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 JuneSeptember 30, 2012

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 ý    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 Filer 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.

   


Table of Contents

(This page has been left blank intentionally)


Table of Contents


OGLETHORPE POWER CORPORATION
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNESEPTEMBER 30, 2012

 
  
 Page No.
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION  

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 
2

 

Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheets as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012
and December 31, 2011

 
2

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Statements of Revenues and Expenses For the Three and SixNine Months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011

 

4

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Margin For the Three and SixNine Months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011

 

5

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Statements of Patronage Capital and Membership Fees and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Margin (Deficit) For the SixNine Months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011

 

6

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows For the SixNine Months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011

 

7

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements For the Three and SixNine Months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011

 
8

Item 2.

 

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

 
24

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 
3435

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 
35

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 
36

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 
36

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 
36

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 
36

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 
36

Item 5.

 

Other Information

 
36

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 
37

SIGNATURES

 

38

Table of Contents


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Condensed Balance Sheets
JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011


 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 

 

2012 

 2011   

2012 

 2011  

 (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 

Assets

  

Electric plant:

  

In service

 $7,413,780 $7,335,866  $7,426,383 $7,335,866 

Less: Accumulated provision for depreciation

 (3,400,211) (3,328,585) (3,437,932) (3,328,585)
          

 4,013,569 4,007,281  3,988,451 4,007,281 

Nuclear fuel, at amortized cost

 295,764 284,205  295,761 284,205 

Construction work in progress

 1,990,396 1,784,264  2,108,896 1,784,264 
          

 6,299,729 6,075,750  6,393,108 6,075,750 
          

Investments and funds:

  

Nuclear decommissioning trust fund

 283,676 268,597  296,623 268,597 

Deposit on Rocky Mountain transactions

 136,501 132,048  42,932 132,048 

Investment in associated companies

 57,640 57,626  57,713 57,626 

Long-term investments

 75,357 80,055  75,910 80,055 

Restricted cash

 20,692 43,070  7,813 43,070 

Other, at cost

 1,040 3,564  1,040 3,564 
          

 574,906 584,960  482,031 584,960 
          

Current assets:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 409,321 443,671  437,810 443,671 

Restricted cash

 613 613  156 613 

Restricted short-term investments

 63,075 106,676  63,868 106,676 

Receivables

 157,373 124,650  126,805 124,650 

Inventories, at average cost

 239,204 246,795  235,186 246,795 

Prepayments and other current assets

 18,388 15,562  15,977 15,562 
          

 887,974 937,967  879,802 937,967 
          

Deferred charges:

  

Deferred debt expense, being amortized

 64,992 67,470  63,026 67,470 

Regulatory assets

 363,502 351,547  357,600 351,547 

Other

 35,892 61,135  67,935 61,135 
          

 464,386 480,152  488,561 480,152 
          

 $8,226,995 $8,078,829  $8,243,502 $8,078,829 
          

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


Table of Contents


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Condensed Balance Sheets
JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011



 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 

 

2012 

 2011   

2012 

 2011  

 (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 

Equity and Liabilities

  

Capitalization:

  

Patronage capital and membership fees

 $658,087 $633,689  $681,830 $633,689 

Accumulated other comprehensive margin

 1,446 618  1,488 618 
          

 659,533 634,307  683,318 634,307 

Long-term debt

 
5,589,065
 
5,562,925
  
5,591,898
 
5,562,925
 

Obligation under capital leases

 142,682 146,781  140,067 146,781 

Obligation under Rocky Mountain transactions

 136,501 132,048  42,932 132,048 
          

 6,527,781 6,476,061  6,458,215 6,476,061 
          

Current liabilities:

  

Long-term debt and capital leases due within one year

 165,909 172,818  169,282 172,818 

Short-term borrowings

 648,122 461,093  757,315 461,093 

Accounts payable

 72,318 134,095  60,711 134,095 

Accrued interest

 83,507 91,106  71,026 91,106 

Accrued taxes

 16,729 21,118  25,048 21,118 

Member power bill prepayments, current

 56,763 66,819  65,573 66,819 

Other current liabilities

 19,024 25,080  14,992 25,080 
          

 1,062,372 972,129  1,163,947 972,129 
          

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

  

Gain on sale of plant, being amortized

 24,876 26,113  24,257 26,113 

Asset retirement obligations

 309,640 298,758  314,378 298,758 

Member power bill prepayments, non-current

 37,225 35,500  48,973 35,500 

Power sale agreement, being amortized

 47,585 54,816  43,970 54,816 

Regulatory liabilities

 162,478 164,000  133,383 164,000 

Other

 55,038 51,452  56,379 51,452 
          

 636,842 630,639  621,340 630,639 
          

 $8,226,995 $8,078,829  $8,243,502 $8,078,829 
          

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 SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011



 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 

 

Three Months 

 

Six Months 

  

Three Months 

 

Nine Months 

 

 2012  2011  2012  2011   2012  2011  2012  2011  

Operating revenues:

  

Sales to Members

 $310,483 $327,776 $605,713 $597,224  $338,768 $349,906 $944,481 $947,130 

Sales to non-Members

 37,220 52,027 61,214 52,353  38,628 82,624 99,842 134,977 
                  

Total operating revenues

 347,703 379,803 666,927 649,577  377,396 432,530 1,044,323 1,082,107 
                  

Operating expenses:

  

Fuel

 136,349 161,355 243,169 233,804  167,416 188,983 410,585 422,789 

Production

 89,844 89,866 188,343 179,055  91,753 90,101 280,096 269,154 

Depreciation and amortization

 40,556 50,927 85,100 85,332  37,789 51,382 122,889 136,714 

Purchased power

 14,660 13,600 29,183 25,155  15,158 20,925 44,341 46,080 

Accretion

 4,859 4,565 9,716 9,125  4,884 4,562 14,599 13,687 

Deferral of Hawk Road and Smith Energy Facilities effect on net margin

 (2,484) (2,753) (14,559) (11,072) (655) 13,240 (15,214) 2,168 
                  

Total operating expenses

 283,784 317,560 540,952 521,399  316,345 369,193 857,296 890,592 
                  

Operating margin

 63,919 62,243 125,975 128,178  61,051 63,337 187,027 191,515 
                  

Other income:

  

Investment income

 7,760 6,926 16,015 14,320  6,435 7,147 22,450 21,467 

Gain on termination of Rocky Mountain transactions

 14,719  14,719  

Other

 3,156 3,416 6,899 6,782  2,591 3,198 9,490 9,980 
                  

Total other income

 10,916 10,342 22,914 21,102  23,745 10,345 46,659 31,447 
                  

Interest charges:

  

Interest expense

 78,839 72,279 154,846 142,945  76,443 75,704 231,290 218,649 

Allowance for debt funds used during construction

 (20,017) (17,753) (40,437) (32,981) (21,151) (17,835) (61,588) (50,816)

Amortization of debt discount and expense

 5,135 5,341 10,082 10,488  5,761 5,405 15,843 15,893 
                  

Net interest charges

 63,957 59,867 124,491 120,452  61,053 63,274 185,545 183,726 
                  

Net margin

 $10,878 $12,718 $24,398 $28,828  $23,743 $10,408 $48,141 $39,236 
                  

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


Table of Contents


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Margin (Unaudited)
For the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011



 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 

 

Three Months 

 

Six Months 

  

Three Months 

 

Nine Months 

 

 2012  2011  2012  2011   2012  2011  2012  2011  

Net margin

 $10,878 $12,718 $24,398 $28,828  
$

23,743
 
$

10,408
 
$

48,141
 
$

39,236
 
                  

Other comprehensive margin:

  

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

 120 613 828 592  42 741 870 1,333 
                  

Total comprehensive margin

 $10,998 $13,331 $25,226 $29,420  $23,785 $11,149 $49,011 $40,569 
                  

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 Margin (Deficit) (Unaudited)
For the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011



 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 



 

Patronage
Capital and
Membership
Fees

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Margin (Deficit)

 

Total

 

 

Patronage
Capital and
Membership
Fees

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Margin (Deficit)

 

Total

 
Balance at December 31, 2010 $595,952 $(469)$595,483  $595,952 $(469)$595,483 
   
Components of comprehensive margin:  

Net margin

 28,828  28,828  39,236  39,236 

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

  592 592   1,333 1,333 



 


