EX-99.1 2 exhibit99120150630pressrel.htm PRESS RELEASE Exhibit 99.1 20150630 Press Release
Exhibit 99.1


 
Portland General Electric
One World Trade Center
121 S.W. Salmon Street
Portland, Oregon 97204

News Release
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
 
July 28, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Media Contact:
 
Investor Contact:
 
Melanie Moir
 
Bill Valach
 
Corporate Communications
 
Investor Relations
 
Phone: 503-464-8790
 
Phone: 503-464-7395

Portland General Electric announces second quarter results
Reaffirms 2015 earnings guidance



PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) today reported net income of $35 million, or 44 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2015. This compares with net income of $35 million, or 43 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2014. Net income was comparable quarter over quarter as increased energy deliveries and the incremental earnings contribution from new generating resources were largely offset by the impact of higher net variable power costs (NVPC) in the second quarter of 2015 when compared to the second quarter of 2014. Actual NVPC approximated baseline NVPC for the second quarter of 2015, while actual NVPC was $11 million below baseline NVPC for the second quarter of 2014.

"Higher energy deliveries and excellent operations, including strong system reliability and power supply management, collectively offset the effects of lower hydro and wind conditions," said Jim Piro, president and chief executive officer. “We are on track to meet our operating and revised financial objectives for the year, and I’m pleased with the growth we’re seeing in our operating area and the continued positive economic trends in Oregon.”

Company Updates

Generation Project: Construction is proceeding on the Carty Generating Station, a 440 megawatt natural gas-fired baseload power plant near Boardman, Ore. The plant is scheduled to be placed into service during the second quarter of 2016 at an estimated cost of $450 million, excluding allowance for funds used during construction (AFDC). The 500 KV Grassland Substation serving the site has been completed and construction of the 24 mile lateral gas pipeline commenced in early June. Construction on the plant is now approximately 60 percent complete.

Equity Forward Sale Agreement: In June 2015, PGE physically settled in full its Equity Forward Sale Agreement, with the issuance of the remaining 10.4 million shares of common stock available under the agreement, in exchange for net proceeds of $271 million.

2016 General Rate Case: In February, PGE filed a general rate case with the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) with a 2016 test year which would result in an overall price increase of 3.7 percent effective in 2016, primarily to recover the costs associated with the Carty Generating Station. The request is based on a return on equity of 9.90 percent, a capital structure of 50 percent debt and 50 percent equity, and rate base of $4.5 billion.


1

Exhibit 99.1

In June, a partial stipulation was filed covering agreements reached among PGE, OPUC Staff, and other parties on a variety of issues in the proceeding, including cost recovery of the Carty Generating Station, subject to meeting certain conditions. In addition, PGE has updated load forecasts and filed revised 2016 power cost estimates. The net increase in annual revenue requirement as revised by the June stipulation and the updates to the Company’s 2016 power cost and load forecasts consists of the following (in millions):
 
As Filed February 12, 2015
June 23, 2015 Stipulation and Updates
As Revised July 15, 2015
Carty
$83
$2
$85
Base business cost
$39
($21)
$18
Supplemental tariff updates
($56)
$(6)
$(62)
Annual revenue requirement, net
$66
$(25)
$41

In July, PGE filed motions to suspend both the non-power cost and power cost procedural schedules after reaching a settlement with OPUC staff and other parties on all issues in the case except for one power cost issue. A new updated schedule has been adopted for this remaining issue. Details on the new settlements will be available when the stipulation is filed. All stipulations are subject to OPUC approval and PGE expects a final order from the Commission before the end of 2015. New customer prices are expected to become effective in 2016, with an initial price decrease January 1, 2016 and a price increase effective as Carty becomes operational, which is expected in the second quarter of 2016.

