El Paso Electric (NYSE:EE):

Overview

  • For the fourth quarter of 2014, El Paso Electric Company ("EE" or the "Company") reported net income of $4.2 million, or $0.10 basic and diluted earnings per share. In the fourth quarter of 2013, EE reported net income of $1.2 million, or $0.03 basic and diluted earnings per share.
  • For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, EE reported net income of $91.4 million, or $2.27 basic and diluted earnings per share. Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 was $88.6 million, or $2.20 basic and diluted earnings per share.

“We closed 2014 with solid financial results as net income increased more than $3.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014 when compared to the same period last year,” said Tom Shockley, Chief Executive Officer. “Reflecting back on the year, we are pleased that we achieved critical milestones and the goals established at the outset of the year to include significant progress on the construction of the Montana Power Station and Eastside Operations Center, the appointment of Mary Kipp as President of the Company, reaching a new native system peak of 1,766 MW in June 2014, and raising $150 million in the debt market. Additionally, we continued to experience an increase in the number of customers served. Earlier this month, we began working out of the new operations center. We now focus on our key objectives for 2015. Units 1 and 2 of the new Montana Power Station are expected to be completed by March 31, 2015 and will serve our customers with safe, dependable, cost effective and environmental-friendly power for many years to come. Following the completion of the first two generation units, we will seek rate relief for the construction costs incurred. We are excited to be part of a dynamic and growing community and are working responsibly to meet the region's expanding energy needs with clean and reliable technology."

Earnings Summary

The table and explanations below present the major factors affecting 2014 net income relative to 2013 net income:

          Quarter Ended   Twelve Months Ended

Pre-TaxEffect

 

After-TaxNetIncome

 

BasicEPS

 

Pre-TaxEffect

 

After-TaxNetIncome

 

BasicEPS

December 31, 2013 $ 1,191 $ 0.03 $ 88,583 $ 2.20 Changes in: Investment and interest income 3,214 2,583 0.06 6,600 5,309 0.13 Allowance for funds used during construction 2,896 2,548 0.06 6,967 6,157 0.15 Non-base revenue, net of energy expense 2,610 1,696 0.04 5,814 3,779 0.10 Retail non-fuel base revenues 1,518 987 0.02 (5,434 ) (3,533 ) (0.09 ) Income taxes (3,254 ) (0.08 ) 15 — Palo Verde operations and maintenance (1,945 ) (1,264 ) (0.03 ) (2,516 ) (1,635 ) (0.04 ) Taxes other than income taxes (902 ) (586 ) (0.01 ) (5,003 ) (3,252 ) (0.08 ) Depreciation and amortization expense (726 ) (471 ) (0.01 ) (3,716 ) (2,415 ) (0.06 ) Other 811   0.02   (1,580 ) (0.04 ) December 31, 2014 $ 4,241   $ 0.10   $ 91,428   $ 2.27    

Fourth Quarter 2014

Income for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, when compared to the same period last year, was positively affected by:

  • Increased investment and interest income primarily due to increased gains on the sales of equity investments in our Palo Verde decommissioning trust funds compared to the same period last year.
  • Increased allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") due to higher balances of construction work in progress, including the Montana Power Station and the Eastside Operations Center.
  • Increased non-base revenue net of energy expense primarily due to a Texas energy efficiency bonus of $2.0 million awarded by the Public Utility Commission of Texas in PUCT Docket No. 42449 in November 2014 for our 2013 energy efficiency program results, and an increase in deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues related to an increase in generation.
  • Increased retail non-fuel base revenues primarily due to increased revenues from our residential and small commercial and industrial customers. KWh sales to residential and small commercial and industrial customers increased 2.2% and 2.3%, respectively and reflect customer growth and increased cooling degree days in October 2014 (at the end of the summer cooling season) compared to October 2013.