 
Balance at June 30, 2011 $624,780 $123 $624,903 
Balance at September 30, 2011 $635,188 $864 $636,052 
   

Balance at December 31, 2011

 

$

633,689

 

$

618

 

$

634,307

 

 

$

633,689

 

$

618

 

$

634,307

 
   
Components of comprehensive margin:  

Net margin

 24,398  24,398  48,141  48,141 

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

  828 828   870 870 



 


 
Balance at June 30, 2012 $658,087 $1,446 $659,533 
Balance at September 30, 2012 $681,830 $1,488 $683,318 
   

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 SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011



 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 

 

2012 

 2011   

2012 

 2011  

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

Net margin

 $24,398 $28,828  $48,141 $39,236 
          

Adjustments to reconcile net margin to net cash provided by operating activities:

  

Depreciation and amortization, including nuclear fuel

 156,664 145,590  229,787 231,716 

Accretion cost

 9,716 9,125  14,599 13,687 

Amortization of deferred gains

 (2,830) (2,830) (35,579) (4,245)

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

 (1,432) (1,404) (2,123) (2,034)

Deferred outage costs

 (13,379) (36,672) (22,583) (43,827)

Deferral of Hawk Road and Smith Energy Facilities effect on net margin

 (14,559) (11,072) (15,214) 2,168 

Gain on sale of investments

 (5,625) (10,324) (8,001) (13,306)

Regulatory deferral of costs associated with nuclear decommissioning

 165 5,553  (528) 5,825 

Other

 (3,908) (3,622) (6,321) (5,971)

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

  

Receivables

 (34,699) (54,078) (8,742) (29,995)

Inventories

 7,591 1,171  11,609 2,250 

Prepayments and other current assets

 (2,826) (1,674) 206 (462)

Accounts payable

 (43,758) 19,553  (54,392) 10,407 

Accrued interest

 (7,599) (22,796) (20,080) (30,500)

Accrued taxes

 (4,389) (7,920) 3,930 (5,197)

Other current liabilities

 (3,644) 1,376  (3,888) (5,046)

Member power bill prepayments

 (8,331) (41,957) 12,227 (20,899)
          

Total adjustments

 27,157 (11,981) 94,907 104,571 
          

Net cash provided by operating activities

 
51,555
 
16,847
  
143,048
 
143,807
 
          

Cash flows from investing activities:

  

Property additions

 (346,654) (397,229) (495,925) (634,955)

Plant acquisition

  (529,310)  (530,293)

Activity in decommissioning fund—Purchases

 (418,240) (557,748) (536,224) (828,008)

—Proceeds

 415,247 554,710  532,041 823,598 

Decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents

 22,378 2,530  35,714 5,687 

Decrease in restricted short-term investments

 43,601 81,660 

Increase in investment in associated organizations

 (33) (603)

Decrease (Increase) in restricted short-term investments

 42,808 (8,537)

Activity in investment in associated organizations

 (112) (78)

Activity in other long-term investments—Purchases

 (2,993) (824) (4,404) (1,246)

—Proceeds

 10,846 700  13,689 1,100 

Activity on interest rate options—Purchases/Collateral returned

 (43,070)   (43,070)  

—Collateral received

 20,690   7,810  

Other

 11,740 (3,955) (17,086) (7,822)
          

Net cash used in investing activities

 (286,488) (850,069) (464,759) (1,180,554)
          

Cash flows from financing activities:

  

Long-term debt proceeds

 79,194 793,999  108,792 1,093,399 

Long-term debt payments

 (68,678) (260,981) (94,706) (285,067)

Increase in short-term borrowings, net

 187,029 47,694 

Increase (Decrease) in short-term borrowings, net

 296,222 (30,202)

Other

 3,038 (1,756) 5,542 (3,134)
          

Net cash provided by financing activities

 200,583 578,956  315,850 774,996 
          

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 (34,350) (254,266) (5,861) (261,751)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 443,671 672,212  443,671 672,212 
          

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $409,321 $417,946  $437,810 $410,461 
          

Supplemental cash flow information:

  

Cash paid for—

  

Interest (net of amounts capitalized)

 $115,719 $126,758  $181,675 $189,258 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

  

Change in plant expenditures included in accounts payable

 $(14,733)$30,335  $(13,069)$(27,810)

   

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


Table of Contents


Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements
For the Three and SixNine Months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011

(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 six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011. 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. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. 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, 2011, as filed with the SEC. The results of operations for the three- and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. As noted in our 2011 Form 10-K, our revenues consist primarily of sales to our 39 electric distribution cooperative members and, thus, the receivables on the condensed balance sheets are principally from our members. (See "Notes to Financial Statements" in our 2011 Form 10-K.)

(B)
Fair Value Measurement.    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 

 

 

June 30,
2012

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

  

September 30,
2012

 

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

 $111,031 $111,031 $ $  $117,995 $117,995 $ $ 

International equity

 41,948 41,948    45,610 45,610   

Corporate bonds

 48,046  48,046   51,269  51,269  

US Treasury and government agency securities

 55,231 55,231    49,638 49,638   

Agency mortgage and asset backed securities

 15,497  15,497   25,725  25,725  

Other

 11,923 11,923    6,386 6,386   

Bond, reserve and construction funds

 197 197    197 197   

Long-term investments:

  

Corporate bonds

 5,995  5,995   6,076 6,076   

US Treasury and government agency securities

 6,889 6,889    6,811 6,811   

Agency mortgage and asset backed securities

 2,670  2,670   2,828 2,828   

Mutual funds

 59,803 59,803    59,970 59,970   

Other

 225 225   

Interest rate options

 39,215   39,215(1) 29,921   29,921(1)

Natural gas swaps

 (4,265)  (4,265)   (13)  (13)  

 



 


Table of Contents


  

    

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using 

 

  

December 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) 

Decommissioning funds:

             

Domestic equity

 $102,285 $102,285 $ $ 

International equity

  39,618  39,618     

Corporate bonds

  41,338    41,338   

US Treasury and government agency securities

  41,697  41,697     

Agency mortgage and asset backed securities

  28,519    28,519   

Derivative instruments

  (982)     (982)

Other

  16,122  16,122     

Bond, reserve and construction funds

  2,720  2,720     

Long-term investments

  80,055  72,342    7,713(2)

Interest rate options

  69,446      69,446(1)

Natural gas swaps

  (7,220)   (7,220)  

             

 

 

(1)
Interest rate options as reflected on the unaudited condensed Balance Sheet includes the fair value of the interest rate options offset by $20,690,000$7,810,000 and $43,070,000 of collateral received by the counterparties at JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

(2)
Represents auction rate securities investments we held.

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2012

 
 Three Months Ended
June 30, 2012
 
    
 Interest rate options   Interest rate options  
 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 
Assets (Liabilities):  
Balance at March 31, 2012 $66,860 
Balance at June 30, 2012 $39,215 
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):  

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

 (27,645) (9,294)
      
Balance at June 30, 2012 $39,215 
Balance at September 30, 2012 $29,921 
      
 



 


Table of Contents


 
 Three Months Ended
June 30, 2011
 
 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2011

 
      
 Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
  Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
 
      
 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 
Assets (Liabilities):  
Balance at March 31, 2011 $(548)$8,408 
Balance at June 30, 2011 $(505)$8,048 
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):  

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

 43 40  (527)   
Impairment included in other comprehensive deficit   50 
Liquidations  (400)   (400)
      
Balance at June 30, 2011 $(505)$8,048 
Balance at September 30, 2011 $(1,032)$7,698 
      
 



 



 
 Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
 
 

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012

 
      
 Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
 Interest rate
options
  Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
 Interest rate
options
 
      
 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 
Assets (Liabilities):  
Balance at December 31, 2011 $(982)$7,713 $69,446  $(982)$7,713 $69,446 
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):  

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

 982  (30,231) 982  (39,525)

Impairment included in other comprehensive margin (deficit)

  887    887  
Liquidations  (8,600)    (8,600)  
      
Balance at June 30, 2012 $ $ $39,215 
Balance at September 30, 2012 $ $ $29,921 
      
 



 



 
 Six Months Ended
June 30, 2011
 
 

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011

 
      
 Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
  Decommissioning
funds
 Long-term
investments
 
      
 (dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands) 
Assets (Liabilities):  
Balance at December 31, 2010 $(452)$8,671  $(452)$8,671 
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):  

