   
1.4
 
                           
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share
                          
  Income from Continuing Operations
  
$
0.28
  
$
0.32
  
$
(0.04
)
  
(12.5
)
  Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax
    
-
   
(0.05
)
  
0.05
   
N/M
  
  Net Income
  
$
0.28
  
$
0.27
  
$
0.01
    
3.7
 
                           
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share
                          
  Income from Continuing Operations
  
$
0.28
  
$
0.28
  
$
0.00
    
0.0
 
  Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax
    
-
   
(0.04
)
  
0.04
   
N/M
  
  Net Income
 
$
0.28
  
$
0.24
  
$
0.04
    
16.7
 
                           
Dividends Declared per Share
  
$
0.21
  
$
0.19
  
$
0.02
    
10.5
 
                           
 
    
Three Months Ended
              
Tucson Electric Power
    
June 30,
    
Increase / (Decrease)
  
Electric MWh Sales:
    
2006
    
2005
    
Amount
    
Percent
  
  Retail Sales
    
2,428,745
   
2,292,184
   
136,561
   
6.0
 
  Wholesale Sales
   
655,089
   
753,391
   
(98,302
)
  
(13.0
)
    Total
    
3,083,834
   
3,045,575
   
38,259
   
1.3
 
 
N/M - Not Meaningful
Reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current period's presentation.
 
 
UNISOURCE ENERGY 2006 RESULTS
                  
                   
UniSource Energy Corporation
                  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
  
Six Months Ended
         
(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
  
June 30,
  
Increase / (Decrease)
  
(UNAUDITED)
  
2006
  
2005
  
Amount
  
Percent
  
                   
Operating Revenues
                  
  Electric Retail Sales
  
$
430,056
  
$
403,375
  
$
26,681
    
6.6
 
  Electric Wholesale Sales
    
91,302
   
77,051
   
14,251
   
18.5
 
  Gas Revenue
    
88,535
   
72,607
   
15,928
   
21.9
 
  Other Revenues
    
13,456
   
6,932
   
6,524
   
94.1
 
    Total Operating Revenues
    
623,349
   
559,965
   
63,384
   
11.3
 
                           
Operating Expenses
                          
  Fuel
    
119,359
   
103,154
   
16,205
   
15.7
 
  Purchased Energy
    
159,090
   
133,304
   
25,786
   
19.3
 
  Other Operations and Maintenance
    
115,550
   
117,916
   
(2,366
)
  
(2.0
)
  Depreciation and Amortization
    
63,437
   
66,664
   
(3,227
)
  
(4.8
)
  Amortization of Transition Recovery Asset
    
29,121
   
23,623
   
5,498
   
23.3
 
  Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
   
24,913
   
25,789
   
(876
)
  
(3.4
)
    Total Operating Expenses
    
511,470
   
470,450
   
41,020
   
8.7
 
      Operating Income
    
111,879
   
89,515
   
22,364
   
25.0
 
                           
Other Income (Deductions)
                          
  Interest Income
    
10,069
   
10,037
   
32
   
0.3
 
  Other Income
   
3,622
   
2,803
   
819
   
29.2
 
  Other Expense
    
(974
)
  
(2,242
)
  
1,268
   
56.6
 
    Total Other Income (Deductions)
    
12,717
   
10,598
   
2,119
   
20.0
 
                           
Interest Expense
                          
  Long-Term Debt
    
37,892
   
40,096
   
(2,204
)
  
(5.5
)
  Interest on Capital Leases
    
37,073
   
39,147
   
(2,074
)
  
(5.3
)
  Loss on Reacquired Debt
    
-
   
5,427
   
(5,427
)
  
N/M
  
  Other Interest Expense
    
2,573
   
1,504
   
1,069
   
71.1
 
  Interest Capitalized
    
(3,348
)
  
(2,390
)
  
(958
)
  
(40.1
)
    Total Interest Expense
    
74,190
   
83,784
   
(9,594
)
  
(11.5
)
                           
Income from Continuing Operations
                         
Before Income Taxes
    
50,406
   
16,329
   
34,077
   
N/M
  
  Income Tax Expense
   
20,917
   
7,627
   
13,290
   
N/M
  
                           
Income from Continuing Operations
    
29,489
   
8,702
   
20,787
   
N/M
  
Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax
    
(2,669
)
  
(3,017
)
  
348
   
11.5
 
                           
Net Income
 
$
26,820
  
$
5,685
  
$
21,135
    
N/M
  
                           
Weighted-average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (000)
  
35,181
   
34,669
   
512
   
1.5
 
                           
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share
                          
  Income from Continuing Operations
  
$
0.84
  
$
0.25
  
$
0.59
    
N/M
  
  Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax
    
(0.08
)
  
(0.09
)
  
0.01
   
11.1
 
  Net Income
  
$
0.76
  
$
0.16
  
$
0.60
    
N/M
  
                           
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share
                          
  Income from Continuing Operations
  
$
0.80
  
$
0.25
  
$
0.55
    
N/M
  
  Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax
    
(0.07
)
  
(0.09
)
  
0.02
   
22.2
 
  Net Income
 
$
0.73
  
$
0.16
  
$
0.57
    
N/M
  
                           
Dividends Declared per Share
  
$
0.42
  
$
0.38
  
$
0.04
    
10.5
 
                           
 
    
Six Months Ended 
              
Tucson Electric Power
    
June 30,
    
Increase / (Decrease)
  
Electric MWh Sales:
    
2006
    
2005
    
Amount
    
Percent
  
  Retail Sales
    
4,302,561
   
4,068,585
   
233,976
   
5.8
 
  Wholesale Sales
   
1,672,531
   
1,515,369
   
157,162
   
10.4
 
    Total
    
5,975,092
   
5,583,954
   
391,138
   
7.0
 
 
N/M - Not Meaningful
Reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current period's presentation.