Income for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, when compared to the same period last year, was negatively affected by:

  • Income taxes, not reflected in other income items above, increased primarily due to the legislative timing of the bonus depreciation extension in 2014 associated with the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 which was signed into law on December 19, 2014, and benefits recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013 related to positive developments in state income tax audits and settlements with no comparable level of benefits in the current period.
  • Increased Palo Verde operation and maintenance expense primarily due to increased payroll including incentive compensation.

Other items impacting earnings included increased taxes other than income taxes primarily due to a favorable adjustment to sales and use tax in 2013 with no comparable adjustment in 2014, increased payroll taxes, and increased revenue related taxes. Also impacting earnings was an increase in depreciation and amortization expense primarily due to an increase in depreciable plant balances.

Year to Date

Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, when compared to the same period last year, was positively affected by:

  • Increased AFUDC due to higher balances of construction work in progress, including the Montana Power Station and Eastside Operations Center.
  • Increased investment and interest income primarily due to increased gains on the sales of equity investments in our Palo Verde decommissioning trust funds compared to the same period last year.
  • Increased non-base revenues net of energy expenses due to (i) recognition of $2.2 million in Palo Verde performance rewards associated with the 2009 to 2012 performance periods, net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs related to the resolution of the Texas fuel reconciliation proceeding designated as PUCT Docket No. 41852, (ii) a $2.0 million Texas Energy Efficiency bonus awarded in the fourth quarter of 2014, and (iii) an increase of $3.6 million in deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $3.3 million in transmission wheeling revenues.

Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, when compared to the same period last year, was negatively affected by:

  • Decreased retail non-fuel base revenues primarily due to (i) a $3.0 million reduction in sales to public authorities reflecting increased use of an interruptible rate at a military installation in our service territory as well as other energy saving programs at military installations; (ii) a $2.3 million decrease in sales to residential customers primarily due to milder weather; and (iii) a $1.0 million decrease in sales to large commercial and industrial customers.
  • Increased taxes other than income taxes primarily due to higher property tax values and assessment rates. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2014, the Arizona tax district in which Palo Verde operates adjusted its 2013 property tax rate resulting in an additional charge of $1.3 million.
  • Increased depreciation and amortization due to increased depreciable plant balances including Rio Grande Unit 9, which began commercial operation on May 13, 2013.
  • Increased Palo Verde operations and maintenance expense primarily due to increased payroll including incentive compensation.

Retail Non-fuel Base Revenues

Retail non-fuel base revenues increased $1.5 million, pre-tax, or 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. This increase reflects a $1.2 million increase from sales to residential customers. KWh sales to residential customers increased by 2.2% reflecting warmer weather in October 2014 at the end of the summer cooling season and a 1.2% increase in the average number of residential customers served. Cooling degree days increased 70.0% for the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to the same quarter last year, and were 16.2% above the 10-year average. Heating degree days decreased 14.8% for the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to the same period last year, and were 7.4% below the 10-year average. Retail non-fuel base revenues also increased due to a $0.6 million increase in non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial customers. KWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers in the fourth quarter of 2014 increased 2.3%, compared to the same quarter in 2013, and the average number of small commercial and industrial customers served increased 1.9%. KWh sales to public authorities decreased 4.4% primarily due to energy savings from energy conservation and efficiency programs and use of solar distributed generation at military installations. Non-fuel base revenues and kWh sales are provided by customer class on page 10 of this release.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, retail non-fuel base revenues decreased $5.4 million, pre-tax, or 1.0%, compared to the same period in 2013. This decrease reflects a $3.0 million decrease from sales to public authorities primarily due to an increased use of an interruptible rate by a military installation customer, as well as other energy savings from energy conservation and efficiency programs and use of solar distributed generation at military installations. Non-fuel base revenues from sales to residential customers decreased $2.3 million and reflects milder weather in 2014, primarily in the first quarter, which impacted sales to not only residential customers, but also small commercial and industrial customers, and to a lesser extent public authority customers. Heating degree days decreased 21.7% when compared to the same period last year, and were 12.9% below the 10-year average. Cooling degree days were relatively consistent with both the same period last year and the 10-year average. KWh sales to residential customers decreased 1.4% while the average number of residential customers served increased 1.3%. Non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial customers increased slightly, when compared to the same period in 2013, due to a 2.0% increase in the average number of customers served partially offset by milder weather. KWh sales to large commercial and industrial customers decreased 2.8%, and non-fuel base revenues decreased 2.5% as several customers ceased operations. Non-fuel base revenues and kWh sales are provided by customer class on page 12 of this release.