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

 (53) 77  (580) 127 
Liquidations  (700)  (1,100)
      
Balance at June 30, 2011 $(505)$8,048 
Balance at September 30, 2011 $(1,032)$7,698 
      
 



 


Table of Contents

(C)
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.    Our risk management and compliance committees provide general oversight over all risk management activities, including but not limited to, commodity trading, investment portfolio management and interest rate risk management. We use commodity trading derivatives, which are generally designated as hedging instruments under authoritative guidance for accounting for derivatives and hedging, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the market price of natural gas. Consistent with our rate-making, unrealized gains or losses on natural gas swaps designated as hedging instruments are reflected as an unbilled receivable or as a regulatory asset. To hedge the risk of rising interest rates due to the significant amount of new long-term debt we expect to incur in connection with anticipated capital expenditures, we have entered into interest rate options. Hedge accounting is not applied to our interest rate options. Consistent with our rate-making, unrealized gains or losses from the interest rate options are recorded to the related regulatory asset. Within our nuclear decommissioning trust fund, derivatives including options, swaps and credit default swaps which are non-speculative, could be 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, unrealized gains or losses from the decommissioning trust fund are recorded as an increase or decrease to the regulatory asset or liability. We do not hold or enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

Table of Contents

   

Year

 

Natural Gas Swaps
(MMBTUs)
(in millions)

  

Natural Gas Swaps
(MMBTUs)
(in millions)

 



 


 

2012

 9.5  1.6 

2013

 1.7  1.8 

2014

 0.7  0.9 
      

Total

 11.9  4.3 



 


 

Table of Contents


Table of Contents

  

Year

  

LIBOR Swaption
Notional Dollar
Amount
(in thousands)

 

 

 

2013

 $754,452 

2014

  563,425 

2015

  470,625 

2016

  310,533 

2017

  80,169 
    

Total

 $2,179,204 

 

 

 Balance Sheet Location Fair
Value
  Balance Sheet Location Fair Value 
          
  (dollars in thousands)   (dollars in thousands) 
Total designated as hedges under authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities  
Designated as hedges:  

Assets:

 

 

Natural Gas Swaps

 Other current assets $621 
   

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas Swaps

 Other current liabilities $4,265  Other current liabilities $634 
      

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

 

 

Not designated as hedges:

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

Interest rate options

 Other deferred charges $39,215  Other deferred charges $29,921 
      




Table of Contents

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Statement of Revenues and
Expenses or Balance Sheet

 

 

Statement of
Revenues and
Expenses or
Balance
Sheet Location

 

Three months
ended

 

Six months
ended

 
        

Statement of
Revenues and
Expenses Location

 

Three months
ended

 

Nine months
ended

 

 (dollars in thousands)        

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

 

 (dollars in thousands) 

Designated as hedges:

Designated as hedges:

 

Natural Gas Swaps

 

Purchased power

 
$

149
 
$

149
  

Purchased power

 
$

173
 
$

197
 

Natural Gas Swaps

 

Purchased power

 
(3,095

)
 
(5,502

)
 

Purchased power

 
(3,934

)
 
(9,204

)

Natural Gas Swaps

 

Regulatory assets

 
990
 
990
  

Fuel

 
1,327
 
1,452
 

Natural Gas Swaps

 

Regulatory assets

 
(11

)
 
(11

)
 

Fuel

 
(83

)
 
(315

)

Natural Gas Swaps

 

Receivables

 
4,336
 
(5,244

)

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

 

Interest rate options

 

Regulatory assets

 
(27,645

)
 
(60,785

)
          

Total losses on derivatives

 
$

(25,276

)

$

(70,403

)
      
$

(2,517

)

$

(7,870

)
     

  Balance Sheet Location    
       
     (dollars in thousands) 
Designated as hedges:      

Natural Gas Swaps

 Regulatory assets $621 

Natural Gas Swaps

 Receivables  (634)
      
Total designated as hedges   $(13)
      

Not designated as hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate options

 Regulatory assets $(70,079)
      



(D)
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.    Under the accounting guidance for Investments—Debt and Equity Securities, investment securities we hold are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at market value with unrealized gains and losses, net of any tax effect, added to or deducted from other comprehensive margin, except that, in accordance with our rate-making treatment, unrealized gains and losses from investment securities held in the nuclear decommissioning trust fund are directly added to or deducted from the regulatory asset for asset retirement obligations. Realized gains and losses on the nuclear decommissioning trust fund are also recorded to the regulatory asset. All realized and unrealized gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method. Approximately 97% of these gross unrealized losses were in effect for less than one year.

Table of Contents



 

Gross Unrealized 

 
 
 (dollars in thousands) 
 

Gross Unrealized 

 
June 30, 2012
 Cost
 Gains
 Losses
 Fair
Value

 
 (dollars in thousands) 
September 30, 2012
 Cost
 Gains
 Losses
 Fair
Value

 
   
Equity $149,018 $37,560 $(6,900)$179,678  $151,786 $45,123 $(4,909)$192,000 
Debt 162,427 9,025 (3,823) 167,629  167,106 10,771 (3,757) 174,120 
Other 11,923   11,923  6,610   6,610 
   
Total $323,368 $46,585 $(10,723)$359,230  $325,502 $55,894 $(8,666)$372,730 
   


  

 

 

Gross Unrealized 

 
   (dollars in thousands) 
December 31, 2011  Cost  Gains  Losses  Fair
Value
 
  
Equity $149,263 $29,789 $(9,996)$169,056 
Debt  160,218  18,021  (11,063) 167,176 
Other  15,646  1,035  (1,541) 15,140 
  
Total $325,127 $48,845 $(22,600)$351,372 
  
(E)
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.    In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards." The amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, but generally do not result in a change in the application of ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurements." These changes were effective for us on January 1, 2012. Our adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our condensed financial statements.
(F)
Accumulated Comprehensive Margin (Deficit).    The table below provides detail of the beginning and ending balance for each classification of other comprehensive margin (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 Margin (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 2011 Form 10-K.

Table of Contents


 Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Margin
(Deficit)
Three Months Ended
  Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Margin
(Deficit)
Three Months Ended
 

 

(dollars in thousands)

  

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Available-for-sale
Securities

  

Available-for-sale
Securities

 
      

Balance at March 31, 2011

 $(490)

Balance at June 30, 2011

 $123 

Unrealized gain

 
613
  
741
 
      

Balance at June 30, 2011

 
$

123
 

Balance at September 30, 2011

 
$

864
 
      

Balance at March 31, 2012

 
$

1,327
 

Balance at June 30, 2012

 
$

1,446
 

Unrealized gain

 
119
  
42
 
      

Balance at June 30, 2012

 $1,446 

Balance at September 30, 2012

 $1,488 
      




 Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Margin
(Deficit)
Six Months Ended
  Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Margin
(Deficit)
Nine Months Ended
 

 

(dollars in thousands)

  

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Available-for-sale
Securities

  

Available-for-sale
Securities

 
      

Balance at December 31, 2010

 $(469) $(469)

Unrealized gain

 
592
  
1,333
 
      

Balance at June 30, 2011

 
$

123
 

Balance at September 30, 2011

 
$

864
 
      

Balance at December 31, 2011

 
$

618
  
$

618
 

Unrealized gain

 
828
  
870
 
      

Balance at June 30, 2012

 $1,446 

Balance at September 30, 2012

 $1,488 
      

(G)
Contingencies and Regulatory Matters.

Table of Contents


Table of Contents

(H)
Restricted Cash.    At JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had restricted cash totaling $21,305,000$7,969,000 and $43,683,000, respectively, of which $20,692,000$7,813,000 and $43,070,000 was classified as long-term. The long-term restricted cash balance at JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consisted primarily of funds posted as collateral by counterparties to our interest rate options. The current portion of restricted cash at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consists of clean renewable energy bond proceeds on deposit with CoBank, ACB to fund a qualifying project at the Rocky Mountain Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Facility.


Table of Contents

(I)
Restricted Short-term Investments.    At JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had $63,075,000$63,868,000 and $106,676,000, respectively, 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. 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 our members.

