UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006.

 

OR

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________.

 

Commission File Number 1-7978

 

Black Hills Power, Inc.

Incorporated in South Dakota

IRS Identification Number 46-0111677

625 Ninth Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number (605) 721-1700

 

 

Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed since last report

NONE

 

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 whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Large accelerated filer

o

Accelerated filer

o

Non-accelerated filer

x

 

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

 

As of JulyOctober 31, 2006, there were issued and outstanding 23,416,396 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, all of which were held beneficially and of record by Black Hills Corporation.

 

Reduced Disclosure

 

The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.

 



 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

PART 1.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Income –

 

 

Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheets –

 

 

JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows –

 

 

SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005

5

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

6-116-13

 

 

 

Item 2.

Results of Operations

12-1614-19

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

1619

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

1720

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

1720

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

1720

 

 

 

 

Signatures

1821

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

1922

 

 


 

 

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

$

47,036 

$

42,261 

$

91,004 

$

85,408 

$

53,190 

$

49,274 

$

144,194 

$

134,682 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel and purchased power

 

20,588 

 

15,587 

 

36,636 

 

31,316 

 

23,908 

 

24,495 

 

60,544 

 

55,289 

Operations and maintenance

 

8,095 

 

6,613 

 

13,402 

 

11,448 

 

5,505 

 

5,277 

 

18,907 

 

17,247 

Administrative and general

 

4,991 

 

5,062 

 

10,826 

 

11,022 

 

4,110 

 

7,026 

 

14,936 

 

18,048 

Depreciation and amortization

 

5,020 

 

4,759 

 

9,612 

 

9,697 

 

5,060 

 

4,905 

 

14,672 

 

14,602 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

1,851 

 

2,120 

 

3,940 

 

4,310 

 

1,840 

 

2,108 

 

5,780 

 

6,417 

 

40,545 

 

34,141 

 

74,416 

 

67,793 

 

40,423 

 

43,811 

 

114,839

 

111,603 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

6,491 

 

8,120 

 

16,588 

 

17,615 

 

12,767 

 

5,463 

 

29,355 

 

23,079 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(3,367)

 

(3,146)

 

(6,610)

 

(6,361)

 

(2,971)

 

(3,122)

 

(8,902)

 

(9,483)

Interest income

 

465 

 

 

751 

 

43 

 

 

 

74 

 

45 

Other income, net

 

(3)

 

134 

 

183 

 

275 

 

16 

 

30 

 

199 

 

303 

 

(2,905)

 

(3,003)

 

(5,676)

 

(6,043)

 

(2,953)

 

(3,090)

 

(8,629)

 

(9,135)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

3,586 

 

5,117 

 

10,912 

 

11,572 

 

9,814 

 

2,373 

 

20,72 6

 

13,944 

Income taxes

 

(1,150)

 

(1,708)

 

(3,577)

 

(3,840)

 

(4,050)

 

(485)

 

(7,627)

 

(4,325)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

2,436 

$

3,409

$

7,335 

$

7,732 

$

5,764 

$

1,888 

$

13,099 

$

9,619 

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 


 

 

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

June 30,

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

2006

2005

2006

2005

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

5

$

685 

$

1,632

$

685

Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of $262 and $830, respectively)

 

17,764 

 

20,293 

of $261 and $830, respectively)

 

20,057

 

20,293

Receivables – affiliates

 

1,569 

 

1,964 

 

1,059

 

1,964

Money pool note receivable – affiliates

 

5,894

 

Materials, supplies and fuel

 

16,871 

 

14,236 

 

16,874

 

14,236

Deferred income taxes

 

425 

 

835 

 

78

 

835

Other current assets

 

1,451 

 

820 

 

1,886

 

820

 

38,085 

 

38,833 

 

47,480

 

38,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

3,492 

 

3,340 

 

3,509

 

3,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

668,331 

 

653,679 

 

671,802

 

653,679

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(259,024)

 

(250,583)

 

(263,199)

 

(250,583)

 

409,307 

 

403,096 

 

408,603

 

403,096

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

6,848 

 

6,941 

 

6,999

 

6,941

Other

 

10,337 

 

11,448 

 

9,215

 

11,448

 

17,185 

 

18,389 

 

16,214

 

18,389

$

468,069 

$

463,658 

$

475,806

$

463,658

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

$

1,999 

$

1,996 

$

2,000

$

1,996

Accounts payable

 

7,881 

 

10,290 

 

7,574

 

10,290

Accounts payable – affiliates

 

3,748 

 

1,624 

 