Capital and Liquidity

In December 2014, we issued $150 million of 5.0% Senior Notes, due to mature on December 1, 2044, to fund construction expenditures and to repay the outstanding balance of our revolving credit facility (the "RCF") used for working capital and general corporate purposes. We continue to maintain a strong capital structure in which common stock equity represented 45.8% of our capitalization (common stock equity, long-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt, and short-term borrowings under the RCF). At December 31, 2014, we had a balance of $40.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. Based on current projections, we believe that we will have adequate liquidity through our current cash balances, cash from operations, and available borrowings under the RCF to meet all of our anticipated cash requirements for the next 12 months including the $15 million maturity of our Series A 3.67% Senior Notes (due August 2015) . We may also issue long-term debt in the capital markets to finance capital requirements in late 2015 or early 2016.

Cash flows from operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 were $243.3 million compared to $247.5 million in the corresponding period in 2013. A component of cash flows from operations is the change in net over-collection and under-collection of fuel revenues. The difference between fuel revenues collected and fuel expense incurred is deferred to be either refunded (over-recoveries) or surcharged (under-recoveries) to customers in the future. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the Company had a fuel under-recovery of $3.1 million compared to an under-recovery of fuel costs of $10.8 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $9.3 million, including an under-recovery balance of $10.3 million for the Texas and FERC jurisdictions and an over-recovery balance of $0.9 million in New Mexico.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, our primary capital requirements were for the construction and purchase of electric utility plant, payment of common stock dividends, and purchases of nuclear fuel. Capital requirements for the new electric plant were $277.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and $237.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. Capital requirements for purchases of nuclear fuel were $37.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and $30.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013.

On January 29, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share payable on March 31, 2015 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2015. On December 30, 2014, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share, or $11.3 million, to shareholders of record on December 12, 2014. We paid a total of $44.6 million in cash dividends during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. We expect to continue paying quarterly cash dividends during 2015 and we expect to review the dividend policy in the second quarter of 2015.

No shares of common stock were repurchased during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, a total of 393,816 shares remain available for repurchase under the currently authorized stock repurchase program. The Company may repurchase shares in the open market from time to time.

We maintain the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes and financing of nuclear fuel through the Rio Grande Resources Trust (the "RGRT"). The RGRT, the trust through which we finance our portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde, is consolidated in the Company's financial statements. The RCF has a term ending January 14, 2019. The aggregate unsecured borrowing available under the RCF is $300 million. We may increase the RCF by up to $100 million (up to a total of $400 million) during the term of the agreement, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, more fully set forth in the agreement, including obtaining commitments from lenders or third party financial institutions. The amounts we borrow under the RCF may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The total amount borrowed for nuclear fuel by the RGRT was $124.5 million at December 31, 2014, of which $14.5 million had been borrowed under the RCF, and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. Borrowings by the RGRT for nuclear fuel were $124.4 million as of December 31, 2013, of which $14.4 million had been borrowed under the RCF and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes. Interest costs on borrowings to finance nuclear fuel are accumulated by the RGRT and charged to us as fuel is consumed and recovered through fuel recovery charges. No borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013 under the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes.