Table of Contents

 2012 2011  2012 2011 


 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 
   
Regulatory Assets:  

Premium and loss on reacquired debt(a)

 $92,428 $98,538  $89,373 $98,538 

Amortization on capital leases(b)

 37,615 46,627  33,055 46,627 

Outage costs(c)

 36,730 42,866  36,536 42,866 

Interest rate swap termination fees(d)

 19,321 21,316  18,324 21,316 

Asset retirement obligations(e)

 21,069 29,341  10,990 29,341 

Depreciation expense(f)

 50,497 51,209  50,141 51,209 

Deferred charges related to Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 training costs(g)

 21,391 17,602  23,336 17,602 

Interest rate options cost(h)

 61,774 30,735  71,324 30,735 

Deferral of effects on net margin—Smith Energy Facility(k)

 13,886 3,536  15,936 3,536 

Other regulatory assets(i)

 8,791 9,777  8,585 9,777 
          

Total Regulatory Assets

 $363,502 $351,547  $357,600 $351,547 

Regulatory Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated retirement costs for other obligations(e)

 $31,829 $32,687  $30,071 $32,687 

Net benefit of Rocky Mountain transactions(j)

 46,187 47,783  14,056 47,783 

Deferral of effects on net margin—Hawk Road Energy Facility(k)

 11,554 15,811  12,773 15,811 

Major maintenance sinking fund(l)

 28,921 28,524  30,101 28,524 

Deferred debt service adder(m)

 42,537 37,586  45,012 37,586 

Other regulatory liabilities(i)

 1,450 1,609  1,370 1,609 
          

Total Regulatory Liabilities

 $162,478 $164,000  $133,383 $164,000 

Net Regulatory Assets

 

$

201,024

 

$

187,547

 
 
$

224,217
 
$

187,547
 
          



 


 
(a)
Represents premiums paid, together with unamortized transaction costs related to reacquired debt amortized over the period of the refunding debt, which range up to 31 years.

(b)
Recovery over the remaining life of the leases through 2031. See Note N forregarding lease extensions.

(c)
Consists of both coal-fired and nuclear refueling outage costs. These outage costs are amortized on a straight-line basis to expense over an 18 to 24-month36-month period.

(d)
Represents amount paid on settled interest rate swaps arrangements that are being amortized over the remaining life of the refunded variable rate bonds or 2016 and 2019, respectively.

(e)
Represents difference in timing of recognition of the costs of decommissioning for financial statement purposes and for ratemaking purposes.

(f)
Prior to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval of a 20 year license extension for Plant Vogtle, we deferred the difference between Plant Vogtle depreciation expense based on the then 40-year operating license and depreciation expense assuming an expected 20-year license extension. Amortization commenced upon NRC approval of the license extension in 2009 and is being amortized over the remaining life of the plant.

(g)
Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 training and interest related carrying costs of such training. Amortization will commence effective with the commercial operation date of each unit and amortized over the life of the units.

(h)
Deferral of net loss (gains) associated with the change in fair value of the interest rate options to hedge interest rates on a portion of expected borrowings related to Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 construction. Amortization will commence effective with the expected principal repayment of the Department of Energy (DOE)-guaranteed loan and amortized over the expected remaining life of DOE-guaranteed loan.

(i)
The amortization period for other regulatory assets range up to 37 years and the amortization period of other regulatory liabilities range up to 7 years.

(j)
Net benefit associated with Rocky Mountain lease transactions is amortized to income over the 30-year lease-back period. SeeFor a discussion of Rocky Mountain lease transaction terminations, see Note P regarding events subsequent to the balance sheet date.P.

(k)
Effects on net margin for Smith and Hawk Road Energy Facilities will beare deferred until the end of 2015 and will be amortized over the remaining life of each plant.

(l)
Represents collections for future major maintenance costs that will offset major maintenance expenses when incurred.

(m)
Collections to fund debt payments in excess of depreciation expense through the end of 2025.

Table of Contents

(K)
Member Power Bill Prepayments.    We 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 against the power bills and are recorded as a reduction to member revenues. At JuneSeptember 30, 2012, member power bill prepayments as reflected on the unaudited condensed balance sheet, including unpaid discounts, were $93,988,000,$114,546,000, of which, $56,763,000$65,573,000 is classified as a current liability and $37,225,000$48,973,000 as deferred credits and other liabilities. The prepayments are being applied against members' power bills through November 2017, with the majority of the remaining balance scheduled to be applied by the end of 2013.

(L)
Debt.    For the sixnine month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we received advances on Rural Utilities Service-guaranteed/Federal Financing Bank loans totaling $69,139,000$98,737,000 for general and environmental improvements at existing plants.

(M)
Sales to Non-Members.    For the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we had $37,220,000$38,628,000 and $61,214,000,$99,842,000, respectively, of sales to non-members. These sales consisted of capacity and energy sales made under an agreement to sell the entire output of Unit No. 1 of the Thomas A. Smith Energy Facility, formerly known as the Murray Energy Facility, to Georgia Power through May 31, 2012, as well as energy sales to other non-members from Smith Units No. 1 and No. 2.

(N)
Capital leases.    In 1985, we sold and subsequently leased back from four purchasers their 60% undivided ownership interest in Scherer Unit No. 2. On June 14, 2012, under the renewal provisions of the leases, we executed irrevocable noticenotices of renewal to extend the leases beyond their base terms, for a period of 14.5 years, through December 31, 2027, for three of the leases and for a period of 18 years, through December 31, 2031, for one of the leases.
(O)
Nuclear Fuel Disposal Cost Litigation.    Contracts with the U.S. Department of Energy have been executed to provide for the permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel produced at Plants Hatch and Vogtle. The Department of Energy failed to begin disposing of spent fuel in January 1998 as required by the contracts, and Georgia Power, as agent for the co-owners of the plants, is pursuing legal remedies against the Department of Energy for breach of contract.

Table of Contents

(P)
Subsequent Events.Rocky Mountain Lease Transactions.    In December 1996 and January 1997, we entered into six long-term lease transactions relating to our 74.61% undivided interest in Rocky Mountain. In each transaction, we leased a portion of our undivided interest in Rocky Mountain to six separate owner trusts for the benefit of three investors for a term equal to 120% of the estimated useful life of Rocky Mountain.

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 "Item1A—RISK FACTORS" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. 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 SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011

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 our 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, our board of directors approved budgets for 2011 and 2012 to achieve a 1.14 margins for interest ratio. As our construction and acquisition 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-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 was $10.9$23.7 million and $24.4$48.1 million compared to $12.7$10.4 million and $28.8$39.2 million for the same periods of 2011. We expect aThrough September 30, 2012, we collected 122.1% of our targeted net margin of $39.5$39.4 million for the year ending December 31, 2012 which2012. This is typical as our management generally budgets conservatively and adjusts the budget, if necessary, by the end of the year so that net margins will achieve, but not exceed, the targeted margins for interest ratio of 1.14.ratio.

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


Table of Contents

purchased resources or member-owned resources over which we have dispatch rights, and members'


Table of Contents

decisions of whether to purchase a portion of their hourly energy requirements from our resources or from other suppliers.

Sales to Members.    Total revenues from sales to members decreased 5.3%3.2% and increased 1.4%0.3% in the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011. Megawatt-hour sales to members increased 4.2%1.3% and 10.1%6.6% for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011. The average total revenue per megawatt-hour from sales to members decreased 9.1%4.4% and 7.9%6.5% for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011.