1,286

 

1,624

Money pool note payable – Parent

 

1,023 

 

1,842 

Money pool note payable – affiliates

 

 

1,842

Accrued liabilities

 

13,353 

 

14,866 

 

15,797

 

14,866

 

28,004 

 

30,618 

 

26,657

 

30,618

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

153,242 

 

155,219 

 

153,230

 

155,219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

68,472 

 

67,942 

 

70,195

 

67,942

Regulatory liabilities

 

6,402 

 

5,740 

 

7,082

 

5,740

Other

 

15,925 

 

15,460 

 

16,624

 

15,460

 

90,799 

 

89,142 

 

93,901

 

89,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholder’s equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock $1 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,416,396 shares issued

 

23,416 

 

23,416 

 

23,416

 

23,416

Additional paid-in capital

 

39,575 

 

39,549 

 

39,575

 

39,549

Retained earnings

 

134,420 

 

127,312 

 

140,184

 

127,312

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(1,387)

 

(1,598)

 

(1,157)

 

(1,598)

 

196,024 

 

188,679 

 

202,018

 

188,679

$

468,069 

$

463,658 

$

475,806

$

463,658

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 


 

 

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30,

September 30,

2006

2005

2006

2005

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

7,335 

$

7,732 

$

13,099 

$

9,619 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,612 

 

9,697 

 

14,672 

 

14,602 

Deferred income tax

 

346 

 

230 

 

2,147 

 

(1,224)

Net change in derivative assets and liabilities

 

(192)

 

78 

Change in operating assets and liabilities -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and other current assets

 

113 

 

2,406 

 

(1,385)

 

(1,244)

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

 

(1,918)

 

(599)

 

(2,260)

 

2,380 

Other operating activities

 

1,446 

 

707 

 

2,216 

 

3,501 

 

16,934 

 

20,173 

 

28,297 

 

27,712 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment additions

 

(14,669)

 

(7,249)

 

(17,460)

 

(13,010)

Change in note receivable from affiliate, net

 

(5,894)

 

Other investing activities

 

(152)

 

3,061 

 

(169)

 

3,045 

 

(14,821)

 

(4,188)

 

(23,523)

 

(9,965)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in note payable to parent company, net

 

(819)

 

(14,350)

 

(1,842)

 

(13,214)

Long-term debt – repayments

 

(1,974)

 

(1,973)

 

(1,985)

 

(1,982)

 

(2,793)

 

(16,323)

 

(3,827)

 

(15,196)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(680)

 

(338)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

947 

 

2,551 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

685 

 

344 

 

685 

 

344 

End of period

$

$

$

1,632 

$

2,895 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment acquired with

 

 

 

 

accrued liabilities

$

321 

$

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

$

6,601 

$

5,996 

$

11,271 

$

9,973 

Income taxes paid

$

4,927 

$

3,283 

$

4,655 

$

2,122 

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 


 

 

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

 

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(Reference is made to Notes to Financial Statements

included in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K)

 

(1)

MANAGEMENT’S STATEMENT

 

The financial statements included herein have been prepared by Black Hills Power, Inc. (the Company) without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations; however, the Company believes that the footnotes adequately disclose the information presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto, included in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Accounting methods historically employed require certain estimates as of interim dates. The information furnished in the accompanying financial statements reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the JuneSeptember 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and JuneSeptember 30, 2005, financial information and are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

(2)

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

SFAS No. 157

During September 2006 the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157) and applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the impact SFAS 157 will have on the Company’s financial statements.


SFAS No. 158

During September 2006 the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” (SFAS 158). This Statement requires the recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit postretirement plans as an asset or liability in the statement of financial position, recognition of changes in the funded status in comprehensive income, measurement of the funded status of a plan as of the date of the year-end statement of financial position, and provides for related disclosures. SFAS 158 is effective for the recognition of the funded status as an asset or liability in the statement of financial position, recognition of changes in the funded status in comprehensive income, and the related disclosures in financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. Effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008, SFAS 158 will require the measurement of the funded status of the plan to coincide with the date of the year end statement of financial position. Management is currently evaluating the impact SFAS 158 will have on the Company’s financial statements.

FIN 48

 

InDuring June 2006 the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” (FAS 109) and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 with the impact of adoption to be reported as a cumulative effect of an accounting change. Management is currently evaluating the impact FIN 48 will have on the Company’s consolidatedfinancial statements.