2015 Earnings Guidance

We are providing earnings guidance for 2015 within a range of $1.75 to $2.15 per basic share.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2014 financial results is scheduled for 10:30 A.M. Eastern Time, on February 25, 2015. The dial-in number is 888-510-1786 with a conference ID number of 8983997. The international dial-in number is 719-325-2435. The conference leader will be Lisa Budtke, Assistant Treasurer. A replay will run through March 11, 2015 with a dial-in number of 888-203-1112 and a conference ID number of 8983997. The replay international dial-in number is 719-457-0820. The conference call and presentation slides will be webcast live on the Company's website found at http://www.epelectric.com. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call.

Safe Harbor

This news release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) increased prices for fuel and purchased power and the possibility that regulators may not permit EE to pass through all such increased costs to customers or to recover previously incurred fuel costs in rates; (ii) recovery of capital investments and operating costs through rates in Texas and New Mexico; (iii) uncertainties and instability in the general economy and the resulting impact on EE's sales and profitability; (iv) changes in customers' demand for electricity as a result of energy efficiency initiatives and emerging competing services and technologies; (v) unanticipated increased costs associated with scheduled and unscheduled outages of generating plant; (vi) the size of our construction program and our ability to complete construction on budget; (vii) potential delays in our construction schedule due to legal challenges or other reasons; (viii) costs at Palo Verde; (ix) deregulation and competition in the electric utility industry; (x) possible increased costs of compliance with environmental or other laws, regulations and policies; (xi) possible income tax and interest payments as a result of audit adjustments proposed by the IRS or state taxing authorities; (xii) uncertainties and instability in the financial markets and the resulting impact on EE's ability to access the capital and credit markets; (xiii) possible physical or cyber attacks, intrusions or other catastrophic events; and (xiv) other factors detailed by EE in its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EE's filings are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission or may be obtained through EE's website, http://www.epelectric.com. Any such forward-looking statement is qualified by reference to these risks and factors. EE cautions that these risks and factors are not exclusive. EE does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of EE except as required by law.

El Paso Electric Company Statements of Operations Quarter Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (In thousands except for per share data) (Unaudited)         2014   2013   Variance   Operating revenues, net of energy expenses: Base revenues $ 114,728 $ 113,137 $ 1,591 (a) Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues 3,109 2,163 946 Other 8,812   7,148   1,664   Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses 126,649 122,448 4,201   Other operating expenses: Other operations and maintenance 51,722 53,915 (2,193 ) Palo Verde operations and maintenance 31,183 29,238 1,945 Taxes other than income taxes 13,867 12,965 902 Other income 4,867   1,783   3,084   Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization 34,744 28,113 6,631 (b)   Depreciation and amortization 21,006 20,280 726 Interest on long-term debt 15,225 14,806 419 AFUDC and capitalized interest 8,269 5,466 2,803 Other interest expense 351   (25 ) 376   Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes 6,431 (1,482 ) 7,913   Income tax expense (benefit) 2,190   (2,673 ) 4,863     Net Income $ 4,241   $ 1,191   $ 3,050     Basic Earnings per Share $ 0.10   $ 0.03   $ 0.07     Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.10   $ 0.03   $ 0.07     Dividends declared per share of common stock $ 0.280   $ 0.265   $ 0.015     Weighted average number of shares outstanding 40,220   40,135   85  

 

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding

40,220   40,135   85     (a) Base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates of $16.0 million and $16.1 million, respectively.   (b) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is a non-generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") financial measure and is not a substitute for net income or other measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP.   El Paso Electric Company Statements of Operations Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (In thousands except for per share data) (Unaudited)           2014   2013   Variance   Operating revenues, net of energy expenses: Base revenues $ 553,341 $ 558,670 $ (5,329 ) (a) Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues 15,012 11,423 3,589 Palo Verde performance rewards, net 2,220 — 2,220 Other 31,143   31,138   5   Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses 601,716 601,231 485   Other operating expenses: Other operations and maintenance 205,237 201,515 3,722 Palo Verde operations and maintenance 99,224 96,708 2,516 Taxes other than income taxes 62,750 57,747 5,003 Other income 13,509   4,307   9,202   Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization 248,014 249,568 (1,554 ) (b)   Depreciation and amortization 83,342 79,626 3,716 Interest on long-term debt 59,028 58,635 393 AFUDC and capitalized interest 28,122 21,362 6,760 Other interest expense 1,250   431   819   Income Before Income Taxes 132,516 132,238 278   Income tax expense 41,088   43,655   (2,567 )   Net Income $ 91,428   $ 88,583   $ 2,845     Basic Earnings per Share $ 2.27   $ 2.20   $ 0.07     Diluted Earnings per Share $ 2.27   $ 2.20   $ 0.07     Dividends declared per share of common stock $ 1.105   $ 1.045   $ 0.060     Weighted average number of shares outstanding 40,191   40,115   76    