The components of member revenues for the three-month and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 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
June 30, 
 Six Months Ended
June 30, 
      

 2012  2011  2012  2011   2012  2011  2012  2011  

Capacity revenues

 $173,446 $171,478 $347,633 $343,479  $171,267 $171,582 $518,900 $515,061 

Energy revenues

 137,037 156,298 258,080 253,745  167,501 178,324 425,581 432,069 
                  

Total

 $310,483 $327,776 $605,713 $597,224  $338,768 $349,906 $944,481 $947,130 
                  

Kilowatt-hours sold to members

 5,563,074 5,341,362 10,265,873 9,324,218  6,156,398 6,077,054 16,422,271 15,401,272 

Cents per kilowatt-hour

 5.58¢ 6.14¢ 5.90¢ 6.41¢  5.50¢ 5.76¢ 5.75¢ 6.15¢ 
   

Energy revenues were 12.3%6.1% and 1.5% lower and 1.7% higher for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011. Our average energy revenue per megawatt-hour from sales to members decreased 15.8%7.3% and 7.6% for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 as compared to the same periods of 2011. The decrease in energy revenues for the secondthird quarter of 2012 as compared to the secondthird quarter of 2011 resulted primarily from lower natural gas prices. LowerFor the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period of 2011, lower natural gas prices, lower generation at Plant Wansley as well as the recognition of a $4.8 million reduction to nuclear fuel expense for the nuclear fuel disposal settlement with the Department of Energy also contributed to the reduction in total fuel costs. The decrease in total fuel costs was offset somewhat by higher generation from our gas-fired and nuclear facilities. For a discussion of total fuel costs and total generation, see "—Operating Expenses." For a discussion of the Department of Energy nuclear fuel disposal settlement see Note O of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

Sales to Non-Members.    Sales to non-members for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 consisted of capacity and energy sales made under an agreement to sell the entire output of Unit No. 1 of the Thomas A. Smith Energy Facility, formerly known as the Murray Energy Facility, to Georgia Power Company through May 31, 2012, as well as energy sales to other non-members from Smith Units No. 1 and No. 2. The decrease duringfor the second quarter ofthree-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 versusas compared to the same periodperiods of 2011 was primarily due to lower capacity payments from Georgia Power after the agreement described above expired. We acquired Smith in April 2011.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 decreased 10.6%14.3% and increased 3.8%, respectively,3.7% as compared to the same periods of 2011. The decrease in operating expenses during the secondthird quarter of 2012 as compared to the same quarter of 2011 was primarily due to lower fuel, and


Table of Contents

depreciation and amortization and purchased power costs. The increasedecrease for the six-monthnine-month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 as compared to the same period of 2011 was primarily due to lower fuel, depreciation and amortization offset somewhat by higher fuel, producuionproduction costs. The deferral of the effect on net margin for the Hawk Road and purchased power costs.


Table of ContentsSmith Energy Facilities also contributed to the decrease in total operating expenses.

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

   

 Three Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended September 30, 
      

 2012 2011  2012 2011 
          

Fuel Source

 Cost  Generation  Cost  Generation   Cost  Generation  Cost  Generation  

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

Coal

 $64,883 2,069,400 $72,342 2,315,372  $68,630 2,292,572 $73,377 2,488,052 

Nuclear

 17,702 2,612,822 18,373 2,308,955  22,092 2,556,238 19,869 2,486,884 

Gas

 53,197 2,267,328 70,037 1,732,957  76,356 2,754,825 94,599 2,332,508 

Pumped Storage

 567 312,473 603 246,712  338 345,498 1,138 346,849 
                  

 $136,349 7,262,023 $161,355 6,603,996  $167,416 7,949,133 $188,983 7,654,293 
                  

 

Cost 

 Purchased  Cost  Purchased   

Cost 

 Purchased  Cost  Purchased  

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

Purchased Power

 $14,660 61,400 $13,600 39,471  $15,158 9,034 $20,925 196,147 
                  



 


 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
      

 2012 2011  2012 2011 
          

Fuel Source

 Cost  Generation  Cost  Generation   Cost  Generation  Cost  Generation  

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

Coal

 $117,878 3,748,595 $122,906 3,997,491  $186,507 6,041,167 $196,283 6,485,543 

Nuclear

 38,033 5,046,539 34,515 4,705,954  60,126 7,602,777 54,385 7,192,838 

Gas

 86,075 3,663,540 75,128 1,755,868  162,430 6,418,365 169,727 4,088,376 

Pumped Storage

 1,183 512,973 1,255 429,864  1,522 858,471 2,394 776,713 
                  

 $243,169 12,971,647 $233,804 10,889,177  $410,585 20,920,780 $422,789 18,543,470 
                  

 

Cost 

 Purchased  Cost  Purchased   

Cost 

 Purchased  Cost  Purchased  

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

Purchased Power

 $29,183 106,504 $25,155 60,678  $44,341 44,555 $46,080 256,825 
                  



 


 

For the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, total fuel costs decreased 15.5%11.4% and increased 4.0%2.9% and total megawatt-hour generation increased 10.0%3.9% and 19.1%12.8%, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2011. Average fuel costs per megawatt-hour decreased 23.2%14.7% and 12.7%13.9% in the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011. The decreaseThese decreases in total fuel costs during the three-month period ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same period of 2011 waswere primarily due to lower natural gas prices and lower generation at Plant Wansley. The lower generation at Plant Wansley was primarily driven by the availability of more economical generation from our natural gas-fired facilities. The recognition of a $4.8 million expense reduction related to the nuclear fuel disposal settlement also contributed to lower fuel costs for the period though this reduction was substantially offset by higher nuclear generation. The increasedecrease in total fuel costs for the six-month period ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same period of 2011 was primarilyoffset somewhat due to an increase in natural gas-fired generation of 1,907,0000 megawatt-hours. The increase in generation422,000 megawatt-hours and 2,330,000 megawatt-hours for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 as compared to the same periods of 2011 2011. This increase in generation


Table of Contents

resulted from increased natural gas-fired generation fromat Smith which was sold to non-members and generation fromat the Chattahoochee Energy Facility which was sold to our members. As discussed previously, we acquired Smith was acquired in April 2011 and Chattahoochee was unavailable during the first quarter of 2011. An increase in nuclear generation also contributed to the year-to-date higher total


Table of Contents

fuel costs. The decrease in average fuel costs per megawatt-hour of generation for 2012 compared to 2011 has been driven primarily by a significant decline in natural gas prices, which has made natural gas-fired generation resources a more economical and cost-effective source of energy generation than in prior years. The increase in nuclear generation, which is our most economical energy generation, contributed to the decline as well.

Total production costs decreased 0.02%increased 1.8% and increased 5.2%4.1% for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011. WhileThe increase in production costs varied only slightly for the second quarter of 2012 compared to the same period 2011, higher general operation maintenance costs at Plants Vogtle and Hatch were offset by recognition of a $3.0 million expense reduction from the nuclear fuel disposal settlement. The increase for the six-month period ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same period of 2011 was primarily due to operation and maintenance expenses incurred at Smith and increased general operationsoperation and maintenance expenses at Plants Vogtle and Hatch and higher operations and maintenance expenses at Chattahoochee.Hatch. These increases were offset somewhat by lower production costs forat the Hawk Road Energy Facility as production costs for Hawk Road in the first quarter of 2011 included expenses for planned outage work and for repair of a damaged transformer. Also, the higher general operation maintenance costs at Plants Vogtle and Hatch were offset somewhat by the recognition of a $3.0 million expense reduction from the nuclear fuel disposal settlement. For a discussion of the Department of Energy nuclear fuel disposal settlement see Note O of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

Depreciation and amortization costs decreased 20.4%26.5% and 0.3%10.1% for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 respectively,as compared to the same periods of 2011. The decrease for the second quarter ofthree-month period ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period of 2011 resulted primarily from lower amortization costs in 2012 for the intangible asset associated with the purchase and sale agreement with Georgia Power acquired as part of the Smith acquisition. For the six-monthnine-month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same period of 2011, the decrease in amortization costs due to the expiration of the Georgia Power agreement was mostlypartially offset by sixnine months of Smith depreciation expense in 2012 versus threesix months of depreciation expense inthrough September 30, 2011.

Total purchased power costs increased 7.8%decreased 27.6% and 16.0%3.8%, respectively, for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011. The increasedecrease in purchased power costs during the third quarter of 2012 as compared to the same period of 2011 was primarily due to lower megawatt-hours acquired under the our energy replacement program, which replaces power from our owned generation facilities with energy purchased at lower prices in the spot market. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period of 2011 the decrease in energy replacement costs was mostly offset by higher realized losses incurred for natural gas financial contracts utilized for managing exposure to fluctuations in the market prices of natural gas.

The effect on net margin for Hawk Road and Smith is being deferred until 2016 at which time the amounts will be amortized over the remaining life of the plants. In implementing the deferral plans, we assumed that our members would generally not require energy from the plants until 2016. If any of our members who subscribed to Smith elect to take energy from Smith prior to 2016, the deferral of the effect on net margin would terminate for that member and the amortization of that member's deferral would commence immediately. The changes in cost deferrals in 2012 compared to 2011 resulted from the Hawk Road and Smith production and depreciation and amortization costs are discussed above.