SAB No. 108 – Effects of Prior Year Misstatements on Current Year Financial Statements

During September 2006 the staff of the SEC released SAB No. 108 on Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. SAB No. 108 provides guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year financial statement misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. Prior practice allowed the evaluation of materiality on the basis of (1) the error quantified as the amount by which the current year income statement was misstated (rollover method) or (2) the cumulative error quantified as the cumulative amount by which the current year balance sheet was misstated (iron curtain method). Reliance on either method in prior years could have resulted in misstatement of the financial statements. The guidance provided in SAB No. 108 requires both methods to be used in evaluating materiality. Immaterial prior year errors may be corrected with the first filing of prior year financial statements after adoption. The cumulative effect of the correction can either be reported in the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of that fiscal year, and the offsetting adjustment made to the opening balance of retained earnings for that year, or by restating prior periods. Appropriate disclosure of the nature and amount of each individual error being corrected in the cumulative adjustment, as well as a disclosure of when and how each error being corrected arose and the fact that the errors had previously been considered immaterial. SAB No. 108 is effective January 1, 2007. Management is currently evaluating the impact this bulletin might have on the Company’s financial statements.

 

 


 

 

(3)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The following table presents the components of the Company’s comprehensive income (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30,

September 30,

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

2,436 

$

3,409 

$

7,335 

$

7,732 

$

5,764 

$

1,888 

$

13,099 

$

9,619 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value adjustment on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

designated as cash flow hedges

 

27 

 

(59)

 

245 

 

(59)

 

220 

 

(435)

 

466 

 

(494)

Reclassification adjustments included

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in net income

 

11 

 

11 

 

(34)

 

22 

 

10 

 

11 

 

(25)

 

33 

Comprehensive income

$

2,474 

$

3,361 

$

7,546 

$

7,695 

$

5,994 

$

1,464 

$

13,540 

$

9,158 

 

(4)

INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate during the periods presented, as follows:

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

2006

2005

2006

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

35.0%

35.0%

35.0%

35.0%

State income tax

0.1

0.1

Amortization of excess deferred and

 

 

 

 

investment tax credits

(1.0)

(4.3)

(1.4)

(2.2)

IRS exam tax adjustment*

9.6

4.6

Tax return true-up

(1.9)

(7.0)

(0.9)

(1.2)

Other

(0.4)

(3.4)

(0.5)

(0.7)

 

41.3%

20.4%

36.8%

31.0%

________________________

*

As a result of the settlement of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) exam of the tax years

2001-2003 with respect to certain tax positions taken by the Company, an increase to income tax expense of approximately $0.9 million was recorded in the third quarter of 2006.


(5)

RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Money Pool Notes Receivable and Notes Payable  

 

In August 2005, the Company entered into a Utility Money Pool Agreement with Black Hills Corporation (the Parent); and Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power, (Cheyenne Light) an electric and gas utility subsidiary of the Parent. Under the agreement, the Company may borrow from the Parent. The Agreement restricts the Company from loaning funds to the Parent or to any of the Parent’s non-utility subsidiaries; the Agreement does not restrict the Company from making dividends to the Parent. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at the daily cost of external funds as defined under the Agreement, or if there are no external funds outstanding on that date, then the rate will be the daily one month LIBOR rate plus 100 basis points.

 

The Company through the Utility Money Pool hashad a net note receivable balance from Cheyenne Light of $5.9 million on September 30, 2006 and a net note payable balance to the Parent of $1.0 million and $1.8 million as of June 30, 2006 andon December 31, 2005, respectively. Advances under this note bear interest at 0.70 percent above the daily LIBOR rate (6.03(6.02 percent at JuneSeptember 30, 2006).

 

Other Balances and Transactions

 

The Company purchases coal from Wyodak Resources Development Corp., an indirect subsidiary of the Parent. The amount purchased during the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 was $2.2$2.6 million and $2.4$2.3 million, respectively; and $4.8$7.4 million and $7.1 million for each of the sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

In addition, the Company also pays the Parent for allocated corporate support service cost incurred on its behalf. Corporate costs allocated from the Parent were $2.0 million and $3.2 million for the sixthree months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively; and $7.3 million and $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 the Company recorded revenues of $0.6 million, relating to payments received pursuant to a natural gas swap entered into with Enserco Energy, an indirect subsidiary of the Parent.

 

The Company also received revenues of approximately $0.6$0.7 million and $0.4$0.9 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively; and $0.8$1.5 million and $0.4$1.4 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, from Black Hills Wyoming, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation, for the transmission of electricity.