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding

40,212   40,127   85     (a) Base revenues exclude fuel recovered through New Mexico base rates of $71.6 million and $73.3 million, respectively.   (b) EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a substitute for net income or other measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP.   El Paso Electric Company Cash Flow Summary Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (In thousands and Unaudited)           2014   2013   Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 91,428 $ 88,583 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations: Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service 83,342 79,626 Amortization of nuclear fuel 43,864 42,537 Deferred income taxes, net 39,129 44,678 Gain on sale of decommissioning trust funds (7,350 ) (553 ) Other 1,533 6,176 Change in: Accounts receivable (5,815 ) (2,450 ) Net undercollection of fuel revenues (3,121 ) (10,843 ) Accounts payable 9,684 8,180 Other (9,354 ) (8,459 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 243,340   247,475     Cash flows from investing activities: Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment (277,078 ) (237,411 ) Cash additions to nuclear fuel (37,877 ) (30,535 ) Decommissioning trust funds (9,364 ) (9,343 ) Other (6,873 ) (5,475 ) Net cash used for investing activities (331,192 ) (282,764 )   Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid (44,556 ) (42,049 ) Borrowings under the revolving credit facility, net 180 (7,803 ) Proceeds from issuance of long-term senior notes 149,468 — Other (2,328 ) (324 ) Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 102,764   (50,176 )   Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 14,912 (85,465 )   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 25,592   111,057     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 40,504   $ 25,592     El Paso Electric Company Quarter Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 Sales and Revenues Statistics                   Increase (Decrease) 2014   2013   Amount   Percentage

kWh sales (in thousands):

Retail: Residential 552,977 540,826 12,151 2.2 % Commercial and industrial, small 548,369 535,818 12,551 2.3 % Commercial and industrial, large 269,584 282,280 (12,696 ) (4.5 )% Public authorities 360,381   376,806   (16,425 ) (4.4 )% Total retail sales 1,731,311   1,735,730   (4,419 ) (0.3 )% Wholesale: Sales for resale 9,798 8,919 879 9.9 % Off-system sales 606,749   580,761   25,988   4.5 % Total wholesale sales 616,547   589,680   26,867   4.6 % Total kWh sales 2,347,858   2,325,410   22,448   1.0 %

Operating revenues (in thousands):

Non-fuel base revenues: Retail: Residential $ 47,653 $ 46,409 $ 1,244 2.7 % Commercial and industrial, small 38,449 37,805 644 1.7 % Commercial and industrial, large 9,019 9,240 (221 ) (2.4 )% Public authorities 19,229   19,378   (149 ) (0.8 )% Total retail non-fuel base revenues 114,350 112,832 1,518 1.3 % Wholesale: Sales for resale 378   305   73   23.9 % Total non-fuel base revenues 114,728   113,137   1,591   1.4 % Fuel revenues: Recovered from customers during the period 34,945 31,424 3,521 11.2 % Under collection of fuel 1,887 2,480 (593 ) (23.9 )% New Mexico fuel in base rates 15,971   16,082   (111 ) (0.7 )% Total fuel revenues (a) 52,803   49,986   2,817   5.6 % Off-system sales: Fuel cost 13,246 16,862 (3,616 ) (21.4 )% Shared margins 6,602 2,762 3,840 — % Retained margins 418   322   96   29.8 % Total off-system sales 20,266 19,946 320 1.6 % Other (b) (c) 8,766   7,228   1,538   21.3 % Total operating revenues $ 196,563   $ 190,297   $ 6,266   3.3 %   (a) Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $3.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively.   (b) Includes energy efficiency bonuses of $2.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively.   (c) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.   El Paso Electric Company Quarter Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 Other Statistical Data           Increase (Decrease) 2014   2013   Amount Percentage  