Other Income

Investment income decreased 10.0% and increased 12.0% and 11.8%4.6% for the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 as compared to the same periods of 2011. The decrease in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to the same period of 2011 was primarily due to the decrease in interest income


Table of Contents

from deposits related to the Rocky Mountain lease transactions, a portion of which were terminated in July 2012. See Note P of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements for further discussion. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period of 2011, the increased investment income resultingresulted primarily from a higher funds deposited infund balance. See Note I of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements regarding the Rural Utilities Service Cushion of Credit Account.

The gain on termination of Rocky Mountain transactions represents the net gain resulting from the July 2012 termination of three of six leases. The net gain includes termination costs of $17.2 million as well as recognizing $31.9 million of the deferred net benefit associated with the terminated leases resulting in a net gain of $14.7 million.

Interest charges

Interest expense increased by 9.1%1.0% and 8.3%5.8% in the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011. This increase isThese increases are primarily due to the increased debt issued to finance the construction of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.

Allowance for debt funds used during construction increased by 12.8%18.6% and 22.6%21.2% in the three-month and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011 primarily due to construction expenditures for Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.


Table of Contents

Financial Condition

Balance Sheet Analysis as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012

Assets

Cash used for property additions for the six-monthnine-month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 totaled $346.7$495.9 million. Of this amount, approximately $164$238 million was associated with construction expenditures for Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4. The remaining expenditures were for purchases of nuclear fuel, environmental control systems being installed primarily at Plant Scherer and for normal additions and replacements to existing generation facilities.

The $63.1deposit on Rocky Mountain transactions and the associated obligation under Rocky Mountain transactions decreased $89.1 million due to the July 2012 termination of three of the six lease transactions prior to the end of the lease terms. For information regarding the lease terminations, see Note P of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statement.

The long-term portion of restricted cash decreased $35.3 million due to a reduction in counterparty collateral postings required in connection with our interest rate options. The swap agreements with the counterparties contain support provisions that require each counterparty to provide collateral in the form of cash or securities to the extent that the value of the options outstanding for the counterparty exceeds a certain threshold. For information regarding our interest rate options, see Note C of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

The $63.9 million of restricted short-term investments at JuneSeptember 30, 2012 representedrepresent funds deposited into a Rural Utilities Service Cushion of Credit Account with the U.S. Treasury and earns interest at a guaranteed rate of 5% per annum. The funds, including interest earned thereon, can only be applied to debt service on Rural Utilities Service and Rural Utilities Service-guaranteed Federal Financing Bank notes. Decisions regarding when to apply the funds are guided by the interest rate environment and our anticipated liquidity needs.

Receivables increased by $32.7 million as of June 30, 2012 compared to December 31, 2011. The December 31, 2011 receivables balance included $17.7 million of credits available to the members for a board approved reduction to 2011 revenue requirements as a result of margins collected in excess of our 2011 target. A portion of the increase in receivables was due to these credits being utilized by the members during the first quarter of 2012. The receivable for amounts billed or billable to the members for their monthly power bills also increased by $18.5 million in June 2012 compared to December 2011 due to higher energy costs in June 2012, which was a result of increased generation. In addition, power sales to non-members contributed to $7.4 million of the increase in receivables. Offsetting the increase was a decrease in the receivable balance for certain project costs written off in December 2011, for which a receivable from the members was recorded at December 31, 2011.

Other deferred charges decreased $25.2 million as of June 30, 2012 compared to December 31, 2011 due to an $8.8 million decrease in Georgia Power related deferred equipment prepayments that were expensed or capitalized in connection with a planned outage at Hatch Unit No. 1 that occurred in the first quarter of 2012 and an $8.4 million decrease in the amortized value of the intangible asset associated with the purchase and sale agreement with Georgia Power acquired as part of the 2011 Smith acquisition. Also contributing to the decrease was a $7.8 million decrease in the carrying amount of our interest rate hedges, which was impacted by a $30.2 million increase in the unrealized loss associated with the hedges and an offsetting $22.4 million decrease in counterparty collateral postings as of June 30, 2012 versus December 31, 2011.

Equity and Liabilities

Short-term borrowings for the six-monthnine-month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 increased $187.0$296.2 million. The increase was primarily due to the issuance of commercial paper to fund capital expenditures related to Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.


Table of Contents

Accounts payable decreased $61.8$73.4 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012 compared to December 31, 2011 primarily due to a $75.8an $81 million decrease in the payable to Georgia Power for operation and maintenance costs for our co-owned plants and capital costs associated with Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 construction. Offsetting the decrease was a $12.4$7.7 million increase in theaccruals for energy related costs in June 2012 as a result of increased generation.generation in September 2012 as compared to December 2011.

Other current liabilities decreased $10.1 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 primarily due to a $6.6 million decrease in the unrealized loss associated with our natural gas hedges and a $2.3 million decrease in other accrued expenses.

Member power bill prepayments represent funds received from the members for prepayment of their monthly power bills. At JuneSeptember 30, 2012, $56.8$65.6 million of member power bill prepayments was classified as a current liability and $37.2$49 million was classified as a long-term liability. During the six-monthnine-month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, approximately $17.6$61.8 million of prepayments were received from the


Table of Contents

members and approximately $26.0$49.6 million was applied to the members' monthly power bills. For information regarding the power bill prepayment program, see Note K of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements and "—Capital Requirements and Liquidity and Sources of Capital—Liquidity."

Capital Requirements and Liquidity and Sources of Capital

Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.

We, along with Georgia Power, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and the City of Dalton, the "Co-owners," are participating in the construction of two Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear generating units at Plant Vogtle, each with a nominally rated generating capacity of approximately 1,100 megawatts. Our ownership interest is 30%, representing 660 megawatts of total capacity. See "Item 1—BUSINESS—Our Power Supply Resources—Future Power ResourcesPlant Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4" and "Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Financial Condition—Capital Requirements—Capital Expenditures" in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC and Stone & Webster, Inc., together, the "Contractor," and the Co-owners have established both informal and formal dispute resolution procedures in accordance with the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract to design, engineer, procure, construct, and testfor Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 in order to resolve issues arising during the course of constructing a project of this magnitude. Georgia Power, on behalf of the Co-owners, and the Contractor have successfully initiated both formal and informal claims through these procedures, including ongoing claims, to resolve disputes and expect to resolve any existing and future disputes.claims. When matters are not resolved through these procedures, the parties may proceed to litigation. The Contractor and Georgia Power, on behalf of the Co-owners are involved in litigation with respect to certain claims that have not been resolved through the formal dispute resolution process.

During the course of construction activities, issues have arisen that may impact the project budget and schedule. The most significant issues relate to costs associated with design changes to the Westinghouse AP1000 Design CertificationControl Document (DCD), and costs associated with delays in the project schedule related to the timing of approval of the DCD and issuance of the combined construction permits and operating licenses by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Georgia Power, on behalf of the Co-owners, and the Contractor have begun negotiations regardingare negotiating these issues, including the assertion by the Contractor that the Co-owners are responsible for these costs under the terms of the contract. Through correspondence sent to the Co-owners, the Contractor provided its initial estimate of its proposed adjustment to the contract price and, has initiated the formal dispute resolution process. Basedbased on our ownership interest, the Contractor's estimated adjustment attributable to us regarding these issues is approximately $280 million in 2008 dollars with respect to these issues. Georgia Power, on behalf of the Co-owners, has not agreed with the amount of these proposed adjustments or that the Co-owners have responsibility for any costs related to these issues. On November 1, 2012, the Co-owners filed suit


Table of Contents

against the Contractor in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, seeking a declaratory judgment that the Co-owners are not responsible for the costs related to these issues. Also on November 1, 2012, the Contractor filed suit against the Co-owners in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging the Co-owners are responsible for the costs related to these issues and seeking payment from the Co-owners for the full amount of these costs. While the formal dispute resolution processlitigation has been initiated,commenced, Georgia Power expects negotiations with the Contractor to continue over the next several months with respect to cost and schedule during which time the parties will attempt to reach a mutually acceptable compromise of their positions. If a compromise cannot be reached, formal dispute resolution, including litigation, may follow. Georgia Power on behalf ofand the Co-owners intendsintend to vigorously defend itstheir positions. If these costs are ultimately imposed upon the Co-owners, we will capitalize the costs attributable to us. In connection with these negotiations, the Co-owners are evaluating whether maintaining the currently scheduled commercial operation dates of 2016 and 2017 remains in the best interest of their customers. Additional claims by the Contractor or Georgia Power, on behalf of the Co-owners, are expected to arise throughout the construction of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.