The Company also pays the Parent for allocated corporate support service cost incurred on its behalf. Corporate costs allocated from the Parent were $2.3 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively; and $5.3 million and $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Receivables and Payables

 

The Company has accounts receivable balances related to transactions with other Black Hills Corporation subsidiaries. The balances were $1.6$1.1 million and $2.0 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The Company also has accounts payable balances related to transactions with other Black Hills Corporation subsidiaries. The balances were $3.7$1.3 million and $1.6 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

 


(5)(6)

RISK MANAGEMENT

 

The Company holds natural gas in storage for use as fuel for generating electricity with its gas-fired combustion turbines. To minimize associated price risk and seasonal storage level requirements, the Company utilizes various derivative instruments in managing these risks. On JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company had the following swapsderivatives and related balances (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

Non-

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

Non-

Accumulated

 

 

Maximum

Current

current

Current

current

Other

Unrealized

 

Maximum

Current

current

Current

current

Other

Unrealized

 

Terms in

Derivative

Comprehensive

Gain

 

Terms in

Derivative

Comprehensive

Gain

Notional*

Years

Assets

Liabilities

Income (Loss)

(Loss)

Notional*

Years

Assets

Liabilities

Income/(Loss)

(Loss)

June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sept. 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

swaps

155,000

0.75

$

73

$

$

$

$

73

$

455,000

0.5

$

1,382

$

$

$

$

411

$

971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dec. 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

swaps

275,000

0.25

$

192

$

$

219

$

$

(219)

$

192

275,000

0.25

$

192

$

$

219

$

$

(219)

$

192

________________________

*gas in MMbtu’s

 

Based on JuneSeptember 30, 2006 market prices, a gain of $0.1approximately $0.4 million would be realized and reported in pre-tax earnings during the next twelve months related to the cash flow hedge.derivatives designated as “cash flow” hedges. Estimated and actual realized gains will likely change during the next twelve months as market prices change.

 

In addition, certain volumes of natural gas inventory were designated as the underlying hedged item in a “fair value” hedge transaction. These volumes are stated at market value using published spot industry quotations. Market adjustments are recorded in inventory on the Balance SheetSheets and the related unrealized gain/loss on the StatementStatements of Income. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the market adjustments recorded in inventory were $(1.0) million and $(0.2) million.million, respectively.

 

 


 

 

(6)(7)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

 

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (Plan) covering the employees of the Company who meet certain eligibility requirements.

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Plan are as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

 

September 30,

2006

2005

2006

2005

 

2006

2005

2006

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

271 

$

248 

$

542 

$

496 

$

271 

$

248 

$

813 

$

744 

Interest cost

 

680 

 

675 

 

1,360 

 

1,350 

 

680 

 

675 

 

2,040 

 

2,025 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(889)

 

(870)

 

(1,778)

 

(1,740)

 

(889)

 

(870)

 

(2,667)

 

(2,610)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

26 

 

39 

 

52 

 

78 

 

26 

 

39 

 

78 

 

117 

Amortization of net loss

 

166 

 

213 

 

332 

 

426 

 

166 

 

213 

 

498 

 

639 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

$

254 

$

305 

$

508 

$

610 

$

254 

$

305 

$

762 

$

915 

 

The Company does not anticipate that it will need to make a contribution to the Plan in the 2006 fiscal year.

 

Supplemental Nonqualified Defined Benefit Plan

 

The Company has various supplemental retirement plans for key executives of the Company (Supplemental Plans). The Supplemental Plans are nonqualified defined benefit plans.

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Supplemental Plans are as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30,

September 30,

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Interest cost

 

28

 

27

 

56

 

54

 

28

 

27

 

84

 

81

Amortization of net loss

 

16

 

12

 

32

 

24

 

16

 

12

 

48

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

$

44

$

39

$

88

$

78

$

44

$

39

$

132

$

117

 

The Company anticipates that it will make contributions to the Supplemental Plans for the 2006 fiscal year of approximately $0.1 million. The contributions are expected to be in the form of benefit payments.

 

 


 

 

Non-pension Defined Benefit Postretirement Plan

 

Employees who are participants in the Company’s Postretirement Healthcare Plans (Healthcare Plans) and who meet certain eligibility requirements are entitled to postretirement healthcare benefits.