Average number of retail customers: (a)

Residential 353,657 349,494 4,163 1.2 % Commercial and industrial, small 39,969 39,232 737 1.9 % Commercial and industrial, large 49 50 (1 ) (2.0 )% Public authorities 5,090   5,046   44   0.9 % Total 398,765   393,822   4,943   1.3 %  

Number of retail customers (end of period): (a)

Residential 353,885 349,629 4,256 1.2 % Commercial and industrial, small 40,038 39,164 874 2.2 % Commercial and industrial, large 49 50 (1 ) (2.0 )% Public authorities 5,017   5,043   (26 ) (0.5 )% Total 398,989   393,886   5,103   1.3 %  

Weather statistics: (b)

10-Yr Average Heating degree days 858 1,007 927 Cooling degree days 136 80 117  

Generation and purchased power (kWh, in thousands):

Increase (Decrease) 2014   2013   Amount Percentage   Palo Verde 1,180,602 1,044,033 136,569 13.1 % Four Corners 159,363 149,173 10,190 6.8 % Gas plants 889,502   840,477   49,025   5.8 % Total generation 2,229,467 2,033,683 195,784 9.6 % Purchased power: Photovoltaic 53,941 23,828 30,113 126.4 % Other 188,194   380,720   (192,526 ) (50.6 )% Total purchased power 242,135   404,548   (162,413 ) (40.1 )% Total available energy 2,471,602 2,438,231 33,371 1.4 % Line losses and Company use 123,744   112,821   10,923   9.7 % Total kWh sold 2,347,858   2,325,410   22,448   1.0 %  

Palo Verde capacity factor

85.9

%

76.0

%

9.9

%

 

(a)

The number of retail customers is based on the number of service locations.

 

(b)

A degree day is recorded for each degree that the average outdoor temperature varies from a standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

    El Paso Electric Company Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 Sales and Revenues Statistics                     Increase (Decrease) 2014   2013   Amount Percentage

kWh sales (in thousands):

Retail: Residential 2,640,535 2,679,262 (38,727 ) (1.4 )% Commercial and industrial, small 2,357,846 2,349,148 8,698 0.4 % Commercial and industrial, large 1,064,475 1,095,379 (30,904 ) (2.8 )% Public authorities 1,562,784   1,622,607   (59,823 ) (3.7 )% Total retail sales 7,625,640   7,746,396   (120,756 ) (1.6 )% Wholesale: Sales for resale 61,729 61,232 497 0.8 % Off-system sales 2,609,769   2,472,622   137,147   5.5 % Total wholesale sales 2,671,498   2,533,854   137,644   5.4 % Total kWh sales 10,297,138   10,280,250   16,888   0.2 %

Operating revenues (in thousands):

