Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)  

ý

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011

OR

o

 

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

For the transition period from                                    to                                     

Commission File No. 000-53908

logo

(An Electric Membership Corporation)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Georgia
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 58-1211925
(I.R.S. employer
identification no.)

2100 East Exchange Place
Tucker, Georgia

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

30084-5336
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

 

(770) 270-7600

        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 ý    No o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):Large Accelerated Filero o    Accelerated Filer o    Non-Accelerated Filer ý    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller Reporting Company o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

        Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.The registrant is a membership corporation and has no authorized or outstanding equity securities.


(This page has been left blank intentionally.)intentionally)


Table of Contents

OGLETHORPE POWER CORPORATION
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010MARCH 31, 2011

 
  
 Page No.
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
 
Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

2

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and
December 31, 20092010

 

2

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Statements of Revenues and Expenses For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009

 

4

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Statements of Patronage Capital and Membership Fees and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Deficit For the NineThree Months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009

 

5

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows For the NineThree Months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009

 

6


 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009

 

7
 
Item 2.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

18
 
Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

2826
 
Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

2826

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

 
 
Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

2927
 
Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

2927
 
Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

2927
 
Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

2927
 
Item 4.

 

Reserved

 

2927
 
Item 5.

 

Other Information

 

2927
 
Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

3028

SIGNATURES

 

3129

Table of Contents


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 20092010



 (dollars in thousands) 

 (dollars in thousands) 

 

2010 

 2009  

 

2011 

 2010  

Assets

Assets

 

Assets

 

Electric plant:

Electric plant:

 

Electric plant:

 

In service

 $6,662,637 $6,550,938 

In service

 $6,678,552 $6,672,253 

Less: Accumulated provision for depreciation

 (3,074,288) (2,993,215)

Less: Accumulated provision for depreciation

 (3,135,423) (3,101,731)
           

 3,588,349 3,557,723 

 3,543,129 3,570,522 

Nuclear fuel, at amortized cost

 
236,276
 
215,949
 

Nuclear fuel, at amortized cost

 
271,697
 
249,563
 

Construction work in progress

 1,049,600 626,824 

Construction work in progress

 1,391,592 1,195,475 
           

 4,874,225 4,400,496 

 5,206,418 5,015,560 
           

Investments and funds:

Investments and funds:

 

Investments and funds:

 

Decommissioning fund

 251,939 239,746 

Decommissioning fund

 275,220 265,483 

Deposit on Rocky Mountain transactions

 121,556 115,641 

Deposit on Rocky Mountain transactions

 125,656 123,573 

Investment in associated companies

 54,794 53,199 

Investment in associated companies

 56,534 56,125 

Long-term investments

 91,031 87,129 

Long-term investments

 80,607 79,212 

Other, at cost

 3,493 4,597 

Other, at cost

 3,540 3,570 
           

 522,813 500,312 

 541,557 527,963 
           

Current assets:

Current assets:

 

Current assets:

 

Cash and cash equivalents, at cost

 432,796 579,069 

Cash and cash equivalents, at cost

 540,864 672,212 

Restricted cash, at cost

 6,299 22,405 

Restricted cash, at cost

 175,001 6,300 

Restricted short-term investments

 80,771 80,590 

Restricted short-term investments

 15,125 97,286 

Receivables

 127,703 110,258 

Receivables

 97,906 106,674 

Inventories, at average cost

 185,701 209,837 

Inventories, at average cost

 187,385 171,815 

Prepayments and other current assets

 13,778 9,393 

Prepayments and other current assets

 12,378 13,416 
           

 847,048 1,011,552 

 1,028,659 1,067,703 
           

Deferred charges:

Deferred charges:

 

Deferred charges:

 

Premium and loss on reacquired debt, being amortized

 114,832 122,847 

Deferred debt expense, being amortized

 60,209 59,202 

Deferred amortization of capital leases

 68,293 77,755 

Regulatory assets

 311,874 311,136 

Deferred debt expense, being amortized

 53,865 57,262 

Other

 16,714 15,498 

Deferred outage costs, being amortized

 31,644 31,319       

Deferred tax assets

  24,000 

 388,797 385,836 

Deferred asset associated with retirement obligations

 27,952 31,413       

Deferred interest rate swap termination fees, being amortized

 26,303 29,296 

 $7,165,431 $6,997,062 

Deferred depreciation expense, being amortized

 52,988 54,056       

Other

 29,421 29,926 
     

 405,298 457,874 
     

 $6,649,384 $6,370,234 
     

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


Table of Contents


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 20092010



 (dollars in thousands) 

 (dollars in thousands) 

 

2010 

 2009  

 

2011 

 2010  

Equity and Liabilities

Equity and Liabilities

 

Equity and Liabilities

 

Capitalization:

Capitalization:

 

Capitalization:

 

Patronage capital and membership fees

 $598,071 $562,219 

Patronage capital and membership fees

 $612,062 $595,952 

Accumulated other comprehensive deficit

 (168) (1,253)

Accumulated other comprehensive deficit

 (490) (469)
           

 597,903 560,966 

 611,572 595,483 

Long-term debt

 
4,170,484
 
4,178,981
 

Long-term debt

 
4,708,066
 
4,657,127
 

Obligation under capital leases

 189,127 208,945 

Obligation under capital leases

 176,896 179,288 

Obligation under Rocky Mountain transactions

 121,556 115,641 

Obligation under Rocky Mountain transactions

 125,656 123,573 
           

 5,079,070 5,064,533 

 5,622,190 5,555,471 
           

Current liabilities:

Current liabilities:

 

Current liabilities:

 

Long-term debt and capital leases due within one year

 147,942 119,241 

Long-term debt and capital leases due within one year

 324,835 170,947 

Short-term borrowings

 581,046 283,634 

Short-term borrowings

 293,240 305,959 

Accounts payable

 97,093 24,184 

Accounts payable

 158,642 139,614 

Accrued interest

 37,449 50,947 

Accrued interest

 46,210 76,435 

Accrued and withheld taxes

 22,085 24,864 

Accrued and withheld taxes

 10,333 27,171 

Member power bill prepayments, current

 64,963 182,514 

Member power bill prepayments, current

 55,822 71,496 

Other current liabilities

 17,276 28,000 

Other current liabilities

 24,024 18,567 
           

 967,854 713,384 

 913,106 810,189 
           

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

 

Gain on sale of plant, being amortized

 29,206 31,062 

Gain on sale of plant, being amortized

 27,969 28,587 

Net benefit of Rocky Mountain transactions, being amortized

 51,762 54,151 

Asset retirement obligations

 284,748 280,496 

Asset retirement obligations

 276,769 264,635 

Member power bill prepayments, non-current

 42,500 41,000 

Accumulated retirement costs for other obligations

 38,737 43,955 

Power sale agreement, being amortized

 65,814 69,480 

Long-term contingent liability

  24,000 

Regulatory liabilities

 163,654 170,235 

Member power bill prepayments, non-current

 19,720 18,000 

Other

 45,450 41,604 

Power sale agreement, being amortized

 73,663 86,211       

Other

 112,603 70,303 

 630,135 631,402 
           

 602,460 592,317 

 $7,165,431 $6,997,062 
           

 $6,649,384 $6,370,234 
     

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


Table of Contents


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Condensed Statements of Revenues and Expenses (Unaudited)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009



 (dollars in thousands) 

 (dollars in thousands) 

 

Three Months 

 

Nine Months 

 

 

Three Months 

 

 2010  2009  2010  2009  

 2011  2010  

Operating revenues:

Operating revenues:

 

Operating revenues:

 

Sales to Members

 $370,453 $308,414 $1,000,244 $890,646 

Sales to Members

 $269,448 $303,828 

Sales to non-Members

 796 334 1,188 974 

Sales to non-Members

 326 244 
               
 

Total operating revenues

 371,249 308,748 1,001,432 891,620  

Total operating revenues

 269,774 304,072 
               

Operating expenses:

Operating expenses:

 

Operating expenses:

 

Fuel

 160,174 94,508 383,725 281,627 

Fuel

 72,449 102,092 

Production

 82,717 69,144 245,978 209,177 

Production

 77,796 77,383 

Purchased power

 24,721 44,349 60,346 103,545 

Depreciation and amortization

 37,479 37,010 

Depreciation and amortization

 35,441 34,301 108,956 98,012 

Purchased power

 11,555 17,408 

Accretion

 4,282 4,565 12,848 13,696 

Accretion

 4,560 4,284 
               
 

Total operating expenses

 307,335 246,867 811,853 706,057  

Total operating expenses

 203,839 238,177 
               

Operating margin

Operating margin

 63,914 61,881 189,579 185,563 

Operating margin

 65,935 65,895 
               

Other income:

Other income:

 

Other income:

 

Investment income

 7,950 8,147 23,103 24,210 

Investment income

 7,394 7,656 

Other

 3,231 2,152 9,413 7,418 

Other

 3,366 3,281 
               
 

Total other income

 11,181 10,299 32,516 31,628  

Total other income

 10,760 10,937 
               

Interest charges:

Interest charges:

 

Interest charges:

 

Interest expense

 65,946 59,419 197,089 176,198 

Interest expense

 70,666 65,588 

Allowance for debt funds used during construction

 (10,474) (3,979) (28,611) (12,523)

Allowance for debt funds used during construction

 (15,228) (9,462)

Amortization of debt discount and expense

 5,775 5,378 17,765 13,698 

Amortization of debt discount and expense

 5,147 6,102 
               
 

Net interest charges

 61,247 60,818 186,243 177,373  

Net interest charges

 60,585 62,228 
               

Net margin

Net margin

 $13,848 $11,362 $35,852 $39,818 

Net margin

 $16,110 $14,604 
               

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


Table of Contents


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Condensed Statements of Patronage Capital and Membership Fees
and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Deficit (Unaudited)
For the NineThree Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009