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Healthcare Plan are as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30,

September 30,

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

62 

$

73 

$

124 

$

146 

$

62

$

73

$

186

$

219

Interest cost

 

100 

 

116 

 

200 

 

232 

 

100

 

116

 

300

 

348

Amortization of net transition obligation

 

29 

 

29 

 

58 

 

58 

 

29

 

29

 

87

 

87

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(5)

 

(5)

 

(10)

 

(10)

 

(5)

 

(5)

 

(15)

 

(15)

Amortization of net loss

 

 

19 

 

 

38 

 

 

19

 

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

$

186 

$

232 

$

372 

$

464 

$

186

$

232

$

558

$

696

 

The Company anticipates that it will make contributions to the Healthcare Plan for the 2006 fiscal year of approximately $0.2 million. The contributions are expected to be in the form of benefit payments.

 

It has been determined that the Company’s post-65 retiree prescription drug plans are actuarially equivalent and qualify for the Medicare Part D subsidy. The decrease in net periodic postretirement benefit cost due to the subsidy is as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months

Nine Months

Three Months

Six Months

Ended

Ended

September 30,

June 30, 2006

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

(11)

$

(22)

$

(11)

$

(33)

Interest cost

 

(16)

 

(32)

 

(16)

 

(48)

Amortization of net loss

 

(9)

 

(18)

 

(9)

 

(27)

Total decrease to net periodic postretirement benefit cost

$

(36)

$

(72)

Total decrease to net periodic

 

 

 

 

postretirement benefit cost

$

(36)

$

(108)

 

 


 

 

(7)(8)

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings, claims and litigation as described in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Forest Fire Claims

As disclosed in previous filings with the SEC, the Company settled governmental claims related to the Grizzly Gulch Fire and the Hell Canyon Fire. On August 25, 2006, the U.S. District Court approved a full and final settlement of all governmental claims relating to both fires. The settlement agreements provided for the release and dismissal of all claims against the Company. For its part, the Company did not admit liability for the fires, but agreed to make settlement payments for the Grizzly Gulch Fire as follows: (1) Payment of $2.3 million dollars to the State of South Dakota; (2) Payment of $1 million dollars to the State’s “Special Emergency Disaster Revenue Fund” and (3) Payment of $3.6 million dollars to the United States Government. The Company agreed to a settlement payment for the Hell Canyon Fire of $1 million dollars, which was divided between the state and federal governments. The settlements did not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

While the governmental case was pending, a number of private claims for damages arising out of the Grizzly Gulch Fire were filed in Lawrence County Circuit Court, South Dakota. Counsel for these litigants had agreed to a stay of the proceedings pending the resolution of governmental claims. As a result of the settlement of the governmental cases, the private claims will now proceed through discovery. No trial date or other scheduling order has been set for these matters. The Company will continue to defend these matters. While the outcome of the remaining private suits is uncertain, it is not expected to have a material impact upon the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

PPM Energy, Inc. Demand for Arbitration

 

As disclosed in previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company received a Demand for Arbitration from PPM Energy, Inc. (PPM) on January 2, 2004, that alleged claims for breach of contract and requested a declaration of the parties’ rights and responsibilities under an Exchange Agreement executed in April of 2001. PPM asserted the Exchange Agreement obligated the Company to accept receipt and cause corresponding delivery of electric energy, and to grant access to transmission rights allegedly covered by the Agreement. PPM requested an award of damages in an amount not less than $20.0 million. The Company filed its Response to Demand, including a counterclaim that sought recovery of sums PPM had refused to pay pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. The dispute was presented to the arbitrator in August 2005 and the arbitrator delivered his decision on June 5, 2006.

 

The arbitrator concluded both parties failed to perform the Exchange Agreement, in certain respects. The Company has paid PPM a net settlement of $1.1 million in accordance with the decision. The Company does not believe that the decision will have a material impact on its ability to market surplus power in the future.

 

Subsequent Event - Forest Fire Claims

On August 10, 2006, the Company settled State and Federal government claims related to the Hell Canyon and Grizzly Gulch forest fires. In the settlement of governmental claims, the Company does not admit liability or responsibility for the fires, but agreed to pay $1.3 million and $5.9 million respectively to terminate the lawsuits.

Additional claims have been made for individual and business losses relating to injury to personal and real property, and lost income, as a result of the Grizzly Gulch forest fire. The Company will vigorously defend all claims brought by private parties. The settlements and additional claims are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Except as described above, there have been no material developments in any previously reported proceedings or any new material proceedings that have developed or material proceedings that have terminated during the first sixnine months of 2006.