Non-fuel base revenues: Retail: Residential $ 234,371 $ 236,651 $ (2,280 ) (1.0 )% Commercial and industrial, small 185,388 184,568 820 0.4 % Commercial and industrial, large 39,239 40,235 (996 ) (2.5 )% Public authorities 92,066   95,044   (2,978 ) (3.1 )% Total retail non-fuel base revenues 551,064 556,498 (5,434 ) (1.0 )% Wholesale: Sales for resale 2,277   2,172   105   4.8 % Total non-fuel base revenues 553,341   558,670   (5,329 ) (1.0 )%   Fuel revenues: Recovered from customers during the period 161,052 133,481 27,571 20.7 % Under collection of fuel (a) 3,110 10,849 (7,739 ) (71.3 )% New Mexico fuel in base rates 71,614   73,295   (1,681 ) (2.3 )% Total fuel revenues (b) 235,776   217,625   18,151   8.3 %   Off-system sales: Fuel cost 74,716 68,241 6,475 9.5 % Shared margins 21,117 13,016 8,101 62.2 % Retained margins 2,147   1,549   598   38.6 % Total off-system sales 97,980 82,806 15,174 18.3 % Other (c) (d) 30,428   31,261   (833 ) (2.7 )% Total operating revenues $ 917,525   $ 890,362   $ 27,163   3.1 %   (a) 2014 includes a Department of Energy refund related to spent fuel storage of $8.3 million offset in part by $2.2 million related to Palo Verde performance rewards, net.   (b) Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $15.0 million and $11.4 million, respectively.   (c) Includes energy efficiency bonuses of $2.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively.   (d) Represents revenues with no related kWh sales.   El Paso Electric Company Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 Other Statistical Data         Increase (Decrease) 2014   2013   Amount   Percentage  

Average number of retail customers: (a)

Residential 352,277 347,891 4,386 1.3 % Commercial and industrial, small 39,600 38,836 764 2.0 % Commercial and industrial, large 49 50 (1 ) (2.0 )% Public authorities 5,088   4,997   91   1.8 % Total 397,014   391,774   5,240   1.3 %  

Number of retail customers (end of period): (a)

Residential 353,885 349,629 4,256 1.2 % Commercial and industrial, small 40,038 39,164 874 2.2 % Commercial and industrial, large 49 50 (1 ) (2.0 )% Public authorities 5,017   5,043   (26 ) (0.5 )% Total 398,989   393,886   5,103   1.3 %  

Weather statistics: (b)

10-Yr Average Heating degree days 1,900 2,426 2,182 Cooling degree days 2,671 2,695 2,667  

Generation and purchased power (kWh, in thousands):

Increase (Decrease) 2014   2013   Amount Percentage   Palo Verde 5,106,668 4,966,233 140,435 2.8 % Four Corners 596,252 635,717 (39,465 ) (6.2 )% Gas plants 3,774,209   3,686,823   87,386   2.4 % Total generation 9,477,129 9,288,773 188,356 2.0 % Purchased power: Photovoltaic 227,979 120,926 107,053 88.5 % Other 1,162,511   1,427,004   (264,493 ) (18.5 )% Total purchased power 1,390,490   1,547,930   (157,440 ) (10.2 )% Total available energy 10,867,619 10,836,703 30,916 0.3 % Line losses and Company use 570,481   556,453   14,028   2.5 % Total kWh sold 10,297,138   10,280,250   16,888   0.2 %  

Palo Verde capacity factor

93.7

%

91.1

%

2.6

%

 

(a)

The number of retail customers presented is based on the number of service locations.

 

(b)

A degree day is recorded for each degree that the average outdoor temperature varies from a standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

    El Paso Electric Company Financial Statistics At December 31, 2014 and 2013 (In thousands, except number of shares, book value per share, and ratios)       Balance Sheet 2014   2013     Cash and cash equivalents $ 40,504   $ 25,592     Common stock equity $ 984,254 $ 943,833 Long-term debt 1,134,179   999,620   Total capitalization $ 2,118,433   $ 1,943,453     Current maturities of long-term debt $ 15,000   $ —     Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility $ 14,532   $ 14,352     Number of shares - end of period 40,356,624   40,266,709     Book value per common share $ 24.39   $ 23.44     Common equity ratio (a) 45.8 % 48.2 % Debt ratio 54.2 % 51.8 %   (a) The capitalization component includes common stock equity, long-term debt and the current maturities of long-term debt, and short-term borrowings under the RCF.  

El Paso ElectricMedia ContactsEddie Gutierrez, 915-543-5763eduardo.gutierrez@epelectric.comorEl Paso Electric Investor RelationsLisa Budtke, 915-543-5947lisa.budtke@epelectric.com

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