Second quarter operating results

Retail revenues increased $24 million, or 6 percent, to $420 million for the second quarter of 2015 from $396 million for the second quarter of 2014. The increase consisted of:

$22 million increase related to a 5.6 percent higher volume of energy delivered in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the second quarter of 2014, with increases in energy deliveries across all customer classes as follows: residential 4.9 percent; commercial 3.6 percent; and industrial 9.8 percent; and
$9 million increase related to a 2.3 percent increase in average customer prices largely resulting from the 2015 general rate case; partially offset by
$7 million decrease related to various supplemental tariff changes, including the return of $5 million to customers in 2015 of proceeds received in connection with the settlement of a legal matter and related tax credits (offset in depreciation and amortization).

Net variable power costs (purchased power and fuel expense, net of wholesale revenues) (NVPC) increased $5 million for the second quarter of 2015 compared with the second quarter of 2014, and consisted of the following:

$9 million related to a 7 percent increase in total system load; partially offset by
$3 million related to a 1 percent decline in the average variable power cost per MWh; and
$1 million increase in wholesale revenue, largely related to a 5 percent increase in wholesale sales volume.

The decrease in the average variable power costs was largely due to an increase in lower-cost thermal generation during the second quarter of 2015. Thermal generation was economically displaced with purchased power for the majority of the second quarter of 2014. In addition, an increase in the Company’s wind generating resources from the addition of Tucannon River, partially offset by a decrease in energy received from hydro resources, contributed to the decrease in the average variable power cost.

For the second quarter of 2015, actual NVPC approximated baseline NVPC included in the annual power cost update tariff (AUT), while NVPC for the second quarter of 2014 fell below baseline NVPC included in the AUT by $11 million. Forecasted NVPC for 2015 are expected to be within the deadband of the power cost adjustment

2

Exhibit 99.1

mechanism; accordingly, no estimated collection from, or refund to customers, has been recorded pursuant to the Power Cost Adjustment Mechanism.

Generation, transmission and distribution expense decreased $1 million, or 1 percent, in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the second quarter of 2014. A $3 million decrease resulting from differences in the timing of the annual planned maintenance outages at Boardman in 2014 and 2015, was largely offset by higher operating and maintenance expenses in 2015, driven by the addition of Port Westward Unit 2 and Tucannon River, and higher information technology expenses. The planned maintenance outage at Boardman occurred in the first quarter of 2015, compared with the second quarter of 2014.

Administrative and other expense in the second quarter of 2015 was $4 million, or 7 percent, higher than in the second quarter of 2014 due to a combination of higher expenses for legal and environmental services, pension, information technology and other items partially offset by a $2 million reduction in the provision for bad debt expense.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $3 million, or 4 percent, in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the second quarter of 2014. Such increase consisted of $6 million related to capital additions and $2 million resulting from changes in asset retirement obligation assumptions, partially offset by $5 million related to the amortization of deferred regulatory liabilities for the Trojan spent fuel settlement and related tax credits in 2015.

Interest expense in the second quarter of 2015 was $5 million, or 22 percent, higher than in the second quarter of 2014, with $3 million related to a higher average balance of debt outstanding and $2 million related to lower AFDC from the completion of construction of two new generating resources in December 2014.

Other income, net in the second quarter of 2015 was $4 million lower than in the second quarter of 2014 due to a decrease in the allowance for equity funds used during construction resulting from the lower average CWIP balance.

Income tax expense was $15 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared with $10 million in the second quarter of 2014. The increase was largely due to higher pre-tax income for 2015 compared to 2014 and the tax impact of lower AFDC.

2015 earnings guidance

PGE is reaffirming its full-year 2015 earnings guidance of $2.05 - $2.20 per share, based on the following assumptions:

Retail deliveries growth adjusted for weather of approximately 1.5 percent;
Below average hydro conditions;
Normal thermal plant and wind generation for the remainder of the year;
Depreciation and amortization expense between $300 and $310 million; and,
Capital expenditures of $598 million.

Second quarter 2015 earnings call and web cast — July. 28

PGE will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors on Tuesday, July 28, at 11 a.m. ET. The conference call will be webcast live on the PGE website at portlandgeneral.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 28 through Tuesday, August 4.

Jim Piro, president and CEO; Jim Lobdell, senior vice president of finance, CFO, and treasurer; and Bill Valach, director, investor relations, will participate in the call. Management will respond to questions following formal comments.