 (dollars in thousands)   (dollars in thousands) 



 

Patronage
Capital and
Membership
Fees

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Deficit)

 

Total

 
Balance at December 31, 2008 $535,829 $(1,348)$534,481 
 
Components of comprehensive margin: 
Net margin 39,818  39,818 
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  263 263 
   
Total comprehensive margin     40,081 
   


 
Balance at September 30, 2009 $575,647 $(1,085)$574,562 
 


 

Patronage
Capital and
Membership
Fees

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Deficit)

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

Balance at December 31, 2009

 

$

562,219

 

$

(1,253

)

$

560,966

 
Balance at December 31, 2009 $562,219 $(1,253)$560,966 
   
Components of comprehensive margin:Components of comprehensive margin: Components of comprehensive margin: 
Net margin 35,852  35,852 Net margin 14,604  14,604 
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  1,085 1,085 Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  249 249 
       
Total comprehensive marginTotal comprehensive margin     36,937 Total comprehensive margin     14,853 
       



 


 
Balance at September 30, 2010 $598,071 $(168)$597,903 
Balance at March 31, 2010Balance at March 31, 2010 $576,823 $(1,004)$575,819 
   

Balance at December 31, 2010

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

$

595,952

 

$

(469

)

$

595,483

 
 
Components of comprehensive margin:Components of comprehensive margin: 
Net margin 16,110  16,110 
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities  (21) (21)
   
Total comprehensive marginTotal comprehensive margin     16,089 
   



 
Balance at March 31, 2011Balance at March 31, 2011 $612,062 $(490)$611,572 
 

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


Table of Contents


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
For the NineThree Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009



 (dollars in thousands) 

 (dollars in thousands) 

 

2010 

 2009  

 

2011 

 2010  

Cash flows from operating activities:

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

Net margin

 $35,852 $39,818 

Net margin

 $16,110 $14,604 
           

Adjustments to reconcile net margin to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

 

Adjustments to reconcile net margin to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

 
 

Depreciation and amortization, including nuclear fuel

 196,509 171,124  

Depreciation and amortization, including nuclear fuel

 66,378 63,172 
 

Accretion cost

 12,848 13,696  

Accretion cost

 4,560 4,284 
 

Amortization of deferred gains

 (4,245) (4,245) 

Amortization of deferred gains

 (1,415) (1,415)
 

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

 (1,707) (1,904) 

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

 (547) (531)
 

Deferred outage costs

 (25,229) (25,362) 

Deferred outage costs

 (34,962) (22,134)
 

(Gain) loss on sale of investments

 (12,013) 12,018  

Gain on sale of investments

 (5,053) (4,140)
 

Regulatory deferral of costs associated with nuclear decommissioning

 4,987 (20,810) 

Regulatory deferral of costs associated with nuclear decommissioning

 2,348 1,610 
 

Other

 (4,216) (483) 

Other

 (1,848) (1,135)

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 
 

Receivables

 (25,622) (5,501) 

Receivables

 8,653 (17,848)
 

Inventories

 24,137 (24,056) 

Inventories

 (15,570) 6,200 
 

Prepayments and other current assets

 (4,384) 131  

Prepayments and other current assets

 1,038 274 
 

Accounts payable

 (2,487) (12,512) 

Accounts payable

 (7,541) (16,218)
 

Accrued interest

 (13,498) (3,319) 

Accrued interest

 (30,225) (10,473)
 

Accrued and withheld taxes

 (2,779) 2,072  

Accrued and withheld taxes

 (16,838) (17,293)
 

Other current liabilities

 (2,782) (92) 

Other current liabilities

 6,017 (4,556)
 

(Decrease) increase in Member power bill prepayments

 (115,831) 189,047  

Member power bill prepayments

 (14,174) (48,745)
           
 

Total adjustments

 23,688 289,804  

Total adjustments

 (39,179) (68,948)
           

Net cash provided by operating activities

 59,540 329,622 

Net cash used in operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities

 
(23,069

)
 
(54,344

)
           

Cash flows from investing activities:

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 
 

Property additions

 (524,334) (454,313)
 

Plant acquisition

  (105,008)
 

Activity in decommissioning fund—Purchases

 (480,447) (495,689) 

Property additions

 (208,479) (161,815)
 

                                                       —Proceeds

 476,630 491,715  

Activity in decommissioning fund—Purchases

 (284,469) (133,043)
 

Decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents

 16,106 10,255  

                                                       —Proceeds

 283,188 131,908 
 

Increase in restricted short-term investments

 (181) (39,738) 

Increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents

 (168,701) (122,612)
 

Activity in investment in associated organizations—Purchases

 (4,142) (11,395) 

Decrease (increase) in restricted short-term investments

 82,162 (40,802)
 

                                                                                        —Proceeds

 3,196 1,666  

Activity in investment in associated organizations

 (256) (580)
 

Activity in other long-term investments—Purchases

 (4,313) (1,037) 

Activity in other long-term investments—Purchases

 (402) (455)
 

                                                                                                 —Proceeds

 3,100 900  

                                                                                                 —Proceeds

 300 700 
 

Other

 5,420 (2,158) 

Other

 (1,185) 1,067 
           

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities

 (508,965) (604,802)

Net cash used in investing activities

 (297,842) (325,632)
           

Cash flows from financing activities:

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 
 

Long-term debt proceeds

 222,631 464,026  

Long-term debt proceeds

 257,351 133,550 
 

Long-term debt payments

 (222,265) (86,419) 

Long-term debt payments

 (54,931) (32,827)
 

Increase in short-term borrowings, net

 297,413 206,672  

(Decrease) increase in short-term borrowings, net

 (12,719) 206 
 

Other

 5,373 (6,147) 

Other

 (138) 2,436 
           

Net cash provided by financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities

 303,152 578,132 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 189,563 103,365 
           

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 (146,273) 302,952 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 (131,348) (276,611)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 579,069 167,659 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 672,212 579,069 
           

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $432,796 $470,611 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $540,864 $302,458 
           

Supplemental cash flow information:

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

Cash paid for—

Cash paid for—

 

Cash paid for—

 
 

Interest (net of amounts capitalized)

 $173,307 $161,457  

Interest (net of amounts capitalized)

 $82,661 $63,651 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 
 

Plant expenditures included in ending accounts payable and other long-term liabilities

 $95,797 $(977) 

Change in plant expenditures included in accounts payable

 $29,663 $(388)
 

Acquired power purchase and sale liability

 $ $98,100 

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


Table of Contents


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements
September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009

(A)
General.    The condensed financial statements included in this report have been prepared by us pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the information furnished in this report reflects all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) and estimates necessary to fairly state, in all material respects, the results for the three- and nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2009.2010. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009,2010, as filed with the SEC. The results of operations for the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. As noted in our 20092010 Form 10-K, substantially all of our sales are to our 39 electric distribution cooperative members and, thus, the receivables on the accompanying balance sheets are principally from our members. (See "Notes to Financial Statements" in our 20092010 Form 10-K.)

(B)
Fair Value Measurements.    Authoritative guidance regarding fair value measurements for financial and non-financial assets and liabilities defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

Table of Contents

 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using  

 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using  

 

September 30,
2010

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

March 31, 2011

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

 
       

 (dollars in thousands) 

 (dollars in thousands) 

Decommissioning funds

 

Domestic equity

 $84,984 $84,984 $ $ 

Decommissioning funds:

Decommissioning funds:

 

Corporate bonds

 50,894 50,894   

Domestic equity

 $113,873 $113,873 $ $ 

International equity

 40,308 40,308   

International equity

 43,638 43,638   

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

 43,896 43,896   

Corporate bonds

 50,805 50,805   

Agency mortgage and asset backed securities

 29,220 29,220   

US Treasury and government agency securities

 32,579 32,579   

Municipal bonds

 1,525 1,525   

Agency mortgage and asset backed securities

 17,179 17,179   

Derivative instruments

 (523)   (523)

Derivative instruments

 (548)   (548)

Other

 1,635 1,635   

Other

 17,694 17,694   

Bond, reserve and construction funds

Bond, reserve and construction funds

 2,877 2,877   

Bond, reserve and construction funds

 2,785 2,785   

Long-term investments

Long-term investments

 91,031 66,937  24,094(1)

Long-term investments

 80,607 72,199  8,408(1)

Natural gas swaps

Natural gas swaps

 (4,724)  (4,724)  

Natural gas swaps

 (2,069)  (2,069)  

Deposit on Rocky Mountain transactions

 121,556   121,556 

Investments in associated companies

 54,794   54,794 
                   
 

Total

 $517,473 $322,276 $(4,724)$199,921  

Total

 $356,543 $350,752 $(2,069)$7,860 
                   


Table of Contents


 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using  

 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using  

 

December 31, 2009

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

December 31,
2010

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

 
       

 (dollars in thousands) 

 (dollars in thousands) 

Decommissioning funds:

Decommissioning funds:

 

Decommissioning funds:

 

Domestic equity

 $89,723 $89,723 $ $ 

Domestic equity

 $105,523 $105,523 $ $ 

Corporate bonds

 48,317 48,317   

International equity

 43,619 43,619   

International equity

 40,951 40,951   

Corporate bonds

 53,847 53,847   

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

 35,137 35,137   

US Treasury and government agency securities

 47,649 47,649   

Agency mortgage and asset backed securities

 21,383 21,383   

Agency mortgage and asset backed securities

 7,926 7,926   

Preferred stock

 1,463  1,463  

Derivative instruments

 (452)   (452)

Municipal bonds

 1,267 1,267   

Other

 7,371 7,371   

Derivative instruments

 (260)   (260)

Other

 1,765 1,765   

Bond, reserve and construction funds

Bond, reserve and construction funds

 3,982 3,982   

Bond, reserve and construction funds

 2,815 2,815   

Long-term investments

Long-term investments

 87,129 60,119  27,010(1)

Long-term investments

 79,212 70,541  8,671(1)

Natural gas swaps

Natural gas swaps

 (12,516)  (12,516)  

Natural gas swaps

 (2,054)  (2,054)  

Deposit on Rocky Mountain transactions

 115,641   115,641 

Investments in associated companies

 53,199   53,199 
                   
 

Total

 $487,181 $302,644 $(11,053)$195,590  

Total

 $345,456 $339,291 $(2,054)$8,219 
                   

(1)
Represents auction rate securities investments we hold.

