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This document provides an overview of the PG&E bankruptcy proposed settlement, its benefits for ratepayers and California, and the terms of the settlement. It includes information on the financial implications, regulatory assets, ratepayer costs, and environmental enhancements.
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PG&E BankruptcyProposed Settlement Todd Edmister Staff Counsel Public Utilities Commission September 3, 2003
Agenda • PG&E Bankruptcy Overview • CPUC Staff/PG&E Proposed Settlement • CPUC/Bankruptcy Court Proceedings • Next Steps
PG&E Bankruptcy Overview • PG&E filed for Chapter 11 in April 2001 as a solvent debtor • In September 2001, PG&E filed its Plan of Reorganization • Disaggregates PG&E into four separate entities along functional lines • Transfers certain assets from CPUC regulation to FERC regulation • In April 2002, with Bankruptcy Court permission, the CPUC proposed an alternative plan of reorganization which keeps PG&E fully integrated
PG&E Bankruptcy Overview (cont.) • In August 2002, the Creditors Committee joined the CPUC to become co-proponents of an alternative plan of reorganization • Among other modifications, the contemplation of the issuance of preferred securities in lieu of common equity • In February 2003, PG&E amended its plan in order to satisfy the conditions specified in Standard &Poor’s updated preliminary rating evaluation • Among the modifications, the provision for PG&E Corporation’s issuance of up to $700 million of equity
PG&E Bankruptcy Overview (cont.) • In March 2003, the bankruptcy court ordered the parties into a judicially supervised settlement conference • In June 2003, CPUC staff and PG&E agreed on a proposed settlement that will be brought before the CPUC in a formal and public hearing process
Proposed Settlement is the Right Path for Ratepayers and California • Ratepayers, shareholders and the public deserve a resolution to the bankruptcy • Proposed settlement is reasonable and is the fastest path out of bankruptcy • Helps put behind the energy crisis and start rebuilding California’s energy future
Ratepayers and California Benefit from the Proposed Settlement • PG&E remains vertically integrated under existing State regulation • Rates can come down immediately on plan effective date and are projected to decline over the next five years
Ratepayers and California Benefit from the Proposed Settlement (cont.) • Avoids higher costs under PG&E’s plan • Would save about $1.3 billion. • PG&E meets investment-grade credit ratings criteria under the proposed settlement • Ratepayers benefit directly from generator refunds • Provides substantial environmental preservation and enhancements
Ratepayers and California Benefit from the Proposed Settlement (cont.) • Provides a means to assign DWR contracts under the following conditions • Senior unsecured credit ratings are at least “A” by S&P and “A2” by Moody’s, post-assignment • Contracts are deemed just and reasonable • CPUC provides full and timely recovery of all related costs
Terms of the Proposed Settlement • PG&E abandons utility disaggregation • Resolves energy-crisis related litigation • Creditors paid in full Projected Sources and Uses of Funds at Emergence
Terms of the Proposed Settlement (cont.) • Establishes a $2.21 billion regulatory asset amortized over nine years • Ratepayer Cost (Net Present Value) In Millions • Ratepayer Cost (Nominal) In $Millions
Terms of the Proposed Settlement (cont.) • Provides PG&E with $775 to $875 more in headroom revenues in 2003 Total Headroom Provided In $Millions
Terms of the Proposed Settlement (cont.) • Return on equity and capital structure guarantees Unamortized Regulatory Asset • 11.22% ROE floor • 52% floor on authorized equity component once PG&E’s equity component of capital structure reaches 52% Remaining Capital Structure • Until S&P confers a company credit rating of at least “A-” or Moody’s confers “A3” • ROE floor of 11.22% • 52% floor on equity ratio except for a transition period in 2004 and 2005 where the floor is 48.6%
Terms of the Proposed Settlement (cont.) • Dividend restriction • No dividends on common stock before July 1, 2004 • PG&E estimates that shareholders will forego approximately $1.7 billion in dividends from October 2000 to July 2004 • PG&E donates to public agencies or non-profits, or provides conservation easements on, 140,000 acres of land • includes watershed lands associated with hydroelectric facilities • includes the 655 acre Carizzo Plains
Terms of the Proposed Settlement (cont.) • PG&E establishes a non-profit Environmental Enhancement Corporation to oversee environmental management of the donated lands • governing board will include members from various state agencies, including three to be named by the CPUC • PG&E will fund the corporation with $70 million over ten years through electric rates • PG&E establishes a non-profit corporation to support research and investment in clean energy technology • governing board will include members appointed by the CPUC • PG&E shareholders will bear the cost of funding the corporation with $15 million over five years
CPUC Public Hearing Process • July 25, 2003 – CPUC staff and PG&E filed proponents’ testimonies • August 29, 2003 – Intervenors filed testimonies • Next Steps • September 8, 2003 – Proponents’ and intervenors’ rebuttal testimonies due • September 10 – 12 - Hearings • October 2003 – Opening and Reply Briefs due • November 18, 2003 – Proposed Decision due • December 18, 2003 – Commission vote
Bankruptcy Court Proceeding • Bankruptcy Court • September 2003 – Creditor vote • Fourth quarter 2003 – Bankruptcy Court Confirmation Order • Projections based on effective date of January 1, 2004