3

Exhibit 99.1

The attached unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, condensed consolidated balance sheets, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, as well as the supplemental operating statistics, are an integral part of this earnings release.

# # # # #

About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric Company is a vertically integrated electric utility that serves approximately 849,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Portland/Salem metropolitan area of Oregon. The company’s headquarters are located at 121 S.W. Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 97204. Visit PGE’s website at portlandgeneral.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this news release that relate to future plans, objectives, expectations, performance, events and the like may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding earnings guidance; statements regarding future load, hydro conditions and operating and maintenance costs; statements concerning implementation of the company’s integrated resource plan; statements concerning future compliance with regulations limiting emissions from generation facilities and the costs to achieve such compliance; as well as other statements containing words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “promises,” “expects,” “should,” “conditioned upon,” and similar expressions. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including reductions in demand for electricity; the sale of excess energy during periods of low demand or low wholesale market prices; operational risks relating to the company’s generation facilities, including hydro conditions, wind conditions, disruption of fuel supply, and unscheduled plant outages, which may result in unanticipated operating, maintenance and repair costs, as well as replacement power costs; failure to complete capital projects on schedule or within budget, or the abandonment of capital projects, which could result in the company’s inability to recover project costs; the costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including those that govern emissions from thermal power plants; changes in weather, hydroelectric and energy markets conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of purchased power and fuel; changes in capital market conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of capital and result in delay or cancellation of capital projects; the outcome of various legal and regulatory proceedings; and general economic and financial market conditions. As a result, actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the company on the date hereof and such statements speak only as of the date hereof. The company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Prospective investors should also review the risks and uncertainties listed in the company’s most recent annual report on form 10-K and the company’s reports on forms 8-K and 10-Q filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and the risks described therein from time to time.

POR-F
Source: Portland General Electric Company


4

Exhibit 99.1

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues, net
$
450

 
$
423

 
$
923

 
$
916

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased power and fuel
148

 
142

 
309

 
326

Generation, transmission and distribution
66

 
67

 
128

 
121

Administrative and other
60

 
56

 
120

 
110

Depreciation and amortization
76

 
73

 
151

 
148

Taxes other than income taxes
28

 
27

 
58

 
55

Total operating expenses
378

 
365

 
766

 
760

Income from operations
72

 
58

 
157

 
156

Interest expense (1)
28

 
23

 
58

 
48

Other income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
5

 
9

 
9

 
15

Miscellaneous income, net
1

 
1

 
2

 

Other income, net
6

 
10

 
11

 
15

Income before income tax expense
50

 
45

 
110

 
123

Income tax expense
15

 
10

 
25

 
30

Net income
35

 
35

 
$
85

 
$
93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
80,745

 
78,183

 
79,515

 
78,154

Diluted
80,745

 
80,051

 
79,515

 
79,742

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.44

 
$
0.44

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.19

Diluted
$
0.44

 
$
0.43

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.16

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.300

 
$
0.280

 
$
0.580

 
$
0.555

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Net of an allowance for borrowed funds used during construction of $3 million and $5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $6 million and $9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


5

Exhibit 99.1

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
122

 
$
127

Accounts receivable, net
122

 
149

Unbilled revenues
87

 
93

Inventories
101

 
82

Regulatory assets—current
117

 
133

Other current assets
97

 
115

Total current assets
646

 
699

Electric utility plant, net
5,874

 
5,679

Regulatory assets—noncurrent
552

 
494

Nuclear decommissioning trust
40

 
90

Non-qualified benefit plan trust
35

 
32

Other noncurrent assets
51

 
48

Total assets
$
7,198

 
$
7,042

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
125

 
$
156

Liabilities from price risk management activities - current
101

 
106

Current portion of long-term debt
55

 
375

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
228

 
236

Total current liabilities
509

 
873

Long-term debt, net of current portion
2,204

 
2,126

Regulatory liabilities—noncurrent
923

 
906

Deferred income taxes
648

 
625

Unfunded status of pension and postretirement plans
243

 
237

Liabilities from price risk management activities—noncurrent
187

 
122

Asset retirement obligations
135

 
116

Non-qualified benefit plan liabilities
105

 
105

Other noncurrent liabilities
23

 
21

Total liabilities
4,977

 
5,131

Total equity
2,221

 
1,911

Total liabilities and equity
$
7,198

 
$
7,042



6

Exhibit 99.1

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
85

 
$
93

Depreciation and amortization
151

 
148

Other non-cash income and expenses, net included in Net income
45

 
37

Changes in working capital and other, net
(33
)
 