The following tables present the changes in our Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2009, respectively.2010.


 Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  

 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011
 
 

 Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
 Deposit on Rocky
Mountain
transactions
 Investments in
associated
companies
 

 Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
 
       

 (dollars in thousands) 

 (dollars in thousands) 

Assets:

Assets:

 

Assets:

 

Balance at June 30, 2010

 $(311)$24,485 $119,542 $55,329 

Balance at January 1, 2011

Balance at January 1, 2011

 $(452)$8,671 

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

 

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

 

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

 (212)  2,014 (535)

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

 (96)  

Impairment included in other comprehensive deficit

  9   

Impairment included in other comprehensive deficit

  37 

Purchases, issuances, liquidations

Purchases, issuances, liquidations

  (400)   

Purchases, issuances, liquidations

  (300)
       

Balance at September 30, 2010

 $(523)$24,094 $121,556 $54,794 

Balance at March 31, 2011

Balance at March 31, 2011

 $(548)$8,408 
       




Table of Contents


 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  

  Decommissioning
funds
  Long-term
investments
  Deposit on Rocky
Mountain
transactions
  Investments in
associated
companies
 
    

  (dollars in thousands) 

Assets:

             

Balance at January 1, 2010

 $(260)$27,010 $115,641 $53,199 

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

             
 

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

  (263)   5,915  1,595 
 

Impairment included in other comprehensive deficit

    184     

Purchases, issuances, liquidations

    (3,100)    
    

Balance at September 30, 2010

 $(523)$24,094 $121,556 $54,794 
    




 Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  

 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2010 
 

 Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
 Deposit on
Rocky
Mountain
transactions
 Investments in
associated
companies
 

 Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
 
       

 (dollars in thousands) 

 (dollars in thousands) 

Assets:

Assets:

 

Assets:

 

Balance at June 30, 2009

 $8,661 $29,299 $111,868 $53,491 

Balance at January 1, 2010

Balance at January 1, 2010

 $(260)$27,010 

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

 

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

 

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

 31  1,886 (1,140)

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

 (175)  

Impairment included in other comprehensive deficit

  27   

Impairment included in other comprehensive deficit

  66 

Purchases, issuances, liquidations

Purchases, issuances, liquidations

 (3,153) (700)   

Purchases, issuances, liquidations

  (700)
       

Balance at September 30, 2009

 $5,539 $28,626 $113,754 $52,351 

Balance at March 31, 2010

Balance at March 31, 2010

 $(435)$26,376 
       



 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  

  Decommissioning
funds
  Long-term
investments
  Deposit on
Rocky
Mountain
transactions
  Investments in
associated
companies
 
    

  (dollars in thousands) 

Assets:

             

Balance at January 1, 2009

 $6,085 $29,643 $108,219 $43,441 

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

             
 

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

  31    5,535  8,910 
 

Impairment included in other comprehensive deficit

    (117)    

Purchases, issuances, liquidations

  (577) (900)    
    

Balance at September 30, 2009

 $5,539 $28,626 $113,754 $52,351 
    


Table of Contents

(C)
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.    Our executive risk management committee provides general oversight over all risk management activities, including but not limited to, commodity trading and investment portfolio management. We use commodity trading derivatives, which are designated as hedging instruments under authoritative guidance for Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging, Activities, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the market price of natural gas. Consistent with our rate-making treatment for energy costs which are flowed-through to our members, unrealized gains or losses on the natural gas swaps are reflected as an unbilled receivable. Within our nuclear decommissioning trust fund, derivatives including options, swaps and credit default swaps which are non-speculative, are utilized to mitigate volatility associated with duration, default, yield curve and the interest rate risks of the portfolio. We do not hold or enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes. Consistent with our rate-making

Table of Contents


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

   

Year

 

Natural Gas Swaps
(MMBTUs)
(in millions)

 

Decommissioning Fund
Derivative Instruments
(in millions)

  

Natural Gas Swaps
(MMBTUs)
(in millions)

 



 


 

2010

 0.64 $(1.40)

2011

 2.55 (0.60) 4.23 

2012

 0.38 0.20  1.48 

2013

  (3.80) 0.02 

2014

  (1.92)

2015

  (0.20)

2016

  (0.08)
        

Total

 3.57 $(7.80) 5.73 



 


 

Table of Contents

 Balance Sheet Location  Fair Value    Balance Sheet Location  Fair Value  



 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 


 

 

(dollars in
thousands)

 
Designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities:Designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities:  Designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities:  

Assets

Assets

 

 

Assets

 

 
Natural Gas Swaps Receivables $4,750 Natural Gas Swaps Receivables $2,522 
Natural Gas Swaps Receivables  (26)Natural Gas Swaps Receivables  (453)
       

Total assets designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

Total assets designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

 

 

 

$

4,724

 

Total assets designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

 

 

 

$

2,069

 
       

Liabilities

Liabilities

 

 

Liabilities

 

 
Natural Gas Swaps Other current liabilities $4,750 Natural Gas Swaps Other current liabilities $2,522 
Natural Gas Swaps Other current liabilities  (26)Natural Gas Swaps Other current liabilities  (453)
       

Total liabilities designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

Total liabilities designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

 

 

 

$

4,724

 

Total liabilities designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

 

 

 

$

2,069

 
       

Not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities:

Not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities:

 

 

Not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities:

 

 

Assets

Assets

 

 

Assets

 

 
Nuclear decommissioning trust Decommissioning fund $20,995 Nuclear decommissioning trust Decommissioning fund $445 
Nuclear decommissioning trust Decommissioning fund  (21,518)Nuclear decommissioning trust Decommissioning fund  (993)
Nuclear decommissioning trust Deferred asset associated with retirement obligations  21,003 Nuclear decommissioning trust Deferred asset associated with retirement obligations  242 
Nuclear decommissioning trust Deferred asset associated with retirement obligations  (21,071)Nuclear decommissioning trust Deferred asset associated with retirement obligations  (273)
       

Total not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

Total not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

 

 

 

$

(591

)
Total not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities   $(579)
       




Table of Contents

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Statement of Revenues and ExpensesEffect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Statement of Revenues and Expenses Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Statement of Revenues and Expenses 



 

Income Statement
Location
 

 

Three months
ended
 

 

Nine months
ended
 

 


 

Income Statement
Location
 

 

Three months
ended
 

 
 (dollars in thousands)   (dollars in thousands) 
Designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activitiesDesignated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities Designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities 


Natural Gas Swaps


 


Purchase power


 


$


22

 


Natural Gas Swaps


 


Purchase power


 


$


(12,383


)


$


(17,824


)


Natural Gas Swaps


 


Purchase power


 

 


(283


)

Not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

Not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

 

 

Not designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities

 

 


Nuclear decommissioning trust


 


Investment income


 

 


1,042

 


2,107

 


Nuclear decommissioning trust


 


Investment income


 

 


240

 


Nuclear decommissioning trust


 


Investment income


 

 


(999


)

 


(2,048


)


Nuclear decommissioning trust


 


Investment income


 

 


(250


)
         

Total losses on derivatives

Total losses on derivatives

 

 

 

$

(12,340

)

$

(17,765

)

Total losses on derivatives

 

 

 

$

(271

)
         

(D)
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities:Securities.    Under Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, investment securities we hold are classified as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities are carried at market value with unrealized gains and losses, net of any tax effect, added to or deducted from patronage capital. Unrealized gains and losses from investment securities held in the decommissioning fund, which are also classified as available-for-sale, are directly added to or deducted from deferred asset retirement obligations costs. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at cost. There were no held-to-maturity securities as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2009.2010. All realized and unrealized gains and losses were determined using the specific identification method. Approximately 25%68% of these gross unrealized losses were in effect for less than one year. The total gross unrealizedThese losses were primarily due to investments in fixed income securities held in the nuclear decommissioning trust fund. Consistent with our ratemaking, unrealized gains and losses from the decommissioning trust fund are recorded as an increase or decrease to the regulatory asset.

Table of Contents

 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 


 

Gross Unrealized 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized 

 

 

 
September 30, 2010
 Cost
 Gains
 Losses
 Fair
Value

 
March 31, 2011
 Cost
 Gains
 Losses
 Fair
Value

 
   
Equity $136,650 $31,305 $(6,197)$161,758  $142,477 $46,938 $(2,035)$187,380 
Debt 174,709 32,557 (24,683) 182,583  149,988 8,524 (4,426) 154,086 
Other 1,502 4  1,506  17,175 244 (273) 17,146 
   
Total $312,861 $63,866 $(30,880)$345,847  $309,640 $55,706 $(6,734)$358,612 
   



 

Gross Unrealized 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized 

 

 

 
December 31, 2009
 Cost
 Gains
 Losses
 Fair
Value

 
December 31, 2010
 Cost
 Gains
 Losses
 Fair
Value

 
   
Equity $127,704 $35,003 $(3,671)$159,036  $137,492 $42,622 $(2,482)$177,632 
Debt 170,033 15,685 (13,089) 172,629  158,706 9,130 (4,879) 162,957 
Other (815) 7  (808) 7,035 3 (118) 6,920 
   
Total $296,922 $50,695 $(16,760)$330,857  $303,233 $51,755 $(7,479)$347,509 
   
(E)
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.    In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. The new guidance provides for improved disclosure requirements about fair value measurements and requires a reporting entity to disclose separatelyEffective March 31, 2011, the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. The guidance also clarifies that fair value measurement disclosures are required for each asset class. In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), the standard also requires a reporting entity to present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one number) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). We adopted this new guidance beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2010 except that the requirement to present Level 3 activity separately is not effective for us until the quarter ending March 31, 2011. TheOur adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on our disclosures.