In addition, there are processes in place that are designed to assure compliance with the design requirements specified in the DCD and the combined licenses, including rigorous inspection by Southern Nuclear Operating Company and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that occurs throughout construction. During a


Table of Contents

routine inspection in April 2012, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission identified that certain details of the rebar construction in the Vogtle Unit No. 3 nuclear island were not consistent with the DCD. In May 2012, Southern Nuclear received an official notice of violation relating to these findings from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The design changes were determined to have minimal safety significance and, on August 1,October 18, 2012, Southernthe Nuclear filedRegulatory Commission approved a license amendment request with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to clarify that the nuclear island concrete and rebar construction will conform to Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements. On August 2, 2012, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission accepted the filing as sufficient to allow review, and has indicated it has no objection with Southern Nuclear proceeding with installation as proposed in the amendment request, on an at-risk basis pending the outcome of a detailed review. Various inspection and other issues are expected to arise from time to time as construction proceeds, which may result in additional license amendments or require other resolution.

On February 16, 2012, a group of four plaintiffs who had intervened in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's combined license proceedings for Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 filed a petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit seeking judicial review and a stay of the Commission's issuance of the combined licenses. In addition, on February 16, 2012, a group of nine plaintiffs filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit seeking judicial review of the Commission's certification of the DCD. On April 3, 2012, the Court granted a motion filed by these two groups to consolidate their challenges. On April 18, 2012, another group of petitioners filed a motion to stay the effectiveness of the order issuing the combined licenses for Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. On July 11, 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied the petitioners' motion to stay the effectiveness of the combined licenses. Georgia Power, on behalf of the Co-owners, has intervened and intends to vigorously contest these petitions.

There are other pending technical and procedural challenges to the construction and licensing of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4. Similar additional challenges at both the state and federal level are expected as construction proceeds.

The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time. See "Item 1A—RISK FACTORS" in our 2011 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.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, our total capitalized costs to date for Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 were $1.5 billion.


Table of Contents

Nuclear Regulation

On March 12, 2012, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued three orders and a request for information based on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission task force report recommendations that included, among other items, additional mitigation strategies for beyond-design-basis events, enhanced spent fuel pool instrumentation capabilities, hardened vents for certain classes of containment structures, including the one in use at Plant Hatch, site specific evaluations for seismic and flooding hazards, and various plant evaluations to ensure adequate coping capabilities during station blackout and other conditions. On August 29, 2012, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff issued the final interim staff guidance document, which offers acceptable approaches to meeting the requirements of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's orders before the December 31, 2016 compliance deadline. The interim staff guidance is not mandatory, but licensees would be required to obtain Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval for taking an approach other than as outlined in the interim staff guidance. The final form and the resulting impact of any changes to safety requirements for nuclear reactors will be dependent on further review and action by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and cannot be determined at this time. See "Item 1—BUSINESS—ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER REGULATION—Nuclear Regulation" in our 2011 Form 10-K for additional information. See "Item 1A—RISK FACTORS" in our 2011 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

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, continues to develop a number of rules that significantly expand the scope of regulation of air emissions, water intake and waste management at power plants.

On February 16, 2012, EPA issued the final Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule for new and existing coal and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units, which is somewhat less stringent than proposed. The MATS rule establishes limits for emissions of heavy metals, including mercury. In order to comply with the MATS rule, the potential need to install baghouses at Plant Wansley at an approximate cost of $150 million was considered. See "Item 1—BUSINESS—ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER REGULATION—Air Quality—Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and State Mercury Rule" and "Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Financial Condition—Capital RequirementsCapital Expenditures" in our 2011 Form 10-K. Additional evaluation has shown that compliance with the MATS rule can be achieved using an alternative mercury emissions control technology. We anticipate using this alternative technology, which will decrease projected capital expenditures by more than $100 million over the next


Table of Contents

four years. Although challenges to the MATS rule have been filed, we cannot predict the outcome of any litigation in this matter, including whether such outcome will further affect operations at Plants Wansley or Scherer.

On June 26,August 21, 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favorstruck down the Cross State Air Pollution Rule, finding that EPA had improperly interpreted the "good neighbor" provision of the Clean Air Act to determine upwind States' obligations to reduce their own significant contributions to a downwind state's nonattainment, and that EPA onhad not given states the principal litigation challenging several of EPA's greenhouse gas (GHG) rules. This decision will become final unlessinitial opportunity to implement the emissions reductions required under the provision. As a result, the Court agreesvacated the rule in its entirety and remanded it back to aEPA for further action consistent with the opinion. Subsequently, EPA and other parties requested rehearing or rehearingen banc of the U.S. Supremedecision. The Court agrees to its review. It ishas not known whether such actions will be requested,ruled on those motions, and we cannot predict thetheir ultimate outcome ofor any appeal that might be filed. Therefore, wefiled in this matter. At present, our operations continue to be regulated under EPA's Prevention of Significant Deterioration regulations for emissions of GHGs and any major modifications at our facilities will needClean Air Interstate Rule (which the Cross State Air Pollution Rule was meant to be permitted under these requirements.replace) until further action by the court or by EPA.

On JuneAugust 29, 2012, EPA proposed revisions to certain national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)revise the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for fine particulate matter and plans to finalizestationary combustion turbines originally promulgated in 1979. Among other things, the standards by December 14, 2012. The proposed standards are more stringent than the existing fine particulate matter NAAQS and one of them would target improving visibility in urban areas. The impact of such standards,proposal, if finalized, would alter certain emissions standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx) for new, modified or reconstructed combustion turbines, and could in the future affect operations at our power plants that use such equipment, should they be modified or reconstructed. We cannot predict the content of the final standards or the effect they may have on our owned and co-owned power plants cannot be determined at this time.operations in the future.

For further discussion regarding potential effects on our business from environmental regulations, including potential capital requirements, see "Item 1—BUSINESS—ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER REGULATION," "Item 1A—RISK FACTORS" and "Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Financial Condition—Capital RequirementsRequirements—Capital Expenditures" in our 2011 Form 10-K.


Table of Contents

Liquidity

At JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we had $1.4 billion of unrestricted available liquidity to meet our short-term cash needs and liquidity requirements. This amount included $409.3$438 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.0 billion$915 million of unused and available committed credit arrangements.

On JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we had in excess of $1.9 billion of committed credit arrangements in place comprised of the five separate facilities reflected in the table below.


Committed Credit Facilities

Committed Credit Facilities

Committed Credit Facilities


 

Authorized
Amount

 

Available
6/30/2012

 

Expiration Date

 

Authorized
Amount

 

Available
9/30/2012

 

Expiration Date

 (dollars in millions)  (dollars in millions) 

Unsecured Facilities:

  

Syndicated Line of Credit(1)

 $1,265 $481(2)June 2015 $1,265 $372(2)June 2015

CFC Line of Credit

 110 110 September 2016 110 110 September 2016

JPMorgan Chase Line of Credit

 150 34(3)December 2013 150 33(3)December 2013

Secured facilities:

  

CoBank Line of Credit(4)

 150 150 November 2012 150 150 November 2012

CFC Line of Credit(4)(5)

 250 250 December 2013 250 250 December 2013

Total

 $1,925 $1,025   $1,925 $915  

(1)
This credit facility is syndicated among fourteen banks led by Bank of America as administrative agent.

(2)
Of the portion of this facility that is unavailable, $648$757.9 million is dedicated to support commercial paper we have issued and $136$135.5 million relates to letters of credit issued under this facility to support variable rate demand bonds.

(3)
Of the portion of this facility that is unavailable, $113.7 million relates to letters of credit issued under this facility to support variable rate demand bonds and $2.5$3.0 million relates to letters of credit issued to post collateral to third parties.

(4)
On October 1, 2012, this facility was terminated and replaced with a two-year $150 million unsecured credit facility that is syndicated among five banks led by CoBank as administrative agent.

(5)
This facility has a term loan option that can extend the maturity out to December 31, 2043.

Table of Contents

Between projected cash on hand and these credit arrangements, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to cover our normal operations and to provide interim financing for construction of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4.