 


 

 

ITEM 2.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 

2006

2005

2006

2005

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

$

47,036

$

42,261

$

91,004

$

85,408

Operating expenses

 

40,545

 

34,141

 

74,416

 

67,793

Operating income

$

6,491

$

8,120

$

16,588

$

17,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

2,436

$

3,409

$

7,335

$

7,732

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

2006

2005

2006

2005

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

$

53,190

$

49,274

$

144,194

$

134,682

Operating expenses

 

40,423

 

43,811

 

114,839

 

111,603

Operating income

$

12,767

$

5,463

$

29,355

$

23,079

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

5,764

$

1,888

$

13,099

$

9,619

 

The following tables provide certain operating statistics:statistics for the Company:

 

 

Electric Revenue

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Percentage

 

Customer Base

2006

Change

2005

2006

Change

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

$

11,892

2%

$

11,634

$

23,290

1%

$

23,065

Residential

 

8,868

3

 

8,649

 

19,556

2

 

19,207

Industrial

 

5,187

6

 

4,910

 

10,198

4

 

9,764

Municipal sales

 

591

6

 

555

 

1,111

6

 

1,048

Total retail sales

 

26,538

3

 

25,748

 

54,155

2

 

53,084

Contract wholesale

 

5,920

4

 

5,672

 

12,028

3

 

11,657

Wholesale off-system

 

10,575

15

 

9,171

 

18,809

9

 

17,284

Total electric sales

 

43,033

6

 

40,591

 

84,992

4

 

82,025

Other revenue

 

4,003

140

 

1,670

 

6,012

78

 

3,383

Total revenue

$

47,036

11%

$

42,261

$

91,004

7%

$

85,408

Electric Revenue

(in thousands)

Megawatt Hours Sold

 

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

September 30,

 

Percentage

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Percentage

 

Customer Base

2006

Change

2005

2006

Change

2005

2006

Change

2005

2006

Change

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

158,046

4%

152,644

316,639

2%

310,162

$

14,499

3%

$

14,127

$

37,766

2%

$

37,179

Residential

105,484

3

102,692

247,278

3

240,639

 

10,886

4

 

10,441

 

30,465

3

 

29,662

Industrial

108,333

4

103,695

211,360

5

202,093

 

5,249

3

 

5,111

 

15,448

4

 

14,874

Municipal sales

7,652

12

6,827

14,711

11

13,290

 

731

5

 

693

 

1,842

6

 

1,740

Total retail sales

379,515

4

365,858

789,988

3

766,184

 

31,365

3

 

30,372

 

85,521

2

 

83,455

Contract wholesale

154,694

3

150,659

316,945

2

311,997

 

6,423

12

 

5,719

 

18,451

6

 

17,377

Wholesale off-system

268,174

26

212,460

448,337

12

400,074

 

12,607

7

 

11,766

 

31,416

8

 

29,050

Total electric sales

802,383

10%

728,977

1,555,270

5%

1,478,255

 

50,395

5

 

47,857

 

135,388

4

 

129,882

Other revenue

 

2,795

97

 

1,417

 

8,806

83

 

4,800

Total revenue

$

53,190

8%

$

49,274

$

144,194

7%

$

134,682

 

 


 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Percentage

 

Resources

2006

Change

2005

2006

Change

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Megawatt-hours generated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal

366,821

(14)%

426,400

820,954

(5)%

862,300

Gas

11,482

200    

3,830

13,693

149    

5,500

 

378,303

(12)   

430,230

834,647

(4)   

867,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Megawatt-hours purchased

464,219

40    

331,434

776,506

19    

653,105

Total resources

842,522

11 %

761,664

1,611,153

6 %

1,520,905

 

Megawatt Hours Sold

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Percentage

 

Customer Base

2006

Change

2005

2006

Change

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

191,460

2%

188,481

508,099

2%

498,643

Residential

127,100

4

122,400

374,378

3

363,039

Industrial

110,873

2

108,445

322,233

4

310,538

Municipal sales

10,365

8

9,622

25,076

9

22,912

Total retail sales

439,798

3

428,948

1,229,786

3

1,195,132

Contract wholesale

165,024

13

145,993

481,969

5

457,990

Wholesale off-system

271,445

37

198,031

719,782

20

598,105

Total electric sales

876,267

13%

772,972

2,431,537

8%

2,251,227

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 

2006

2005

2006

2005

Heating and cooling degree days:

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

 

Heating degree days

710   

933   

3,656   

3,923   

Cooling degree days

211   

148   

211   

148   

 

 

 

 

 

Percent of normal

 

 

 

 

Heating degree days

71%

94%

85%

91%

Cooling degree days

209%

147%

209%

147%

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

2006

2005

2006

2005

Regulated power

 

 

 

 

plant fleet availability:

 

 

 

 

Coal-fired plants

97.5%

85.8%

91.8%

90.2%

Other plants

99.8%

99.4%

99.6%

99.4%

Total availability

98.5%

91.7%

95.2%

94.2%

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2005. Income from operations decreased $1.0 million primarily due to increased operations and maintenance expense and fuel and purchased power costs, partially offset by increased revenues.