(F)
Accumulated Comprehensive Deficit.    The table below provides detail of the beginning and ending balance for each classification of accumulated other comprehensive deficit along with the amount of any reclassification adjustments included in margin for each of the periods presented in the Condensed Statements of Patronage Capital and Membership Fees and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Deficit. There were no material changes in the nature, timing or amounts of expected (gain) loss reclassified to net margin from the amounts disclosed in our 20092010 Form 10-K.

Table of Contents

 
 Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Deficit
Three Months Ended
 

  

Available-for-sale
Securities

  

Total

 
    

Balance at June 30, 2009

 $(1,427)$(1,427)
    

Unrealized gain

  
342
  
342
 
    

Balance at September 30, 2009

 
$

(1,085

)

$

(1,085

)
    

Balance at June 30, 2010

 
$

(220

)

$

(220

)
    

Unrealized gain

  
52
  
52
 
    

Balance at September 30, 2010

 
$

(168

)

$

(168

)
    



 Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Deficit
Nine Months Ended
  Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Deficit
Three Months Ended
 

 

Available-for-sale
Securities

 

Total

  

(dollars in thousands)

 
    

Available-for-sale
Securities

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2008

 $(1,348)$(1,348)
   

Unrealized gain

 
263
 
263
 
   

Balance at September 30, 2009

 
$

(1,085

)

$

(1,085

)
      

Balance at December 31, 2009

 
$

(1,253

)

$

(1,253

)
 $(1,253)$(1,253)
      

Unrealized gain

 
1,085
 
1,085
  
249
 
249
 

Balance at March 31, 2010

 
$

(1,004

)

$

(1,004

)
      

Balance at September 30, 2010

 
$

(168

)

$

(168

)

Balance at December 31, 2010

 
$

(469

)

$

(469

)
      

Unrealized loss

 
(21

)
 
(21

)
   

Balance at March 31, 2011

 
$

(490

)

$

(490

)
   

(G)
Environmental Matters.    There are a number of environmental matters that could have an effect on our financial condition or results of operations. At this time, the resolution of these matters is uncertain, and we have made no accruals for such contingencies and cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss with respect to these matters.

Table of Contents


Table of Contents

(H)
Restricted cash.    The restricted cash balance at September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 consisted of $6,299,000$168,700,000 of pollution control revenue bond proceeds utilized on April 1, 2011 for the refunding of certain pollution control revenue bonds and $6,301,000 of clean renewable energy bond proceeds on deposit with CoBank to fund a clean renewable energy project at the Rocky Mountain Pumped Storage Hydroelectric facility.

(I)
Restricted short-term investments.    At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we had $80,771,000$15,125,000 on deposit with the Rural Utilities Service in the Cushion of Credit Account. The restricted funds will be utilized for future Rural Utilities Service/Federal Financing Bank debt service payments. The deposit earns interest at a Rural Utilities Service guaranteed rate of 5% per annum.

(J)
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities.    We apply the accounting guidance for Regulated Operations. Regulatory assets represent certain costs that are probable of recovery from our members in future revenues through rates under the wholesale power contracts with our members extending through December 31, 2050. Future revenues are expected to provide for recovery of previously incurred costs and are not calculated to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. Regulatory liabilities represent certain items of income that we are retaining and that will be applied in the future to reduce revenues required to be recovered from members.

 
 2011
 2010
 

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 
  
Premium and loss on reacquired debt $108,310 $111,570 
Deferred amortization on capital leases  60,075  64,561 
Deferred outage costs  38,736  23,796 
Deferred interest rate swap termination fees  24,308  25,306 
Asset retirement obligations  8,881  15,699 
Deferred depreciation expense  52,277  52,632 
Deferred investment impairment losses  4,953  5,214 
Deferred charges related to Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 training costs  11,703  9,707 
Other regulatory assets  2,631  2,651 
Accumulated retirement costs for other obligations  (39,082) (39,205)
Net benefit of Rocky Mountain transactions  (50,169) (50,965)
Hawk Road net margin deferral  (13,636) (21,956)
Major maintenance sinking fund  (28,751) (28,500)
Deferred debt service adder  (30,165) (27,678)
Other regulatory liabilities  (1,851) (1,931)
  
Net regulatory assets $148,220 $140,901 
  
(K)
Member Power Bill Prepayments.    In December 2008, we institutedWe have a power bill prepayment program pursuant to which members can prepay their power bills from us at a discount based on our avoided cost of borrowing. The prepayments are credited against the participating members' power bills in the month(s) agreed upon in advance. The discounts are credited each and every month against the power bills and are recorded on our books as a reduction to member revenues. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, member power bill prepayments as reflected on the condensed balance sheets, including unpaid discounts, were $84,683,000,$98,322,000, of which, $64,963,000$55,822,000 is classified as current liabilities and $19,720,000$42,500,000 as deferred credits and other liabilities. The prepayments are being applied against members' power bills through May 2015, with the majority of the remaining balance scheduled to be applied in 2011.

2011 and 2012.

Table of Contents

(K)(L)
Bond Issuance.    In March 2010,2011, the Development Authority of Appling County (Georgia), the Development Authority of Burke County (Georgia) and the Development Authority of Monroe County (Georgia) issued, on our behalf, $133,550,000$180,380,000 in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt pollution control revenue bonds for the purpose of refunding certain pollution control revenue bonds previously issued by the development authorities on our behalf. WeThe Series 2011 bonds are term rate bonds with a 2.5% interest rate which is fixed through February 28, 2013. $168,700,000 in proceeds of the 2011 bonds were used to refund a like amount of Series 2007 and 2008 pollution control revenue bonds that were subject to remarketing and interest rate reset on April 1, 2011. In conjunction with this refunding, we provided notice of optional redemption of the prior bonds in March 2011 and redeemed the prior bonds on April 1, 2010.2011. The remaining proceeds of the 2011 bond issue were used to refund $11,680,000 of commercial paper that was used to refund a like amount of pollution control revenue bonds that matured on January 1, 2011.

(L)(M)
Subsequent Events.    WeOn April 8, 2011, we completed the previously announced acquisition of KGen Murray I and II LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of KGen Power Corporation, which owned the Murray Energy Facility located near Dalton, Georgia. This facility consists of two natural gas-fired combined cycle units that have evaluated subsequent events up until the time that our financial statements were issued.an aggregate summer planning reserve generation capacity of approximately 1,220 megawatts. The purchase price was $529,485,000, including working capital and other closing adjustments.

On November 9, 2010, we issued $450,000,000 of taxable first mortgage bonds primarilyThe acquisition also includes an existing power purchase and sale agreement with Georgia Power Company for the purposeentire output of fundingMurray I through May 31, 2012. Initially, both units are planned to be operated independently of the other generating facilities we own and operate but will be integrated into our system as needed.

In connection with this acquisition, we closed a $260,000,000 three-year term loan with three banks to provide a portion of the costinterim financing for this acquisition. We financed the remaining $269,485,000 through the issuance of constructing Plant Vogtle Units No. 3commercial paper and No. 4. A substantial portiondraws under existing credit facilities. We have submitted a loan application to the Rural Utilities Service for long-term financing for this acquisition. For any amounts not funded through the Rural Utilities Service, we intend to issue taxable bonds.

With the completion of this acquisition, we have cancelled the development of the proceeds were usedpreviously announced 605 megawatt combined cycle plant and have withdrawn the corresponding loan application submitted to repay outstanding short-term borrowings in connection with payments previously made for construction of this facility. The first mortgage bonds are secured under our first mortgage indenture.the Rural Utilities Service.


Table of Contents

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

We are a Georgia electric membership corporation (an EMC) incorporated in 1974 and headquartered in metropolitan Atlanta. We are owned by our 39 retail electric distribution cooperative members. Our members are consumer-owned distribution cooperatives providing retail electric service in Georgia on a not-for-profit basis. Our principal business is providing wholesale electric power to our members through a combination of our generation assets and to, a lesser extent, power purchased from power marketers and other suppliers. As with cooperatives generally, we operate on a not-for-profit basis.

Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding, among other items, (i) anticipated financing transactions by us, (ii) our future capital expenditure requirements and funding sources and (iii) achievement of a margins for interest ratio at the minimum requirement contained in our first mortgage indenture and, in the case that our board of directors approves a budget for a particular fiscal year that seeks to achieve a higher margins for interest ratio, such higher board-approved margins for interest ratio. These forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. For a discussion of some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements, see "Item 1A—"Item1A—RISK FACTORS" contained in our Annual Report on2010 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.10-K. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that events anticipated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will in fact transpire.