We are currently negotiating with CoBank, ACB to replace our existing $150 million secured line of credit with a $150 million unsecured line of credit led by CoBank and syndicated among a group of participant banks. We expect to have the new facility in place prior to the expiration of the existing facility in late November 2012.

Due to the significant expenditures related to environmental compliance projects and new generation facilities, we have been funding our capital requirements through a combination of funds generated from operations and interim and long-term borrowings. In particular, we are using commercial paper, backed by the syndicated line of credit, to provide interim financing for: (i) the construction of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4, (ii) a portion of the cost to acquire Smith, and (iii) the upfront payments made in connection with our interest rate hedging program, until long-term financing for these items is put in place.

We have the flexibility to use the syndicated line of credit for several purposes, including borrowing for general corporate purposes, issuing letters of credit and backing up outstanding commercial paper. Pursuant to our board authorization, we can issue commercial paper in amounts that do not exceed the amount of our committed backup line of credit, thereby providing 100% dedicated support for any commercial paper outstanding.

Like the syndicated line of credit, funds may be advanced under the $110 million line of credit with National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) and under the lines of credit with JPMorgan Chase Bank and CoBank for general working capital purposes. In addition, under those same credit facilities we have the ability to issue letters of credit totaling $910 million in the aggregate, of which $658$663 million remained available at JuneSeptember 30, 2012. However, amounts related to issued


Table of Contents

letters of credit reduce the amount that would otherwise be available to draw for working capital needs. Also, any amounts drawn under the syndicated line for working capital or related to issued letters of credit will reduce the amount of commercial paper that we can issue.

Several of our credit facilities contain a financial covenant that requires us to maintain minimum levels of patronage capital. At JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the required minimum level was $598 million and our actual patronage capital was $658$682 million. Additional covenants contained in several of our credit facilities limit the amount of secured indebtedness and unsecured indebtedness we can have outstanding. At JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the most restrictive of these covenants limits our secured indebtedness to $8.5 billion and our unsecured indebtedness to $4.0 billion. At JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we had $5.6 billion of secured indebtedness and $1.0$1.1 billion of unsecured indebtedness outstanding, which was well within the covenant thresholds.

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 JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the balance of member prepayments received but not yet credited to their power bills was $94.0$114.5 million. We expect to apply the prepayments against the participating members' power bills through November 2017, with the majority of the remaining balance scheduled to be applied by the end of 2013. For more information regarding the power bill prepayment program, see Note K of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

At JuneSeptember 30, 2012, current assets included $63.1$63.9 million of restricted short-term investments pursuant to deposits made to a Rural Utilities Service Cushion of Credit Account. Deposits in theSee Balance Sheet Analysis herein for more information regarding our Rural Utilities Service Cushion of Credit Account are made voluntarily and earn a guaranteed rate of interest of 5% per annum. The funds in the account, including interest thereon, can only be applied to debt service on Rural Utilities


Table of Contents

Service notes and Rural Utilities Service-guaranteed Federal Financing Bank notes.Account. Our decisions regarding when to apply the funds are guided by the interest rate environment and our anticipated liquidity needs.

Financing Activities

First Mortgage Indenture.    At JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we had $5.5 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 "Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Financial Condition—Financing ActivitiesFirst Mortgage Indenture" in our 2011 Form 10-K for a further discussion of our first mortgage indenture.

Bond Financing.    On April 2,Later in 2012, we closed a $32.4 million financing transaction that included two components. In one component the Development Authorityare planning an issuance of Monroe County issued, on our behalf, $10.1up to $250 million of term rate pollution control revenuetaxable first mortgage bonds for permanent financing of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4 related costs and the purposeportion of refinancing a like amountthe acquisition cost of pollution control revenue bonds previously issued bySmith that the authority on our behalf that had matured. This tax-exempt debtRural Utilities Service is secured under our first mortgage indenture. The second component entailed a remarketing of $22.3 million of pollution control bonds issued previously on our behalf by the Development Authority of Burke County due to a mandatory tender of these bonds which were originally issued in a term rate period that ended March 31, 2012. Both components now bear interest in a term rate period that ends on February 28, 2013.

In a separate transaction on April 2, 2012, Georgia Transmission Corporation refinanced $40.2 million of pollution control bonds for which we were secondarily obligated. Upon this refinancing, we were no longer obligated for these bonds or any other of Georgia Transmission's debt obligations. For further discussion regarding our prior obligations related to Georgia Transmission, see "Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION—Financial Condition—Off-Balance Sheet ArrangementsGeorgia Transmission Debt Assumption" and Note 10 to "Item 8—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA—Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" in our 2011 Form 10-K.not financing.

Rural Utilities Service-Guaranteed Loans.    We have six approved Rural Utilities Service-guaranteed loans, totaling $1.7 billion, which are being funded through the Federal Financing Bank totaling $1.7 billion thatand are in various stages of being drawn down, with $1.0 billion remaining to be advanced. When advanced, the debt will be secured under our first mortgage indenture.

Department of Energy-Guaranteed Loan.    In May 2010, we 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 70% of the estimated $4.2 billion cost to construct our 30% undivided share of Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4, not to exceed $3.057 billion. We continue to work with the Department of Energy on this proposed financing; however, final approval and issuance of a loan guarantee is subject to negotiation of definitive agreements, completion of due diligence and satisfaction of other conditions. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Department of Energy will ultimately issue


Table of Contents

the loan guarantee to us. We anticipate that any project costs not funded under the Department of Energy loan guarantee program would be financed through the issuance of taxable bonds.

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


Table of Contents in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Rocky Mountain Lease Arrangements.    As discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K, in December 1996 and January 1997, we entered into six long-term lease transactions relating to our 74.61% undivided interest in the Rocky Mountain Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Plant. In each transaction, we leased a portion of our undivided interest to six separate owner trusts for the benefit of three investors for a term equal to 120% of the estimated useful life of Rocky Mountain.

On July 12, 2012, we terminated three of the six lease transactions prior to the end of their lease terms. TheseThe three leases were each owned by a separate owner trust for the benefit of one of the three investors, and represented approximately 69% of the six original lease transactions. On October 18, 2012, we terminated two additional leases, each owned by a separate owner trust for the benefit of one of the other two investors, representing another approximately 21% of the six original lease transactions. Subsequent to the above terminations, only one of the original lease arrangements remains in place, representing approximately 10% of the original lease transactions. The termination of these threefive leases significantly reduced our exposure to the four credit counterparties participating in the lease transactions.leases. Our negotiated cost to terminate the five leases represented a substantial discount to the amounts due pursuant to an early termination event under the operative lease documents.

As a result of these five lease terminations:

The termination of these leases had substantially no effect on our ownership, possession or use of Rocky Mountain. For additional information regarding the Rocky Mountain lease transactions, see "Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Financial Condition—Off-Balance Sheet ArrangementsRocky Mountain Lease Arrangements" in our 2011 Form 10-K and Note P of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Newly Adopted or Issued Accounting Standards

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

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not Applicable.


Table of Contents


Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, 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 internal control over financial reporting or other factors that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


Table of Contents


PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

WeSee "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—FINANCIAL CONDITION—Capital Requirements and Liquidity and Sources of Capital—Vogtle Units No. 3 and No. 4" for a discussion of legal proceedings related to our participation in the construction of two additional nuclear units at Plant Vogtle. In addition to the aforementioned litigation, we are a party to various other actions and proceedings incidental to our normal business. Liability in the event of final adverse determination in any of these other 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, results of operations or cash flows.

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 2011 Form 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.    Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5.    Other Information

Not Applicable.Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas A. Smith, is currently battling a serious illness. During his illness, Mr. Smith remains involved in our management and strategic direction and he continues to act in his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer. In order to provide Mr. Smith additional flexibility to focus on treating his health concerns, our Executive Vice Presidents have expanded their roles and responsibilities in our day-to-day management and operations. Our board of directors is actively monitoring our leadership and management. Our board has a succession plan in place and is prepared to implement the plan, if necessary, to ensure that we continue to be managed in the best interests of our members.


Table of Contents

Item 6.    Exhibits

Number 
Description
 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).

 

101

 

XBRL Interactive Data File.

Table of Contents


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: AugustNovember 13, 2012

 

By:

 

/s/ Thomas A. Smith

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

Date: AugustNovember 13, 2012

 

 

 

/s/ Elizabeth B. Higgins

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