Electric utility revenues increased 11 percent for the three month period ended June 30, 2006, compared to the same period in the prior year. Total retail megawatt-hour sales increased 4 percent compared to the three months ended June 30, 2005. Heating degree days, which is a measure of weather trends, were 24 percent lower, and cooling degree days were 43 percent higher, than the same period in the prior year. Wholesale off-system sales increased 15 percent due to a 26 percent increase in megawatt-hours sold partially offset by a 9 percent decrease in average price received.

Electric operating expenses increased 19 percent for the three month period ended June 30, 2006, compared to the same period in the prior year. Fuel and purchased power costs increased 32 percent due to a 10 percent increase in megawatt-hours sold combined with increased cost per megawatt-hour primarily due to the impact of replacing low cost base load power with higher priced alternatives during the Wyodak plant outage. Operating expense for the three months ended June 30, 2006 was also affected by increased repairs and maintenance expense incurred for the Wyodak Plant and higher corporate allocations, partially offset by a decrease in power marketing legal costs relative to costs incurred in the second quarter of 2005 (See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Note 7 Legal Proceedings, for discussion of power marketing legal settlement).

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Percentage

 

Resources

2006

Change

2005

2006

Change

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Megawatt-hours generated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal

445,984

12%

397,513

1,266,938

1%

1,259,822

Gas

26,756

21

22,065

40,449

47

27,545

 

472,740

13

419,578

1,307,387

2

1,287,367

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Megawatt-hours purchased

424,209

12

378,986

1,200,715

16

1,032,091

Total resources

896,949

12%

798,564

2,508,102

8%

2,319,458

 

 


 

 

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

2006

2005

2006

2005

Heating and cooling degree days:

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

 

Heating degree days

250

120

3,906

4,043

Cooling degree days

714

673

925

821

 

 

 

 

 

Percent of normal

 

 

 

 

Heating degree days

110%

53%

86%

89%

Cooling degree days

145%

136%

155%

138%

SixThree Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 Compared to SixThree Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005. Income from continuing operations decreased 5 percentNet income increased $3.9 million primarily due to increased revenues, lower general and administrative costs and lower purchased power costs and operations and maintenance expense, and fuel and purchased power costs, partially offset by increased revenues.a $0.9 million negative impact to income tax expense related to the resolution of federal income tax audits.

 

Electric utility revenues increased 78 percent for the sixthree month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006, compared to the same period in the prior year. Total retail megawatt-hour sales increased 3 percent compared to the sixthree months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005. Heating degree days, which is a measure of weather trends, were 7108 percent lower,higher and cooling degree days were 436 percent higher, than the same period in the prior year. Wholesale off-system sales increased 97 percent due to a 1237 percent increase in megawatt-hours sold partially offset by a 22 percent decrease in average price received. Megawatt-hours available for wholesale off-system sales increased over the prior period due to the unscheduled Neil Simpson II plant outage in July and August of 2005.

Electric operating expenses decreased 8 percent for the three month period ended September 30, 2006, compared to the same period in the prior year. Fuel and purchased power costs decreased 2 percent due to a 4 percent decrease in purchased power at average prices that were 14 percent lower than the previous period, partially offset by increased fuel production costs. In addition, 2005 purchase power costs included approximately $2.8 million to cover the Neil Simpson II unscheduled plant outage in July and August of 2005. Megawatt hours generated and purchased increased 13 percent and 12 percent, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. Operating expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was also affected by lower corporate allocations and a decrease in power marketing legal costs relative to costs incurred in the third quarter of 2005 (See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Note 8 Legal Proceedings, for discussion of power marketing legal settlement).

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005. Net income increased 36 percent primarily due to increased revenues, lower general and administrative costs and partially offset by increased fuel and purchased power costs, operations and maintenance expense and a $0.9 million negative impact to income tax expense related to the resolution of federal income tax audits.

Electric utility revenues increased 7 percent for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006, compared to the same period in the prior year. Total retail megawatt-hour sales increased 3 percent compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Heating degree days, which is a measure of weather trends, were 3 percent lower and cooling degree days were 13 percent higher, than the same period in the prior year. Wholesale off-system sales increased 8 percent due to a 20 percent increase in megawatt-hours sold partially offset by a 10 percent decrease in average price received.