Results of Operations

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009

Net Margin

Throughout the year, we monitor our operating results and, with board approval, make budget adjustments when and as necessary to ensure our targeted margins for interest ratio is achieved. Under the first mortgage indenture, we are required to establish and collect rates that are reasonably expected, together with our other revenues, to yield at least a 1.10 margins for interest ratio in each fiscal year. However, to enhance margin coverage during this period of generation facility construction and acquisition,expansion, our board of directors approved budgets for 2010 and 2011 to achieve a 1.14 margins for interest ratio. As our constructiongeneration expansion program evolves, our board of directors will continue to evaluate the level of margin coverage and may choose to change the targeted margins for interest ratio in the future, although not below the 1.10 margins for interest ratio required under our first mortgage indenture.

Our net margin for the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 was $13.8 million and $35.9$16.1 million compared to $11.4 million and $39.8$14.6 million for the same periodsperiod of 2009. Through September 30, 2010, we have collected 106% of our targeted2010. We expect a net margin of $33.8$38.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2010. This is typical as our management generally budgets conservatively and makes adjustments to the budget throughout the year so that net margins2011, which will achieve, but not exceed, the targeted margins for interest ratio of 1.14.

Operating Revenues

Our operating revenues fluctuate from period to period based on several factors, including weather and other seasonal factors, load requirements in our members' service territories, operating costs, availability of electric generation resources, our decisions of whether to dispatch our owned or


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purchased resources or member-owned resources over which we have dispatch rights and members' decisions of whether to purchase a portion of their hourly energy requirements from our resources or from other suppliers.


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Total revenues from sales to members were 20.1% and 12.3% higherdecreased 11.3% in the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010 than forMarch 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009.2010. Megawatt-hour sales to members increased 19.2% and 11.9%decreased 21.4% for the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 versus the same periodsperiod of 2009.2010. The average total revenue per megawatt-hour from sales to members increased 0.7% and 0.3%12.8% for the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009.2010.

The components of member revenues for the three-three-month period ended March 31, 2011 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (amounts in thousands except for cents per kilowatt-hour):

   

 Three Months
Ended September 30, 
 Nine Months
Ended September 30, 
  Three Months
Ended March 31, 
 

 2010  2009  2010  2009   2011  2010  

Capacity revenues

 $172,217 $166,527 $514,435 $495,687  $171,261 $170,775 

Energy revenues

 198,236 141,887 485,809 394,959  98,187 133,053 
              

Total

 $370,453 $308,414 $1,000,244 $890,646  $269,448 $303,828 
              

Kilowatt-hours sold to members

 6,649,453 5,576,812 17,451,164 15,590,051  3,982,856 5,066,221 

Cents per kilowatt-hour

 5.57¢ 5.53¢ 5.73¢ 5.71¢  6.77¢ 6.00¢ 



 
 

CapacityEnergy revenues were 26.2% lower for the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010 increased 3.4% and 3.8%March 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009. This increase in capacity revenues primarily resulted from higher budgeted fixed operations and maintenance expenses and depreciation expenses. Energy revenues were 39.7% and 23.0% higher for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009.2010. Our average energy revenue per megawatt-hour from sales to members was 17.2% and 9.9% higher6.1% lower for the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 as compared to the same periods of 2009.2010. The increasedecrease in total energy revenues was primarily due to the pass-through to our members of higherlower fuel costs (primarily due to higher coal-fired generation)lower coal- and gas-fired generation due to outages at Plant Scherer and the Chattahoochee Energy Facility). For a discussion of fuel costs, see "Operating Expenses" below.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the three- and nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2010 increased 24.5% and 15.0%March 31, 2011 decreased 14.4% compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009.2010. This increasedecrease in operating expenses was primarily due to higherlower fuel costs, higher production expenses and higher depreciation expenses, offset somewhat bycosts. In addition, a decrease in purchased power costs contributed to lower operating expenses.

The following table summarizes our megawatt-hour generation and fuel costs by generating source and purchased power costs.

  

 Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
 

 2011  2010  

Fuel Source

 Cost  Generation  Cost  Generation  

  (thousands)  (Mwh)  (thousands)  (Mwh) 

Coal

 $50,564  1,682,119 $68,595  2,561,647 

Nuclear

  16,143  2,396,999  12,949  2,183,448 

Gas

  5,091  22,911  19,967  361,358 

Pumped Storage (net of pumping energy)

  651  (74,042) 580  (62,657)
          

 $72,449  4,027,987 $102,091  5,043,796 
          

 

Cost 

 Purchased  Cost  Purchased  

  (thousands)  (Mwh)  (thousands)  (Mwh) 

Purchased Power

 $11,555  21,027 $17,408  123,123 
          
  

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For the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, total fuel costs increased 69.5% and 36.2%decreased 29.0% and total megawatt-hour generation increased 21.7% and 13.8%decreased 20.1% compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009.2010. Average fuel costs per megawatt-hour increased 39.3% and 19.8%decreased 11.1% in the three- and nine-month periods of 2010three-month period ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009.2010. This increasedecrease in total fuel costs resulted primarilypartly from higherlower coal-fired generation at Plant Scherer and Plant Wansley.partly from lower gas-fired generation at the Chattahoochee Energy Facility. The increasedecrease in average fuel costs during the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to the same period of 20092010 resulted primarily from a 23.8%34.3% or 1,559,000880,000 megawatt-hour increasedecrease in coal-fired generation primarily at Plant Scherer and Plant Wansley due to significantly lessa scheduled outage timefor the installation of environmental compliance equipment in 2010 as compared to 2009. In addition, total2011. Total natural gas-fired generation increased 18.0%decreased 93.7% or 333,000338,000 megawatt-hours for the nine-monthsthree-months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 as compared to the same period of 2009.2010 primarily due to an unplanned outage at Chattahoochee. Chattahoochee was put back into operation on April 2, 2011. The average fuel cost per megawatt-hour of coal- and gas-fired generation is substantially higher than nuclear generation;


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thus, the increasedecrease in coal- and gas-fired generation was the primary contributor to the increasedecrease in average fuel costs per megawatt-hour of generation.

Production expenses increased 19.6% and 17.6% for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009. This increase is partly attributable to increased general operations and maintenance expenses at the jointly owned plants (Plants Hatch, Vogtle, Wansley and Scherer) during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and partly due to operations and maintenance expenses for the Hawk Road and Hartwell Energy Facilities incurred in 2010. We acquired these facilities in May and October of 2009, respectively.

Total purchased power costs decreased 44.3% and 41.7%33.6% for the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009.2010. Purchased megawatt-hours decreased 70.6% and 54.1%82.9% for the three- and nine-month periods of 2010three-month period ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009. The average cost per megawatt-hour of total purchased power increased 89.8% and 27.1% for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009.

Purchased power costs were as follows (amounts in thousands except for cents per kilowatt-hour):

  

 Three Months
Ended September 30, 
 Nine Months
Ended September 30, 
 

 2010  2009  2010  2009  

Capacity costs

 $3,848 $11,407 $11,905 $33,114 

Energy costs

  20,873  32,942  48,441  70,431 
          

Total

 $24,721 $44,349 $60,346 $103,545 
          

Kilowatt-hours of purchased power

  64,711  220,306  291,339  635,251 

Cents per kilowatt-hour

  38.20¢  20.13¢  20.71¢  16.30¢ 

 

 

Purchased power capacity costs decreased 66.3% and 64.1% in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009. Purchased power energy costs for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 decreased 36.7% and 31.2% compared to the same periods of 2009. The average cost per kilowatt-hour of purchased power energy increased 115.7% and 50.0% for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009.2010. The decrease in purchased power capacity costs is primarily attributable to the Hartwell acquisition. As part of the acquisition, we acquired an existing power purchase agreement we had in place with the former owners of Hartwell. The decrease in purchased power energy costs resulted from (i) a decrease in megawatt-hours acquired under our energy replacement program, which replaces power from our owned generation facilities with lower price spot market purchased power energy (ii)and from lower realized losses incurred for natural gas financial contracts utilized for managing exposure to fluctuations in the market prices of natural gas and (iii) no power purchases under the Hartwell power purchase agreement in 2010 as a result of our acquisition of Hartwell in October 2009.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 3.3% and 11.2% in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same periods of 2009. The increase was primarily due to increased depreciation expense for Plants Scherer and Wansley related to capital expenditures for environmental compliance projects, and to a lesser extent, depreciation expense related to Hawk Road and Hartwell, which were acquired in May and October of 2009, respectively.gas.

Interest charges

Interest expense increased by 11.0% and 11.9%7.7% in the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009.2010. This increase wasis primarily due to the issuance in November 2009 of $400 million of taxable fixed rate bondsincreased debt issued for the purpose of financing construction of Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.


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Allowance for debt funds used during construction increased by 163.2% and 128.5%60.9% in the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 20092010 primarily due to construction expenditures for Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.

Amortization of debt discount and expense increased 7.4% and 29.7%decreased 15.7% in the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2009 partly2010 primarily due to the completion of amortization of issuance costs associated with transactions that closed in May and August 2009 to provide supplemental credit enhancement for the Rocky Mountain lease arrangements and partly due to the amortization of losses on debt refinancing associated with the Hartwell acquisition.arrangements.

Financial Condition

Balance Sheet Analysis as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011

Assets

Cash used for property additions for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 totaled $524.3$208.5 million. Of this amount, approximately $308$96 million was associated with the construction expenditures for Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4. The remaining expenditures were primarily for environmental control systems being installed at Plant Scherer, normal additions and replacements to existing generation facilities and purchases of nuclear fuel.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $146.3$131.3 million in the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2010 and can be largelyMarch 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily attributed to capital expenditures of approximately $524.3$208.5 million for property additions, which were partially offset by $77 million in advances received from the Rural Utilities Service for environmental and a net applicationgeneral improvements.