24

Net cash provided by operating activities
248

 
302

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(313
)
 
(501
)
Distribution from Nuclear decommissioning trust
50

 

Sales tax refund received related to Tucannon River Wind Farm
23

 

Other, net
2

 
7

Net cash used in investing activities
(238
)
 
(494
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs
271

 

Repayment of long-term debt, net of issuances
(242
)
 
225

Dividends paid
(44
)
 
(43
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(15
)
 
182

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(5
)
 
(10
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
127

 
107

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
122

 
$
97

 
 
 
 



7

Exhibit 99.1

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues (dollars in millions):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
200

 
$
188

 
$
434

 
$
445

Commercial
167

 
159

 
322

 
317

Industrial
57

 
53

 
113

 
105

Subtotal
424

 
400

 
869

 
867

Other retail revenues, net
(4
)
 
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Total retail revenues
420

 
396

 
867

 
865

Wholesale revenues
18

 
17

 
37

 
34

Other operating revenues
12

 
10

 
19

 
17

Total revenues
$
450

 
$
423

 
$
923

 
$
916

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy sold and delivered (MWh in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail energy sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
1,628

 
1,552

 
3,559

 
3,726

Commercial
1,753

 
1,675

 
3,384

 
3,326

Industrial
870

 
785

 
1,692

 
1,525

Total retail energy sales
4,251

 
4,012

 
8,635

 
8,577

Retail energy deliveries:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
127

 
139

 
256

 
269

Industrial
291

 
272

 
563

 
533

Total retail energy deliveries
418

 
411

 
819

 
802

Total retail energy sales and deliveries
4,669

 
4,423

 
9,454

 
9,379

Wholesale energy deliveries
538

 
512

 
1,118

 
893

Total energy sold and delivered
5,207

 
4,935

 
10,572

 
10,272

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of retail customers at end of period:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
 
 
 
741,507

 
735,153

Commercial
 
 
 
 
106,503

 
106,139

Industrial
 
 
 
 
201

 
200

Direct access
 
 
 
 
389

 
438

Total retail customers
 
 
 
 
848,600

 
841,930


8

Exhibit 99.1

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS, continued
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Sources of energy (MWh in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thermal:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coal
727

 
367

 
1,211

 
1,600

Natural gas
984

 
43

 
1,654

 
991

Total thermal
1,711

 
410

 
2,865

 
2,591

Hydro
318

 
448

 
796

 
981

Wind
515

 
404

 
803

 
621

Total generation
2,544

 
1,262

 
4,464

 
4,193

Purchased power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term
1,376

 
2,562

 
2,876

 
3,782

Hydro
383

 
489

 
913

 
867

Wind
96

 
102

 
153

 
165

Spot
621

 
294

 
1,861

 
1,041

Total purchased power
2,476

 
3,447

 
5,803

 
5,855

Total system load
5,020

 
4,709

 
10,267

 
10,048

Less: wholesale sales
(538
)
 
(512
)
 
(1,118
)
 
(893
)
Retail load requirement
4,482

 
4,197

 
9,149

 
9,155


 
Heating Degree-days
 
Cooling Degree-days
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
First quarter
1,481

 
1,891

 

 

Average
1,864

 
1,864

 

 

Second quarter
513

 
530

 
207

 
57

Average
713

 
713

 
70

 
70

Year-to-date
1,994

 
2,421

 
207

 
57

Year-to-date average *
2,577

 
2,577

 
70

 
70

* — “Average” amounts represent the 15-year rolling averages provided by the National Weather Service (Portland Airport).



9