 


Electric operating expenses increased 103 percent for the sixnine month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006, compared to the same period in the prior year. Fuel and purchased power costs increased 1710 percent due to a 5an 8 percent increase in megawatt-hours sold combined withsold. Megawatt hours generated increased 2 percent at a higher average price and megawatt hours purchased increased 16 percent at a 7 percent decrease in average price. We utilized higher cost per megawatt- hour primarily duegas generation in 2006 to the impact of replacing low cost base load power with higher priced alternatives duringcover scheduled and unscheduled outages at the Wyodak plant. In addition, 2005 purchased power costs include approximately $2.8 million to cover the Neil Simpson II unscheduled plant outage.outage in July and August of 2005. Operating expense for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 was also affected by increased repairs and maintenance expense incurred for the Wyodak Plant maintenance and higher corporate allocations, partially offset by a decrease in power marketing legal costs relative to costs incurred in 2005 (See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Note 78 Legal Proceedings, for discussion of power marketing legal settlement).

 

Request for Rate Increase. On June 30, 2006 weour electric utility filed an application with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (SDPUC) for an electric rate increase to be effective January 1, 2007. The application requests a 9.5 percent rate increase for all customer classes. In addition, the application proposes annual energy cost adjustments. The proposed cost adjustments would require usthe Company to absorb a portion of power cost increases, depending in part on earnings on certain short-term wholesale sales of electricity. The current rate structure, in place since 1995, does not contain fuel or purchased power adjustment clauses and only provides the ability to request rate relief from energy costs in certain defined situations. We expect these increases, if approved by the SDPUC, would result in an annual revenue increase of approximately $9.5 million. South Dakota retail customers account for approximately 90 percent of ourthe electric utility’s total retail revenues. A rate freeze has been in place for the electric utility since 1995.

 


 

 

SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Form 10-Q that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable based on current expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting our business. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that, among other things, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including the risk factors described in Item 1A of our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Item 1A. of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and the following:

 

Obtaining adequate cost recovery for our operations through regulatory proceedings;proceedings and receiving unfavorable rulings in the periodic applications to recover costs for fuel and purchased power;

The amount and timing of capital deployment in new investment opportunities or for the repurchase of debt or stock;

Unfavorable rulings in the periodic applications      Our ability to recover costs for fuel and purchased power;successfully maintain or improve our corporate credit rating;

The possibility that we may be required to take impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of some of our long-lived assets when indicators of impairment emerge;

Changes in business and financial reporting practices arising from the repeal of the Public Utilities Holding Company Act of 1935 and other provisions of the recently enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Our ability to remedy any deficiencies that may be identified in the periodic review of our internal controls;

The timing, volatility and extent of changes in energy-related and commodity prices, interest rates, energy and commodity supply or volume, the cost of transportation of commodities, and demand for our services, all of which can affect our earnings, liquidity position and the underlying value of our assets.assets;

The timing and extent of scheduled and unscheduled outages of power generation facilities;

General economic and political conditions, including tax rates or policies and inflation rates;

Our effective use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity, currency exchange rate and interest rate risks;

The creditworthiness of counterparties to trading and other transactions, and defaults on amounts due from counterparties;

The amount of collateral required to be posted from time to time in our transactions;

Changes in or compliance with laws and regulations, particularly those relating to taxation, safety and protection of the environment;

Weather and other natural phenomena;

Industry and market changes, including the impact of consolidations and changes in competition;

The effect of accounting policies issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies;

The outcome of any ongoing or future litigation or similar disputes and the impact on any such outcome or related settlements;

The cost and effects on our business, including insurance, resulting from terrorist actions or natural disasters and responses to such actions andor events;

Capital market conditions, which may affect our ability to raise capital on favorable terms;

Price risk due to marketable securities held as investments in benefit plans; and

      General economic and political conditions, including tax rates or policies and inflation rates; and

Other factors discussed from time to time in our other filings with the SEC.


 

 

New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We assume no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act)) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2006. Based on their evaluation, they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to us that is required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods.

 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

During the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 


 

 

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

 

Part II – Other Information

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 78 of our Notes to Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which information from Note 78 is incorporated by reference into this item.

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our Risk Factors from those reported in Item 1A. of Part I of our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 


 

 

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David R. Emery

 

David R. Emery, Chairman, President and

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Mark T. Thies

 

Mark T. Thies, Executive Vice President and

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Dated: AugustNovember 14, 2006

 


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit Number

Description

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

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