Table of $115.8 million of the members' prepayments of their power bills. Other significant uses of cash include principal and interest payments and payments to Georgia Power Company for operation and maintenance costs at our facilities co-owned with Georgia Power. Short-term borrowings and long-term debt proceeds of $297.4 million and $222.6 million, respectively, were significant sources of cash during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.Contents

The $6.3 million restricted cash balance at September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 consisted of the remaining$168.7 million of pollution control revenue bond proceeds obtained from the issuance of clean renewable energy bonds in December 2009.a March 2011 bond refinancing. The proceeds from the clean renewable energy bonds are restricted in use for certain qualifying expenditures. The $16.1 million decrease in restricted cashwere on deposit with a trustee and subsequently utilized on April 1, 2011 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 was due in part to the expenditurerefunding of $5.2 million for such qualifying costs. In addition, $10.9 million of restricted cash, the proceeds from a December 2009 bond refinancing, was utilized to payoff the principal amount of the refinancedcertain pollution control revenue bondsbonds.

Restricted short-term investments at March 31, 2011 represented funds deposited into a Rural Utilities Service Cushion of Credit Account with the U.S. Treasury that matured in January 2010.

Receivables increased by $17.4 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.earns interest at a guaranteed rate of 5% per annum. The December 31, 2009 receivables balance included approximately $20.7 million of credits availablefunds, including interest earned thereon, can only be applied to the members for a board approved reduction to 2009 revenue requirements as a result of margins collected in excess of our 2009 target 1.12 margins for interest ratio. The increase in receivables was largely due to these credits being utilized by the members during 2010. The receivable for amounts billed or billable to the members for their monthly power bills also increased by approximately $1.7 million in September 2010 compared to December 2009. Receivables from Smarr EMC for costs incurred for operation of its facilities also increased by $2.5 million. These increases were partially offset by a $7.8 million decrease in the receivable from the members associated with natural gas derivatives. This decrease was largely due to the settlement of certain natural gas contracts.debt service on Rural Utilities Service and Rural Utilities Service-guaranteed Federal Financing Bank notes. For information regarding the natural gas contracts,Rural Utilities Service Cushion of Credit Account, see Note CI of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

Inventories, including fossil fuelStatements and spare parts inventories, decreased by $24.1 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. The decrease was primarily due to a $27.6 million decrease in coal fuel inventories, largely a result"—Capital Requirements and Liquidity and Sources of a planned reduction in coal fuel inventory balances.


Capital—Table of ContentsLiquidity

Prepayments and other current assets increased by $4.4 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 primarily as a result of an increase in prepaid insurance balances.

The $9.5 million decrease in deferred amortization of capital leases for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to regular monthly amortization.

The deferred tax asset represents an offset to the liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits due to an uncertain tax position. We are carrying forward significant regular tax and alternative minimum tax net operating losses. As a result, any regular tax liability in open tax years related to an uncertain tax position would be offset by regular net operating losses. At December 31, 2009, we had recognized a $24.0 million liability for an uncertain tax position and consequently an offsetting $24.0 million deferred asset. The uncertain tax position relates to the 2006 tax year for which the U.S. federal statute of limitations expired during the third quarter of 2010. Accordingly, this liability and the related deferred tax asset were each reduced by $24.0 million during the third quarter of 2010 to zero.

The $3.5 million decrease in the deferred asset associated with retirement obligations in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to decommissioning fund earnings. The deferred asset increases or decreases to the extent of timing differences between recognized accretion expense associated with nuclear decommissioning and the amounts recovered through decommissioning fund earnings. Nuclear decommissioning accretion and related expenses of approximately $11.3 million and decommissioning fund net earnings of approximately $16.3 million resulted in the deferred charge decreasing by $5.0 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. Partially offsetting this decrease was a $2.0 million decrease in the unrealized gains associated with the nuclear decommissioning fund. Consistent with our ratemaking policy, unrealized gains or losses from the nuclear decommissioning fund are deducted from or added to the deferred asset associated with retirement obligations. The decrease in the nuclear decommissioning fund unrealized gains therefore increased the deferred asset by $2.0 million." herein.

Equity and Liabilities

Long-term debt and capital leases due within one year increased $28.7$153.9 million primarily as a result of scheduled debt maturitiesthe $180.4 million refinancing transaction that occurred in March 2011. The principal payments for the refinanced pollution control revenue bonds were made April 1, 2011 and the consequent reclassificationbalances were classified as current as of certain long-term debt.

The $297.4 million increase in short-term borrowings was primarilyMarch 31, 2011. For information regarding the March 2011 bond refinancing, see Note L of Notes to fund constructionUnaudited Condensed Financial Statements and "—Capital Requirements and Liquidity and Sources of Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.Capital—Bond Financings" herein.

Accounts payable increased $72.9$19.0 million in the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 primarily due to a $69.8$22.2 million increase in the payable to Georgia Power for operation, maintenance and capital costs, primarily associated with construction costs for Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4. In addition, there was a $3.8$3.4 million increasedecrease in the payable for natural gas, primarily due to increased generationan unplanned outage at the natural gas fired plants in September 2010 compared with December 2009.Chattahoochee.

The $13.5$30.2 million decrease in accrued interest duringfor the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 was due to the normal timing differences between interest payments and interest expense accruals.

Accrued and withheld taxes decreased $16.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 as a result of payments made (when due) for 2010 property taxes, which exceeded normal 2011 property tax accruals.

Member power bill prepayments represent funds received from the members for prepayment of their monthly power bills. At September 30, 2010, $65.0March 31, 2011, $55.8 million of member power bill prepayments was classified as a current liability and $19.7$42.5 million of member power bill prepayments was classified as a long-term deferred liability. During the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, approximately $66.4$10.6 million of prepayments waswere received from the members and approximately $182.2$24.8 million was applied to the members' monthly power bills. The application of member prepayments received in the prior year to the current year's power bills significantly reduced net cash provided by operations. For information regarding the power bill prepayment program, see Note JK of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements and see "Financial Condition—"—Capital Requirements and Liquidity and Sources of Capital—Liquidity" herein.

Other current liabilities increased by $5.5 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 primarily due to $9.5 million accrued for major maintenance at the Hawk Road Energy Facility. Partially offsetting the increase was a $3.7 million decrease in accrued payroll as a result of the payout of 2010 performance pay.


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Other current liabilities decreased by $10.7 million during nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, primarily due to a $6.2 million decrease in accruals for other miscellaneous payables. This decrease was largely due to the payment and true-up of estimated operation and maintenance costs. The liability associated with natural gas derivatives also decreased by $7.8 million primarily due to the settlement of certain natural gas contracts. Partially offsetting these increases was a $3.6 million liability established as a result of the receipt of certain grant monies relating to energy efficiency programs.

Primarily as a result of incurring approximately $6.4 million of removal costs for the retirement of certain assets, accumulated retirement costs for other obligations decreased by $5.2 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.

The long-term contingent liability represents a liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits. The $24 million decrease was the result of the expiration of the statute of limitations for the 2006 tax year. See the deferred tax asset discussion above for more information.

The $12.5 million decrease in the power sale agreement, which we assumed as part of the acquisition of Heard County Power L.L.C. in May 2009, in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 was due to regular monthly amortization.

Other deferred credits and liabilities increased $42.3 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 partially due to a $19.7 million liability established in 2010 for long-term contract retention payables associated with the Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 construction. The increase was also partially due to a $10.5 million increase in the regulatory liability established to defer the effects on net margin that result from Hawk Road Energy Facility operations. Also contributing to the increase was a $7.5 million increase in funding received from the members for future debt payments related to the Talbot and Chattahoochee Energy Facilities, as well as a $4.2 million increase in funding for the future overhaul of the combustion turbine plants.

Capital Requirements and Liquidity and Sources of Capital

Future Power Resources

To meet the energy needs of our members, we have embarked onare in a period of generation expansion program. On October 26, 2010, we entered into a non-binding term sheet with a third party to acquire natural gas-fired generation facilities.expansion. In addition to significantly greater generationacquiring 2,020 megawatts of capacity through the purchase price for the facilities is expected to be less than the cost projected for us to construct a previously disclosed 605-megawatt combined cycle plant. The proposed acquisition remains subject to the completion of our due diligence and approval process, including subscription by our members and approval by our members and our Board of Directors, as well as negotiation of definitive agreements with the third party and, as a result, may not result in a completed transaction. If we complete this acquisition, we anticipate that it will close in early 2011.

If we acquire these facilities, we would revise our plans to construct future generation resources to reflect this additional generation capacity and our members' projected power supply needs. Completing this acquisition would affect two generation projects currently under development, a 605-megawatt combined cycle plant and the 100-megawatt Warren County biomass plant, which are projected to cost us approximately $750 million and $477 million, including allowance for funds used during construction, respectively. Upon closing, we would cancel the combined cycle plant and indefinitely defer the Warren County biomass plant while we continue to monitor regulatory and legislative uncertainties related to biomass electricity generation. These actions would reduce our previously disclosed projected capital expenditures by approximately $250 million through 2012 and by a total of approximately $1.2 billion through 2015, exclusive of expenditures at closing related to the purchase price of the target facilities. To date, the expenditures on the combined cycleHawk Road, Hartwell and biomass plantMurray Energy Facilities, members have not been material. This acquisition would have no effect on our participationsubscribed to a 30% interest in the construction of Plant Vogtle Units No. 3


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and No. 4.4 (660 megawatts), which are currently under construction. We will continue to evaluate otheradditional generation resource development opportunities to help meet our members' projected power supply needs over the next ten years.

See"Financing Activities" herein for a discussion of how we plan to finance the acquisition of the gas-fired facilities, should the acquisition be completed. For further discussion of our planned future generation resources and projected capital expenditures, see "BUSINESS—OUR POWER SUPPLY RESOURCES—Future"Item 1—BUSINESS—Our Power Resources" in our 2009 Form 10-K and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition—Capital Requirements and Liquidity and Sources of Capital—Supply Resources—Future Power Resources" and "—"Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Financial Condition—Capital Requirements—Capital Expenditures" in our Quarterly Report on2010 Form 10-Q10-K.

Recent Events in Japan.    On March 11, 2011, a major earthquake and tsunami struck Japan and caused substantial damage to the nuclear generating units at the Fukushima Daiichi generating plant. According to published reports, the owner of these units is working to stabilize these units following a loss of operation of the cooling systems for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010.units, which led to the release of radiation. Both Georgia Power, on behalf of the co-owners, and we continue to monitor this situation as it develops.

In response to the events in Japan, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has formed a task force to review operational and safety requirements for nuclear facilities in the U.S. which could potentially impact future operations and capital requirements. Additionally, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has also received two petitions to suspend its decision-making processes related to both the AP1000 design certification and new nuclear construction generally in order to evaluate further any lessons learned from these events. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has not acted on these petitions. To date, Georgia Power has not identified any immediate impacts to the licensing and construction of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 or the operation of our existing nuclear generating units.

The events in Japan have also created broader economic uncertainties that may affect the availability of equipment from Japanese manufacturers and future operating costs, including fuel, for our nuclear and other generating facilities. The ultimate outcome of these events on both our existing generation resources and the development of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 cannot be determined at this time. See "Item 1A—RISK FACTORS" in our 2010 Form 10-K for a discussion of certain risks associated with the licensing, construction and operation of nuclear generating units, including potential impacts that could result from a major incident at a nuclear facility anywhere in the world.

Environmental Regulations

Several environmental regulation-related developments have occurred sinceSince our Quarterly Report on2010 Form 10-Q was filed for the second quarter of 201010-K was filed with the SEC. TheSEC, the Environmental Protection Agency has published final maximum achievable control technology emission limits for industrial, commercial and institutional boilers. At the same time, EPA announced its intention to reconsider certain aspects of these standards, and is now in the process of developing a notice of reconsideration that will request additional comment on certain issues embedded in the rule. Thus, while the final rule issued on June 22, 2010 revisingis more favorable than the sulfur dioxide standardproposed rule as it would apply to the boiler that was planned for the Warren County Biomass Project, there is still uncertainty as to whether there will be further changes in the rule that would apply to the emissions from that boiler. In addition, EPA has now been challenged. After EPA's proposal of the Transport Rule on August 2, 2010, EPA issued a Notice of Data Availability on September 1, 2010, updatingpublished proposed maximum achievable control technology emission limits for certain analyses used to derive the emissions limitations in the Transport Rule and issued a second Notice of Data Availability on October 27, 2010. Also, EPA received approval from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to delay the finalization of the proposed national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (including mercury) for industrial boilers proposed on June 4, 2010 for one month until January 16, 2011. This rulecoal and oil-fired electric generating units. EPA has stated its intention to finalize this proposal later in 2011, after it has considered and responded to comments that are now being prepared in response to the proposed Transport Rule could undergo substantial revision prior to finalization, at which time they too might be challenged.proposal. We cannot predict at this time whether any of these developments will ultimately result in the further regulation of emissions from our existing or future power plants, or the effects of any such regulation, including any resulting capital requirements. For further discussion regarding environmental capital


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requirements, see "Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS���Financial Condition—Capital RequirementsCapital Expenditures" in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Liquidity

At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we had $862.8 million$1.3 billion of unrestricted available liquidity to meet our short-term cash needs and liquidity requirements. This amount included $432.8$541 million in cash and cash equivalents and $430$718 million of unused and available committed short-term credit arrangements. As discussed above, cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $146.3$131 million duringin the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 mainlyMarch 31, 2011 primarily due to capital expenditures made for property additions and the application of member power bill prepayments to power bills. Short-term borrowings and long-term debt proceeds of $297.4 million and $222.6 million, respectively, were significant sources of cash during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.additions.

Our short-term credit facilities are shown in the table below. WeAs discussed below, we expect to renew or restructure these short-term credit facilities, as needed, prior to their respective expiration dates.




 Authorized
Amount

 Available
9/30/2010

 Expiration Date

 Authorized
Amount

 Available
3/31/2011

 Expiration Date

Unsecured Facilities:

Unsecured Facilities:

 

Unsecured Facilities:

 

Commercial Paper Backup Line of Credit

 $475 $1(1)July 2012

Commercial Paper Line of Credit

 $475 $182(1)July 2012

CoBank Line of Credit

 50 0 December 2010

CoBank Line of Credit

 50 50 June 2011

CFC Line of Credit

 50 0 October 2011

CFC Line of Credit

 50 50 October 2011

JPMorgan Chase Line of Credit

 150 29(2)December 2012

JPMorgan Chase Line of Credit

 150 36(2)December 2012

Secured facilities:

Secured facilities:

 

Secured facilities:

 

CoBank Line of Credit

 150 150 November 2012

CoBank Line of Credit

 150 150 November 2012

CFC Line of Credit

 250 250 December 2013

CFC Line of Credit

 250 250 December 2013

Total

Total

 $1,125 $430  

Total

 $1,125 $718  


(1)
The portion of this facility that is unavailable is supporting commercial paper we have issued.

(2)
$114 million of this facility is currently utilized as letter of credit support for variable rate pollution control revenue bonds.

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Due to the significant amount of expenditures we are incurring relating to environmental compliance projects and acquisition and construction or acquisition of new generation facilities, we are currently funding our capital requirements through a combination of funds generated from operations and short-term and long-term borrowings. In particular, we are using commercial paper, and short-termrevolving credit facilities and term loans to provide interim financing for the environmental compliance expenditures, for the acquisition of generation facilities and for new generation construction until permanent financing for these projects is put in place. In November 2010late 2011 we issued $450plan to issue approximately $400 million of long-term first mortgage bonds to fund a portion of the cost of constructing Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 and used a substantial portion ofwill use the bond proceeds to repay short-term borrowings that wereare providing interim funding for this same purpose. A similar repayment of short-term borrowings related to the Vogtle construction occurred in connection with the issuanceissuances of $450 million and $400 million of long-term first mortgage bonds issued in November 2009.2010 and November 2009, respectively. For a more detailed discussion of our plans regarding financing of these facilities, see "—Financing Activities."

In order to further enhance our liquidity position during the peak years of newour generation construction,expansion program, we are currently anticipate ain the process of restructuring and related upsizing of certain of our short-term credit facilities, including the $475 million commercial paper backup line of credit, the $50 million CoBank line of credit and a $136 million letter of credit facility sometime in 2011. The exact timing, size and term of the restructuredcurrently providing credit facilities will be influenced by many factors, including the ultimate sizeenhancement on certain of our construction program, the timingvariable rate pollution control bonds. We expect to replace these facilities with a new


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four year revolving credit facility of up to $1.3 billion that can be used to support commercial paper issuance, to advance funds for working capital purposes and to issue letters of credit thereunder. Bank of America will continue to serve as administrative agent under this restructured facility. A closing on this new generation facilitiesfacility is expected by June 2011. We also plan to renew and overall market conditions.upsize our $50 million National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) line of credit later this year.

Under the commercial paper program, we areour board of directors has authorized us to issue commercial paper in amounts that do not exceed the amount of any committed backup lines of credit in place, thereby providing 100% dedicated backup support for any paper outstanding. We periodically assess our needs in order to determine the appropriate amount of commercial paper backup to maintain and currentlymaintain. In connection with the increase in the size of our main revolving credit facility to approximately $1.3 billion, we will be upsizing the size of our commercial paper program accordingly. Once all the restructured credit facilities have closed, we expect to have in place credit facilities in the aggregate totaling approximately $1.9 billion. We believe this amount of liquidity will be more than sufficient to cover our interim funding needs through the period of generation expansion and to provide a $475 million committed backup credit facility provided by eight participant banks, with Bank of America serving as administrative agent for this facility.reasonable cushion to operate our business.

Along with the lines of credit from CoBank, the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC)CFC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, funds may also be advanced under the commercial paper backup line of credit supporting commercial paper for general working capital purposes. In addition, under certain of our committed credit facilities we have the ability to issue letters of credit totaling $450 million in the aggregate, of which approximately $180$336 million remained available at September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011. However, any amounts related to issued letters of credit will reduce the amount available to draw as working capital under those facilities. Also, due to the requirement to have 100% dedicated backup for any commercial paper outstanding, any amounts drawn under the commercial paper backup line for working capital or related to issued letters of credit will reduce the amount of commercial paper that we can issue.

Under the $250 million line of credit with CFC, we have the option of converting any amounts outstanding under the line of credit to a term loan with a maturity no later than December 31, 2043. Any amounts drawn under the $250 million CFC line of credit, as well as any amounts converted to a term loan, will be secured under our first mortgage indenture.

Several of our line of credit facilities contain a similar financial covenant that requires us to maintain minimum levels of patronage capital. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the required minimum level was $544.8$570 million and our actual patronage capital was $598.1$612 million. An additional covenant contained in several of our credit facilities limits our secured indebtedness and our unsecured indebtedness, both as defined by these credit facilities, to $8.5 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we had approximately $4.5$5.2 billion of secured indebtedness and $666$392 million of unsecured indebtedness outstanding, which was well within the covenant thresholds.


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We also have a power bill prepayment program that provides us with an additional source of liquidity. Under the program, members can prepay their power bills from us at a discount for an agreed upon number of months in advance, after which the prepayments are credited against the participating members' monthly power bills. The discount is comparable to our avoided cost of borrowing. As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the balance of member prepayments received but not yet credited to their power bills was $84.7 million, which represented prepayments from sixteen members participating in the program.$98 million. We began applying the prepayments against participating members' power bills in 2009 and will continue doing so through May 2015, with the majority of the remaining balance scheduled to be applied in 2011.2011 and 2012. For more information regarding the power bill prepayment program, see Note JK of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, current assets included $81$15 million of restricted short-term investments pursuant to deposits made to a Rural Utilities Service Cushion of Credit Account. The deposits with the U.S. Treasury were made voluntarily and earn interest at a guaranteed rate of 5% per annum. The funds in the account, including interest thereon, can only be applied to debt service payments on Rural Utilities


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Service notes and Rural Utilities Service-guaranteed Federal Financing Bank notes. The amount on deposit in this account is less than one year's debt service payments owed to the Rural Utilities Service and Federal Financing Bank. Our decisions regarding how to apply the funds are guided by the interest rate environment and our anticipated liquidity needs.

Financing Activities

OurFirst Mortgage Indenture.    At September 30, 2010March 31, 2011, we had $4.3$5.0 billion of long-term debt outstanding under our first mortgage indenture secured equally and ratably by a lien on substantially all of our tangible and some of our intangible assets, including those we acquire in the future. See "MANAGEMENT'S"Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Financial Condition—Financing ActivitiesOurFirst Mortgage Indenture" in our 20092010 Form 10-K for a further discussion of our first mortgage indenture.

We intend to put in place by year-end 2010 an indenture for unsecured debt securities to provide an additional financing alternative, most notably in connection with interim financing related to generation facility acquisitions and new generation construction.

Bond Financings.    InOn March 2010,31, 2011, the Development Authority of Appling County (Georgia), the Development Authority of Burke County (Georgia) and the Development Authority of Monroe County (Georgia) issued, on our behalf, $133.6$180.4 million in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt pollution control revenue bonds for the purpose of refunding certain pollution control revenue bonds previously issued by the development authorities on our behalf to finance or refinance the costs of our undivided interests in certain air or water pollution control and sewage or solid waste disposal facilities. The bonds were issued as variabletwo-year term rate demand bonds backed by an irrevocable direct-pay letter of credit for each series of bonds issued by Bank of America.with a 2.5% interest rate fixed through February 28, 2013. The bonds are secured under our first mortgage indenture.

On November 9, 2010,In late 2011, we issued $450plan to issue approximately $400 million of taxable first mortgage bonds primarily for the purpose of funding a portion of the cost of constructing Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4. A substantial portion of theThe proceeds werewill be used to repay outstanding short-term borrowings in connection with payments previously madedue during 2011 for construction of this facility.these units. The first mortgage bonds were secured under our first mortgage indenture.

We are evaluating the potential for an issuance of a modest amount of new tax-exempt debt in connection with costs related to pollution control equipment being installed at coal-fired Plant Scherer, but the timing and exact amount of this new debt, if any, is uncertain at this time. If issued, this tax-exempt debt will be secured under our first mortgage indenture.


TableInterim Financing for the Murray Acquisition.    In early April 2011, we closed a $260 million three-year term loan to provide funds for a portion of Contentsthe cost of acquiring the Murray Energy Facility. The balance of the acquisition cost was funded with commercial paper and drawings under our existing short-term credit facilities.

Rural Utilities Service-Guaranteed Loans.    We currently have five approved Rural Utilities Service-guaranteed loans, being funded through the Federal Financing Bank, totaling $1.2 billion that are in the process of being drawn down, with $940$830 million remaining to be advanced. Two of these loans were approved in the third quarter of 2010, including a loan relating to the acquisition of the Hawk Road Energy Facility ($203.1 million) and a loan relating to the acquisition of the Hartwell Energy Facility ($170 million).

We also have three Rural Utilities Service-guaranteed loan applications pending, totaling approximately $1.3$1.1 billion, including a loan applicationapplications related to the Warren County biomass plant, athe Murray Energy Facility and to general improvements at existing generation facilities. Actions on the Murray and general improvements loans are anticipated in 2011. The previously submitted loan application related to the 605 MWmegawatt gas-fired combined cycle plant, and a loan application related to general improvements at existing generation facilities (action on this general improvements loan is anticipatedwhich was cancelled in 2011). connection with the Murray acquisition, has been withdrawn.

The President'sFederal budget proposal for fiscal year 2011 (which began on October 1, 2010) has not yet beenwas adopted but if adopted would prohibitin April 2011. Rural Utilities Service funding for fiscal year 2011 remains unchanged from that in fiscal year 2010. Additionally, the previously proposed restrictions to eligibility for funding in fiscal year 2011 were not included. However, the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 does include a modest reduction to the overall funding level as well as prohibitions against funding for (i) improvements to existing fossil-fueled generation facilities unless the improvements are related to carbon-capture projects, except up to $2 billion may be used for environmental improvements that would reduce emissions, and (ii) construction of new fossil-fueled generation facilities. Nonetheless we have submitted a loan application for Murray, and should members subscribe to any additional fossil-fueled facilities, including the gas-fired facilities that we may acquire, we anticipate filing loan applications for those facilities as well to the extent Rural Utilities Service regulationslending


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authority in place at that time allow us to do so. As such, should we complete the acquisition of the natural gas-fired facilities discussed above under "Future Power Resources," we intend to submit a loan application to the Rural Utilities Service for long-term financing of the acquired facility, and at the same time would withdraw our loan application previously submitted to the Rural Utilities Service for the 605 MW gas-fired combined cycle plant. For any amounts not funded through the Rural Utilities Service, we would most likely issue taxable bonds secured under our first mortgage indenture. We are considering a variety of alternatives available to us for interim financing in connection with the potential acquisition of the gas-fired facilities including, but not limited to, using cash on hand, drawing down on our existing credit facilities or new unsecured credit facilities and issuing unsecured notes in transactions registered or exempt under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (see "Our Indenture").

For a more detailed discussion regarding the Rural Utilities Service's current position on funding of generation facilities and a general discussion of the federal programs administered by it, see "BUSINESS—OGLETHORPE POWER CORPORATION—Relationship with Rural Utilities Service" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.bonds.

All of the approved Rural Utilities Service loans are expected to be funded through the Federal Financing Bank and guaranteed by the Rural Utilities Service, and the debt will be secured under our first mortgage indenture.

Department of Energy-Guaranteed Loans.    We have signed a conditional term sheet with the Department of Energy that sets forth the general terms of a loan and related loan guarantee that would fund approximately 70% of the estimated $4.2 billion cost to construct our 30% undivided share of Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4, not to exceed $3.057 billion. The loan structure would entail a loan that is expected to be funded by the Federal Financing Bank carrying a federal loan guarantee provided by the Department of Energy, with the debt secured under our first mortgage indenture.

We are working with the Department of Energy to finalize the loan guarantee. However, final approval and issuance of a loan guarantee by the Department of Energy is subject to receipt of the combined construction permits and operating licenses for Plant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, negotiation of definitive agreements, completion of due diligence by the Department of Energy and satisfaction of other conditions. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Department of Energy will ultimately issue the loan guarantee to us. We anticipate that any Plant Vogtle costs not funded under the Department of Energy loan guarantee program would be financed through the issuance of taxable bonds.


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Of the approximately $1.2 billion of currently estimated project costs not expected to be funded under the Department of Energy loan guarantee program, we have already financed $850 million through the issuance of first mortgage bonds. WeAs discussed above, we expect to issue another approximately $400 million of first mortgage bonds for this purpose sometime in late 2011.

For more detailed information regarding our financing plans, see "MANAGEMENT'S"Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Financial Condition—Financing Activities" in our 20092010 Form 10-K.

Newly Adopted or Issued Accounting Standards

For a discussion of recently issued or adopted accounting prouncements,pronouncements, see Note E of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements herein.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our market risks have not changed materially from the risks reported in our 20092010 Form 10-K.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting or other factors that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

We are a party to various actions and proceedings incidental to our normal business. Liability in the event of final adverse determination in any of these matters is either covered by insurance or, in the opinion of our management, after consultation with counsel, should not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

There have not been any material changes in our risk factors from those reported in "Item 1A—RISK FACTORS" of our Annual Report on2010 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.10-K.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not Applicable.

Item 3.    Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

Item 4.    Reserved

Item 5.    Other Information

Not Applicable.


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Item 6.    Exhibits

Number
Description
 4.1 SixthSeventh Amended and Restated Loan Contract, dated as of August 13, 2010,April 15, 2011, between Oglethorpe and the United States of America, together with twofour notes executed and delivered pursuant thereto.

 

4.2

 

Fifty-FifthFifty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of AugustMarch 1, 2010,2011 made by Oglethorpe to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to the Series 2010 (FFB V-8)2011A (Appling) Note, Series 2011A (Burke) Note and Series 20102011A (Monroe) Note.


4.3


Sixtieth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 1, 2011, made by Oglethorpe to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to Series 2011 (FFB W-8) Note, Series 2011 (RUS V-8)W-8) Reimbursement Note, Series 2011 (FFB X-8) Note and Series 2011 (RUS X-8) Reimbursement Note.

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, by Thomas A. Smith (Principal Executive Officer).

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, by Elizabeth B. Higgins (Principal Financial Officer).

 

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Thomas A. Smith (Principal Executive Officer).

 

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Elizabeth B. Higgins (Principal Financial Officer).


99.1


Member Financial and Statistical Information (for calendar years 2008-2010).

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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.

    Oglethorpe Power Corporation
(An Electric Membership Corporation)

Date: NovemberMay 12, 20102011

 

By:

 

/s/ Thomas A. Smith

Thomas A. Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: NovemberMay 12, 20102011

 

 

 

/s/ Elizabeth B. Higgins

Elizabeth B. Higgins
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)